threatnings did nothing at all therein when it came to the pinch Neither would Pope Paule the fourth his successor wheÌ„ he was yet but Cardinal establish that which he thought to be mete necessary I omit that which Bernard other learned fathers haue said only this I say except we aply our minds put our haÌ„ds to the tearing vp of this roote of al euil Jesus Christ will descend from heauen with a whip in his hand to expel vs as buiers sellers out of the temple The third remedie shal be to confesse our faults the which in dede is the first step to helth to make the same manifest by publike generall fastings the which maner was alwayes obserued in the olde Church whensoeuer any great perill or daunger was like to come vpon the Church as plague famine or warre the which thrée euils in these our dayes inuade the realme togither For what greater plague can there be thaÌ„ that which slayeth mens soules What greater famine can therebe than the famine of Gods word Or what warre caÌ„ be more mortall or cruell than the corruption of pure doctrine By which we being drawn froÌ„ God are depriued of the eternal kingdom which Christ by his bloud hath purchased for vs Let vs therfore turn vs vnto those old accustomed remedies as to Câ—…mmon praier to fasting and to wéeping and first of all we must take into our handes the sworde of God that is to say his word the scahard wherof we scarsly retaine neither must we thinke that Myters Croziers Cappes Garments and other ornaments the which in old time were outwardly worne to shewe that which was inwarde that is to say that godly doctrine ought to be ioyned with a godly life can deliuer vs froÌ„ the coÌ„tempt of the people seeing that which is eternall is wanting there onely remaineth an outward shew feined sight Let vs set before our eies this horrible sentence which John the Baptist pronounced against the Jewes saying Nowe is the axe put to the roote of the trees euery tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruite is â—…ew â—…e downe and cast into the fire The fourth remedie shall be while the Councel is a preparing gathering togither to stay seditious persons so to restraine theÌ„ that they break not by any meanes the coÌ„mon peace tranquilitie let this be kept as a law ratified and inuiolable that it is not lawful for any subiect vpoÌ„ any occasioÌ„ or for any cause to take armes to lift vp the sword without the coÌ„mandement or leaue of the Prince the only moderator gouernor of warres This I speak for the sorowful exaÌ„ples sake which hapned are like to happeÌ„ except we take heds Of the one part we saw the tumult of Ambaxia on y other part there were certain Preachers which stirred vp the people to tumult violently to set theÌ„selues to destroy banish those protestaÌ„ts vnder a pretence of godly seditioÌ„ as though that Religion coulde or ought to be established by sedition And thus there was greate offence committed on both parts insomuch that many were slaine which were thought to be Protestants Moreouer those protestants did greatly offend enterprising many things rashly to put away these iniuries offred vnto theÌ„ taking armes therby violating the law of the magistrate which beloÌ„geth to no priuate persoÌ„ For the end of the law is to liue according vnto Gods wil to hurt no man and to obey the lawe of Armes Therfore the king is the maintainer of Gods law and the moderator of wars the which he may and ought to vse to the authoritie of the lawe and to the punishing of rebelles and traitours To be shorte he counteth him selfe a king who although he be not ordained of God yet of his owne will and authoritie moueth warre And truely herevpon it followeth that he ought to be counted of all men as an enimy and to be punished as a breaker of Gods ordinance and publique power For this cause I thinke it good that commaundement be giuen to inferior Magistrates that they diligently attend vpon their charge and offices least some newe thing happen by their carelesse negligence Hereby therefore it euidently appéereth that the first bonde to preserue the kings estate is so to establishe Religion that no man may abuse y same at his owne pleasure against the authoritie of the law and the ende thereof which is that both God and the king maye be obeyed But now to come to the seconde principall point as concerning the ordering and kéeping of the people in due obedience we thinke this to be the waye namely to heare the complaintes of the subiectes and to vse conuenient remedies for the same Notwithstanding there is great differeÌ„ce betwéene priuate open complaintes for if the complaints be made of priuate persons to priuate persons the diligence of the Judges which are appointed to ordinary gouernemeÌ„t is a spéedie way to remedie and helpe them But when there are generall complaints or when eyther the confirmation or alteration of things commeth in question we must straight way haue recourse to those auncient constitutions and orders by whiche the safetie of the kingdome standeth the which are nothing else than those thrée orders which we call the states That is to saye that those things being made manifest and opened which maye bring any confusioÌ„ and the remedies which were prouided to put away the same being diligently sought for the king for the loues sake that he beareth to his people maye determine and appoint that which is iustly required to the honor of God and the coÌ„mon profyte of all men Of the which thing the good will of the people wholy dependeth that hauing done that duetie which he oweth vnto God he may in lyke maner satisfie the mindes and willes of his subiectes And so he shall not onely kéepe the name of a king the gifts of nature appertaining to a kingly name but also may rule and gouerne by peace seing that gentlenesse may allure them of their owne good wils to do more than force or violence can extorte from them And to the ende it may euidentlye appéere that the complaintes are such that they ought to be heard and examined of the assembly of the States I will shewe vnto you a generall reason namely this The extraordinarie taxes tallages tributes haue so increased that now the subiectes not onely are not able to beare this great burthen but also not able to satisfie discharge those old duties which were before time accustomed to be payde Is not this a complaint to be considered talked of in the assembly of States Seing the greatest part of the people complaineth of the same and are by no maner of meanes any thing disburthened but specially seing that to heare the afflicted oppressed is the beginning of consolation to declare a readinesse and good will to ease theÌ„ is
the Edicts which haue ben made in these our kings dayes pertaine to no other end than to kéepe the kings subiectes in their obedience and to auoyde seditions vntill such time as the kyng were come to his full age for all those Edictes are temporall and serue but for a tyme to the intent they may be chaunged â–ª if so be necessitie and experience of things shall so declare it to be best The Edict of Iuly was not so soone made as abrogated at the making wherof you your selfe were present and yet notwithstanding the same ought not therfore to be defended by violence â–ª After this there was made another Edict in the moneth of Ianuary And least it should rather bring trouble than tranquillitie at the first we doubted to confirme the same but when we had good hope of peace and tranquillitie we confirmed the same otherwise we would not haue doon it And vppon the same hope of peace thrée dayes agoe we confirmed and published another Edict like to the Edict of Ianuary in euery poynt sauing that Paris the Metropolitane Citie is excepted The which exception was not made without great cause For when the sedition which was there of late dayes wared more gréeuous than in other places it could not be otherwise appeased The end of those Edicts was not to bring in news Religions but as it is sayd already to kéepe the people in peace and tranquillitie If the offence be as great in the first as in the second the Kyng hath power of himself to continew or to alter lawes and not the subiects by priuate aucthoritie by force of Armes The whiib thinge truly wee cannot couller or hide séeing wée read in your declaration how that you say that you and fiftie thousaÌ„d more which are of the same mind wil speÌ„d your liues in this cause We wish that you may receiue this our admonition to your profite to consider that it is a great deale more méet for you being the kings néer kinsman to defend his dignitie than to ioyne your selfe to others which are not in the same conditioÌ„ If by your following of other counselles the dignity of the king be deminished the greater blame reproch shal be youres You know that we haue maintained your InnoceÌ„cie and do perswade wyth you to vse wholesom Counsell least you hurt your selfe We cannot offer vnto you a better testimonye of our good wil ready to serue you which we wil constantly retaine so long as you shew all due obedience to the King and Quéene Concerning other matters which are written in the same your declaration because they doe not appertaine vnto vs you shall vnderstande the Kings will to whome they do appertaine This one thing we adde That the examination of the slaughter committed at Uassi is appoynted to vs to be examined the which shall be handeled of our parte according to oure office and manner wyth iustice and equitie WE haue spoken before concernyng the letters which the Quéene sent to the Prince of Conde In the which shée perswaded him to come vnto the King vnweapened and wythout Armor that the matter might be ended quietly among them and that he might by his presence put away those slanders which were reported of him For there went diuers euell reportes abrode of hym and the more by reason of the Declaration which he caused to be published the Kings Letters being set forth against the same insomuch that the causes of all the troubles were openly layd vpon him Wherevpon the Prince of Conde published another wryting the. ix of May in the which he declared that the Guises whych were called the Triumuiri and not he were the causes of al the troubles declaring reasons by which it might appeare that he had soughte peace did and would still séeke the same And although sayth he I haue alwayes hitherto declared by vndoubted Arguments not only a singuler loue and an obedient mind towards the King and Quéene but also a notable desire and care for the profite and concorde of the Realme the which also of late I declared when as I deferred the putting my self in Armor euen vntil the very pinche and extréeme necessitye at what time I was constrained to doe it that I might resist their violence which threatned to kill and slay and made great bragges and which of late when they had gotten an Army of men contrary to the King and Quéenes commaundement armed them selues entred into Paris where I was at that time being not ignorant what they ment to do yet notwithstanding I made no sturre or do least I should put the City in pearill Yea I hauing no consideration of my estate and condition although I was not the first that put my self in Armor yet notwithstanding at the first commaundement of the Quéene least I might séeme to omit any thing lawful that might bring peace I with mine weÌ„t from Paris minding to get me home to my own house and to dismisse al my train thinking that my aduersaries would haue done the same who notwithstanding coÌ„trarywise kéeping Paris still and doing many things there against their office and also hauing vsurped the Kings authoritye kept the King and Quéene captiues not only in body but also in minde I on the contrarye part ceassed not from that time forward to propounde al reasonable conditions that might be to the end all things might be ended peaceably as testify my wrytings and those men them selues whome I vsed as meanes to bring matters to quiet ende although I say all these things were done thus by me that it might plainly appeare that I desired nothing more than the Kings dignity and the peace and tranquilâ—…ity of the Realme yet notwithstanding fearing least my answers to the Rescripts from the Quéene after I had offered the conditions of peace be not so truely and wholely brought to her handes as they passed from me I thoughte good to haue the whole matter put in wryting both to the ende they may be considered of the King and Quéene and also that they being published throughout all Christian Realmes may be known to all Princes to our Frends in Fraunce and specially to all Courts and ParliameÌ„ts of this Realme of the which but specially of the Court of Paris to the which before this time I haue sent my Declaration I require and craue that these explications of my reasons may be put in the publique Regester to the ende I may geue accounte of all my actions to my Prince and soueraigne Lord the King at what time be shal come to that age that he may Iudge of the merites of his subiects and of their euell desertes also which haue don any thing during the time of the kings Minoritie First of all this I thinke for a suertie that it neyther can nor ought to be sayd that I haue ben the cause either of stirring vp or of maintaining these commotions and troubles when as my ennemies them selues wil
maner of our elders The which is the only foundatioÌ„ of those things which haue happened since that time to the which all those things ought to be referred and brought as to the toutchstone that they may be discerned whether they be good or euill Those lawes and constitutions were deuided into foure principall heades 1 The first concerned the custodie and protection of the Kyng and the Gouernour of the Realme 2 The second concerned those which should be of the Kyngs Counsell for that time 3 The third concerned prouision for warre and all maner of Artillary 4 The fourth concerned Religion and the staying of such troubles as might ensue by occasion therof As touching the first vppon great causes and reasons wise waighed and considered the States or whole body of the Realme haue decréed that the Quéene the Kyngs mother shal haue not only the charge and custodie of the Kynges maiestie her sonne but the gouerment also of the Realme in her owne person and the same not to be put ouer to any other without her consent will and pleasure And this decrée of the States was confirmed and approued by Princes the Kynges kinsmen Also the States decréed that the Queene Mother should be by them so directed that she by her wise ordering and disposing of thinges should discharge the great debt which remained to be paied after the death of king Henry and Fraunces and so the people to be disburthened from such great exactions and payments as they had aforetime payed And that she for her part should endeuour her selfe to bring all thinges to their former state and condition and that the people might liue euery where in peace and tranquillitie The second principall poynt was concerning the Kynges Counsaile The which the States desired to haue furnished with men that were vertuous wise carefull for the Kyng and the Realme Therfore they thought good that the Kynges Counsayle should consist of such men as were not sworne to any forreyne Prince or power as Cardinalles Bishoppes Abbats all such which they call Ecclesiasticall persons both for that they ought to followe their ordinary and proper office and calling and also for the oth which they haue sworne and vowed to the Bishoppes of Rome concerning temporall obedience which haue ben oftentimes enemies to the Bishoppes of Fraunce Therfore they prohibite and disalow any of them to be of the Kynges Counsayle or that there shoulde come vnto that Counsell two bretherne or more together according to the example of other Parliaments NotwithstaÌ„ding here thei except those which are Princes and the Kyngs kinsmen to whom it appertaineth without limitation of number by right to bée of the Kyngs Counsayle except the States haue any thing to obiect against them to the contrary Also they forbid such to be of the Kyngs Counsaile as haue had the ouersight vse and disposing of the Kyngs treasure vntill such time as they haue made their accompts And last of all bicause the Kinges Counsailers are bound to make account to the King of their iuste and lawfull counsaile and also to preserue and maintayne the Kinges treasure and when the Kinges treasurie hath smal store of money in it not to receiue of the King or to suffer to be giuen to any great and large gyftes the states do appoint and determine that all such giftes shal be reuoked and that so many as haue receyued such gyftes be constrained to restore them backe againe and in the meane tyme not to be of the Kinges counsaile Upon this second point dependeth the occasion of the â—…uill warre and sedition which at this day shaketh and violently assalteth the whole Realme of Fraunce the Guises the Constable the Marshall of Santandre perceyuing that they by thys meanes should not only be exclu ded out of the Kinges counsaile but also be constrayned to restore those giftes againe which they haue receyued of the Kinges thereby greatly in riched themselues And so they haue ioyned themselues and coÌ„spired togyther specially to hinder and frustrate that decrée It is no new thing that giftes which Kings haue bestowed contrary to the lawes appointed should be nothing regarded not only of the States which are chiefe in authoritie in the tyme of the Kings nonage but also of the ordinary Iudges of the exchecker by whose indgemeÌ„ts the Kinges afore tyme haue ben put to great expences in gyftes contrary to the lawes of the realme Of these thinges we haue many examples as of the Constable Clisson in the dayes of Charles the vi who was depryued of his office because he had gayned by the seruyce of the King to the valew of sixtene thousand pound But there is greater and more vehement cause at this tyme why they which are bound by the decrée of the states should be called to giue an account of that which they haue receyued and seing that now there is found in the kinges Treasurie the suÌ„me of 330000 poundes which was neuer séene before and yet the people at this present are more burthened with exactions and tributes than euer they were before And it is manifest that King Frauncis the first of that name which had diuers warres for the space of thrée and thirty yeares paied for his discharge a great summe of money and toke not so great and so many tributes of the people lefte notwithstanding in his treasury a greate masse of money Therefore the states demaunde the cause of so great expence And because it is likely that they were spenders and wasters whose dutye it was to husband and increase the same the States vppon verie good consideration do desier to haue an account that restitution and allowance may be made of such vnmeasurable expences The which truly is the verie cause why those thrée haue brought the Realme of Fraunce into these troubles to ouerthrowe those decrées of the states that the same may appeare most true which we saide before namely that they conspire not for religioÌ„s sake but for because they are couetously and ambitiously minded which Religion notwithstanding they take for a cloake to couer and hyde their wickednesse withall The third principall point of their costitutions is this The States would haue it in their power and authoritie during the tyme of the Kinges minoritie to order and appoint warres and at their pleasure to commaund the subiectes to arme themselues Because before they take warres in hand they should vnderstand the causes thereof and by what meanes they might be appeased Therfore also they would haue this authoritie that they which haue prouoked the people to Ciuyll warre might be made knowne to be the authoures of all the calamities and detrements which come by these warres The fourth principal point is that which concerneth Religion by which the states haue decréed that there must be a difference made betwene the cause of Religion and the cause of sedition in so much that for Religions sake no man ought to be condemned
handes without aide and succour and that he was so forced by them that he would suffer his authoritie to be abused to the murthering of his poore and innocent people to the besieging and spoyling of his Noble Cities to the breaking of good and wholesome Edictes to the iniury of the Kynges kinsmen and Nobles and to the ruine destruction of the Kynges faithfull seruants beside an infinite number of wickednesses mo and all to satisfie their willes and mindes which determined to breake the Kynges Edictes without punnishment which Edictes were made by thē States of the Realme for the preseruation of peace and tranquillitie and for the safetie of the Kyngs Maiestie When also I perceiued that they went about and had already put in practise to ouerthrowe and destroye the Religion and the professors and followers of the same I thought it good and most necessary for these causes to prouide out of hand a more effectuall and forceable remedy that the authors of these troubles might at the last he constrayned to come to peace and concord vppon reasonable conditions least the whole Kyngdome of Fraunce through the vnbrideled and outragious willes of a fewe should bée brought into so great perill And for these causes I sent some of my Counsayle Ambassadours into Fraunce wise graue and experiensed men and addicted to neyther part that in the extremitie of these matters there might bee a remedy found out whereby their Kyng and soueraigne Lorde might be obeyed and the peace and tranquillitie of the Realme mayntayned Notwithstanding this my labor and good indeuour was not thankfully taken neyther could I haue any answere frō the yong Kyng nor from his Mother the Quéene being made a feard by that part which was the cause of all these troubles Whilest therfore I was carefully busied about these thinges and had no other care than for the profite of the Kyng my welbeloued brother without condemning of either part I was other wise delt withall than I looked for Wherby appeared that their will and minde was which so often times denied the bearing of those things which were propounded by me and mine at my commaundement for peace and concordes sake For al my Marchaunts of London and of other partes of my Realme which came into certaine places of Brittaine only about their Marchandize and were preparing to retourne home againe were taken and robbed and dispoyled of all their goodes and they which sought to defend them selues were cxuelly slayne their shippes Marchandize taken by the Magistratrs of those places whereunto they arriued and that for no other cause but for that they were reported to be Huguenotes By the which woord although it séemed strange to those poore Marchaunts and Marriners who knew not what it ment it sufficiently appeared from whom they receyued commaundement to doe these thinges and what they would do more if time and occasion would suffer This was no small rapine or light spoyle but of great waight it was not done sodenly or marage but by the common Magistrate vpon the commaundement of the Gouernour of those partes and that by great contencion with my subiectes The matter being complayned of to those that should haue reformed the same nothing was done but to make a mendes one of my messengers comming homwards with letters of my Ambassadour was robbed the which also escaped vnpunished without any farther examination Wherby I perceiue that the Kyng or Quéene his Mother or rather the Kyng of Nauar do rather want authoritie than good will. And certainely it is manifest both by this and by an infinite sort of other arguments in what state and condition the young Kyng standeth when as he maye not preserue his people and houshold establish his lawes and Edicts nor giue no iust answere to other Princes and Nations By which and by other wicked deuises practised against me and my Realme it appeareth to all men of sound iudgement how greatly that violence which is now vsed in Fraunce by the Guises and his fellowes doth toutch not only Fraunce but also mée and my whole Realme more than any other Prince Therfore forsomuch as the dignity and authoritie of the Kyng and the Queene his Mother of his Counsellers louers of peace cannot at this time so much preuaile as to haue abillitie and leaue to rule and gouern or to do any thing els appertaining either to their own people or to other Nations or to their owne proper persons séeing also the Kynges tender age and the Quéene his Mother are so circumuented and snared that they must condescend and agrée to whatsoeuer the Guises will haue them as may testifie those great destructions and manifold calamities which the authors of these troubles haue brought in besieging assaulting and sacking the Kynges Cities and Townes and in shedding the innocent bloud of his subiects also séeing they haue caused ciuill warre that they might abolish and extinguish in euery place the reformed Religion do séeke to make mortall warre in euery part of the whole world furthermore séeing they are the authors and fautors of these pitifull and lamentable troubles are noted so to be of all men who if they might haue time and oportunitie would séeke by all meanes possible to violate and diminish the state and dignitie of my Realme and to conclude séeing of late also they haue openly gone about to cōtend with me by force of armes but by the grace and goodnes of God were disapoynted of their purpose and do yet diligently séeke the same also to aduaunce them selues to my incōmoditie shall I suffer and beare with those sworne and mortall enemies to peace and concord Shall I suffer the bloud of my neighbours to be cruelly shed if by any maner of meanes I might let the same Shall I suffer the young Kyng my welbeloued brother to bee besieged and in great perill and not to be counted vnthankful and mercilesse Shall I as vnwise and negligent haue no consideration or regard to my mortal enemies and to their practise Therfore for these iust euident and necessary causes of the Kynges subiects requiring my helpe and aide in these tempestes and calamities I commaunded many of my subiectes to be armed both by Sea and land to deliuer the subiectes of my welbeloued brother the Kyng of Fraunce from tirrany Rapine murther and destruction and to kéepe certaine Cities bordering vpon the sea coast and more néere vnto vs in saftie from those enemies least the peace made betwéene me and my brother the Kyng being broken they might the more easely warre against my Realme To prouide for the which thinges tyme calleth vpon me For I haue the testimony of a good conscience and do protest that I in these thinges do vse such sinceritye and integrity that I séeke and iusue christian peace as I ought and I doubt not but that the protection and defence of innocent bloud is acceptable vnto God wil be taken in verye good parte of my wel
we think also that the manifest true knowlege of these thinges is loked for of many meÌ„ of forein nations that the first beginnings of those things in these our Commentaries shal not be read of them without some frute Neither do we dout but that many when they haue gotten peace and tranquilitie after troubles will behold our miseries not as thoughe thei themselues were quite out of danger of the like but being moued with the féeling of our afflictions will truly bewaile our estate For whose sake also we haue writteÌ„ these things in Latin that they by some means at the least may be generally vnderstoode of all those which séeke the glorye of God and the preseruation of his Church â–ª Wherfore we trust if we be accused of rashnes as though we had vnaduisedly set forth these things which should haue bin deferred till more conuenient and better occasions wée haue to answere for our selues and to make vs cleare from that faulte For if in a matter commendable and deseruing praise simple and small diligence ought not to be blamed this may be a iuste defence for vs against learned and indifferent meÌ„ namely to wil is sufficieÌ„t in matters of weight It shal be no reproch or shame to vs at all that there be controllers of a learned perfect story But this is the summe of our whole desire that the very truth of those things which were done in Fraunce for religion might be knowne to all men as what is the goodnesse of the cause of the Faithfull and true churches and what is the iniquitie and iniustice of their aduersaries Let al meÌ„ know for a suretie that the Churches of France are not guiltie of sedition and rebellion but are so called by the enimies of the truth and pure doctrine for defending the libertie of the Gospell Let all men know that many thousandes of faithfull Christians being spoyled of their goodes haue like banished meÌ„ forsaken their houses and countrey let them knowe that by warre and by other meanes they haue become true martyrs and by the fraude and deceyte of the Antichristian Guyses are dayly martyred who violating and breaking the moste strayte lawe and faith of promises haue abused the kings name and authoritie to exercise their tirannie and wickednesse To be shorte let al men know that Fraunce is falne into these ciuil wars through the wickednesse of aliens not through the fault of the faithfull Moreouer gentle Reader whiche desirest to be satisfyed in the truth we testifie and affirme thus muche for our selues that we haue written all things truly simply and vprightly without anye manner of parcialitie not gathering any thing by rumours or reportes but by certaine and vndoubted arguments in so much that we are not afrayde to appeale to those that are yet alyue as too eye witnesses yea and to the very time it selfe Farewell â–ª Edward Grant Schoolemaister of VVestminster to the Booke WHo lists to lern the blustring broyles fraÌ„ticke fumes of France The troublous times in three kings raignes that dolefully did chauÌ„ce May here suruey a perfect platt of pageants plaide in vewe That will enforce eche Christian harte most ruthfully to rue To see and heare the true discourse of superstitious tymes That shattered pure Religion with spytefull cankred crimes VVhere errour blind and ignorance true Christians did suppresse And armed all her lungish loutes the godly to distresse To rage and fume against the Church that lurking lay in feare VVith spitefull hate and infamies of those that did it teare Christes faithfull spouse not suffered through furious foes to shine Through rancour lodgd in Princes heads that did from truth decline Gods chosen sheep and vassals true raisd vp to doe his will In puritie him for to serue proud papistes sought to spill Their throates to cut their heades to poll their corpes in fier to caste That to Gods pure Religion came flocking wondrous faste Some choackt with gibbets gabbet at some murdred spitefully Some stabbed in with goting blades and daggers wilfully And all for hating Romish rytes and Belials bragging broode For cleauing to the Chrrstian church that sore astonyed stoode Among the superstitious troupes of Antichristian foes Starke blinded with the Popes delights behedgd with wailsul woes Starte vp some chosen chieftaines stoute of Christes disperpled band That did defie such beggeries in Fraunce that famous lande â–ª VVhich few at first did more allure vnto their sacred sawes To serue the Lord in Hymnes and songes according to his lawes And secretly to pray and preache to set foorth his dew prayse In corners and in hidden holes for feare his trueth to rayse Vntill the rage of hellish hagges the common blinded crew Dyd spye and spite their godly wayes and many of them slew Accused them as Lutherans before the Peeâ—…es and Kings Of Luther that reuin'd the same with fond inuented things Hereof came sectes and taking partes the people censt with rage By might mayntaynd did spoyle the iust the godly â–ª and the sage Edictes were made to staye such broyles and Parliaments were held To let the faithfull be at rest but yet the enemie sweld And daily raged more and more till faithfull did encrease And this reform'd Religion some noble minds did please VVhom God raisde vp to ayde his flocke his chosen sheep to garde Against th â–ª assault of waspishe wolues when their loud cryes he hard For whose defence rose ciuill warres and many a bloudy day The Popish crewe by force did seeke Christes pacient sheepe too slay To roote out this Religion that planted lurking lay And feared not the skalding threates of th' antichristian route But paciently abyde the crosse of Christ with courage stout Though Antichrist the Popes proud grace did rage and fume his fill And all his cankred Cardinals did ioy their bloud to spill They dread not all the Guisian gardes that fierce and mighty be And perfecutors of the trueth that pyne and poute to fee Such valiaunt Captaynes of Christes bande that doe the truth defend And with the gaging of their bloud their frendly ayd doe lend A princely part here Conde playd a prince replet with grace And all his house trew Souldiours stoode the trueth still to embrace Burgeus suffred losse of lyfe and feared not the fier For Gospels sake and truthes defence a lew of his desire Suruey his lyfe and trayning vp his constant faythfull harte His zeale and stout confession he playd a martyrs parte Chatillon shrinke not here a whit a chieftane of the troupe Of Gods dispersed faithfull flocke that made their foes to stoupe Three tymes for this rife ciuill warr the papistes shewd their spight The true and trustie protestants stood stoutly in the right Their cause they manfully mayntaynd Christ Iesus was their shield Sometimes thei foyld their fretting foes that gainst them rose in field Some Nobles slayn and valiant Knights cast downe before their time And all in fence of Christ his cause accused thus
summe besides towardes the maintayning of garrisons of souldiers the fortifying of Cities and other such lyke vses to the great profit and commoditie of the people They made Supplication in like maner that the Edict of Iuly of the which we made mention before and in the which the faithfull were forbydden to assemble themselues together might be taken awaye that also there might be vsed peaceable and quyet meanes in matters of Religion and yet notwithstanding that no Heretikes Libertines Anabaptistes Atheistes and suche lyke seditious persons might be borne withal And that there might be called out of hand a Nationall Councell to reforme the errors of Ecclesiasticall persons Furthermore they requested that the King with his kinsmen the Princes woulde be at the counsell that all men might haue frée libertie vnder the kings warrant to come to that conuocation that they might haue Churches for the administration of their doctrine and Sacramentes graunted vnto them which affirme that they cannot with safe conscience come to the Ceremonies of the Romishe Churche that they mighte openly and plainely professe and maintayne their Religion and put awaye all occasions of slaunder and reproche Last of all they required that all iurisdiction mighte be taken away from Ecclesiasticall persons and restored to the King to whome the same truely appertayned that Ecclesiasticall persons myghte haue no place in the Ciuill assemblyes of Parliamentes and also that Ciuill or temporall persons mighte not haue benefices or spirituall promotions These things were spoken by the orators and speaker for the States according to their commission Moreouer at the length motion was made vnto them â—…o helpe to confirme the couenant made betwéene the Quéene and the king of Nauarre concerning the gouernement of the kingdome To the which they answered that it seemed vnto them verye vnmeete and strange that a woman should rule the Realme of Fraunce which was plaine againste the lawe therof called the lawe Salic After long contention by the earnest persuasion of the king of Nauarre who sought to haue the Queenes fauour and sayd that he did willingly giue place vnto hir the speakers answered that if the king of Nauarre woulde departe from his right and that the king and Quéene could so agrée they would not be against it nor hinder it But it was sayde that those speakers dyd not well in that they swarued from their Commissions and therefore that theyr assente to be voyde and of none effecte neither was the facillitie and myldnesse of the King of Nauarre well lyked of Nowe the Pope feared as we sayde before that Nationall Councell which the king had promysed least it woulde be greatly hurtfull vnto him therfore so muche as he could he made haste to haue a generall Councell And for thys cause he sente the Cardinall of Ferrer to the king Thys Romishe Cardinall called hym selfe the Protector of the Churches of Fraunce for the which names sake manye presents and giftes were giuen to him in Fraunce At the nexte comming together of the States it was concluded that the Pope should neuer afterward haue authoritie to giue anye benefice or spirituall promotion in Fraunce Therefore the Cardinall when he was come woulde haue vsed his accustomed power and authoritie but beyng let by the newe decree of the States or Parliament he rayled vp great controuersies Then the Chauncelor 〈◊〉 affirmed that it was a thing not to be suffered that so newe a decrée of Parliament shoulde be infringed and broken Notwithstanding the matter came to that pasâ—…e by the daylye complayntes of the Cardinall that the king gaue straighte commaundement to the ChauÌ„celor to seale his letters The Chauncelor sayde that it was against lawe and equitie so to doe howbeit he sealed his letters with the kings seale and subscribed these wordes with his owne hande without my consente and will. Then these letters according to custome were sent to the Senate of Paris that they also myght confirme them But when the Senate had read these wordes of the Chauncelor they made this answere They cannot neither oughte they to be receyued Which wordes they alwayes vse when they meane to note any vnlawful or vniust matter Therfore Cardinall Ferrar was without hope of his letters and was very sore agréeued to sée the Popes authoritie so sore diminished and shaken in Fraunce besyde this ballets and rymes were made â—…f hym and hauing his Crosier goyng before hym as the manner is he was deryded of boyes and chyldren that followed him also pretie Libels were set forthe agaynst hym and the image of Pope Alexander his grandfather finely paynted with a liuely description of his wickednesse oute of the wordes of the Poet Pontanus was helde forthe in euerye mannes hande againste him The Cardinall taking this in very euill parte departed out of FrauÌ„ce loking for better occasions to haue his purpose the which in deede he gat afterward But shortlye after thys the Popes authoritie was cut off more and more in Fraunce and all the people almoste euerye where sayde that nowe the authoritie of men must not be wayed but the substantialnesse of reason and truth that the great errors whych long ago were growne were nowe spredde abroade that the Couetousnesse and Luxurie of the Churche men was insatiable that they were more outragious and cruell agaynste those whiche followed the contrarye opinion in Religion All estates and degrées had these and the like communications oftentunes in their mouthes yea and they which as yet were on the Popes side came not so often to their owne Churches as they had wonte but came often to the sermons of the refourmed Churche kepte companye with the faythfull and had often conference with them concerning Religion and sayde that for this cause there ought to aryse no trouble nor breache of friendship or brotherly loue They which more obstinately leaned still to their olde opinions kepte theÌ„selues so cloose within their dores that they scarce durst to come in anye companye Many were dayly alured to the companye of the faythfull in so muche that the alteration of Religion séemed nowe withoute all doubte to be at hande The greatest parte of the Nobilitie also embraced the doctryne of the Gospell And the Queene séemed to prefer Religion verye muche and openly to fauour those of the refourmed Religion whether to please the king of Nauarre or to serue the tyme I knowe not and wrote verie earnestly to Pope Pius the fourth desiring him that he would prouide remedies to stay those troubles And when the time of the parley appointed was rome she wrote very large letters to him the fourth of August to this effect as followeth If sayth she the state of the Kingdome of Fraunce maye be expressely described to the holye Father for so she was wonte to call hym in what and howe manye straites and perills the same was by reason of the diuers opinions of Religion he would prouide with al spéede for it and would helpe to staye these
aucthoritie and estimation among the Parisians thrée counsels of the Citie sumptuously apparelled and a great concoursâ—… of the Citizens crying God preserue the Duke of Guise The which acclamation is proper only to Kinges Now when they were come there were many doubtfull and vncertaine reportes in the Citie and the conspiracy betweene the Guise the Constable and the Martiall of S. Andrew euidently appeared to all men Who ioyning with them certayne of the Senators of Paris sate in counsell euery daye The Prince of Conde also came to Paris accompanied with certaine noble men and exhorted the faithfull not to forsake him in so great perill and daunger The Guises were very sory for this comming of the Prince of Conde which they iudged would be very hurtfull for them For although the common sort of people of the Citie of Paris were foolish hawtie stout at the first by the coÌ„ming of the Guises yet notwithstanding their courage and pride was brideled and abated euen with the name of the Prince of Conde insomuch that they stayed from open outrage Therfore the Citie by the comming of the Prince of Conde was quieted and as it were newly altered But this thing did very much hinder the purpose of the Guises which greatly desired to obtayne Paris being the chiefe Citie of the kyngdome and a very fit place to bring their matters to passe Therfore first of all they saw that they must bring to passe that the Prince of Conde might depart from the citie Wheruppon they practised by the King of Nauar that Marshall Memorencie the Lefetenant of the citie might be called backe againe and that the Cardinall of Borbon which woulde be at their commaundement might be sent in his stede the necessitie of the tyme saye they greatly requiring this thing The Constable brought to passe that his sonne Momorencie should not greatly refuse this thing who if hée had coÌ„stantly withstoode them and denied their request they had very hardly brought their purpose to effect hée being a man of excellent wisdome and experience but yet withall a tyme seruer By this tyme the King of Nauar was come to the King and the Quéene which lay at Moncaulx thither came also out of hand the chief master of the MarchaÌ„ts an Authour of Seditions hyred and sent by the Guises This fellow declared to the King and Quéene that the Prince of Conde wrought sedition at Paris the whiche would shortly tourne to great mischief except he departed from thence the which if it should come to passe hée to whom authoritie was giuen to prouide remedies for the same should beare all the blame So that with hys often complaynts to the Quéene he brought about that according to his request the king of Nauar should goe out of hand to Paris Then the Guises ioyning with theÌ„ certayne of the Senate of Paris that were fittest for their purpose and séeking to haue the greater authority through the presence of the king of Nauar which was chiefe Uicegerent they determined to haue a common counsell to the which they neuer called the Prince of Conde And this they called The Kings Counsel The king of Nauar by the decrée of this counsel wrote out of haÌ„â—… to the Quéene that it was necessary that the Prince of CoÌ„de should departe from Paris and get him home to hys house except she would haue present perill of sedition by reason of his presence to burst foorth into open and manifest perturbation and garboyle Notwithstanding it was to be doubted what would come to passe For a man might beholde thoroughout the citie the diuersitie of mennes myndes by diuers shewes Somewhile they trembled somewhile they triumphed both partes in one hower chauÌ„ged Diâ—…ers rumours were disperst abroade In so much that there appeared euident and most certayne tokens of imminent sedition Great was the power of the Guises through the authoritie of the king of Nauar The Senat had the handling of the cause The greatest part of the people consented the common multitude being easely led On the other parte the authoritie of the Prince of Conde was not small his name hauing suche a maiestie that the people trembled at the same great also was the number of the faythfull and no lesse was their power In so much that there was no great inequalitie betwéene both partes yet 〈◊〉 the twayne the Popes number was the greater yea by many Also the Prince of Conde perceyued well enough all the practises of the Guises and how they went about to bring the king and Quéene to Paris But hée was not as yet fully determined what to doe for he feared least hée forsaking Paris the Guises should possesse the same and if hée should abyde at Paris that then by the Counsels of the Guises the King and the Quéene should bée wonne from him Notwithstanding he wayed and considered with himselfe the graâ—…itie and wisedome of the Quéene of whom he was fully persuaded that shée would withstande the practises of the Guises And hée could not be altogyther certiâ—…ied That his brother the king of Nauar would be so blynd as to preferre straungers before his owne bloud Being therefore doutefull what way to take hée was the more colde in his busâ—…nesse In the meane tyme the Queene being stirred and prouoked with the dayly complayntes of the Marchant maister wrote vnto the Prince of Conde wisshing him to forsake Paris and to come to the King And the Prince of Conde was dayly disturbed and persuaded hereunto by the Cardinall of Bâ—…urbon his brother who was sent as we sayd before to kepe the Citie Therefore he went from Paris to his house called Fertea in his owne Dominion purposing to goe from thence to the Kinge as the Queene had giuen commaundement Things being thus appointed and the Guises being free from their gâ—…t feare by the departure of the Prince of Conde they appointed a very great and strong garrison of soldiours ordayned before by the Marchant maister to keepe Paris Thus when they had gotten the citie according to their own desire they seekâ—… to atchieue and bring about another principall poynt of their counsels and deuises Therefore they made hast with an armie of men to the king who at that tyme was at Fontainbleau The Queene being amased and afrayd at his sodein preparation looked for the Prince of Conde who euen now also had taken his iourney to come Of the which when the Duke of Guise had intelligence fearing least the Prince of Conde would enter into Paris hée gaue charge and commaundement to the Marchantmaister to looke diligently thereunto Uppon this commaundement the Marchantmaister warned the Captaynes to haue their Souldiours armed and in a readinesse appointed watch and ward to be in euery place of the citie and planted péeces of Ordinance in suche places as he thought néedefull Therefore when the Prince of Conde came néere the citie notwithstanding mynding not to enter therein the whole citie roonge and sounded with the
noyse of the great Gonnes In the meane tyme the Guises otherwise peraduēture scarse able to match with the Prince of Conde thought it not best to tarry his comming at Fontaynbleau least they should put their purpose in hazard Therfore they purposed to carry awaye the King from Fontaynbleau which was a place not of strength but of pleasure to a more strong holde Whereuppon they caused the king of Nauar whose authoritie they abused in all things to serue their turne to persuade with the Quéene that it was very necessary for diuers present necessities to departe from Fontaynbleau The Prince of Conde comming to take the king To this the Quéene answered that there was nothing more vnlikely than that his bro ther the Prince of Conde being the Kings kinsmā shuld purpose any such thing against the king his leige Lord and maister and beside this saith she the king will not departe to any other place The Quéene constantly persisting in this mind was agayne prouoked by the king of Nauar who sayde that they must of necessitie departe from thence otherwise the king would be destroyed and excepte shée would graunt hereunto he sayd he would him selfe of his own authoritie and office being the Kinges kéeper and Protectōr transporte the King to another place Then the Quéene began to beséeche the King of Nauar to knowe his intent and why hée should haue these suspicions of the Prince of Conde The King him selfe also sayde that hée would goe to no other place and in his childish vehemence hée declared his griefe with teares But the King of Nauar still affirmed that there was no remedie but that they must néedes departe from thence Therefore hée and the Guises caryed away the King and the Queene his mother his bretheren and his Sister from Fountaynbeleau to a Towne called Mellune The King so soone as hée came thyther was appointed to lodge in the Castell that was therein without any maner of Kinglyke prouision for the same the which Castell afore tyme had bene vsed as a prison to kéepe offenders in and such as had deserued death by their euil demeanor By reason of this expedition and haste of the Guises the Prince of Conde had no way or meane to doe any thing as hée would In so much that now there was a playne gate set wyde to open warres For the Prince of Conde being the Kinges néere kinsman and séeing that his elder Brother dyd not his dutie thought that hée ought not to suffer the safegarde of the King and of the whole realme to come in perill Therefore hée tooke counsell out of hande hée came to Orleans strayt after that hée had sent the Andelot with certayne horsemen and kept the same béeinge a well fenced citie and fit for his purpose gaue commaundement by publiqne Edictes That no man shuld cause any tumult vnder the pretence of Religion and that all men of what Religion so euer they were of should obserue and kéepe the kinges Lawes Edictes He commaunded also the kings Officers and the Magistrates of the Towne to come vnto him Who being come hée straytly charged them to doe their dutie vpon their alleageance and obedience to the king gyuing them to vnderstand that he was not come thyther vnder his owne name but in the name of his soueraygne Lord the king The faythfull according to the prescript of the kings Edict had their Sermons without the Citie The Papistes on the other part fréely vsed their rightes and ceremonies frequented their churches and the morrowe Masse Priestes walked through the citie in their priestly apparell All things were done fréely on both parts the Prince gyuing new commaundements and charge from day to daye that no man should be so hardy as to breake the kings peace This was done in the moneth of March. After this that the Guises were certified that the Prince of Conde was come to Orleans yea and that great rumours were brought dayly vnto them they were fully determined to take no small enterprise in hande Therefore the societie in the which they were lynked before with the Constable and the Martiall of S. Andrew being confirmed now agayn betwene them selues they sayde that it was nowe a more conuenient tyme to proclayme open warre than would be afterwarde by further delay The king of Nauar was woon on their side Paris they enioyed And the king was in their handes But they feared and stoode in doubt of the Quéenes mynd which at that tyme playnely séemed to inclyne to the Prince of Conde Least therefore the Quéene ioyning with the Prince of Conde should go about some new practise first of all they determined to carry the king and the Quéene to the most conuenient place for their purpose that all occasion of feare might be quite taken away And to serue their tourne they vsed diuers pretences and coloures By the king of Nauar they declared vnto the Quéene that it was most necessary in consideracion of those perillouse tymes that the king should be caryed to Paris Beside him the Marchant maister dayly persuaded that it was necessary for the King to come to Paris to stay the hurleyburleys and to quiet the people by his presence They declared therefore to the Quéene that it is fully decréed that the king should be carryed from Melune to Paris notwithstanding that the Queene earnestly requested the contrary First came the Constable with thrée hundred horsemen attending vpon him from Melune to Paris and then began open warre agaynst the faythefull The Constable vnderstanding that Ruzeus a noble Counceller in the common place Court of Paris professed the reformed Religion sent for him and commaunded him to prison And Ruzeus demaunding of him by what authoritie hée did so he aunswered It is authoritie sufficient that the Constable himselfe hath done it After this hée hauing a great multitude of people sollowing him came to those places which were limited to the faythfull by the kinges Edicte for the preaching of the worde and the administration of Sacramentes and there casting all the pewes selles seates and benches on a heape hée set them on fyre The cōmon multitude highly commending him for the same who beeing encouraged by the familiar example of the Constable by and by set the howses belonging to the same on a light fyer and burnt them downe to the ground Then had euery man frée leaue libertie to put him selfe in armour Insomuch that a man might then sée in euery streate and corner of the citie armed men well appoynted to fight and the rash multitude of laboring men hauing weapons in their hands to lay lustely about them committing murther and rapine throughout the citie falling with violence vppon euery on that was said to be a Huguenote Yea a mā might see inordinate sedition in euery place If any man made complaynt to the Constable of any violence or wrong done to him he should for his recompence be threatened to the gallowes The houses
at the last the streates and the riuer were filled with dead carcasses There was nothing so cruell which the furious multitude did not attempt To this tumultuous and sedicious citie did the Guises bring the king first of all to the Castell which appertayned to the King then the King entered the citie without any maner of kinglike pompe to the Castell called Lower All thinges falling thus out according to the desire of the Guises they now seriously studie and beate their braynes concerning the order of their warres and they communicated their busines with the Kinges counsell which they had almost renued chusing such as they knew were for their purpose and putting out others cōmaunding also Michael Hospitall the kings Chaūcelour to get him home to his house requiring them to prouide for the mayntenaunce of the warres euen as if they should haue delt with the forreyne enemy They sent also Ambassadours into Spaine into Italy and into Zwitserland to haue helpe and ayd from thence Euery where but specially at Paris there was pressing out of souldiours the Marchants and the shaueling Priestes setting forth many souldiours armour goonnes and all maner of furniture being prouided for the warres On the other part the Prince of Conde séemed to be very carefull and disquieted with these commotions musing what successe his enemies should haue and of the euent of the imminent warre being very lothe as it shuld séeme to warre wyth them Wherupon he cau sed the Edictes concerning the maintenance of peace to be proclaimed least any mā for religions sake or for any other cause should make a tumult and declared to the magistrates of the towne and to his Centurious that he desired nothing more than to haue all men liue according to the prescript of the Kings Edicts He wrote also daily letters to the King to the Quéene and to the King of Nauar hys brother beséeching them to take héede and sée that all things were done peaceably and by cōmon consent if it might be admonishing also such as had the gouernment of the Common wealth to be ware least by the ambition of the Guises and of his adherents the King and the Realme were broughte into great pearill and danger for the auoiding whereof so many meanes of late were vsed protesting héerewyth that he desired rather to sée the very extréeme end than warre and that he wished specially that the king in that hys tēder age and hys realme also might be accordingly prouided for Notwithstanding the willes and purposes of hys aduersaries so manifestly appeared that he was admo nished by diuers prudēt and wise men which attended vpon him that it was his part to séeke all that he could to let and hinder them least they did turne to the ruine and subuertion of the whole realme and of the reformed church For there came vnto the Prince of Conde of all estates some from all partes of the Realme and very many also of the Noble men as the Admirall the Andelot his brother and the Cardinall Odette the Earle of Rochefoulcaut the Prince Porcian Piennes Crusol Soubiz Mouy Sanli Estern and manye others which came to the Prince in great number to Orleans These men perceiued wel inough the horrible and wicked enterprises of the Guises and their adherents the manifest violating of the Kings Edicte the iniury offred to the yong King and to the Quéene his mother and the conspiracies of straungers againste the Kings kinsmen and therfore they thought it their duty to prouide for these mischéenes Whervpon after deliberation had with the Prince of Conde they earnestly persuaded with him to take vpon him the patrociny and defēce of the realme for that the right of gouerning the realme during the time of the Kings minoritie pertained vnto him the King of Nauar hys brother neglecting his duty in that behalfe They prayed and most earnestly beséeched him being of the Kings bloud that he wold not forsake the captiued King in such time of perill that he would not suffer the Kings Edictes to be violated and contemned of strangers of whose violence he him selfe not long agoe had experience and principally that he would not permit that true Religion wherof he hym selfe was so zealous a professor to be suppressed so furiously by warre This thing they being the kings faithful subiects most humblely beséeched him that he wold vauchsafe gladly to take in hād they promising to shew them selues ready at all times to shewe all manner of lawfull obedience and to spend their goodes and their liues to in so iust a cause The Prince of Conde being moued in conscience with this plaine declaration of his duety and hauing so oftentimes called vpon the mother Quéene by his letters he at the last toke vpon him the defence of thys cause and the charge so earnestly offered vnto hym Wherevpon the Prince of Conde and the Noble men made a league betwéene them selues for the defence of that cause and then caused the same to be put downe in wryting the eleuenth day of April in maner and forme folowing WE Lodowic Borbon Prince of Conde and the greatest Parte of the Nobilitie of Fraunce whose names are subscribed to this League esteeming nothing more precious next to the honor and glory of God than the obedience of our King and the conseruation of the Crowne aed Dignity during the time of this his Minority established by the Authority of the Quene and by the high Court of Parliament and seeing the presumption and boldnesse of certaine of the Kings subiectes to be such that not only they dare beare armoure contrary to the Kings Edictes to destroy his subiectes because by the benefite of the Edictes they come together to heare the word of God and to call vpon his holy name but also haue taken into their custody the King the Queene and her sonnes againste all Lawe bothe of God and the Realme seking hereby so farre as we can perceiue vnder the pretence of the Kings authoritye to deface true religion and to destroy the greatest part of the Kings Subiectes which in dede were the way to get the Kingdome into their owne handes VVe therefore I say for these causes to restore so much as we may first of all the Kings maiesty to his dignity the Quene to her authority and may also maintaine and kepe the Kings faithfull subiects in the liberty of that Religion and conscience which is licensed and geuen to them by the Kings Edicte made by the iudgements and consents of the Princes the Kings kinsmen and of the Kings counsel and also of the whole assembly of Parliament which ought to abide firme and immutable in this tender age of the King are constrained according to our duety and office as the Kings loyall faithfull subiects to take the sweard in hand the which is the only remedy geuen of God at this time to remedy and resist so muche as we may these outrages and vnlawfull actions For the
no doubt might runne before their wyt The which thing truly doth sufficiētly declare that those things are true which certeine of their familiar friends and houshold seruaunts haue reported which doth also appere by diuers of their letters that haue ben taken namely that their purpose is to depriue me of that company of men which are here with me to punish them with such punishments as they had already deuised The which in déed the slaughters and spoyling rapine committed by the soldiers of the Constable those things also which were done in diuers places against the mē of the reformed Religion do opeuly declare but specially that horrible murther don by the Guises at Sens. Of the which calamities they are to giue an account and to answer But as touching the cōmaundemēt of the Quéen by which shée hath willed me laying my armour asyde to come vnto the king vpon hir fayth and trust and too make me such assurance in wryting as I shall require I protest truly that I haue a singular desire good will to obey hir commaundements but I vnderstand that these are the subtil practises of my enimies which bring all things to passe as they lust themselues And agayne I sée not how the Quéene can saue me harmlesse so longe as shée is in that state that she is now in For how shall she resist them who putting thēselues in armor against hir wil haue beset hir round about And as like it is that my brother the king of Nauar cānot exercise his power and authoritie as he should whose facilitie sufferance thei haue greatly abused do what they list themselues both against his will and the Quéenes eut̄ as also they haue done oftentimes heretofore when they were put in authoritie to gouerne The which iniuries done to them if they would remember they must néedes think themselues much bound to the prouidence of god which hath safely preserued them from the counsels and practises of the Guises To be short I sée no other way for the safegarde of the king and Queen than for the Guises to depart from the Court home to their howse and for the Quéene hir self to recouer hir former libertie For truly I will not thinke and beléeue that they are to bée trusted so long as they kéepe themselues in armes doo retayne those bandes of men which they haue gathered vnto thē yea I my self am plainly taught to take héedby their promises heretofore For what mischief is it not that they séeke to worke against me and those also that are with me They openly reuile vs as rebelles open enimies to the King and the realme and doe thruste vs out of our offices and also threaten death vnto vs For who knoweth not what false rumors and shamelesse re ports they haue openly bruted abroad against me Who séeth not the preparation of warres which they make against me both within the kings dominions and also without They conspire with foreyne Ambassadours to make warre partly without the Quéenes knoweledge and consent and partly by hir consent which they extorte from hir through feare abusing hir facilitie making hir beléeue that which they intende not They set the King and encourage him agaynst his faythfull subiectes They spende and waste the kings Treasure in warlyke affayres which should be better bestowed to the paying of his debtes So that the same whiche the people gaue to helpe their King withall is nowe tourned to their destruction And to accomplish their wickednesse at the full they mind vtterly to destroye the greatest part of the Nobilitie which mislike of their wicked actes The which certainely is nothing els but to bring the kyng and the Realme into present destruction And in the middest of these their diuelish Counselles am I in safetie For whereas it is sayd that I do séeke my owne priuate commoditie more than the common wealth that certainely cannot be rightly sayde of me but more truly a great deale of them which adde dayly to their olde wickednes new mischiefes being so obstinate and wilful that they had rather bring the kyng and the Realme in to this perill of warre than for common quietnes sake somewhat to relent They say that they will not go home from the Kyng What faythfull Subiecte would denie to obey his soueraine in this To the auoyding the causes of such present and imminent euilles For whereas they obstinately say that it is not méete for them to depart from the Kyng in this his minority they haue no reason for it For the Quéene is sufficient inough to discharge that matter specially whē as great and vrgent cause requireth the same Let them remember that they were aduaunced to their dignities not to do all thinges after their owne mind and contrary to the wils of the kyng and Quéene to bring the Realme into these daungers but to the end they might kéepe the same in peace and concord that is to leaue it in that state in the which it was before thei enterprised to take armoure In putting on of the which dare they say that they haue done according to their office It is lawfull for no man truly in this Realme to put on Armour except it be by the expresse commaundement of the kyng It hath not bene lawfull at any time by the lawes of Fraunce in the dayes of those kynges that haue bene of lawfull age for the kynges naturall bretherne though they retourned from warre to enter armed ▪ into the court And haue they aucthoritie so to do in this time of the Kinges minoritie But if they were the Kynges faithfull subiectes séeing that by their comming in Armour into the Court the whole Realme is in a roare they would for the peace tranquillitie of the Realme depart And séeing this is the only way to bring peace and concord they if they were good and faithfull subiectes woulde shew themselues to haue more regard to the cōmon profite of all men than to themselues Although truly I my selfe am not only as they are an officer to the kyng but also the Kinges néere kinsman and therfore haue more right and authority to be with the king yet notwithstanding I which was not the first that put my self in Armour for the common wealthes sake do protest and promise that I with all that are with me will depart euery man to his house vppon condition that they will do the like To the which condition except they graunt all men may sée that it is not I but they which prefer their owne gaine before the common wealth But and if they cannot be satisfied with these reasons let them also search for examples let them call to mind what hath ben alwayes wont to be done hitherto in these matters and they shall find that the Kynges aforetime of Fraunce haue vsed this meane that when controuersies haue fallen out betwéene their Princes and that both partes had put themselues in Armes by their priuate
owne accorde To the which except they will graunt wée cannot in consideration of our office depart from the King except we would shew our selues to be carelesse in defending the King and the Realme in so great necessity But if they will yéeld vnto these conditions we are ready to get vs to our owne houses and to obey the coÌ„mauÌ„dement of the King of Nauar. But we meane not hereby to seclude the Prince of Conde from the Kings company nay we wish rather that he were néere the King and that he were sent for to come from them with whoÌ„ he is now linked and to be daily with the King trusting that so worthy a Prince will do nothing but that which shall become him to doo After that these supplications of the Guise and his fellowes came to the eares of the Prince of CoÌ„de he made answer vnto them sending letters to the Quéene with his answer beseeching hir that she would also diligently wey and consider his reasons and that she would cause both his writing his aduersaries also to bée kept for a memoriall for euer that both their actions might one day be shewed to the king The aunswere which he made was to this effect Although saith he I haue heretofore oftentimes declared both by writing and also by other meanes why I haue put myself in armour and vppon what condicions I am ready to vnarme my self agayn and to go to my house yet notwithstanding I could neuer obtayne any thing at their handes which haue the King and Quéene in hold but threatnings contumelious wordes So soone as I came hither before they vnderstood any thing of me they sent letters such seuere sharpe commaundmente as though they had had to do with théeues the most wicked men aliue But nowe when they perceiue that I regarde not their impudent boasting proud threates that thei cannot stay me froÌ„ my purpose also that I coÌ„staÌ„tly perseuere in my lawfull request hauing no consideration of my selfe but of the libertie of the King Quéene and of the peace and tranquillitie of the realme they séeke to preuayle by other subtil wayes And this forsooth is their deuise they haue offered a certayne supplication to the king in the which they pretend al obedience submission reuereÌ„ce But if a man read mark the same well he shall find it rather a Decrée than a Supplication For it is a flat sentence and decrée made concluded vpon by these thrée namely by the Duke of Guise the Constable Momorencie and by the Martiall of S. Andrew with these also was the Popes Legate the seruants of straungers But they which for six monthes ago marked noted al their doings can testifie vpon what foundacions these conclu sions do stand not vpon zeale of Religion and fayth but rather vpon the fraude deceypt and ambition of those thrée who séeing theÌ„selues to be out of the court were offended not that thei had any iniurie offered them but because they could neuer yet abyde that the Prince being of the kings bloud should be about the king perceiuing also that the Quéene rather sought the Kings profite and the peace and tranquillitie of the Realme than to satisfie their willes they began to ioyne ano associate themselues togyther to recouer their former libertie againe to rule and gouerne all thinges as they list themselues And when they saw that they could not haue helpe of the Nobles nor of the common sorte of people to bring their matters to passe for the they were iustly hated of them they coloured their purpose wyth the pretence of Religion hoping therby that the popish priests and those that hoong vpon them would ayde assist them And thus winning so many to take their parte as they could and séeking to haue ayd by straungers of for reyne Nations they minded to come to the kinge and Quéene in such battayle aray that no man should once resist them And to the end they might haue better hope to rule thei tooke and kept the names of all those whom they thought or suspected would be hurtfull vnto them minding to kil some to banish other some and to spoyle and depriue many of their offices And among the principall number was Michael Hospital the Kings ChauÌ„celour diuers of the kinges counsell and many other good men set in authoritie and office vnder the Kinge There were also already some placed in their roomes which were eyther slaine or banished And truely they very well declared their iudgement of late in chosinge those six whom they appointed to be of the Kings counsel the matter being so ridiculouse that the people made a game or ieste of that choyce The Quéene was sent away to Câ—…enoncellum to busie hir selfe in gardening The Prince Rochsurion the kinges néere kinsman being a very wise and godly person was called away froÌ„ the King and in his place were set new Tutours that he might neuer heare any mention made of God or of any godlynesse nor any thing else which appertained to good education he being of himselfe of a good disposition and well inclined And that he might not bée taught to vnderstande his estate which the Quéene his mother went about to instruct him in teaching him to heare euery mans cause peaceably to make much of his noble men to estéeme the vse of armour for necessities sake to looke to iudgement to maintaine his people to be a gard to the afflicted to deliuer the oppressed and aboue al things to beware least he retayned any suche persons about him which vnder colour of frendship humility would take vpon him the kings office vse tyrannie against the kings subiectes These things I say were taught him of the Quéen his mother which these thrée Suppliants much mislike of who would haue the King frame himself to their bent disposition as to daunce cunningly to sit or ryde a great horse well hansomly to carry a speare to be a waÌ„toÌ„ louer to loue another mans wife more than his owne and to be short to bee ignorant of all honesty vertu For they say the it is not méet for a King to be occupied and troubled with suche hard matters But rather say they it is méete for a king to shewe him selfe very seuere towards his subiectes that come vnto him to enriche his housholde seruaunts and to commit the gouernement of the Realme wholy vnto them not to trouble himself in hearing mens causes in reading letters in setting too his hand and seale least their deceites which they vse vnder the coullour of his seale should be espied to fancy and fauour a few which coÌ„tend one with another who shal be the greatest theef to be liberall only to a few and to other some sparing hard and to dispoyle the people of their goods to sell the offices of Judges for money to simple and vnlearned men last of all to fill the Court full
the sentence of the Iudge behold sayth he I and my fellowes ouer and aboue the former declarations of our innocencie do publish these things in maner and forme following First of all whereas I am excluded out of that nomber that are counted rebelles the singuler loue care that I haue for the Kinges maiestie and dignitie wyll not suffer me not to accounte my selfe a partaker and sustainer of that wound and hurie which is done vnto those men whom I know neuer to haue had any other respecte and consideration then the preseruation of the Kinges maiestie and of the whole Realme And I affirme that I thinke my selfe so little gratefied hereby that I thinke they haue done vnto me great iniury in that they haue gon about to except and seperate me froÌ„ so honest godly a coÌ„pany of the kinges louinge faith full subiectes Therfore I being perswaded before God men that their Innocencie is such that no one iot of disobedience or rebellion can be iustly imputed to them or mée intend to ioyne my selfe and to be in the same condition with them whose cause and mind is all one who are also of the same religion of the same lyfe that I am of and are also no lesse careful than I to mainetain and aduaunce the true woorship of God in this realme And as I can not nor ought to be disliked of theÌ„ at whose coÌ„mauÌ„dements I haue iustly put my selfe in armour eueÌ„ so I ought not neither wil I seperate my self froÌ„ them who at my entreatie haue armed theÌ„selues with me are of the same will mind that I am of Furthermore I haue sufficient experience of those wonted subtilties in my aduersaries in so much that I may easely vnderstaÌ„d what they go about by making exception of me As also may euidently appeare by those letters rescripts sent to the Liuetenaunt of the prouinces in the which letters I my selfe amonge others am comprehended But to the end it maye appeare that they rather ought to be counted Rebelles which obiecte rebellion vnto vs that is to saie that they are Rebelles in dâ—…de which were the first that put them selues in Armoure to breake the authoritie of the Kinges Edictes and not we which to hinder their mischeuous attempts armed our selues we wil briefly repeat those things which ar more at large setforth in our former declaratioÌ„s Al meÌ„ know the Edit of Ianuary brought such peace traÌ„quilli ty to the whole realme that the state of the kyngdome being before tossed and tormoyled with tempestious waues of diuers troubles séemed to haue attayned at the length to the most quiet hauen of peace and tranquillitie when as the Duke of Guise commiting a most horrible slaughter at Vassi openly declared that he inteÌ„ded nothing but open warre against the Kings dignitie against the peace tranquillitie of the whole Realme The which thing as méete it was I could not take in good part for that I know my self to be bound by the bond of consanguinitie to mayntayne the Kyngs Crowne dignitie which the Guises of late went about to deface For this séemed vnto me to be very lewde that a sub iect durst be so bold so openlyto coÌ„temne the law of his Prince that such a law as was made coÌ„firmed by al the states of the Realme in sollempne Courte of Parliament And although I of my owne aucthoritie had theÌ„ iust occasioÌ„ offered me to withstaÌ„d so bold an enterprise against the king his lawes yet notwithstanding I did moderate stay my selfe vntil such time as I had expresse commaundement to take the matter in hand And here I beséech the Quéene to call to her remembrance how that when she was at Saint Germans she was certified of the whole purpose counsayle and intent of the Guises as that shée should bée put beside her authoritie and that her most faythfull and trustie seruants that were about her should bée put from her to the end that when they had gotten the gouernement of the Realme they might rule and order all thinges at their owne pleasure Of the which matter when she vnderstoode and of the League also which the Spanish â–ª Ambassadours intruded she was wonderfully troubled and gréeued insomuch that for this cause she intreated me that I wold with all spéede gather together so great a power as I could to hinder the same The which request I faithfully accomplished hauinge both a consideration to the Quéenes commaundement and also of my dutie towardes the Kyng and the Realme This was the beginning of all those things which I haue prosecuted euer since that time setting my self against those whom the Quéene iudged to be our enemies And here also let her call to minde those whom at that time shee coulde name one by one But when the Guises by their conspiracies both at Paris and els where had openly bewrayed to all men that thing which before was setretly in their mindes the Quéene againe both by her letters and also by messengers confirmed that her former charge and commaundement giuen vnto mée which was that I shuld withstand the violence of the Guises and his adherents And here I pray and most humbly beséech her that so farre forth as the faith and word of a Quéene ought to stand firme she would set before her eyes euen those things which she wrote vnto me with her owne hand the which I am now constrayned to publish abrode for all men to behold that in her letters also my innocencie maye bee séene For I must néedes assure my selfe of this that shée cannot chuse but be mindfull of those thinges which she wrote vnto me from Fontainbleau â–ª in the Moneth of March commending the Kyng and her selfe also vnto mée in these woordes I commend vnto you â–ª the Mother and her children and of that also which shée wrote vnto me with her owne hand by Monsuer Bocauan at what time the power of the Guises was at Paris that I would not vnarme my selfe before my aduersaries had done the like affirming also that euery man might sée to what end their conspiracie tended Let hir also remember how oftentimes she hath séemed and hath signified also the same by letters to accept and like very well of my doinges which she sayd she would put the Kyng in mind of that when he came to lawfull age he might reward me according to my well deseruing To this purpose it serueth which shée spake to the Admirall a few dayes before he should depart from the Court namely that she knew him to bée so faithfull and obedient to the Kyng and to her that hée would indeuoure himselfe all that he could to deliuer them from the oppression of the Guises Insomuch that of late she wrote vnto him by Monsuer Rembouill that she thought him to be so faythfull a seruant to the King and so carefull for the Kynges crowne and dignitie that she would vse his aduise and counsayle
to pacefie the present troubles To be short her behauiour towardes me and my fellowes when we and shée were together at Baugence do so playnely proue her consent and agréement in this matter that it shall be néedelesse to repeate many other arguments to proue this thing For there before seuen Noble men shée speaking of our dutifull obedience protested vnto vs that she did acknowledge that we by our déedes had preserued her life and the Kynges These thinges considered haue our aduersaries any reason nay haue they any coniecture of Rebellion against vs By whose aucthoritie shall we be sayd to be Rebelles Shall we be sayd to be Rebelles by the Kyng and Quéenes authoritie who haue giuen vs expresse coÌ„maundements to arme our selues who flée vnto vs for succour in these perilles who by their will letters and messages like of our doings giue vs thankes and approue the same as profitable for the preseruasion of this Realme Furthermore all men know that those our enemies haue abused the Kyng Quéenes names whose willes also they haue captiued vnto them â–ª The which is the only cause why I and my fellowes haue hitherto testified and as yet also do vnfainedly protest That we will not receiue any Edicts Rescripts or Decrées comming forth in the Kynges name so long as he enioyeth not his libertie For probation wherof this example may serue namely That the Quéene complayned vnto vs oftentimes in hir letters that she could not therfore graunt vnto vs our requestes because the contrary part was mightier and the people armed And although the Kinges name since the Moneth of Aprill last past hath ben so abused yet notwithstanding the matter thereby hath the more playnely appeared but most playnely by those letters which the Quéene sent by Monsure de Villars and MoÌ„sure Vieilleuill the xxiiy day of May In the which shée wrote that shée deliuered the Kyng into other mens handes vnderstanding by these woordes other mens handes our aduersaries Whereuppon it followeth that this sentence of Rebellion and all other thinges done in the Kynges name ought to be iudged to be done by our enemies séeing the Kyng is in their handes as appeareth by the testimony of the Quéene Let men iudge therfore what sentence that is against the condemned being pronounced by those which are both aduersaries and Iudges But let vs sée what great fault of Rebellion that is which is layed to our charge and why it is ob iected to vs Because say they they will not vnarme them selues If this be the fault I demaund what they are to be called which comming to the Court armed although they had no enemies in Armes yet notwithstanding would not vnarme them selues at the commaundemeÌ„t of the Kyng and Quéene and which continew in the same boldnes and presumption still But who is hée which at the commaundement of the enemie will laye aside the sword which he hath drawne to fight What doth the enemy els in commaunding me to vnarme my selfe than to will me to commit my goods to the spoile and my life to crueltie and also to receiue the lawe at the handes of an outlawe Is not that to breake the fence with the which God hath inclosed his Church that being destitute of fence and inunition men may fall in to the handes of their cruell and fierce enemies Furthermore all men know very well that I alwayes offered to laye aside my Armour so soone as my enemies vnarming them selues had restored the Kyng to his former libertie Was it not méete that they which were the first that put them selues in Armour and that without commauÌ„dement and aucthoritie and against the expresse Edicts and commaundements of the Kyng and Quéene should bée the first in like maner that shoulde vnarme them selues rather than they which by their example put on Armoure that is to saye by the commaundement of the Kyng and Quéene to preserue them and also to defend the Edictes from the oppression and violence of others To be short let all my actes done vntill this day be examined and it shal be found that my aunsweres my declarations conditions and all my actions are testimonies of my innocencie What condition of peace agréeable to reason and equitie haue I aâ—…any time refused nay rather I and my fellowes haue desired the same How often tymes haue I refused straungers least they should enter into thys Realme Haue I not signified the equitie of my cause to forreyne Princes that haue ben in league with thys Realme and desired them that they would be meanes to take vp and pacefie these controuersies With what modesty haue I behaued my selfe in those Cities which were in my handes Was there euer any signe shewed of violence or vniust dealing Whereas the enimies assaulting the Kings Cities and taking away the benefite of the Kings Edictes concerning Religion did all things with barbarouse crueltie in so much that they filled the streates of the Cities with deade bodies and caused the earth to flowe with innocent bloud Let men therefore iudge by the effectes who they bee that are worthy to be counted gilty of Rebellion Am I and my fellowes which haue armed our selues to defende and mayntayne the Kings Lawes made by solemne acte of Parliament so to be counted or our enemies who putting themselues in armoure without the Kings authoritie haue broken the Edictes spoiled Cities brought the Kings subiects to the slaughter and taking awaye the Kinges Edictes and specially that notable and worthy Edict of Ianuary haue made newe Edictes themselues Therefore if all the partes of this cause be vprightly wayed it shal be found that I and my fellowes are falsly accused of Rebellion of those which are theÌ„selues rebelles in déed and of sedition by those which haue ben themselues since the dayes of King Henry the causes of all those troubles which haue afflicted the Realme also of treason by those which go about to oppresse the king depraue the Kings Edictes and abuse his name and authoritie to enriche them selues to his ruine and decaye They euen they are gilty of diuine treason against the maiestie of the liuing God whose actions haue alwais declared that Ambition is their GOD Couetousnesse their Religion and worldly Pleasures their felicitie who haue proclaymed open warre agaynst the sonne of God and agaynst the professours of his word who play the Anabaptistes rebaptizing infantes again who haue their houses full of rapines and their handes defiled with innocent bloud And they are gilty of humane trea son which contemne the Kings lawes kéepe the Kinge as a captiue beset with armed men on euery syde and which seeke the destruction of the King and the Realm And to conclude they are gilty of Treason which haue encouraged and brought the whole Realme to wickednesse and to oppresse the libertie of the Gospell and which doe bind the Kinges subiectes vnto them in seruice by an othe Those outragiouse kindes of wickednesse and horrible actes do crye that the Guises
kinges Edictes and therefore not to declare and shewe forth my innocency as I would for these causes I am compelled to take the sworde in hand as the only and last refuge The which séeinge I haue taken into my handes both at the commaundement of the King and Quéene and also for my office and callinges sake which I am of in this Realme I protest that I am in the same mind that I wil neuer lay away the same vntill such time as my soueraigne Lord the King be of all men peaceably obeyed his Edictes obserued my innocency the innoceÌ„cy also of the rest of my fellowes be made euident plain to all men The glory of God my duty perswade me herevnto I cannot chuse but publish the same Therefore I and my fellowes proteste before God him selfe before the kings maiesty before al people nations to whom the knowledge of these things may come that we are most obedient loyall and faithful subiects seruants of the kings maiesty our soueraine and léege Lord and that we do beare our armoure not againste him but against his aduersaries and enemies Whom we call Rebels seditiouse and Traitoures because they haue peruerâ—…ed the lawes and institutions of the Realme broken the Kinges Edictes impudently violated the authority of the estates of the Realme and besides this they haue thrust theÌ„selues into the Kings counsaile beinge forbidden before by the decrée of the states after which time they troubled and vexed many faithfull and good men of the Kinges priuie Counsaile And also because they hauing taken the King into their handes do depriue him of his liberty do abuse his name authoritie to satisfie their insatiable couetouse and cruell desiers and do dayly make conspiracies and consultations both for the kepinge of that which they haue vsurped also to destroy the greatest part of the Kings true and faithfull subiectes specially for this cause that they may banish the pure sincere preaching of the Gospell out of Fraunce and may quight destroy the louers professors of the truth Therefore only againste those men and for those causes especially I and my fellowes proteste that we haue taken the swerde in hand and that constrained by extreme necessitie seing that we haue no other way to defend maintain the King the authortie of the Kings Edictes the firmity of the Kinges dignity the state of the whole Realme the goodes and liues of many of the Kinges subiectes and the pure woorshiping of God and the King established by Edictes throughout the whole Realme The waight of which thinges do so touch our mindes that when we considered the horrible calamitie and destruction which through murders bloudshed rapines and such kinde of mischieues is like to come vpon the whole realme if they go forward as they haue begon for the space of these fyue monethes we haue determined for the auoyding of such euilles to shunne no perill and for the safetie of the Kinges subiects and the tranquility of the Realme to aduenture our liues and loose our goodes And as for that wicked and false iudgement of Rebellion we feare it not at all but do account the same a false slaunder impudently deuised and published by our aduersaries And truly séeing we do oppose and set our selues against the same we protest that we do not in any point withstand the Kinges will nor the ordinance and decrée of the Parliment lawfully made but the robbery oppression open violence which our aduersaries shew against our liues and goodes Wherfore I pray and beséech not only all the inhabitantes of this Realme which are willing to yelde all obedience vnto the King but also all forreine Princes which loue equyty and right to ioyne with me againste those that vse violence iniury and oppression against the King be ing yet a Childe Whose vertues appearing in this his tender age do put vs in good hope that when he shall come to his ripe perfite age he wil giue harty thanks to the ayders and assisters of him in his great necessityes And specially I pray beseech all forrein Germans and Swysers which are come already and are daily loked for to come to helpe my aduersaries that they will call to their remembraunce that good name renowne and equity which their Elders had alwaies in estimation and reuerence least they do that which shall afterward turne to their reproch shame because they shal fight in the defence of an euil and vniust cause against a good and iuste cause for the Kinges enemies againste the Kings faithfull subiectes for forreine Prnces agaynst a Prince that is the Kings neare kinsman for Papistes and main tainers of the Church of Rome against those which professe the sincere truth of the Gospel And here I call the consciences of all those straungers before the iudgement seate of God which professe purity of the Gospel that they take héede that they be not helpers of our aduersaries to expell and banish the Gospell out of the Realme and all the godly and Christian professors of the same I also pray them to note and marke the pur pose of my aduersaries who although they pretend the name of rebellion and go aboute to lay the same to me and to my fellowes charge yet notwithstanding seke to suppresse the Gospell being contrary to their ambition and cruelty and that therefore I am molested by them because I séeke to defend and mainetaine the libertie of the Gospell graunted by the Kinges Edicte Therefore those forreiners which imbrace with vs the pure and sincere doctrine of the Gospell ought not to giue to my aduersaries occasion to laugh them to scorne as though they could bring to passe by their money which they already boast of that they which had defended the Gospel in their owne countrey should come to warre againste the Gospell in Fraunce I admonish them also to haue farther regard to the matter and to feare that if those enemies of the truth destroye the professoures of the truth of the gospel in France they will also war against the inhabitants of Rheyne to the end thei by the league made with the Pope and other forreyne Princes maye set vppon them also beinge in their houses professinge the same doctrine that we do And although for my part I haue refrayned vntill this day to séeke the helpe ayd of straungers yet notwithstanding séeing my aduersaries haue begon to call straungers to assiste theÌ„ in their euill cause I protest that I will not let hereafter to vse their helpe to defend my cause because the coÌ„seruation of the king standeth thervpon And because this warre which dayly increaseth more more cannot choose but bring great calamities with it I and my fellowes protest before God and men that we are not the causes of those calamities but they which haue stirred vp caused these garboiles that is to say my enemies that they may beare the blame of all
that Edict The Ministers of the Gospel after their othe had authoritie giuen them by the Magistrat to preache in all Prouinces they had also places for the preaching of the word and for the administration of Sacraments grauÌ„ted vnto them in the 〈◊〉 of the Cities al things else peaceably and without any â—…umult Our aduersaries enuying that all things went forwarde so well sought daylye newe occasions to moue troubles At the length their Captaynes the Constable and the Marshall of S. Andrew thinking it good to delay the tyme no leager wrote letters to the Duke of Guise to come with ayde and a power of man to the Courtâ—… and hauing gotten the King of Naâ—…ar on their syde there was great hope that they should haue all things at their pleasure Then the Duke of Guise comming with a great Armie of footemen and a troope of horsemen made hast toward the Courte and by the waye as he came hée â—…uelly handeled the reformed Churches which peaceablely vsed the benefite of the Edict at Vassi setting sodenly vpon a great number of the faithful which were gathered togither to heare the word of God he slew maÌ„ woman and child without all pitie or mercy Thus beginning his busines he went forward on his iourney without feare and came to Nâ—…antuil the house of his territory or Lordship whether the Constable and the Marshiall of Santandre came And when they had deliberated of the matter and had opened the causes of their complaynts some of them bewayling the decaye of their aucthoritie and rule which thei had in the daies of Kyng Fraunces the second other some repining that they must make their accompt according to the decrée of the States at the length they determined to arme them selues And thus of their owne priuate authority they put them selues in Armes to mayntaine their ambition and couetousnes which notwithstandinge they couer with the cloake of Religion they came to the Kyng and Quéene with an Army of men and made them subiect to their power and tooke vppon them the gouernement subtillie foreséeing that there was no better way to make the people to take their part than vnder the pretence of Religion and the name of the Kyng so to abolish the Lawes and constitutions of the States and the Edict it selfe Therfore from that time forward hauing gotten Paris into their hand and brought the Kyng captiue thither they left no kind of mortall crueltie vnshewed no one corner of the Realme was frée from the Ciuill warres which they had stirred vp insomuch that the lamentable remembraunce of things past and of the great destruction like to come would make a man to tremble Nothwithstanding the Quéene being certified of these thinges was very carefull to let and stay their purpose and to frustrate their deuises sent for the Prince of Conde to come to Monceaulx and prayed him to resist the violent force and crueltie of these men by force of Armes and for this cause she appoynted him to be Captaine generall and named certaine men vnto him whose helpe and furtherance he might vse But the Prince of Conde delaying the matter for feare of tumults and vproares was preuented with the expedition and hast of his enemies who had so gotten the Kyng and Quéene into their handes that they abused their willes at their owne pleasure deludinge and abusing also the facillitie and sufferance of the king of Nauar they séeke thereby coullers to hide their tirranie The which sufferaunce notwithstanding of the king of Nauar although his full consent were ioyned therwith as it ought not by any meanes to restraine or deceiue the king of his libertie euen so it can be of no force to excuse the vnbrideled ambition and presumption of the Guises For in giuing authority the simple and bare ratefying is not sufficient but the ciuill lawes do shew that it is néedefull to haue expresse commaundement Furthermore the Kyng of Nanar hath not this authoritie to rule and gouerne the Realme without the Quéene and neither of them haue any such authoritie that they can set ouer the same to any other without the consent of the States Moreouer as touching the tractation of warre and artillerie the Quéene her selfe during the time of the Kynges nonage can do nothing as of her owne authoritie séeing this thing pertayneth to the States who notwithstanding haue not decréed and appoynted this warre but the Guises which haue caused the same to be in euery corner of the Realme Is there any man in the whole Realme that can or ought to take vnto him such power and authoritie as to gather Armies of men and to moue warre to the detrement and hurt of the Kyng and the Realme as the Duke of Guise now doth And this is the seruice that the Triumuiri namely the Duke of Guise the Marshiall of Saint Andrew and the Constable do to the Kyng their soueraigne Lord in this his tender age in the which he is subiect to many iniuries that is to say their wicked actes by which they go about to ouerthrowe the Kyng with the kingdome Which are the causes O Emperour that we put our selues in Armour and haue chosen the Prince of Conde to be our Captaine who shewed him selfe willinger to take so notable a matter in hand being moued the runto by no lesse good will toward the King and the realme than we were The Quéene also her selfe both perswaded and commaunded him to take this warre in hand to deliuer her from that iniury which both she and the king sustayned as appeareth by her expresse wordes in letters to be séene the Coppies wherof we haue sent vnto thée O Emperour Notwithstanding al this the Prince of Conde which was the last which put himself in armes and that at the commaundement of the Quéene neuer ceased to séeke peace and concord offering all indiffereÌ„t and reasonable conditions that might be as That hée would put of his Armour depart from the Court and would go also if néede were out of the Realme so that his aduersaries would do the like and that the Edict of Ianuary might be obserued Also he prayed and doth pray and beséeth by his letters al Christian Princes that are in League and amitie with Fraunce to be meanes for the making of peace and concord and with them all Noble Princes of the Empire whose godly and commendable indeuours for peace and concord were notwithstanding hindered by the Guises who in the meane time sought by al meanes possible to be ayded by straungers And it is manifest that the Prince of Conde hath sought so many waies to establish peace and concord as they haue sought by all meanes possible to hinder the same as may appeare by the last Parley betwene the Quéen the prince of Conde at Baugence they séeking by Treason to circumuent the Prince of Conde Wherefore by the demonstration and knowledge of al these thinges both the trueth and equity of our cause and of the
cause which was not perticuler but generally belonging to all men and that I should resist open force and tyrāny and restore libertie of conscience to the men of the reformed Churches by the benefite of the kings Edicte after so great and so longe affliction whereby they sayd I should preserue the authoritie and dignitie of the king and the Estates For these causes the greatest part of Noble men and Gentlemen vppon conscience of their dutie knowing that they were bound hereunto both by diuine and also by mans lawe haue followed me and with these the greatest part of the kings subiectes and his most noble Cities haue voluntarily ioyned themselues with me and rather by diuine than humane reason haue elected and created mée with one voyce and consent for this cause to be their Captayne The which office I being of the kings bloud and naturally bound to the Crowne of Fraunce haue taken vpon mée and haue sworne to maintayne the glory of God the dignity and conseruation of the king the Realme hauing also entered into league with them in respecte whereof I haue bound my selfe vnto them and cannot be discharged of my othe againe without the solemne consent of my fellowes to whom I haue giuē my faith And whereas I offered to the Quéene to become a banished man vpon this condicion If by the departing of vs fewe the common peace and libertie of Religion might bee obtayned it is manifest that my departure shall open a gap to more miserable destruction and therefore there is no cause why I should be bound by that my promise If I should departe the realme I should leaue the King in this his nonage in perill of the ambition and violēce of straungers and the Crowne of the which I am by nature a defender and protector in hasard of lying in the dust Agayne it cannot be that the Kinges subiectes should be in the more securitie through my departure whē this one thing is manifest that the Shepeheard beeing away ▪ the Woulfe maye the more easely destroye the flocke Can I thinke that so great a multitude can be sent out of the realm without their great hurt and without the great destruction of the whole realme Therefore for my duties sake to do the which I am bound both by nature and also by my othe I cannot neyther ought I to depart out of the Realme specially in these perillouse tymes vnlesse I would incurre the faulte of a fugitiue and startaway For as touching the reasons which my aduersaries bring to couer their wickednesse and to diswade me from the defence of so iust a cause they are so weake of so small waight that no man will estéeme them but those which are affectionate vnto them For whereas they say that from that time hitherto the Quéene hath altered her purpose disalowed the Edicte and allowed their bearing of armour and had giuen hir authoritie to the King of Nauarre to rule and order the whole matter it is nothing First bycause it is more probable and agreable to reason that whatsoeuer the King the Quéene and the viceroy determined and decréed when they had full libertie and when the kingdome was in peace is more firme and sure than that which they approue and confirme in these troublesome tymes when they are after a sort constrayned by force of Armes Secondly the Quéene cannot alow the gathering togyther of domesticall and forein Armyes of men and the beginning of warre contrary to the auncient custome of the lawes of Fraunce and the late decrée of the states and that for so euil an end purpose as to breake the Kinges Edicte the decrée aforesaid made solemly by the Quenes cōmandement but she must also ouerthrow the foundation vppon which her authoritie standeth which by that meanes should be of no force Neyther can she of her selfe put ouer to another her authority and power to gouerne bycause it commeth not vnto her by natural right but is giuen vnto her by the benefite and consent of another Moreouer touchinge the king of Nauarre whether hée be Viceroy or Legat he hath no such authority that he may commaund the Guises or any other to gather togyther armies of men and that without the commaundement of the Quene or the kings lawfull Counsaile chosen by the states The which was not obserued when the Quéene gaue them commaundement to put of their armour Neyther is it of greater waight or force that the Quéene since that tyme hath approued the bearing of armour and the musteringe of souldiers bycause in those matters it cānot be sufficient to haue only a bare allowing or approuing in the which a sure and expresse commaundement is required To conclude admit the Kinges Counsaile were such as it ought to be by the decrée of the States and that there were ioyned therwith the authoritie of the Quéene and of the Kinge of Nauar God forbid that any man how great soeuer his authority be in the tyme of the Kinges nonage might gather an army proclayme warre and put the power of the King and the Realme into the hands of a subiect be he neuer so faithfull without the wil and consent of the States first had and specially when the purpose is so euill and that the Kinges ▪ Edict should be broken These thinges of me considered I haue determined not to forsake my king in his young age and my Countrey and Religion all which requyre my helpe Therefore I haue brought my army more neare my enemies my souldiers being very willing and couragious to set vppon the enemy and to ioyne battaile But our enemies which haue so often triumphed ouer vs scorned vs haue found no better way than to packe and steale away secretly in the night Therefore forsaking to ioyn battail with vs thei came to Blais a town without any Garrison vnlooked for besieged the same and when they had won it they shewed al maner of cruelty and since that tyme they haue spoyled as yet do spoile cruelly many of the Cities of this Realme And as for the Quéene though she know the goodnes of our cause and that I haue done nothing but by her commaundement yet neuerthelesse bycause she is more a fraide of the power and subtill practises of our aduersaries than she trusteth to the good successe of oure parte mindeth to giue her selfe wholy vnto them anddoth more openly and vehemently fauour them as may plainly appear by these effectes Therefore shée gaue her selfe wholy to the Cardinal of Lorrayn who at that tyme was with her to be gouerned by him although shée knewe well enough the couetousnes ambition cruell mind which is in him and in the rest of that stocke which haue bin the causes of most greuous troubles in the Realme of Fraunce ▪ since that tyme that they haue borne any rule Therfore the Cardinall left nothing vndone that might hinder peace as may appeare by hys letters which by chaunce came to our handes
to make their coÌ„federacy also to raise stir vp newe broiles and troubles which otherwise they could not haue done without the authoritie and assent of those estates All the noble men being thus encensed againste the reformed religion yet nothing was attempted against it by open force and warlike manner neyther could they haue done it without great daunger consideâ—…inge the Estate of thinges at that present time Wherefore this was the wily and craftie fetch of the Cardinall of Lorreine that nothing should be done openly againste the Edict but that they should by litle and little assay it and as it were vndermine it priuily till the time were come wherein they might set forth and declare that sacred league and that they might by the Kinges authority vtterly ouerthrow destroy the Edict In the meane tyme the people should be borne in hand and made beleue that the Edict as concerninge Religion was not perpetuall but at pleasure and for a space till such time as the Kinge might conuenientlye bringe the whole Realme to one only vniformitie of Religion And that the King especially and his Brother might be enflamed against the reformed Religion And last of all that no occasion that might séem to make for the accomplishing of these matters should be let passe but that al waies meanes that might in any wyse â–ª further them should be practised warely and with great discretion and pollicie The deuises that were vsed were these It was talked openly abrode and that very much among the courtiers that it was the Kinges and the Queene his Mothers will and pleasure that the Edicte should be dyligently obserued and executed and in the meane tyme by the Cardinalles deuise and the Quéenes commaundement ther were priuie and secret commaundements sent out to certaine picked and chosen men for this purpose that they should not feare to violate and breake the Edicte in any thing whereof they had occasion offered them And if so bee that any of the Protestantes that were wronged contrary to the prescripte order of the Edicte did complaine thereof as verie manye did at leÌ„gth with great sute hauing leaue to shew their griefs and wronges they alwayes receyued this aunswere that it was the Kinges will and commaundement that his Edict for and concerning Religion should be euery where obserued and kepte and that whosoeuer were found guiltie of the breach and violating thereof should be greuously punnished and as this was his pleasure so they were bidden to take héede least that they themselues who did so much complaine of wronges and iniu ries done vnto them had first transgressed against the Edicte and then malicioufly and falsely accused others for it So by this meanes a great noÌ„ber of such as complayned were feared and shaken of with threateninges and angry wordes and many of them also were throwen into prisons and clapt fast into yrâ—…ns as authoures of false accusations and workers of sedition trouble And if so be I should go about to repeate here perticular examples of such matters it were but in vaine being the office rather of a iust and full historie then appertaining to our purpose which in writing these short briâ—…fe Commentaries we haue taken in hande But notwithstaÌ„ding all this those that were appointed by the protestaÌ„ts sued still that their matters might be had in question and examined and at length obtayned it and Commissioners choise fellowes appointed for the purpose in so much that the matter was so handeled that new deuises and fetches were brought in to oppresse entangle the trueth so that what soeuer was brought in by the protestaÌ„ts against their enemies was either iudged manifestly false or else not so euident true that the offender thereby should be punished and if so be a Papist had ben conuinced and found gilty by and by there was one speciall cause or other deuised whereby it was proued that that which was done was done accordinge to law and equitie yea and the capitall and chief faults were turned vpon the protestaÌ„ts heads against whoÌ„ they had ben commited whereby there was quarrels piked and occasion taken to enterprete and expound the Edict at the pleasure and liking of the Papistes so that hereby the faythful were euery day more and more afflicted through the factions inclinations of the people waxing euery day more cruell and hautie by reason of so great impunitie and winking at mischief When the Cardinall of Loraine was returned home into Fraunce from the Councell of Trent the Papistes were marueloufly thereby encouraged and emboldend to attempt and enterprise new matters but they had their lesson giuen very subtilie by the craftie Cardinal to cloake and dissemble their intent and purpose of abolishing the Edict And yet they were not content that they which were offenders went scotfrée without punishment but they also stayed for the Kings letters warrants whereby their impunitie should not endammage or be hurtful vnto them and that thei might haue licence to offend hereafter worse then they had donâ—… before and that by warrant of the Kinges will and commaundement There were therefore new interpretations of the Edict solemnely published which should be of the same force and vertu that the Edict for Religion was as hereafter shal be declared The Prince of Conde being ofteÌ„ moued requested by the protestants had diuers times coÌ„playned both to the King and the Quéene his mother declaring that the Edict was many wayes violated and broken and thereby the faithfull gréeuously wronged and spoyled But alwayes against all the Princes complaintes was holdeÌ„ out as a buckler of defence the Kings pleasure mynd for the expounding and interpretation of the Edict and that this his pleasure might be more manifest and better knowen all the Kings Counsell was commaunded to repaire to Paris and certayne of the chief of the parliament of Paris with them To this assembly also the Prince of Conde was commaunded to come accompanied with diuers of the Noble men that were professours of the reformed religioÌ„ Which done euery man spake his mynd and the Papistes voyces being more in number and preuaylinge there was a Decrée enacted wherein was comprised vnder the name and auctoritie of the King the interpretation of the Edicte in this forme VVhereas we haue endeuoured to prouide remedies for those broyles and troubles which haue many wayes shaken and afflicted our kingdoâ—…e and haue for that purpose giueÌ„ out and graunted our Edict of peace wherin was graunted to those our subiectes that professe the new Religion free libertie and licence too exercise the same we doo now eftsones wil and commaund that it be holden and accompted as firme and ratified of all oure leege people and subiectes For our purpose and intent was thereby to giue vnto those our subiectes the benefite and commoditie of peace and quietnesse the which our Edict we doe promise in the faith and honor of a King shal be kept and obserued
part was conducted by Monsieur Boisuerd a very good Captaine The Andelot taried at a village called Saintmalin there to take his dinner In the meane time a Monsieur Boysuerd chiefe Captaine of that army was conducting his souldiers to the riuer of Loyre there met him a younge man wonderfully dismayd and abashed and when he perceyued that Monsieur Boysuerd and the rest of his souldiers were protestantes he told Boisuerd that Monsieur Martyques was come with a great army of men the greatnesse whereof he said had made him sore afraide Monsieur Boysuerd regarded not this newes vntill he sawe certaine troupes of horsmen and then he sought with all spéede to defend himselfe and sought to make out of hand bulwarkes and trenches betwéene him and the enemy beside the riuer this was a good remedy but he could not haue his purpose the enemy marched so fast â—ne â–ª Then Monsieur Boysuerd with all spéede sent woord to the Andelot of the comminge of Martiques but before Boisuerd could set his men in their array Martiques rushed vpon him with a great troupe of horsemen dispersed his souldiers and made greate slaughter of them in the chase For that they had not sufficient store of horsmen Monsieur Boisuerd also himself was slaine many of the chiefe Captaines also were taken and many slaine Notwithstanding Monsieur Martiques marched forward with his army toward Saulmur with fiue hundred horsemen and ten ensignes of footemen The Andelot for all this supposed to haue the victory becausé his enemies were fewer in nomber as he thought but when he vnderstood that Boisuerd was slain and a great sort of hys souldiers also and that Monsieur Martiques had a strong army deuided into diuers parts when also he perceyued that hys armye had gotten the vantage of ground of him he shonned them and choseâ—… more conuenient ground suffering Martigues to pas by hym toward Saulmur many of the souldyours of the Andelot not knowing what the meaning hereof should be yéelding vnto him Then the Andelot gathering togi ther his men pursued with all spéede Monsieur Martigues the which when he perceiued he rode the faster tooke Saulmur which was then kept by the Garrisons of the papistes leauing behind them the spoile which they had taken from the Souldiers of the Andelot Now the bridges being stopte vp and cut awaye the Andelot was driuen to séeke other wayes to passe ouer the riuer of Lâ—…ire he sought therfore to go ouer at some shallow forde or other but he could not by reason of the wynter floudes which had caused the riuer to bee déepe in those places where otherwise there is little or no wa ter at all Notwithstanding at the last he found a place so shallow and fléete that his horsemen footemen Ordinance waggons and his whole army passed ouer the riuer without perill being moste wonderfull and the lyke seldome heard of before After this their safe passage they gaue thankes vnto God sang altogither the 73. Psalm beginning thus IN IVKY IS GOD KNOWNE HIS NAME IS GREAT IN ISRAEL And thus as they went foreward on their iorney they sawe certayne troupes of horsemen on that syde of the ryuer against whom wheÌ„ the Andelot had sent certayne troupes of horsemen he put them to flight and slew some of them After this they passing quietly on their iorney came at the last into the countrey of Poictou tooke a certayne Towne called Tuars by surrender then ioyned them selues with the Admiral which came to méete them After this coniunction of both armies they tooke a noble Citie called Partenay the Citizens willingly yéeldinge 〈◊〉 â–ª sauing certayne popisâ—… priestes who séeking to reâ—…st were slayne Then they iointly and togither besteged a noble Citie called Engolesme but when they had assaulted the same certaine dayes and were out of hope to winne it they tooke at the last a certayne yong man whiche was sent at the eaâ—…est intrâ—…aty of the townesmen to Monpensier to crâ—…ue ayde at his hands by which yong man they learned in what great necessitie the town was in Thereupon the Admirall gaue a new assault to the other side of the Town by battery made such breaches in the same that the Townsmen being voyd of al hope to defend themselues came straightway to compositioÌ„ with the Admirall for the surrender of the Towne So that this Citie came into the power of the Prince of Conde And straytâ—… after this that Noble Citie Niort came into his handes In so muche that it maye séeme wonderful that so many Noble Cities in so short while hauing so néere vnto them great ayde of the Catholikes to defend them shoulde be taken These things happened in the moneth of September Toward the ende of this Moneth a great Army being gathered togither at Orleans the Kings Edictes were théenderedout in one of the which Edictes the vse and administration of the reformed religioÌ„ was quight taken away and forbidden It contayned this summe Knowe all men that the Kinges our Aunâ—…etours of happy memory to the end they might shew themselues to be Christians and true defenders of the church haue vsed all lawfull ways and meanes to preserue the same Church and to take awaye the diuisions of Religion sprong vp by secrete sermons and by seattering abroad of râ—…probate bookes And after the vnfortunate disceasse of ouâ—… Father King Henry there were certayne Noble men stirreâ—… vp by the Ministers of this newe opinion which withdrew themselues and moued controuerâ—… and that vpon no zeale of religion but moued by ambition to haue the gouernement of this Realme vnder King Frances our brother albeit that he himselfe was of sufficient yeres by the lawes of this Realme and was able enough to gouern both for that he had authoritie and wisdome enough and also was ruled counsayled by the vertuouse and wise counsayle of the Quéen his mother â–ª of other singular Noble men which were still about him after the death of his Father king Henry who directed him in the steppes of oure Father as playnly appeared all the time of his raigne Who had no doubt brought the kingdome into that former State and condition in the which he founde it if the Lord had lent him longer life notwithstanding the state of the Kingdome was then troubled by certaine noble men who when they durst not openly bewray their myndes concerning the getting of the kingdome vnto them â–ª by the industery of their Ministers of this â—…ewe learning they caused the tumult of Ambâ—…yse vnder the collour of offering vp a supplication with a confession of faith to our brother the King who although he knewe them to be the authors of that mischiefe yet notwithstandyng with greate clemencie following the example of oure heauenlye Father he pardoned all his subiectes by an Edicte which had straied from faith and truth would come into the righte waye agayne thinking hereby to preuaile more than by the Rigor of punishments And
beginnings of the Church of Fraunce béeing as yet but of tender yeares as it were and in the fire or at least wise euen now by little and little coÌ„ming out of the fire Let the causes of the hatred and debate â–ª by these very few things be considered with the which the Bishop of Romes men so outragiously vniustly are inflamed against the faith full against the cause of the faithfull We must not looke here to haue a description of the faithfull and professours of Christ in armes as our aduersaries doe nowe obiect vnto vs but rather of the vnarmed naked members of Christ most cruelly afflicted onely for this cause bicause they preferre the true and pure doctrin of the Gospell now a growing before the auncient customes traditions of men The naked Church in time past was vexed and the Gospell dyd run as it were through the sides of poore men and broughte them to death then Christians were accouÌ„ted as lyers called heretikes and by al maner of meanes vexed oppressed then were they cast in prisons and in bonds then were they whipped then suffered they proscriptions and banishmeÌ„ts yea and cruell deathes without fauour But nowe when it pleased the omnipotent God to appoynte vnto his Church a more clears and beautiful estate and to qualifie and quenche those fierce fyres Sathan not forgetting hys olde subtilties and sleightes deuiseth a new accusatioÌ„ whispering into the eares of kings that the Gospell will plucke their Scepters out of their handes and bycause the faithfull throughout the whole kingdom of France defende their libertie graunted vnto them by the Kings Edictes and by all lawfull causes with force of armes a new crime is nowe layde to their charge namely Sedition rebellion and treason to the king and country these crimes are obiected agaynste the godly by those which abusing the Kings name and authoritie to exercise their own tirannie â—…éeke moste of all the destruction of the Kings maiestie and bicause they haue bene let of their purpose by the faithfull therfore do they spewe out all the poyson of their hatred against them By these beginnings it shall euidently appéere how obedient the Faithful haue bene alwayes to their Princes and Magistrates that this thing béeyng layde as it were the foundation it may plainly be séene who they be which are the true authours of so many troubles as haue flowed thorough this whole kingdome God truely hath armed and fortified his Churche at thys daye with many externall helpes and fortresses yet for all that the cause is not chaunged Christe is the selfe same Christe still the Gospell is not chaunged but it is the selfe same Gospell whiche was vnreuerently handled and dealt withall in the persons of the Faithfull by the sharpe punishementes of the wicked The Faithfull are the same men still in obeying their Magistrates and in reuerencing their Princes that they were before But they are rebells whiche abusing the name and authoritie of Princes and disloyally violating all Lawe persecute the Churche go about to extinguish the Gospel and as if they were Giants furiously fight with God. And by the reading of these Commentaries the Faythfull shall finde many things which they maye applye vnto themselues to stay and comfort themselues in the middest of these troubles In these lamentable tymes manye daungers of moste greuous calamities do compasse vs on euery side many difficulties and newe troubles do dayly burst forth also But if we consider weigh the times paste we shall in very déede haue a gesse nowe what wil come to passe hereafter in our tyme For séeing God hath afore time sette and placed hys Churche in a straunge and wonderfull order We maye gather that the same God being a perpetuall keper and defender of his seruauntes will applie his power and prouidence to dispatche vs out of these our troubles the whiche is a most firme and inuincible argument Let vs call to remembrance the thicke mistes and darke cloudes of the former night let vs sette before oure eyes in what state the Church was in the dayes of Francis the first Henry the second and Francis the second All thinges were then full of feare Infinite kindes of punnishmentes and paynes were layde vppon the Church as banishmentes proscriptions and burninges Then no man durst so much as name the Gospell without he would be counted a manifest heritike Fewe men or none and that of the meaner sort when they were in their secret corners durst not once mutter of the Gospell men coulde not then enioy the libertie of the Gospell except they woulde willinglye banishe themselues their countrey and wander into foreine Nations But who will not merueile herevppon at the issue and end of those afflictions Looke what thinges were then harde of a fewe did openly ringe in the eares of all men Looke what things were reiected in some places and greatly punished were publikely receiued of the greatest part of men yea there were many of the Nobles which sealed that doctrine with their bloud By the deathes of Kyngs the Gospell had passage victorie was gotten Triumphe was made and within fewe dayes the Gospell went through the greatest parte of the Kyngdome by open sermons by publique Disputations where most men were assembled together so that the Gospell had gotten many and singular witnesses The places which had séene the tormenting fyres and ashes of the Faithfull before sawe now great assemblies and multitudes of the Faythfull gathered together to heare the worde of God and the Kynges Edictes which were altogether made for the hurt and destruction of the faythfull were at the last for all that the aduersaries could doe made to preserue the faithfull To be short these Commentaries did bring to our remembraunce and consideration such wonderfull and straunge matters the like wherof wée our selues haue not safely séene that by the prosperous and happye issue and ende of these perturbations we oughte to conceyue a sure and vndoubted hope The matter was then tryed by fyre but now by force of armes he which quenched the flamyng fires by the death and destruction of those whiche were fully purposed vtterly to ouerthrow and destroy the Churche the same Lord of hostes graund Captain of battailes shall direct and order these warres to the libertie and peace of his seruants Therfore the examples of those things which wer done in time past do plentifully shew that whatsoeuer shall happen at the length which in déede is not to be measured by humane reason shall fall out for our health and welfare and that bicause God will not leaue his worke vnperfected Wherefore I truste it is euident by the consideration of the things which are set foorth in this Booke what great profite shal come to those whom the boisterous waues of these tempests haue touched And bicause this is not a priuate matter neither appertaineth to euery one man but common to the whole Church of God dispersed throughout the whole world
confession of the true doctrine were condemned by great consent of the people to dye and were burnt with fire and suffering most excellent Martyrdome by death they woonderfullye triumphed of the crueltie of their enimies The which thinges bicause they be specially touched in another Booke it shall not be néedefull here to speake any more of them Many deliuered theÌ„selues from death by diuers meanes and wayes that were not lawfull But they to whome this charge and trust was commited boldly doing their office and being nothing slow to exercise crueltie certaine of their friendes which 〈◊〉 in holde propounded causes of refusall against the Iudges desiring that there might be other Iudges set in their places This thing for a time stayed the rage of the persecution Notwithstanding the king being certified hereof sendeth letters by which he declaring those refusals to be nothing commaundeth that all other things set apart they giue their diligence only to intende vpon this thing and that the Nobles which were in authoritie should choose out according as they thought good Counsellours to supplie the places of those that were absent and that in the Praetor Munerius â—…oume bicause for the causes before alleaged he was remooued other should serue to be short that final iudgement might be giuen of those matters howbeit that he might haue warning before any matter were ended These letters did againe displease and anger the mindes of those iudges which tooke it heynously that they were refused So that choller was then set on fire against many for this cause séemed as though it would rage and burne in the new yeare following For the aduersaries went about of late to establish bring in the like inquisition that was in Spain which they thought was the only way vtterly to ouerthrow the gospel letters at the last being obtained froÌ„ the Pope by which thrée Cardinals were appointed chief inquisitors they weÌ„t about all that they could to set forward this deuise The king for his part consented Notwithstanding the senate of Paris hauing better consideration of the matter greatlye withstode this new practise alleaged these causes to the king of their withstanding and prohibition saying If this thing should be brought to passe looke how much the power of the ecclesiasticall Iudges and Inquisitors should be enlarged so much should the supreme authoritie of the king be diminished Secondly that it was a matter of great weight for the naturall subiects of the king to be made destitute and after a sort depriued of their King and to be brought to the power of forreine Iudges and to be made subiect to an Offy â—ciall or Inquisitor Thirdlye that it shoulde be a defrauding of the kingdome but specially of the subiectes to be spoyled of the helpe safegarde of the king and to be themselues and all their goodes iudged disposed after the supreme iudgement of an ecclesiasticall Iudge Fourthly that it would come to passe that when they had gotten infinite power and the greatest part of the kings authoritie that is to say when they had gotten power to iudge of life death as theÌ„ listed without further appeale to any higher Court they might easily abuse their offices For say they the libertie to appeale is the onely sanctuarie and defence of innocencie Fiftly and last of all they say that the King to whoÌ„ the appeale should be made is the reuenger and the defender of violated and wronged innocencie and that iniurie shoulde be done if this thing went forward not only to the people but also to Princes to Dukes to Nobles yea and to the Kings nere kinsemen who also shoulde be bounde with this bonde By this prohibition and resistaÌ„ce the matter was delayed for a time at the length when the Kings Court was at Paris the verye same aduersaries of the truth brought to passe that those letters were confirmed of the King as he went to the Senate or Parliament for this cause Thus when they had gotten the lawe into their owne handes and had written new Edictes appointing mortall punishments for the faithfull whome they called Sacramentaries Sectaries and such lyke euery man looking now for grieuous persecutions it pleased God for a time to disappoint those cruell practises and threatenings by troubling the kingdome with warre and other businesse Neither is it to be buried in silence by what meanes God shewed his vengeaunce vpon many of those persecutors which were the chiefe Capitaynes in S. Iames slaughter That Munerius the Praetor which was the first that delt with the causes of the faithfull and had many wayes cruelly intreated them being afterwarde at the length condemned of falshoode in the cause of the Countesse of Senigana suffered by the decrée of the Senate punishment openly in diuers places and being thus ledde from place to place to be made an open spectacle for all men to behold to his great infamie and reproch was also banished his countrie This man while be was kept in prison sayde that he knew that the punishments which he suffered were a iust reward and recompence to him for his euill intreating of the Lutheranes and that he woulde neuer after séeke to do them any harme In like maner one of the Counsellers which were appoynted to vnderstande and iudge of the causes of the faithfull not long after died by sodaine death Another of them likewise being sodenly striken with a most grieuous sickenesse and being also at the poynt of death sayde I see plainly that I haue grieuously sinned against the Lutheranes which so godly pray vnto the Lorde In lyke maner two other whiche were very cruell against the faithfull in the slaughter that was made on S. Iames daye sodenly dyed in the sight of all men Moreouer two other when they retourned from the murther of the afflicted faithfull fell at contention within themselues and at the last were slaine one of another Thus the Lorde shewed many examples of his iust vengeance vpon his aduersaries Then the Church obtayned peace for a time and some occasion to rest and breath for a whyle â–ª by reason of those tempestes They which were before as it were discouraged through that former great slaughter receyued nowe heart and courage againe many others which were eyther confirmed by the constancy of those blessed Martyrs which suffered or els were lately brought to the knowledge of God ioyned themselues to the Church they also which to flye persecution went aside from out of the citie were not altogither vnfruitful Among these there was one which came to a towne called Crucillum in Britayne neare vnto the sea coaste the which towne was at that time greatly giuen to superstition but it was brought to passe by his meanes within short time after that many of the townesmen were called to the acknowledging of truth insomuch that there was a congregation there At the which good successe Satan was greatly grieued Therfore when the fame of this thing was
persecution These men when they were come began to preach the worde of God and to appoint an order of discipline There was also among the rest a certaine man called Ianus Contachus not long before a Sorbonist or Papist who came thither after Villegagno This man being ambitions desired greatly to be made a Bishop Therefore he thought this a verye good way to obtaine his purpose namely vpon the daye appointed for the ministration of the Lordes supper to mooue certaine questions as whether Copes and Surplesies and such Priest like garments were necessary to be vsed in that ministration also whether vnleauened breade and the mixing of water with winâ—… shoulde not in the same be vsed The which he did in déede Howbeit for all this contention mooued by him the Supper of the Lord was then purely celebrated But the controuersies increasing daily more and more among them it was tolde vnto Villegagno that there was a fame and report in Fraunce that many Lutheranes were come into America by his meanes and guidance At the hearing whereof Durandus Villegagno being made asearde quite altered and chaunged his former minde and purpose concerning the bringing in and establishing of the Gospell in those regions And when as on a time Richerius ministred Baptisme and sayd that all those things which were by the Papistes ioyned to Baptisme after the institution of the Apostles were depraued and corrupted additions Villegagno made open proclamation saying that Richerius lyed and streight way affirmed that he had rather followe the ancient rites and customes of the Church made a thousande yeares ago than the new opinions of Caluin and other newfangled persons adding also to this that 〈◊〉 woulde neuer more haue to doe with them At the last after long controuersie it was concluded among them that the articles which were in question shoulde be sent to the Churches of Fraunce and Germanie to iudge of them whose iudgement and opinion they agréed to followe For this cause Charterius was sent into Fraunce But when Villegagno vnderstoode by rumors that great persecution continued still in Fraunce he plainly vttereth his minde and declareth that he would stand to none of all their iudgements and opinions but woulde imbrace the doctrine of the Romishe Church and forbiddeth Richeriâ—…s to preach or â—…o gather togither the congregation to praye any more Thys was the cause why Richerius and Pontanus returned into Fraunce notwithstaÌ„ding the lets and impediments which Villegagno obiected vnto them who in déede went about to bring to passe that so soone as they came into Fraunce they both might be deliuered into the handes of the magistrate Many in like maner of the faithfull which abode in America were very euil intreated for religion some for this cause being drowned left a signe and remembrance to the vtmost partes of the world of their sufferance for the Gospel And this truly was the issue and ende of the rashe and vndiscrete zeale of Villegagno But now let vs here bring in that which we left behind vnspoken concerning the death of king Henrie After that he was buried his funerals celebrated according to custome the new king Frances set in his roome the Guises hauing gotten authoritie and fauour with the King by the meanes of the Quéene of Scottes his wife left nothing vndone to aduaunce them to dignitie séeking all they could to remoue others to whom the gouernement of things appertained but specially in this time of the Kings nonage and at their pleasure placing whome it pleased them to the great detriment losse reproch of those Princes that were the Kings neare kinsemen being of the same familie and lyne that he himselfe was of But this their authoritie power hapned vnto theÌ„ chiefly to the destruction of the Church Therfore that persecutioÌ„ which séemed to end by the wonderfull chauÌ„ce of king Henrie begaÌ„ now to be more vehement thaÌ„ before And the chiefest persecutors were the Guises both for the olde cankred spite they bare to religion and also for the vnbridled and ambitious desire they had to beare rule and to get authoritie the which they saw by no other meanes coulde stande For the Cardinall of Loraine who also ioyned with the Guises was greatlye dismayed and made afearde by newe rumours which were daily brought from forreine Nations namelye that a conspiracie was made against them by manye men whiche coulde not beaâ—… their tirannie And therefore the Guises thought it best to proclaime open warre against the Christians Then was there newe Edicts deuised and set forth more cruell than the other that were before with newe punishmentes added to the same In these it was forbidden so make any secret or priuie assemblies vpon payne of death and also promised to the bewrayets of such as should make the assemblies the one halfe of the confiscation or forfeyture of their goodes beside manye other great rewardes There was also commaundement giuen to the ouerséers and searchers out of such to receyue diligently the accusations brought vnto them to take those that were accused daily to search houses and to certifie the Senate of the Citie what they had done in the premisses Furthermore there was authoritie giuen to the Praetor to hang and drawe at his pleasure that he might giuâ—… sentence of death against such as were before him accused for heresie the benefite of appeale denyed and taken away from such as were condemned The Uâ—…cars and Curates also of euery Parishe were commaunded not to be slacke in excommunicating those whome they knewe to be Lutheranes Besides this there was impunitie and pardon giuen to the accusers if so be it fell out that their accusation were founde false About this time Sathan who séeketâ—… all that he may the destruction of Christes Church to the ende nothing might be left vndone that might by any meanes hurt the same taketh newe wayes in hand as ye shall heare by this which followeth So it was that two false brethren fled from thâ—… Church of Paris One of them was a Goldsmyth by his occupation whome the Lorde had sometime vsed as he doth oftentimes other hypocrites as a meane in bringing many men to the knowledge of him the other was a certaine Painters seruant The first of these two which was the Goldsmith being for his wickednesse and euill life excommunicate from the Church came to Democharis the Inquisitor and tolde him that he knewe many things concerning the Lutheranes and that he for sooke their companie for this cause that he might so much as lay in him worke their destruction And so whatsoeuer he knewe might be hurtful to the faithfull the same he declared to the Inquisitor giuing vnto him the names of such as were chief of the church and burdening them with grieuous crimes To be short he left nothing vntold that might serue any maner of way to be hurtfull vnto them To this fellowe the Inquisitor gaue diligent eare and encouraged him with great commendations to
which the King should passe to Ambaxia commaunding also to take so manye as they founde armed or by any maner of meanes suspected This done the Kings power and authoritie was committed to Frances Duke of Guise to supplie the Kings roome for confirmation whereof he receyued the Kings letters patentes Notwithstanding all this the Guises as yet were vncertaine of the reported conspiracie as from whence after what maner by what waye they woulde come and who the conspirators were vntill the Cardinall of Loraine was plainly certified thereof by a certaine lawyer of Paris to whome were giuen for his rewarde in reuealing this matter ten thousande French Crownes out of the Kings treasurie But nowe what maner of conspiracie or practise this was ye shall heare There were verie manye which disdained and repined at the authoritie committed vnto the Guises but specially the Noblemen which tooke it in euill part that the libertie of Fraunce shoulde be defaced by the tirannie of straungers Againe many of those which were of the reformed Churches being wearied with sharpe and grieuous afflictions and laying the burthen and blame of all these cruelties vpon the Guiles as the chiefe and principall enimies of religion thought if they might be repressed and put downe they shoulde finde the King more mercifull and readie to heare their petitions and they should defend their cause before the Magistrates if they were there vnto lawfully called Yea the matter came so farre that they thought they had iuste causes to put downe the Guises the which shoulde turne to the profite both of the King and countrie And this counsell and practise was enterprised at Nameta which is a towne in the lower Britayne by certaine which came thither vnder the colour of méeting togither at a mariage The chiefe perswaders and procurers of which matter were Godfridus Barreus Renaudius and Garreus being Noble men Whose determination and purpose was to compell the Guises to giue an account bowe they had discharged their offices and to remoue them from that dignitie which they sayde they had vsurped and to place the Princes which were the Kinges neare kinsemen in the same To bring the which thing to passe they determined if néede shoulde require to take the sworde in hande And thus they concluded their purpose the summe whereof was That nothing shoulde be done against the King against the Kings kinsemen and against the state of the Realme and that their dignitie and the libertie of the countrie shoulde bee defended so much as might bee from the violence of straungers And to bring this thing to passe Renaudius was chosen Captaine to whome they ioyned sixe other whose counsell he might vse in any matter and thirtie men also very skilfull in feates of armes to attende vpon him in seruice of warre The time and place also of méeting was appointed And so euery man diligentlye went about the thing concluded they prouided money and artillerie and appointed souldiers Notwithstanding the manifolde rumors of their doings and the exquisite diligence of the Guises or rather the prouidence of God which had a greater worke to finishe bewrayed their counsels deuises At that time the Earle of Sansserrensis was lieutenant of Turon who hearing that the Lord Castelnouan and certaine valiant captaines with him abode there certaine dayes came to them séeing the Lord Castelnouan whom he knew very earnestly inquired of the matter but at the last they fell togither by the eares Howbeit they escaped and fled to the castle called Nozeus to the which they had before determined to come there by the industrie of Renaudius were gathered togither the number of fiue hundred horsmen But the Earle of Sansserreus went without delay to Ambaxia told there al the whole matter Whervpō captaine Nemorosius was sent to Nozeus with prepared souldiers to take a view also to knowe their intent and meaning Whither when he was come he desired to talke with thē The which being graunted he demaūded what cause they had so to deale asking also if they by their disloyall disobedience woulde bring infamie reproch to all their countrymen who were wel knowne to be euer faithfull and true to their Kings To this they answere by Barō Castelnouan that they ment nothing against the Kings maiestie but were armed to defend the King the state of the Realme intended to shew his Maiestie the fraude and deceyte of the Guises which they practise to destroy the King and the kingdome and that they were therfore gathered togither with a great companie of Nobles to resist the tyrannie of the Guises their manifest violence oppression both of lawes and auncient institutions Affirming also that they woulde retaine the name of faithfull subiectes in the middest of these troubles whatsoeuer they were thought off To this Nemorosius replyed saying that it became not Subiectes to come vnto their Prince with weapons and armour They on the contrarie part sayde that they did not beare armour against their Prince but against the Guises his vndoubted enimies who will suffer none of his subiectes to haue recourse vnto the king And therfore they sayde they were armed that they might haue accesse vnto the Kings maiestie to whome they knewe and woulde giue due honor and reuerence This cōmunication passing betwene them Nemorosius at the last fel to intreating beseching them promising that if they would vpon trust yéelde themselues into his hands and go vnto the king without armor they should sustain no harm Who at y length being perswaded yéelded thēselues into his handes counting it a great good turne if so be they might haue frée accesse vnto the King without the vse of weapons and armour Notwithstanding so soone as they were come to Ambaxia they were cast into prison handled euen as they had bene traytors to the kings Maiestie The day folowing the band of footmen not knowing what had happened went through the woods to Ambaxia being euery one of them inclosed and taken by an hoste of horsemen were the same daye put to death some being hanged and some drowned in the riuer The thirde day the bande of horsemen among whome came Renaudius hauing trauailed all the night by the conducting and skill of Champdeus a Noble man came by the breake of the daye to the Castell gates of Ambaxia But béeynge betrayed they fled away were scattered here there And this was the ende of this enterprise thus it was stayed They whō Nemorosius had persuaded to yéelde which were takē were diuersly put to death some had their heades chopt off some were hanged out of the Castell windowes and some cast into the riuer And among others that were taken Castelnouanus was one of whome we spake before being a man of great fame both for his birth and also for his bringing vp This man hearing himselfe to be pronounced giltie of treason against the Kings maiestie cried out that he was giltie in no respect of that crime
neyther that he coulde so be proued by any meanes This one thing he cōfessed to be true that he went about to resist the tyrannie of the Guises with a great number of the Nobilitie of Fraunce if this were to offende the Kings maiestie sayde he they must be called Kings before I and they can iustly be condemned of treason And séeing they might not haue libertie to appeale to mortall Iudges he sayde that he appealed to the celestiall Iudge for so vniust iudgement giuen vpon him the which ere it be long will take vengeance on innocent bloude so vniustly shed The like also many others affirming and committing their innocencie to God caused manye to lament their state with teares And among the rest one whose name was Villemongius bathing his handes in the bloude of his fellowes which were newlye slayne lifted vp his handes imbrued with bloude to heauen crying Lord this is the bloud of thy seruants thou shalt take vengeance Nowe therefore these horrible slaughters a man woulde thinke had bene sufficient to make Renaudius forsake his former purpose but he notwithstanding continued in the same Wherefore he went about to gather togither againe his men which were dispersed as you haue heard euē now the which while he assayed he met with a horseman of hys enimies side who shot of at Renaudius his dag but missing him was at the last by Renaudius slayne But Renaudius by a souldiour standing by being the seruaunt of the horseman that was slaine was also wounded to death with the shot of a Dagge whome notwithstanding before he died Renaudius also manfully slue But streight after by the grieuousnesse of the wounde he dyed Whose deade carcas being brought to Ambaxia was hanged vp with this title RENAVDIVS captaine of Rebels and Author of Sedition After this it was deuided or quartered into foure partes and set vp in diuers places and his heade set vpon a forke A wonderfull and straunge thing it was that so many men should come togither from all parts of the Realme and yet be séene of none But this was not the ende of this tumult The Guises against whome this conspiracie was made made great search and inquiry for those that were suspected to be guiltie of this conspiracie Moreouer the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde in this contention tooke part against the Guises as hereafter shall be declared The Constable at the commaundement of the King went to the Senate of Paris and there opened the whole matter concerning the tumulte of Ambaxia commending the great diligence of the Guises in pacifying of the same But bicause he sayde that this conspiracie was made against those that were in chiefe authoritie about the King the Guises tooke the same in very euil part who would haue had all men perswaded that it was made for the destruction of the King and the whole Realme that all good order being taken away euery man might rule and gouerne as him lysted At this time Oliuarius the Kinges high Chauncelour who had condemned those that were taken in the tumult of Ambaxia was grieuously taken with sickenesse and being very extréemely handled therewith sayde that he had iustly deserued the same for that those whome he had condemned had great iniurie done vnto them Moreouer hée made exclamation against the cardinal of Loraine who hearing of his extreme sicknesse came to sée him saying Thou O Cardinall art he that bringeth destruction to vs all And so fetching déepe sighes grieuous grones be ended his life Nowe there came forth a newe Edict very cruell against those which followed the newe Religion as they termed it Notwithstanding the late conspiracie being founde to come through the cruell punishmentes layde vpon men whereat they boldly repined brought to passe that the Guises being afrayde thought it best to temper and mittigate those punishments Therefore there were sent abrode letters of pardon in the which the King declared that he would not in the first yere of his reigne begin with the miserable slaughter of his subiects although they had deserued the same but wold rather folow the example of our heauenly father to retain his seruāts by his lenitie mercie than by seueritie and punishments Therfore he sayd he sorgaue all offences concerning religion and gaue generall pardon notwithstanding vpon that condition that they which enioyed the benefite therof should liue catholikely as others did Moreouer the same that came by the conspiracie troubled also the Cardinall of Loraine being a man by nature verye fearefull and wauering insomuch that now after a sort he shewed himselfe very gentle toward the fauourers of the Gospell yea and hearde willingly many of the Ministers of Gods worde which were not afearde to talke with him concerning the chiefe pointes of the Religion nowe in controuersie affirming also that he himselfe did agrée with them in many points But the Quéene to the ende she might vnderstande the true causes of the tumult of Ambaxian and might sée also what remedies might be had for those troubles which were nowe readie to come vpon the kingdome sent for one called Planchaeus bicause he was sayde to be a man that had by long vse great experience who being come and brought into hir priuie chamber she declared that she had sent for him to this ende that she might vnderstande by him what were the causes of the troubles nowe at hande and also what remedies might be prouided for the same Of which she sayde no man coulde better satisfie hir than he Who when he coulde by no excuse shift off or denie this request at the last affirmed that for his obedience sake he woulde take this thing vpon him and so farre as he coulde satisfie hir request First therefore he began thus saying there are two sortes of them who hauing their names altered were no more called Lutheranes but Huguenotes I saye of these there are two factions the one of religious persons the other of Ciuile or politike persons Of the whiche two factions the first for their afflicted Religion the other for that the gouernement of the Realme was put into the handes of the Guises the Princes the Kings neare kinsemen beyng defrauded of the same were greatlye displeased These were the verye causes of these troubles to remedie the which there is no waye but to satisfie both their wylles The first namely the religious persons may easilye be perswaded if so be godly and learned men were gathered togither and disputation made of those articles nowe in controuersie But the others which were of the Temporaltie can not be so easilye pacified bicause they thinke that they haue iust occasion to put themselues in armour and to resist This therefore is the onely remedie if the Princes the Kings neare kinsemen be kept and set in their owne proper degrée and dignitye and the Guises by some faire and gentle meanes remooued from gouerning the Kingdome For the Nobilitie will not suffer the Princes
let vs assure our selues that there must néedes follows thereof prosperous successe séeing that God is alwaies present with those which assemble themselues togither in hys feare and name Neither let vs defer the time any more séeing that necessitie doth so vrge vs and séeing spéedie remedie is so greatly required We haue many sorowful and lamentable examples to set before our eyes which are forewarnings vnto vs of great desolation to come as the miserable state and condition of the Churches of the Jewes of the Greekes of the Egyptians and Africans the which in time past florished but at this day they scarsly retain a christian name For these causes I conclude that we must defer the time no lenger to call a Parliament to remedie these things without hauing any consideration or respect to those things which the Pope maye obiect as lettes against the same séeing that both it is lawfull for vs so to doe and also bicause our conseruation safetie is now in hazarde For if any one part of the kingdome were lost it is not in the Popes power to restore the same vnto vs againe Whatsoeuer my happen or befall we must not perish to fulfil the Popes minde but must rather follow at this time specially that rule which God hath giuen vnto vs and which our elders haue so oftentimes folowed But yet truly while this Parliament shall be a preparing I think it shall serue very wel for the purpose if we prouide thre or foure ▪ remedies which may greatly further this our enterprise The first is of the Churches that Prelates maye remaine and abide in their Diocesses and in this point let no man be borne withall And here I think it good to put you in mind of the Italians who enioying and occupying the thirde part of the benefites spirituall promotions of this kingdome draw vnto 〈◊〉 selues great profit like horseleaches suck out our bloude hauing no care at al to dwel vpō their benefices And laughing vs to scrone we are so blinde that we cannot sée it And if we chaūce to espie it we are pacified againe by their flattering words If the King should hire a great multitude of souldiers and giue them wages and if they should abide stil at home haue no care of their martiall affaires in the war had not then think you the King iust occasion to depryue them of their wages to dismisse them And thus truly doe our Prelates behaue themselues who in the troublesome time of the Church when heresies such like wickednesses were in diuers places sowne abrode the which in dede is the greatest warre of the Church being so much greater than the earthly warre as the helth of the soule surpasseth excelleth the helth of the body sate notwithstanding in the midst of their pleasures voyde of all care of their flockes cōmitted to their charge The second remedie is to shew declare by some notable manifest act that we are fully perswaded bent seriously to séeke a reformation least the aduersaries should cauil say that we call a Councel not to reforme the Church but to séeke our owne aduantage to stablishe and confirme our owne prerogatiues priueledges In the which matter nothing séemeth to me more méete conuenient for vs to declare that we haue an earnest care for the reformation of the Church than if we looke diligently about that nothing be done in the Church for money and bribes to the ende that Babilonicall beast Couetousnesse which hath brought so many euils corruptions into the Church may at the length vtterly be ouerthrowne And so we shall finde a more easie waye to controuersies and shall also stop the mouths of those that slaunder backbite vs If any man obiect say that so great a matter cannot be brought to passe by so small a number of men as we are without the determination of the Generall Councell we make vnto thē this answere namely that there is no new or vnwanted thing brought in by vs but we séeke to bring those things to passe which Christ hath plainly commanded Councels determined Kings the executors of Councels confirmed which in our time also they which haue ben the best learned in the Romish Church by their iudgementes haue allowed The authoritie of this voice abideth for euer Freely ye haue receyued Giue freely Spirituall things are giuen fréely therfore it is not lawfull to buye sell them and are in that order that they were giuē to be distributed that is to say freely Herevpon they are called Simoniakes which take vnto themselues that vnlawful and forbidden game of the which simonie or forbidden gaine we haue so many examples both in the scriptures also in the historie of the ancient Church that we shall not néede at this time to make any longer discourse of the same And to say somwhat of the Coūcels how oftentimes was this forbidden namely that not onely corruptions but also suspition of corruption should be taken awaye Inso much that they which distributed gaue the almes were forbidden to giue it in the time of the sacramēts least they should séeme to giue their almes for the receiuing of the sacraments as ye may reade in the Councel of Ancyrane and others In like maner king Lodoicus séeing that confusion créeping by little and little into the Church commaunded that the Clergie shoulde abide and dwell in their Diocesses and that no money euer after should be caried to Rome shewing how greatly this chopping and chaunging did displease him yet there was neuer any man that was counted a greater Catholike than he Also Pope Paulus the third himselfe in our time séeing that many departed forsooke the Church of Rome and fearing that this mischiefe wold grow more more was constrained by the continuall cries of the Protestantes to confesse that there were many errors got into the Church therfore commaunded certain men that were coūted notable in learning to note diligently what things were worthie of reformation swore them to hide nothing thereof from him threatning them that if they did not discharge their office throughly they should incurre the penaltie of excommunication Among the rest to whome this charge was cōmitted were these Contarenus who was made Cardinal in Germanie for his dealing in y notable cōtrouersie cardinal Theatinus who after the same Paule the third was made Pope Cardinall Sadoletus cardinall Poole the Englishman fiue others also which for their great learning were chosen to this office These men whē they had diligētly examined the matter gaue forth their sentence opiniō in publike writing the first article wherof was this Nothing ought to be done for money in the vse and administration of the keyes that is to say in the power of the Church Notwithstanding that Pope Paule the thirde which was so hote in the matter with his thundering
the greatest principall point to heale the which at the least may stay theÌ„ least dispayring they shoulde séeke an alteration remedy If on the coÌ„trary part the king aledge for him self the calamitie and trouble of the long continued warres the diuers and manifolde charges and costes that grewe thereof the scarsitie and emptinesse of his Treasurie and also the greate arrerages and debte in the which he founde the Crowne when he came first to the same Is not this a complaint to be considered and talked of in the assembly of States If the people alledge that the King oughte to maintaine himselfe and his traine by his yeerely reuenewes and that he ought to hold and maintaine warres with his subsidies and to set forth armies with his customes and tributes the which things were for this cause graunted in time paste If in like maner the king declare that he found almost al his demeines distracted deuided and conueyed awaye the greatest part of the subsidies taken vp before hande and yet he himselfe greatly burthened and indebted to the ende he might obtaine by the consent of the people that those burthens being somewhat eased mighte remaine as yet for a time vntil meanes and wayes which are dayly deuised to recouer againe his demeines may be brought to effect But is there no other better waye to be had to bring things to passe than by the assembly of the States To speake briefely if there be anye maner of complaint whatsoeuer pretenced or otherwise where can it be better put forth thaÌ„ in the generall assembly of the States and if it be a iuste complaint where can he haue a more present remedie than that which shal be deuised by so many men but if it be vniust where can the same be sooner found out thaÌ„ in the assembly There is also another consideration of necessitie wherof there arise great daungers seing in these straites and extâ—…emities there is no ordinary remedie vsed First of all the King is scarcely obeyed in his Edictes and statutes the which is one of the greatest signes of sedition For when the people are not heard in those things wherof they do complaine it commeth therevpon that they cast away all hope to haue redresse and so they fall into such desperation that they dare enterprise to ease and vnburden them selues without the hauing of any consideration of the kings coÌ„maundement or his officers yea they arme prepare theÌ„ selues against all perils as though nothing were more sharpe intollerable On the other part they which say that they are greued captiously take this coÌ„plaint of the people increase y same do al that they can to amplifie and enlarge that with newe lyes which they haue once falsely tolde and reported for a truth Herevpon commeth the vnhonest publishing and casting abrode of slaunderous bookes and publique writings And the people being exulcerated and vexed with their owne disease willingly receiueth that which appertaineth to their disease and by the ignorance of the kings matters doe flyde and fall into these sinister and wrong opinioÌ„s Of the which things to haue so great and manifolde destructions arise is great daunger many examples whereof we see dayly To auoide which destructions it séemeth most necessarie to call an assembly of the states And although the causes hytherto spoken of shewe no necessitie yet not withstanding the necessitie of the assembly of these men is such that it ought to be wished for of all men For what is more to be desired méete for a yong King to gouerne his kingdome than to be taught the things that concerne his kingdome that he may know the maners of his people and those things also which belong to the order and gouerning them Therefore let him learne to spende as he may and not to excéede and let hym play the part of a good shepherd who in shearing of his shepe doth not flea and pull of skin and all but leaueth the skinne that he maye receiue the fléece at another time againe and let him consider that whatsoeuer he spendeth more than his ordinarie reuenewes tribute custome and tallage is as it were the substance and bloud of the people whome he is set to gouerne by Gods appointment Herevpon shall come honest and godly education herevpon shall come both good beginnings and happie successe of all things and at the last the king shal get vnto him that Magnificent name with great glorye as to be called Pater Patriae The father of the countrey as King Lodowic the twelth was which leaueth a notable memorie behinde to all the posteritie is more to be desired than the Laureat crowne for victorie in warre Another commoditie also will ensue and that is this The people of Fraunce being chéered vp and comforted by this demonstration they will séeke all that euer they be able to ease those burtheÌ„s for they once vnderstanding their kings businesse and néede will imploye all that euer they haue to doe their king seruice But we must take héede least that prompte willingnesse being to often styrred doe not turne at the laste to impacient and brutishe madnesse And these commodities are ioyned with great honestie for that the king if it please him maye in the beginning of his raigne examine olde customes and lawes the which is the onely waye to correct and amende matters that are out of order For althoughe the king alone be the author of the law he onely can rule yet notwithstanding those things which he hath constituted and ordained by this assembly of the states are of greater force and efficacie and those will the people more willingly obey and kéepe bicause they vnderstande that they were confirmed by many mens opinions and Judgements wheras otherwise onely a fewe being assembled together they Judge that the matter was done according to the mind and phantasie of a fewe the reasons not examined wayed which might haue bene brought against the same For by these meanes the FrenchmeÌ„ haue preserued them selues and the kingdome vnto this daye neither is there anye well ordered kingdome in the which this order of assemblies is not obserued the which ought to be of great waight and highly estemed For seing so many kings do confesse that they féele and perceiue so many commodities to spring and growe of thys good order and that they doe counte the same the staye and strength of their scepter we can not certainely well and honestly departe from so ancient commendable a custome And as for the contrarie reasons which were wonte to be broughte to hinder these assemblies they can preuaile nothing at all seing the perill of those things which happened at another time are by no meanes to be feared the Kings authoritie at this day being so firmely established and confirmed by the counsell of the Quéene and by so many consents of Princes and Nobles that if these reasons might be receiued and take place there
is no doubt but that all their practises would be voide and frustrate which thinke it good and persuade themselues that it is necessary to haue a new alteration of the common weale and shoulde be a most spedie remedy to mittigate take away al perturbations The which one thing we muste with all diligence possible prouide for And thus he made an end of his oration In the repeating whereof we haue béene some what long but yet for all that the matter is worthy of repetition and not disagreing from our purpose The day following the rest declared their Judgementes and first began the Admirall and the Cardinall of Loraine made an ende But this was the sentence of the Admirall Shatillion â–ª namely that he would haue had that those supplications which he had offered to the king shoulde be subscribed of those in whose name they were put forthe who answered that they were readye either in a small or great number to subscribe those supplications which they had exhibited yea they sayde that they would assemble themselues together to the number of fiftie thousand before the kings Maiestie if so it pleased him But there can nothing be deuised more pestilent thaÌ„ the Prince to stand in feare of his subiectes to be in perill of them in like maner the subiectes to haue an euill opinioÌ„ of their Prince and to be suspected of their king Also he saide that it was ill prouided to bring vp a yong prince in that feare also to giue those occasions to the subiects of fearing At the last he concluded that his sentence was that the errors of the Church shoulde be taken awaye that the garde lately giuen to the king should be remoued and that there shoulde be called forthwith an assembly of the States Thus when the Admirall had made an ende the Duke of Guise taking occasion vpon that which he had spoken began thus saying that it was not wel saide of some that the king ought not to be so so brought vp when as he is so excellently ordered specially by the Queene his mother by whoÌ„ he is indued as it were with a certaine fulnesse of all vertues And as touching that which was spoken concerning the increasing of the Garde he said that he himself did mislike alwayes of the same vntill certaine did moue a sedition put them selues in armes which seemed to be entended altogether against the kings maiestie But wheras it is commonly reported that this sedition was not moued against the king but against manye of his ministers officers that is a vaine cloake nothing answering the matter For there is not any one of vs that euer hurt one of theÌ„ by priuate offences or harmes But they beare all that hatred against vs for the executing of our offices which we haue by the kings authoritie and leaue and therefore to speake more truely they hate not vs but the king Wherfore he said he sawe no reason why that number which was newly added to the Garde shoulde be remoued and taken away And as touching Religion he saide that he stoode to the Judgement of more learned men thaÌ„ he him self was how beit this one thing he would protest professe that no couÌ„cels at any time should so preuaile with him that they should bring him froÌ„ the ancient Religion of his elders specially froÌ„ his beliefe of the holy sacrament of the Altar Finally he said concerning the assembly of the States that he wholy referred the same to the kings maiesties will and pleasure to like or dislike of the same with him The Cardinall of Loraine begaÌ„ his sentence vpoÌ„ those confessioÌ„s which were offred to the king by the Admiral saying that they were nothing lesse thaÌ„ obedient faithful howsoeuer they boasted them selues For so long as the King will like of their opinions and sects or at least wise suffer them they will shewe them selues obedient to the king But I appeale sayth he to the Judgements of all men in this matter whether it be more méete to follow the opinions of these Jolly fellowes thaÌ„ the authoritie of the king To graunt them Churches were to allowe their Idolatry which the king could not doe without manifest perill of destruction And as concerning a generall Councell or a CouÌ„cell assembled together out of our owne NatioÌ„ I caÌ„ not sée saith he by any meanes how it should be necessarie seing that it should be called onely to reforme the maners of certaine ecclesiasticall persons the which might be done with lesse businesse a great deale namely by particular admonitions And as touching that which else appertained to Religion he saide that the same had bene so oftentimes established and confyrmed that he wished that onely to be followed which had béene hitherto obserued and appointed for so much as all assemblies of Councels whatsoeuer can appoynte no more than the obseruation of those things that haue béene kept alreadie And where as it was sayde that they which should subscribe their names to those supplications which they had put forth would assemble them selues together to the number of fiftie thousand to that he answered that the king might set against theÌ„ ten thousand meÌ„ of his Religion But it is manifest saith he of what minde they are by their railing libels which they scatter abroade in all places against euery man Among which great number of libels he saide that he had in his handes fiue and twentie which he diligently kept as a testimonie of great honour bycause he was euill spoken of by those villanous knaues trusting that they should be Monuments of his eternal and euerlasting praise Therefore he wished that those sedicious troublesome persons mighte be most seuerely punished and specially they which woulde put them selues in armes as many had begon But he said he thought it good that they should sustaine no punishment which frequented those sermons withoute armour and onely for consciencs sake of Religion which sang psalmes went not to Masse and such like Adding moreouer that he was very sorie for the sharpnesse and crueltie of those punishments which had béen hitherto vsed protesting that he would most willingly spende his owne life if it might doe any good to bring them into the right way Affirming also that Bishops and other learned men oughte to indeuour them selues to bring this thing to passe according to the commaundement of our sauiour Christ in the Gospell saying Reproue thy brother betweene thee and him c. Also he wished that the Gouernours and other Lieutenants of the Prouinces would diligently attend vpon their offices to see that none seditiously put theÌ„ selues in armor in like maner that the Bishops and curates and other Ecclesiasticall persons would haue a care and diligent eye to their charge to note and marke the abuses and errors of the Churche and to certâ—…e the King within the space of two monethes of those things
whiche they knowe that thereby it may be knowne how necessary it is to haue either a generall counsell or a Nationall counsell For it is verye profitable to call and assemble all the states together that all men may perceiue and sée how wel the Realme is gouerned And thus he made an ende When they had thus vttered their sentences and minds the King and Quéene gaue thankes to the whole assembly whose Counsell they saide they were readye to followe graunting vnto them that whereupon they had concluded namely That all the states of the Realme should be assembled togither and that if there coulde not be a generall councell there shoulde be with all speede a Nationall Councell Therefore they determined and concluded that the states of the Realme should be at Meldis the tenth day of the moneth of December nexte comming excepte it shoulde please the kings maiestie to appointe some other place And that the States belonging to euerye prouince should make in their prouince an assembly and consultation particular before that time to the ende that those things which should be debated of in the general assemblies might be vnderstoode Also that bycause it was in a maner agréed of a generall Coūcell betwéene the Pope the Emperour and the Christian princes the Bishops should come the tenth day of Ianuary next comming to the king that they might agrée conclude of the sending to the generall Councel or else of the hauing of a particular and Nationall Councell And that in the meane time the Bishops should get them to their Diocesses both to prepare them selues and also diligently to note and marke those things which lacke reformation In like maner that the Ciuill and substituted Magistrates shoulde kéepe the people in peace and obedience sparing and omitting neuerthelesse paynes and punishmentes due to offenders excepte it be to suche as put themselues in armes and moue sedition and yet notwithstanding the King to reserue vnto him selfe his power and authoritie to punishe those which are counted the authors of seditions and tumultes This was the conclusion of that consultation the which shall appéere wonderfull if we consider the state of the former times For that libertie which as yet is but little but before lesse being restored frō fiery flames and from death it selfe so preuailed before the King that it increased more and more But for all that the aduersaryes ceassed not their wicked Councels and practises what faire and paynted wordes so euer they vsed who by and by againe burst forth shewed them selues by these occasions There was a certaine seruant belonging to the King of Nauar whose name was Sagua who being come to a place called Fontisbellaquaeum and méeting with a certain souldier called Banna talked with him earnestly persuaded with him that he would not serue vnder the Guises for sayth he there are wayes deuised to punishe and handle them as they haue deserued and at the laste made rehersal of certaine things more particularly Banna the souldier hearing this went and tolde the whole circumstance to Marshall Brissacus who exhorted him to goe to the Duke of Guise To him therfore he went and tolde him all the whole matter in order Then the Guise desired him to faine friendship and familiaritie toward this Sagua and to fawne vpon him often times to repeate their former communication also to shewe him to one of his householde seruants The which this Banna did And Sagua was apprehended by the Guise There were also taken in the hands of Sagua certaine letters of Monsier Vidam of Carnutum to the Prince of Conde in the which he declared That if the Prince would take any thing in hande worthy of kinglike seruice he was ready to serue him and for his sake to spende both goods and life Upon the onely occasion of these letters the king gaue commaundement that Monsier Vidā of Carnutū shuld be takē The which was with all diligence broughte to passe by the Guises In the meane time there came from Lions frō the Abbat Sauignius letters concerning the bewrayed frustrated practises of Malignius who was said to go about to take Lions Sauignius for his rewarde receiued the Archbishopricke of Orleans By the meanes of these newe tumultes the king came from Fontisbellaquaeum to the Citie Sangerman But the cause and mischiefe of all these things was layde vpon the Prince of Conde who was openlye accused to séeke the alteration of the state of the common weale and also to be the author of the tumulte of Ambaxian Then was Cursolensis sente to the King of Nauarre to commaunde him to come vnto the King and to bring his brother the Prince of Conde with him In the meane time Monsier Vidame althoughe he was very sicke yet was he very straitly imprisoned in so much that his owne wife might not come to visite him And being straitly syfted by those whiche were appointed to examine him concerning the meaning of his letters he still made this answere namely That he did write expresly of those things which appertained to the obedience of the king and of whatsoeuer else that shoulde be done by the kings commaundement Also he saide that he was a néere kinsman and friend of the Duke of Guises yet for all that if there were any priuate controuersie betwéene him and tho King of Nauar and the Prince of Conde he woulde rather take part with them thā with him in so much that for them two namely for the King of Nauar and for the Prince of Conde he would spend both life and goods On the other part the familliar friends of the Prince of Conde with whome he was thoughte to haue conference and consultation were dayly caste in prison and the suspicions of the Huguenotes dayly increased more more for by this newe and straunge name were the faithfull of the reformed Church then called Then was there a newe Edict made That no Prince or any other man whatsoeuer shoulde contribute money armor horses and such like to the setting forth of Souldiers and that he which shoulde be founde to doe this should be counted a Traitor to the King. There was yet a seconde messenger sent to the King of Nauar that he and his brother should come with all spéede This Messenger was Cardinall Burbonius their brother Publique supplicatiōs for the peace of the kingdome were euery where forbidden And wheras the assembly of States was determined before to be holden at Meldis it was now translated and remoued to Aurelias Marshall Termensis being sente with two hundred armed men to kepe the citie At the feast of Saint Michaels order Monsier Vidam being one of the foresaide order put vp a certaine supplication by the Cardinall of Loraine as by the Chauncelor of that order desiring that according to the auncient custome he mighte be iudged of all those that were of that honorable order of Saint Michael and that for those causes onely for
slaughter was a preparing and whilest all men loked to sée great things come to passe beholde sodaine and vnloked for alterations happen For the king had a ceataine paine and disease in his eares Of the which after he had bene sicke a while he dyed the fifth day of December in the yeare of Lorde god M. D. LX. At the which sodaine alteration the Guyses were not a little dismayde When King Fraunces was deade the Quéene his mother sent vnto the Constable who had detracted the time to come to Aurelias assuring him of hir friendship and promising vnto him that neuer hereafter none should intrude him selfe into an other mans office and praying him also that he would come vnto hir with all spéede There the Constable came to hir to Aurelias without delay with Martiall Momorencius his sonne and saluted the newe king Neuerthelesse the Prince of Conde was kept in holde still but not without greate reuerence of his kéepers shewed towardes him and continusd in prison after the death of the King by the space of ten dayes denying to go out of prison vntill he knewe his aduersarie in this matter layde to his charge But all the matter was layde vpon the King deceased Therfore by a wonderfull and straunge way or meane as by the death of the King the subtill practises of the aduersaries were brought to naught whose funerall was so slenderlye celebrated that he was depriued of that vsuall pompe which Kings commonly haue at their buriall all men wondering that the Guises woulde suffer the same the which also was very wel noted by a publike Epigram or libel sent abrode There were truly within a short time wonderfull manifest signes of Gods iust iudgemeÌ„t against many Princes the which al meÌ„ at that time did plainly sée acknowledge Concerning the which these verses folowing were made Charles a Tyrant King of all kings that before him went Most craftily by counsell gainst Christ his force he bent Till that his foolish madnesse of children being espied In midst of all his mischiefe most sodenly he died And thou O Henrie eke by men that wicked were nought VVast too much led and therfore greedily hast sought The bloud of godly men thereof to drinke thy fill But he that sittes aboue restrainde thee of thy will. For in thy witlesse mode thy rashnes great thou didst declare therfore wouÌ„d of deth by spere thou hadst ere thou wast ware And so thy bleding corps eÌ„brued the earth with blood Bicause to kill the Saints to thee it seemde so good Frances that was his sonne vnhappie childe did so direct His fete in his yll wayes that Christes voice he did neglect He stopt his eares as deafe when Christ to him did crie And therfore putrefacted eares did cause hiÌ„ streight to die Be warnde therefore O Kings by these examples iust VVisedomes doctrine to receiue or else to turne to dust Thus rumors were spred euerywhere abroade that so wonderous a thing had happened the lyke wherof was neuer heard of before namely that they which were brought to that passe that they should haue bene put to death were now aduaunced to great honor And contrarywise that it was come to passe that they which thought their authoritie to be confirmed for a long time sawe the same taken awaye and were brought to their former state and degree They which were of the assemblie of States trembling and quaking before for feare tooke now vnto themselues a bolde courage and with one consent make petition that the king of Nauar may be the ruler gouernor of the kingdome during the time of the Kings nonage minoritie also that the Princes the kings nere kinsemen with the Constable the Admiral the Andelote with the rest of the Nobles might be always of the kings CouÌ„selâ—… that Cardinals Bishops should be sent to their diocesses to discharge their Ecclesiastical offices according to the rule of the canoÌ„s in that behalf The Kinges mother tooke it not in good part that so great good will and fauour should be shewed to the king of Nauar whom she demed not long ago to be hir enimie they increased these suspitions which went about to coÌ„firme their authority by their dissentioÌ„s working hatred spite against the king of Nauar through the sentence of the assembly of the parliament which wished him to haue the rule of the kingdome And thus the minds of the Nobles being diuided into two factions one part helde of the Quéene another part with the king of Nauar. Insomuch that a man might sée the Constable the Admiral his two brethren alwais in the coÌ„pany of the king of Nauar On the other part the Guises Nemorosius the Marshal Santandrae the Marshal Brislac the cardinal of TurnoÌ„ always were about the Quéene stode w thir So that now there was great daunger of present seditioÌ„ but the king of Nauar by his courtesie suffrance put away all this daunger like to arise yéelding vnto the Quéene authoritie to gouerne the kingdome Then the Quéene being somewhat appeased plainly saide that she knew nowe the causes of all the troubles past namely that all the Princes which were of the Kings blouds were displeased that they were not accouÌ„ted off according to their worthinesse which thing she said she woulde sée reformed euer afterward By this occasion the stomacking and taking of parts betwéene them séemed somewhat to be repressed There folowed therfore a wonderful alteration chauÌ„ge and all men began to talke one to another to say that the companies of armed meÌ„ were prepared gathered togither to some other vse purpose than for the safetie of the King that their couÌ„sels and meanings were otherwise which had arrogated vnto themselues authoritie also that their practises shoulde not so easily haue successe nowe But the churches now which before were in great perplexity fear obtained peace and all men hoped nowe for a better state For amidst those sundrie troubles and manifolde afflictions which happened vnder the raigne of king Frances the administration of the sacraments the preaching of Gods worde neuer ceased in the reformed Churches although the number that were assembled were but small though also the same was not done without great daunger warinesse For at that time there were cruell conspiracies against the Church which woulde haue done great harme to the same had not the Lorde by his prouidence tourned them away Then did the reformed Churches coÌ„maunde solemne prayers with fasting to be vsed and they which were the gouernors and chiefe of the congregation exhorted their brethren to be of good chéere and comforted them willing them paciently to looke for helpe from the Lorde So that after so great afflictions and feare there followed excéeding ioye and the sodennesse of the chaunce made the matter to seeme more wonderfull Then was there newes brought of the death of
Monsieur Vidame of Carnutum who was kept at Paris in holde for those causes whereof we haue spoken before Whose death many of the Nobles tooke very heinously Then were certaine thinges appointed and determined concerning the gouernment of the kingdome the imperie and rule was deuided betwéene the Quéene and the King of Nauarre and that in such order that the chiefest authoritie to gouerne the Realme was giuen to the Quéene against all law and auncient custome of France Wherfore by reason of this sodaine chaunge the assemblye of States were interrupted and brake vp for a certaine space But they were assembled togither againe in the same place the. xiii daye of December Charles the King the Quéene and the Princes according to the maner accompanying them Then the Chancelour at the commaundement of the King declared that there was no lesse willingnesse in the King than there was in his brother before him to haue an assemblie of States and that the rather bicause the King himselfe was newlye come vnto the Kingdome And he procéeded speaking very seriously and plentifully of the cause ende and vse of calling an assemblie of States and why the same being omitted for the space of eight and twentie yeres shoulde nowe againe be brought in vse And when he had shewed the King and the Subiectes also their duties he came to speake of those causes more particularly which brought to passe that there should be an assembly of States that is to say of the Seditions which he wished might be taken quite away for that they were like to bring so great troubles to the whole Realme And to finde out spéedye and profitable Remedies for the same he sayde the causes of so great euill must first of all bée noted and knowne We must sayth he in euery respect and condicion disalowe and vtterlye condemne sedition the which is nothing else but a separation and a pulling awaye of the subiectes from the Kingdome and Common wealth And it springeth of diuers causes First of feare of some imminent euill which may come by iniurie and oppression and also of the expectation of great things to put awaye penurie and scarcenesse But the speciall cause is Religion And this is very straunge and most wonderfull bicause God the only true author and preseruer of Religion as he is an enimy to dissention so is he the defēder and preseruer of peace Christian Religion néedeth not the defence of Armes neither doth the beginning or conseruation therof stand vpon force of armes Neither is their aunswere to be allowed which say That they take not armes and force in hande to offend any man but to defende themselues For by no meanes is it lawfull for the subiect to ryse against the Prince yea it is no lesse vnlawfull for him so to doe than for the children to resist their parents whether they be good and courteous or sharpe and cruell Thus did the godly Christians in tyme past set forth and maintaine Christian Religion namely by long sufferance and pacience also by deuout prayer for wicked Emperors which ouercame their crueltie The very Ethnikes truly praysed highly cōmended those which had suffered iniuries and reproches for their countrie But we which are Christians ought not to allowe the opinions of the Gréekes and Romaynes concerning the killyng of tyrantes If men were such as they ought to be there should neuer come any strife or contention for Religion But it is manifest that there is no greater force than the first conceyued opinion of Religion whether y same be good or euill There is no peace to be hoped for betwéene men of contrarie Religion There is nothing that doth more violently assaile the hearts of men and that doth more inuade them there is no affection that is of greater power and more violent either to bring friendship or to bring hatred than Religion The Jewes hated all other Nations as prophane And all other Nations hated the Jewes But wherefore for Religion What and howe great hatred was there in time past between the fathers and the Arrians But I omit such ancient examples and I will come nearer euen to our selues England and France embracing al one Religion shall be more surely linked and knit in frendship and loue one towardes another thā they which disagréeing in Religion are of one Countrie kinred and name Diuersitie of Religion dissolueth all the bondes of loue it setteth the father against the children and the children against the father brother against brother the man against the wife and the wife against hir husbande according to this place of Scripture I came not to sende peace ▪ but a sworde Herevpon it commeth to passe that in all Realmes there are oftentimes grieuous seditions For if it come to passe that there be variāce disagréement betwéene those that are by nature so fast linked togither by the meanes of Religion what maye we thinke of others Not the diuersitie of tongues but the diuersitie of Religion maketh diuision of Kingdomes and of Common weales Herevpon commeth that olde Prouerbe Vna Fides vna Lex vnus Rex that is to say One fayth one Lawe and one king Among these diuisions and discordes howe can it be that violence and force of armes shoulde not be vsed For warre followeth alwayes discorde and dissention according to these verses Discordia that Ladie of stryfe and of wo hath with hir Bellona hir handmaide also VVho alwayes doth carie a most bloudy scurdge the vndoubted reuenge of strife and of grudge Therefore the principall and chiefe cause of this disease and mischiefe is the discrepance and varietie of Religion To cure the which mischiefe there is not a more present remedie than to haue a Councell as it was lately concluded at Fontubellaquaeum and we haue nowe great hope to obtaine the same at the hands of the Pope In the meane time let vs shewe our due obedience vnto the yong king Let vs not for Gods sake receyue newe opinions according to our owne fantasie Let vs in time with wisedome consider of the matter and let vs diligently seeke to vnderstande the same It is no trifle that we haue in hande but it is the saluation of our soules that is in question If it maye be lawfull for euery man at his owne discretion to receyue what Religion him lysteth take héede that there bée not so many Religions as there be men Thou sayest that thy Religion is better than mine and I defende that which I embrace whether is it more meete that I followe thy opinion or thou mine Who shall ende our controuersies but the holy Councell In the meane time let vs not alter any thing rashlye least by seditions we bring warre into our Kingdome and so there followe a confusion The King and the Queene will leaue nothing vndone that may procure a Councell and if this remedie maye not be had they will séeke other remedies And nowe our Prelates and
Ecclesiasticall persons if they well consider the weightinesse of the matter will looke better vnto their office and duetie than they haue done heretofore Let vs knowe that the dissolution of our Church was the first beginning of heresies but it is to bée thought that a Reformation will take them away againe This victorie must not be sought for by violence or by force of armes but by godlye exhortations and by godlynesse of lyfe Wyth these weapons the Heretikes in tymes past were ouercome We must not hate the menne but the vyces and wickednesses that are in men and wée must goe aboute all that wée maye to bring them into the waye that are in errour Let vs therefore put awaye all factious and seditious names as the names of Lutheranes Huguenotes Papystes and suche lyke and let vs retayne and kéepe still the names of Christians But bicause there are manye founde whyche wyll not bee satisfyed desiring tumult and confusion enimies to peace and the cōmon welth and as it appeareth contemners of God and Religion the King which otherwise of himselfe is gentle and long suffering hitherto hath vene constrayned and peraduenture shall be hereafter vrged to indeuour himselfe to punishe the frowarde obstinate It may seeme a very sharp remedy but if we looke well vpon the disease and mischiefe yet a growing we shall find it very necessary for the same Notwithstanding it is so come to passe as yet by the goodnesse of God and the clemencie of the Prince that there hath bene no greater punishment layde vpon any man nor no greater destruction followed as the subuersion of Cities the burning of houses the disfraunchizing of Cities of their priuiledges and the restraint of their liberties the which other Princes that dwell about vs haue oftentimes vsed euen within the compasse of our remembrance for the punishing of seditious persons And bicause it is to be feared least the armies of souldiers being dismist the seditious will begin to practise and conspire a freshe of two things the one is to be done namely that either the armies be kept and maintained still which cannot be done without the great cost and charge of the Subiectes or else that the Citizens of euery Citie endeuour themselues to punishe such seditious and seditious persons and he that shall be first founde to go about to alter the state of the common welth let him by his seuere punishment be an example to all the rest The King to this ende and purpose will giue you a power of armed men Consider with your selues which of these wayes is most for your profite either that you maintaine garrisons of souldiers to kéepe the cities for the king or that you your selues in your owne persons do it at your owne costes and charges As for all other things the King will prouide and sée vnto them by his officers In the meane time let such as are Ecclesiastical persons doe their dutie by prayers by Sermons and by diligent instructing of the people And so it will come to passe that the King shall be obeyed and you shall enioye peace tranquilitie Whē the Chaūcelor had procéeded thus far forth and had spokē somewhat concerning the Kings substaunce and great erpences exhorting the Court of Parliament to ease the same he declared that it was the King and the Quéenes pleasures that euery man shoulde fréely put forth his complaintes and sutes for that their Maiesties intended with all clemencie as it was meete to prouide for all thinges And this only was done the first day In the next méeting the assemblye of States chose out thrée men to speake for them the which thrée stoode before the King and made their seuerall orations The sum wherof I will briefely repeate so far forth as they shall séeme necessary for our purpose The speaker for the thirde order of States that is to say for the Commonalty was named Angell a Counseller and a pleader of causes in the Senate of Burdeux in Gascoyne This man declared by many reasons that for the due putting away of perturbations and troubles it séemed good and most necessary to the people first of all to remoue and to take away the causes Which causes he saide were partlye the corruptions among Ecclesiasticall persons among which corruptions which were very many in number there were thrée notable and more pernicious than the rest namely Couetousnesse Ignorance and Luxurie Ignorance he sayd was so manifest that no man néede to doubte of the same and so great also that among that sorte of men it was to be séene from the hyest to the lowest Which ignorance is the mother and Nurse of all errours as both experience and also the testimonies of learned fathers aboundantlye declare To remedie this he saide Canons and decrées woulde be prouided but in vaine For so great is the contempte and negligence of preaching and instructing the people which is notwithstanding the office of a good pastour that Bishops at this day counte it a shame and reproch vnto them to féede the flocke of Christ. And such as are Curates and other masse priests following the euill example of Bishoppes doe also euen abhorre their office and doe commit the same to vnlearned vicars who singing Masses for their rewarde haue onely some one slender bosome collation or other which they alwayes vse without discretion as one plaister to all maner of soares The seconde vice is Couetousnesse the whiche as it is no lesse pestiferous than Ignorance so is it no lesse to be séene as well in the heades as in the inferiors And as for Luxurie the pompe and pryde of Prelates he fayde it was suche that it was a great stumbling blocke and offence to all men For they are painted and set for the as though by an outwarde shewe in the world they should represent the maiestie of God when as they shoulde rather expresse the same by godlynesse and integritie of life How greatly haue our Bishoppes of late dayes degenerated from the meane estate puritie and godlynesse of the true Byshoppes of olde time All these corruptions saith he must be taken away by a godly and lawfull Counsel called and also by the kings authoritie The speaker for the Nobilitie was one Iacobus Sillius This man began first to speake many things concerning the power authoritie and office of Kings and largely also concerning the order of Nobles which he saide was verye profitable and necessary to preserue and maintaine the dignitie of the king In speaking of matters concerning Religion he founde this fault aboue all others namely that hytherto there had béene great ouersight in suffering Ecclesiasticall persons to haue so great power and authoritie and so large lyuing and reuenewes who haue incroched vnto them selues the houses of Noble men do wickedly abuse all that euer they haue Wherfore saith he it is necessarye that these sortes of men shuld he reformed Also he wished that it might be diligently
foreséen that the office of an Ecclesiasticall person might not be committed to an vnlearned vnapte and ignoraunt person affirming it to be vnlawfull for them to dwell from their flockes in other places at their owne pleasure and so giuing them selues to worldly businesse wholy to neglecte their offices but sayth he it is the Kings duetie to cal them to their office againe And in the ende he made earnest peticion that there might be wayes taken in time to stop the seditions at hande and also that it wold please the king to haue regard consideration to his nobles as his auncetours had done before him When he had thus spoken he put vp a Supplication in the which peticion was made in the name of the nobilitie that temples might be graunted for the vse and seruice of the reformed Religion After this man one Quintinus Heduus who was chosen to be the speaker for the Clergie when he had commended the king and Quéene to their face saying that the kings of Fraunce were specially chosen euē as if they had béen borne and appointed to be defenders of the Churche of Rome and that therefore they had that moste auncient name from all ages as to be called Most Christian Princes he sayde that this assembly of States or court of Parliament was verye well called The causes of the which assemblye saith he is that the complayntes of the people mighte be hearde and holpen and that meanes and remedyes might be prepared for the scarsitie of the kings treasure and substāce But this saith he is the greatest cause of all whiche I speake with great sorrowe and griefe and yet notwithstanding muste néedes speake the same namely that the corruptions and notable faultes of Ecclesiasticall persons myghte bée refourmed and amended For sayth he the matter is nowe come to thys passe that they thē selues which shuld declare this Ecclesiasticall holynesse by their life are more afrayde of the kings Edictes than they are of Gods word and of the Gospell of christ Notwithstanding we muste therefore thinke saith he that the reformatiō of the Church is sought for which hath not erred neither can erre but a correction only of those most greuous faults in those men which were the chiefe gouerners of the Church which correction must procéede from the king but so notwithstanding the king must vse correctiē that he follow the steppes of those kings that haue gone before him who alwayes fauored the Church Adding to this also that those kings his auncetours woulde neuer haue suffered the wicked practises of these newe fellowes which falsely and wickedly of late time take vnto them selues the profession of the Gospell that they mighte therby both refuse all ecclesiastical order and also abolishe if they might al Ciuill power and authoritie For saith he the king ought to this ende specially to exercise his authoritie and draw his swerde to punishe and vtterly to roote out all heretikes giltie of criminall punishments Therefore he desired that Churches might not be graunted to those horrible men for so he termed them and that they also might be counted punished as heretikes which durst offer the supplications of Heretikes to the king This truely saith he hath bene the olde subtill practise of Sathan to bring this libertie to heretikes that they might the more securely and without feare of punishment destroy the Gospell the which subtill practises he hath nowe also in hande and therefore the more diligent héede saith he ought to be taken In like maner also he desired the king that according to the doyngs of his Auucetours and also according to the example of Charles the great whose name he bare he wold constraine all his subiectes to liue according to the Canons rules of the fathers For detestable sayth he is the boldnesse of these new heretikes which scoffing at the authoritie of the fathers and reiecting the doctrines and Canons of the Churche saye that they will haue nothing but the true Gospell onely as thoughe the promise of Christ were vaine and to no effect who promised that he would neuer forsake his Churche and as thoughe that they were wiser than so many Fathers which left so many godly Canons behynde them in writing also as though they alone vnderstoode the word of god Horrible boldnesse reebllion is that sayth he which casteth of the yoake of the Church and what else will they do at the last but murmur and grudge also against the power and authoritie of the Ciuill Magistrate Moreouer he said that the notes badges of the Church were not obscure which these new men wanted as the euerlasting and continuall successiō from the Apostles time and the Canons and rules which the Fathers left behinde them which badges the Church of Rome hath Therefore saith he that they may neuer hereafter abuse the name of the Churche we must plainely pronounce and affirme That the Church of Rome is the Catholique or vniuersall Church But if these newe men take vnto them the name of the Church we will not denie it them but we saye that they are not of the True Catholique Church but of the Malignant Church Also he made petition that they which had fled the Realme for Religions sake might be banished men for euer that they might loose all maner of priuilege and that they mighte be handled euen as if they were forraine enimyes Furthermore he saide that aboue all things that drowning floud which had flowed out of the diches of Geneua was most pernicious and therfore he exhorted the king that he would to the vtmost of his power roote out all such as came from that place and not to holde the yong childe excused if so be he came from thence seyng that God would call him to an accounte for the doing of his duetie And perswaded Queene Katherine also the kings mother by the example of that Katherine of whome Eusebius maketh mention to ouerthrow and roote out these newe Heretikes Therefore he sayde that this was the onely cause of the great mischief at hande that there were so many heretikes in euery place to the destruction of the Realme and all estates Moreouer he desired of the King that Ecclesiasticall persons might be defended and maintayned accordyng to the commaundement of God bycause they are The Lordes Christes or annointed as their badges that is to say their shauē crownes doe declare Also he complayned that the authoritie to chose Prelates was taken from the Clergy and giuen to Kings saying that it was done against Gods word against the holye Canons and againste the approued examples of the Elders and that euer since that tyme namely from the yeare of oure Lorde god M. D. XUII. when the same was first vsurped all things haue had euyll successe For saith he in that very yeare in the which that lawfull right was abrogated from Ecclesiasticall persons began that damnable heresie of Luther whiche afterwarde soke suche rooting
had of them that he sente his embassage vnto them and that he woulde call them to this Councell as though he were ignorant what Religion the States of the Empire followed who of late that they might reforme their Churches according to the true doctrine of the Gospell were constrayned to plucke their neck out of the Popes yoake that is to say to separate theÌ„selues from their fellowshippe which went about to oppresse and destroy the true doctrine of the Gospell We woulde therefore say they to the Legates that ye should knowe for a suretie that the most noble Princes of Germany will by no meanes obey the Pope nor acknowledge that he hath any power either by Gods lawe or by the lawe of man to call a Councell specially being such a one as maketh dissention strife in the Church and most cruelly warreth against the truth Furthermore they affirmed that they were misreported of slaundered as though they retained no certaine faith but that there were now among them So many heads so many opinioÌ„s So many Gospels so many teachers wheras they retained the plaine and manifest confessioÌ„ made at Ausburgh and offered to the Emperour Charles the. v. in the yéere of our Lord god M. D. XXX in the which not only all the principall grounds of faith are distinctly contained but also y celestial truth manye wayes therby set forth and published Also they said that the generall complaints of all meÌ„ did sufficiently declare with what errors the Church of Rome was filled and with what filthy superstitions the Gospell was there suppressed in so much that the same is rather like to the traditions vaine inuencions of heathen men than Christian Religion Wherfore say they bicause we haue of late separated and deuided our selues from the Churche of Rome not by anye rashnesse or vaine curiositie or being led by any leude affections but by the only commaundement of God which willeth all meÌ„ to flee Idolatry we protest that we wil so abyde most constaÌ„tly and not be subiect any maner of waye to the Pope For we acknowledge no maner of iurisdiction besides the iurisdiction of the most renoumed Emperour Ferdinandus And as touching the two Legates the Princes saide that were it not for the Popes ambassage on which they came they being worshipfully borne in Venice they would shewe vnto them so great courtesie fauour and friendship as might be both for that they loued the countrey of Venice and also bycause the Legates themselues by the dignitie of their birth were worthy as they thought to be well entertained And thus the Popes Legates with lost labour retourned from Germanie againe Then beganne Religion and the great number of the faythfull to increase more throughout euerye prouince of the kingdome of Fraunce but the deuill enuying that notable increase there were then many perturbations and troubles raised vp in many places In Prouince whiche was sometimes called Narbon there was great a doe and much trouble And the Gospell beyng much preached in the region of Langres almost in euery citie with great assemblies of people to heare y same at the laste ensued great affliction by the Earle Villarius Daulphenie also which is called the RegioÌ„ of Sauoy embracing y same doctrin felt the like persecutioÌ„s And by the meanes of one Mottaegondrinus who was Lieutenant to the Duke of Guise there was grieuous persecution at Valentia in so much that a Minister of Gods word and certaine honest citizens with him were beheaded Moreouer garrisons of souldiers were placed throughout euerye citie to the great anoyance and detriment of the faithfull who notwithstanding wonderfully increased both in number in zeale daily The Prince of Conde beyng sente for of the King came to hym to the Courte which was at Fontisbellaquaeums with a fewe onely attending vpon him The daye following he was called before the priuie Councell and beyng come he openly demaunded of the Chauncelor if he had any thing to saye against him who answered that he had nothing to obiect againste him the like answere also made all the reste And then he sat hym downe in his accustomed place Then the King declared before all the assemblye that the Prince of Conde had giuen vnto him due proofes and testimonyes of his innocencie for as we declared before by the practises of the Guises he was accused of treason the which he saids he dyd in no wise doubte of And therfore he gaue commandement to the Senate of Paris to giue leaue to the Prince of Conde to haue larger testimonyes of his innocencie And to the ende the Iudgement of the priuie Councell mighte be knowne to all men commaundement was giuen that the same shoulde be registred in the Register of the Senate and sent also to the Ambassadors of other Nations Therefore for bycause of these things the Prince of Conde went to Paris In the meane time there arose new contâ—…tions betwéen the Quéene and the King of Nauarre he complaining to the Queene that he was not well delt withall for that he was ill requited for that great good will and courtesie which he shewed towardes the Quéene in yéelâ—…ing vnto hir the gouernment of the Realme the Duke of Guise being in office and authoritie aduaunced before him who had not onely the keyes of the Tower to kéepe but also by the Quéenes will did what him liste Saying also that the matter was very ingratefully handled that he which had béen alwayes his enimie euen in the dayes of King Henrye and Frances shoulde as yet be aduaunced before him Also that if he were contented for the Quéenes sake to dissemble all things and not to bewray his griefe it was the more vnméete that he for his facilitie and tractablenesse shoulde be abused by hir In fine he saide that either he or else the Duke of Guise must néedes forsake the Court adding also that he coulde by no meanes abide with the king except the Guise departed To this the Quéene made answere that she did meane to gratifie the king of Nauarre so much as she might and so much also as equitie shoulde require but seing as then she sawe no iust cause she saide that she woulde in no wise expulse the Duke of Guise from the King bicause those offices that were committed vnto him of necessitie required his presence aboute the king She sayde also that she well perceyued that these complaints of the king of Nâ—…uar were continual and that one thing being graunted she must dayly graunt more and more and that there shoulde neuer be any measure or end of these complaintes â–ª Notwithstanding for his sake and to yelde vnto his complaintes she said that she would giue coÌ„maundement that the keyes of the tower mighte be deliuered vnto him although they pertayned to the Duke of Guise bycause he was Lord great Master as maye appéere also by the example of the Constable who heretofore bare the same office To this the King of
more to suche a matter To whom the Bishop sayd that he prayed God that his worde might profite and take place euery where The day folowing the Constable and the Duke of Guise went together to a sermon of a certaine Monke and from that tyme their myndâ—… began to be altenated and drawne away After which tyme the Constable was angrie with the Admirall his nephew openly bicause he did freely and publikely professe the Gospel And the wife of the Constable greatly pricked him forward to this euill who was greatly offended that the familie and stocke of the Chastillion shoulde bee aduaunced hir brother the Earle Villarius being not in that estimation that she woulde haue had him Therfore she moued prouoked him wyth these prickes saying that the Admirall wente aboute to depriue him of that benefite which the Quéene had bestowed vpon him that he did instaÌ„tly persuade the Quéene to promote set forth the true religioÌ„ for the king of Nauars sake that the CoÌ„stable ought not to suffer y authoritie of the church of Rome to be diminished he being not onely the chiefe officer oâ—… the king but also such a one as had his original ofspring of the firste Christian of the kingdome of Fraunce as the poelie of his armes did verie well testifie whiche was this Protegat Deus primum Christianum that is God defende the firste christian Also the Marshall Santandrae a suttle craftie and malicious man blew in his care that by the suttle procurement of the Admirall he was put vp by the assemblie of States to be a bryber and an extorcioner By thys meanes he thoughte to staye him for he feared that the Constable would not easily be brought to their wicked religion except it were by these persuasions Therfore he proceeded saying that he whiche came of so noble a stock and hadde doone suche woorthie and notable seruice in the kyngdome of Fraunce gouernyng the kingdome fortie yeares oughte not to suffer newe religions to be brought in to the hurte of the catholike churche The lyke persuasions also vsed the Earle Villarius hys wyues brother bearing no lesse spite and malice agaynste the Admirall than his sister did and that bycause hee vnderstoode that the Admirall did disproue before those of the kings priuie counsell that whiche he had done in Narbon against Religion Therfore they withdrewe the Constable all that they coulde The whiche thyng Marshall Momorentiuâ—… fearing and foreséeing a daungerous tempest lyke to aryse by the meanes of these dissentions hée shewed to his father the Constable so muche as he could what he thought néedfull to be doone And least he shoulde be drawne awaye from the greatest parte of his strength leaste he shoulde chaunge awaye certaine frendship for that which was vncertain and leaste he should ioyne hymself with newe reconciled fréendes he repeated vnto him their olde enmities and fallings out Adding moreouer that hée shoulde peruerte and ouerthrowe the greatest foundations of his stocke and kinred when he should alienate and withdraw himselfe from the Prince of Conde from the Chastillions from the Earle of Rupefocaldensis and from the rest which professe the reformed Religion beside this he should loose thereby the good will and fauor of the king of Nauarre and peraduenture the Quéenes fauoure too It is better sayeth hee to suffer the Chastillions and the Guiles to contende togyther than for you to take parte and yet neuerthelesse you shall kéepe youre faythe Affirming also that yf the Guyses were ouercome as it is moste lykely bycause they haue procured the hatred of all the assemblies agaynste themselues then shoulde his prudence experience and goodnesse bring to passe that he shoulde be a moderatour and a iudge of the reformation of the Churche the errours of the whiche Churche he ought not to defend bycause he was the chiefe officer vnder the King and the successour also of the firste Christian that was in Fraunce Also he sayde that he ought not to count it an iniurie that mention was made of hym by those that were of the Assemblie at Paris seing that he had doone nothing but by the authoritie of Kings and of the hyghest powers and séeing also that he hadde receyued so little of kyng Henrye that there was no manne but hée woulde iudge hym woorthie of greater rewardes bothe in consideration of the office whyche hée had so long and also for the money whiche hee bestowed in the Kings seruice Moreouer hée sayde that it appeared by the Bookes of accompte that the gyftes whyche the kyng gaue hym were not so muche by the seuenth parte as those giftes were whiche were bestowed vpon the Marshal Santandrae so farre they were from being compared with the Guises gifts and with the giftes of the Duchesse of Valentien To these persuasions onely of Momorentius the Constable made answer saying That Religion coulde not be altered without the mutation of the state ciuil regiment that he was a faithfull seruant of the king and of his brethren also that he feared not to be found guiltie that notwithstanding he woulde not suffer the actes and deedes of the Kyngs deceassed to be reproued and disalowed That hée desyred that hys nephews the Chastillions might be so good Christians in verie déede as they séemed to bée in woordes also that hée dyd willingly forgiue those that had offended him whatsoeuer they had doone After this verie shortly the Chastillions Odetus the Cardinal the Admiral the Andelot came oftentimes vnto him protesting that they bare no hatred in their heartes agaynst the Guises but went only about to frustrate their practizes and deuyses whiche as it euidently appeared tended both to their destruction and of the realme also Whome the Constable saye they oughte to resiste aboue all others But they persuaded in vayne for his mynd was drawne awaye and was linked in the freendship of the Guyses by diuers that allured him therto Thus dissentioÌ„s grew dayly more and more by the meanes of Religion and openly burste foorthe insomuche that both partes sought to iniurie and to reproche one another the fauourers of the Popes doctrine calling the professours of the Gospell Huguenotes and the Protestantes callyng them agayne Papistes Herevpon came a rumour abroade of Seditions the Popes chaplains in their Sermons mouing and pricking the people forward to the same Wherfore the king sent his letters to the Magistrates of euerye Prouince the summe and effect wherof was That no man shoulde call another contumeliously by the name of Huguenot or Papist that no man shuld abuse that ho nest libertie which euery maÌ„ ought to enioy either in his own house or wheÌ„ he is in his freds house that no maÌ„ shuld enter ei ther with gret or smal nuÌ„ber vpoÌ„ other meÌ„s houses vnder proteÌ„ce of the former edicts which prohibited forbad vnlauful assemblyes That they which were kept in bondes for Religions sake should be by and by deliuered and set at libeâ—…e before the first Edicte made
that vnder the pain of death confiscation of all their goods which offended herein Also that the knowledge and examination of heresie should be left to Ecclesiasticall persons and that whosoeuer was found guiltie therof should be committed to the secular power and susteine no other punishement than exile All these thinges to continue vntill the determination of a generall or Nationall counsell Pardon and full forgiuenesse of all crimes for religions sake being graunted to those that hadde offended vpon condition that they woulde euer afterwarde liue peaceably and catholikely Besides there was in this Edicte seuere punishments appoynted for false accusers And last of all strayte commaundement that no man shoulde weare armour It was also agréed and concluded in this assemblie that the Prelacie or Clergie shoulde be forthe with gathered togither and also the ministers of the reformed Religion being waranted from the king to come withoute harme in peace to that assemblie The Cardinall of Lorrain bragged that he would confute them by the authoritie of the auncient fathers and so made many men to hope to sée wonders Therefore the Quéene seeking to hasten this triumphe and fearing least the States of the realme woulde once againe make request to haue Temples gaue forthe commaundement that the Clergie of the Churche of Fraunce shoulde be at the towne of Possiac neere to Sangerman the tenth day of August following Fraunce béeyng in the middest of these troubles there was warrâ—… also aboute that tyme occasioned by the meanes of Religion betweene the Duke of Sabaudiâ—… and the Inhabitauntes of the Ualleys of Pedemount of the whiche to make relation béeing occasioned for one and the selfe same cause and in the nexte region it shall not be greately beside our purpose Pedamount néere vnto the mountayne Vesulus is called the valey of Lucern of a little towne called Lucerna néere adioyning to the same To this there is also an other adioyning called Angronia so called of the Riuer Angrone néere to the which the valeys of Perossa and Samnartine doe lye Those valleys haue dwelling in them fiftene thousande inhabitants Of which number the greatest part professe the Gospell also there were some in those places long agoe which abhorring the Pope and his doctrin had some knowledge and taste of true religion But after that the lyght of the truth in our tyme brast forthe and more cléerely appeared than it had done before it began also more cléerely to shine in those valeys Therfore when they were better instructed in the doctrine of the Gospell then did they more vehemently professe the truthe and that specially in two little townes aboue the rest where the same was openly professed These men of the valleys had many noble men appoynted to rule and gouerne them but among the reste they acknowledge the duke of Sabaudia their chiefe Prince and gouernour Therfore these inhabitauntes being hated for religions sake of the noble men that dwelt about them were diuers and sundrie wayes by them vexed And their chiefe Prince the duke of Sabaudia was sore agréeued that Religion began to flourish among them in somuch that he oftentimes coÌ„manded them to forsake the religion and to warne their ministers to receyue the Masse and the auncient religion otherwise he threatned them cruelly to punish them as rebels They being carefull by reason of these new commaundements sende at lengthe their Ambassadour to the Prince with a supplication and confession of their faith protesting that they beléeue all things conteyned in the old and newe Testament the articles of the Christian fayth called Symbolum Apostolorum the Nicene Créede and the Creede of Athanasius also the foure firste Councelles and the doctrine of the auncient Fathers so farre forth as they with the word of god Humbly beseching him to giue them leaue to liue according to the rule of Gods word and not to constraine them to doe any thing against their conscience affirming that they were readie not onelye to giue an account of their Religion but also to acknowledge and confesse their error if they might be brought vnto it by the word of god Adding herevnto that this doctrine had continued a long time among them as they coulde well approue by great testimonyes receiued from their ancetors Desiring him also to inquire how they behaued them selues towards their gouerners and in what order they liued protesting that their only desire was to render vnto him all obedience as vnto their chiefe Lord and Prince and that if they should be founde otherwise to be sharpely and seuerely punished This was the effecte of their ambassage to the Duke but it did nothing at all preuaile For the Duke gaue strait commaundement that no man should come or resort to those sermons which the Ministers of the inhabitantes of the valleys made if any did resorte vnto them their first punishment was the losse or forfeiture of 100. Crownes and the seconde punishment was to be a Gally slaue He commaunded also all the Nobles and Magistrates that had authoritie to punishe seuerely to execute the same againste the offenders Therfore the Noble men began to waxe fierce against the inhabitantes of the valleys in so much that when they had taken certaine of them they burnte them among whome were two preachers of Gods worde All men vsed violence against the meÌ„ of the valleys euen as if they had béen mortall enimyes great damage and hurte was done to them and those which dwelt about them making an armie made hauocke of them and spoyled them The men of the valleys were contented with all this iniurie and by the exhortations of their Ministers and preachers bare these things paciently for a time But at the length being ouerladen and wearied with these troubles they purposed to defend themselues in so much that they flew many of them which came to pray and spoile them Wherevpon the Duke gaue forth a commaundement that they shuld leaue off to spoile them anye more and sent vnto them Ranconensis and Triniâ—…aeus two of his gentlemen to intreate them friendly Notwithstanding they retourned home agayne as they came bycause they woulde haue bounde them to sende away their Ministers and Preaches The Duke beyng angrye wyth this intended to make open warre against them Wherevpon he sente agaynst them Trinitaeus with fiue thousands soulders the greatest parte whereof were gunners and some horsemen commaundyng hym that excepte the men of the valleys woulde doe as they were commaunded he shoulde deale with them as with mortall enimyes to spoile their goods and to put them to fire and sworde First of all therefore Trinitaeus assaulted Agronia with a thousand and a halfe of gunners certayne of the Townsmen to the number of thirtie being slenderly armed wyth flyngs and Crosbowes straighte waye went against them and withstandyng the firste fronte of the Armie were straite way rescued with two hundered oute of the valleys adioyning vnto them and so by and by they put their enimyes to flight
dispute on both parts of the principall poyntes of Religion nowe in controuersie â—…bertie was graunted vnto all 〈◊〉 of the reformed Church freely to come to heare 〈◊〉 samâ—… and that vnder safe conduct by the kings 〈◊〉 Certain men were chosen to be of that Councel â–ª 〈◊〉 of the râ—…rmed Churches â–ª being 〈◊〉 conducted at the kingâ—… coÌ„manâ—…ment by his gard from Paris to the towne called Sangeiman â–ª Among whome the principall were these namely Peter 〈◊〉 â—…rofessor of diuinitie in the Tygurâ—… Churche and The â—…tore 〈◊〉 â—…ho were chiefe in this disputation 〈◊〉 of Gods word â—…t Geneua whâ—… were procured to 〈◊〉 thither by the kyng of Nauarre and by the reformed Churches â–ª There were also â—…icolaus Gelaâ—…us Augustinus Marloraâ—…us Iohannes 〈◊〉 â–ª Franciâ—…cus Morellus and Iohannes â–ª Malo wyth whomâ—… also came 〈◊〉 a lesrâ—… man whiche a little before abjuring and forsaking the Popes religion imbraced the doctrine of the Gospell They therfore to begin the matter offer to the king a supplication in the which they desire that this disputation might be begon forthwith by his authoritie and that these might be the conditions to be obserued in the same Firste that those prelates which were of the contrarie opinion might not be set as chiefe Iudges in this disputation but that the king with his Counsellours shoulde by his authoritie moderate and rule the whole matter Secondly that all controuersies should be referred and ended by the word of God only Thirdly that what soeuer should be determined and concluded in that disputation shuld be registred in the kinges publike commentaries by his notaries To the whiche the kyng made answer that he woulde consult of this matter with his councel that if it might be al the matter might by some meanes with the consent of the Prelates quietly be ended But the Prelates complayned and sayd that this libertie of disputing oughte not to be graunted vnto them which were long agoe condemned Whervpon they deferred the matter for certayn dayes béeing busied in the mean time to â—…ynde out the scruples and doubtes of these questions namely concerning the dignitie of Cathedrall Churches Concerning Regulars and their exemptions Concerning Cures and their ordinarie presentation Concerning the excéeding number of inferiour Priestes Concerning the reformation of Monasteries Concerning pluralities of Benefices and such like seeking to helpe the disordered Churche in due time with these inquisitions But this one thyng they specially pretended that they should haue great iniurie if authoritie to iudge were taken from them But nowe it shall not be disagréeing from our purpose to make mention of certayne communication had betwéen the Cardinall of Lorayne and Theodore Beza before the solemne diâ—…putation began Certayne communication betweene the Cardinall of Lorrain and Theodore Beza Minister of Geneua BEza came into the bedchamber of the king of Nauarre being so commaunded by him to the intente he might salute the Quéene And at that tyme there was also the Cardinall of Lorrain Then the Quéen began to talke with Beza concerning his bookes Upon which occasion the Cardinall then sayd to Beza as foloweth Card. Lorrain I haue séene a booke the author wherof you are sayd to bée in the whiche are contayned these wordes Chryst is to be sought in the Supper after the same manner that he was before he toke vpon him our flesh I haue heard also that you haue written another moste absurde saying which is that Christe must be sought for in the Supper as in the myre and dirte At the whiche saying the standers by greatly maruelling Beza answered Beza If the bookes were here I could the better tel whither they were myne or no but concerning the first saying it may séeme very absurde as you repeate it but the place being diligently wayed it shall be founde to be moste true As for the seconde it is blasphemous and wicked neyther shall it bée founde written in myne or in anye of oure bookes Card. Lorrain No doubte I maruell that any man dare affirme that we haue no more than the auncient Fathers had iâ—… the tyme of the lawe and how could they speake of the flesh of Chryste which as yet was not Beza Do ye thinke that there was alwayes a Churche from the first creation of the worlde Do ye thinke that the Church which was from the beginning of the world was called a Churche by him whiche was a Mediator betweene God â—… men And do ye thinke that Iesus Christe was that Mediatâ—…ure Card Lor. It is my opinion Beza Therefore the communion of the faithfull wyth Christ oughte not to be restrained to that tyme when he ioyned his diuinitie in verie déede to our nature â–ª for y which was not as yet by the order of nature was notwithstanding alwayes by the force and efficacie of faithe Is it not sayd that Abraham sawe the day of Christ and reioyced And Paule sayth That the fathers did eate the same spirituall meate and did all drink of the same spiritual drink whereof we haue droonke namely Christe Card. Lor. It is verie true For he is the Lambe that was stain from the beginning of the worlde After this when Beza had brought in manye places concerning the difference betwene the olde and newe Testament there began a newe disputation concerning the presence of the bodie and bloud of Christ in the Supper Card. Lor. We do disagree in the explication of these words This is my bodie Beza We disagrée in very déed for which we ar very sory Car Lo. I teach the children of my dioces wheÌ„ they are demauÌ„ded what the bread in the Supper is to answer that it is the bodie of Christ do ye disalowe this Beza No truly for they are the very wordes of Chrisâ—…e But I demaund how the bread is called the body of Chrisâ—… For all that is is not after one fashion or manner But the Cardinall vrged these wordes The rocke was Christe whiche wordes Beza had cited before agaynst the which he set these wordes of S. Iohn The worde became flâ—…she To the which Beza answered Beza There is great difference betwéen that substantial communion and the Sacramentall communion And this question sayth he doth consâ—…st of foure principall 〈◊〉 The first is of â—…gnes the second of the thing signified the third of the coniunction of signes the thing signified the fourth is of the participation of signes and of the thing by them signiâ—…ied Concerning the first we differ in this that you apoint in the Supper only accidâ—…nts for signes but we for signes put the substaÌ„ce of breaâ—… and wine as the nature of Sacraments doth require and the Scripture vniuersallye teache Heere the Cardinall interrupting Beza in his talke sayde Card. Lor. I thinke truly that I am able to proue desend Transubstantiation but I thinke that the same was not greatly néedefull to be founde oute by the diuines neyther doe I thinke that there oughte to be in the
kepte sylence the King spake in maner and fourme following All men sayth he know well enoughe what and how great perturbations and troubles are in the Realme for the which cause I haue appoynted you to come together at this time that those things which ye knowe haue néede of reformation maye quietly of you be declared without any maner of affection hauing no consideration or care for any thing but for the glorye of God and the peace and quietnesse of consciences The whyche thing I greatlye desire in so much that I haue determined not to suffer you to departe hence before you haue made some ende of all controuersies that at the length all dissentions being taken away mutual peace and concord may be had among all men This thing if ye bring to passe ye shall giue me occasion to maintayne and defende you with no lesse care than those kings my auncestours that haue béene before me haue done Then he commaunded his Chauncelor to declare his minde more at large The Chauncelor therefore began to shew that the kings will was according to the wils of his predecessors that had béene before him in staying the controuersies of Religion the which when those Kings of happie memorie went diligently aboute to bring to passe they had in their labors very small successe in so much that daylie more and more new troubles arose wherfore he would that all men should the more diligently wisely to apply theÌ„ selues to pacifie in time these troubles for the which cause he had caused them to come togither and minded in his royall person to accompany them that disordered matters in Religion which concerned both doctrine and maners might be reformed he vnderstanding that this was the onelye cause of all troubles woulde diligentlye prouide for them as his office required The remedie which nowe he intendeth to vse séemeth to be a present remedie as it was of late deliberated and considered of in the most noble assembly of the Princes CouÌ„cel namely that by this peculiar and particular conference the matters of Religion in controuersie betwéene both parties might be quietly reasoned and disputed of â–ª But to loke or séeke for remedie by a general Councel it is euen as vaine as if a man hauing good and sufficient remedie at home shoulde notwithstanding trauaile to the Indyes to séeke the same For sayth he we our selues shall better prouide remedyes for oure selues than men of strange and forraine countreys can doe which know neither the state of our cause nor the condition of our people of which kinde of strangers notwithstanding the generall Councell shall consiste Greater fruites and profite haue often times come by Nationall Councels than haue come by generall Councels As may appeare by that generall Councell of Ariminum the which Councell openly fauouring and maintaining the secte of the Arrians was reproued and corrected by particular Synodes Also in this our realme of Fraunce Hilary Bishop of Pictauia by his industrye and faithfull dealing in Synodes banished the heresie of the Arrians out of these partes Therfore sayth he there is no doubte but that there shall aryse great profite and commoditie by this assembly specially seing it pleaseth the king to take such paines himselfe who no doubt wil helpe both with his power authoritie Wherfore he wished the disputers on both partes onely to be carefull to doe their duetie both of them ioyntly to seke concorde the greater part not to despise the lesser not to vse curious disputations without profit and to iudge examine al matters by the word of God only which being wel vnderstoode fewe other authours shall serue also that they which say they followe the newe doctrine woulde not counte the prelates of the contrarye parte for their enimyes séeyng by Baptisme they retaine the name of Christians For the king sayth he hath therefore giuen you leaue to come together that men mighte sée what reasons you haue and that the Prelates on the Popes side might séeke by strong arguments to confute theÌ„ that the disputation at the length beyng published abrode all men may euidently sée that they are condemned for iust causes and not by the vaine authoritie of men Therefore take héede in any case that you do nothing ambitiously know ye that ye are not iudges and indeuour yourselues to finde out and manifest the truth So shall you both glorifye God and also profite your countrey and God himselfe shall blisse your indeuours and the moste constant minde of the king in this matter The matter being thus propounded by the Chauncelor the Cardinall of Turnon in the name of the Prelates gaue great thankes to the king to the Quéene and to the Princes that it pleased them to come to this holy assemblye and for that the Châ—…uncelor by the kings commaundement had put forth these matters the which he desired to haue giuen vnto him in writing that they mighte deliberate and consider what was néedefull to be done in these things Then the Chauncelour saide that he woulde not giue the matter in writing seing it was plainely enough declared And thus they coulde get nothing at the handes of the Chauncelor althoughe the Cardinall of Loraine required the same Then the ministers which sat oueragainst them hauing leaue to speake Theodore Beza began thus Seing that all things O king both great small specially those things which belong to the worship of God and which doe far surmounte oure capacitie doe depende vpon the same God we thinke it not troublesome to your maiestie if we begin with prayer vnto god When he had spoken these wordes he falling on his knées with the rest of his fellowes beganne to pray vnto God in that forme of confession of sinnes which is vsed in the refourmed Churches pronouncing the same with a loude voyce and that done straight way he added vnto the same these wordes For so much as O God thou hast bene so fauourable this daye to thy vnworthye seruauntes as to graunt them leaue to professe the knowledge of thy truth before their King and this most honorable assembly we moste humbly beseeche thee O father of lightes that it may please thee according to thy accustomed goodnesse so to illuminate our mindes to gouerne our affections and to make them apt to be taughte so also to direct oure wordes that whatsoeuer knowledge of thy truth thou shalt giue vnto vs according to our capacitie we may both with hearte and mouthe vtter the same to the glorye of thy name to the profit and prosperitie of our King and of all his subiects and specially to the peace and tranquillitie of this Christian common wealth realme WheÌ„ Beza had thus ended his prayer turning his speach to the king he vttered these wordes in manner and forme following They which doe faithfully serue and obey their Princes most noble King doe thinke themselues moste happie in this thing aboue al other if so
maner of kissing one another in going bareheaded in signe of authoritie which is coÌ„trary to the common custome of many people All these things therfore ought to be considered before a custome be established as apostolicall least the Apostolicall authoritie and custome be abused to the disturbing of the churches as it came to passe after the Apostles tyme for the feast of Easter and in the Apostles time for the authoritie of the Church of Hierusalem as appeareth by Luke How then shall we thinke that the Apostles founde oute so many ceremonies in which afterwards was placed remission of sinnes when as plainely they haue testified the contrarie Augustine complained of these things long ago and there is no doubte but that if he had bene in these our dayes he shoulde haue had greater occasione to complaine To be short therfore we wishe that the Scripture which is very plaine in these matters maie Iudge betwene traditions that are good and euil betwéen holy and prophane betwene profitable and hurtful and betwene such as are necessary and those that are super flucus The which being graunted this question may easily be resolued namely VVhether the Church be aboue the scripture The which questioÌ„ semeth so absurde vnto me as if a maÌ„ shuld demaund whether the father were inferior to the sonne or whether the wife were aboue the husband or maÌ„ aboue God. And truly the true Church neuer complaineth and murmureth against God in this matter but alwaies modestly submitteth it self vnto him Neither maketh it any matter that the Church was before the Scriptures For that word which was afterwardes written is more ancient thaÌ„ the Church seing of the same the Church was conceiued begotten brought forth hath also of the same his denominatioÌ„ And to disproue this the saying of S. Austine is brought against vs when he saith I would not beleue the scripture were it not that the authoritie of the church did force me thervnto But we must consider that S. Austine speaketh here in the person of Manichaeus For wheÌ„ two meÌ„ do contend about the truth of some instrument to whom in the end shal they go but to the Scriuener or Notary that hath the first draught or couÌ„terpane of the same Notwithstanding it doth not here vpoÌ„ folow that the authoritie of the instrument doth depend vpoÌ„ the person of the Notary the which should be no lesse firme and strong althoughe the Notarie being aliue woulde refuse to giue testimonie of the same The same answere muste be made to those whiche thinke the authoritie of the Canonicall bookes of scripture to depende vpon the determination of the Church But I will content my selfe to adde vnto that wherof I haue spoken before one only argument confirmed by the authoritie of certaine approued Fathers The argument is this Christe him selfe did so muche estéeme of the doctrine of the Prophet that he sought to confirme hys doctrine by their testimonies After the same maner the Apostle Paule went about to confirme the Thessalonians in his doctrine Peter also the Apostle commendeth vnto vs and alloweth this order of teaching Therefore it is not méete that they which call them selues Christ his vicars and the successors of Paule Peter shuld refuse the same condition Furthermore thus sayth Saint HieroÌ„ The error either of the fathers or of the elders ought not to be followed but the authoritie of Scriptures And Chrisostome sayth He which will knowe which is the â—…ue Church of Christ Howe shall he knowe the same in so great confusion of likenesse but by the Scriptures Also in the same place he sayth Let them whiche are in Iudea flee into the mountaines that is to say They which are in Christianisme let theÌ„ busie themselues in the Scriptures But why would he haue all Christians at that time be occupied in the scriptures Bycause so soone as heresie hadde entered into the Churches there coulde not be had a true probation of Christianisme neither can they which would knowe the truth of faith finde any other refuge than the holy scripture Whosoeuer therefore woulde know the true Church of Christ how shuld he know the same but by the Scriptures In like maner the Lorde knowing that there should come so great confusion in the latter dayes commaundeth Christians which will haue the assurance of true faith to haue no other refuge than the holy Scripture otherwise if that they seeke for other meanes they shall be offended and perishe not vnderstanding what is the true Church and so shal fall headlong into the abhomination of desolation which is placed in the holye place of the Churche Also Basill sayth If whatsoeuer be not of faith be sinne as sayth the Apostle and faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God then whatsoeuer is beside that worde giuen by diuine inspiration is sinne Also in the sermon of the confession of Faith he saith If God be faithfull in all his woordes and if all his commaundementes be firme and certaine for euer framed in truth and righteousnesse it is a forsaking of the faithe and a poynt of arrogancie to retect any part of those things which are written or to bring in any thing not written Thus far O Quéene we haue answered copiouslye according to our knowledge to the first principall point of the Oration made by the Prelates concerning the authoritie of the Churche being readie paciently and quietly to heare whatsoeuer shall be shewed contrary to that which we haue spoken There remaineth yet to be spoken of the Article of our Lords Supper the which if it seeme good vnto your Maiestie I will nowe pretermit both for that I haue heide you and the whole companie ouer long and also bicause we desire to haue this conference hereafter framed in better order NotwithstaÌ„ding if it shal séeme good vnto your Maiestie that wee procéede anye farther we are readie to vtter those things which the Lorde shall put in oure heartes alwayes submitting our selues vnto those things which shall be obiected vnto vs oute of the Scriptures moste humblye praying and beseeching your Maiestie O Queene to be fully persuaded in this one thing that nexte vnto the glorye of oure God wée wishe and desire nothing more vehemently than the dignitie of your Maiestie and the peace tranquillitie of the Realme After that Beza had thus ended his oration then the Cardinall beckning to Claudius Espensius a Sorbonist willed him to make his oration TheÌ„ Espensius beginning to shew that not long agoe he had wished to haue this mutuall conference and that he alwayes vtterly abhorred those cruell punishmentes which were vniustlye vsed againste those which imbraced the ReligioÌ„ he sayd that those things which were alreadie spoken of the Church and of the markes and succession of the same were in his iudgemente verye true adding herevnto that if this way had been taken in hande at the first all controuersies had been by this
assembly doth consist of two sorts of men For some are Ministers of other Cuntreys in such places in whiche their calling is approued Of these men ye haue nothing to do to take an account of their offices Other some there are here whiche preach the word of God in this Realme but ye haue not called these men before you to constraine them to make an account of their calling but to conferre with them concerning doctrine otherwise they mighte séeme after this manner to be brought to iudgement the which we thinke O Quéene not to be your will or meaning But if ye did it for disputatioÌ„s sake by your leaue I must say that it was not meete to moue any such talke openly to answere the which we had no good occasion offered vs excepte we woulde offende the mindes of the Prelates the which to doe we would be verie loth least we might seme to be the cause that the conference should be broken off And least we may séeme to speake without reason consider that so often as two partes come together to conferre or to dispute If the one parte demaunde why do you this and the other parte also demaunde the same thing saying why do you this it cannot be but in these questions reiterated there shall discention arise But omitting the Prelates of this Realme whome we will not offende let vs imagine with our selues that there were here a certaine Bishop which should demaund of vs saying by what authoritie doe ye preache and minister the Sacramentes And we in like maner should demaund by what authoritie he did the like that is to saye whether he were elected by the Seniors of his Churche in the which he is Bishop whether the people desired to haue him and whether his life maners and doctrine were firste examined He would answere that he was in that order called but the contrary is manifestly knowne and we call the conscience of those to witnesse that heare vs knowe how y matter standeth If he should saye vnto vs ye are no ministers bicause ye haue not the impositioÌ„ of haÌ„ds we in like maner would answere neyther are ye Bishops bicause in your institution the principall and most substantial matters commaunded by the worde of God are lacking If the disputation procéede farther we maye vse these wordes ye haue but one onely thing which is required in the right institution namely laying on of handes If the lacke of this one thing make as you thinke that we are not ministers 〈◊〉 must néedes the lacke of the other two namely the election by Seniors and the triall of life and doctrine proue you to be no Bishops The Councell of Chalcedone euen one of the firste vniuersall Counsels appoynted that the ordering and appoynting of a Prieste shoulde be voyde whiche was not doone by the Ministerie of some one Churche A greate deale more might we say to the Byshoppe disputing with vs séeing that two principall and substantiall thinges are wanting to him centrarie to the commaundemente of the Apostle There is also an other thing whiche we speake agaynst our will and yet notwithstanding we must speake it that all the whole assembly maye euidently sée that this question concerning Uocation is full of perill and 〈◊〉 If ye shoulde demaunde of that Byshoppe of whome he hadde receyued imposition of handes and for howe muche he hath bought the same what woulde he saye Surely he woulde make aunswere that he hadde receyued imposition of handes of Byshoppes and that he hadde not bought the same but that he gaue for it so many thousande Crownes whiche is as muche as if he shoulde saye I haue not bought the breade but I haue bought the wheate If this disputation verily shoulde be iudged by the Counsels and Canons of the Church it woulde make many Byshoppes and Curaâ—…es ashamed Into the whiche Disputation we woulde not willingly enter leaste we shoulde offende any man But take not this to be spoken to the ende we might enter into that disputation or to the intent we myght render quid pro quo or check for taunt but to the end you might vnderstand O Quéene that we did therfore very vnwillingly touche the matter leaste the peace and concorde a working might be hindered As touching the Article of the Lords Supper we would of late speake no further of the same bycause we hadde regarde to many men of this assembly whiche neuer hearing of any suche matter before mighte easily haue béene there at ofâ—…ended as at some newe thing We hadde rather that they shoulde heare the wordes of the aunciente Fathers of the Church than ours for somuche as the Cardinall of Loraine by open promise bounde himselfe to persuade and satisâ—…fie 〈◊〉 in this principall point of doctrine by the proper words of the fathers the which thing we greatly desired To satisfie this our desire and the expectation also of a great manye men the article of the Lordes Supper was put forth decided out of many and verie necessarie articles of the fayth and it was sayd vnto vs Either subscribe vnto this or else we wil proceede no farther If ye were oure Iudges and had authoritie to sit vpon our liues ye woulde not say Subscribe vnto this but VVe condemne you Your office leadeth you to another maner of speache and willeth you to shewe vnto vs our errors if there be anye in vs and to instructe them in the doctrine of truth which are readie to giue an account of their faith by the word of God. We are here before you O Quéene that for two speciall causes The firste is that we maye giue an account of our faith to God to you to the whole world The seconde is that we may obey God the king you so much as in vs lyeth to the pacifying of those troubles which are raised vp for Religions sake If ye had to do with vs onely which are here ye might the more easily haue yâ—…ur wils and purpose but hehold we represent a great number of men which are not onely in this kingdome but also in the chiefest partes of Heluetia Polonia Germanie England Scotland and Flanders and which long to see to what ende this conference will come But they shall vnderstande that in steade of the determination of a free and generall Conference the tenth parte of an Article was exhibited and that it was sayde Eyther subscribe vnto thys or else wee will proceede no farther And admit we should subscribe herevnto what were ye the better They whiche haue sente vs hyther wyll knowe whether by constrainte against our wils or else by force of good and holesome Argumentes we haue subscribed Therefore O Quéene we most earnestly beseche you that so good and godly a worke be not brokeÌ„ off and that ye will vouchsafe to graunt such men vnto â—…s which will not disdaine peaceably and soberly to conferre and dispute with vs otherwise you may consider with your selfe what great
inconueniences will hereof arise Notwithstanding least we might séeme to want an answere wée affirme that we doe receiue all those things which Espensius hath alleaged and brought out of the booke of Caluine But the article exhibited by the Cardinall is onely a portion of the Augustane confession In the which matter many things are to be coÌ„sidered First the whole confession should be propounded vnto vs for it is not méete to set before vs one verse â–ª and to omit the rest Then we must sée whether the Cardinall doth this thing of him selfe or in the name of all the Prelates For herevpon we should giue thankes vnto God that they them selues do confesse themselues to be ouercome in the Article of TransubstantiatioÌ„ the which truely is condemned by the consent of all the reformed Churches of Germanie and of others And if it be méete for vs to subscribe then is it méete for them to subscribe also that our Churches may vnderstand what wée haue done But if they wil thus come to the whole confessioÌ„ of the Germanes wée trust we shall come into a very good waye to haue concord and vnâ—…tie In the meane time O Queene we do affirme that Iesus Christ is present in the vse of the Supper in the which he offereth giueth â–ª and truely exhibiteth vnto vs his body and bloud by the operation of the holy Ghoste but we eate and drinke the same body that died for vs the same bloud that was shed for vs spiritually by faith that we may be bone of his bones and fleshe of his fleshe that by him we may be quickned and may perceiuâ—… whatsoeuer pertaineth to our saluation And if this be not sufficient as it is a daungerous and hard matter to speake of so great a mistery in so fewe woords if it seme good vnto the Cardinall that we search and confer together the Scripture and the writinges of the aunciente Fathers as hee hath also promised and if it may please you O Quéene to make a conuenient forme of collation and to cal Notaries whiche may receiue our disputations we trust you vnderstaÌ„d that we came hither not to bring disorder and trouble but peace and quietnes For this one thing we wishe that both to this doctrine and also to the Sacramente the verye natural and proper integritie and perfection it selfe may be restored In the which matter we dedicate and wholly giue our selues to God to your Maiesties to the whole Christian commoÌ„ wealth and specially to the peace and tranquillitie of this Realme Thus far procéeded the oration of Beza But the Prelates toke it very haynously that Beza had thus spoken of their vocation Therefore the Cardinall swelling with anger saide that the Quéenes Maiestie was dishonored with these wordes into whose hands the righte and libertie of election was giuen and by whome they themselues were elected Adding that the ministers spake of that wherof they were ignorant not knowing that the Prelaâ—…es the people being called at the sounde of a bell are elected Beza answered that he was altogether giltlesse of this fault saying that Kings had taken vnto theÌ„selues that libertie authoritie bicause Churchemen had so filthily abused the same As touching Election no man is ignorant that they make as it were a play or enterlude of it I speake not this of purpose saith he but am constrained therevnto to the defence of our Ministerie and to the intent also I might declare what maner of calling it is the which notwithstanding without cause is contemned To this the Cardinall answered That Beza first began to offer iniurie and not he without the hauing of anye regarde of the reuerence due to the kings willing him and his fellowes to loke vnto that which appertained to themselues for that they were not bothe of them in one condition This talke being ended he presently demanded of them why they refused to subscribe to the Augustane Confession The ministers answered that they knew net whether they were required to subscribe by a generall consent or whether he did it in his owne name My brethren that are here saith the Cardinall câ—…n witnesse with â—…e that I do it with coÌ„mon coÌ„sent Notwithstanding ther was not one among them which declared whether he consented or no notwithstanding that the Cardinall loked vpon them to the ende they might confirme that which he had spoken Then saith Beza for so much as ye require not this thing it is not méet that we should doe it This comunication being done the Cardinall of Loraine called in question the article of the Lords Supper euery prelate obiected against the Ministers all the doctors Câ—…nons they had Then sayde Espensius we cannâ—… receyâ—… Christ except we receiue him with the breade â–ª And therefore it is that Caluine saithe VVe receyue the substance of the body of Christe The Ministers to this answered that they doe willingly agree with Caluine Saying that by this word Substance was not ment a corporall and grosse eating but that the spirituall and true eating was discerned from that which was by imagination aâ—…d phansie To the which effâ—…ct Peter Martyr spake very much in the Italian â—…oung bycause he coulde not speake french And as he proâ—…éeded all men giuing good heede to that whiche hée spake and hauing him in greate admiration the Cardinall of Lorayne interrupted him adding this reason that he wold not dispute with men that spake in a straunge toung not that he him selfe vnderstoode not the Italian toung or that manye coulde not vnderstand Peter Martyr Then Espensius stoode vp and gaue him this commeudation before them al That no Deuine in their time had so plainely and distinctly spoken of the Sacrament as he had done Then starte vp a certayne Spanishe Monke a Iesuite whiche hauing obtayned leaue to speake did nothing but poure out contumelious and reprochfull sentences against the Ministers calling them vnconstante craftie deceitefull Wolues and Apes which he sayde oughte to be shunned and auoyded And beginning to speake of the Lordes Supper he would shewe and manifest the Corporall presence of the Lorde by this stmilitude Euen as saythe he the King hauing gotten the victorye ouer his enimyes to celebrate the remembrance thereof ordaineth certeine playes of the which he maketh him selfe chiefe ouerséer euen so Christ intending to make the remembrance of his death euerlasting by the institution of the Supper is also himselfe present at the same At the last exhorting the Quéenes maiestie to be an enimie to the ministers by his foolishe madnesse and madde folly he moued the most parte of them that were present both to laughter and also to indignation euen together Then Beza aunswered the Monke saying that he dealte with them as though they were alreadie condemned of heresie which was not done but saith he I wil reserue your contumelious iniuries and railing sentences for you and your companioÌ„s And as for the Quéene she wil do al things
in the same opinion in the whiche they concluded with the Ministers of the reformed Churches that they had made a compacte and agréemente with the Ministers and therefore they were not suffered to conferre or dispute any more after that Therfore the ministers hauing occasion offered sente this explication of that article vnto the chosen men that disputed for the Prelates VVe affirme that no distance of places can let the communicating which wee haue with the body and bloud of Christ bycause the Supper of the Lorde is a heauenly thing And althoughe we receiue in earthe with oure mouthe the breade and wine beyng true signes of his body and bloud yet notwithstanding by faithe and by the operation of the holye Ghost our myndes of which this is oure speciall meate being lyfted vp to heauen doe receine there his bodye and bloude And in this respecte wee saye that the bodye doth truely ioyne it selfe to the breade and the bloude to the wyne and yet notwithstanding no otherwyse than after a Sacramentall manner that is to saye neyther locally nor naturally but bycause they effectually signifie and declare that God doth giue them faithfully and without all doubt to the communicants who do truly and certainely receiue them by faith This therefore is the plaine opinion and iudgement of the reformed Churches concerning the presence of the bodie and bloud of Christ Iesus in the sacrament of the Supper But there were nowe come certaine ministers oute of Germanie by the meanes of Baâ—…duinus as we sayde before But they bewraying the councell and purpose of the Cardinall of Loraine by whose practise these things were spedely brought to passe returned home again with losse of their labour and their expectation being deceiued The purpose and practise of the Cardinall was to bring these ministers and the other into one disputation and contention and so contending and striuing together he might cause the conference to cease and make them to be a laughing stocke to all men The Prelates doubting of the fayth and trust of their men which they had chosen to dispute for them as we said before woulde haue no conference after this with the ministers wherevpon the conference brake vp the â–ª xxv day of Nouember And this was the ende of the Conference of Possiac manye being gathered together for the same the space of thrée monethes â—…fter the whiche there ensued not onely no profyte but also great trouble and motions of warres Thus the conference being ended withoute fruite there was no waye founde for peace and concorde but rather the mindes of both parts beyng exasperated there insued great quarels and discentiens So that great discorde rose dayly betwéene the Papists and the Protestants more and more some complayning and finding fault with the Prelates for their disordered departing from the conference the which in deede sufficiently declared the weakenesse of their cause and other some misliking of the authoritie of the Generall Councell shortly alter to come and of the Churche of Rome Neither were these dissentiâ—…ns onely among the common people but also among the Peeres Nobles of the realme mens mindes being distracted and drawne into manifest factions whiche foreshewed not onely bare contentions of wordes but also greate and mortall warres at hande For the compactes and manifest practises of the Guises of the Constable and of the Marshall of Santandra were well ynough sene Yet notwithstanding their purpose and indeuour was very muche let and hindered at that time by the authoritie of the King of Nauarre whome they thought good to assay by all meanes possible to the entent they myghte drawe him from taking part with the Protestantes In the which matter the Cardinal of Ferrer of whom we spake before being the Popes Legate in Fraunce take verye muche paines promising vnto the king of Nauarre in the Popes name the full possession of the kingdome of Nauarre affyrming that the Pope should easily obtaine this thing of king Phillip for that he already promised to doe the same for the Catholique Churches sake Moreouer the Cardinall of Towers the Bishop of Ansseren and Escarsius also certaine of his houshoulde confirmed him in this matter and vsed dayly persuasions being wicked men and set on for money by the Cardinall of Loraine Among whom also was that Frances Balduine of whome mention was made before as diligent and busie as the best to bring the matter about whereby he thought he shoulde reape no small gaine This man forging a new Gospell caused the king of Nauarre to hate both the doctrine and also the men of the reformed Churches So that now he began to hang betwene diuers opinions to forsake the loue of Religion openlye to shew himselfe an enimie to the reformed Churches to bée more coâ—…uersant and familiar with the Guises to giue him selfe to lightnesse filthy pleasure also to go to the Masse and to the Popishe Churches When the Duke of Guise had deliberated and consulted of the matter with the Constable and the Marshall of Santandre and willing them to gathered vnto them forthwith so great power as they could he departed from them leauing them in Fraunce and came to Imuilla in the moneth of Nouember and after he had taryed there certayne dayes he wente to the Cittie Tabernas whiche bordereâ—…h vpon Germanie to prouide for his businesse and to consult with many of the Princes of Germanie about this matter Notwithstanding the number of the faythfull dayly more and more encreased and was wonderfully confyrmed a great part of the Nobles comming to the reformed Churches Therefore there were assemblies and congregations in great number almost in all the noble Cities of the Realme in the whiche the worde of God was openly preached and the Sacramentes ministred notwithstanding the Edict of Iuly of whiche we spake before Wherevpon notwithstanding there arose oftentymes greate discâ—…ntions and of those seditions ensued great perils For they whiche were grieued and offended at these assemblies of the faythfull made exclamation that Edictes were broken and did so prepare themselues to trouble the faythfull that there séemed to be present occasions of great mischief whiche brake foorthe in many places but specially at Paris For the faithful being gathered togither the. 26. day of December to heare the word of God in Paris in the suburbes of Sanmarcellus a place specially appointed vnto them by the King for the same purpose the Priestes of the Temple of Sanmedardus hard by in the time of the Sermon caused such a noyse to be made with ringing of bels that the voyce of the Preacher coulde by no meanes be vnderstoode Whervpon two of the Congregation men vnarmed and without weapon came to these Popishe Priestes and beséeched them that they woulde not make suche a dynne with ringing their Belles that so greate a companie of menne shoulde be lette from hearing the woorde of God. The Priestes hauing with them diuers other men began to abuse them and
shamefully to missecal them saying that they would not leaue of their ringing and straytwaye they ranne vpon them and made haste to shut the Churche dores but one of them escaped by flight the other they toke whome they wounded so sore that he presently dyed Then they ranne vp into the Churche stéeple and toppe of the church they rang the Belles and tumultuously cryed Toc-sanctum whiche worde the people vse when they crye Alarum At the which crye the people ranne with all spéede possible from euery part of the Suburbes So that what with the crye of the people and what with the hurling of stones into the place where the sermoÌ„ was then made there was a great terrible noyse The which noyse being heard but specially Toc-sanctum or Alarum aboue the reste they whiche were chiefe of the Congregation least the whole assembly shoulde be quite discomfited thought it néedfull to prouide helpe out of hand Therefore when they had willed euery one to be quiet and not to stirre they chose out of the whole Congregation whiche was in number about 13. thousande men a certaine small number of experte souldiers willing the Minister to procéede and sent the Lieutenant his seruant for he was then there by the Kings authoritie to wil and commaunde the Priestes in the Kings name to cease the tumulte whiche they hadde begonne Notwithstanding the Arrowes and stoanes came so â—…aste aboute his eares that hee was constrayned strayte waye to returne backe agayne The faithfull fearing the Sedition like to ensue whereby they being naked and vnarmed were like to be oppressed thoughte it good before the matter wente any further to sette vpon the Popishe Priestes and to staye their rage Therefore euen at once they ranne vpon them with all their myght euen through the thicke Hayle of stoanes and arrowes and brake open the Church dores behinde the whiche they founde the deade carkas of their slaine brother and the Priests with their coherentes armed who at the first outragiously like mad men behaued them selues but afterwardes being easily repressed tamed by the faithfull part of them being constrained yelded themselues into their handes and part fled into a high tower shutting the doreâ—… faste to them from whence they casâ—… downe stones tymber arrowes many other things yea whatsoeuer in their madnesse came nexte to hande in so much that breaking the Images of their Saints as they call them in peeces which they had caryed out of the Temple least they should be violated and defiled most furiously they threwe them downe still crying Toc-sanctum Allarum But the faithfull seyng their outrage threatned them to fire them out of their holde or Tower wherevpon the Popishe Priests their coherentes ceassed at the last froÌ„ their Popishe madnesse fortie of them being sore wounded and fiftene of the authors of the Sedition being taken and deliuered into the handes of the Magistrate And thus was that sedition pacified But the congregation of the faithfull was garded safe-conducted by the same Lieuetenaunt and Centurion of the Citie least the people shoulde begin againe some newe sedition It was reported that this sedition was appointed and deuised certaine dayes before by the knowledge consent of many of the gouernours and Senators of the Citie who promised to the Curate of Sanmedarde that he should be blamelesse and escape vnpunished whatsoeuer happened It was also founde that they had caryed before into other houses fearing what woulde come to passe their Albes Crewets Censers their Chalice their Copes and precious vestments and the resâ—…e of their implementes which they sayde Masse withall The daye following the outragious multitude hauing certaine Popishe Priests their guides came into the houses of the faithfull broke chaires stooles settles and spoyled all things euen to the bare walles and set fire vnder thus they set fire on the houses on euery side vntill they were chased away by certaine horsemen and the magistrate of the citie Then were those that were before taken prisoners examined Howbeit the Senate ioyning with them such men whoÌ„ they thought méete for their purpose brought to passe that they were deliuered and many of the faithfull cast into prison as giltie of that matter whereof the other were accused and writing letters to the Queene they layd all the cause of that sedition vpon the faithfull The which notwithstanding was manifestly found false by the open voyce of the people deriding the faithfull and boasting of the fauour of the Senate But by suffering so great a fault to escape vnpunished the people of Paris which before were prompt and ready ynough of themselues to sedition began nowe to be more incouraged to worke mischiefe against the faithfull Therefore newe rumours were spreade abrode of the wickednesse of the people in that copious citie and manye of the Bishoppes and nobles of the Realme made exclamation that the Kings Maiestie was greatly offended bycause the authoritie of the Edict of Iuly was contemned the Huguenote â–ª hauing their Sermons euery where for so were the faithfull called And euerye daye complayntes were broughte of bothe partes from euery coast of the Realme But the reformed Churches dayly increased and had their Sermons euerye where whether the king gaue leaue or no And thus the kings will and pleasure not knowne great troubles were like very shortly to insue The matter standing thus the Quéene fearing what would come to passe perceiued that it was needefull to prouide a spedie remedie But the king of Nauar being also doubtfull what to doe and beyng made afearde with dayly Rumors and reportes sawe that it was â—…ie time to prouide saying that those matters coulde not be ended withoute the benefite of a more large Edicte Therefore by the authoritie and commaundement of the king the Quéene and of the king of Nauarre and by the consente of the Princes and the kings priuie Counsell the kings purseuauntes were sent to summon a Parliamente to be holden concerning this matter the. xvij of Ianuary at Sangermane Men also of singular discretion and knowledge were sent for out of all partes of the Realme The whole assembly being called together in the which also were the Princes and the kings kinsmen the king declared howe néedefull and necessarie a thing it was to prouide meanes and remedyes to pacifie so greate troubles when as euerye daye greuous rumours of Seditions did aryse Wherefore he prayed them to shewe with pure and vpright myndes such meanes and wayes to pacifie them as might be to their owne profite and for the benefite of the Realme promising that he woulde followe their Iudgementes so farre as shoulde be nedefull Therefore when the Chauncelour according to custome had propounded the cause of their assembly and had shewed the necessitye of thyngs euery man spake his Iudgement And when they hadde all concluded a newe Edicte was set forthe by the Kings commaundemente whiche was called the Edicte of Ianuarie the summe was this following FOr so much
by manye of the nobles was not altogether hidden but euidently ynonghe appeared to all men that woulde sée the same FINIS The translator to the Reader THus gentle Reader endeth the firste part of these CoÌ„mentaries faithfully collected and gathered by that singular learned man Petrus Ramus of Fraunce who himselfe bycause he was a zealous professor of the Gospell and an enimie to Antichrist was slaine in this last horrible butcherly murther in the yeare of our Lorde God. 1572. The speciall cause that moued the sayde Petrus Ramus to spende his trauaile in penning these Commentaries in the Latine toung was as you maye perceyue by hys preface in the beginning of this Booke that all Christian Realmes might be certifyed of the true originall and cause of all the warres troubles and sheding of Innocente bloude that haue beene from the yeare of our Lorde God. 1557. vntill this present daye To the ende therefore that his desire might be the better satisfyed when I had considered the worthinesse of his trauaile and what great fruite woulde spring of the same to al that will vouchsafe to spende sometime in reading of this worke for that all men vnderstande not the Latine toung I thought good to translate the same into Englishe that none of our Countreymen might be stayed from the taste of such fruite as will growe thereof And as I haue spente sometime in translating this firste parte so I meane God willing to goe forwarde with the other two partes the seconde beeing nowe in hande and shall bee printed if God permitte against the nexte Terme In the meane tyme I beseech thee right Christian Reader contente thy selfe with this accept my labor and requite my good will with diligent reading of the same Before the which I shall desire thee to correct with thy pen suche faults as I haue here caused to be noted In so doing no one sentence I trust shal seeme obscure vnto thee Faultes escaped in Printing Line 2. Page 9 For it reade he Li. 19. pa. 12. for might defende reade might séeme to defend Line 18. pag. 17. reade acknowledging of the truth Line 16. pag. 40 for other wile reade otherwise Line 22. pag. 43. reade as though it had bene Line 5. pag. 73. read we will not deny Line 8. pag. 73. reade name of the Church Line 4. pag. 76. for is sodaine reade is so highe Line 31. pag. 112. for there reade Then. Line 3. pag. 124. reade must not therefore Line 25. pag. 125. in these words and if that leaue out if Line 23. pag. 164. bring in these words might be solde from them Line 32. pag. 194. for Prophetes reade properties Line 5. pag. 167. for although reade as though Line 1. pag. 239. for only thee reade only thrée Line 18. pag. 235. for they shall reade shall they Line 20. pag. 235. for doth reade doth not NOte here good Reader that these faultes escaped in Printing are not so escaped in al the Bookes of this impression but in some Least therefore they to whome those should happen might be troubled in the reading with obscure sense I thought good to make a generall note of all THE INDEX A. Affliction of the Churche after the death of King Henrie 47. Affliction rysing of false reportes 50 Affliction somewhat ceaseth 61. Agronia assaulted 161. Ambaxian Tumult 2. Andelot put in pryson 23. Andelot answereth 23. Andelot escapeth pryson 110. Andelot in fauour againe 24. Annas Burgeus defendeth the gospell in the Parliament house 26. Annas Burgeus caryed to pryson by Mongomerie 27. Annas Burgeus examined 32. Annas Burgeus condemned 33. 39. Annas Burgeus disgraded 35. Annas Burgeus confession 36. Annas Burgeus taketh his iudgement thankfully 39. Annas Burgeus Oration 4. Annas Burgeus burned 43. Annas Burgeus bringing vp 44. Angell speaker for the Comminaltie 121 Apologie for the faythfull Captiues 9. Arrogant threatnings of the Constable 11. Augusta a cittie in Germanie 131. Authoritie of Godâ—… worde 199. Authoritie of the Church 227. B. Baptisme 75. Beza his prayer 189. Bishoppe of Nauntes author of the Tumult 17. Bishoppes of Rome sowers of discorde 82. Bookes of sclaunder 100. Brosaeus Generall of the Armie that went into Scotlande 61. C. Cardinall of Loraine an enemie to Burgeus 39. Cardinall Poole 95. Cardinall of Loraine seeketh to get fame by keeping Lybelles of reproch 104. Cardinall Ferrer sent from Rome to hinder the Nationall Councell 166. Calabria persecuted 63. Christ our righteousnesse 68. Christ God and Man. 68. Christ hath two natures 69. Christ dyed for sinne 69. Christ our Aduocate 71. Church what it is 72. 217. Churches denyed to them of the reformed Religion 124. Commendation of the protestantes 25 Communion with Christ and the Fathers vnder the law 18â—… Comparison betwene the doctrine of the Gospel and papistrie 37. CoÌ„fession of the french church 63 Confession of Annas Burgaeê° 36. Confession of the church of Flanders offered to king Philip. 166. Confirmation 204. Constable proudly threatneth 11. Constable drawne away from the Prince of Conde 140. Constable misseliketh of the profession oft he Admirall ibidem Controuersie betwene Charles the fifth and Pope Clement 91. Contention betwene the Queene and the king of Nauarre 136. Consubstantiation 203 Couetousnesse the beast of Babylon 93. Couetousnesse of Priestes 122. D. Democharis the inquisitour sitteth vpon Burgaeus 32. Democharis a slanderous inquisitour 50. Denises to abolishe the Gospell 1. Discipline of the Church 73. Disputation at Posiat 179. Doctrine of the lawe 71. Duke Arscotus a Brabantine 8. Duke of Guise an enimie to the Andelot 23. E. Earle Villarius an enemie to the Admirall 141. Ecclesiasticall Disciplne 72 Edict of Castellobrian 24. and. 12. Edict of Iuly 150. Election diuine 67. Election of Ministers 74. Example of two false brethren very notable â–ª 48. Excommunication 74. F. Factious names 118. Faith and good vvorkes 167 Faith coÌ„meth by the holy Ghost 70. Faith attaineth righteousnesse 70. Faithfull sclaundered 7. Figures of the Lawe 71. Forewarnings of desolation 92. Fruites of Popishe Sermons 22. G. Geneua a Sanctuarie for the Godly 4. Generall Councell not looked for 90. Generall Councell a vayne remedie 187. Georgius Gluchus Ambassadour out of Denmarke 139. God omnipotent 65. Gospell hath diuers professors 85. Good workes 71. Guises rule the Realme 50. Guises persecutors of the Gospel 51. Guises no Princes 60. Guises make claime to the crowne of England 62. H. Huguenotes a name giuen to the faithfull 59. I. Iacobes slaughter at Paris 1. Iacobus Sillius speaker for the Nobilitie 122. Ianus Contachus moueth controuersies 45. Ignorance of Priestes 122. Iniuries done to the faithfull 17. Innocencie of the Prince of Conde 147. Inquisitors of Fraunce called Flies 50. Intercession of Saintes 71. K. King Hentie the second set against the Protestantes 26. King Henrie threatneth Burgaeus 27. King Henrie slayne 34. Kinges duetie 100. King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde sent for to the King. 107. King Fraunces dyeth 112. King of Nauar yeldeth his authoritie to the Queene
of these confusions tumultes God himselfe the Prince of Princes shewed his singular prouidence care which hee hath effectually towardes mankind but especially peculiarly towards his church to preserue and stablish the same mightely in the iniddest of al worldly troubles neither by one meanes only bnt by sundry meanes as it hath seemed good to him in the diuers formes of rule gouernment to assigne vnto his church an abyding place as of old time in the gouerning of the primitiue Church immediatly after the Apostels and in our tyme in Germany Switserland England Scotland and in other places it hath appeared and more of late in these our countrey of Fraunce is euidently seene not that in this varietie we should ascribe any thing to the rule of fortune but that the manifold and maruailouse efficacy of the wisdome of God might be considered which doth singularly wateh ouer the safety of the Church And if it may please thee to consider the second middell causes and reasons of the Instruments which God vsed in the beginning of this worke you shall see how cōtrary they be and how variable On the one side the wicked and vnbridled iustes of men proue to worke mischief doo appeare a colour of religion is pretended to worke the ouerthrowe of Religion the kinges name is vsurped when they go about to suppresse the King himself and in the meane time the gospeil is accused as a common enemy and the subuersion of the same is conspyred On y other side God styrreth vp many men to preserue defend his church in those troubles because the destruction of the same was chiefly desired Ther appeareth in those mē as the history plainly sheweth a desire of the safety of the church of the Kings dignitie authoritie of the publique peace and yet in the ex◅ution of that their laudable desire it appeareth that they were not vtterly faultlesse yet is the Church preserued in the middest of all these misorders that as it is manifest that men cannot be sayd to be the very authors keepers therof so must we nedes confesse that God is the very author preseruer and keeper of the same Therfore the church doth not triumphe as hauing gotten the victory by mans ayde neither doth it lye vtterly prostrat by the violence of worldly tumultes which being fashoned like vnto her head raigning in the middest of hi◅ enemies doth so stryue in continual conflictes in this world because she certainly knoweth that the heauenly Iudge hath prouided ◅ time when they shall fully triumph The church hath heretofore ben exercised in many battails how many are behind God knoweth bycause the time which is appointed for the last victory is vnknown yet the promise of the heauēly reward is most true which that most valiant Chāpion hath pronounced with his own mouth saying That through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of heauen If the promise of God as touching y victory of his church were included within the limites of this world surely it should triumphe in this world by the vertue power of the omnipotent euerlasting God but that her triumph is appointed elswher the often greuouse spoyles and calamities of the same declare In the meane time let vs consider these things contemplate wher in what partes of the world the tokens of that Catholike true church do appeare let vs aduaunce the prouidence wisdom bountifulnes and power of God in preseruing gouerning the same least if the blind ignorance of men be reprehended that worthely because they see not God who hath not left himself as saith the Apost◅e without witnesse in this world we also be much more worthy of blame who see not the light before our ◅yes ▪ nor the Sunne beames glistering throughout the whole world neyther do reuerence Iesus Christ diuersely triumphing by the mighty working of the Gospell Truly gentle reader this is my counsaill purpose in writing these Commentaries to giue thee occasion by preseruing the memory of these things to contemplate reuerence the prouidence of God in the gouernment of his church wherof we be members and that we thereby while the whole body is assaulted enduring manfully our own particular conflicts might with all our mind long for the reward of the heauenly victory Moreouer what soeuer in this litle work wherin I haue traueled faithfully belongeth vnto me I dedicate the same wholy liberaly frankly to thee Christian Reader neither shall it greeue mee too beare the censure of diuers iudgements so that thou by reading these s◅iender Cōmen taries mayest be encouraged and prepared to reade a iust history FARE WELL. The Table A ACtes done by M des Adretz in Dolphini in the countie of V◅ ayas 143 Aunswere made by the Prince of Conde to the supplicatiō which was put vp too the King and Queene by the Guises 91 Aunswere made by the Prince of Conde and his friends to the decree of the Senate of Paris 148 Assault giuen too Cesteron by the Papistes a citie in Prouance 181 Auinion a Citie in Prouance yeeldeth to the faithfull 80 Aide commeth from the Princes of Germanie the Protestants to the Prince of Conde to Orleans 214 B Blesa and Towers taken by the Papistes 137 Breach of the Edict of Ianuary cau sed the Ciuill warres 2 Burges besieged by the Papistes 199 C Cane in Normandie woon by the Admirall 259 Ciuill warre caused by the breach of the Edict of Ianuary 2 Ciuill warres begon 124 Complaint made by the faithful of the slaughter at Vassie 14 Comparison made betweene the Princes request and the request of the Guises 110 Conde forsaketh Paris 19 Conde commeth to Orleans 21 Conde enclined to peace 24 Conde perswaded to take the protection of the young King. 26 Conde complaineth too the olde Queene of the murther done a◅ Sens 34 Conde sory for the slaugher of Mot recondrine 085 Conde returneth to Orleans with his armie 173 Conditions of peace offered by the King to the faithfull 124 Conditions offered by the Prince of Conde at the first parley 219 Conspiracies made against the Gos pell by the Guises the Marshall of Saint Andrew and the Constable 4 Craftie pollicies wrought by the cō spiratours to seduce the King of Nauar to take their partes 5 Conspiracie against Languedocke 184 Crueltie vsed at the takinge of Orange 140 Coūsaile holden at Orleans by thē of the reformed Religion 72 D Declaration set forth by the Prince of Conde the second time 56 Decrees made by the Senate of Paris against the men of Orleās 145 E Edicts set forth in the kings name promising peace to them which had and would forsake the Admirall 245. F Foure speciall constitutions in the kings minoritie 168. G Great cruelty vsed by the papistes to the inhabitants of Orange 140. Great slaughter of the papistes 194. Guyses vnder collour of pence seke to dec◅e the prince of Cōde 130. Guyses
read it is Page 51. line 20. for do read to The fourth Booke of Commentaries concerning the state of the common wealth and Religion of Fraunce in the raigne of Kyng Charles IX THe Edict of Ia nuary whereof mention is made in the end of the third Booke goinge before being at the last after the delayes of the Senate of Paris published proclaymed at Paris and in the whole Kingdome made a ioyful and prosperous end of all troubles the Gospell had peaceable passage throughout all the dominions all most of Fraunce and the faythfull according to the tenure and prescript of the Edict gladly leauing the Churches and places which were within the cities flocked together in great assemblies without the Cities insomuch that all men greatly delighted to looke vppon them But Sathan enuying that peace and tranquillitie caused after a while not only priuate perturbations and troubles betwéene man and man but also open and Ciuill warres by the deuises and practises of the aduersaries to the great hurt of the Realme The which things as briefely euen so truely will we declare in this historie In penning whereof we know into what sundry hap and hazard of iudgements we are in what a large scope wée haue to set forth diuers matters and also what hatred and perill we bring vnto our selues But the truth shal defend it selfe and shall also take away all sclaunder reproche Many gréeued and repined at the increase and good successe of the reformed Churches greatly misliking of the Edict of January for that it tended much for their peace and quietnes which fauored the Religion Of these repyning enemies there were two sortes The first sort were such as had their liuing by the Benefices reuenewes and spirituall promotions of Priestes and of these many were gentlemen and men of high calling who perceiuing that the greatest part of their substance came vnto them by the sayd Benefices thought that they should sustaine great hinderance and losse if so be they of the reformed Religion should obtaine and enioye the benefite of the Edict The second sort were such noble men as being inriched not onely with those great and huge sommes of money which came to them by the yerely reuenewes of those Benefices the fatte wherof they reserued to them and theirs but also with the innumerable giftes of King Henry the second and Fraunces the second feared least they being called to giue vp their accompts according to the custome of the Realme should be found giltie of extorcion Among these latter sort the chiefe were the Guises the fatall destruction of the kingdome of Fraunce who also as yet were to make their accoūt for great sommes of money taken out of the Kings Treasury for common affaires and other waightie matters in the time of King Fraunces the second and also of their euill demeynor wherof they were playnely accused vnder the raigne of Kyng Henry the second Also the great losse of that high auctho ritie which almost they alone had during the minority of King Fraunces the second and with the same losse the feare foreséeing the great euilles to come pinched them euen to the hart and gréeued them to the very gall To these also was ioyned the Martiall of S. Andrew a man full of all subtiltie guile and mischief who being out of measure riche with the great giftes which he receyued of Kyng Henry for his euill and cruell seruice was pricked in conscience for spoyling by sinister meanes diuers noble men of his familiar acquayntāce By the practise and endeuour of this Martiall the Constable Momorentius as we sayd in our other Booke a little before a mortall enemie to the Guises hauing diuers times experience of their hatred was brought to the familiaritie and friendship of the Guises And to the intent they might winne the Constable wholely vnto them by a new benefite they graunted franckly vnto him the dominion of Dammartine for the which afore time there had bene great contencion betwéene them Therefore the daily adhortations of the Martiall of S. Andrew and the Duches of Valence beside the domesticall and daily perswasions of his wife and of the Earle of Uillars greatly vrged and pressed the Constable as that the ancient and catholique doctrine was abolyshed that the common wealth was disturbed that they of the reformed Religion did plainly threaten to bring such as had bene officers of the kings afore time to giue vp their accoūts that those mē sought only by lit tle and little to place them selues in authoritye and to abase those that serued and had borne office vnder the kings in time past and to haue the spoil of their goods that the Queene Mother was led away with their perswasions and that shée being an effeminate weake woman would incline to that parte which was moste strong also that it was manifest that shée did fauoure those of the reformed Religion for the king of Nauar hys sake who séeketh all that he can to haue the Religion altered being thervnto prouoked by the Prince of Conde to spight those which are suspected to be the authors that he was cast into prison And therfore that they if they might bring al things to passe after their owne desire as to haue their enemies subdued and the state of the kingdome and of Religion altered would bring the Constable him selfe to their owne bent and wil wold in like manner call him to account These perswasions being oftentimes inculcated and beaten into the Constables eares being rather an enemy to Religion drewe him quite away at the last to the contrary part and so by little and little for saking the king of Nauar and the Prince of Conde he openly shewed his displeasure and choller against the Chastilions Therfore now began to be manifest familiarity and frendship betwéene the Constable and the Guises in so much that they bāketted one another and had oftentimes secreate conference betwéene them selues Wherfore at y last they conspired together namely that the Duke of Guise as a Prince of aliance to the king and Lord great master of Fraunce the Constable as chéefe officer vnder the king and the Martiall of S. Andrew as head Martiall should bend their whole endeuors in this that no parte of the ancient and Catholique Religion might be altered And because notwithstanding the constitutions and Edictes of the former kings a new Religion was brought in they would indeuor them selues with all their force and might that those hereticall doctrines might be quite abolished and destroyed And also that they would not suffer newe Decrées to be made concerning the state of the realme and the willes of the former Kings to be disproued that they would openly declare them selues to be enemies to all those which would go about this thing And finally that in this cause they wold do what they could euen to the spending of their goods and liues To performe the which they swore solemnely one to
another The matter being thus agréed vppon betwéene them they did deliberate and aduise them selues what they were best to doe namely that they would gather together al the power they were able to make and that they would séeke for all the helpe and aide at their retainers and fréends handes that might be had they being assured of aide out of Spaine and Jtalie and that the Guises should proue what helpe they could get out of the partes of Germanie But first of all they thought it necessary to intise and win the king of Nauar to bryng him if they could to defend their part to get Paris and finally to haue the King and Quéene at their becke These things once obtained they perswaded them selues easely to obtaine their purpose Concerning the winning of the king of Nauar they had good hope being voluptuous geuen to ease and vnconstant and hauing his housholde seruaunts hired by the Cardinall of Loraine to vse their diligent endeuor to bring y same to passe Who being once woon to take their part they perceiued a plaine way to haue their purpose Therefore to the entent they might win him they vse very subtill and crafty meanes First they assay what they can do by his houshold seruaunts the byshop of Aussere ▪ Monsire Escars and Frances Balduinae being sent in to confer and talke with hym These declared to the king of Nauar that they of the Religion sought now to bring in new and more seuere Lawes than were woont to be to reforme Princes as though it were not lawfull for Princes to liue as they list and to do what séemeth good in their owne eyes If credit be gyuen vnto these men than must men frame a new lyfe and if these mē be made Iudges to reforme what they thinke good to be reformed the which no doubt they goe about there will ensewe no smal daunger But he being one that had chéefe authoritie in the Realme of Fraunce ought rather wisely to follow that which was agreable to the present state and to consider into what troubles he should bring the Realme if he would abolish the auncient Religion which so many Kings before time had receyued There are say they opinions of diuers Religions which as they come with tyme so with tyme they fade away agayne If therfore he shuld be of the reformed Religion the King of Spaine would be his open enemie And beside this the Pope would set whole Jtalie al Christian Realmes against the kingdome of Fraunce whiche might easely be vanquished and ouerthrowne in the middest of so many dis sentions But looke how much hurt and dammage hee should bring to himselfe and to the whole Kingdome if he should defende that new Religion and the professors thereof so much profite glory and fame should come to him and to all his stocke if he did not to much intangle himselfe in these controuersies of Religion but dyd rather frame himselfe wysely according to occasion and tyme that is to saye when occasion is offered to maintayne and defende the auncient and Catholike Religion whereby he might looke to finde great profite Thus if hée would shewe himselfe he should winne the Popes fauour and bind his holinesse to requite him with some great benefite by whose meanes he might recouer agayne the kingdome of Nauar which belonged to his Ancetours without warres ▪ for that the King of Spayne greatly estéemed the Popes Authoritie Consider therfore say they with your selfe what you were best to do least sodenly by the force of sinister persuasions you bring your selfe to great extremitie Cōsider with your selfe that as the tymes are perillous so is the euent successe of all things vncertayne wysely wey therefore with your selfe what is most profitable for you Admit the cause of Religion should be dissided by disputacion should men so leane to the opinions of a fewe that they should not imbrace other mens Iudgments For amōg those men which imbrace the doctrine of that new Gospell what contrarietie is there and difference of opinions But you which were borne not to Iudge of Scholasticall Disputacions but to the exployting of greater matters and of more waight may occupy and trouble your brayne with these matters at your leisure Therfore we wishe you according to your wisdome to weye and consider what is most néedfull to be done The King of Nauar being to much giuen to voluptuousnesse and ease harkened all to soone to these persuasions and being ouercome forgetting his authoritie he wholy gaue himselfe to his Aduersaries by whome he being spoyled of that his authoritie and of his wittes also was the occasion of many and great mischéeues The waye therefore being thus made wholely to ouerthrow and subuert the King of Nauar there came then vnto him the Cardinall of Ferrar and the Cardinall of Towers with many faier promises from the Pope that hée if he would thus imbrace the Catholike Doctrine should prosper and benefite him selfe very much For sayed they the Pope will bring to passe that the Kings of Spayne should very shortly gyue vnto him agayne the kingdome of Nauar. And also that he would geue vnto him a bill of diuorcement that he being diuorced from his wife which was to much inclined to that new Religion might marry with the Quéene of Scottes a woman of excellent beautie riche and the widow of a renowmed king And thus he should haue two Kingdomes namely the Kingdome of Nauar and by this new mariage also the Kingdome of Scotland Wherby was offered vnto him oportunitie to exployte and bring to passe great matters when as hée hauing the kyngdome of Scotland might clayme also vnto him the kingdome of Englande which bordered vpon the same which the Scottish Kyngs afore time challenged vnto themselues as their right And so he being of so great power both by his owne kyngdomes and also by the helpe and ayd which he might haue out of France out of Spaine and from the Pope should easely conquer and enioye England and so become a great Monarch Wherfore they exhorted him to consider how many occasions Fortune luckely offered vnto him to bring to passe whatsoeuer he would The which if he should forslowe and neglect and on the contrary part like of and mayntaine the new Doctrine they wished him to consider according to his wisedome what gréeuous perils and troubles he should fall into the which yet might easely be repressed and anoyded if so be he would hearken to good and wholesome counsell Adding moreouer that the Prince of Conde would do as he did and that the Chatillions would not be behind and as for the rest of the nobles and common people it should not force if so be that he would vse the aucthoritie of the Kings Edictes and his owne power and ioyne himselfe with the faythfull and trustie seruants of the King. After these persuasions the kyng of Nauar dayly more and more shewed himself not only to dislike of the reformed
more sure accomplishment wherof after we had made our faithfull prayers vnto God and had duely and rightly wayed and considered all things wyth one heart minde and free will haue entered into league by solemne oth of the name of the liuing God the which we haue sworne and before God and his Angelles haue promised to performe and kepe by the assistance of hys grace and mercy inuiolable vpon these conditions First of al we protest that in this League we haue no manner of consideration or regard either of our priuate persons or of our goods but do only set before our eyes the honor of God and the deliuerance of the King and Queenes Maiesties the obseruation of the Edicts which they haue commaunded and a perfecte good will to punish Rebels and such as contemne the King Queenes Maiesties And for these causes only we sweare and promise that we and euery one of vs will spend and bestowe all that euer we haue euen to the last drop of our bloude And this League shall abide inuiolable vntill the Kings Maiority that is to say vntill the King come to his lawfull age and doe take vpon him selfe the gouernment of the kingdome that then we may obey him in all things with voluntary obedience At which time we trust we shall geue so good an accounte of this our League the which also we wil do to the Quene she being at her own libertie whensoeuer she wil that it shal be manifest that this was no conspiracy but our duety of true obedience to preserue their Maiesties in these perillous times Secondly to the end all men maye vnderstand and know that we haue entered into this league with a pure conscience and in the feare of God vppon whom wee call as vppon the vpholder and protector of our society VVe declare and promise by our othe That wee will not suffer any man among vs to commit any thing against the honour of God and against the Kings Edicts as Idolatry Supersticion Blasphemy VVhoredome Theft Sacriledge and all suche otherlike forbidden by the lawe of God and by the last Edict of Ianuary the which if any do commit we will seuerely punish And to the end all thinges may be done according to the prescript rule of Gods word we will haue in all our assemblies faythfull ministers of Gods word which may teach vs the wil of God and whom as it is meete we may heare that we may obey the will of God. Thirdly we elect and nominate the Prince of Conde to be our Captaine generall being the Kinges neere kinsman and therfore one of his Counsel and the lawful protector and mayntayner of the Crowne of Fraunce VVhom we promise to helpe ayd and assist with al our might and to giue to him all obedience in all those thinges which appertayne to this League and if we neglect to do our dutie in any thing we submit our selues to such punishment as it shall please him to lay vppon vs. And if it shall so happen that the Prince of Conde shall not be able to go forward with this enterprise being let with sicknes or with any other reasonable cause we promise to serue and obey him whom he shall nominate to be his Vicar or Deputie And the Prince of Conde for the glory of Gods sake and for the obedience sake which he oweth to the King byndeth him selfe to these conditions promising to all that are of this confederacy by his othe that hee will with all diligence and courage by the helpe of God according to couenant constantly do the dutie of a true Capitayne Fourthly we comprehend in this League all the Kings Counsellers except those which contrary to their office beare armour to make the King and Queene fulfill their mindes The which armoure except they put of againe and do giue an account of their doinges with all subiection and obedience to the Queene and King whensoeâ—…er it shall please her to call them VVe giue them to vnderstand that for these iust and reasonable causes we wil accompt them giltie of treason and troublers of the coÌ„mon wealth And to come to the ende of this our league the which we protest againe wee haue made only for the glory of God for the dignitie and libertie of the King and for the peace and tranquillitie of this Realme which is to be mayntayned vnder the aucthoritie of the Queene mother wee affirme and promise euery one of vs and do confirme the same by solemne othe before God and his Angelles that we will prepare and prouide out of hand all that wee are able as money armoure horses and all other thinges necessary for the warre that wee may be in a readines so soone as we shall be called by the Prince of Conde and that we may followe him whither soeuer it shall please him to commaund vs and also that we may obey him in all thinges that appertayne to this league euen to the vtmost perill of our liues And if it shall happen that any of our companions and fellowes in this seague shall sustayne any hurt or detrement for this leagues sake we promise that we will helpe ayde and assist him all that wee can at the commaundement of the Prince of Conde But if it shall happen as God forbid it should that any one among vs forgetting his dutie and othe should conspire with our enemies and should violate this league by horrible treason and should not stand to these conditions and couenaunts VVe sweare and protest with all constantnes of faith that we wil bring such an offender to the Prince of Conde and will accompt him for an enemy and handle him as a traytor And thus be it ratefied and established betweene vs with free consent and irreuocable This league being made and the causes thereof being declared in maner and fourme as ye sée then euery where published abrode the Prince of Conde sent letters diuers times to the Queene Mother and to the King of Nauar his brother tending still to this effect That they should consider and haue regard to the state and that they should set before their eyes the manifolde perilles and troubles at hand except they according to their office and dutie did better prouide for the same that they should looke to the obseruation of the Edictes made by the act of Parliament specially now in the time of the Kings minority Protesting herewith for himselfe and the rest that they would be subiect and obedient to all thinges reasonable and lawsull but if the matter should come to triall by sword he sayd that then they feared no maner of perilles but would for the mayntayning of the glory of God the Kinges aucthoritie and the libertie of their consciences spend and bestowe all that they had The Queene Mother tooke the matter very gréeuously and signified to the Prince of Conde by her letters that as her person was a Captiue so also she was resâ—…rayned of her will and could not do
what she would whom she perswaded in her letters to take the mateer into his owne hand and to defend the same and declared also at that time by her letters that she did vtterly dislike and abhor the Guises Certaine of the which letters according to the very tenor of them which remay ned in the Prince of Conde his handes I thought good here to bring in The coppie wherof is this I Haue receiued welbeloued Cosen the letters which you sent vnto me by the Lord Guardius and I signifie vnto you good Cosen that I am as fully perswaded of those thinges contayned in your letters as I may bee of any thing and am no lesse assured of them than I am of my selfe neither wiil I bee vnmindfull at any time of those things which you do for the King my sonnes sake And because the same messenger retourneth back again for those causes which he shall declare vnto you I will wright no more at this time Onely â—…his I will request at your hands that you beleue me in those things which he shall speake vnto you in my name who wisheth so well vnto you as if she were your owne mother namely your deare Cosen CATHARINE The Coppie of another of her Letters I Haue talked with M. de Iuoy euen as if you your selfe were present of whose fidelitie and trustines I doubt not And whatsoeuer I send backagain I assure my selfe that he will disclose to none sauing to you and that you in like maner for my sake will keepe all secret Only be mindfull to preserue and defend the Children the Mother and the kyngdome as he to whom this thing doth specially appertaine and he namely the kyng will neuer I warrant you be vnmindfull of so great a benefite Burne this letter when you haue red it Your deare and louing Cosen KATHARINE These things I say at that time were wrytten by the Queene In the meane time the King of Nauar folowing the willes of the Guises and his adherents both thought and spake very muche euell of hys brother the Prince of Conde All things daily on both partes waxed worse and worse Newes was brought to Orlians concerninge the slaughter of the men of Sens which greatly inflamed the mindes of men Sens is a noble Citie bordering vpon Burgondy In the which the faithful according to the Edicte of Ianuarye congregated them selues together to hear the word of god And although there were new rumors daily concerning the perturbations and troubles at hand yet notwithstaÌ„ding they continued in their godly exercises Therefore diuers Bands of soldiers well appoynted at the commaundement of the Cardinall of Guise who was Bishop of the same Towne sodenly and vnloked for sette vpon the Congregation and flew many of them and at the last such was their rage that they killed both old and yong yea wythout all pitye or mercy man woman childe The which slaughter coÌ„tinued the space of thrée dayes and had continued longer if so be any store of the professors of the Gospell had ben left aliue to kill Yea and it was reported that diuers women great wyth childe were put to the swerd and the children most horriblely torne out of their wombes Suche was the spoyling of the houses of the faithfull and the shedding of bloude in this Citie that the horrible murther committed by the Guises at Vassi was counted nothing in respecte of thys When newes héereof was brought to the Court it made all that heard the same abashed Yea they them selues that had commauÌ„ded this to be done when they heard of the euent were also abashed Notwythstanding after these presumptuous enterprises and beginnings after the slaughter of Vassi all men were fully bent to Ciuill warre The Prince of Conde complained of this thing to the Quéene by his letters which he wrote the ninth of Aprill to this effect First he sayth that he thought that the fault and blame of the wickednesses afore time com mitted would haue stayed their boldnesse which enuied the peace and tranquilitye of the common wealth and haue taught them at the length to embrace folowe and obey the Kings Edicts But sayth he so hath their malice increased that they can no more restraine and bridle their wickednesse but do violate and breake al law which may moue vs to loke for nothing but the seuerity of Gods iudgement to fall vpon vs. Of thys brutishe boldnesse sayeth he after so many olde examples there is now a newe come in place to be séene in the pitifull slaughter at Sens vppon those that professed the liberty of the Gospell by the benefit of the Kings Edict the description of the which Tragedy he sayeth he sendeth vnto her Not doubting but that shée according to her natural and great goodnesse wil tremble at the hearing of so horrible a butcherly murther wherby shée hath to consider what is to be looked for at their handes which blinde and beguile men with theyr faire and flattering woordes He cannot he sayeth but he must néedes complaine vnto her of so great wickednesses committed and is constrained also to hys great gréefe to say That if these presumptuous and horrible murthers escape vnpunished the crye of the innocent bloud that is shed will so pearce the heauens and enter into the eares of the highest that the ruine and vtter subuersion of this whole realme by the iust iudgement of God is to be feared Therfore he sayth he beséecheth her setting before her eyes the examples of so greate and horrible wickednesses and considering also his patience in forbearing so long time euen vntill that present day for the King and her Maiesties sake that shée would diligently vse her authority to repel and reform them and not to suffer suche manifest contempt of the Kings maiesty to escape vnpunished least violence and rebellion were planted in steade of equitie and iustice In so doing shée should preserue the Kings maiesty and the tranquillity of the Realme Otherwise lamentablâ—… afflictions were like to ensue NotwithstaÌ„ding thys reasonable and godly request of the Prince both the people of Parris at the hearing of the Rumors waxed more outragious daily and also the Guises wyth their Adherentes wholely bent them selues to warre We haue spoken before concerning the league betwéene the Prince of Conde and hys Adherents All things therefore daily growing from ill to worse nothing now was looked for but warre But before the warres began the Prince of Conde and they of hys part set forth another Proclamation in the which they shewe the causes and reasons of their purpose and why they were constrained to lift vp the swearde And after certaine letters sente to the King and Quéene and to the king of Nauar they sent vnto them that Proclamation also which was to this effect folowing Althoughe they whych of their owne authority doe first of all put them selues in Armoure oughte to geue account and reason of their so doing yet notwithstanding the Prince of
Conde séeing that this motion for diuers circumstances is subiecte to diuers mennes Iudgements and because the knowledge hereof appertaineth to all men would to put away all occasions of slaunders shewe to all men manifest reasons whych haue constrained him to ioyne with a great number of his fréends and retainers to serue the King Quéene and to procure the peace and tranquillity of the whole Realme All men know that after the diuers perturbations and troubles for Religions sake when as greater also wer lyke to ensue to stay appease them at the last in the moneth of Ianuary laste past there was made an Edicte by the Kings commaundement to quiet and pacifie bothe partes wyth the aduice and consent also of the most Noble of the high Court of Parliament The Proclamation of thys Edicte whych at the first was much hindered caused suspicions to arise that these things were done not wythout a confederacie which teâ—…ded to a farther matter The which suspitions wer increased the more by the méetings of the constable and the Magistrates of Paris by the coÌ„moning of the senators also by the often assemblies of the chéefe Marchantes notwithstanding all the whych the Prince of Conde or any of the reformed Churches neuer did or spake any thing which might interrupt or breake the publike peace any manner of meanes Yea euen in the midst of those vexations and troubles they loked quietly and modestly for the Proclamation of the same Edicte in the Senate of Paris Thys proclamation being at the lengthe made at Paris and being extorted by the Supplications of the King and Quéene rather than by commaundements the Prince of Conde after his gréeuous sicknes when he had saluted the King and Quéene gotte hym home to hys house to recreate him selfe Amidst these troubles there came newes concerning the cruell and horrible slaughter at Vassi done in the presence of the Duke of Guise and by hym many of the Kings Subiects both men and women being slain which according to their manner by the benefite of the Kings Edict came together to heare the worde of God. This horrible Acte being reported at Paris greatly moued the mindes of all men of bothe partes insomuch that much mischéefe was like to followe And among other Rumors it was reported that the Duke of Guise was comming with a great armye of men to the intent he might vtterly destroy the churches of the reformed Religion Whervpon the meÌ„ of those Churches came out of diuers places to the Court and required of the King and Quéene punishment of so greate and notable wickednesse committed Thys was the cause why the Prince of Conde going homeward stayed at Paris went from thence to Monceaulx at the commaundement of the King Quéene to whom he said he feared the commotions troubles like to ensue to stay the which he sayd he thought this the only remedy namely that the Duke of Guise which was said to be coÌ„ming to Paris with a great army of men might not be suffered to enter therein the which aduise séemed to please the Quéene and the king of Naâ—…rre very well And according to this aduise the Quéene wrote her letters to the Duke of Guise intreating him that he would come to the king and to her to Monceaulx The which thing being twise required by the Quéene was also twise denied of the Guise the first tyme hée made excuse that hée was busied in entertayning his friendes which were come to sée him and the second time by silence making no aunswer at all â–ª But hée came to Paris with a great nomber of armed men hauing also with him the Constable the Martiall of S. Andrew and diuers others of his counsell And hée was receyued into the citie by the citizens with great pompe the Marchantmaister being their Captayne and the people crying as hée entered into S. Anthonies gate euen as if hée had bene king God preserue the Duke of Guise he séeming in no point to dislike of the same The Prince of Conde returning from Monceaulx that hée might goe to his house according to his former purpose and being certefied of the coÌ„ming of the Duke of Guise and of his company to Paris hée altered his purpose and determined to abyde at Paris according to his dutie to defende the kings subiectes being persuaded that his presence would staye the mindes of the citizens of Paris which began to waxe somewhat haughty by the comming of the Guises And truely all men knowe that so long as the Prince remained at Paris there burst forth no great Sedition Notwithstanding there were many great reasons why the Prince and many of the Nobles which were with him should be disdayned For the Guises so soone as they were come to Paris calling vnto them such out of the Senat as they thoght méet had a counsel which they called the Kings counsell as though a councell consisting of the chief officers of the king were very lawfull The which truly séemed very straunge to the Prince of Conde and to those noble men that were with him Is it lawfull to haue any other kings counsell than that which is néere to the king and Quéene and the Prince of Conde the kings néere kinsman to whome a care of the king and Quéene appertayned and being also in the same town in the which the counsell was held not to know thereof This euidently declared a manifest conspiracy which would bring no small hurt to the king and Quéene For if in that counsell of the Guises those things were handled which appertayned to the preseruation of the kings authoritie and the common wealth what cause was there why thei should shoon the presence of the king and Quéene and of the kings coâ—…sell Moreouer it is well enough knowne what displea sure the Guise tooke with the Quéene when he departed from the court complayning misliking that he was thoght to be made acquainted with Nemours his dealing who was accused to go about to carry away the king The Constable also of late very contemptuously vsed the Quéene in woordes méeting with the kings retinew and being told that the king was present hée passed by so vnreuerently as if hée had met with some strauÌ„gers his proud and lofty wordes whiche he also oftentimes vttered at Paris did plainly declare that ther were some new things a working Also the Martial of S. Andrew â–ª did not only refuse to goe to attend vpon his charge coÌ„mitted vnto him by the kings commaundment but also before all the kings counsel he so contented with the Quéene in brawling woordes that it might euidently appeare that hée leaned to some other greater trust In consideration therfore of these men which seperating themselues from the Kings counsell called a couÌ„sell of their owne authoritie and put men in armour the Prince of Conde could not but looke for some lamen table ende Beside all this when the Quéene had openly declared that hir will was that
both of them should depart from Paris the Prince of Conde vnderstandinge of the Quéenes commaundement by the Cardinal of Burbon his brother went strayt way from Paris But the Duke of Guises mind was so far froÌ„ departing thence that gathering more souldiours vnto him he did more strongly fortefie the same than he did before and came vnto the King and Quéene contrary to their expresse commaundement with an army of men and caryed theÌ„ whether they would or no from Fontaynbleau to another place The which manifest force and misliked captiuitie of the King and Quéen may manifestly appere both by the open complayntes of the Quéene and also by the Kinges teares And because the Duke of Guise the Constable and the Martiall of S. Andrew so boast of their dignitie and offices as though it were lawfull for them to make an armie when it shall séeme good vnto them for the behoofe of the King and the Realme and also because they doo deryde and manifestly abuse the authoritie of the King of Nauar the kings high Legate all men may sée how they doe abuse themselues and the offices committed to their charge These things should first of all haue bene done by the aduise and consent of the Quéene who alwayes openly resisted their dooings Let them therefore if they haue any greater authoritie than she in this kingdome shewe the same So seriouse and waighty a matter also should haue ben handeled in the Kings lawfull counsell or else let them say that thei are in authoritie aboue the kings themselues which alwaies consult with their counsell concerning warres before they take them in hande But if they replye and say that the Quéene now is contented with their dooings admit it be so yet let them remember that this is not the first time that they haue begon warres their purpose intent doth plainly appeare by that horrible slaughter don by them at Vassy which displeased both the King and Quéene and all those that heard of the same except themselues as an acte coÌ„mitted agaynst the manifest lawes of the king and contrary to all humanitie Let them not therefore colour ouer their doings with the Quéenes will whom they haue captiued and rule as them list And to take away al bolstering coulering of the mater who know eth not that before the Duke of Guise came to Paris and had troubled the minds of men with that horrible murther at Vassi there was great peace and tranquillitie throughout the whole Realme But if any thing haue happened otherwise thaâ—… it should haue done it is come to passe by their Counsels and assemblies specially through the default of the Senate of Paris which obserued not the authoritie of the kings Edict as they should haue done and by their example made the mindes of men the more out of quiet As for example the commotion of Prouance which was raysed by the preuarication collusion of many of that Assembly and was at the kings commaundement pacifâ—…ed agayne by M. Curlsol with the help and ayde of the reformed Churches which haue alwayes shewed what obedience they will shewe forth towards the king and his lawes To be short all men may behold and sée what will be the ende of all their Counselles which they take in hand euen the great shame and reproch of the king and the destruction of the Realme They kéepe the kyng captiue and abuse his name at their owne pleasure and to the end they maye at the length quite ouerthrow the kyng they stoutly threaten men with the Kinges name if they refuse to do any thing as they would haue them Moreouer they séeke all that they can to make the Prince of Conde to be enuied and not estéeming the auethoritie of the kynges Edictes they do euen what they list And to the end they may set vp their stocke and kinred with the ruine of the kyngdome they conuert the aucthoritie and the whole substance therof to their owne vse troubling molesting the kyngs lawfull and faythfull defenders do raigne and rule alone and do moderate the lawes statutes and decrees of the Realme as they list themselues What is he then that séeth not what their mind and purpose is in causing these garboyles troubles And as touching Religion no man can chuse but sée that they bend themselues to worke both the decay ther of and also of publique and common libertie They do very vndiscretely alleage for theÌ„selues that the Prince of Conde hath certaine other particuler causes of complaynts For the Prince of Conde doth protest that hée is driuen to take these thinges in hand for the only desire he hath to defend the Kyng and the kyngdome and to mayntayne the Kyngs lawes according to his office and doth greatly mislike that the benefite of exercising the reformed Religion should be taken from the kyngs subiectes against the playne commaundements of his wil and that from the kyngs subiects should be taken not only the libertie of their consciences but also the peace and tranquillitie of their bodies Let the Duke of Guise call to minde the horrible slaughter at Uassi which as yet is fresh in memory Let him remember the great crueltie shewed of late to the men of Sens. And let the Constable remember what hath happened at Paris and what is like dayly to happen by his behauiour Whose wicked déedes doon against the willes of the kyng and Quéene he hopeth to sée one day seuerely punished If men neglect the doing of their dutie God no doubt in his iust iudgement will punish the same These therefore are the occasions offered to the Prince to go forward with those enterprises that hée hath taken in hand These men thinke to rule and gouerne the kingdome as they themselues list And therfore it commeth to passe that they cannot abide the gouernement of the Quéene and the libertie and integritie of the kyngs counsel They thinke that the time serueth for them very wel not only to couer all their wicked actes of the which they are neuer able to giue a rea son and an accompt but amiddest this troublesome sturre to inriche themselues By which their boldnes and presumption there cannot chuse but be most gréeuous mischiefes following the troublesome alteration of al thinges the hurt of all estates specially of the Nobillitie diuisions also sempiternall hatred They coullor all their doinges with Religion as though they would not suffer the auncient and Catholike Religion as they terme it to come into contempt and for this cause they cause vs to haue many enemies But why doe they take awaye the beneâ—…te of the kinges Edict which doth permit vs to vse and exercise that Religion which we beleue to be good and true They them selues liue according to their conscience by the beneâ—…te of the kyngs lawes And what reason is it then that they should not suffer vs to do the like by the benefite of the kynges Edict There is not one of vs that
moleâ—…eth or troubleth them in their Religion or that doth hinder their Clergie by any maner of meanes And if there were any of vs that would so do or that would behaue our selues otherwise than we ought there are lawes and punishments to punish vs But truely vnder the coullor and pretence of Religion they séeke another thing We denie not but that they hate the truth of the Gospell as they haue of late declared by fyer and sword but this is the speciall thing they séeke for to trap and snare those that before tyme miraculously haue escaped their handes to be reuenged of others whome they haue alwayes hated and to enrich themselues by the spole of others The whicâ—… to bring to passe they care for no Religion And such as go about to resist their practises by which they séeke both the pâ—…rill of our kyng and the destruction of his subiecteâ—… by Ciuill warre they call open enemies to the kyng THese and many other things which time will reueale being wayâ—…d and considered the Prince of Conde testified before the kyng and Quéen these things also following and wished all kyngs Princes Nobles and all others of the Realme of Fraunce and all Christi an Nations â–ª truely to vnderstand these thinges First of all therfore he testifieth that he is not moued by desire of his owne profite but only with loue of the glory of God and of the profite of the whole common wealth to séeke the which he thought him selfe specially bound vnder the Quéenes auethoritie So that for conscience sake to do his dutie and for the loue hée beareth to his Countrey he sayth he is constrayned compelled to séeke all lawfull meanes to set the Quéen and the kinges Sonnes at libertie and to mayntaine and defend the kyngs Edictes and the Edict of Ianuary which was made for the ordering of Religion And he prayeth and beseecheth all the kynges true lawfull subiects waying and considering the matter as is before sayd that they would ayd and assist him in so good and godly a cause And because the king in the beginning of his raigne found him selfe oppressed with a great burthen of debt and hauing but little any maner of waye to discharge the same many of his faithfull subiects gaue vnto him a great summe of money both to discharge the same also to recouer his patrimony but there is no doubt but that they which are the auethors of this Ciuill warre will now laye holde and catch vnto them that sum of money which was giuen to the kyng for those causes and will spend and bestowe the same to oâ—…her vses Whereby both the people shall receiue great hurt and losse and also the hope which the Quéene and the kyng of Nauar had for the paiment and discharge of all the kynges debtes that the people might be brought into the same state in the which they were in the time of kyng Lodowiâ—… the xij that hope I saye by the wasting and consuming of that money should be 〈◊〉 and quight taken awaye For these causes the Prince of Conde affirmeth that they which shall get vn to them that money shal be bound to restore the same againe and at the length shall giue an accompt for the bestowing therof But he testifieth that he and all those that fight vnder his banner shall mayntayne furnish themselues with their owne proper costes and charges And God sayth he will heare from heauen the â—…rie of his poore oppressed people against those which begin warres and refuse all reasonable order which séeke trouble and constrayne vs to defend our selues wyth force of Armes And because all men do vnderstand and knowe that the kyng and Quéene being beset on euery side wyth souldiours and captiued and ruled and that the greater part of the Counsell are so quayled wyth feare that they dare not resist the auâ—…thors of this warre The Prince of Conde would haue all men certefied that hée myndeth and will shew towards the kyng and Quéene all obedience in the which he will giue place to none and that he will not suffer him selfe to be so deceiued mocked vnder the pretence of rescriptes of commaundements and of Letters vnder the kinges name and seale but will warre against them vntill the Kyng and Quéene do recouer their former libertie and authoritie and may declare their willes by their owne méere gouernement Concerninge the kyng of Nauar his brother the Prince of Conde beside the naturall bond of brotherly loue the particuler cause of obedience which he ought and will giue vnto him he testifieth that he doth consider of him according to his worthines and will giue vnto him next vnto the King and Quéene al obâ—…dience And hâ—… trusteth that he wil giue an accompt of his dealing whensoeuer it shal be required at his handes To be short the Prince of Conde and a great multitude of Earles Lordes and Nobles and other estates to declare that they speake simply and in good earnest and that they séeke for nothing more than the glory of God and the excellency and dignitie of their kyng Do earnestly pray and beséech the Queene Mother with all reuerence that setting the feare of men aside whych gard her after a straunge fashion with force of Armes as if she were a captiue that she would according to hir iudgement and mind fréely declare whether part were to be blanted and that she would goe vnto that Citie whererevnto she had most mind that from thence shée might coÌ„maund both parts by the meanest seruant she hath to put of their Armour so they would shew that dew obedience which shoulde become loyall subiectes to shew vnto their soueraigne Lord and would also mo destly answere to their doings according to the lawe The Prince promiseth that he will obey her lawâ—…ull commaundements vppon the condition that others would shew themselues ready to do their duties But if they refuse he testifieth that he with fiftie thousand men more which are of the same mynd will spend their liues And if it please not the Quéene to go to another place to do these thinges then let her first of all seeke that they by whom she is garded and captiued may goe to another place puâ—…tting of their Armour namely the Duke of Guise and his bretherne the Constable and the Marshiall of S. Andrew And although he being a Prince and the kynges néere kinsmen were their superior yet notwithstanding to the inteÌ„t it might apéere that he is in no poynt the cause of trouble and vnquietnâ—…s he promiseth that he and his whole armie will depart euery man home to his owne house vppon those conditions before spoken of Also hee sayth that hee hath a speciall care for this that the Kynges Counsellers may haue their accustomed libertie and that the kyngs lawes and the Edict of January may be obserued and kept vntill the kyng comming vnto his Maioritie may iudge of the matter him selfe and may punish
those according to their desertes which haue abused his auâ—…thoritie But and if these conditions were not perfourmed and that the Guises and their fellowes went on still to shew violence against the Kyng the Quéene and the kynges Counsell to deceaue and beguile men vnder the kynges name and to be iniurious to the kyngs subiectes the Prince of Conde testifieth that hée wyll not beare it and will bring to passe that hée shall not bée found giltie of all those calamities mischiefes and miseries which will happen for these commotions and troubles but rather they themselues which are the authors and only cause thereof This his Protestation being published abrode all mens mindes séemed to be troubled and diuersly occupied the faythfull being more bolde and couragious to defend themselues who at the first sturre of the Guises were not a little terrefied The Prince of Conde sent letters to all the reformed Churches the twenty day of April sending diuers messengers with the Copy of those letters throughout all prouinces of the Realme to this effect Forsomuch as the necessity of the time is such that we must openly resist the violence and tiranny of the Guises aduersaries of the Christian Religion who hauing captiued the King and Quene â–ª do so abuse their name that they tread vnderfote true Religion with the liberty of the Realme and doe what they list them selues see that ye prepare your selues against these troubles and beware that you leaue nothing vndone that may further you in your businesse And because we must nowe of necessitye begin warres be diligent to prouide Armor Mony all kind of Artillery so sone as may be and whatsoeuer you do certefy me of the same by these messengers that I haue sent vnto you But aboue all things see that ye behaue your selues so peaceably as ye may and forget not diligently to call vpon God the vpholder and defender of his truthe and of all iust causes That former declaration wherof we haue spoken before was scaâ—…sely come to Paris when as two Edicts were solemnely proclaimed there in the Kings name to thys effectâ—… The King séeing what great troubles garboyles were in the Realme is very sory and much agréeued who hâ—…th left no remedies vnsoughte for for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity by the aduise of the Quéene the King of Nauar and the Princes as may appeare of late by the Edict made in the moneth of Ianuary by which to order all matters peaceably he shewed him selfe very fauorable contrary to the manner and câ—…ome of his Aâ—…cetors the Kings towards Religion that by this meanes in bearing with the frowardnes of men be â—…ght maintaine publique peace concorde yâ—…t notwithâ—…anding for all this they can not be content and quiet as appeareth by diuers tumultes by them all ready raised manye of them which hath not bene heard of before being so bold that they dare make open warre and take diuers of the Kings Cities The which although it be very greuous vnto him that men should so lewdly and impudently behaue them selues abasing him in this hys tender age to the great hurt of the Realme yet notwithstanding he will continue still toward them hys accustomed clemency and goodnesse And therfore to confirme that his will and meaning he willeth and commaundeth by this publique Edict that al men vse the rites and administration of their religion fréely according to the prescript of the Edicte of Ianuary But because at Paris the Metropolitane Citye of the Realme there haue ben oftentimes great perils of moste gréeuous seditions he willeth in consideration of the present time that there be no exercise of the reformed Religion so called in that City nor in the Suburbes borders and limmites neare adioyning to the same vntill it shall séeme good otherwise to the King. There was also publiquely set forth about the same time very solemly the Kings Rescript whych they call Letters patents in manner and forme folowing All men sée the great perturbations and troubles of the Realme and also howe the mindes of all estates and degrée are so vexed and disquieted that there cannot chuse but insue great hurt except God of his mercy and goodnesse turn away the same Notwithstanding it is wonderfull that men which are the authors of these troubles dissensions shuld so couler ouer the causes of their wickednes that they caÌ„ deceiue therby the simple sort of people But wheras they coÌ„plaine of the violating and breaking of y Edict which was made for Religion the is most false as may apeare by the manifest declaratioÌ„ of the Kings will which he plainly of late shewed by hys Edict And this also is a most impudent slaÌ„der wheras they say that the King and the Queene his mother hys bretheren and sister are captiues in the handes of certaine of his chief officers and seruants and do boast that they lift vp the sworde to the intent they may set them at their lawfull libertie But the King and the Quéene do openly testifie and would haue it generally knowen for a suertie that hée his mother his brethren and hys sister neuer came thankes be to God into that state of captiuitie but coÌ„trarywyse do retaine kéepe libertie autority kingly dignitie and power and shal no doubt by the goodnesse of God enioye the same with the help and diligence of good and faithfull subiects And bicause those seditiouse persons doe greatly abuse the facilitie gentle nature of the Prince of Conde their kinsman whom they haue chosen to be the Captaine of their conspiracie he testifieth that he will doe all that he can to restoare him to his former libertie and to pacefie the troubled state so much as he may There was also at this time mustering of men in Pa ris specially of Noble men which are coÌ„monly appointed to be horsemen and commaundement was sent thorough euery prouince to all men to be in a readinesse against the moneth of May nexte comming Paris also was in euery corner replenished with armour with sol diours and Enseignes The Prince of Conde being entered into Orleans very many of the faythfull which bordered thereaboutes tooke cities for the Prince of Conde professing notwithstanding that they mayntayned the Kings authoritie as they of Towers of Blais of Angew and many others as hereafter shal be declared Notwithstanding the Edict of January was rightly obserued by the seuere coÌ„maundements of the Prince of Conde which were oftentymes repeated by his seruaunts But all things growing dayly néerer warre then peace the greatest part of the inhabitants of Towers and Blayz sodenly rose and went into the popish churches and brake downe and quite defaced the Images and pictures which they there found notwithstanding there was no murther committed When newes hereof was brought to Orleans the Prince of Conde greatly misliked of their doing gaue commaundement that enquirie should be made of the doers hereof and that they shold be punished
according to the prescript of the kings Edicts At Orleans they of both Religions liued peaceably and according to the Edict of January the priests openly in their churches vsed their superstitiouse rytes and ceremonies and the faithfull on the contrary part went out of the Citie to heare sermons The which notwithstāding continewed but a short time as shal be declared anon when occasion is offered to speake of the same The Prince of Conde had sent the causes in writing that moued him to warre of the which we haue spoken before to the King and Quéene and to the king of Nauar his brother praying and beséeching them that vpon the conditions which he propounded vnto them the whole matter might be peaceably ended and concerning the same matter also he wrote to the Senate of Paris that his writings and letters might be kept in the publique Commentaries and Register of the Senat for a remēbrance whatsoeuer might chaunce afterward After the which letters the Quéen answered the Prince of Conde the second of May by hir letters agayne In the which shée sayd she was glad that the Prince of Conde shewed himselfe to be desirouse of peace and concorde whereas otherwyse ther was cause why shée should greatly sorrow and lament for that shée being a woman to whom by the common consent of the States the gouernment of the king and realme was committed was nowe in the middest of so great troubles to be ryd out of which shée trusting to the Prince doubted not but that hée would do all that hée could for the good will and obediēce sake which hée did owe vnto the King and for the profite and quietnesse of the whole Realme and would not refuse any reasonable condicion for the establishing of peace and concord Therefore shée sayd that hée should do very well if so be he would come vnto the King and to her out of hand putting of his armour and trusting to the promises of her fayth which should be as sure vn to him as any obligation if so be hée would remember the friendship and loue which shée alwais bare towards him who loueth him as tenderly as the mother loueth her childe Therefore shée sayeth that hée shall doe very well if so be hée come boldly to the Court that hée may ende all matters at once before the King and hir The Senate of Paris also sent letters of aunswer to the Prince of Conde the fiueth day of May to this effect following Wée haue receyued your letters with the forme of your declaration the which we could not reade without our great sorrow and grief Séeing that wée know you to be a Prince and the Kings neere kinsmā of one of the most noble stockes of the kings kynred neyther do wée doubt but that your nature and disposition is agréeable to your offspringe as it is commonly séene in the best Princes if it be not alienated and drawne away wyth euill counsells And although it be our office onely to deale in the principal poyntes of the law yet neuerthelesse seeing you haue made special complaints vnto vs wée thought it not good to let you want all that wée are able to do in that point but fréely and truly to set before you our opinion and iudgemēt wherby you may know how reuerētly according to our duty we estéeme of you We haue considered and do perceyue that your complaintes do consist in two principall poynts The first principall is that it hath bene told you that the kyng Quéene were captiued in the custodie of certaine of the Nobles which attended vpon them and that many of his Connsellers were with threatninges made afeard Wee beséeche you that you would not any more beléeue these reportes séeing it is so manifest and euidently knowne to all men that it cannot be doubted of how that the King of Nauar your Brother a man of great wisedome and such a one as is very carefull for the preseruation of the king and his dignity is with the King and Queene who will not without all doubt suffer any maner of violence or iniury to be offered to the King being both of kyn to the Kyng as well as you also charged with the king by his office Beside this the Cardinall of Borbon is with them who hath no lesse care for the safetie of the king and the Realme than you haue Moreouer there are with him other Princes his kinsmen men of wisedome which are bound both by their office and also by the bond of loue to defende the kyng with a great sort of his Counsell also which if the kyng were so shamefully misused would lay their heades together to remedy the same because if in this poynt they should fayle to do their dutie they might be sure to be euill spoken of among all men In that therfore they do so diligently séeke with one consent the pre seruation of the state and would haue you to be ioyned with them you may thereby certainely perceiue how false those reports haue bene the which reports would greatly haue offended and gréeued the mindes of your bretherne if that they had not here tofore declared their fayth and great good will for if they should so behaue themselues towards the king it wold greatly redownd to their reproch and shame If you will wey and consider these things you shall find that those reporters do vnto you and to them also great iniury séeing that ye are bretherne This also we woulde haue you to vnderstand that we haue none otherwise confirmed letters concerning the libertie of the King and Quéen then the very truth thereof hath caused vs least you should thinke that we had done any thing rashly or through feare We feare no man in the executing of our office in doing whereof we haue only a consideration of the kyng specially in those thinges which do belong to the obediēce of the kyng and to the profite of the Realme being ready for these causes to spend our life and goods Know you also for suertie that all dew reuerence obedience is shewed here to the King and Quéene And because we vnderstand by your declaratiō that you find fault with certaine of vs as though we forsaking the Kinges lawfull Counsell were present at certaine secret Counselles Know you also this for a certaine that none of vs were present at that counsell which was kept here extraordinarily by the aucthoritie of the king of Nauar your brother but only by the slat commaundement of the Cardinal of Borbō your brother also and the kéeper of the Citie neyther did we heare sée or perceyue that anything was done there which did not appertaine to the obedience of the King. The other principall poynt of your complaints concerneth Religion The which truely is no lesse straung and wonderfull vnto vs Of the which we perceyuing that you haue ben otherwise infourmed than it is haue thought good to certifie you of the trueth You knowe that
aucthoritie to giue commaundement vnto them to vnarme themselues and to go home to their houses and afterward to make them answere to the same But admit that they had aucthority to abide stil with the Kyng against right and all approued customes being but his seruants only and to beset him round about with such souldiours as they haue gathered together by their priuate aucthoritie yet notwithstāding it cānot be denied but that I haue great iniury I I say which shoulde haue this prerogatiue before them beinge the Kinges néere kinsman and which haue not put on Armour but by them constrayned only for this cause to defend the Kyng the Quéene and my selfe from violence these thinges I say considered I haue great iniury except I haue leaue in like mauer for mée mine to be about the kyng which are sworne as well as others vnto him and which I say and affirme are the Kynges faithfull subiectes and seruants as they haue both shewed already and also will shew hereafter at what time they shall be commaunded by the kyng of Nauar the kynges Deputie to defend the kynges libertie and the aucthority of the Quéene and of the kyng of Nauar being ready for the same to spende both their life and goods But and if they will not suffer the Quéene to vse that equallitie that she ought let her not leane to the one part more than to the other howbeit if she be more inclined to any part she should rather be inclined to me being a Prince and the kynges néere kinsman and let her vse her aucthoritie to remedy the mischtefe at hand otherwise than she hath done before for no man wyll thinke that any thing hath ben done by her consent séeing that shée is of such wisedome and so carefull for the preseruation of the kyng her Sonnes dignitie that she woulde not bée negligent to do her dutie in a matter of so great waight But there is no doubt but that which shée did was for feare of them which hauing hir in holde pulled her from doing of her dutie When as also it is manifest that the King is broughte to that state that he is constrained to graunte manye things against his will. To proue this thing their chusing of new Counsellers shall serue whom they therfore chose that vnder the pretence of a Counsell the Quéene might be constrained to do what they wold by a more clenly way For it is knowne in what order it was done and in what estimation they nowe haue the Quéene who deliverate and take counsell together by them selues a parte and do conclude whatsoeuer they them selues do like of They do many things by their owne priuate authority and when they haue don then they come to aske her minde and opinion And what soeuer they them selues lust to haue done they cause the high Courte of Parliament to confirme the same And in very déede they preuatle more wyth those of the Parliament than the Quéene her selfe can Finallye who will deny that it is necessarye at this time to deliuer the Quéene from feare of this violence that shée may recouer her former authority and so they to lay aside their Armor and to goe home to their houses that all suspicion of violence being taken away there maye be more quietnesse héereafter and the perrils of great calamities auoided For I and all that are wyth me he fully perswaded and bent that except the matter be vprightly and indifferently handled rather to abide the extremity and to sèe the end than that they which haue vsurped to them selues power against all law right to the great hurt and detrement of the Kings subiectes hitherto and also as yet going about to worke their vtter destruction by so many horrible murthers cruelly committed against the kings Edicts should still héereafter impudently procéede in their Insolencie And to take away all occasion of slaunder whych they may haue against me héereafter wheras they say that the kings letters were taken away frō the kings Postes by my cōmaundement I answere that I haue geuen contrary commaundement to those that attend vppon me neither were there letters at any time taken by them which were sent eyther to the king to the Quéene or to the king of Nauar. This I confesse to be true that there haue bene many letters taken which haue bene sent to diuers priuate persons by which are to be séene an infinite number of sclaunders false rumours counselles and practises against me many thinges being quite contrary to those promises which they haue made vnto me concerning peace and concorde But concerning the casting downe of the Images at Towers and at Blais I protest that I was very sory for the same in so much that I signified to the kinges Officers which are in those places that I would ayde and assist them to punish those according to the kings lawes which should be found gilty in the fact This is and may be an Argument of my will and meaninge the which also I haue done and doe as yet at Orleans Euery one of what state and condition so euer he be of prayseth and commendeth the moderation and behauiour of al those which are with me which liue peaceably and quietly with the Townes men without any maner of offence or breach in any poynt of the Edicte of Ianuary And as touching those which kéepe in hould certayn Cities I affirme that they do it for no other cause than to keepe those Cities for the vse of the Kinge and not to suffer them to come into their handes which abusing both the Kings name and his Artillery do séeke to get power for their owne priuate profite For so sone as the Quéene shal be restored to her former liberty and into that state wherin she was within these thrée Monethes she shal wel perceiue and vnderstand that those Cities will shew all obedience to the Kinge and to her as they had euer done before and will alwayes continue in the same so faithfull that in that point they will geue place to no Citie within the Kings dominion no not to Paris which of late hath gone about to cause this ciuill warre spending great store of money to that end and all vnder pretence of Religion And nowe I and mine are so farre from forgetting these thinges and buryinge them in silence as we are wished to do that we would rather haue thē to be chronicled for euer to be written in Tables and to be portrayed in letters of Golde and to be shrilly proclaymed throughout all Christian realmes that they may sée our dutifull obedience and faithfull trust shewed towardes our King greatly iniured in this his younge and tender yeres and also that so notable an example of my courage concord with the rest of the Nobilitie of France which haue ioyned our selues together with one hart consent to preserue the dignity of the kinge Quéene may be a memorial for euer in writing to the posteritie I for
my part truly do thinke that I could not haue better occasion offered to expresse my loue and duty towards the kinge and to get vnto my selfe true honour and prayse than by this meanes and fully I am perswa ded that my King and Prince will consider my dutifull seruice which I now shew vnto him when he commeth to that age that he is able to iudge hereof and to weigh the sayth and truth of my good wil shewed in such time of néede For these causes duly considered and weyed I which haue sought al meanes and wayes to paceâ—…y these troubles which are like to bring destruction to the realme which haue offered and do offer still al reasonable coÌ„ditions to be takeÌ„ for the laying aside of armour on both parts only vpon consideratioÌ„ of the king and Quéene of the coÌ„mon welth do protest again before the king quéene before al the states of the realme that the whole fault and blame of all those calamities and mischéeues which are like to ensue by the meanes of these warres is to be attributed to those alone whom I haue declared to be the causes of these perturbations troubles who refuse in the presente peryll of the destruction of the Realme to departe from the Courte and the kinges Counsell which their armor layd apart would bring peace and concord I do earnestly pray and beséech all the kings Courts and Parliaments and all estates and degrées to weigh and consider all thinges in due time and to be diligent in doing of their duties for the preseruation of the kinges dignity and the authority gouernement of the Quéene that one day they may geue an accouÌ„t of their doings as I trust to do of mine to the king when he cometh to his lawful age that they may rather haue praise reward for their doings than reproch ignominy And not to forslow themselues either for to satisfy their own desires or for fear or fauor of those which seeke to colour their faultes And to conclude I hartely pray and beséeth all the Kynges faythfull subiectes to helpe ayde and assiste me in this so good and iust a cause callinge God to witnesse that I onely for the aduancement of Gods glory for the setting of the Kynge and Quéene at theyr former liberty whom I sée beséeged and inclosed about with theyr subiectes for the mainteyninge of the Quéene in her authoritie for the defendinge of the common wealth and for the putting away of those iniuries offered to the Kinges subiectes for these causes I say I haue bene prouoked to put my selfe in armour and to resist theyr violence The which euen at this day I iudge and sée to bée so profitable to bridle the outragious madnesse that I trust hereafter God will blesse my labours and will bringe the woorke which he hath put into my handes to so good effecte and to so prosperous an ende that his name shal be glorified our Kynges dignitie and Royal seate defended and peace and tranquilitie main tayned This was the whole summe of this Protestation which the Prynce of Conde sente to the Kinge and Quéene by certayne Messengers to whom he gaue commaundement to declare howe earnestly he deuÌ„red peace for the which he woulde refuse no indifferente conditions He wrote also to dyuers Princes that were his fréendes in the kingedome of Fraunce and specially to the Princes of Germany whom he prayed to be meanes to make peace amonge them He wrote also letters to the Emperour the fower and twenty day of May to this effect In consideration of the singuler clemency humanity and wonderfull wisedome which for diuers causes I haue thought to be in you I thought it my dutye although to my great gréefe to make you acquaynted with the state of Fraunce Know you therfore that the matter is come to this that the Guises conspiring with the Constable and the Martiall of S. Andrew haue gotten the king into their hands insomuch that they haue taken away from him and froÌ„ the Quéene their liberty and setting at naught the kinges Edictes they do euen what they list themselues And they haue already so begoon their Practises and Counsailes that if they may bring them to effect ther is no doubt but that the kings dignitie and the liberty of the kingdome of Fraunce wil quight be ouer throwne But to the ende you may vnderstand the whole matter I sende here vnto you the trew and plain explication of al things whych both the Guises and I my selfe haue done in this businesse By which it may euidently appeare that the Guises are the conspiratours and the breakers of the kings lawes and dignitie But I to stay these troubles for the defence of my kinge to whom I am bound both by duty and also by the bonde of nature also for the Realme my natiue contrey will spend all that I am able and my life it selfe And I alone will not do this but a great manye more of the same mind Wherfore I huÌ„bly beséech you to waigh and consider the reasons of all my doings the which if they seme iuste and good be an ayde I pray you in these perillous times to the king and Quene and to al the family of Valesia and set to your helping hand for peace and concorde In so doing your maiestie shall do a most godly acte He sent letters also to the Countie Palatine called Frederike all most to the same effect with both his writings also in the which he declared the maner of his doinges and because he had alwaies wished al his actions to be knowen to all men and to be iudged of those that will vprightly consider of the same he sayde he greatly desired that the truth of all thinges might be faithfully and truly knowen to all men to the end all those slaunders might be takeÌ„ away which his aduersaries the authours of al the trouble to his infamy euery where colourably spred abrode Although therefore the truth nedeth no defence and although he had both the testimony of a good conscience and also a sure testimony of many men for all his doinges to maintaine his cause yit notwithstanding he said he thought good to signifi vnto him with how great care labour he had sought as it became a faithful subiecte to do to make peace and quietnesse Where by hée trusted that he should sée both his faithfulnes towardes the king in the which he would alwaies abide and also should marualle at the peruerse obstinacy of his enemies which intend rather to coÌ„fouÌ„d peruert al things than to forsake their ambitiouse desire to rule Therefore hée sayd that hee wold write vnto him those things which he had great cause to lament beséeching him that for the loue and friendship which he bare to the King the realm he would helpe to further his purpose which only tended to the working of peace and tranquillitie To the same effect also he wrote two
letters to the Duke of Sabaudia About the same time there was a Synode of the reformed churches of Fraunce at Orleans to the which there came diuers Ministers of Gods word and certaine chosen men also of other churches There was chosen accor ding to custome by the coÌ„mon consent of the whole assemblie to moderate this Synode Antonius Champdâ—…us minister of Gods word in the congregatioÌ„ of Paris a maÌ„ of singular godlynes learning eloquence and modesty This man was borne of a noble house and being but a very yong man be embraced and professed the doctrine of the Gospell in so much that hée was chosen by the church to the ministery of Gods word the same church being but tender and yong and beside that much anoyed with affliction as he was chosen to this office so was he no lesse diligent in the same whereby hée became a most profitable meÌ„ber to the chuche but specially to the coÌ„gregatioÌ„ of Paris of the which he was SuperinteÌ„dent In this Synode there arose a great controuersie concerning ecclesiastiall discipline which certaine light heads at that time began to discusse seeking to maintayne the licentiousnesse of the common people This controuecsy being at this time stayed burst forth afterwarde more vehemently and troubled many churches And because the ciuill warres increased more more the Ministers by a common decrée proclaymed publique prayers to be made in euery congregatioÌ„ to turn away the wrath of God from the Realme who was not without great cause displeased with the same And they sent to euerye congregacion letters to this effect Al meÌ„ euidently sée what great troubles are at hand like to fall vpon the Realme and the whole churche for the which specially this mischief is prouided Sathan his soldiers enuying the propagation and prosperity of the Gospell and the peace which the same hath enioyed by the great goodnesse of God. And do perceyue that the causes of those troubles are the iuste iudgements of God punishing the sinnes of men which reiect so notable a benefite as the glad tydings of the gospel the power of God to saluatioÌ„ or else estéeme not so reuerently of the same as they ought Our sinnes therfore are the very causes of these calami ties so that we must seriously séeke all that wée may too appease the iust wrath of God but specially they who vnder the name of the reformed Religion liued very wickedly But to such as doo truly and from the bottom of their hartes repent them study to liue in newnesse of life the promises of God are effectuall and doo appertayne Séeing therfore the matter is come to this point that all men maye plainly sée that they which raise vp these troubles of warres do séeke the ruine of the Gospel and of the church and therfore do warre and fight against God himself they must pluck vp their spirits be of good courage and certaynly perswaded that God will not fayle his seruaunts whom he vouchsafeth so to aduaunce that whereas thei haue deserued to be seuerely punished for their sinnes they might be afflicted for the truthes sake and for the glory of his name What haue the enemies left vndone by which thei might extinguish the doctrine of the gospell Yet notwithstanding it hath escaped Sathan and the Romish Antichrist â—…etting fuming in vayn Therfore we must make this our cry The Gospell is assaulted the destruction of the church is sought and open warre proclaymed against god Therfore god will fight for him selfe and for his There are also other causes â—… for beside that their deâ—…estable counseil to abolish the Church all men knowe that they goe about to bring most gréenouse troubles vpon the realm to the ende they themselues alone may gouerne They haue arrogantly broken the Edict of Ianuary they haue added cruelty to their impudent boldnesse they haue put the Kings subiects to death in diuers places vsing quietly the benefit of the Kings Edicts and they haue haÌ„dled them more cruelly than euer were any forreyn enimies What mischief hath not their vnbridled crueltye brought to passe They came to the king being but yoÌ„g to the Quéene a woman and not able to resiste armed with a band of men and tooke them and caryed them wil they nil they whether they would And hauing captiued both their bodies and their willes at their owne pleasure they most impudently abused them breakinge the Kings Edictes and violating his dignitie Therefore say they there are great causes why we shuld hope that God the author of humane societie but specially the preseruer of his church will not suffer the vnbrideled force of those violent and cruell counsailes to procéede more outragiously than they doe but will make hys Churche in the middest of all the trouble the conquerer And we haue a new and manifest argument beside those which haue appered heretofore of this his good wil towards his seruants in that hée hath in these dayes of his afflicted church raysed vp the Prince of Conde to be a Patrone and defender of this cause by miracle of hys diuine prouidence For this cause we must gyue harty thanks vnto God the first and principall author of thys benefit we must looke for happy successe of his cause And because hée will vse this meane to preserue his church we for our partes must be diligent faithful cou ragiouse and constant least we omitte good occasion to bring things to passe being offered Wee séeke the coÌ„ser uation of the Gospell and of the church and for the befendinge of the libertie and dignitie of the King of the Realme and the whole common wealth Who will denie that these are iust and lawfull causes to put on Armour and specially for them to whom that authoritie appertaineth It is méete and necessary ther fore say they that you and we to the vtmost of our pow er and to the spending of our liues do aid and assist the Prince of Conde the rest of the kings officers which haue made a sollemne vow for the defence of the King the Realme and the Church and to be very carefull to giue vnto the Prince of Conde for this cause money fourniture and all maner of warlike prouision whensoeuer he shall require the same In so doing they said this thing should be so profitable for them all that nothing can be more necessary the time being considered And as they thought it to be their dutie to admonish them of these things séeing that now the glory of God the safetie of the Church and the preseruation of humane societie was to be sought for euen so saye they you must not delay the matter being of so great waight by any maner of meanes But forsomuch as all mans helpe is wholely vnprofitable and vaine except wée haue first of all the helpe and ayd of God the aucthor reuenger of this cause We must take héede that wée be diligent in calling vpon God and that we professe
notwithstanding being carefull to defend theÌ„selues euen now of late they had brought soldiours armour into the Citie In the meane time newes was brought to Lyons of the tumult of Valentia almost about that hower in which the sturre was there made Then wente Mongeron from Lyons and by and by Fame reported that Mottecondrin was slaine at Valentia Therefore the faithful thinking it best to behaue theÌ„ selues maÌ„ly they in the night time secretly placed diuers armed soldiers in soÌ„dry places of the coÌ„mon streates at the length when thei had gotten the Townhouse had fortified euery place of the Citie and had taken the Churches they came into Parley with the Brother hood of saint Jhons which were fat and rich priestes who had leaue giuen them to departe out of the Citie vnarmed And so the faithfull had the City to themselues placed certaine péeces of ordinaunce in diuers conuenient places fortified the City After those things they came to Saltain the Liuetenaunt and declared vnto him that they had not done these thinges eyther for contempt of the king or his magistrates but to defend the Citye froÌ„ iniuries of open enemies and to kepe it for the Kynge obeyinge as their dutye required the commaundemeÌ„ts of the Prince of Conde to whom the conseruation of the king and Quéen appertayned and therefore they willed him according to his accustomed maner to proceed in the gouernmeÌ„t of the citie But M. Saltain within a while after forsaking his office got him home to his own house And M. des Adretze in the name of the Prince of Conde tooke vpon him the gouernment of the Citie And when consultacion was made by the Citizens what were best to be done they agréed at the last vpon this That there shuld be chosen out two thousand men of the reformed Religion to kéepe the Citie and that they should be payed their wages both out of the common treasury and also out of Ecclesiasticall liuings That no man should be indammaged or hurt for his religion but that it should be lawful for euery one to liue with his conscience to him selfe Notwithstanding that there should no Masses or other rytes and ceremonies be vsed either within or without the citie That there should be twelue of the chiefest of the reformed Religion ioyned with the Consuls or Aldermen of the Citie And that it should not be lawefull for the Aldermen of the citie to do any thing without their coÌ„sent And thus Lions came wholy into the handes and power of the faithfull After this the people spoyled the popish churches brake the Images and pictures of saincts and other ornamentes belonging to the Masse And it is reported that there were only thrée slaine in the winning of thys so great a citie Lyons being after this manner brought into the handes of the faithfull they tooke also the greatest part of Burgundy Monsieur Tauuanes the Liefetenant séeking in vaine to hinder and let them The newes of these things thus prospering on the Protestants side being spred throughout Fraunce troubled the mynds of the Guises a new and encouraged the Prince of Conde and those of his syde to procéed in their purpose Notwithstandinge the Prince of Conde was very sory that the men of Valentia had slayne M. Mottecondrin and much discommended them for the same Neyther did the Prince of Conde allowe the breakinge downe of Images and the spoyling of other such superstitions the which notwithstanding hée him selfe could not staye when hée was at Orleans the people crying euerywhere that the Idolles which were the causes of all these troubles ought not to be spared and that séeing the defenders of them were so cruell that they would not let to kill liuing men is it not necessary then to ouerthrow those false worshippes of Idols that the Idolatrers themselues mai see their punishments for their abominable wickednesse And the people were not a little displeased with the Prince of Conde for that he seuerely forbad these things to be done Therefore vpon a certayne small rumour of the throwing downe of Idolles which were set vp in a certaine place in the suburbes the fame thereof was by and by spred throughout the whole citie in so much that all men ran to the churches some into one church and some into an other and made such a spoile of Images and other monuments of Idolatry as thogh it had ben so appointed by the kings commaundement or by an Edict this I saye they dyd notwithstanding that the seruauntes of the Prince of Conde did all that they could to staye them And least that the church called Holy Rood Church which was more beautyful should be thus serued and spoyled the Prince of Conde commaunded certayne souldiours to garde the same but they also shutting vnto theÌ„ the church doores began to pull downe the Images and to deface the pictures In the meane tyme the papistes being sorrowefull ran vp and downe the Citie cryed that the kings Edictes were broken At the last the faythefull of the Churche of Orleans where this broyle was with much a do obtayned leaue â—…f 〈◊〉 â—…rince of Conde to haue sermons in the citie yea with importunate sute they went about to obtayne at the laste leaue to haue their Sermons in those Churches in the which the Idoles were defaced But the Prince of Conde said that his purpose was not to deface Idoles but to see that nothing shoulde bée done contrary to the Edict of January for the breaking wherof his aduersaries he sayd being giltie were to be punished But the common voyce notwithstanding of the people was this to him againe Séeing say they the aduersaries of the trueth haue first begoone to extingnish the reformed Religion and to persecute the professors thereof why should we not destroy all false worship And why should they deale coldly which had taken vppon them the defence of the trueth and of the liberty of the Realme séeing that their aduersaries had proclaymed open warres against the truth the Kyng the Realme The affayres of the faythfull going forward as ye sée diuers rumors of them in the meane tyme being brought to the Court the Duke of Guise the Constable Momorencius and the Marshiall of Saint Andrew to the end they might make it séeme a matter of enuy that they were charged to put themselues in Armour to kéepe the Kyng and Quéen captiues as might appéere by the Letters of the Prince of Conde which were spred abrode to that effect they would haue all men they sayd to know that all thinges were done by the authoritie and will of the Kyng and Quéene and that therfore they were falsely sclaundered They offered therfore to the King and Quéene a Supplication to this effect following TO THE intent it may appeare vnto you to the whole worlde that we haue alwayes borne towardes you and towardes the kinges your auncetors of happy memory our soueraigne Lordes a faythfull and louing mind and
of al vanities and wickednes I speake not these things vnaduisedly the Quéene knoweth these things to be true as wel as I. These Suppliants therfore haue made a more pernicious and hurtfull conspiracy to this Realme than euer was that which Sylla which Caesar and which the Triumuiri made And it had by this time caused much mischiefe to be done if I my selfe had not with all my might withstode the same vnto this daye I marueyle that they so impudently contend before the Quéene in wordes and I doe wonder that the Quéene will hearken and agrée to their wordes as though she had neuer heard any thing of their wicked counselles the which truly playnly declareth that she is more than a captiue And truly if she were not afeard to be stifeled or strangeled in her bed which they haue threatned to her as I appeale to her selfe if she may speake her conscience she would not haue giuen her consent to their Supplication but would haue tolde them to their téeth that their couetousnes and Ambition is the cause of all these troubles Séeing therfore at this time the Quéene in so great perill cannot speake of the matter as she would nor restst those which abuse her with feare to bring their purpose to passe I my selfe am constrayned to defend her aucthoritie and the Kinges also to answere to their suppliant petitions in the King and Quéenes name of whose libertie I confesse my selfe to be a defender And why should I not trust that God will prosper my indenours and that good will which he hath giuen to mée and the Kinges faythfull subiectes also doing their duty in so honest and godly a cause 1 First of all they begin with their titles of dignitie séeking therby to get the more aucthoritie and magnificently paynt forth the memory of their actiōs in time past and would haue men to iudge of their minds and meanings by these their actions Truly it is necessary that so glorious a beginning shuld haue as euil base an end set against it And why so They haue very well behaued themselues towards their Kinges they say in times past is that sufficient not only to couer their faultes at this time but also so to countenaunce them that wicked actes shal be taken for meritorious déedes If they haue done any thing profitable or worthy of commendation for their Kings as they haue done nothing so farre as I know if they haue not in all this time receiued their deserued recompence it doth not followe that they should so importunatly craue to bée recompenced at this time to the ruine and destruction of the King and the Realme But they thrée séeke so great ly for their profite and are such carefull followers of gayne that they would not tary so long before they would craue and receiue a reward for their deserts if they euer deserued any thing For probation wherof what say you to this That their profites and yerely re uenewes do amount aboue the summe of two hundred and fiftie thousand french Crownes more than their patrimony beside other helpes On the contrary part let them remember if any of them will say that they haue not ben fully satisfied in all thinges How many good and singular men by their meanes were cast in prison how many Noble families haue ben by them destroyed in the raigne of Henry the second and Fraunce the second In so much that it may euidently appeare that they abused the fauour of those Kinges not onely to the inriching of them selues but also to the reuenging of their malicious mindes to the ruine and destruction of many Wherefore if they will haue their mindes and counsayles as they say to bee examined tried and iudged by their actions in time past go to then and let them haue that triall and iudgement and let them denie if they can whether their doinges haue not ben such that they ought to be reproued and resisted by all the Kynges true and faythfull subiects Further more they saye that the Kyng and the Realme are in great perill and least they should fall into that meuitable destruction they offer vnto him certayne sure remedies but say they with all reuerence and obedience If it should be demaunded of them what were the very cause of this destruction and if they aunswered truly as their conscience beareth them witnesse they must néedes impute the cause and the whole blame hereof vnto themselues For after the proclamation of the Edict of January there was peace throughout all partes of the Realme Now if they will denie that they were not the disturbers and breakers of this peace then they shall denie a thing so manifest that all men can giue testimonie against them For in what state was the kyngdome when the Duke of Guise began warre and committed horrible murther at Uassi To what end were the conspiracies of the Constable and the Marshiall of Saint Andrewes What ment the beastly barbarous rudenes and rude barbarousnesse shewed at Paris For where as they professe their reuerence and obedience to the Kyng how incredible séemeth that in the eares of all men Those thrée often times contemned the Quéenes commaundements as when the Quene commaunded thē to go to their Mannors Lordships when by her commaundement also in tyme ef perill they were sent for to Monceaulx is this to shewreuerence and obedience to the king and quéene They came also contrary to the Quéenes commaundement to Paris with an armye of men and would not departe from thence for any thing that the quene could do either by intreaty or otherwise Whereas I my selfe to obey the quéenes commaundementes went from Paris they abyding in Paris at their pleasure when they had made there al things sure came to the king and quéene with an army of men brought them whether they would or no violentlye from Fontainbleau to Paris I appeale to the conscience of the Quéene for testimony of these things if shée may fréely speake They were fully determined to rule all thinges at their owne pleasure But this is their obedience toward the king which they shewe by the open breaking of the kinges Edictes This is their loue toward theyr countrey to destroy the which they thinke it not sufficient to arme thmselues and theirs except also they cause the aunciente enemyes of the Realme to arme themselues against the same 3 They seke to haue a perpetual edict made for religiō but to what end Whē wée desired to haue the Edict of January kept vntil the king came to sufficient age him selfe they sayd it was a very vnlawfull request adding that the king might order change amplify and restrain the Edictes when and how it pleased him and that we in desiring that the same which was decréed by the king and his Counsell might be kept vntill he came to his full and ripe age went about to make the king a bonde man and to shut him vp as it were into prison which would limitte
his power and authoritye with these exceptions They then saide And now they go about to make that an euerlasting and irreuocable lawe which they thrée themselues haue deuised and decréed Truly we may with better reason and truth conclude that they go about to make the king a captiue and bonâ—…man vnto them not only in this his minoriti but in his maiority also Who séeth not their sondry and contrary deuises Who séeth not that they go aboute not only to haue the king in their handes and to rule him at theyr pleasure but the whole Realme also when as in a mat ter of so great waight and perillouse they dare take vpon them to determine decre what they theÌ„selues list Dyd euer those Triumuiri of Rome namely Augustus Antonius and Lepidus which by their conspiracie peruerted the lawes and the common wealth of Rome any thing more bould and presumptiouse If they had ben moued by the loue of peace as they say and not by the outragiouse heate of sedition if they had ben moued by zeale of Religion and not by the force of ambition they would not haue begon those their counsailes with force and murder they would haue come reuerentlie and modestly they would haue declared the causes whi they could not allow of the Edict of January And they would haue intreated the kinge and quéene to consulte with their CouÌ„sail for the remedeing of those troubles to the glory of God the dignity of the king and the conseruation of the Realme And so they should haue declared that they were moued by zeale of their consciences But while they go about these things they sufficiently declare that they take Religion but for a colloure to the end that they may draw away the Kinges subiectes to take their part that by their help by the help of strauÌ„gers they may bring al things to their rule Can the Princes the kings kinsmen suffer this that strauÌ„gers shal make lawes Edictes to rule the king the whole Realme 4 They require to haue the church of Rome which they call Catholike and Apostolicall to be alone through out the whole Realme and that the vse and administration of the reformed religion should be forbidden Let this be the Edict of the Duke of Guise a straunger of the Constable Momorentius and of the Marshall of saint Andrew the kinges seruauntes Let their willes mindes and decrese be set against the authority of the kinges Edict which the king the quéene the king of Nauar the Princes the kinges kinsmen the kinges Counsel and forty chosen men out of euery court of the realm haue made Let them oppose and set this their Edicte both against the decrées of the nobility and the cominaltye by their supplicatioÌ„ which they offered to the king first at Orleans then at saint German concerning the orderinge of ReligioÌ„ after this maner theÌ„ they must nedes acknowledge and confesse that their Edict will be the cause of ciuil warres and in tyme the destruction of the realme But blinde Ambition carieth them out of the way to bind the king and the Realme to them as they saye by these merits For this I affirme that the Duke of Guise and his brethren can not deny but that while they go about to molest trouble those that are of the reformed Religion what zeale soeuer they pretende they brynge the Realme into greate perill Let them remember what happened of late almost in the same counsel to theÌ„ in Scotland There both sortes of men that is to say both papistes and Protestants liued peaceably obediently vnder the gouernement of the Quéene vntill it was commaunded by the aucthority of the Guises that no other religion should be there receyued then that which is of Rome Then a certen smal nomber of men for this cause being raised and appointed to battaile by the wisdome of the quene and by the help of the Nobility were easely put down again The which thing ought to haue made the Guises sease from their former purpose for feare of greater trroubles whiche would ensue by the meanes of those Edictes But they on the contrary part more obstinately went forwarde with their purpose to hinder the reformed religion writing sharp letters vnto the Quéen because shée shewed hirself so fauourable and perswaded with hir that it was necessary that the principal authours and many of the Noble men should be put to death Therefore to bring that to passe in déed which they vttered in woordes they sent an army of meÌ„ into Scotland with M. Brosseus the Bishop of Atniens At whose comming most seuere Edictes were made coÌ„cerning the obseruation of popish rytes and comming to Masse The Bishop said that he would soone cal those that were gone astray as hée sayd to the obedience of the Church of Rome and monsieur Brosseus said that hée would quickly within few dayes by force of armes put all the rebels to flight And as cruelty hath always couetousnesse ioyned with it they beheld considered the landes and possessions of the noble men and wrot to the Guises that they could both make the people tributary to pay vnto the Frenche king two hundred thousande Crownes and also assigne to a thousand Noble men of France which should continually maintayne warre in Scotland houses and land The Guises hearinge of the which were glad but the Quéene Osellus a noble maÌ„ of Scotland said vnto M. Brosseus that the Scotts could not be so easely coÌ„quered who if they were coÌ„strayned would craue helpe of straungees which imbracinge the same Religion would not desire to haue better occasion to banish the Popes Religion out of Scotland whereby the Kings Royall estate should come in peril But they refusing these admonitions of the Quéene Osellus said that the Quéene with hir facilitie and sufferance would marre all and they called Osellus foole and dastard Ther fore these wise men so wrought that the greatest parte of the nobility gathered vnto them an army of men and within few dayes eyther slewe or put to flight the Papistes and sacrifising priests which if this had not ben might haue liued peaceably And thus thei which before would binde Beares and which triumphed before the victory â–ª did not only dishonour the Duke of Guise but also lost the aucthoritie of the Church of Rome By this example the Guises ought to acknowledge their fault and to leaue of their enterprise also to haue no more in their mouthes these wordes One of those two Religions must be banished the realme and some muste needes giue place to other some These proud words become not subiectes and seruaunts but a king of full and perfect age And whereas they would haue no religion but the Romish religion established within the realme which they go about to defende by force of armes they bring the realme into great perill and daunger And truly it were a great deale better to kéepe both partes in peace and concord and
to vse in stéede of blowes woordes and writings omitting all force warres sheding of blood The which peraduenture will so prouoke God and his vengeance to fal that the papists and priests thēselues which might quietly enioye their offices liuings shal be the first that shal féele the furour and madnesse of the people To be short the protection of the Suppliantes cannot chuse but bring great trouble and garboyle vnto them But when they may be assured of this that they néed not without they will themselues be endāmaged neyther in body office nor goods haue they iust cause to complayne except peraduēture they will say that they were carefull and sory for the losse of our soules But what hath made them so sodenly so carefull when as neyther any one Bishop Curate or popish priest hath laboured or takē any maner of paines to that end Séeing therfore we neuer intended to hurt any of thē what néed was there to bring them into this contention and to pretende the name of the Church Is not this too set one against another and to cause the people whiche before could not abyde those priests to hate thē the more Was there euer a more sorowfull sight séene in thys Realme Can there be any profit benefite or good turn so great that it maye make a sufficient mennes for so great destruction Can the Popes pardones and Indulgences restore the bloud that ▪ is shed for this cause These Suppliantes maye one day say vnto the Kinge that they to defend that which no man gainsayed and to preserue the Romish religion which no man wente about to hinder haue lost or went about to loose the one half of his nobilitie and chiefest of his subiectes Then and that truely it shal be obiected vnto them that as by their fayned and dissembled opinions concerning Religion they had brought the Realme of Scotland into great perill of destruction and caused much bloud too bée shed euen so by the same opinions counsayles and Instruments great discord hath ben sowen in this realm and ▪ both sortes of men set togither as it were by the eares in such sort that they may iustly hereafter amōg all posterities be sayd to be the authours and causes of all mischéeues and calamities which shall happen to the men both of the reformed also of the Romish Religiō And to cause more trouble they would haue all the Kings officers and all Ecclesiasticall persones to professe the confession of their faith and that such as should denie or refuse so to do should be depriued if they were temporall men of their offices if they were priests then to loose their benefices For this is the other Edicte of those thrée Suppliants against the receyued approued lawes of the king For there is no man that can remēber neither hath it ben heard of that any king that hath ben heretofore hathe constrayned hys true Subiectes to receiue any other confession of faith than that which is in the Apostels Créede Let that Lawmaker by whose craftie and subtill witte these their supplications were made bring forth but one only example The which truely he cannot do except hee will bring into this Realme the Inquisition of Spaine the which by the iudgement of all other Nations is counted so wicked that they all reiect the same These are the very same trappes and snares which they layd at Aurelias otherwise called Orleans a little before the death of Kyng Fraunces the second and which cannot chuse but bring the extreame ruine and destruction of the kyngs subiectes For those Suppliants know that there are ten thousand Noble men and a hundered thousand souldiours which neither by authority nor by force will forsake that Religion which they haue receiued and wyll not suffer the preaching of the woord and the administration of the Sacraments according to the forme of Religion which they professe to be taken from them and will defend themselues with the sword against them which abuse the aucthoritie of the Kings name That great number cannot be ouercome and destroyed which God forbid without the anoyance and ruine of those that shall set vppon them And to conclude the matter briefely I saye and affirme in the name of the Noble men Gentlemen and of many others which are here with me that this Decrée is made by thrée priuate men which by their authoritie peruert the kynges Edictes and make no accompt of them and to put their decrée in execution before they made the Kyng and Quéene acquaynted with their doinges they put themselues in armour and tooke them both captiue I say and affirme that the same Decrée is against the lawes of this Realme against all Christian order against the State against the Edict of January which was only made for this cause against the dignitie safetie of many of the kings subiects whose enemies they openly shew themselues to be whose goods and life they séeke to take away and all vnder the pretence of Religion conscience This decrée also taketh away the liberty of going to a Counsaile the which should haue ben considered by that subtill counsayler For if it be decréed that the same confession which they call the confession of the Faith shal be receiued of all the inhabitants of this Realme that is to say if all men be constrained to receiue the Popes doctrine and ceremonies this must néedes be a plaine sentence of condemnation against the reformed church neither is it then lawfull for our Ministers or for the Ministers of forreine Nations imbracing the same doctrine to go vnto a Counsaile when as they being not heard are condem ned But before the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Loraine his brother bring forth the decrée concerning the confession of the Romish faith let them renounce denie many speciall poynts of the confession made at Ausburge which when they were at Sauern they said thei imbraced promised to one of the Princes of Germany that they would cause them to be obserued in Fraunce It is néedfull also that the Cardinall of Loraine should declare by open writing whether he do persist in that opinion which sometime he said to the Quéene before a great many witnesses concerning Transubstantiatiō concerning the carying about of the Sacrament concer ning Iustification Inuocation of Saints Purgatory Images and concerning many other speciall points also of which he spake plainely against the iudgment of the Catholique and Apostolique church of Roome 6 ▪ Furthermore in that supplication straight after this they call to mind the throwing downe of Images require that the same Images be repayred and the breakers of them be punished But thervnto I make this answere The punishments wherwith I punish them which brake downe Images first in diuers places at the last in Orleans shall witnesse before God men that this misdemeanor of the rash multitude al wayes displease me both for that it was contrary to the Edict of
January also against the forme of y League othe taken of vs not long since But if that deiection of Images deserueth any punishment because any such fact is contrary to the kyngs Edict what punishments then deserue they which so greatly abuse the kinges name that vnder the coullour therof they coÌ„mit great wickednesse as may appere by the coÌ„mitted murthers at Uassi at Sens at Paris at Tholoz and in many other places He that preferred this Supplication shuld first of all haue considered and remembered himselfe that it is read in no place that a dead Image requireth vengeance but it is read that the bloud of a slaine man which is the liuely Image of God cryeth and calleth for the vengeance of God and doth at the last cause the same to fall vppon the bloudshedders 7 Moreouer those Suppliants or rather commaunders require that they may vnarme themselues which without the commaundement of the king of Nauar put on the same and that they should be counted for Rebels and enemies to the King and the Realme I would glad ly demaund of them which thinke them selues so wise and saye that they séeke for the peace of the common wealth if that be not the way to cut of all hope of concord when they require that I and they that are with me should be counted Rebelles and enemies to the king and the Realme For they say not Let them which wyll not put of their Armoure but which haue put on Armour be accounted the Kinges enemies They which poynt requireth another maner of aunswere than by writing But I trustw tin these few daies to sée them to disputâ—… w titheÌ„ by the dynt of sword whether it be méete for strauÌ„gers two such meÌ„ as they are to iudge a Prince the kings néere kinsman the chiefest part of the Nobility of FrauÌ„ce to be rebels enemies to the king the Realme And let not them pretend the name of the king of Nauar to whom they in the former kinges dayes were sworne enemies They abased him all that they could and caused him to be little regarded of the king hys right and dignity being suppressed in matters of great waighte They cannot deny but that of late dayes when they went about to vsurp the gouernement of the Realme by their meanes it was brought to passe that whatsoeuer the king of Nauar required was denyed al occasion to rule and gouerne either in tyme of war or peace being taken from him and to discharge their spitefull stomacks in the dayes of king Fraunce lately disceased they made him to be lesse estemed then a man of meane state and condition being sent for to Orleans with thretnings and commaundement giuen to Noble men that they should not entertaine him at his cumminge also Marshall Tremen béeinge sent with two armies one of horsemen another of foote men was commaunded to take and â–ª spoyle all his Dominion and to cal the straunger to the pray And when thei saw that their deuise and purpose was let by the soden death of king Fraunces yet notwithstanding they sought by all meanes possible to be deliuered of him and would haue kept him from hauing any authority to rule or gouerne The Duke of Guise openly sayd that he would not departe from the Court neyther at the intreaty nor yet at the commaun dement of the king of Nauar The Marshall of S. Andrew euen in middest of the kinges Counsaile said that be knew no other king or Quene And now they abuse the name of the king of Nauar whoÌ„ they haue so much abused heretofore vnder the pretence wherof they seke the ruin and destruction of his owne naturall brother And they go about to bring to passe that whereas the kinge of Nauar is now beloued of all the Nobilitye of Fraunce he may here after be hated of al that they at the length may spyâ—…te out their venemouse hatred at the full vppon him These are their practises and herevnto tend all their deuises and Counsailes 8 Whereas they require that the king of Nauar wil bend all his force to bring these thinges to passe they plainly euough declare eyther great impudency or els an earnest desire to hinder peace and coÌ„cord For seinge they are fully determined to subdew all those of the reformed Religion to their willes by force of armes they should haue kept it close in secret to themselues vntill we â—…ad bin vnarmed But séeing they do so plainly declare vnto vs their meaning wée will take héede that we be not circumuented and beguiled that is to say we will not vnarme our selues but vpon very sure con ditions and cautions 9 Furthermore they require that by the sentence and wisedome of the Senate of Paris al other things might be added supplied to the making of the Edict Whereby they euideutly shewe in what estimation â–ª they haue the Quéene the king of Nauar and the kings Counsell But I maruaile wherfore they haue no regard of those wise and graue men to vse their Counsell â–ª whom they chose of late to be of the Kinges Counsaile â–ª I doubt not but that ther are in the senate of Paris good men which are nothing inferiour to those of the Senate heretofore in vertue in wisedome and in religion But those thrée Suppliantes haue so handled the matter by bying and selling of offices and by other vnlawfull meanes the the greater number of the Senate are subiect to the Guises so that the voyce of the smaller number â–ª quayleth For probation whereof we haue this The Senat of Paris refused to coÌ„firme that Edicâ—… which was made at that petition of the thrée estates of the Realme and sollemnely confirmed by all the Parliaments and Courtes of the Realme notwithstanding that the kyng him selfe sent his letters and Messengers twise vnto them but of late by the simple commaundement of the kynges Letters another Edict which is contrary to that former Edict in many thinges was by them preferred without any maner of stay This is the hope that we haue of their good and wholesome counsaile 10 To be short they adde this request that the Cities might be yéelded vp againe to the kyng and the Inhabitants therof sworne a new vnto him They woulde bring to passe earnestly séek as they did in the daies of kyng Fraunces the second lately disceased to perswade men that they are the kynges enemies which cannot abide their tirany The Duke of Guise and his bretheren should hold themselues content with this that they haue once already vsed these subtill meanes to the offence of many good men when as they pretented and abused the kyngs name to defend themselues agaynst their enemies If any man were of them suspected to be their enemie â—…ither for that he had at any time spoken vnreuerently of them or for any other cause he was cast by and by into prison was reported to be an enemie to the kyng and to the Realme And because
those their subtil flightes haue once had good successe and haue bene by them abused to the destruction of many if God had not prouided for the same they wold now put them in prac tise againe although there is not one of those which taketh our part which would not willingly spend bestowe all that he hath his life to in the seruice of the kyng yet notwithstanding they call â—…e Rebelles the kynges enemies There is I say not one of vs which would not most gladly for the preseruation of our king whom we alone singularly loue serue reuerence as the only gift of God spend bestowe his life There is none of vs which hath put him self in armour to requier any thing of the Quéen or of the king of Nauar. We require no other kyng whom we may acknowledge reuerence as our liedge Lord Soueraigne Neither do wee require to haue him and his authoritye in our hands We desire not to haue tributes customes taxes other payments due to him to be made to be eased diminished nay on the contrary part we not only haue not refused to beare any burthen that hath ben layed vp pon vs but do also now of our owne accord promise vnto the king to giue vnto him whatsoeuer he wil require so far forth as our goodes wil extend The Cities which are blamed as Rebelles haue not forsaken or changed their Soueraigne they gladly acknowledge al obedieÌ„ce to the kyng They haue not put themselues in armoure against the King such wickednes be farre from them neither haue they sought by force to make the King and his authoritie subiect vnto them But they we haue put our selues in armour against the Guises the Constable and the Marshiall of S. Andrew that with such discre tion modesty that we séeke neither their bloud goods nor offices Therfore they which shall say that we haue put our selues in Armour against the kyng shall impudently lie or els those Suppliants attribute to them selues the kyngs name dignitie But they which shal counsell perswade the king to giue vnto them his authority souldiers money although warre were enter prised against him shal truly one day make an accoÌ„pt of those their couÌ„selles shall declare who hath caused the king the Realme to contend who also hath spent the kings money contrary to the lawes of the Realme And I trust it will so fall out that the goodes which they haue taken out of the Kings treasury to mayntain warres wil be one day repayed againe out of their substance both to the profite of the Kyng and also to the easing and disburthening of the people 11 Last of all they protest that they are ready to goe home to their owne priuate houses yea to the vtmost partes of the world if néede should require and to the end we should not be ignorant they assigne the time of their departure saying When these thinges are fulfilled and brought to passe that is to say When the Edict of January by their priuate authoritie is openly broken when the reformed Religion is wholy abrogated with the preaching of the word of God and the administration of Sacraments when our consciences shal be subiect to the vexatioÌ„ of straunge doctrine wheÌ„ al they that haue im braced the reformed ReligioÌ„ shal be put to sileÌ„ce made subiect to the furor outragions madnes of their enemies being in dauÌ„ger of their liues if they liue otherwise than they would haue them and to vse their owne wordes if they shall liue without offence that is to say if they will come to Masse and to other popish ceremonies this they call to liue without offence These are the conditions which we may looke for at their handes This is their discréete counsaile ¶ But let vs now procéede a little farther and let my petition be ioyned and compared with theirs which I now make as followeth I require the obseruation of the Edict of January they on the contrary part would haue the same abolished They desire the subuersion ruine of many Noble families and of others also I desire that al the kings subiects of what estte or condition soeuer they be of should be in safty stil inioye their goodes liuinges and to be deliuered from all iniury violence and oppression They goe about to kyll and destroye all those of the reformed Religion I séeke to preserue them vntill the Kyng shall come to ryper age to iudge and determine of the whole matter as shall séeme best vnto him and in the meane time I desire that both parts may liue quietly that the papistes may enioy their liuings reuenewes with safety They séeke to deale by open violence not caryng to begin ciuill warre séeking by forrayne ayd to destroy vs spending the kings treasure to the destruction both of the king and also of the realme wherby we are constrayned to defend our selues I neyther desire warres neither do I spend the kinges treasure neither do I séeke the helpe of straungers nay I re fused them alwais hitherto when they haue offered me their seruice so wil I doe still except I be thereunto greatly constrayned by these authours of warres I desire to haue armour put of on both partes do promise that all those which are of my part shal be obedient and that loue and the reuerence which we owe to the king shal more preuail with vs thaÌ„ force of armes for whose preseruation we are ready to spend all that we haue They desire that we may be counted rebells and open enemies our cause not heard yea they séeke our bloud our offices our goods and our consciences We neyther séeke their bloud their offices their goods nor their consciences This only we séeke for at their hands to whoÌ„ wée will be bound that they and wée will go home euery man to his own house according to the tenor of those conditions which we haue more copiously declared in the Instrument which we sent to the King and Quéene con cerning this matter Neyther can they complayne say that they are hereby dishonored séeing that we submit our selues to the same conditions Our peticion is alike without any manner of inequalitie we desire nothing but that which is indifferent for both partes séeing that they theÌ„selues came otherwise then they ought to haue come to the king and were the causes of these troubles by their vntimely vsurping of armour And they haue violently assaulted so many good men that although our petitions are not alike and so indifferent yet notwithstanding it should be expedient for the peace tranquillitie of the realme to haue rather regard consideration of many men than of a few least the whole kingdome for these causes be brought into peril of ciuill warres But although there be no comparison betwéene these two peticions séeing the one is iust and equal but the other vniust and violent
of Conde the remouing of the Guises and his adherents from the Court and the obseruation of the Edicte of Ianuary throughout the whole Realme the which two thinges were the principall poyntes of the petition of the Prince of Conde Therfore the Prince of Conde when he was retourned againe to Orleans and had told the whole matter to his confederats sent letters to the Quéene the xi day of Iune certifying her that according to her commaundement he had declared the whole matter to all those that were his adherents had conferred with them concerning the finding out and deuising wayes for peace and concord Who when they had wisely wayed and considered all thinges gaue their sentence thus That there could be no firme or certaine wayes for peace concord deuised so long as the contrary part their enemies beset the King and her with souldiours ruled them both by violence insomuch that not onely all hope to pacifie thinges is taken away therby but also good occasion is offered vnto vs to feare least all thinges waâ—…e much worse than they now be séeing that they vppon whom the Kyng and Quéene do wholely depend do vnder the pretence of the Kings name authoritie séeke to work their willes and do accuse men of those things whereof they themselues are most of all giltie Therfore sayth he they earnestly desire of you that you would not take it in euil part if they abide in that their former pâ—…rpose séeing they haue now put them selues in Armour to defend them selues from the force of those enemies least in very déede they which haue declared them selues to be enemies should be also Iudges of the cause in controuersie For it was neuer séene in any assembly that when any matter is obiected against many men they should by absence not beâ—… suffered to haue their cause to be iudged examined Is it méete that they shuld be absent specially at that time when matters of so great waight come in question as when they are burthened to be enemies to the glory of God to the Kinges liberty authority also to the common peace Wheras they ar maintainers therof their accusers of such enimies Wherfore they say except they may be permitted to come in presence to cléere them selues of these crimes there is no other waye to be looked for than by force of Armes Also wheras you said being first taught of those enemies that it could not be that the Edict of Ianuary should be obserued the people being armed to break the same it séemeth to them to be no lesse vnreasonable than the other For what can be more vnreasonable than this that the common sort of people should not only defend these opinions without law to maintaine the same but also being of all the Kynges subiectes the very rascall sort should put on Armour both to breake the Kynges Edictes and also to rule and gouerne the Kyng at their pleasure Notwithstanding this they know that séeing that Edict was made and established by a notable and singular assembly of Noble wise and learned men after that matters on both partes were wisely considered of the Nobillitie of Fraunce will not suffer themselues to haue such ignominy neither yet straungers to break the Kings Edicts to make new Edicts at their owne pleasure These things being of her wisely considered she may iudge whether it be méete that the consciences of the kyngs faithfull subiects should be tyed to the wils of factious men and of the outragious multitude or what concord is to be hoped for of them which tooke away all power of gouernement from the Quéene her selfe and whether it be to be suffered that they shoulde haue the Kinges power at their commaundement any longer which séeke to appresse those that defend and mayntaine the Kings authoritie and his lawes Finally she may iudge whether it be more méete that they go home to their owne houses or whether by their presence they bring the kyngs State into perill the which all men sée they will sooner do than they will loose on iot of their wills The which notwithstanding he sayth he trusteth to let with the helpe of God the mayntainer defender of all right And to conclude séeing there was no other way to bréede peace and concord than for the Guises and his adherents to depart from the Court hée prayed the Quéene that she would bring the same to passe the necessity of the time greatly requiring the same He wrote Letters also to his Brother the Kyng of Nauar to this effect ALTHOVGH saith he I might long ago sée some part of those calamities which I now sée to be imminent yet notwithstanding I may truly affirme this that I now sée far greater miseries than euer I feared would come to passe For both the conscience and testimony of the integrity of the reformed Churches and al so of the naturall and louing inclination that I haue séene to be in you beside the testimony of all my actioÌ„s had perswaded me that you they which ar the authors of those troubles being compared with me whom God hath so aduaunced to honour that I am your owne naturall brother would rather follow the loue of brotherly coniunction than the subtill perswasions of those which neuer sought for any thing but their owne aduauncement and your destruction And truly I am not altogether without hope of the same what occasion so euer at this time I haue to thinke to the contrary And for this cause alone I haue now written vnto you my letters not so much with pen and inke as with teares distilling from mine eyes For what can happen vnto me more lamentable sorrowful than to vnderstand that you should be a sworne enimie vnto him which wold be the first that would aduenture his body to defende you from harme that you should go about to take away his life which came of the same parents that you came of which will neuer refuse most gladly to spend his life for your preseruation Consider I pray you diligently wey with your selfe whether there caÌ„ be ani thing which ought to moue you to so great hatred against nature If the matter bée for religion there is no man that can better iudge thaÌ„ you whether it be méete conuenient to violat breake the bonde of nature humanitie for religion which the very Barbarians wil neuer doe Although ye cannot imbrace and receiue all the points of our Religion yet notwithstanding I am fully perswaded of this that your nature disposition is such that you do abhorre so great horri ble cruelties committed against vs so far you are from being the author cause therof If the matter concerne the Kings dignitie authoritie who is there next after you and your children to whom the gouernement more appertayneth than vnto me Iudge I hartely pray you who is most carefull for the state whether he that offereth all lawful condicions to
haue the matter quieted or thei which had rather bring al things into present peril daunger than to forsake their armour which most vniustâ—…y they haue put on and to followe peace which they haue vngodly forsaken Iudge I beséeche you if thâ—… matter came thereunto that they had destroyed them whom they perceyue to resiste their ambition in what state should the kingdome then stande the kéeper protector wherof you are and of what power you should be of to defend and preserue the same If the matter ' concerne your dignitie you may call to mind what manner of persons they are which scarce two yeres since were not contented not only to take away your dignitie but sought your life also And whether they haue since that time chaunged their mindes I cannot tell time truely will reueale but thus much I protest for my selfe that the obedience which I owe vnto you I will performe shew while life doth last vpon condicion that he may bée made equall with those which are neither so néere vnto you by bloud nor yet so borne to obey you as hée is Neuerthelesse you shal graunt me leaue to be ignorant how they can be your friends who are not content agayn to séeke to put your brother to death except thye make you the minister and instrument of their hatred But wey consider that I haue spoken these things not for myne own cause but for the glory of Gods sake for the loue of my countrey and in respect of you before you procéed any further to set vpon him which by the bond of nature is no lesse carefull and louing vnto you than you are to your self for as by the leaue of God hée wil neuer cease to doe his dutie vnto you euen so hée had rather suffer death than to wishe those calamities which will follow this contention which way soeuer the victory shall encline But and if the authours of these troubles which ought to submit them selues to reason and equitie doe prosecute their counsells being not restrayned by you to whom God hath giuen authoritie we trust by the help of God the defence of whose glory wée will séeke to the shedding of the last drop of our bloud that you shall behold that euent which shall euidently declare vnto you the endes of all their counsails and shal also certifie you how faythfull a harte not only I but this whole assembly also haue borne to you next vnto God and the King and Quéene The Prince of Conde sent with his letters also the summe of his petitions briefly contayned in writing in maner and forme following I think saith he that these are conuenient and necessary meanes and waies to auoyd the perturbations and troubles which hange ouer the realm the which I propound by the leaue of the King and Queen For so much as before thei began their counsail which were the first that put themselues in armour and which as yet kéepe the Kinge in their custodie by force of armes all thys whole realme began to enioy peace and tranquillitie concerning religion men of both sorts of religioÌ„ thinking themselues in very good case by the benefite of the Edicte made in the moneth of January last past with the aduise and consent of the Princes the kings kinsmen of the Kings Counsaill and by the consent of all the most notable men of all the kingdome and experience will shewe that without the obseruation of that Edict there cannot be peace and concord kept among the kings subiectes First of all I require this that the same Edicte of January according to the forme thereof be obserued and kept without alteration of the same vntill the determination of another Parliament or vntil such time as the King himself by lawfull age shal be able to take vpon him the gouernement of the Realm and to order the matter according to his owne discretion to whome I and my CoÌ„federates doo yéeld ourselues in such wyse to obey that if it should please the King to take from vs the benefite of the reformed Religion we would also alter our purpose and obey Secondly that al violent actes on both partes coÌ„mitted since the time that they put themselues in armour may be punished and that whatsoeuer hath bene done and constituted since that time may be quite abolished and taken away because the mindes of the Kinge and Quéene were and are captiued by the Guises And because the coÌ„ming of the Guises of the Constable and of the Marshal of S. Andrewe into the Court and many of their déedes which they did are the only causes of these tumults I can sée no other way to bring peace and concord then to haue theÌ„ to depart from the court The which I desire not for that I for my owne parte beare vnto theÌ„ any euill will but to the end the King Quéene may haue their liberty that the Quéene may haue her authority in gouerning the kingdome that the Edictes may be obserued that there may be some con sideration regard had of mée of those which attend vpon me of all the reformed Churches which otherwise stand in great feare I desire therfore that the Guises the Constable and the Marshall of S. Andrew may laie aside their armour and that they may go home to their owne Lordships vntill the kinge come to more perfite age And I promise that I and they which are with mée shall do the like And to the end the matter may be sene to be spoken in good faith I wil giue my Eldest Sonne in hostage and al the rest of my children to be most precious pledges of my faithfull meaning These are the most equall and indifferent pledges that I could deuise And I protest that I will put away all causes of debate and enmity that appertayned to me and the Guises for the kinge and Quéenes sake The which Conditions if they be reiected I sai and affirme the which also I haue oftentymes protested that not I but they are the authours of al those calamities and miseries which by reason of all these Ciuill warres haue happened vnto mée who haue reiected these conditions to the present peril of the kingdome ¶ The fyfth Booke of Commentaries concerning the state of the common wealth and Religion in Fraunce vnder the raigne of King Charles the ninth THESE peticions and admonitioÌ„s of the Prince of Conde to coÌ„corde tooke no place but were lightly regarded whereby the matter daylye waxed worse worse The quene could neyther retaine her authoritie neyther did shée care at the length to haue the same And whereas at the first shée was drawne away from the Prince of Conde through feare shée became now through effeminate rashnes and inconstancy a bitter enemye to him and his cause The Kinge of Nauar being vtterly blinded and bereâ—…t of iudgement was so inflamed with wrath and greate indignation against his brother and his adherents also against the reformed Churches as
though he had neuer heard any thing concerning the truth neyther yet had had experience of the mindes of the Guises Therfore he was wholely led and caried by the Guises whethersoeuer they would haue him who to make him more sure on their side insâ—…ared him with harlots and with other intiseing vaine pleasures in the which they perceiued the King of Nauar to haue most delight He therefore fulfilling the minds of the Guises in euery point stoutly thondred out the Kings authority against the Prince of Conde and his fellowes These were the first beginninges of this Ciuill warre the kingedome and the Church of God being cast into great extremities â–ª So greatly may the subtil deuises of vngodly men disturbe the societie of the godly vnlesse the prouidence of God do gouern the euent and pronide a prosperouse ende amiddest so great outrage There were certain letters brought in the kings name to the Prince of Conde to his fellowes the which promised peace vnto them after a sort vpon these coÌ„dicions namely If the Prince of Conde and his fellowes according to their former coÌ„maundement froÌ„ the king wold out of hand vnarme themselues and would yéeld vp into the Kings power their cities The which if thei wold doo the Guises the Constable the Martial of S. Andrewe promised as they had also done before that they would go home to their houses Also that the King of Nauar should haue at his commaundement all maner of Artillery and should take and chuse out of the armye of the Prince of Conde for the vse of the King and the realme whatsoeuer séemed good vnto him To these thinges if they would yéeld and graunt the King would forgyue pardon their offence in putting themselues in armour and would leaue to euery man the frée vse of Religion so that euery man should liue peaceably at home without receyuing of any hurt for Religion This was don the twelueth day of June the Martial Vielle and the aarle Villarius being sent with the letters for this matter To these letters the Comparteners of the Prince of Conde made this aunswer First We render all humble thanks to your Maiestie for that you seeme to haue so great a care and coÌ„sideration for our peace and safety But whereas it is thought that the putting of our armour would be a great cause of the same it séemeth too vs otherwise for that you stand in néed of our ayd against those which séeke the destruction of you of your realme and of your faithful subietces For by these meanes we may séeke to restore your Maiestie and your mother too that liberty authority which ye had before the Duke of Guise came into the court It séemeth vnto vs at this time that neyther you nor your mother are at libertie as may be perceyued by the effects This we request that the Edict of January may be generally obserued kept throughout the Realme that in certayne places in the which there is most daunger of sedition the faithful mai haue leaue to haue their Temples within the Cities that the Guises the Constable and the Marshiall of S. Andrew may depart from the Court and that they come not into the same agayn nor haue any maner of gouern ment of the kingdom during the Kings minoritie Also that whatsoeuer hath ben done by the kings counsaile from that time since the which the Guises haue kept the King and Quéen in their custody by force of armes may be boyd and of none effect Furthermore wée request that the Cardinall of Ferrar a prâ—…uoker and mouer of warres may forthwith depart the Realme and spéede him to Rome and that he certefie the Pope that if hée will appoint a common counsell either at Lions Auinion or Bezance they were ready by the Kinges leaue to come to that Counsell But whereas it is sayd that wée shall haue pardon for putting on armour there séemeth to vs no cause why we should need any pardone Since we haue not horne armour against the king but for the King yea wée are sofarre fâ—…om deseruing blame herefore that wee rather deserue all commendation prayse and rewarde Which shall well appeare to the Kinge when hée commeth to that rypenesse of yeares that he may iudge of our merites and well deseruing vntill which time we desire that the writings of the Prince of Conde and of the Triumuiri might be registred in all the Courtes of Paris Moreouer it séemeth not necessary vnto vs that any manner of artillerie should be taken awaye onely it is necessary to bring to passe that the Triumuiri which are the authours and causes of the war and these troubles do lay asyde their armour for wée desire nothinge more than peace As for the Cities which we haue fortified we doe and will euer acknowledge them to be the Kings And wée vtterly mislike that the Triumuiri sould bring into the Realme any forrain power Wherefore we desire not that the armies of forrein Princes be brought into the realm but that they would only be suerties for the performance of the Condicions Therefore we desire the Emperour the Princes Electors the Quéenes of England and Scotland the King of Spaine the common wealth of Vennize and the Switzers to giue their warrantise and suertiship for the performance of these condiâ—…ions These thinges notwithstanding were attempted in vayne mens myndes on both sydes béeing inflamed to warres The Prince of Conde and those of his syde trusted to the goodnesse of their cause howbeit they sought all that they coulde for peace and concorde althoughe both in number and also in courage they farre excéeded their aduersaries perswading themselues to haue the victorye The Guises and hys fellowes greatly leaned to the Kinges authoritie and had in their custodye the Kinges treasure So that what with their own subtill practises and what with the helpe of the Kinge of Nauar they brought many things to passe For the kings name and authority carieth with it such a maiestie and reuerence throughout the whole Realme of Fraunce as euer the name of a king hath done or may in any Kingdome the subiectes hauing in them a certaine naturall loue as it were ingraffed By which name how greatly the Guises haue preuailed experience hath taughte The Guises also were holpen by the Spaniards by the Italians and by the Swizers whâ—…se helpe the Guises required euen wheÌ„ they tooke their couÌ„saile first to begin warres The Guises had also on their part the Citie of Paris the Senate the people and many other great and mightie Cities So that they were very strong on both partes insomuch that all thinges considered it was not easie to be diâ—…erned which was the stronger part At this first beginning the Prince of Conde his part were both in number and courage far surpassing the Guises but the Guises and his adherents excéeded the other part in pollicie and subtill sleightes Notwithstanding God did so moderate
he attempted no maner of force because of the letters that came in the meane time The sixe and twenty day following the Guises the Constable and the Marshall of Saint Andrew departed from their Campes And by by word was brought to the Prince of Conde that those thrée accordinge to the forme of the peticion were departed from their armie home to their houses When the Prince of Conde vnderstoode this he came to the King of Nauar to Baugence with a fewe only attending vppon him Wherevppon he was brought through the middest of the host in al the hast to a village called Talsiac wher the Quéene aboade and betwene Baugence that Uillage Talsiac were placed certain Garrisons of soldiers When he came to the Quéene he was of her very louingelye entertained and had many faire promises made him and by request easely obtayned leaue of her that certain of his fellowes might come vnto that place both to the end they might salute her and also that they might conferre and talke togither concerninge concord and peace In the meane tyme woord was brought to the frendes and fellowes of the Prince of Conde that the Guises the Constale and the Marshall of Saint Andrew abode still at Chastellodune which was not far distant from Talsia where the Quéene and the Prince of Conde abode and certaine letters also of the Dukeeof Guise to the Cardinall of Loraine his Brother were taken by the way and brought to them Of which letters this is the summe word for word as they were written I send vnto you this messenger in all hast possible to certefie you that all thinges were yesterday finished And know you this also for certaine that many are blinded and deceiued very much Our Mother and her brother sweare that they will not forsake vs and that they will followe no other Counsell than the Counsayle of such whom you know To be short the reformed Religion if we behaue our selues wisely as we mean to do will haue a fall Ye and our Admirall shall haue euill successe All our power remayneth still whole but theires is broken and dispersed our Cities are rendred vp againe without any maner of mencion of preaching or of the administration of Sacraments This messenger which I send vn to you is trustie There came also to the hands of the Prince of Conde by the meanes of one of the kyng of Nauars houshold seruaunts a note in writing of the Duke of Guises left with the Kyng of Nauar for a remembraunce to this effect Let there be no obligation made for Religion See that the pledge be kept in any wise Concerning the rendering vp of the Cities let there be no delay Order the matter wisely Suffer them in no wise to come any neerer to Orleans Let vs be diligently certefied and admonished of all things These forewarnings greatly troubled the Prince of Conde and his adherents they sawe that he was fallen into the handes of his enemies so that there was great daunger on euery side Notwithstanding his friendes thinking it not good to delay the matter and to suffer the Prince to be in perill when they had giuen the Captaines charge to be vigilant and to haue their souldiers in a redines came to the Queene The principall wherof were these the Admirall the Andelot Monsuer Porcia Monsuer Rochfocald Monsuer Rohan Monsuer Genluis Monsuer Grammontius Monsuer Soubizius and Monsuer Piennius These saluted the Quéene and were very louingly entertayned of her She gaue vnto them thankes for their great diligence and paines for her and the kynges prifite at that time insomuch that she sayd they had pre serued her life and the kyngs the which their merits deseruing honour pryce the sayd she wold neuer or get Then they declared to the Quéene with what fidelitie they had serued the Kyng with their body goods vnder the Prince of Conde they shewed vnto her the equitie of their cause which at that time was in controuersie and their earnest care also which they had for the preseruation of the kynges dignitie and the peace profite of the whole Realme Whereuppon they most hartely prayed and beséeched the Quéene that they might not preferre the immaginations of a few men before those things which appertayned to the glory of God and the safetie of the Realme For God saye they will defend euery good cause and seuerely punish all kind of wickednes which are committed against the Kyngs Edicts abusing the Kinges name therunto For himselfe also the Prince of Conde protested that it séemed very straūge vnto him that some shuld be had in such estimation and no regard at all to be had of him which was not only néere of kin to the king whereas the other were straungers and but seruants to the kyng but also had offered all maner of indifferent conditions and submission Wherefore he sayd it was now high time to prouide some remidies to resist and repell those calamities at hand The Quéene being before instructed concerning euery thing what answere she should make began not to answere to those things which were spoken by the Prince of Conde but to declare That the number power and authority of those was very great which followed and imbraced the Church of Roome and they haue the sword in their hands sayth she and are fully determined to defend that Religion which all former kings haue receiued and imbraced so that they meane this shal be the principall condition among the rest for concord and peace That there be no other Religion obserued followed throughout the whole Realme than the Catholique Religion of Roome But the Prince of Conde in the name of the rest replied that they did not plead their owne priuate cause but whatsoeuer had ben done by them vntill that day was done first for the defence of the kynges libertie and authoritie and secondly for a common wealth and herevppon they put themselues in armour at the first by the Quéenes commaundement for the which cause they did not care if they spent their goods liues so that the kyngs Edict might be obserued and kept wherby euery man might haue leaue to vse the reformed Religiō and the libertie of their conscience without the benefite wherof they thought them selues to be but dead Insomuch that if they in whom so great a number of faithfull did repose their trust for the handling of these matters should so much ouershoote themselues and forget their dutie that they should agrée to those thinges which were so repugnant to the glory of God and the common profite of all men it could not be auoyded but that they should be counted of all men forsakers contemners of the glory of God of the kings dignitie and safetie of the cōmon peace tranquillity of the realme The which rather then it should come to passe shoulde cause them to forsake the realm before they would agrée to those so vniust
repressed by Monsuer Cursol whoÌ„ the King sent for the same purpose and by the helpe of the reformed churches notwithstanding that Monsuer Sommeriue the gouerners Sonne of Prouince and many Noble men and diuers other in authority for bicause of the Guises assisted those lewde persones Neuerthelesse the Gouerner of Prouince Counte de Tende of Sauoy openly maintained the faithfull and being oftentymes assaulted by his Sonne came in great peril of his life Therfore Monsuer Sommeriue so soone as he heard that warrs should begin fortyfied the Cities of greatest trust as Marseile Aiigues and others gathered togither so great an armie as he could and euery where euell intreated the faithfull Thus the matter daily waxing woorse and woorse and both partes being bent to battaile the faithfull also gathered an Armie with no small nomber of soldiers and captained â–ª but they had small store of great goonnes and of cities out of which they were excluded by the subtil practises of the papistes Their Captaines were these Monsuer Cardet Monsuer Bari Monsuer Panard and Monsuer Mouans a very good and expert captaine These marching forth with their armies came to Pertus and beséeged the same and for want of greate goonnes they intended to vndermind the citie Notwith standing when they heard of the comming of their enemies which in dede were mani mo in nomber they raised their séege and came to Cesteron which at that time they themselues possessed But while Monsuer Sommeriue intended to follow and pursue them behold hée got a new occasion to commit great wickednesse There was at Auinion which was a towne belonging to the Popes iurisdiction or territory and of great wealth a certain man called Fabricius Cerbello of Bononia béeing Gouernour of the same towne expert in the warres the Bishop of Romes Nephew and a mortall enimye to the reformed religion This man intreated Monsuer Sommeriue by his letters that for so much as he had already an army prepared he would come out of hand to Orenge which is a Noble citie and the Lordship or seignorie of the house of Nassau to the whiche there came dayly a great multitude of Huguenotes who vnlesse they were oppressed euen at the very first not only Auinion which bordered vpon the same should be endammaged but also all Prouence should thereby receiue great detriment Therefore by this mans aduise and counsel â–ª Mon sieur Sommeriue marched with his armie toward Orenge and had this occasion offered vnto him easely to assault the same Monsieur Parpalia of Auinion Lord chief Iustice of the Parliament of Orenge returning from Lions was taken at Bourg which is a towne in Languedoc néere vn to the riuer called the Rosne the inhabitants of the same towne being sworne enemies to the reformed religioÌ„ Therefore to deliuer and redéeme this Parpalia the inhabitants of Orenge and the borderers thereabouts leauing a small garrison to kéepe the Citie came in battail array to Bourg Whereupon the army of Monsieur Someriue being ayded with many of Dolpheny and AuinioÌ„ whose Captain was Monsieur Suze a notable enemy to the reformed Religion besieged the Citie of Orenge being voyd of men to defend the same battered the walles thereof with ordinance the which being shaken downe they easely obtayned the Citie After the taking wherof the furiouse and outragiouse soldier exercised al maner of crueltie vpon the poore inhabitantes For besyde the accustomed cruelty vsed in warres and at the raysing ouerthrowing of cities as rapines forcing of women the deflowring of virgins they vsed a new kind of torture â–ª as by casting downe the prisoners froÌ„ Turrets other high places the soldiers in the meane time watching the fall that they might receyue them vppon the toppes of their speares and points of their swoords They vsed also to hange vp men with their héeles vpward boaring holes through their féete for the thouges and tye ropes to hold by And after this they burnt and destroyed the chiefest principal buildings in the city The victorie being in this wise gotten the army by and by marched to Cesteron which we saide before the faithfull possessed and determined to giue the assault vppon the Citie Notwithstanding after certayne dayes they hearing of the comming of the army of Monsieur Sorez and Moneâ—…s with other necessary aydes helpes thei raysed their sieg departed without their purpose The losse and destructioÌ„ of the citie of Orenge brought great terrour and feare vpon all that Region and vpon the Inhabitants there abouts but especially to all Dolpheny Monsieur de Suze of whom mencion is made before abyding still also about that Region after the departure of Monsieur Sommeriue with a prepared army playing the mortall enemie and was of great might power both by the helpe of the inhabitants of the same countrey of whom he had gathered togither a great army by his own authoritie and also by the ayde of Monsieur Fabricius gouernour of Auinion Where vppon hée tooke the Cities bordering thereabouts some yéelding vp themselues without assault and some being coÌ„ssrayned thereunto by siege as Pierlot Mornac and diuers other little townes All the villages in that Region are walled round about because of their often and accustomed warres and in the territorie of Auinion whiche men call the Countye of Venais being a very frutefull soyle he wan many little Townes For in that Countye the faithfull held many of them And if hée had marched with his army toward Dolpheny he had woon with litle ado diuers Cities being slenderly fortefied all men quaking for feare and the cities almost being quite voyd of men to defende themselues For at that time the faythefull were gone to winne the citie of Puj in the Region of Vellay Notwithstanding at Lions was M. Adretze at that instaÌ„t gouerner of the city This man by his singular diligence and indeuour hauing gathered together from diuers places an Army of men came from Lions to Montiil a noble Citie of Dolpheny at whose commaundement suldiers came to him froÌ„ diuers places For at that time his name was of such authority throughout all those Regions that he might rule and gouerne as he listed himselfe al those places in the which the faithfull abode as the Prouinces of Lions Dolpheny and Languedos Monsuer de Suze hauing gotten a great Armie went to besiege the City of Vauriac in the Countie of Venais but being the more bold by reason of the successe that he had at Orenge hee was carelesse and rechlesse in his busines Therfore hée incamped him selfe néere vnto the Citie and willed the Citizens to yeeld vp the same vnto him In the meane time the souldiour being carelesse talked of the spoyle and of the pray assuring himselfe of the same and the Captaines euen as if they already had gotten the victory began to deuide the spoyle among them selues Also Monsuer de Suze him selfe sate wholely vnarmed in his tent playing at the Dyce after hee
good lucke at the first finally through the daunger of the pestilence a greate nomber of his Soldiers went a side and many quight forsooke him Then were fastinges and prayers solemnly proclaimed to be in the Church to the which the Prince of Conde came oftentimes in his owne person He exhorted also his soldiers to be of good courage and was very carefull for the preseruation of Orleans and he sent Monsuer de Subize a noble and wise man to Lyons to be Lifetenant of the same because Monsuer de Adretze séemed to be to rash hardy and aduenterouse in his doingâ—…s And he sent letters oftentimes willinge that there should be diligent héede and care had of Lyons Dolpheny and Languedoc Also because the enemies power dayly increased by the meanes of forreine aids and because they were the more stout and bould vpon hope of newe aide the Prince of Conde sent Monsuer de Stuard a Scot with letters to the Quéene of England requiringe at her handes ayde in his owne name and in the name of his fellowes And he wrote also diuers letters to the princes of Germainy that were protestants in the which he craued help at their hands the Andelot himselfe be ing sent for the same purpose the more spedily to bring the matter to passe The helpers in this matter were said to be the Lantgraue Hessus the County Pallatine and the Duke of Bipont About this time the Prince of Conde published a writinge by which he ment to put awaye those rumores which were spred abrode of him and of his frendes by the Guises as though they had bin the authors and defenders of new and monsterouse opinions The libell published was to this effecte following Because saieth he we heare daily that our aduersaries accordinge to their accostomed maner oh lying and maliciouse dealinge against vs do in euery place slaunder and speake euill of al our doinges one while laying to our charge that we are Atheistes and Anabaptistes that by this meanes they might withdraw from vs their good willes care which séeke with vs to defend and mainetaine the true and pure worshippe of God by the doctrine of the prophetes and Apostles we thought good ouer aboue the former declarations of our cause to propounde a briefe summe of our faith By which faith we woorshippe and cal vpon the liuing God in the name of his only Sonne our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ abiding in his feare seruice by the ministering of his woord and holy Sacraments that is to say by the institucion of Baptisme and of his holy supper To be short we condescend to al the articles of the primitiue Church as to the only rules of our saluation being grounded vpon the bookes of the Prophets Apostles as it is set forth more at large in the confession of our faith confirmed with the whole consent of al the reformed churches within this realme the copie whereof we send out into al forrain Nations to take away those detestable and wicked sclaunders and lyes by which the enemies both of God and of thys our realm being voyd of al shame haue sought in their libelles sealed letters to sclaunder backbyte and defame vs Wherefore we humbly pray and beséeche all those that loue the pure and sincere doctrine of the Gospell and which are the faithfull seruaunts of God yea we require them in the name of the liuing God that they first of all set before their eyes the flowing streames of innocent bloud that hath bene shed throughout this realme crying both from heauen and from earth for vengeance And we require all such that they helpe and ayde vs and that they ioyne with vs in this cause which is not our cause alone but also the cause of all the faithfull to represse and asswage their cruell tyrannie which goe about to take from vs the perfect and frée libertie of our consciences the benefit wherof was grauÌ„ted vnto vs by our soueraign and leige Lord the Kings Maiestie and by the consent of all the states of the realm we being perswaded that we linked togyther in one religion and in one mind the most mighty and eternal God will stretch forth his gloriouse hande to saue hys Church and will also blesse our labour and indeuour to the glory of his and to the inlarging of the kingdom of his sonne Iesus Christ to whom with the father and the holy Ghost be all honor and glory world without end The Prince of Conde also made answer to the Ordinance and decrée of the Senat of Paris by the which his Adherentes were condemned of treason First of al refusing all those of the College as the Iudges and Senatours to be men vnméete for this cause and writing the causes of their appeale he sent the same vnto them Their answer was in manner and forme following Although I and my friends and fellowes haue sufficiently declared the equitie of our cause which hath constrayned vs to put our selues in armour namely the libertie and authoritie of the King and the obseruation of the Kings Edictes for the maintenance of the libertie of our consciences the peace of the reformed churches Yet notwithstanding séeing the open and sworne enemies of the glory of God and of the common wealth doo dayly publish and send abroad new sclaunders and infamies to the obscuring of my innocency and the innoceÌ„cy also of my fellowes we thinke it moste necessary and méet that if wicked and vngodly men will not cease too withstand the trueth and all equitie no more should we be weary to defende and maintayne the same trueth For so much as therefore the XXUI day of Iuly there was an ordinance and decrée of Condemnation established in the Senat of Paris by which they make those to be gilty of RebellioÌ„ which haue borne armour to maintayne the authoritie of the King and his estates and against the tyrannie of the Guises and his adherents wée thinke it necessary that the Iustice of the sayde decrée should be declared and set forth not onely to the inhabitants of this Realme but also to other forreyne Nations and for an euerlasting remembrance to be coÌ„mitted to all posterities For it wil be an example worthy to be remembred in the which men may behold and sée into what Laberinthes of blind peruerse iudgements the enemies of God and his Church do fall and are so mad and blind that for truth they mayntaine falsehode iudging them to be sedicious who to the vttermoste of their power séeke the peace and tranquillity of the common wealth and pronouncing them to be Rebels who laying aside all care and consideration of them selues do both hazarde their goods and their liues to mayntaine the obedience belonging to the Kyng and the due and lawfull authoritie of the kynges Edictes And to the end the same proclamation of RebellioÌ„ may euidently appeare to be vnlawfull and vniâ—…st and râ—…ther a sclaunder of the enemie than
and his fellowes are rebelles seditiouse and gilty both of Diuine and humane treason Contrarywyse it is euident that they are the true and faithfull subiectes of the King which stoutely withstand their rebellions seditions and wicked practises to ouerthrow the Kings authoritie and the state of the Realme Of the which matter beside the Arguments which I haue alleadged this also may be a testimony That they haue ouerthrowne the Law and Gouernement of this Realme and that in the Senate of Paris whose helpe thei haue abused in this false and perniciouse sentence of Rebellion And truely they could not haue found more wicked and corrupt meÌ„ and more seruiseable to their mindes who either had their offices by fauor of the Guises or else hoped to come to some preferment by them and many of the chiefe of them haue conspired with the Guises the lamentable successe wherof wée féele at this day And truly we must néedes confesse that among all the calamities with the which God hath afflicted this realme this one is the greatest that this Senat which ought to be the place of Iustice the refuge and Sanctuary of the oppressed and the brydel punishment of vice is so declined from his right natu rall vse that it looseth the raynes and openeth the gate to all Iniustice violence and to all vnbrideled wickednesse And for probation hereof I do not only bring in the manifold iniuries which they haue done to diuers the complaintes the cryes and the bloud of so many oppres sed condemned and slayne innocents by them but specially I bring forth this false and peruerse iudgement which thei haue denounced against vs which is an iniury done to a great number of men whose lyfe actions haue alwaye testified the reuerent obedience which we wishe might be giuen to the king But to the end those vniust Iudges might leaue nothing vndone they pronounced this sentence the cause not heard no matters discussed and the reasons of iustification not vnderstood also they being refused and the causes of the refusall or appeale being declared yet neuerthelesse they persisted in their purpose that all men might knowe how that in the Senat of Paris there ar no other Iudges but preposterouse opinions corruptions and hatreds that there are no other lawes than the contempt open violating of the Kings Lawes Edictes and of his approued customes And here I appeale vnto you which beare the name of Iudges What is it to deale vniustly corruptly if this be not so to deale â–ª For where is there any forme of Iustice obserued where are the reasons with the which they that are gilty are conuinced where is y auncient approued custome that one Iudge in one the selfesame cause ought not to be Iudge also plaintiue Wherfore haue you made your selues Iudges of those men which haue refused you to be their Iudges hauing so many reasons mouing theÌ„ therunto as there ar argumeÌ„ts of iniustice in you And to speak truly are ye not iustly and vpon good and sufficient cause refused which haue thrust out of your society all those which yée thought would not condescend agrée to your conspiracies that is to say yée which by that your Edict put the sword into the hande of the furiouse and mad people against the law of God the law of man your own lawes and against the whole peace tranquillitie of the realm Who haue proclaymed the Ministers of the reformed Churches to be open enemies and traytors to the King whom notwithstanding the King had receyued into his fauour and which also vpon this condicion were sworn to the King. You truly which are growne to such boldnesse that by your Deputies Monsieur de Fay and Monsieur Chambo that ye durst say vnto the king that these words concerning the enterance into peace concord séemed won derfull vnto you and perniciouse and that ye would neuer allow these reasons coÌ„cerning the making of peace betwéene mée my aduersaries to take away all doubt that ye were to me and to my fellowes mortall sworn enemies But what néedeth many wordes Let men coÌ„sider the Metropolitane Citie of the kingdome in the which ye dwell let men consider the horrible cruelties which the people dayly commit before your eyes with your consent will and prouocation Let men consider the greatest part of you of the which many to the ende ye may the better shew your selues to haue cast awaye Iustice and rather to vse violence and force than the law are become of Iudges and Councellers or Senators soldiers and haue chaunged your pennes into swordes and your scarlet gownes into armour ye shewe your selues to be warlike Captaines and are openly séene in armour setting forward this kinde of wickednesse very far vnméete for your calling Let all these things be considered But and if rebells cannot iudge of rebellion and open enemies of peace tranquillitie of sedition also if the breakers of the kings lawes cannot iudge of traytours if I say they which are condemned themselues ought not to condemne others ye cannot deny but that those whom ye haue condemned haue iust and vndoubted reasons not onely to refuse you but also to haue you punished accordinge to your wickednesses committed Therfore al these things being iustly wayed in equall ballance shall euidently appeare to all those which shall bring to the discerning of this cause an vpright iudgement without preiudice although nothing be brought to defend my innoceÌ„cy the innoceÌ„cy of my fellowes against this vniust iudgmeÌ„t yet notwithstanding the matter is so apparant plain that it speaketh for it selfe and plainlye conuinceth the false and impudent sclaunders of the Iudges our aduer saries And this thing I leaue to all men to consider of what iust cause I haue to be gréeued séeing that I haue alwayes faythefully obeyed the commaundements of the King and Quéene for their defence and haue done so much as a man of my estate degrée and calling might doo for the peace and profite of the whole Realme and now to be recompenced with these rewardes as to haue my seruise done to y king called in question my obedience couÌ„ted Sedition This thing is not only greuouse vnto me but altogither intollerable And although they cannot touch me with that note of infamy which they lay vnto my charge yet notwithstandinge I professe and acknowledge that I haue a great desier to defend my estimation and credit and the estimation of my fellowes and will séeke by all meanes possible that our innocencie may appeare not only to our contrey men but also to people of forreine nations and that it may be remembred among all pâ—…sterities And because I perceaue that by so vniust a sentence pronounced against me and my fellowes and by the breaking of the lawes and auncient customes of Fraunce the way to attaine iustice is stopt against me that I can haue no hope to looke for the obseruation of the
the euills like to ensue Finally I will and desire that the league whiche I haue made with the Princes Péeres Nobles and with all those that follow me and shall follow me may be established confirmed by this my writing To the which my fellowes I promise and vow that séeing it hath plea sed God to aduaunce me to so great honor as to make me the Captain and principall of that league and to be a deliuerer of the reformed churches liuing vnder the Kings Edictes from the iniuries and violence of the enemies I wil be the first that will spend my lyfe goods to maintayne the pure worship of God to defende the true professours and followers thereof to restore the King to his former libertie and authoritie and his Edictes and the lawes of the Realme to their proper dignitie In like manner I pray and beséeche all my Confederates that they abyde in the same mind courage and constancy that I am of in this so godly and commendable a purpose hauing alwayes respect vnto the vprightnesse of our cause reposing all their trust in the power of God being fully perswaded of this that fighting for the glory of God for the preseruation of his Church and for the conseruation of the King and the Realme God the mighty Lord of hoastes will stretch forth his mighty hand to helpe Whom I most humbly beséeche to take vpon him the patrociny and defence of our cause and to enter into the Throne of his iudgement before whom I shew and reueale the horrible blasphemies which our aduersaries haue breathed out against his Maiestie the cruelties which thei shewed vpon his poore afflicted meÌ„bers the innocent bloud of so many of his seruauntes that hath ben shed and the bloudy and mischeuouse coun sailes against his glory and the lyfe and safetie of hys Saincts so that hée taking his people vnder his protection would shew his power Iustice and wisdome both in destroying his aduersaries and also in blessing those which séeke to defend his people whereby all the world may know that hée is a refuge for the afflicted in time of trouble a deliuerer of his Church and an enemie anâ—… Iudge of his enemies About this time also the Prince of Condes fellowes sent letters to the Emperour Ferdinande to whom they declared their cause and rendered a reason of all theyr dooings and frustrated the rumors of their aduersaries praying him that hee would be carefull to defende thys cause and also that hée would call backe the Germanes that were gone to helpe the Guises And although saye they the reportes of the troubles which were in France were euery where spred abroad and were come also to the Emperours eares by letters sent from both partes yet notwithstandinge the Prince of Conde sent to the Emperoure whom he vnderstoode should come to an honorable assembly the causes of all his actions that the Emperour himselfe might certefie the whole assembly of the same seeing so great and waighty matters were obiected against him by his aduersaries the Prince of Conde thinking that it became him in a matter of so great waight to shewe the causes of all his dooings to all men and to the Emperour himself being of so highe calling that he might leaue to the whole world euident testimony of his innocency To bring the which matter to passe he may be glad that he hath gotten so good occasion to craue helpe to be ayded in this iust cause for the preseruation of the yong King of France being of suche age that the same of itselfe requireth and ought to obtayne helpe It is no new thing neyther wanteth it exaÌ„ples that Kyngs in their minoritie and infancâ—…e haue receyued the Kyngdome of Fraunce as appeareth by the late times of Charles the sixt and the eight and of others In whose time of minoritie we do not read that there was any contention about the gouernement of the Realme because the Princes which were the Kynges kinsmen left alwayes the gouernement of the Realme to thein which were elected and created by the States of the Realme of Fraunce to whom the gouernement of the Realme was committed so long as the King coÌ„tinuing in his minoritie which was vntill he came to the age of fouretéene yeares The which order of gouernement in the Kyngs Neâ—…age hath ben alwayes so approued that Kyngs haue warely prouided in their Testaments that if they should disceace before their Sonnes were come to their perfect age to gouerne the Realme then the States should prouide for the same gouernement The which doth sufficiently declare that this kind of gouernement doth in no poynt deminish the Kynges aucthoritie or power whom whosoeuer resisteth resisteth the ordinaunce of God but is rather necessary to preserue and defend them so long as they are vnméete to take vppon them any such gouernement through the defect and imbecillitie of Nature But when the Kyng shall come to the age of fouretéene yeres that vicary or substituted gouernemeÌ„t doth cease and all things do so retourne to the Kyng that whatsoeuer he shall will or decrée shall be ratified In the dayes of Charles the sixt after he had raigned many yeres and that it pleased GOD for the sinnes of the people to depriue him of his witte and sences and when the time came that the Realme must of necessitie be gouerned there arose a certaine contention among the Princes that were the Kyngs kinsmen about the same gouernement but this was neuer heard of that a forreyne Prince would euer intrude him selfe into the gouernement of the Realme and that against the will ordinance and decrée of the States as doth now the Duke of Guise at the first with force of armes and afterwardes vnder the coullour and name of the Kyng of Nauar corrupting and breaking all Lawes constitutions and customes that by all meanes possible he might satisfie his ambicious minde and get the gouernement of the Realme into his handes And say they most renowmed Emperour you must not thinke that he is moued to do these things for the loue he beareth to any Religion but doth only make Religion a cleake to fulfill his ambicious desire but vnder this pretence he hath drawne a great part of the people vnto him whom he hath so stirred to outrage crueltie promising that they shall escape vnpunished whatsoeuer they do that now the mad and franticke people throughout the whole Realme of Fraunce do nothing els but kill spoyle and shew al maner of violence After the death of Henry the second and Fraunces the second Kynges of Fraunce it was expedient according to the auncient vse of the lawes that the States of FrauÌ„ce should be called together and that in the greater number because Charles our Kyng was of tender yeres Then the States as it was méete made certayne lawes and statutes the which should only stand in force and strength duringe this time of the Kynges minority according to the institution and
as a seditiouse person aud a Rebell Therefore they thinke it lawfull for the kings subiects to haue liberty to take which religion the ilist that is to say eyther the coÌ„mon Romish Religion or els the Religion reformed according to the Gospell and to cleaue to none other and that all violence eyther pryuate or publique against eyther parte ought to be prohibited and that the Ciuill magistrates should prouide Temples for the ministers of the reformed Religion to haue their diuine seruice in and that no man should receiue any maner of violeÌ„ce or harme for vsing the benefit hereof But because those constitutions manifestly touched the Guises the Constable the Marshall of Saint Andre the Guises for that there were two Cardinals of them which were chosen to be of the Kings Counsaile also the Duke of Guise and the Duke de Aumal also because the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine his Brother were the Kinges treasurers And they touched the Constable and the Marshall of Saint Andrew because they by the same meanes were come to great aboundance and wealth For these causes they haue sought by all meanes possible to adnihillate and disanull these Lawes In the meane time the Quéene the Kings Mother as she hath ben alwaies in al her doinges wyse and circumspecte the which she declared when she had full liberty and was not Ruled by other mens power and violence indeuoured her selfe to make an vnity and concord betweene the Churches by frendly and quyet conference To the which Conference and Disputacion came all the chiefe Prelates of France and many Doctors out of the vniuersitie of Paris many Moonkes also which were sent from Rome and the Cardinall of Ferrer the Popes Legate and beside all these twelue Ministers of the Gospell both partes hoping it would come to passe by this friendly conference that they should come to some concord and agréement The which was greatly hindered and let by the Cardinall of Lorraine by whom after certaine principall pointes of the CoÌ„fession of Ausburge were disseÌ„blingly imbraced the Assembly was dissolued Then the Guises tooke other practises in hande and perswaded the Quéene and the King of Nauar to sende for the Iudges and Counsellers of all the Parliamentes of the Realme that they with the Princes and the Kinges Counsaile might giue their aduice for the present necessitie And to this Counsaill they sent suche as they had bound vnto them afore time by one benefite or other that by this meanes they might abolishe that which the States had decréed The which notwithstanding by the prouidence of God fell out otherwyse than they looked for And to the end they might the more craftely bring their purpose to passe they departed from the court â–ª But before they should go to the ende they might leaue nothing vndone that might serue to worke their wills they subtilly practised to carry with them the Duke of Orleans our Kings brother that if their deuises had not had good successe they might haue had one with them of the Kings linage whose name they might abuse â–ª This thing was plainly proued by diuers arguments and coÌ„fessed also by the Duke of Orleans himselfe who stayed the matter Here it may please you to consider at what time and by what meanes the Guises began to be iniuriouse and to shewe violence to the Quéene out of whose lap shée being a widow and in great trouble they went about to take her sonne Afterward the Guises departed not only from the Court but also to the vtmost partes and limites of the Realm and came to Sauern And there they fayned to like of the Confession made at Ausburge before one of the Princes of the Empire that by theis meanes they might insinuate themselues into the num ber of the Princes of the Empire the which as known to your highnesse we touch by the way But their departure out of France caused all men to hope for peace concorde which was euery where receyued by the rumour of their absence For in all places euery man of what religioÌ„ soeuer he wereof liued peaceably without any offence committed for the diuersitie of Religion all men receyuing that religion which liked him best And the word of God was preached in diuerâ—… places many ioyfully imbracing the same if a few had made any stour or businesse for ReligioÌ„ they by and by were easely suppressed About this time there was an assembly of Iudges and Counsellers which sate in the Court that belongeth to the Princes and to the Kings priuy Counsaill amonge whom was the Constable and the Mashall of S. Andrew who wayted for new troubles The Bourgeses or chosen men for the states declared that there was nothing in those things which the States had decréed to be altered but must stand wholy vpon their determination liking and they sayd that before they began with any other matter they must séeke to purge and to reforme the Kings Counsaill On the contrary part they which were to be thrust out of the Kings counsail by the same decree of the States bare themselues so bold vppon that assembly that they perswaded themselues to escape vnpunished notwithstanding all that the â–ª States could do Who neuerthelesse when they vnderstood the power authoritie which beloÌ„ged to the States would not giue their consent to doo any thing contrary to their decrees And although many of them openly declared that they fauoured the Guises and his fellowes yet notwithstanding there was an Edicte made called the Edicte of Ianuary because it was made the 18. day of Ianuary by the which Edict liberty and leaue was graunted for the word of God to be openly preached â–ª as it was decreed by the States Notwithstanding with this exception So that it were done without the walles of the Citie and that the Churches dedicated to the vses of the Church of Rome were not vsurped The Magistrate being commaunded to take an othe of the Ministers of the gospel that they should preache the word of God purely sincerity quietly without any sedition as is more at large declared in that Edict which was confirmed by the decrees of the States And although that same Edicte was suspected of the men of the reformed Churches least when they were out of the Cities and vnarâ—…ed and farre from their houses to helpe themselues they should easely be made a pray for their enemies as it came afterward to passe in deed yet notwithstanding because they would not be importunate and troublesome to the Queene to the King of Nauar to the Princes to the whole assembly they agreed thereunto vpon this condicion That they should deale vprightly and in good fayth the which also the whole assembly promised vnto them And then euery man sware to obserue and keepe the Edict faithfully truly and the men of more noble calling sware agayne before the Queene that they would not craue pardon for those which had violated or broken
Prince of Conde and also the falsehood trechery and vniust dealing of our aduersaries may appeare as is more at large set forth in those writinges published concerning this matter Of the which matters because thou art certified alreadie most noble Emperour we will at this tyme be no longer tediouse vnto thée This one thing the Prince of Conde requesteth at your highnes hand that you will take into your custody the crowne of our yong King from those thrée priuate persones which haue brought him into so great daunger and to restraine them of their willes séeing it is manyfest that these thrée priuate persones the one of them a strauÌ„ger the other two not comparable to the Prince of Conde in no condition haue caused Ciuill warres to the destruction of the Realme And aboue all thinges this he requesteth that you would deliuer the King the Quéene and the Realm from their presumption tiranny and falsehoode and that you would helpe the states of the Realme to their authoritie and the Kinges Subiectes to peace and to the benefite of the Kings Edictes Also because vnder the couller of defendinge the King the Rokendolfe and the Rhengraue haue brought troupes of horsemen out of Germanie into Fraunce notwithstanding meaning to helpe our aduersaries whereby there cannot chuse but ensue great hurte to the King and to the realme the Prince of Conde humbly beséecheth you that by your commaundement and by the commaundementes of your noble Princes they may with all spede be called backe againe and may be seuerely straightly charged not to beare armoure against vs and also that hereafter it be lawful for none within the limmits of the empire to musture either horsemen or footemen to serue the Guises which vse not but abuse the Kinges name and authoritie The which dede most noble Emperour shal become you very wel since God hath made you a refuge for the afflicted in time of trouble and a helpe for Kings especially when they are in daunger of men by reason of their tender yeares Defend therefore our Kinge oure Quéene his mother the Kingdome and the lawes and states of the Realme from the tyrrannie of the Triumuiri Concerning the vayne assaulte that was giuen to Cesteron a Towne in Prouance by Monsuer Sommeriue a Captain on the Papistes side we haue spoken before Yet notwithstanding they came to the same place again the xxvi day of August with a greater armie with al maner of artillery better appointed carying with them from Marsiles certain great fielde péeces Therefore the Citie began to be battered with greater force of ordinance than it was before TheÌ„ word was brought that Monsuer Monbrun came with an Army of men to rayse the siege his Army contained a thousand footemen and two hundred horsemen Monsuer de Suze hearing of this went out to méete him with a company of wel appointed Souldiers and geuing the on set vppon Monsuer Monbrun he slew an hundred and fiftie of his Souldiers and put the rest to flight Monsuer Monbrun also himselfe fledde leauing behinde him two field péeces which afterward came into the handes of Monsuer de Suze At the coÌ„maundement of Baron des Adretz Monsuer Monbrun came to Cesteron minding with the ayd rescue of moÌ„suer de Adretz which on the other part had inuaded the County of Venaâ—… both to remoue the siege from Cesteron and also with the greater force to assault Prouance Against the men of Auinion which went about to resist hym Baron des Adretz preuailed and had the victory geuing vnto theÌ„ the ouerthrow at a village called Orgo Notwithstanding when Baron des Adretz heard that Monsuer Monbrun was put to flight he retourned into Dolpheny New Monsuer Someriue and his Souldiers at the returne and good successe of Monsuer de Suze and his men were not a little incouraged in so much that with greater force vehemency they began to assault the city wheÌ„ by battery they had made a great breach in the wals the soldiers began with great violâ—…ce to enter therat who notwithstanding were coÌ„strained to retire again many of theÌ„ being sâ—…ain by the faithfull But when their vitualles were wel nigh spent and that they were dayly oppressed more and more with penury and scarsitie Monsuer Senaz the lifetenaunt of the Towne Monsuer Mouens whose helpe he greatly vsed began to consider concerning the yéelding vp of the Citie and placing certaine Souldiers in the breach of the wall to kepe the Citie accordinge to the custome of warres they in the night without noyse caried out a great multitude of the Townsmen with Wemen and Children and aged persones at a certaine place to the which the enemy could scarcely come being let with a riuer and a hill which lay betwene them The enemyes scoutes were wary of the noyse and gaue intelligence thereof vnto the Army but rather thinkinge that some came to helpe them than that the faithfull went out of the City suspected nothinge and therefore held themselues still in their tentes Thus Monsuer Mouens and a great multitude of people escaped the peril But Mon suer Someriue being certyfied of the whole matter by the Papistes of the Towne entered into the Citye and there slew all that he found in the Citye both Papistes and Protestantes without respecte of persones Monsuer Mouens caried the people which he brought out of Cesterâ—… most miraculously through diuers places which were possessed by the enemy yet notwithstanding escaped their handes and came at the last to Gratianople a Citie in Dolpheny And so all Prouans when the faithfull were ouercome yelded to the Papistes by whom all kind of cruelty beside the custome of warre was committed in Cityes and Townes as at Marsiles and at Aijques and in that whole Region Many Women also in those Cityes were so outragious best lyke cruell â–ª contrary to their kind that it is almost incredible to be tould These when they had gathered themselues to gyther to a sufficient nomber would in the night as if they had bin dronke or out of their wittes go vp down the Citie searching and ransackinge the houses of the faithfull and when they had founde a woman they led her and scourged her through the Citie vntill she came to the common place of slaughter which they had prepared for the purpose and then hanged her vp by the féete the which being done they draue vp a wedge or wodden pin into the body through the shame and secrete part of the woman and so slewe her an acte most horrible and shamefull to be eyther spoken or heard Euery where robbery rapine and spoyle was committed the Senate in the meane tyme not only suffering these thinges to escape vnpunished but also approuing the same Upon the Territorie of Lions there bordereth a Region called Forestes the chief Citie wherof is Monbriso Therefore the inhabitants of Forrestes hauing Monsuer Monselas their Captayne anoyed the
in no perell hereafter by any maner of meanes eyther for wearing armour or for Religion commaundinge that all sentences pronounced againste him for these causes to be voyde and of none effect and that his goodes substance which hath bin brought into our treasury be giuen restored to him again and commanding also the watch ward about his house to cease whatsoeuer hath bin ordeyned and decréed in our Parlements for this matter notwithstanding Also that it shal not be nedefull for the said T. R. our suppliant to haue any other argument or proofe to declare our will and pleasure herin but these our letters only Notwith standing prouided that he be no author of seditions of rapines or of spoyling of Churches nor that he secretly conuey to our enemis either money or armour and also vpon this condition that he liue euer hereafter Catholicly and come not to the seruice or rytes of the new Religion that he neuer hereafter beare armour against vs nor do ayde and assiste those that are our enemyes any maner of way But as by these meanes snares were layed to trap entangle the simple and héedelesse sort as shortly after appeared in many when they were come home so there was no staye of excommunications thoondered out at Paris at Tbolouze and at Bordeaulx and in other places where the papistes ruled against such as were counted Huguenotes strayt charge being geuen to al meÌ„ to detect such persones the payne appointed threatened to suche as should conceale any such so suspected and a rewarde promised to him that would detect any such person the Kings Attorney being commaunded to inquire and â—…nd out such causes and to bring them with all spéede before the Senate Then after the publishing of those letters of warrant from the King whereof we spake before the Senate or Parliament of Paris decréed that all those men which came from Burges Poytiers Meaulx Roane Lions and from other Cities which were kepte by the Prince of Conde to Paris should be taken and that they should be punished according to the prescript of the Kings Edicte which commaundeth al men of the new Religion to goe out of Paris notwithstandinge that they had gotten the Kinges letters of warrant and had made a Catholique confession as they terme it of their fayth Roane being wonne as we declared before the army of the Guise came to Paris about the beginning of Nouember the rumour increasing more and more concerning the ayde of the Germanes and of the Englishe men which should come to the Priuce of Conde very shortly Therefore Roan being fortified agayne the breaches of the walles being builded vp and a Garrison left in the towne the Duke of Guise retourned backe agayn with his armie to Paris In the meane tyme came the armies out of Germanie to Orleans sent by the protestant Princes vnder the conduct and charge of the Marshall of Hessen They were thirtéen enseignes of horsemen contayning in iust number 2600 and eleuen enseignes of footemen contayning thrée thousand souldiours Then the Prince of Conde when hée had gathered togyther an armye mynded to remoue from Orleans and to goe to Paris But before his departure from thence hée published a writing in the which he cleareth himselfe from being the author of the first motions and of the ciuill warre deryuing and laying the same vpon the Guises his fellowes and protesteth that dutie moueth him too enter into warre to deliuer the Kinge and the whole Realme from those iniuries and violence This which followeth is the summe of his letter I haue hitherto sufficiently sayeth he by many writings published and sent abroad euidently declared that the Guises the Constable and the Marshiall of S. Andrew are the authours and the first and true causes of those troubles which we sée at this tyme to be so hote outra giouse in the Realme because they tooke disdayne that they should be remoued from the gouernement whiche they vsurped in the dayes of King Fraunces the seconde and were offended at the decrée of the States of the Realme in which thei are commaunded to make an accompt of the excéeding number of giftes which they had receyued in the former Kings dayes and of the ordering and bestowing of the Kings money greatly refusinge not onely to be deliuered from this account but also vsing their former subtilties to enriche and set vp them selues by the ruine and decay of others After that I shewed the diuers Counselles and secret deliberations had they couering their conspiracies with the cloake of Religion and how they began to arme them selues by their owne prinate authoritie contrary to the expresse commaundements of the Quéene and the Decrée of the States breaking the common peace how they contemning the Quéenes authoritie the decree of the States by which they were commaunded to goe home to their owne houses came with an army ofmen and tooke the King and Quéene into their handes perforce with so much grief to the King that hée declared the same with teares openly I haue also declared and will euer euidently declare that I haue for iust and necessary causes and by the expresse commaundements of the Quéen her selfe as may appeare by letters sealed with her owne hand armed my selfe and haue ben nominated and elected by her to take vpon me the defence of this cause as can testifie Monsure Jarnac Monsure Soubize and moÌ„sieur Pordillan to whoÌ„ shée expresly declared that it was her will that the Kings faithfull subiectes should obeye mée and that they should at my commaundement withstand the counselles and practises of the Kinges aduersaries to restrayne their licenciouse willes And as for me if I should not take the sword in hand the King and Quéenes Maiesties and the Realme cannot choose but be ruled by the wills of the aduersaries whom experience hath shewed of late to be the tyraunts of Fraunce And now although I haue the testimonie of a good conscience towardes God and the Quéen who hath power and authoritie to gouerne the Realme and although I haue already declared all my actions and the trueth of my cause by diuers writings yet neuerthelesse because my aduersaries according to their wonted wicked custome do send abroad into forreyne nations many false reportes and sclaunders in writing impudently burthening mée with false lyes making mée the authour and cause of all these troubles I which desire to haue a good name and report among all Christian Princes Nobles and among the Kinges faythfull subiectes which desire to kéepe my honor and dignity thought good after many other to publishe this writing also To the ende all men may vnderstand how carefully euen vntill this present daye I haue laboured sought by al meanes possible to mitigat and pacefie those troubles raysed by their wickednesse not onely because I know what great destruction will come thereby but also because I haue a singular care and desire both to stablish the
Kings authoritie and dignitie the safetie and preseruation of the Kings faithfull subiectes the liberty of their consciences and also the peace and tranquillitie of this Realme in the which I was borne And I am fully perswaded that the only demonstration of the which I haue done and will doe shall proue those my aduersaries lyers and sclaunderers shall bring to passe that neuer hereafter any indifferent man shall giue credit to the like First of all euery man may behold and see how I alone in the beginning of this our Kings raigne procured peace and tranquillitie and sought to put away al occasions of seditions and troubles for the which cause I had much ill will and displeasure in the dayes of King Fraunces II. but I haue forgiuen that iniury Since that time hitherto those enemies of God the King and publike peace were offended with the decrées of the States and with the forme of Gouernement which they then perceyued to be contrary to their ambition when as they had determined to peruerte all things to enlarge their power and tyranny to the which end and purpose they conspired with straungers the which conspiracye is more perniciouse and detestable than was the cōspiracie of the Triumuiri of Rome as now appeareth by the lamentable effects thereof but I on the contrary part to quench that burning fyrebrand of troubles haue left nothing vndone that I could doo Neyther dyd I regarde the goodnesse of my cause nor the wickednesse of my aduersaries cause when as they armed them selues of their owne priuate authoritie to ouerthrow the Edicte made by the consent and aduise of the States neyther did I so estéeme of my place and dignitie that I woulde put my selfe in armour without the expresse commandement of the Quéen yet in the beginning I of my own accorde offered to vnarme my selfe agayne so that my enemies would doe the same and that the Edicte so solemly made by the Decrée of the States might be thoroughly kept as may appeare by my writinge concerning this matter The which conditions seemed to all men very indifferent and reasonable sauinge to them selues Furthermore to the ende we might the better and more safely enter into peace and concord I sought diligently that many Christian Princes might be admo nished of this matter and I entreated them by letters and by Ambassadours that they would be meanes to pacefie the same and to take away all occasions of greater dissentions But my aduersaries euen at the same time when al things might haue ben brought to some quietnesse wēt about to take away all hope of concord and sought for the nonce to exasperat and prouoke our mindes to displeasure by new cruelties shewed vpon our bretheren making more carefull prouision to warre against mée and myne than doth the forreyn enemie when hée inuadeth the boundes and limites of the Realme Beside this they suffered not the Ambassadours of the Princes of Germany which were now cōming forwarde in their iourney to doe their office about the pacification but sought to procure the Italian the Spaniard the Switzer to ayde them in their warre and because a certaine Noble man of Fraunce called Gonor did disallowe the comming of forreyne power into the Realme they abused him with iniuriouse wordes openly among the Kinges counsaill Whereby it may appeare to all indifferent men of sound iudgement what I and my aduersaries haue sought for and whether I could in this time of the Kings minoritie deuise more profitable meanes and wayes to auoid these gréeuouse troubles and also whether they can doe more than they haue done to increase the same For they haue gone about to bring in newe harde and violent lawes playne contrary to the Kings Edicte made by the consent of the whole Realme and agréeing with the Spanish Inquisition which is the ruyne and ouerthrow of peace and tranquillitie that thereby they might not onely bring in an infinite heape of troubles but also the confusion of all things The which also I my selfe by publishing a writing contrarye to the same shewed how much it was disagréeing from al reason and indifferency But what soeuer I could shew vnto the Quéene they had her in such bondage and captiuitie by force and subtiltie that they made her an instrument and meane to doe what soeuer they woulde themselues Notwithstanding shée perceyuinge what great inconuenience would come by warre thought she might do much good if she could bring the matter to parley Therefore the Quéene my brother the Kinge of Nauar and I met togither in the midway betwene Paris and Orleans Then I made declaration vnto them of two things which I sayd were the causes of troubles the which causes being taken away the effectes that is to say great troubles shall with them be remoued also To take away the causes I sayd the first was That the Guise the Constable and the Marshal of Santandre who had broken the peace by arming of them selues by their owne priuate authoritie and had forceably dealt with the Kyng and Quéene and also had broken the kyngs Edict of January might go home to their owne houses and might be forbidden to be of the Kynges Counsell during this time of his minoritie And I my selfe though I were of the Kyngs bloud and of much higher degrée than they promised to do the like The second was I sayd that the Edict of January might be fully obserued and that according to the tenor therof the vse of Religion might bee frée for all men throughout the whole Realme To these two ▪ neither the Quéene nor my brother would agrée Affirminge that it was not lawfull for those being the Kynges seruants to depart from the young King being in such extremitie as he was the request they said was neither indifferent nor profitable for the Realme Moreouer they sayd there could not be two Religions together in one Realme and therfore the Edict of January could not bee suffered because they of the Church of Rome were so many in number so sharpe set to mayntaine their Religion ▪ that if they should not haue their willes greated troubles would dayly arise ▪ To this I replied againe saying that it was neyther indifferent nor profitable for the Realme for them to abide with the Kyng which had both abused the Kyngs age and dignitie and also had brought him the whole Realme into great perill and vnhonestly broken the Kyngs Edict And concerning the Edict of January I sayd what could be more vnseemely than for a few priuate men so little to regard the Kynges dignitie that they durst breake the Kynges Edict to obserue kéepe the which they themselues were sworne by the benefite of which Edict not only Paris but also the whole kingdome enioyed peace Also I said it was a very euell example for the people to be armed to breake the kings Edictes and was the ready way to make them euer after more disobedient also that the
Religious were not so contrary that the Christian name should not euery where be retayned As for that Religion which I and my fellowes imbrace it is the true and reformed Religion which is also receiued and imbraced of great Nations and pourged from Romish Idolatries and superstitions And to make the matter more plaine what say you to the late example of the Emperour Charles the fifth who after he had assayed to establish in Germany that Religion which he him selfe approued and coulde not bring it to passe thought it to be the best waye although he had gotten the victory by force of Armes to let euery man vse what Religion he would for quietnes sake What shoulde I néede to repeate many other examples when as experience teacheth vs that this is a necessary remedy to kéepe the people of this Realme in peace To let them haue the vse of what Religion they like best But for all that I could saye or do in that Parley the Quéene durst not go from that which was prescribed vnto her to speake So that the Armies were prepared on both partes againe Then we entered into parley againe by which they went about very subtilly to betray me First I yeelded vnto my brother the King of Nauar the Towne of Baugence the which he ment to vse for him and his family during the time of intreaty for peare which I had good hope to obtaine by the meanes of the Quéenes letters Then I did put my selfe into my enemies hands minding therby to winne peace The Guises and his fellowes fayned a departure away but they were not far of but had incamped themselues within the compasse of thrée miles minding to oppresse me as appeared afterwardes by their Letters which came to my handes At y length I and certaine of my fellowes came in parley and conference with the Quéene At the first we were denied to haue the liberty of our consciences We straight way affirmed that the libertie of our conscieÌ„ce was to vs the most precious thing of all and the chiefest thing that we desired and added this also that if the departure of a few would be an occasion of peace and of the libertie of Religion we our selues woulde willingly go into crile euen to the vtmost partes of the world The Queene tooke our offer and liked of the coÌ„dition and when she had made a long protestation of hir good will toward vs she perswaded vs to prepare our selues to take our iourney and she would send vnto me whether soeuer I wold appoynt ten thousand Crowns promising there withall that my exile shoulde not bee long But when I was certified of the platforme and snare which the Guises had made for me at the intreatie of my fellowes I made hast backe againe to my Armie Then theÌ„ Quéene before my departure required of vs an aunswere the which we referred to the common counsell and aduise of my fellowes affirming notwithstanding for our selues that we were ready not only to go into exile but also to suffer any maner of extremitie willingly for a common wealth But afterward I had taken deliberation and consulted with my fellowes they aunswered That except I would forsake God the Kyng and my Countrey I could not nor ought to go to any other place declaring vnto me that the auncient and approued Lawes and constitutions of the Realme were that when the king by reason of his younge and tender yeres cannot take vppon him the Gouernement of the Realme the Princes that were the Kinges néere kinsmen with the couÌ„sell and aduise of the States should prouide a forme of Gouernement The which during the time of the kings ninoritie ought to abide firme and immutable At the first begining of this kings raigne the States whose authoritie hath brideled alway their ambition which would abuse the tender age and facility of kings decréed with the consent of the Princes the Kings kinsmen That the gouernement of the King and the realm should be committed to the Quéene and that shée shold discharge and pay that debt which the Kings auÌ„cetours had left the Crowne in and should also mayntayne the peace and tranquillitie of the Realme of Fraunce Diuers other things and they decréed more particularly concerning such as had taken any otheâ—… to serue forreyn power whetheâ—… they should be of the Kinges Counsell or no and whether twoo bretheren at once excepte the Princes the Kings kinsmen should be of the same coun sell concerning also an account to be made by suche as had the trust of treasure committed vnto them in the former Kings dayes and diuers other things they decréed as is to be séene in my former declarations in writing published But amongst all other it was decréed by the Quéene that matters concerning Religion should be established for peace and vnities sake First of all therefore the matter was handeled by Disputation at Possit but in vayne Then the Queene caused an assembly to be made of the Princes the Kings kinsmen of the Kings Counsellers and of certaine choosen out of all Parliamentes of the Realme that they might make an Edict concerning this matter Then there was an Edict made in the Kings Counsel to the which they were all sworne and they also which at this day haue broken the same and which was published and confirmed according to custome throughout all Courtes in the realm by the benefite whereof the Realme in euery place séemed to be at peace Notwithstanding this thrée priuate men offended with the Kinges Counsell and inflamed with their owne desires because they knewe that they were bound to obey their Decrées aud to giue vp their accountes conspired togyther how they might remoue the Quéene from her authoritie gathered an army of men togyther without the coÌ„maundement of that Quéen contrary to the authoritie and decrées of the States denyed to go home to their owne Prouinces at the commaundement of the Quéen and to vnarme themselues came armed to the Kinge and so tooke him stirred vp warre and put the king to great expences not only entered into the kings Counsel from which they were secluded by the Decrées of the States but also did put in and put out such as it pleased theÌ„ and finally they brake the kings Edict solemly made and confirmed by the aduise and determination of the States from the time that they armed them selues they haue not suffered the same to be kept without the which notwithstanding it it not possible that the publique peace should stande By which their wicked actes and presumption they haue broken the authoritie of Magistrates and Lawes haue playnly declared themselues to be enemies to God to the king to the Realme and to coÌ„mon peace For these causes my friends sayd vnto me considering my state and calling in the Realme that it was not meete that I shold gyue place vnto them which by violence had gone about already to confound all thinges Neyther that I should forsake the
fauour with the people who in open assembles would so frankely set out and bâ—…ag of the fame and glory of a forreine Prince and such a one as might the easier anâ—…oy them by reason hee was so neare adioyning vnto them yea certaine Orations that he had made of that matter were at the Cardinall Granuillans commaunded printed at Andwerpe and published abrode Wherefore the people encouraged by the example of Monsieur Begat began to talke of the Spanish Kings name and to boast and vaunt themselues of his fauour and the Papistes in euery place mingled and enterlarded the Catholique authority and power of Spain with the affaires of Fraunce as though the King of Spaine had had the ordering of Religion there and the gouernment and moderation of the Kinges Edict Monsieur Curee who as we haue beefore declared had valiantly behaued himselfe in the vauntgard of the battayle of Dreux vnder the Prince of Conde was by the Kings commaundement ruler and gouernour ouer the Prouince of Vendosme a man much giuen to the stu die and embracing of the reformed religion and therefore greatly hated of al the papists in so much that the filthy bloudsuckers encouraged by the impunitie of the hauâ—…cke made vpon the faithful of Macine and hauing their handes red and dyed with the bloud of the miserable subiectes began nowe to conspire the death of their head and ruler and laying snares and ambushementes for him set vpon him suspecting no such thing and cruelly flue him Monsieur Curee his wyfe and his brother complained of the matter to the King declaringe what an horrible villany was committed vpon the person of the Kinges Lieuftenant and after they had taryed and wayted at the Court sir whole wéekes at the last wyth great sute much a do they obtayned that the murther should be brought in question and examination Whervpon the doers of the déed were accused and apprehended and when the case was proued by so many certaine and euident argumentes that euerye man thought it should haue proceded on be put in further execution that no man could withstand it behold sodenly those hainous and trayterous murtherers were deliuered dispatched out of hand by the Kings commaundment he that apprehended them sent them to ward was coÌ„maunded to apeare and that vnder payn of sharpe punnishment to giue accompte of his doinges for hee was charged to haue done more then his commission would beare him in his house was made flat with the grouÌ„d and he him selfe appeared and was throwen into prison and very hardly at length got out again The murtherers as though they had done well were not onely pardoned and forgiuen but had also great rewardes for their wel doinges and offices also bestowed vpon them A notable surely and an euill example of contemning and ouerthrowing of Iustyce There came out also about this tyme the Kings letters contayning certeyne newe exceptions against the Edict That it shold not be lawful for any Ministers of the reformed they terme it new Religion to dwel or inhabite in any other place then in suche as were in euery prouince appointed for the hearing of sermons for this purpose that they might not visite and comfort the sick nor take any héed or care of the housholdes and families of the faythfull And that it should not be lawfull for any of that profession to be schoolemaisters or keepe any open schoole for to bring vp or teache yonge children And this was the old fetch of the Cardinall of Lorraine that taking away all discipline the puritie of doctrine should vtterly decay and that all knowledge of good learning and liberall Sciences being banished the study and desire of trueth might be darkened with the duskie and lothsome clowds of barbarous and sauage ignorance A practise vsed in tymes paste by Iulian the Apostate and now put in vre agayne by the Cardinall a good and cunning scholler in suche matters and worthie of such a maister whereby he might declare him selfe an open and manifest enemie to al humanitie and pure doctrine Notwithstanding there were causes and matter pretended that in shew were very godly as That it was so enacted to the end all things might bee done in good order and least that the greater part of his subiectes beeing thereby stirred vp might gyue occasions of new trou bles not that it was the Kings pleasure to chaunge or alter any thing in the Edict but that this was the very plain exposition of his Maiesties pleasure which he commauÌ„deth and willeth to be receyued and kepte of all his subiectes The King as we said before vnder coulor to suruay and vewe his Realme came to Paris and from thence he first went to Troye a noble and famouse citie of Campaigne thence he remoued to Lions and so along through Dolpheny Prouance and Languedoc towardes Baâ—…onne a Citie of Guian situat vpon the Sea coaste and next adioyning to Spayne that there the Sacred league might be made and established as hereafter we will shewe in place conuenient It were a long and tedious matter to rehearse here what was done in euery Citie what complayntes and supplicacions were put vp to the Kinge what iniuries done to the protestants and what sleightes and deuises were forged and practised to enflame and encense the yong King against Religion that must be done hereafter by some more large and perfect historie But wee because we meane but to drawe out briefe and shorte notes of the warres will briefly setting apart all long discourses of so large and copiouse matter set forth the summe of that was done in this progresse The papists spared no sleightes no forgerie no lies no saucie malapartâ—…es no impâ—…dencie nor any kinde of malicious spyghtfull wickednes whereby they might by any way procure hatred and enuie against the protest and 〈◊〉 and their cause I seâ—…aunder no man for 〈◊〉 I am bond by reason order of this my enterprise to say the trueth I will not spare to speak it From euery quarter came great flockes of the faithefull complayninge of their wronges supplications were offered vp but when any satisfaction was to be made to their complaintes they were so posted ouer from this man to that man from this place to that place that whilest the executioÌ„ of law and equitie was prolonged and differred Iustice was quight gone and fled from amongst them We haue spoken before of the accusation commenced against the Admirall as though he had ben authour of the Duke of Guises death and of his aunswer there too But because the matter séemed likely to bréede further trouble and that it was such as might hinder and disquiet his progresse both partes being so earnestly bent to wrath and reuengement the King thought it best to decide and take vp the matter before he procéeded any further on his iourney Wherefore at Molins the chief Citie of the Dukedome of Bourbone the Admirall was
declared by the Kings decrée free and cleare from that accusation and that he ought not in any poynt to bee charged therewith and commaundement was giuen that the matter should on both sides be buried in the darke graue of euerlasting forgetfulnesse and obliâ—…i on and be troden vnder foote as though it had neuer bene done The Guises also they of Chastillon were charged to lay aside all hatred and grudge and to be reconciled and euerafter become friendes and louers This commaundement was obeyed and receyued of both sides whereby the wound was stopped couered for a while but not thorowly healed Notwithstanding the Cardinal of Lorayne was here by sinely beguiled and defeated of his purpose thinking by this to haue had iust occasion as the Spanish Kinge br agged in his letters both to haue displaced the Admirall and also vnder a faire shew of this cause to haue violated and broken the peace The Prince of Conde the Admirall the Andelot and other of the chief Nobles that were professors of the reformed Religion went not with the King on this iourney The Cardinall also of Lorrayne taryed behinde in Fraunce as we shall hereafter declare After this the King came to Lions with a very great trayne and was Royally and sumptuously receyued of the Townesmen of both Religions Here they had determined to frame and put in practise many conceyptes and deuises for that if they could ouerthrow and suppresse the congregatign that was here being of all other the chief and most famouse they shold the easier deface and destroy others that were lesse For the state of that most florishing populous church did gréeue the Archepapistes at the very hartes Wherefore they thought it behouable and very expedient by all wayes possible to oppresse and disquiet it Yet contrary to their purpose and meaning they taryed but a small tyme there by reason the plage raged so cruelly that through the stubborne wilfulnes of the Quéene that meant to haue stayed the Court longer there the plague came euen into hir owne chamber and dispatched one of the Noble women of her own trayne out of the way Wherefore thorough feare of the pestilence the Courte remoued from Lions to Rossilon a territorie belonging to the howse of Tarnon their howses being very stately garnished be fore with the Kings owne prouision and furniture and yet the papistes were not idell at Lions although their aboade there was both short and daungerous For the chief men of the reformed Religion were charged to abstayne and not to resort any more to Sermons or other assemblies And that this might the better bee done in all places where the Court should passe there came out a commaundement from the King forbidding That the reformed religioÌ„ should bee exercised in any place where the king should passe or in any place where he lay as loÌ„g as he made his aboade there and that it should not be pra ctised at any tyme hereafter in any of the kinges howses and pallaces the cause also was added least the Catholiques being greeued and offended with it new troubles should arise There was also a pÌ„face adioined That the same was omitted in the Edict wherunto the king would all men should vnderstand he ment not by this interpretation to adde any thing So thus they vsed the name of the Edict where in déed they endeuored to ouerthrowe and abolishe it A fortresse also by the Kings commaundement was begonne to be built at Lions to kéepe in subiection and ouerlooke the Townesmen vpon the hill of S. Sebastian in the highest part of the Citie the garrison augmented with a new supplie of fresh souldiers whereby the protestantes were manifestly marked with the note of rebellion Wée declared before how the Citie of Lions in the be ginning of the former warre was kept and fortified with a garrison of the protestantes and how Monsieur Saltan a noble man had as then the gouernment rule ouer the Citie who being very earnestly requested of the faythfull that he would in the Kings name goe forward in the administration of their common wealth notwithstanding refused to do it and leauing Lions got him quietly home to his owne howse By his defaulte and negligence the Duke of Guise when he liued would say that Lions was taken of the protestants and many complaintes and accusations as touching that matter were put vp against him by the chiefe of the popish Nobilitie and certayn Italians were suborned to accuse him before the King for betraying Lions into the protestaÌ„ts handes To these complaintes Monsieur Saltan maketh aunswere and albeit he had sufficiently proued them to be but méere surmises and false sclaunders and was also quited and discharged by the Kings own Iudgement of that accusation yet notwithstanding no punishment although he complayned diuers tymes to the Kinge therof was executed vpon these wrongful sclauÌ„derers Moreouer intreatie was made with him by Interpreters in the Kinges name that he would gyue ouer his Presidentship wherefore beeing nothing desirous of glorie and authoritie willingly gaue place and resigned his office in whose roome was placed Monsieur Lossay a man of very craftie and deceiptful disposition and excéeding hautie and proud For it is almost impossible to be told with what intollerable pompe and excessiue pride he vaunted and boasted himselfe and how great impunitie and carelesnesse in offending against the protestaÌ„ts was graunted to the papists by him The particular discourse whereof as I haue often sayde before doth not appertayn vnto our purpose for so should we take vpon vs an other mannes charge and our Commentaries which we purposed to make but short and briefe would growe vnto a great and large volume About the fourth day of August a new interpretation of the Edict was enacted and called the declaration of Religion wherein firste was placed a preface at the first vew very goodly That it was the Kinges will and pleasure that his Edict of and for religion should be straightly kept and obserued euery where that they that should be guilty of the contrary should be punished that law and iustice should bee ministred vnto all men indifferentlye and without partialitie and that his maiestie did suruey and visit his Realme and Prouinces to th entent he might meet with and prouide for al such confusions and disorders as were in the common wealth But whereas he is giuen to vnder stand that the libertie that hee had graunted out for the vse of religion did dayly minister occasions of strife and contentioÌ„ he was ready to prouide remedy for that mischiefe And to the entent that here after no doubtfull or double vnderstanding of the Edict which was made and set forth by his authoritie be left stil vncertaine and for that the declaration of his owne and very true meaning doth onely appertaine vnto him selfe for these causes he hath thought good to set it forth in open writing And whereas saith hee we do
workmanship of man But seeing we are in hande with the affaires and actes of the low Countrey let vs first compare the state thereof with the condition of the Church of Fraunce As both Churches are in mighâ—…ye Monarchies so â—…ad they for their aduersaries mighty Monarchies being vexed with the furies of Cardinals both of them in the beginning very small but in the end great and mighty both troubled with great conflictes Amidest the cruell tormentes and bloudy murthers of the Inquisition of the newe Byshops the number of suche as acknowledged and professed the truthe of the Gospell wonderfully increased Insomuche that at the length by the example of the Frenchmen who by the Kings fauour had gotten some libertie to vse the reformâ—…d religion the matter beganne to be handeled more freely and openly a certaine forme of confession of their faith and religion being published But the Cardinall Granuel on the contrary part against the mindes of those Noble men which were appoynted by King Philip went about earnestly to afflict Andwerpe with the Inquisition of the newe Byshops which notwithstanding was exempted from the burthen of the same by speciall priuiledge After thys he being complayned of by those Noble men was put quit out of his authoritie and sent for by the Kings letters to come out of Flaunders But he he had so prouided before his departure and the King was so affected at the instante sute of the Spanâ—…she Inquisitors that their Inquisition was the more seuerelye executed in Flaunders yea all things were done in the absence of Granuel as he would haue them And among all other Cities at Andwerpe great crueltie was shewed against the faythfull one of the Ministers of the reformed religion called Christopher Smith being cruelly slayne the people so much disdayning thereat that they were lyke to cause a daungerouse tumult This was in the yeare of our Lord M. D. lxiiii at what tyme the kingdome of Fraunce was greatly vexed and depriued of the benefite of the Kings Edict Notwithstanding the Churches of the low countrey dayly more and more encreased many of the noble meÌ„ imbracing and professing the truth whiche euen vntill that time had bene enimies to the same Insomuch that certaine Noble men set on fire with the loue of the truth notwithstanding the they sawe themselues to be in great perill of the Inquisitors therefore determined to make a league among themselues That they would endeuor themselues all that they coulde by all lawfull meanes to helpe one another for the auoyding of perill and to certifie one another of the attemptes of the aduersaries Thus when they had made this agréement they went aboute to ioyne and wyn vnto them others that were inflamed and bent against the reformed religion Insomuch that a man might sée openly a great many noble men with the greatest part of the people both to detest Popish superstitious and also receiue and embrace the reformed religion But in the meane time the thunder clappes of the new Byshops made suche a stoure that the faythfull beyng no more so subiecte to iniuries as they were before it was to be doubted least while they went aboute to resiste the violent force and crueltie of the Inquisitors great vexations and troubles woulde arise At this time the Duches of Parme vnder the Kyng had she gouernment of the whole region Therfore she at the Admonition of the rulers of those partes foreséeing the perill to come by their aduise and authoritie sent Egmond to Philip Kinge of Spaine to declare vnto him the great perill and daunger which hoong ouer the whole low countrey of Flaunders and to certifie him that so great troubles coulde not be preuented vnlesse both the seueritie of the Edictes and also the bouldnes of â—…ertaine men outragiously abusing and violating theÌ„ were restrayned yea and that all sortes of men were so sore offended thereat that vnlesse there were some spéedy remedye out of hande prouided there was great perill of great troubles and garboyles To this Egmond the King gaue a gentle answere saying that he had a care for the affaires of the lowe Countrey and that he would endeuour himselfe that all things might be done there peaceably and orderly Then he commaunded the Duches â—…f Parme to take order as necessitie required with the aduise and Counsaile of good and wise men by which she might prouide for so great inconueniences and yet retaine safe the catholiâ—…e Religion The Duches of Perme when she had receyued the Kinges commaundement by Egmond shee by the aduise of the rulers caused a solemn assembly in the which there were thrée Byshops thrée learned Diuines thrée Canons Lawers thrée skilful Ciuillians to whoÌ„ shée committed the ordering of the whole matter They then deuised and put downe an order tooke such paines for the Inquisition that the same could not be more conueniently established For though the forme of wordes were chaunged yet the matter it selfe was more seuerely ratifyed confirmed the terrible worde of Inquisition being mittigated by calling the same a visitation In stéede of burning they vsed hanging as we will hereafter declare more at large Notwithstanding it did not satisfie Granuell and the Spanish inquisitoures as though this kind of most cru ell death had not bin sufficient they being such kinde of men as were accustomed to shewe open cruelty without shame They brought the matter therefore before the King they said that there was a way made to the vâ—…â—…er subuersion of Religion â–ª askinge whether the â—…inge should be afrayd to make open profession of his Religion Moreouer by their meanes the Popes legates perswaded with the King by threatninges shewinge that not only the name of the Catholiques should decay but also that he himselfe should be vtterly ouerthrowen excepte he sought with all spéede to deface and vtterly to destroy euen the least remnantes and reliques of the new Religion in the lowe Countrey the which coulâ—… not be done without the benefite of the inquisition Therefore King Philip reiecting that order of gouernement which the Duches had takeÌ„ by the aduise of those graue and learned men of whom we spake before sent at the length letters vnto the saide Duches of Parme That the Inquisition should be stablished throughout al the lowe Countrey of Flaunders that the inquisitours should haue certain counsellers out of the chiefe senate ioyned to them to euery prouince by whose helpe they might be furthered in doing of their office that the auncient Edictes might euery where be obserued and kepte that Bishoppes should be consecrated in all places that the decreese of the counsaile of Trident should be euery where proclaimed and that by all manner of meanes the Doctrine of the Gospell and the professoures thereof should in all places be persecuted and afflicted This came forth in the yeare of our Lord M. D. L. X. U. and in the moneth of December These letters of the King being made openly knowen by the
commaundemente of the Duches of Parme made the Catholiques not a little ioyfull but greatly discomfited the mindes of the protestantes but specially the nobles and those of the richer sorte which sawe that their goods were sought for For what could be free from the outragiouse cruelty of the inquisitours seing they had to help them the Kinges Edictes the Quéenes artillery the Kinges prisones and their owne executioners When as the noble men could not escape their tirannye Therefore the Nobles and all the inhabitauntes of the lowe Countrey were brought into great perill Amidst this so great feare and maze of all that dwelt in that region certaine of the noble men séeing that the ruyne of the Gospell which they had professed besides the calamitie of the whole countrey and their peculiar destruction was at hand deuised a waye in so great extremity to rid themselues out of perill namely to defend themselues against the rigour tiranny of the inquisitours so far as the Kinges dignitye and authoritye would giue them leaue Thus when they had entred in to league and solemly confirmed the same with an oth they sought such wayes and meanes as séemed best vnto them to withstand that calamity like to ensue To this league thrée hundreth Noble men had giuen their consent who determined and agréed that it was the best way to go to the Duches of Parme and to shew vnto her the present daunger that she might according to her duty prouyde a remedy for the same But bycause they con sidered that if they should make any mention of religion it would giue occasion to the inquisitours to execute their tyranny first of all vpon them they thought it best and most necessary to auoyde the force and rygor of the Edictes and the Inquisition if they pretended onely the libertie and ancient priuileges of their countrey This way pleased the most part but some feared the seueritie of the Inquisition from the which the Kyng himself was not free howbeit the most parte of them thoughte it vnreasonable that the lawes and liberty of the countrey shoulde be violated and broken and such tyrannie executed vpoÌ„ their bodyes â–ª goods and consciences wherbâ—… would followe the vtter ruyne and subuersion of the whole Countrey Therefore thrée hundred Noble men almost agréed together in this confederacie at Brussels the third day of Aprill in the yéere of our Lorde M. D. LXUI and by a Noble man whose name was Brederod they offered a Supplication to the Duches of Parme In the which after they had protested their reuerence obedience and singular loue which they ought vnto the King to the Duches of Parme the Kings vicegerent by dyuers and sondry reasons they made their petition That the Inquisition might be taken away that the Kings Edictes concerning Religion mighte be suspended vntill suche time as the King and the states of the Realme had deliberated and determined concerning the same and theÌ„ they protested that they would in euery poynte doe the duetie and office of faithfull Subiectes saying that if there were not a remedy prouided for these thinges in time the ruyne of y countrey woulde followe To this the Duches of Parme made answere That she woulde doe any thing that she was able that was either good or profitable for the common wealth that she would endeuour her selfe to bring to passe that the Inquisitours and officers vnder the King should wisely behaue them selues and not deale with any according to the seuerity of the Edictes and that she woulde wythin sixe monethes vnderstande the Kings pleasure concerning these things Then shée wrote letters to the Gouernours of the Prouinces willing them not to execute the Kings lawes with seueritie vntill suche time as they were farther certified of the Kings will and pleasure She sent also to the King the Lorde Montignâ—… and the Marques of Berge Noble men In the meane time the Church of the faithfull increased and were ioyfull that they were for some while deliuered from tyranny the cruel slaughter hoping at the length to enioy peace and quietnesse On the contrary part the catholikes were euill apayd â—…earing that hereby they shuld haue euill successe Ther fore they came ofteÌ„ times to the Duches of Parme and declared vnto her that she went about to bring her selfe and the whole Countrey into extreame perill if so be these men of the newe Religion so greatly preuayled with her â–ª many other pernicious perswasions also they vsed to this effect The Duches of Parme being led by them called all the States together choosing out suche men as séemed vnto them fitte for their turne and not such as shoulde haue bene of that assembly by order and course of euery citie And before euery man had vttered his iudgement as the order of suche assemblyes requireth they made a lawe which they called the ModeratioÌ„ of the Edicts and then were commaunded to subscribe to the same and â—…o confirme it with an oath The summe of this Moderation was this That all such as followed the newe religion â–ª or did by any maner of meanes fauour or allow the same should be seuerely puÌ„nished that hanging should be the death for suche offenders and not burning that also the punishments of proscriptions and banishment shuld be executed vpon those that professed the new religion according to the Kings former Edictes Therefore nowe the matter séemed to be in worse case than before bycause these thinges were giuen forthe in the Kinges name and commaunded by the solemn authoritie of the States And thus the petition of the Nobles seemed to be satisfied It is sayde that these things were done without the Kings consent and knowledge The Rumor of this Edicte being in all places the gréene wound which before was scarcely salued began to ware sore againe and the people began to complaine a freshe perceyuing that great calamities were like to fâ—…ll vpon them Notwithstanding great was the number of such as professed the reformed religioÌ„ and â—…t dayly increased howbeit they were fayâ—…e to haue the vse of their religion priuily and in priuate houses But at the length the people waxing zealous in this cause that which before was done in secrete began to be publikely and openly exercised in so muche that Sermones were made in publike places that all men might resort thervâ—…to that woulde nothing fearing the late made Moderation whiche notwithstanding in some places was seuerely executed many by this occasioÌ„ feelyng the smart of the Inquisition In the very vtmost partes and borders of Flaunders first the protestants began to come togyther openly in â—…lockes and in congregations to heare the word of god then straytway at Antwerpe after that diuers other cities and townes following their example did the lyke This was toward the latter end of the moneth of Iune At the first the people assembled them selues togyther without the Cities notwithstanding in such number that a man might see continuall passage of people
possessed by the Protestantes and so was Rochell In al partes of the realm thoâ—…e was some number or other of Protestantes but they were banished out of the Cities whiche made the army of the Prince of Conde to be the greater The misdemeanour and cruelty of the inhabitantes of Lions made the protestants in other places that wer more mighty in power to aryse Therfore diuers murthers were committed in diuers places and because the Catholiques had burned the churches of the protestants they in lyke manner burned their Churches to requite their crueltie In so much that in all those cities which the protestantes possessed there was not almost a church to be found which thei had not burned spoyled and beaten down to the ground the people crying that all the remnaunts of superstition must bee so taken away that afterward there may be no remembrance or signe thereof to be found While this businesse and garboyle was abroade in diuers places at Paris the papists were very extréeme and cruell agaynst such as they could but suspecte to bée fauourers of the reformed religion All men therefore were set vpon warre and tumult In the meane tyme the prince of Conde wayted for his souldiours at Sandionyse and waxed dayly more strong with new ayde The Constable being verily persuaded that he should oppresse ouercome the prince of Conde marched with all the power he was able to make from Paris takinge with him great gonnes bragging boastinge that the prince of Conde had none such to put him in perill withall but his bragges and boastes had euill successe For after that the Parisians had discharged their great shot and that the battayle began to waxe whote they being not able to abyde the charge of the Prince of Conde and his souldiours though they were the smaller number began at the first to retire and afterwards when their araye was brokeÌ„ to quayle and to flée séeking to recouer the gates of the Citie so fast as they could In this battayle the Constable was sore wounded with a shot his horse also and falling to the grounde was wounded agayne and then was spéedely caryed away by certayn horsmen to Paris after the which within certayn dayes after he dyed This man had liued fiue kinges raignes being of great authoritie in Fraunce many yeres yeâ—… he was the second person in the realme he was also a faythfull and trusty seruaunt to the King being wyse circumspect to auoyde the daunger of his enemies vntill such time as he ioyned himselfe vnto them for the hatred of Religion Concerning the calamitie of the churches of Belgio we spake before After therefore that the people were in good hope by reason of the authoritie and promises of the Noble men that were of the Confederacy they receyued notwithstanding at length the aunswere of the Noble men which séemed to bee of greatest power in these matters That it séemed good vnto them to commit the whole matter to Maximilian the Emperour and the Princes of the Empyre whereby they should be sure to enioye the libertie of the confession of Ausburg But Valence being left destitute of ayde and therefore cruelly spoyled and the whole countrey being desolat that their purpose was frustrate For the protestantes fledd out from all places of the borders of Belgio by heapes also the Ministers chiefe Gouerners of the church of Antwerp yea and the Prince of Orange himselfe leauing his sonne at Louayne fled out of the countrey and that in good tyme as the pitiefull deathes of Counte Egmond and Horne afterwarde declared of the which we will speake anon A great parte of the Protestantes of the low Countrey fled into Englande and part into Germany and into Cleueland the Quene of Enland the princes of Germany but specially the Countye Palatyne graunting vnto them Cities to dwell in God thus prouided for his people who is always a continuall preseruer and vphoulder of his Church the whiche when horrible destruction coÌ„meth he buildeth vp with out the helpe of man. The Duke of Alba therefore came into Belgio otherwyse called the Lowe Countrey where he placed in diuers Cities garrisons of Spayniardes and then proclaimed the Kings Edicte concerninge the establishing of the Inquisition by whiche hée willed and commaunded the reformed religion to be altered and ordered Then also he ordeyned a new senate consisting of twelue men comonly called the Bloudy Counsaile which should sit vppon all matters concerning lyfe and death He displaced also dyuers Magistrates and set others in their roome After this he tooke a great number and cast them into prison hauing no regard or consideration of them what Religion soeuer they professed to such as were fled the countrey he appointed a day for their return and before the day was fully expired he adiudged their goodes to be confiscate Howbeit in the beginning he dissembled this cruelty and made the people beléeue that whatsoeuer had bin done before tyme for religion should be pardoned by the Kings Edict And thus were County Egmond Horne Noble men brought caught in the snare And when sharp lawes wer made concerning the inquisition the inquisitoures were not idle but played their part and cast a great number into pryson Infantes whych had bin baptised before in the reformed Churches were constrained to be rebaptised Women whose husbandes were fled for religion were constrained to be maried agayn to new husbandes and at the commaundement of the Duke de Alba many of them were forced to mary with his soulders Now the Spanish souldier began to pray and spoile in euery City Also when the dissembled clemency of Duke de Alba shewed at the first had drawen a great many home to their houses againe the Bloudy Senate was set a worke some were beheaded some hanged and some had their tungues first of all cutte out of their heades and then a bodkin thrust through their lippes these lamentable sightes were dayly to be sene but specially at Brusselles and at Antwerp Diuers Noblemen also were partakers of these punishmentes as the Battemburges which were Bretheren of a noble house and were cruelly put to death but these had more coÌ„pany for heapes were brought at once to the place of execution And at the same time County Egmond and County Horne noble men and such as afore time had borne great offices and done to their King and Countrey good seruice wer also with this bitter reward of cruel tyranny requited and after they were beheaded their heades were set vp on forkes County Horne all the tyme of his imprisonment and euen in death shewed a singuler zeale of religion It was reported that the Duke of Alba bare towardes both of these an olde grudge but specially towardes the County Egmond for that which he had done in the affaires of France not for religions sake which neyther of them at any tyme had professed These thinges were done in the yeare of our Lord 1568 the which we haue
writing it shall not be amisse to set downe the same accordinge to the very tenour thereof that all men may sée howe the aduersaries of the trueth go about to abuse the name of God to bring their owne willes to passe Ye may reade of the like in the African History in Hunrich Wandallet tyme practised by him agaynst the Christians The protestantes sayde that because in the forme of that othe exhibited vnto them the Catholiques so called were not comprehended they playnly perecyued that their fidelitie and obedience past and to come was now called in questioÌ„ and that the security of the kings protection was to them vncertayne Also they sayd séeing they were fully perswaded that the Kings Maiesty had spoken nothing vnto them hytherto but the whiche was true and vnfayned without all dissimulation they could not nor would thinke that the same forme of the othe offered vnto them was knowne to the Kinge but rather deuised by some notable enemy both to him and also to the publique peace of all meÌ„ But neuerthelesse because we desire this one thing say they aboue all the reste namely to shewe our true and sincere obedience which we owe to our King and naturall Prince Charles the ninth we modestly humbly desire to make our aunswere to that othe praying beséeching the Kings Maiestie that before he procéede any further in establishing the forme of the same othe it maye please him to consider these our petitions whiche with all reuerence and submission of mynde wée propose in manner and forme following The Forme of the Oathe VVe proteste before God and sweare by his name That wee acknowledge King Charles the nynth too be our soueraigne Lord and naturall King. The Answere We will neuer doubt or stay to sweare in so good and iust a cause but we most humbly beséech our king so to iudge of vs as he hath himselfe spoken of vs in his Edict For our conscience beareth vs witnesse that we neuer had any thing in our mindes contrary to the form and meaning of this Oathe Oathe And are ready to giue vnto him all honor obedience and Submission Answer â–ª To this we wil most gladly and willingly sweare séeing that this exception can not be denyed vs That according to the tenor of hys Edictes we haue graunted to vs the libertie of our consciences the vse of the reformed religion Oathe And that we will neuer beare armour but at his expresse commaundementes as shall appeare vnto vs by his owne letters And that we will neither consent vnto them nor helpe them with Counsaile with Money with vittailes or with any other necessary thing which may arme them against vs. Answer To this also we willingly swere for seing we haue two Edictes of pacification for certaine and plaine demonstrations vnto vs of his wil and meaning we wil account all other commaundements contrary to those two Edictes for false and counterfaite And we will neuer bear armor neither haue we so don at any time vnlesse we haue bene plainely constrained to defende our selues from the iniuries and oppression of those meÌ„ whiche breaking the commaundementes of his maiesties Edictes haue gone about to oppresse vs contrary to his will. Oathe Neither will we make anye collections of Money vnder the collour of anye occasion withoute his expresse commaundement Answere We trust that in this braunche the Money whiche necessarily we gather for the releuing of our Ministers the poore and for the repairing of oure Churches and for other necessarye vses is not comprehended The which being gathered we sweare beyng ordinarilye called that we will not vse them deceytâ—…ully to anye other ende Oathe VVe will not haue any secrete Counsailes nor priuie leagues neither wil we consent vnto them but contrariwise we promise and sweare that we will certifie hym or his officers faithfully of all those things which shall be practised against his Maiestie against the tranquilitie of the Realme or against anye that are neere vnto hys Maiestie Answer By the order of this Article whosoeuer was the author of the same we séeme to be accused as though we had hytherto behaued oure selues otherwise than wée ought to haue done the which certainly we wil neuer confesse For the Kinges Edictes of pacification will not suffer vs so to do séeing it hath pleased his Maiesty by them to acknowledge vs for suche manner of men as in déede we are namely for his lawfull and faithfull Subiectes This being added we will sweare that we will with the helpe of God constantly retain vnto the death this Article of the Oathe Oathe VVe pray and besech with all reuerence and submission of mind his Maiestie that it may please him to extende towardes vs his accustomed clemencie and goodnesse â–ª and to accounte vs for his faithfull and obedient seruaunts and to kepe vs vnder his protection to whom next vnder God we flee vnto Answerâ—… â–ª As we neuer doubted of the clemencie and goodnes of oure King whom we haue acknowledged and do acknowledge for our naturall Prince and supreme Lord next vnto God so are we ready most humbly to praye and beséeche him â–ª to coâ—…tinue the same his good wil vnto vs â–ª his most obedient and faithfull subiectes Notwithstanding if it may be spoken with his highnes fauour and leaue we haue no néede to craâ—…e his fauour and pardon for the time paste seyng by the goodnesse of God our consciences doe beare vs witnesse that we haue neither done nor thought any thing against hys Maiestie and therefore we trustâ—…â—…hat this is not so ment or spoken Oathe To whom we will pray vncessantly for the conseruation of his life and dignitie and for the happy estate of the Queene his mother and of his brethren Answer We haue and alwayes will God willing make our prayers from the bottome of our hart vnto the Lorde And we gyue thankes vnto the Kyng that it pleaseth him to think better of vs than our aduersaries do who both by their wordes writings report vs to be wicked and call our prayers blasphemies Oathe And we do submit our selues willingly to all rygor of paynes and punishments if there shal happen any troubles or tumultes through our default in this Citie Expessing the name of the Citie for the defence whereof vnder the Kinges authoritie and at the commaundement of his Ministers we will willingly spende and bestow our liues and goods Answâ—â— To this Article we answere with all reuerence This being so generally put downe experience hathe taught vs that it will be a ready way and fitte occasion for them of whose mindes we haue had of late to large testimonies to kill vs at their pleasure either by preteÌ„ding iudgement or else by some seditious tumult of which things they are skilfull workemen Therefore as euery one of vs would willingly sweare vnto these things so we most hartely pray and beséech the Kings Maiestie to sée diligently that we maye haue Iustice more truely
territorie of Bellouac of which he being certified fled and in fléeing was chased by souldiours till he came to the Sea In so much that he was constrayned to leaue the greatest part of his cariage behind him and to take Ship to passe ouer into England It was also commonly reported about this tyme that Charles Sonne to King Philip of Spayne was dead The causes were by diuers men diuersly reported but that which was most credible is That the Inquisitors suspecting him of certain things concerning religion ê“uoked stirred vp the displeasure of the Father against the Sonne that he might depriue himselfe of his onely Sonne and of the lawfull heyre of Spayn Shortly after this also newes was brought concerning the death of Elizabeth wyfe to Philip Kinge of Spayne and Sister to Charles King of Fraunce Furthermore the Duke of Alba dayly more more played the tyrant in Flaunders straining no courtesie at the shedding of innocent bloud wherevpon the prince of Orange being moued partely to discharge his dutie being one of the Princes of the Empire and partely for the loue which hée bare to his Countrey caused a great Army to be in a readinesse that hée might withstand the cruell tyrannie of the said Duke of Alba. He had to ayde him great numbers of horsemen footemen which came out of Germany out of Fraunce and also out of the low CouÌ„trey County Lâ—…dowike also his brother a valeaÌ„t captain came with a great number of good souldiours to ioyne with him COME LORD IESV COME QVICKLY The. ix Booke of Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and of the common wealth of Fraunce vnder the Raigne of Charles the ninth THus beganne the third ciuill war in FrauÌ„ce being more notable than the others goyng before both for the great atteÌ„pts and enterprises and also for the continuance of the same for it troubled the Noble Realme of FrauÌ„ce for the space of two yeres Therefore when newes was brought to the Courte of the departure of the Prince of Conde there was open prouision made on both partes for the warre but both their conditions were not alike For the Papistes had Cities Artillery money and all maner of prouision belonging to warre they had also the Kings name authoritie and power by which they preuailed more than by any other meane But as for the Prince of Conde and the Protestantes they had almost nothing but the goodnesâ—…e of their cause and couragious mindes to defende themâ—…elues who though to the perill of the losse of theyr lyues and goods were almost desperate to defende the same Moreouer they which should haue bene helpers and furtherers of their cause were hemde in and shut â—…p throughout the whole Realme in so muche that it was marueile that the Prince of Conde was able to holde warre and to withstand his enemies in so great extreamitie There were great and vrgent caâ—…ses of newe contention â–ª as the diâ—…pleasure taken for the breaking of the oath solemnlye made the breaking of the Kings promise and common peace and the meâ—…itable necessitie of defending their consciences and liues But the Papistes beyng forward enough of themselues tâ—… destroy the godly were pricked forward by the bloudy â—…uriousnesse of the Cardinall of Loraine Therefore by the Kings commaundâ—…ment for vnder this name the Papistes did what they would the Armies that were dismiâ—…t were nowe called backe againe newe choyse and musteâ—…s of men were had and they were all commaunded to be at Staples the. x. dayâ—… of September The wholâ—… ordering and charge of the warre was committed tâ—… Alexander Duke of Angewe the Kings brother being but a young man notwithstanding he had ioyned with him certaine valiant captaines as we sayde before Then were baytes and â—…nares subtiâ—…ly layde and in the Kinges name the gouernours of the Prouinces published a decrée as thus The Kyng commaundeth that all the men of the reformed Religion be vnder his protection no lesse than anye other of his subiectes that they may haue leaue to complaine of iniuries done to them that they may haue remedies prouided out of hande as it is meete and conuenient for their defence and that all Magistrates should be vigilant to defend them In the meane tyme he that caryed the Prince of Condes letters to the King after the deliuerie of them was taken and committed prisoner to a certaine noble man and no answere made to the letters The Prince of Conde when he had stayed in the house of Rochfoucant certaine dayes wente wyth hys whole retinew to Rochel of whose inhabitantes he was very louingly receiued And thether came vnto him the inhabitantes of Xantonge of Poictou of Perigueux of Engolmoys and a great number of noble men of the Regions thereaboutes which embraced the reformed religion and as for the common sort of people they came vnto him out of all those quarters by beapes The Câ—…ties also called Sainctes Tifauge and Montagu offered themselues vnto him But for all this he sente letters to diuers partes of the Realme requiring ayâ—… of hys fellowes and forsomuch as the Protestantes were expulsed almost euery Citie it seemed good vnto him that they shoulde come with all spéede to hiâ—… to Rochel and then hauing greater power to ioyâ—… battaile wyth the enemie Notwithstanding in many places by the wonderfull prouidence of God there were diuers places of refuge reserued throughout the whole Realme as to the men of Francoys Sanferre and Uezelay to the men of Languedoe Montalban Castrealby and Milliaulde to the men of Dolpheny which at that time were in great perill the Cities of Uiuaretze were reserued as Albenac Priuac and many others But before the Prince of Conde began any warre he published a certaine solemne declaration of the causes of the same In manner and forme as followeth I protest before God and his Angels and before this holy assembly that â—…as I also declared in my last letters which I sent vnto the King my Lord intend to do nothing against his Maiestie which may either hurt his person or dignitie but taking him for my Kinge and supreme Lorde next vnder God by him so appoynted I protest that whatsoeuer I doe is for no other cause but to keepe and defende the liberties of our consciences the free vse of the reformed Religion our lyues honours and goods from the tyrannie and oppression of the Cardinall of Loraine and his fellowes â–ª the whiche tyrannie they haue alwayes hytherto shewed and minde still to vse towards the men of the reformed Religion contrary to our kings will whiche he hath openly declared by publique Edicts and decrees thereby breaking the common peace and tranquiâ—…itie And for this cause to the end I may defend their lyues honours goods and the libertie of their consâ—…ences which professe the reformed religion I affirâ—…e that I wyll spende bothe my lyfe and whatso euer eâ—…se God hath giuen vnto me And bâ—…cause there came souldiers daye by daye vnto
by another Edict he lefte those vnder the power of Ecclesiasticall lawes which would not come into the right way which Ecclesiasticall power is no bloudy power so that men breake not the common peace Notwithstanding for all this the Kings expectation was frystrated by the secrete conspiracies â–ª of those Noble men which went about to moue warre vnder the collour of Religion and to trouble the Realme And when he vnderstoode the whole matter throughly he was constrained to come to Orleans with an Armie of men to prenent and prouide for things in time for the which cause he called all the States of the Realme together In the whiche place he dyed and I beyng of younger yeares and therefore lesse able to take vpon me the gouernmeÌ„t of so great a kingdome was by the prouidence of God appoynted to succéede him And the conuenient and neâ—…essarie helpe which God left vnto vâ—… namely the couÌ„saile of the Quéene my mother in the gouernmente of our Realme was greatly let and hyndeâ—…d through the contempt of this our young and tender yeares by those Noble men which nexte to oure owne brenthren are most néere of bloud vnto vs and yet notwithstanding thus they haue disagréed and contended with oure mother And to make themselues the more stronge they haâ—… taken vpon them the defence of that newe opinion by whose fauour and trauaile the same is wonderfully spred abroad increased To prouids a remedie for the which matter so soone as we were anointed we commaunded our Princes our priuie Counsaile and al the Counsellers of the Senate of Paris to come to Sangermane and by their counsaile and aduise we made an Edicte in the which we cleane forbad the vse and administration of the reformed religioÌ„ or any other contrarie to that which was receyued in the Catholike church by our Elders after the receiuing of the ChristiaÌ„ faith But because the fautors and maintainers of that newe opinion sawe that their ambitious counsailes and purpose were greatly let and hyndered by this Edict they would not suffer the same to be obserued and kept but in all places styrred vp such as embraced that new opinion by whom the making of that our Edict mighte be frustrated And vnder the collour of those troubles which by their meanes were raised dayly throughoute the whole Realme they pretended that the Edict could be obserued by no manner of meanes and they were the authors that an assemblye of exquisite and learned men was made out of all Parliaments which myghte declare their Iudgementes concerning the ordering of religion and that by them an Edict might be made anâ—… by this meanes they beyng moste mightie and of greatest authoritie and hauing made whome they lysted to be of our counsaile they obteyned their purpose namely That there should be libertie graunted for the exercising of two religions the whiche was confirmed by the Edict of Ianuary the which Edict the Quéene our Mother suffered against â—…ir will which was euer godly to take place as dyd also our Cosyn the Cardinall of Borban the Cardinall of Turnâ—…n the Duke Moâ—…orencie the Constanble the Marshall of Santandrae and also the chiefest of our officers which oure Father and brother left vnto vâ—… wâ—…o at that time toulde the Quéene that it would be the lesse 〈◊〉 to suffer the same religion seing the vse ther of should not be within the cities and bicause there was good hope it would come to passe that when we should come to our full and perfect age we shoulde amend and reforme the same by our authâ—…ritie and power royall Therefore the Quéene our mother went forwarde with singular faith and constancie to retaine and kepe vs our brethren and Sister in the catholike and Apostolike doctrine of Rome which oure auncetours embraced receyued for a thousand yéeres ago and more and in those dayes florished and brought notable things to passe in consideration whereof we and all our subiectes are greatly bounde to our mother the Quéene And although those men of the newe religion should be sufficiently satisfied and contented wyth that Edict of Ianuarye if they had not another purpose and meaning than the libertie of their consciences yet notwithstanding they being not content with that our sufferance shortly after the Proclamation of that Edict openly declared their peruerse myndes of their owne priuate authoritie bearing armour against vs takyng our cities and holdes bringing forraine straungers into this our Realme and lyke mortall and sworne enemyes ioyning battaile with vs at Dreux in the which it pleased God to giue vnto vs the victory hauing compassion on his people our subiectes To the ende also we might wynne our rebellious subiects with clemencie and might 〈◊〉 them to our obedience hoping that it would come to passe that God at the length when we shoulde come to more full and ripe age woulde restore obedience and concorde to hys Churche we graunted vnto them another Edict in the whiche we graunted them some libertie to vse their religion And although from that time forwarde we had manye â—…ecrées according to their owne fantasie concerning publique peace to the ende we might put them out of all feare and suspicion yet notwithstanding they did very lycensiously breake them howbeit we made our Edicte for theyr peace and tranquilities sake the which althoughe we might haue reuoked as beyng onely made but for a certaine time yet notwithstanding we saithfully haue obserued and kept the same and haue giuen them no occasion to beare Armour against vs. The which notwithstanding they haue done of late and haue come vnto vs with force of armes pretending afterward that they came in that maner to offer vnto vs a supplication for the preseruation of their religion Notwithstanding they haue openly bid vs battaâ—…l in so much that they haue besieged our principal City Paris and haue done all that they can to win the same Yet for al this we séeking to spare the bloud of our nobility and the liues also of the rest of our miserable subiectes and indeuouring to win them by clemency haue graun ted vnto them they crauing at our handes peace the same Edicte they certainely promisinge that they wil faithfully obserue kepe the same and wil neuer hereafter trouble our Realme Who neuerthelesse brake that same their promise and refused to surrender vnto vs Rochell Montalbon and dyuers other Cities in Languedoc kept still bandes of Souldiers in sundry partes of the Realme brought in straungers and killed many of our catholique faithfull subiectes all because as they said certaine of their side were slain for the examination punishment wherof we gaue coÌ„maundement But séeing wée sée them so oftemtymes to abuse our clemency and goodnesse and can doubt no more of theyr wicked counsaile and purpose which is to appoint an other soueraign and to destroy him whom God hath appointed and by this meanes to drawâ—… from vs our subiectes for these and diuers other greate and wayghtyâ—…
also in the laste rising as soone as was offered to the sayd prince and other Lords and gentlemen of his company the reestablishment of the exercise of religion notwithstanding their greate troupes and strength of straungers ioyned with them and vpon the very point to assaulte the towne of Chartres in the view and face of the enemyes campe which was for the most disordered if at the onely sounde and pronouncing of peace made by a Trumpet sent vnder the name of your maiestie the sayde prince did not onely forbeare y assault but also raised forthwith his siege and retired his army reping notwithstanding of so readie obedience but a bloudy peace and promise full of infidelitie if also during the same sturre the morrow after the battaile at Sainct Denys where both the prince had the better and the Constable principall leader of the army was slaine The sayde Prince dispatched to your maiestie the Lord de Theliguy aswell to warne you of the ruine and desolation threatning from the instaunt your Realme if the straungers were suffered to enter houering there vpon the frontiers as also to mediate and sollicite in meanes and remedyes to knit an absolute peace only in the cause of religion if in short your Edicts haue bene alwayes published and the peace accorded at suche tymes as they of the religion if they would haue abused the opinion of your purpose might in respect of their forces persuade and beléeue that aswell in all your parleyes and treaties of peace there was no other mention than of the matter of religion as also that their enemyes haue not bene brought to it but by necessitie being vnable by open force to mayntaine any longer against them in what conscience or with what face or countenance may it be sayd that these troubles moue continue for the matter and cause of religion And yit neuerthelesse the more to choke and conuince the Cardinall of Lorraine and other his adherentes of their lies and slaunderous impositions which they publish daily the said Princes Lordes Knightes gentlemen and others of their companies forgetting the infidelitie and all disloyall attemptes heretofore conspired agaynst them declare and protest this daye both before God and your Maiestie that what so euer hath ben don or offered to them in euill from the beginninge to thys houre thei neither haue nor wil once impute it to your Maiestie as knowing your nature to be nothing touched with such iniust seuerities whereof you haue gyuen so many publique experiences that there is nowe no cause of doubte neyther haue or do they thinke to chaunge or diminish in any respect their duetye and naturall regard which they haue alwayes bent to the true aduauncement of your greatnesse and Royall estate wherein and also in so many effectes aforesaid if it bée both knowne and séene that they entertayne no other purpose nor meaning than vnder the obedience and authoritie of your Edictes to serue God according too his will and as they are instructed by his holy woorde with desire to be maintayned with equall care as your other subiectes in their honours liues and goods they are now ready to giue such further manifest proofe and witnesse as their most enemies shall haue least cause henceforth to doubt them And that neither to enter into any iustification of their actions passed as their innâ—…cencie and iustice of their cause béeing sufficientlye known to your maiestie and all other Kings princes and potentates what straungers so euer they be if they be not of the faction and partie of Spaine much lesse to séeke to capitulate with your maiestie knowing god be praysed what is the dutie of good and faythfull subiectes to their soueraigne Prince and naturall Lorde But Sir in respect of the large peny worthes and coÌ„mon marchandise which heretofore hath bene made of the faith and word of your maiestie which aboue all ought to be holy sacred inuiolable and withall with what vnséeming boldnesse your authoritie and name hath ben abused to the extréeme periâ—… of all your people of the reformed profession it néed not séeme straunge if the said Princes with their consociates doe humbly beséeche you to declare by an Edict solemn perpetual and irreuocable your resolute will in a libertie exercise of their Religion to the ende that by the same suche as heretofore at two seuerall times both rashly and with all impunitie haue infringed and violated your former constitution in that cause may by this thirde be more brideled and restrayned wherein because such as were not able to endure the vnitie and vniuersall rest maintayned amongst your people by the good obseruation of your Edictes haue taken occasion to alter and corrupt them by new constructions and modifications contrary to the true substaÌ„ce of the same and sincere meaning of your maiestie And that also the sayde Princes with the reste of their faction confesse to haue borne a most iust iudgement of God in more sortes of afflictions in tyme of peace than when it was open â–ª warre as in con senting too easely to the treatises of peace whiche haue ben made the same prouiding a generall contentment on all sides that God should be serued onely in certayn places of the Realme and by certain persons as though in a sound conscience there belonged no other thing to the seruice of God. They most humbly beséeche your maiestie to accord and graunt generally to all your subiectes of what qualitie and condicion so euer frée vse of the sayd Religion in all Cities villages and boroughes all other places and corners of your Realm and countreys within your obedience and protection without any exception reseruacion modification or restraint of persons tymes or places and that with suerties necessary in so hyghe a cause and besides to ordeyne and enioyne to make manifest profession of the one or other religion to the ende to cut of hereafter all meanes and occasions to many who abusing such benefite and grace are flipt into Atheisme and carnall libertie and who standing vpon no exercise and profession of religion desire nothing more than to sée an vniuersall confusion in this Realme and all order pollicie and Ecclesiasticall discipline reuersed and abolished a thing so daungerous as not to be tollerated in any Christian state And because Sir wée doubt not at al that those who hetherunto haue pitched the foundation of their deuises vppon slaunderous reproches impudently published to make vs hatefull eueÌ„ to such as God be praysâ—…d be frée from the seruitude tyrannie of Antichrist will not sticke to impose vppon vs an inciuiâ—…e obstinacy rather to defend without reason that we haue once resolued to beléeue touching the Articles of Christian religion than to correct or retract our erroures We declare and protest as herevnto we haue done that if in any pointe of the confession of faith heretofore presented to your maiestie by the reformed Churches of your Realme it may be founde by the word
Chastelleraut amongst whom were specially the lord of Boniuets companyes sonne to the Lord of Creuecâ—…ur and of the baron of Numburg a Normande which being knowen to the garrison of the sayde Chastelleraut together with the certaine place where the sayd lord Boniuet was wonte to come the tenth of August two or thrée hundreth horsemen with certaine shot of the Captaine Norman made a sally vpon them and toke the sayde L. Boniuet with his company in a village néere to Liguers â–ª where they entred withoute let as kéeping negligente garde and were founde layde and lodged after the french maner the Lorde Boniuet was prisoner and almost all the rest of his company either killed or taken About the same time the Marquis of Rancon an Italian was takeÌ„ néere to Myrebeau as he bayted and was led prisoner to Nyort The lord of Tarrides gouernour for the King in Quercy maintayned war all this while in Bern a country belonging to the Quéene of Nauar hauing almost brought all the country vnder his authoritie wherfore the countie Montgomery sent as is saide into Gaseoyne assembled the forces of the ii vicountes to apply spéedely to the succours and rescue of the Citie of Nauarre in Bearn besieged by the said Lord of Tarrides he deuided his iorney into such diligence and spéede as about the 7. of August he was very néere Nauarreis at whose so sodaine comming the Lord Tarrides raised his siege and retyred into a towne there ioyning where the Montgomery besieged and toke him with his brother and the lord de S. Colombe and of Negre-pelisse with many other great lordes and knightes of the order and captaines to the number of xxx The Lord of Tarrides lost his artillerie with a great number of his horsemen footemen The countie Montgomery by meane of this discomfeit restored the whole country of Bearn to the obedience of the Quéene of Nauarre Touching the siéege of Poictiers they within were in greate amaze with the breaches made in the Abbottes meade the rather bycause they could not defend them whervpoÌ„ entring into counsail they found it most best and necessarye to stem the ryuer of Clyn to the ende to make it runne ouer his cannell and so drowne the said meade this counsaile was put in spéedy execution and plantinge stakes and pales proper for the purpose beneath the arches of the bridge of Rochereul they daÌ„med the riuer so that in a moment the mead was all ouerflowen with water about thrée cubites high the same so troubling the protestants as it driue them from their determinations notwithstanding after they had considred wel of the subtilty they began as in a couuter polli cye to beate the pales and giue vent to the water and therefore the next morning discharged so many shottes of artillery against the said waterworke as the water retyred and left the meade drye which the catholiques the night following restored and countergarded in this order they cast behind the said damme vnder the arches a very thicke wall fastening certayne fléeces or balles woll to the pales to receyue and dampe the cannon shot which made the water swell and ouerflow more highe than afore Notwithstanding the catholiques were closed very nere and straight yet made they many sallies vpon the Protestantes who skowred them back again euen to the verye posternes of their Citie not without great losse to the one and other side Amongst these sallies they made one of such a sodaine the xii of this moneth that they tooke a cornet of Reistres and caried them without let into the towne In this moneth the town of Orillac in Auuergne â–ª was taken by night by the L. de la Roche and Bessonniere professoures of the religion in that countrey accompanied onely with seuen or eyght score men This was their meane and pollicie there is in the saide Orillac a gate of quarrie in the wall towardes the ryuer which the in habitauntes of the place caused to ramme and wall vp leauinge onely a posterne so straighte that one person could scarcely enter This posterne was cloased with two portes or gates of wood the one within and the other without the town the saide Lord of la Roche and Bessonniere came to the gate without the postern and with a great yron instrument made a hoale or creuish by the which they cast in about a hundreth poundes of cannon pouder betwéen the said two gates and then closing vp theâ—… said hoale or creuish and making vnder the said first gate a train to the same pouder they put fire to it which forthwith flushed with in the saide two gates and blewe them both vp the one caried forty pace of and throwen vppon a house within the towne and the other inforced with the violence and strength of the pouder rushed against a wall without the towne and brake a breach containing his own compasse by which thei entered the town wherein was no other garde than of the inhabitantes whereof they killed a hundreth or sixe score resisting them in armoure The Lord of S. Heraut gouernour of the countrey appeared certaine dayes after afore the towne thinkinge to recouer it but finding such warme resistance hee returned forthwith to S. Floure The longe continuance of this stéege afore Poyctiers brought the Catholiques in a great necessitie and want of vittailes aswell for men as horses and aboue al forrage was so scant with them that thei were driueÌ„ for to turne abroade parte of their horses to the vynes medowes landes and other voyde places of the towne whereof the Princes hauing vnderstanding by certain stragling souldiours issuing out of the towne determined to breake the mylne in the bottome of the medowe néere to the port de Tyson And for this purpose planted ouer ii Canons in that quarter which they discharged against the sayd mylne and after retyred them as beyng discouered and anoyed by the Catholikes who pinched now with an extreme want of vittailes determined to thrust out of the town a great number of vnprofitable persons which as they beganne to execute the. xvi of this moneth so the Protestantes to pine and sterue the towne more driue theÌ„ backe with force to enter the towne againe For want of pouder and bollets the batterie ceased for a time wherof the Princes hauing receyued a new prouision from Rochell renued also the batterie the. xx of August on that side towardes the Abbottes meade where the breach being forced they sent in the euening to surueye it by certaine numbers of Souldiers wherof xvi or xvii entred by y breach into the sayd medow from whence beyng discouered by the watch in S. Peters steple who ronge the alarum bell they were constrained to retire with spéede The night following the protestants builded a bridge vpon Clyn towardes the suburbes of S. Sornyns to passe to the Byshops meade stretching towardes the temples of S. Rudegonde and S. Sulpiee the bridge was made of quarreis of wood hurdles pypes earth and plankes
the Realme in the kings minoritie For though by the lawe of Fraunce neither the inheritance nor the administration of the Realme is graunted to women yet through the cowardly negligence of Anthonie king of Nauarre the sayde Gatherine de Medices the kinges mother against the custome of the Realme was ioyned with him in that office of protectorship She fearing the presumption and fierce pride of the Guisians wrote to the Prince of Conde with hir owne hand which letters are yet remayning and at the assemblie of the Princes of Germanie at Franckeford holden vnder Ferdinande the Emperoure were produced and opēly read about ten yeares past wherein shée earnestly besought him in so great hardnesse and distresse not to forsake hir but to account both the mother and the children that is both hir self and the king and the kyngs brethren committed to his faith and natural kindnesse that he should with al spéede prouide for their common safetie assuring him that she would so imprint in the kinges mind his trauel taken in that behalf that he should neuer be loser by it Within few daies after the Duke of Guise well knowing howe great authoritie the name of the king would carie in France and to the intēt that he would not séeme to attempt any thing rather of his own head than by the priuitie of the king hauing atteined fitte partners to ioyne with him in these enterprises he got the king into his power Which thing being knowen abrode many hard incombrances ther vpon sodainly rising a great part of the nobilitie of France maruelously troubled with it the Prince of Conde by aduise of his friends thought it best for him to take certaine towns furnish them with garrisons which was the beginning of the first ciuil warre For the Prince of Conde alleaged the cause of his taking armour to be the defence of the kings Edict wherin cōsisted the safetie of the common weale and that it could not be repealed without most assured vndoing of the nation of Fraunce destruction of the nobilitie by reason of the excéeding great multitude of those that dayly ioyned themselues to that Religion Of which number suche as being of noble birthe were in power dignitie wealth and credite aboue the rest thought it not méete for them to suffer the punishmentes and crueltie accustomed to be extended vpon the professors thereof beside that they helde them discontented that the Duke of Guise a newe come a straunger translated from the forestes of Loraine into Fraunce did take vppon him in Fraunce so great courage and so high dominion and power Thereto was added the Quéenes mothers singular care as was reported for cōseruation of peace and repressing the rage of the Guisians Upō whiche opinion it is certayne that aboue twentie thousande men hauing regarde onely to the Quéenes inclination ioyned themselues to the side of those of the Religion and to the defence of their profession which at that time had beūeged the force of the kinges power ▪ After certaine battailes and many losses on both paris the Duke of Guise slaine within a yéere peace was made with this cōdition that they of the Religion should haue frée libertie thereof and should haue assemblies preachings for the exercise of the same in certaine places This peace continued in force but not in all places during fiue yeares for in the moste townes and iurisdictions the officers that were affectionate to the Romishe side whom they commonly call Catholikes did all the displeasures they could to those of the Religion Therfore whē Ferdinando Aluares de Toledo commōly called Duke of Alua was leading an armie not farre from the frontiers of Fraunce against those of the lowe countrey which embraced the reformed Religiō against the will of the king of Spaine the Quéene mother caused to be leuied and brought into Fraunce sixe thousand Switzers for a defence as she caused it to be bruted but as the successe hathe proued for this intent that the Prince of Conde the Admirall and other Noble men of the Religion if they escaped the treasons prepared for them and listed to defende themselues by force and trie it by battaile might bée sodeinlye oppressed ere they were prouided For the courtiers whiche then had the managing of these matters did not at that time wel trust the souldiers of Fraunce Many things pertaining to the course of that time and the renewing of the warre must here for hast to our present purpose be necessarily omitted When the warre had endured about sixe monethes peace was made with the same conditions that wée haue aboue rehearsed that all men should haue frée libertie to followe and professe the Religiō reformed ▪ For this was euer one and the last condition vpon all the warres But within fewe dayes or monethes after it was plainly vnderstoode that the same peace was full of guile and treason and finally that it was no peace but most cruel warre cloaked vnder the name of peace For forthwith al those towns which they of the Religion had yelded vp were possessed and strengthened with garrisons of souldiers of the contrary side sauing onely one towne on the sea ceast of Xantoigne commonly called Rochell For the men of that towne about two hundreth yeares past had yelded themselues to the kinges power allegeance with this condition that they should neuer be constrayned against their will to receiue any garrison souldiers Also the Prince of Conde and the Admirall were aduertised that there was treason agayne prepared to entrappe them by Tauaignes a man giuen to murther and mischiefe which had lately bin made Marshall of Fraunce and that if they did not spedely auoyde the same it should shortly come to passe that they should be deceiued and taken by him and deliuered vp to the crueltie of their aduersaries Upon the receit of these aduertisementes they immediatly make haste to Rochell carying with them their wiues yong children which was the beginning of the thirde ciuill warre the most sharpe and miserable of all the rest There was at that time in the court Charles Cardinall of Loraine brother to the Duke of Guise whiche as is aboue saide was slayne in the first warre one accompted most subtill and craftie of all the rest but of a terrible cruell and troublesome disposition so as he was thought intollerable euen at Rome it selfe This man they of the reformed Religion reported to be the most sharpe and hatefull enimie of their profession and him they abhorred aboue all other for the crueltie of his nature and named him the firebrand of all ciuill flames He at the beginning of the third ciuill warre persuaded the king to publishe an Edict that no man professe any Religion but the Romishe or Popishe and that whosoeuer would embrace any other should be cōpted as traytours In that same Edict printed at Paris this sentence was expressely conteined and for the strangenesse of the matter and for that it stayned
the slaughter of the Admirall and his adherentes was done by the Kings commaundement for so was his maiesties expresse pleasure bicause they had conspired to kil him and his brethren and the Quéene his mother and the Kyng of Nauarre And farther that the King did forbid that from thenceforthe there should be no moe assemblies holden nor preachings vsed of the Religion After the Kinges oratioÌ„ ended Christopher Thuane PresideÌ„t of that ParliameÌ„t a man very notable for his light brain and his cruell heart did with very large wordes congratulate vnto the King that he had now with guile and subtiltie ouercom these his enimies whome he could neuer vanquishe by armes and battell saying that therein the King had most fully veryfied the olde saying of Lewes the eleuenth his progenitor King of Fraunce which was wont to say that he knew neuer a latine sentence but this one Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare He that can not skil to dissemble can not skil to be a King. But Pibrace the aduocate of the FinaÌ„ces made a short oration the summe whereof was to this effecte that although the King hadde iust and great cause to be displeased yet he thought it more agréeable with his maiesties clemencie and goodnesse to make an ende of the slaughters and common spoyle and not to suffer such outrages to be any longer committed without iudiciall procéeding in the cause and besought his maiestie that from thenceforth it would please him to vse the lawe which is well knowne to be the onely stablishment of kingdomes and Empires and that there had bene already giuen to the commonaltie too perillous an example to followe An arrest of ParliameÌ„t with the Kings royall assent being made to that effect there were immediately Haroldes and trumpeters sent rouÌ„d about all the towne and an Edict proclaimed in the Kings name that from thenceforth the slaughters and common butcherly murtherings should ceasse and that all persons should abstainc from pillage and robberie This being knowne there were diuers speaches vsed of this matter throughout the town and specially of learned meÌ„ The most part sayd that they had read many histories but in all memorie of all ages they neuer heard of any such thing as this They coÌ„pared this case with the horrible doings of King Mithridates which with one messenger and with the aduertisement of one letter caused a hundreth and fiftie thousand Romaines to be slaine Some coÌ„pared it with the doing of Peter of Arragone which slewe eight thousand Frenchmen in Sicile which Isle they had surprised in his absence But yet this difference appeared betwene those cases and this that those Kings had exercised their crueltie vpon foreins and strangers but this King had done his outrage vpon his owne subiectes being yelded not so much to his power as to his faith and credit Those Kings were bound by no promise but such as was giuen to the strangers themselues this King was with newe made league bound to the kings and Princes his neighbors to kepe the peace that he had sworne Those kings vsed no guilefull meanes vnworthie for the maiestie of a King to deceyue this king for a baite and allurement abused the mariage of his owne sister and in a manner besprinkled hir wedding robe with bloud Which dishonor and indignitie no posteritie of all ages can forget Some againe discoursed that though this cruell aduise semed to many Courtiers to haue bene profitable yet not onely the honor of a King but also the estimation and good fame of the whole nation was against that shewe of profit They alleaged how Aristides did openly in the audience of all the people reiect the counsell of Themistocles coÌ„cerning the burning of the Lacedemonians nauie although it must needes haue followed that the power of the Lacedemonians their enimies should therby haue bene vtterly weakened â–ª Fuâ—… Camillus receyued not the children of the chief Lords of the Phalice betrayed to him by their schoolemaister but stripped him naked and deliuered him to be whipped home with rods by the same children Pausanias hath left it reported that the posteritie of Philip of Macedon fell into most great calamities for this cause that he was wont to set light by the reuerend conscience of an oth and his faith giuen in leagues Some cited the lawe of the twelue tables Si patronus clienti fraudem facit sacer esto If the patrone or soueraigne defraude his client or vassall be he out of protection They disputed also that like faith as the vassal oweth to his Lord the Lord oweth also to his vassall and for what causes and for what fellonies the vassal loseth his tenancie for the same causes and fellonies the Lord loseth his seigniorie Some said that the right hand in auncient time was called the pledge of the faith of a King and that this if a King shall despise there is no communion of right with him and he is no more to be accounted a king neither of his owne subiects nor of straungers Kingly vertues in tymes past haue bene reported to be these iustice gentlenesse and clemencie but crueltie and outrage haue euer bene dispraised both in all persons and specially in princes Scipio hath in all ages bene praysed who was wont to say that he had rather saue one citizen than kill a thousand enimies whiche sentence Antoninus the Emperor surnamed Pius the kinde or vertuous did oft repeate It was a most shamefull byworde of yong Tyberius to be called clay tempered with bloud They sayd also that kings haue power of life and death ouer their subiects but not without hearing the cause and iudicial proccding that there cannot be alleaged a greater authoritie than the Dictators had at Rome in whome was the soueraigne power of peace and warre of life and death and without appeale yet was it not lawfull for them to execute a citizen his cause vnheard Only théeues and murderers take away mens liues without order of lawe and hearing their cause Who can doubt said they but that this so great outrage so great sheading of ChristiaÌ„ bloud is the frute of the curssed life of the courtiers For said they now throughout al Fraunce whoredom loose leudnesse of life are so frée vsual the now the most part of the women of Fraunce séeme to be in manner common and â–ª the wicked blasphemies and continuall execrations and dishonorings of Gods most holye name and maiestie are suche as God can not longer beare And true it is though incredible among forein Nations that the Catholikes of France haue prescribed themselues this for a special mark to be knowne from other men that at euery thirde word they blasphemously sweare by the head death bloud and bellie of God and wonderfull it is that the King himselfe is so muche delighted in this custome of swearing and blaspheming and this as it were a pestilent infection is spred abroade and common among the very plowmeÌ„ and peysants so as none
it that they were deliuered before their time And out of the Courte of the goale called the Archbyshops pryson the bloude was séene in the broade day light to the great aâ—…orring and feare of many that behelde it runne warme â–ª and smoking into the nexte streats of the town and so down into the Ryuer of Sene. There was in that same Archbyshops pryson an aged man called Francis Collut a Marchaunt of cappes and two yong men his sonnes whome he had euer caused diligently to â—…e taught and instructed in Religion WheÌ„ he saw the butchers come toward him with their Axes he began to exhort his children not to refuse the death offred by Gâ—…d For sayd he it is the perpetual destenie of religioÌ„ that often such sacrâ—…ices do betide in ChristiaÌ„ Churches Christians in al ages haue euer â—…in for euer to the worlds end so shal be as shepe amoÌ„g wolues doues among Hawks sacrifices among priests TheÌ„ the old father embraced hâ—… two yong sonnes lying flat on the ground with theÌ„ crying aloud vpoÌ„ the mercy of God was with mâ—…ny wounds â—…oth he his sonnes slaughtered by those butchers long tyme afterward their thrée bodies hard knit togither yelded a piteous spectacle to many that behelde them In the meane time Mandelot in iest and scorne as it séemed caused to be proclaimed by the cryer that no man should committe any â—…laughter in the town that if any would detecte the doers of any such slaughter he would giue him a huÌ„dreth crowns in reward for his information And froÌ„ that time they ceassed not to kil to rob to spoyle The next day after which was the first of September the greatest part of the deade bodies were thrown into the riuer of Sene and the rest of theÌ„ Mandelot to féede glut his eyes heart with bloud caused to be caried by boat to the other side of the water there to be thrown down vpoÌ„ the grene grasse near vnto the Abbey called Esne There the people of Lions specially the Italians of whome by reason of the Marte there is great store in the towne satisfied their eyes a while did such spites as they could to those heapes of carcases so exercised their crueltie not vpon the lyuing onely but also vpon the deade And there hapned one thing which for the abhominable crueltie is not to be omitted There came to that spectacle certaine Apothecaries amoÌ„g those bodies they perceiued some very fat ones by by they went to the butchers told them that they did vse to make certeÌ„ special medicines of maÌ„s greace that they might make and profit therof Which as sone as the butchers vnderstoode they ran to the heapes chose out the fattest and launced them with their kniues and pulled out the fat and solde it for money to the Apothecaries While these thinges were doing at Lions the King being enformed that diuers of the religion had left their wiues children and were fled out of the other townes and lurked some in the woods and some among their friendes such as toke pitie on them he practised with â—…aire wordes to allure aâ—…d cal them home againe He sent to euery part messaÌ„gers letters affirming that he was highly displesed with those slaughters horrible butcheries that he would that suche crueltie shuld be seuerely punished if the Admiral with a few of his confederates had entred into any secrete practise it was no reason that so many innocents should beare the punishment due to a fewe Many swetely beguiled wyth these wordes of the King and with the letters of the gouernours retired home againe to their dwellings and houses specially they of Rhoan Diepe and Tholouse There were scant two dayes passed when they were againe commaunded to pryson where they were all shutte vp Then were murderers a newe appoynted of the most base and rascall of the people to torment them with all kinde of torture and then to slay them And throughout the whole realme of France for thirtie dayes togither there was no ende of killing slaying and robbing so that at this day there are about a hundreth thousande little babes widowes and children that were wel borne that nowe fatherlesse and motherlesse liue wandering and in beggerie About this time the King caused to be proclaymed that such as had any office or place of charge vnlesse they would spedily return to the Catholike apostolike and Romish Church should giue ouer those their temporall roomes There was no towne nor any so small a village or hamlet wherein all the professors of the Religion were compelled either to goe to Masse or presently to take the sworde into their bosomes and in many places it happened that such as being amazed with the sodainenesse of the matter had abiured their Religion yet notwithstanding were afterwarde slayne And while these things were still in doing yet the King in the meane while sent abroade his letters and messages into all partes and caused to be proclaimed with trumpet that his pleasure was that the Edictes of pacification shuld be obserued and although they coulde not haue fréedome to vse and exercise their Religion in open places yet they should haue libertie permitted them to retaine and professe it within their owne houses and that no man should 〈◊〉 with or disturbe the goodes and possessions of those of the Religion And the same Kyng which but fewe dayes before hadde by letters directed to all the gouernours of his Prouinces signified that his cousin the Admirall was slaine by the Duke of Guise to his great sorrow and that himselfe was in great daunger the same Kyng I say nowe caused it wyth sounde of trumpet to be proclaimed that the traiterous and wicked Admirall was slayne by his will and commaundement He that in fewe dayes before had by new authoritie confirmed the libertie of Religion permitted by his Edicts of pacification the same Kyng did now not onely take from the professors thereof their offices and honours but also prescribed them in precise forme of wordes a forme of abiuring and detesting their Religion Which things least any man should doubt of we shal hereafter set downe the very true copies of the said Letters Edicts Abiurations THE KINGS LETTERS to the Gouernours of Burgundie vvhereby he chargeth those of the house of Guise for the murther committed vpon the Admiralles person and for the sedition vvhich hapned at Paris and commaundeth that the Edicte of Pacification shoulde be kept and reteyned COVSIN YOV HAVE PERCEYued what I wrote vnto you yesterdaye concerning my Cousin the Admiralles wounding and howe readie I was to doe my endeuour to search out the truth of the deed and to punishe it wherin nothing was lefte vndone or forgotten But it happened since that they of the house of Guise and other Lordes and Gentlemen their adherentes whereof there bee no small number in this Citie when they certaynly knewe that the
cousin that the beste newes that I shall receyue from you shal be to heare say that you chastise those well of whome I am disobeyed And thus cousin I praye God too kepe you in his holy tuition VVritten from Paris the. xxviij of September 1572. Signed Charles and vnderneath Brulard REMEMBRANCES SENT BY THE KING too all gouernours and Lieutenantes of his Prouinces too put out and remoue all those of the Religion from their estates and charges although they would abiure the same sauing su◅h as haue but small estates and offices to whom his Maiestie permitteth continuāce on condition that they abiure the said religion according to the forme of abiuration sent for that purpose THe King considering how much his officers and Magistrates of Iustice and such as haue the administration and dealing of his Fynes and payments which be of the newe Religion are suspect hated and put his catholike subiects in greate mistrust if they should presently exe◅cise their offices after these freshe commotions for cause that the sayde offices be in their handes that now kepe them therfore least the people should therby be brought to a newe occasiō of stirre and they of the new religiō be in daunger or hazard of their own persons although they woulde abiure their sayd new religiō professe the holye faith and catholike Religiō of Rome his maiestie desiring to auoyde the new mischiefes troubles which may come hath aduised to discharge the said officers frō the exercise of the said offices vntill he shall otherwise appoint And yet neuerthelesse in the meane while if the sayd officers bee obediente vnto his will and liue quietly in their houses without attempting practising or ◅aking any thing in hande against his seruice they shall receyue th◅ir wages and they that will resigne their sayde offices too Catholike persons and come too his maiestie shall bee verie honorably prouided for And as touching other small offices without wages which can not bee troublesome as Notaries sergeants and suche where the officers haue none authoritie which cannot bee so odious nor mistrustfull to the people as the other his Maiestie is aduised that such small officers which will abiure the sayd newe Religion and professe the fayth Catholike Apostolike and Romishe and therin liue continually hereafter shall continue in the exercise and enioying of their estates but they that will continue in their newe opinion shal depart from their offices vntill his Maiestie hath otherwise prouided And this is for the greate mischiefe and inconuenience that may betyde them if they shoulde exercise their sayd estates bycause of the greate mistrust and suspition which the Catholikes haue conceyued of them of the newe Religion Neuerthelesse his Maiestie well considering that the moste part of the sayde officers haue none other way too liue but the exercise of their sayd offices willeth that they shall bee in choyse too resigne to Catholike and capable persons and then too come too him for that effect and he will graunt them the greatest fauour and moderation of his treasorie that is possible The which resolution and pleasure of his Maiestie he willeth to be declared to the sayd officers of the new pretended opinion as wel by gouernours and Lieutenants general of his Prouinces as by thē of his Courtes of Parliamēt of the chamber of his accomptes of the Court of his aydes them of his great Counsel of the Treasorie of Fraunce the Generals of his Fynes his Baylifes Seneshals Pro◅osts Iudges or their Lieutenants and ◅uery one of them as shall ▪ appertaine And to this intēt his maiestie willeth and intendeth that euery one of thē in their calling shal send particularly ◅part for euery of the sayd officers of the new Religiō which be of their incorporatiō charge and lurisdictiō shal admonish thē in this behalf to conforme them selues to his maiesties mind and if any of thē in authoritie bicause of their sayd estates wil returne to the bosome of the Catholike Romish church it shall be sayd to thē that his maiestie liketh verie well of it and that hee taketh a greate and singular affection therein and that it shall giue him the greater assurance and credit of their good will and that his Maiestie will not bar them from his seruice hereafter but will prouide for them as their behauiour shall deserue And notwithstanding for the reasons abouesayd he willeth that they shal cease from the exercise of their estates and offices vntil he otherwise appointeth And bycause that in many places of the Realme they haue proceded by waye of seasing the goods of them of the newe Religion which bee deade or absente and hide themselues and sometimes of those which be in their owne houses although hi◅ Maiestie gaue to vnderstande by his declaration of the xxviij of August last that he would and intēded that they of the new Religion should enioy their goods neuerthelesse to the intent there should be no doubt of his purpose and that no mistrust might arise thervpon he declareth willeth and i◅tendeth againe that according to his declaration of the. xxviij of August they of the newe Religion which be lyuing whether they be present or absent and be not culpable or charged with the last conspiration or to haue attempted against his Maiestie or his estate since his Edict of Pacification shall be restored to their houses and put in possession of all and singular their goodes moueable or vnmoue◅ble And that the wydowes and heyres of them that bee dead may and shall succede them and apprehend all and singular their goodes and that they shall bee maynteyned in them and kepte vnder the protection and safegard of his Maiestie so that no hurte shall bee done or sayd vnto them in any maner of wyse or sort VVilling for this purpose that all necessarie suretie shall be giuen them and that all officers Magistrates Maiors and others which haue publike charge shall mayntayne them in al safetie forbidding al persons of what estate qualitie or condition so euer they be not to hurt them in person or goodes vpon payne of death And neuerthelesse his Maiestie willeth that they of the newe opinion shall submit themselues and promise vpon paine to be declared rebelles and traitours too his Maiestie that they shall hereafter liue vnder his obedience without attempting any thing too the contrarie or taking their parts that do attempt against his Maiestie and estate or things against his ordinances and too acknowledge none but his Maiestie or such as he shall appoint vnder him to haue authoritie to commaund them And if they kno◅◅ any that shal enterprise against his Maiestie seruice to reueale thē incontinent to him and his officers as good and faithfull subiects And to take away all doubte and suspicion as wel from the nobilitie as others bycause that in the declaration of the. xxiiij of the last moneth these wordes are contained Except they bee those of the chiefe which had
10. Symoniakes Pope Paulus the thirde Contarenus Sadoletus Cardinall Poole Math. 27. The thirde remedie Olde accustomed remedies The fourth remedie The seconde principall point The state of the kingdome which consisteth of these three namely of the nâ—…bilitie clergy and communaâ—…tie Tributes The commeÌ„dation of the generall asseÌ„bly of the States Slaunderous bookes A lesson for Kinges and Queenes Lodouicus xii pater patriae The ende of this oration The senteÌ„ce of the Admirall The sentence of the Duke of Guise The sentence of the Cardinall of Lorain The Cardinall of Loraine hopeth to get honor fame by keeping libels that were scattered abroade The reformation wished for by the Cardinall of Leraine A Nationall counsell is as much to say as a counsell gathered onely cute of the French nation which I gasle we maye call a conuocatioÌ„ of the clergy whereas a generall counsell consisteth of diuers nations A tumulte against the Prince of Conde Letters sent to the Prince of Conde taken Monsier VidaÌ„ apprehended The king of Nauar and the prince of CoÌ„de are sent for to the king A new Edicte against the reformed Religion The king coÌ„meth to Aurelias The prince of Conde taken at Aurelias The death of king Frances the seconde 1 2 3 4 A wonderfull alteration after the death of King Frances the seconde The priuy displeasure of the Queene against the Prince of Nauarre The King of Nauar yeldeth authoritie to the Queene to gouerne the Realme The peace of the Church after long affliction The death of Monsieur Vidame A conuocation of States or of a Parliament in king Charles the. ix days The oration made by the Chauncelour Sedition what it is and wher of it commeth The force of Religion in the 〈◊〉 of men Bellona is the Goddesse of vvarre Factious names The accusatioÌ„ of forreine Princes The oratioÌ„ of the coÌ„menaltie made by Angell The ignoraÌ„ce of prelates Couetousnes The oration for the nobilitye The oratioÌ„ of the Clergy The faultes of persons Ecclesiasticall Churches Euse booke 51. 〈◊〉 the lyfe oâ—… Constantin ShaueÌ„ crowns the badges of Christes anâ—… The death of Quintinus orator for the Clergy The parliameÌ„t breaketh vp Trent in Italy The letters of Paulus virglus to the Bishops of Italy Augusta is â—… citie in Germanie called Ausburgh The Pope iuuiteth the Princes of Germanie to the generall Councell The answere of the Princes of Germany to the Popes Legates Persecutious in Prouince The Prince of Conde sent for to the Court. The contentioÌ„ and â—…lling out beâ—…weene the Queene the king of Nauarâ—…e Deliberationâ—… of the particular assemblie of states at Paris Reconciliation betweene the Queen and the king of Nauar The Constable is drawn away froÌ„ the pâ—…nce of 〈◊〉 and from others oâ—… the reformed Churche The kings Letters The oration of Petrus Robertus the man of law for the Prince The conclusion of the Senate of Paris The decree of the senate con cerning the innocencie of the Prince The complaint of the Cardinal of Lorrayn 1. 2. 3. An Edict called of the Moneth of Iuly The summe of the Edict Warres betwene the duke of Sabaudia and the inhabitants of the valeys The Edict a-against the inhabitants of the valleys Ranconensis Trinitaeus The slaughter of Truchetus The agrement anâ—…â—…uce betweene the Duke of Sabaudia the inhabitants of the valleys Persecution in Spaine He might rather be called Granvillan or greate villane The confessioÌ„ of the Church of Flanders offered to the King. 〈◊〉 Newâ—…rs The reconciliation of the Prince of CoÌ„de the Duke of Guise Certaine Ciuil actes worthy to be noted Cardinal Ferrer sent from Rome to hinder the Nationall Counsell in Fraunce The effect of the Queenes letters sent to Pope Pius the fourth Multitude Qualitie Concorde The increase and force of the faithful Doctrine Diuersitie of rites The remedy The fyrste poynte of offence Worshipping of images Sacraments Baptisme Catechismes The holie communion The custome of the auncient Church The second poynt that is mislâ—…ked The sunâ—…ie râ—…ceiuing of the Sacrament Tymes to reâ—…eiue the coÌ„munion The thirde point that is misselyked Spirituall worship The Masse 〈◊〉 of greate offence In the substaÌ„ce of the Masse In the forme of the Masse A straunge language Singing of Psalmes The begining of the â—…putation at 〈◊〉 Concerning our coâ—…muniion with Christ and of the fathers vnder the lawe Iohn 8. 1. Cor. 10. 1. Corin. 10. Iohn 1. 1. Sacramentall signes 2. The thâ—…ng signâ—…fied 3. The coâ—…nction of signes and the â—…ing signifiâ—…d 4. The participation of the signes of the the thing signified The ministers desire to haue the disputatioÌ„ and obtaine it The first session oâ—…â—…is disputation The proposition of king Charles the ix The proposition of the Chauncelor Generall CouÌ„sell a vaine remedie Ariminum o therwise called Remino an old citie in Flaminia in Italy The exception of Frances Cardinall of Turnon The oratioÌ„ of Beza in the name of the protestantes Beza his prayer â–ª Beza directeth his speache to the king â–ª Howe greate a benefite it is for subiects to be hard sene of their Prince Troubles fo â–ª Religion In what thinges the Papists and Protestants do agree and in what they do disagree In the manner of obtaining Saluation In the matter of faythe and good works Rom. 5. The authoritie Gods word of the Fathers He speaketh to the Prelates 1. Timo. 4. Act. 20. Aust. ad Fortunatus The opinion of the reformed Churches coÌ„cerning the Sacrament Coinonian 1. Cor. 10. Transubstantiation Consubstantiation August ad Dardanum Confirmation Ecclesiasticall discipline Obedience to Magistrates The Queene answereth the Cardinall of Turnon The seconde session The oration of the Cardinal of Loraine Note here the subiection of Papistes The opinioÌ„ of the Cardinall of Loraine concerning the Sacrament 1 2 3 4 The protestation of the Prelates The thirde Session in another order What is the Church Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 12. August contra CrescoÌ„ cap 21. Lib. 7. cap. 51. Question Answere True notes of the Church 1. Cor. 3. 1. Cor. 3. Ephe. 2. Succession in the Church Successors of the Apostles Obiection 1. Cor. 14. Vocation in the Churche ordinarie and extraordinary 1 2 3 Act. 1. Act. 6. 1. Timo. 3. Titus 1. Exod. 28. Esay 6. 9. Dom. 1. 17. Amos. 7. 14. Esay 28. Iere. 7. Ezechiel 22. Soph. 3. 1. Samuel 7. 1. King. 18. Authoritie of the Church Hebt 11. 1. Cor. 14. Ephe. 4. Galathians 5. Ephe. 5. 1. Cor. 13. Whether the Church may erre 1. Cor. 13. 1. hon 1. General counselles Bernar. in lib. de consider in sermone 33 in Cantica in sermo de conuersione Pauli Cayphas prophecied â—…hon 18. Esay 56. Ieremie 6. Ieremie 14. Esay Ezechiel 7. Actes 20. 2. Thes. 4. Aust. lib. 2. de bap coÌ„tra Donat cap. 31. Aust. lib. 2. ca. 4. ad ArrianuÌ„ 1. Cor. â—… 2. Peter 1. Ihon. 5. Ihon. 20. 2. Timo. 3. Act. 15 16. 18 Things indifferent Actes 15. The worde of God more ancient than
being weary of his lyfe through extréeme payne desperately dyed The Quéene the King of Nauars wyfe being very carefull for his health who shewed hirselfe alwaye very modest and constant both in doing her duty with all obedience notwithstanding his euill dispositioÌ„ towardes harlots and also in firme abyding in y truth being also very carefull for the vertuouse education of her children but specially for the trayninge vp of her sonne in the reformed Religion whom the Guises went about to nussell in all kind of wickednesse Therefore the Prince of Conde wrote letters of comfort vntâ—… hir certefying her that a great many at Orleans were sore agréeued for the death of hiâ—… husbande This therefore was the ende of the Kinge of Nauarrâ—… who after that hée had forsakeÌ„ the defence of the trueth was the cause of many troubles â–ª being so muche more hurtfull to the church as hée might haue ben profitable if it had not ben the purpose of God to declare that hée himselfe is the only authour builder preâ—…eruer and defender of his church and not man how noble so euer hâ—… be for herein standeth the glory of God. The Prince of Conde had oftentimes intreated the Quéene of Englandâ—… while there was some hope that peace might be had by intreaty â–ª that her hignnes would be a helpe to him therin but at the length the matter being brought to be tryed by force of armes as we shewed before hée required of her highnesse money and â—…ouldiours to maintayne warre Therfore about this time when there was a rumor spred abrode of the comming of the Germanâ—…s and of the â—…ide out of England to helpe the Prince of Conde there was a writing published in the name of the Quéene of England who also had sent Ambassadours to the king about the same pacification but they little profited yea returned almost without any answere In the which she both layed to the Guises charges that they were the authors and causes of all the warre and also affirmed that she would take vppon her as it became her the defence of the Kynges cause And also that all Christian Realmes and Princes ought both to be moued to compassion and pitie at the afflicted and troubled state of Fraunce at this time and to moue thom to haue a deepe consideration and care to prouide remedies by which not only the Kyng a child the Quéene his mother and all the Kynges sonnes her children and so all the people of Fraunce may be deliuered and frée from present trouble but also to euell and rent vp by the rootes so great a mischiefe least the same should spred it self to other nations Notwithstanding sayth she there is no man to whom this common care doth more specially appertain than vnto me which being both of my selfe inclined to care and also confirmed and prouoked thereunto by the iudgements of my Counsaylers haue hitherto gone about by all meanes to do the best I could to stoppe and preuent the first beginnings of the great mischiefe like to ensue And why I ought thus to do both the commiseration and pitie of the kyng my welbeloued brother a child and my neighbour of the Quéene his Mother of all the Kynges children and of so great a people and also the present perill of conueying the same warre ouer the Sea vnto as all men of sound iudgement eyther hare or â—…ls where both beholding and talking of these things and also praysing this care of it selfe very commendable may sufficiently declare and shew my mind in this matter worthy of commendation Notwithstanding it séemeth reasonable to setforth in open writing how and after what maner I haue behaueâ—… my selfe herein that all men my sée how I haue delt with my neighbours and how I meane to deale hereafter First all men might sée how greatly euen since the beginning of my raigne I haue desired that euery Christian might enioye prate and concord when as because of the same I haue willingly departed from my right and haue let go some part of my auncient Dominion for a time when as otherwise they for whose sake I haue receiued this losse recouered and receiued by and by all that was taken from them And yet notwithstanding â–ª all men remember and know in how short tyme after and for what iust and manifest causes I am constrained seeing that I am offered great iniury and violence to proclayme also my selfe open warre both to deliuer me and my kyngdome from perill and also to frée my neighbours which fled vnto me for succour froÌ„ open tirrany In the which matter notwithstanding how vprightly I haue delt all men may sée first by exhortations to abstayne from warre then by open declaration that I mynded to deliuer my selfe and mine from violence and wrong after that by all maner of good gouernement and disposing of matters and last of all by the very 〈◊〉 and end of the thing it selfe After the pacification of those troubles to the end I might leaue nothing vndone to make true and assured peace concord â–ª I made a firme and euerlasting League with the Quéene of Scots my welbeloued Sister and my neere neighbour In the which matter how sincerely and truly I haue behaued my selfe God knoweth sundry benefites and gifts whith I bestowed vppon the Guises Uncles to the Quéene of Scottes and vppon their seruants may sufficiently declare my great good will herein beside the mutuall and fréendly communication also which I had with the same Quéen of Scots But amoÌ„g these deliberations and communications concerning peace beside the lacke which I had of the fruite of peace I am also constrayned to haue a study and care for those new troubles in the kingdome of Fraunce raysed vp by those which haue alwayes shewed themselues to be enemies towards me and what they haue done to make new suspicions betwéene me and the Quéene of Scottes for the same Quéene of Scottes sake I haue alwayes hitherto kept silence At the beginning when I knew well enough if these troubles should prenaile it would not only come to passe amidest the Ciuill dissentions that the kyngdome of Fraunce should come into great perill of destruction as now it is but also that other Christian Realmes especially my owne Realme should fall into the same perill both for the néerenes of the places and also because the authors of those troubles are my enemies I vsed all meanes that I could both by Letters also by Ambassages that there might some wayes be taken for peace and concord betwéene both partes Notwithstanding one part refused the same and bursted forth into open violence and mortall warre yet I ceased not from my purpose and good intent But when I sawe that the desire of crueltie dayly more and more enereased and that euery where bloudshed butcherly murther was committed and which was most perillons that the young Kyng and his Mother were sodenly besieged and came into their
as farre foorth and as longe as it shall seeme good and expedient For wee knowe what authoritie and power we haue receyued from aboue of God which we do meane to vse with all moderation and integritie to the profite and commoditie of our subiectes of which as we haue next to the glorye of God chiefest care and regarde so doe wee wishe that it may be aduaunced and furthered by that our Edict And ther fore whereas we vnderstand that there are certain things comprised therein very generally which beeing eyther wrong vnderstood or not rightly executed haue gyuen occasions of great troubles are like hereafter to breed greater inconueniences and broyles if they be not spedely prouided for which we are fully purposed to doe VVherefore for these considerations our pleasure is to the intent we may aunswere and satisfie the iust complayntes of all our subiectes to giue a full and playne declaration of our mynd as concerning certayne clauses of the Edict which be now in controuersie and diuersly taken And because that all things may be done in better order for the profit and common vtilitie of our subiects for which we are most carefull we haue consulted with the wisest and greatest of our Counsell by whose aduise we haue here set foorth a more full and expresâ—…e declara tion of our pleasure concerning the Edicte the which we will and commaund to bee established and ratified not that we meane to take any thing from the Edict but too enterpret it according to our will and meaning to whom it appertayneth so to doe least that such clauses as bee doubtfull breed contention and strife To the first Article which is That al noble men that were of chief authority might liue quietly without trouble or molestation in their mantions dwelling places to enioy togither with their families subiectes free bertie of conscience the peaceable vse of the religion which they terme reformed this exception is to be added in the way of interpretaion It shall not be lawfull to be done or practised in any places that were either bought or takeÌ„ froÌ„ the Ecclesiasticall liuings or in any which wer holdeÌ„ of the church to which we forbid the vse of the re formed Religion both publiquely and priuately For there were dyuers of the church liuings that were sold at the Kinges coÌ„maundement were by that meanes holden possessed of the Protestantes who vsed the benefite of the Edicte for the administration of Religion in those places to the great griefe of the Papistes There were also diuers that had great and fat benifices brought to the knowledge and profession of the reformed religion but chiefely one of great reputation the Cardinal Chastillon a man endewed with many goodly church liuings and was Archebishop of Aeges and many other of the noblest houses in France Who if they once had gotten by the Edicte libertie of Religion it was very likely that it should haue ben spred and sowen abrode far and wide in diuers places For many places where those benefises lay had preuiledges of great authority and very large and ample dominion rule so the Papistes by this interpretation were well eased to the greate hinderance discomodity of the faithful To the first article of the Edict wherin was Be it fre and lawful for al cities in which that religioÌ„ was vsed the vii day of march besides other Cities that are perticularly to be set out appointed in euery Prouince stil to haue and enioy the vse thereof There was added a newe interpretation That those Cities were vnderstood meant which were kept and holden in warlike maner and in which the reformed religion had bin publiquely and openly practised at the day beefore assigned So by that meanes there were certaine Cytyes barred and shutte out from the vse of their religion To the sixt article wherein was meÌ„cioned That the citie the whole prouince of Paris should be free and cleare from the vse of that religion There was added a more straight restraint and prohibition That it was not lawfull for any that dwelte within the Citie or precinct of the Prouince of Paris to goe to any Cities licensed by the king of the prouinces neere adioyning to exercise that Religion vnlesse they dyd dwell in them neyther shall it bee lawfull for any such persons to haue any maÌ„sion place or dwelling within the limites of the Citie or prouince of Paris This restraint was manifestly knowen to be annexed for no other purpose but only in despight and hatred of certain Senatours and Aldermen of Paris worthie Patrones of the truth and other worthy and famous men that thereby they might bee constrained to leaue Paris and remoue to other places And where as in the fourth article mention is made That all men might liue quietly in euery place without any trouble or daunger for the freedome and vse of their Religion and conscience it was restrayned with a very straight exception That none neyther man nor woman were accompted in that number which eyther in or after the tyme of warre had forsaken eyther Abbayes Nunries or other religiouse houses and these were streightly commaunded eyther to returne agayne to the places of Religion they came from and if they were maried to forsake their wiues or else forthwith to depart the Realme So that by this meanes many families but with greater discommoditie and wrong of a more number were eased and helped to the whiche both yong men and maydes that were in tymes paste thrust and shut vp into Abbayes were now retourned being endewed with a more pure and syncere knoweledge of the trueth and sued by the lawe for their patrimonie and partes left by their parents But by this exception all libertie and licence to sue and pleade for their owne was taken from them and they either com pelled to reenter the Cloysters they had forsaken or else enforced to depart out of the Realme And by this meanes there were many occasions gyuen of diuers great and gréeuous iniuries as for example That horrible accursed murther committed by M. d' Anuille as we haue before declared vppon A. Motton a minister of the woord of God which detestable facte was cloaked and defended vnder pretence of this Inter pretation Furthermore the vse of the religion which was termed by a common name The administration of religion was maruetlously abated and diminished by a new deuised interpretation That it should not be lawfull for any man to be a minister of that religion but for such as were borne there that is bred within any of the Prouinces of the kingdome of Fraunce So that by this fetch diuers of the Churches were bereft and spoyled of their good Pastors and Doctours as namely the Congregation at Lions of that learned and eloquent man Petrus Viretus who dyd very effectually and faithfully trauel in aduauncing and spreading abroad the Gospel in that most famous and populous Citie and mart Towne of
betwéene the fieldes and euery Citie In the beginninge they came togither vnarmed but when they vnderstood that their méeting waxed daungerouse and that the In quisitours began to playe their part they caried wyth them at the first swordes but afterwardes more strong and better weapons to defend themselues as they passed from their houses into the fieldes At Antwerpe the Magistrates of the citie gaue leaue to the protestants to arme themselues so long as they were out of the citie in the fields but in no wyse to beare the same within the citie to the which the protestants willingly grauÌ„ ted This was the beginning of publike sermons in the Churches of the lowe country to the which there came many thousandes of men the Inquisitours in the meane tyme seeking the pray and making great complayntes to the Duches of Parme. And after that the Gospell had ben quietly preached for the space of certain weekes beholde there ensued a great tempest and wracke among the Images and Idolles of the Papistes And first of all they wer thrown downe and beaten to péeces in the vtmoste partes of Flandres after that in diuers places of Flaundres the people making such a spoyle among them as if the Magistrates had commaunded the same The Magistrats were so amazed and abashed hereat that although they followed the Catholike religion yet notwithstanding they set to their handes furthered the pulling down defacing and breaking the Images At Gendâ—… a fayre Towne by the sufferance of the fearfull Pretor all the Images and other ornaments vsed in popishe seruice were defaced and spoyled in euery Church The like was done at Lire in Brabant At Antwerpe the Magistrat kept himself out of sight while the people ran vp and downe from churche to church spoyled the Images that were therin If any man condemne this rashe zeale of the people voyd of reason let him there withall weigh the singular Iudgement of God against those Idols with the which the world being blinded had so many wayes dishonoured his Maiestie The Duchesse of Parme being carefull not knowing what to doe in these extremities fearing least ther would ensue greater troubles thought good to pacifie content the people with fayre promises and to make those Noble men that professed the reformed religion meanes to represse those troubles Therfore when she had sent for them to Brussels she desired them to endeuour themselues to staye the tumulâ—…e of the people to reiecte all false conceyued opinions to bee perswaded that the King would vse all meanes and ways for their peace and tranquillitie promising vnto them leaue to haue their Sermons in such places as they had them be fore and that shée would geue commaundement to the Magistrates and Gouernours of euery citie to appoint places for the Protestantes to the which they might quietly resort to the hearing administration of their Religion â–ª that the profession of religion should be hurtfull to no man so that he brake not the common peace as in spoyling of Temples and such like To this the Noble men dyd condescend and agree wherevpon the Conditions were solemply confirmed betwéene both partes with an othe and ingrossed and sealed with the Kings seale Commaundement was gyuen to all Gouernours and Magistrates solemly to proclayme this agréement and to do all thinges according to the tenure thereof There was made also an Edict by which all men were forbidden to do any iniury eyther by word or déed for Religion vppon payne of seuere punishment Upon this commaundement the gouernours of euery circuite or shyer appoynted oute places for the exercising of the reformed religion suffered churches to be buylded for the same purpose willed both partes to stay themselues vnder their protection This was about the Moneth of August The Religion and the professours therof séemed now to be in good cace reporte euerywhere being made that the King was fully purposed to giue licence to the inhabitants of the low Countrey to vse the reformed Religion But the myndes of the Catholiques were not yet quieted wherevpon they sought daily new occasions of tumulte being full of enuy for the breakinge downe of their Images Wherefore there arose now again new troubles And at Andwerpe specially there were great contentions and as though the enemy had bin at hand the gates were shutte vp and continuall watche and ward thereat Thither therefore at the commaundement of the Duchesse of Parme came William Nassau Prince of Orange to gouerne the Citie in the Kinges name being at such great contention And calling vnto him by two and two the Churches of the Protestantes which consisted of Wallonnes and Fleminges he did deliberate with them concerning the best remedies to bring peace and tranquility to both partes as wel to the catholikes as to the Protestantes â–ª After which deliberation they concluded vpon certaine articles and confirmed them which afterward were published proclaimed in maner and forme following It shall not be lawfull for those of the reformed Religion to disturbe by any manner of meanes the administration of the Catholique Religion of Roome or to take away such places as are appointed for the vse therof but shal content themselues with those places which are allotted to them to the which places they shall resorte vppon the dayes appointed as vppon the Sonday and other holy dayes or if there be no holy dayes vppon the Wednesday I shâ—…l not be lawfull for them to haue any other Ministers than such as be borne within the Dominion and circuit of the lowe Countrey and shal be sworne to obey both the ciuill and temporall gouernement so long as they shall there remaine It shall not be lawfull for those of the forenamed Religion when they go to their Sermones to cary any other weapons or armour than swoords but to obey lawes to walke as it shall become good and faithfull subiectes It shalnot be lawfull for Preachers of eyther part in their Sermons to vse any seditiouse or iniuriouse woords which shall appertaine to the refuting of erroures or the corruption of manners These thinges we will and commaund to be obserued vntil such time as we vnderstaÌ„d the kings pleasure farther And if so be it shal please the King to appoint otherwyse than it shall be lawfull for those of the reformed Religion to forsake the Realme wyth their lyues and goods After the proclamation hereof it séemed to bringe peace to diuers other Cityes and to abolish quight the remembraunce of other troubles but yet for all this the men of the reformed religion were not frée and at such perfect peace as they iudged themselues to be For the papistes which inclined to the Cardinall Granuellan and the inquisitours side toke occasion by the foresaide casting downe of Images to worke their mischeuouse intent Therefore taking a courage amidest that great and sodame feare maze the greatest part of the kings officers went about to bring in question the throwing downe of
the Images as done againste all order and the publique authority of Magistrats They refused also the letters of the Duches of Parme as to helpe any thing at all the offenders herein Therefore gatheringe togyther a great number of Souldiers to serue their turne they toke many in all places of the protestantes and cast them into prison and after examination put them to death After this also Norcam Manques of Berge a notable enemy to the reformed Religion came with foure bandes of horsmen v. Ensignes of footmen minding to besiéege Ualencia toke as he came a Towne called Sainctaman and committed their most cruell tyrannye as rapine murther and the defiling of Uirgins beside most horrible kindes of torment then practised Thys was done in the moneth of Nouember By these cruell actes of the papistes which threatned extreame destruction the protestants sawe that it was now hygh time to prouide for themselues Therefore dyuers practised sondry wayes meanes for theyr defence but God altering and orderinge all thinges by his prouidence would not suffer theÌ„ to come to good effect Great was the multitude of people and great was their courage but they wanted Counsayle and Captaynes to guyde them There were sufficient men enough which could haue gouerned them and conducted them both with wisdome and pollicie agayn the number of Noblemen was not smal that fauoured that side who if they had taken parte with them there had bene good hope of victory and to haue had more quiet gouern ment But such as were of highest calling standing stil as lookers on and séeking neyther to defende nor to resist the one nor the other all good occasion to bring any thing happely to passe was lost The whiche brought great ruine to the protestantes of the lowe Countrey and great calamity to those noble men themselues So hard perillouse a thing it is for a man to séeke to serue two maisters so coÌ„trary the one to the other The grea test part of the Nobilitie professed the reformed religion and yet there was scarse one of them which came at any tyme to the sermons of that Religion Wherefore we must néedes confesse that our sinnes haue caused the Lord not to finish that good worke which he had begonne Herevpon came the pitiefull calamitie of the churches of the low countrey The Protestantes therefore were both destitute of counsaile and also of a goide but the Catholiques waÌ„ted neyther of them both Wherefore their cities were dayly fortified with garrisons and they besieged as is sayd before Valencia which was quight voyde and destitute of any Captayne There came diuers bandes of Souldiours also as scattered shéepe to ayde the Protestants at ValeÌ„cia and that with good courage and while they vainly looked for a Captayne the greatest part coÌ„ueyed themselues away Therefore al this mouth was spent with diuers troubles and diuers cities of the pro testantes were wonne and the inhabitants therof put to flight Antwerpe being vnder the authoritie and gouernement of the prince of Orange was not pertaker of those troubles that other places felt But the foolish men being weary of peace and ease and as though there were not at Antwerpe troublesome heades ynough they sent for Matthâ—…us Illyricus and for Flaccus Spangenberge and other to contende with the men of the reformed religion about the Supper of the Lord and the presence in the Sacrament All things growing daylye from euill to woorse the Protestantes offered vp at diuers tymes Supplications to the Magistrates to whom most humbly and reuerently they committed themselues and their cause promising vnto them a great summe of money vppon condition that they might be in safety Also when dyuers of the Princes of Germany had sought to intreat the matter and could not obtayne that which they wisshed Brederode and certayn noble men confederat with him offered vp a Supplication the eight day of February which consisted of these speciall poyntes That the agreement made betweene him and the Duches of Parme in the moneth of August might be obserued and kept that the libertie of Religion might be graunted and that the soldiours gathered togither contrary to the forme of the othe might be dismist To this within a while after the Du chesse of Parma made answere That shee neuer ment to graunt the publique administration of the Religion nor the vse of Sermons Sacraments and Consistories and as fos the interpretation of the agreemeÌ„t that saith shee dependeth vpon mee Concerning the Request to haue the souldiours dismist all men may see whereunto that tendeth VVherefore sayeth shee I pray and com maund euery man vppon payne of the Kinges displeasure to goe home to his owne house This aunswere made Brederode and his fellowes to doubt to feare the calamitie lyke to ensue And when they had taryed in vayne thirtéene dayes at Antwenpe they got them home to Uian a towne in the borders of Holland and thyther strayghtway a great many fled The reste of the moneth of February was spente with diuers troubles the faithfull Protestants beinge dayly anoyed and vexed more and more with proscriptions banishments and such lyke All this while was continued the siege of Valence which at the laste by the letters of the Duches of Parma wherein shée promysed all clemeney and fauour was surrendered to Noircarm the xxiii day of March. After the which it cannot be expressed what great cruelty was showeÌ„ vpon the townsmen the chief both of the Citie and also of the Church were taken prisoners and among these two ministers the one called Guido Bresse the other Peregrine Grage and certayne other honest Citizens were put to death for that they had Sermones in the Citie without the Kings will and pleasure and had also vsed the administration of Sacramentes In the middest of these garboyles it was reported that Fraunces de Tolede Duke of Alba was comming with a great army to ouercome and subdue all the lowe Countrey otherwyse called Belgio IN this yéere also â–ª the Churches of Fraunce were not a little troubled occasion being taken of the cruel murther committed in the lowe Countrey the whiche the Cardinall of Loraine thoughte fitte for his purpose to afflict and destroy the Churches of Fraunce with the help of the Duke of Alba of whose comming he was truely certifyed by the letters of Granuellan The same Cardinall also procured the Popes letters and the letters of King Philip to the Quéene putting her in minde therby of her promyse of the holy league Therfore this yéere they mynded to worke the vtter ruyne and destruction of the Churches of Fraunce So that they hauing theyr consultations at Marches and at Monseaux at whiche places the King and Quéene moste commonly aboade determined to prouide out of hande bandes of souldiers and to require the helpe and ayde of the Switzers all the which they determined to do vnder the collonr that the Duke of Alba with the Spaniardes ment to giue some