forth in the yeare 834. But this deliuery was the beginning of a newe confusion For Lothaire hauing beene forced to yeeld vnto his father goes to field takes him prisoner againe and leads him to the Couent at Soissons where he stayed not long for the French did bandy openly against Lothaire and his bretheren did abandon him He is forced to giue theâ— portions so as hee was forced to yeeld vnto his father and to craue pardon This miserable King thus ledde for a long time giues portions to his Children To Lothaire hee leaues the realme of Austrasâ—â— from the riuer of Meuse vnto Hongarie with the title of Emperour to Lewis Bauaria and to Charles France Pepin enioyed Guienne without contradiction Lewis not content with Bauaria quarrells againe with his father and to force him to giue him a better portion hee leuies an army and passeth the Rhin The pittifull father although tyred with so many indignities yet transported with choller against his sonne goes to field with an army but age and greefe depriued him of meanes to chastise him for hee fell deadly sicke which made him leaue this world to finde rest in heauen He dies This was in the yeare of grace 840. of his age 64. and of his Empire the 27. He left three sonnes Lothaire and Lewis of the first bedde and Charles of the second these two first Children did much afflict the father and themselues and all were plonged in bloudie dissentions the which order doth nowe command vs to represent particularly The Estate of Lewis his Children presently after his death LOthaire as the eldest and Emperour by his fathers testament would prescribe Lawes to his brethren and force them to a newe diuision As he had â—â—ceeded against his father in taking him twise prisoner and stripping him before hee went to bed Diuision among the bretheren and the cause so he sought to disanull his will as made against the right of the elder and the Imperiall dignity the realme of France belonging to the eldest and the goodliest territories of the Empire to the Emperour Thus hee quarreled with Charles King of France and with Lewis who had his part in the inheritances of the Empire in Bauiere the dependances of the realme of Bourgondy that is to say Prouence and Daulphiné and in Italy This was the Leuaine of these tragicall dissentions among the bretheren as Nitard a writer of approued credit learned and a Prince for he was sonne to Angelibert the â—â—nne of Berthe daughter to Charlemagne and was imployed to compound these quarâ—ells doth very particularly describe 820. Behold the direction to a longer discourse whereof I owe but an abridgment noted with the principall circumstances Lothaire then armed with autâ—oritie force malice policie and boldnes thinkes to giue his bretheren their portions and there were great presumptions he should preuaile ioyning his force with the intelligences he had in the dominions of Charles and Lewis This common interest to defend themselues against a common enemie made them to ioyne togither resolute for their generall preseruation Lothaire seekes by secret treaties to diuide them but not able to make any breach in their vnion hee prepares force and â—olicie Lewis was in Bauiere of whome he kept good gard that he should noâ— passe the Rhin to ioyne with his brother hee likewise leuies an armie to surprise Charles in France This preparation of warre did awake the vnited brethren who assemble their forces and ioyne notwithstanding all Lothaires oppositions Lothaires armie was at Auxerre meaning to passe into the hart of France The vnited brethren hauing assembled their forces neere vnto Paris Saint Denis and Saint Germain approche to haue a better meanes either to treat with him or to incounter him Fâ—sâ— with great humilitie they offer to performe what should be held reasonable beseeching him to remember the condition of brethren the holy peace of the Church and the quiet of Goâ—s people suffering them to inioy what their father had bequeathed or elâ—e they would diuide France equally and hee should choose what part he pleased Lothane refusing nothing flatly â—ed them with delayes expecting forces out of Guienne led by Pepin and in the meane time he diuided the Citties by his practises meaning to asâ—aâ—â—e â—is brethren both within and without and to surprise them by authoritie and force as hee had done heretofore his poore father presuming of the like meanes But the subtill was taken in his owne snare for as Lothaire finding himselfe the stronger refused these conditions of peace Lothaire thinâ—ing 〈…〉 his breâ—â—ren is uâ—risâ—â— and defeated saying openly That his brethren would neuer bee wise vntill hee had corrected them behold the armies lying neere to Fontenay after these vaine parlees of peace Lewis and Charles charge Lothaires armie alreadie a Conqueror in conceit with such aduantage as hee was not onely put to rout but also ouerthrowne with a notable slaughter noted vnto this day by the place where the battaile was fought the which for this occasion is called Chaplis and the straight is called by the victors name the valley of Charles to continue the memorie of so bloodie a victorie where euen the Conquerours had cause to weepe hauing shed their owne bloud although forced to fight It is not now that France 〈…〉 to bee indiscreet banding against it selfe and digging in her owne bowels by â—â—â—se domesâ—â—c all and vnâ—â—â—ll dissentions Lothaire after 〈◊〉 defeat changed his huâ—â—r with his estate for hardly could hee retyre with his shame to saue his dominions â—â—e inioyed the â—â—â—arie maske of the Empire with Ausâ—rasâ—a yet very much cuâ—alled and dâ—â—ided to his three sonnes Lewis Charles and Lothaire Of these great inheâ—itances there remaines nothing cleere but Lorraine of the name of Lothaire And so the great discourses of him whome the whole earth coâ—ld nâ—t â—atiâ—fie without taking from father and brethren were buried in a cloister for Lothaire hauing remorse of conscience for attempting against his father and brethren and all to beare rule lost the honour hee had sought with such eagernesse and to â—â—der the paines hee had inflicted vppon his father hee professeth himselfe a Monke in the Abbie of Pluuiers Lothaire 〈◊〉 a Monâ—e and dies a Monke in the yeare 855. taking on him the frocke and being shauen as the ciuil death of a King or Prince of the bloud royall according to the French opinion which continues vnto this day for a note of the greatest paine they could suffer that were borne in this authoritie to bee shauen and made Monkes and to change the crowne of France into a Monkes crowne dead to the world This was the Catastrophe and end of this turbulent Prince by the iust iudgement of God published then in the greatest assemblies and made knowne vnto 〈◊〉 open and publike writings for a notable testimonie and witnesse to all men That whosoeuer disobeyes father and mother deceiues his brethren 824 troubles the peace
where the Captaines iudgement is more auailâ—able then the souldiers force But why ascend we not from these second causes true in that which doth concerne vs vnto the first and soueraigne cause The arme of the Eternall â—urging this Realme full of vicious and corrupted humours letting it blood but not suffering it to die this bloud letting shal be the beginning of a stronger medicine prescribed by the same Phisition ministred vnto France in the following raignes but in the end we shal finde the operation to the recouery of our estate Let vs now see the progresse of our miseries Edward did all he could to manage this victory wisely Philip to preuent him Edwards procâ—eding after the battell wonne Edward without any stay passeth on without atteÌ„pting the great Citties of Amiens Abbeuille although neerer he makes shew to set vpon Monstreuil Bologne but he posted to Calais a fit place for the passage of England Iohn of Vienne Marshall of France with him the Lord of Andreghan great personages in those daies commanded there with a strong French garnison being assisted with the faithfull resolution of the inhabitants So presently after the bâ—tâ—aile of Cressy Edward did besiege the Towne of Calais A long siege painfull and of remarkable successe He 〈…〉 Philip amazed with these sharp crosses fallen out beyond his hopes of ease slept not although it were with much paine and lesse fruite But his whole care was not for the ouerthrowe at Cressy He had a further reach following the trace of this vnfortunate losse Hee was entred into a newe inheritance this newe losse was to him a newe checke Affliction is a great crime both in great and small A remarkable 〈…〉 this raigne and opens their mouthes which haue their hearts ill affected The people of France were in extreme pouertie and yet the necessitie of the Kings affaires forced them to a new charge The ill gouernment of the publike treasure the falsehoode of the Treasorers who inriched themselues by the pouertie of the miserable people the fall of money imbased the decay of trafficke the increase of taxes A 〈…〉 by a plâ—gâ—e imposts subsidies were the causes of this general want the which drew the people into dispaire in this surcharge of troubles falling vpon the King This burthen grewe the more heauie by a great famine being followed by a strange generall plague throughout the whole realme as if heauen and earth had conspired to the ruine of France Philip inuironed with so many and so great difficulties continues constant with a valorous resolution against them all He prouids for the gard of the Citties of Picardy lying neerest vnto danger and to driue off the time vnfit for armes he calles a great assembly of his estats Philip calleâ— a Parliament to take Councel aide and comfort in the perplexity of so many dangerous occurrents In this assembly it was decreed to call the Treasorers to an accompt and to refer the gouernment of the treasure to Clergie men to the Nobility Therby to free the people from all iealousie of ill imploying it The Abbots of Marmoustier and Corbie are chosen for this Intendancie and to assist them there are ioyned foure Bishops and foure knights Peter of Essars Treasorer of France is committed to prison condemned in a great fiâ—e to the King Many treasorers being condemned iustly or vniustly yeeld that at once which they had bin long in gathering The treasoâ—ers called in question for thâ—â—r charge the sponge being then pressed by necessitie The Bankers Lombards other vsurers are then called to a strict accompt by reason of their vniust exactions The interests are proued to exceede the principall the which is forfaired to the King The interest is remitted to the debitor which payed the principall But the chiefe frute of this assemblie was that the whole body was wel inclined to succor the King in so vegent a necessity Bankers and vsuâ—ers are sifted without any alteration for the new difficulties of State Thus the winter was spent without any memorable acte on either side In the spring Philip goes to field with a great army and approcheth neere vnto Calais to drawe Edward to â—ight but it was in vaine for Edward contenting himselfe with his victorie and not willing to râ—n the hazard of a second battaile kept himselfe within his trenches and to manifest his resolution vnto Philip Edward to 〈◊〉 not to leaue the seege he built houses about Calais to lodge his army drie sends for his wiâ—e protesting publikely by a solemne oth not to rise vntill he did see an end and make the inhabitants pay for their obstinate resâ—lution On the other side Philip labored to crosse Edwards desseines but with small successe To worke a diuersion of this seege hee makes war in England by the King of Scotlands meanes and in Flanders by his sonne Iohn then Duke of Normandy and afterwards King of France but all succeeded ill Dauid King of Scotland hauing by Philips perswasion entred and spoyled England was defeated taken brought prisoner to London through the happinesse of Edwards fortune and the diligence of his officers 〈…〉 losse in his raigne Iohn Duke of Normandie hauing left Guienne by his fathers command comes into Flanders beseegeth the Towne of Cassel held by the English faction but he is forced to rise by theÌ„ within the Towne Then he falles vpon Lislâ— where he hath a newer repulse so as hardly could he retyre himselfe to his father Philip who sees his subiects in danger of shipwracke yet could he not releeue them Guienne abandoned by Iohn for the action of Flanders suffered much for Henry of Lancaster Lieutenant for Edward in Guienne seeing the Country left weake by Iohns departure issues out of Bourdeaux with an army and finding no enemy he doth easily surprise many Townes of Xantonge and Poitou and ladden with spoile he returnes home 1347. In the ende Calais yeelds to Edward standing to his mercy Calais taken after a long and cruell famine and almost a whole yeares siege for the siege began the 30. of September .1346 and the Towne was yeelded vp in August .1347 The French garrison was put to ransome and so set at liberty the Inhabitants were worse intreated the baser sort onely were suffred to depart with what they could carrie about them and in their steed Edward sends a Colony of English to whome he distributed all the goods of the vanquished and fortified the Towne especially towards France to leaue this place hereditary to his posterity who held it .200 yeares that is from the yeare .1346 vnto the raigne of Henry the .2 father to the King last deceased The integrity of these poore inhabitants is remarkable in their extreme affliction Edward had reserued six of the chiefe Cittizens to be at his disposition for the satisfiyng of his oth hauing vowed to make the bloud to flowe in Calais
In the end by the Dukes meanes yeelding him his libertie this quarrell was ended marrying the eldest sonne of René with the daughter of the Earle of Vaudemont But let vs reserue the rest to the following raigne About the end of this yeare a solemnitie was done in Paris which carried more shew then substance We haue said before how that Henry the 6. King of England Henry King of England crowned at Paris had beene crowned King of France when as our Charles was crowned at Poitiers after the decease of his father Henry was but two yeares old and came not out of England vntill that Charles had bin sollemnly crowned at Rheims to the great ioy of all the French but when as the Duke of Bedford found how much this autentike publication aduanced the affaires of Charles he caused Henry to be brought into France and to be crowned at Paris with an extraordinarie Maiestie to out-countenance Charles his Coronation by a greater shew of pompe But the bloud of France cannot dissemble no man was moued thereat no more then to see a Tragedie acted vpon the Stage This yeare is very barren of all memorable exploits but that this silence noted an entrance to an accoâ—d both parties being weary of pleading yet with great slacknesse as we see in diseases which come sodenly and passe away slowly we must therefore crosse this rough way before we come to Paris Montargis taken by the English as we haue said Montarâ—is taken and lost againe was noâ— recouered by the French but after a diuers maner for the English lost the Toâ—ne by the Castell and the French the Castell by the Towne yet were they three moneths in winning of the Castell Hauing taken all they lost all by the same meanes tâ—at made them so much to gape after the Castell which was the want of money This shamfull losse greeued many of the greatest in Court and bred a new trouble by this occasion Tremouille was yet in great credit with the King Tremouille taken and deliuered againe hauing by this meanes a great hand in the State they accused him to haue heaped vp great treasure to the preiudice of such as daily imployed their liues for the Kings seruice The greater men reâ—olue to take Tremouille prisoner and to punish him like vnto Giac and others before mentioned The King was at his Castell at Chinon Tremouille followes him as his 〈◊〉 but it chanced as he was in his chamber the Lords of Brueil Coytiuy and Fetard 〈…〉 with 40. armed men enter and take him not one of a hundred of that sort could escape But six thousand Crownes saued his life hoping to returne againe into credâ—t The Constable of Richmont growes into greater fauour then before Thus misfâ—rtune is good for some thing Bedford puft vp with the successe of Montargis takes Mâ—lly in Gasâ—enois but hauing besieged Lagny in Brie he was repulsed· and at the same time Iohn of Luxembourg of the Bourguignon faction is dispossessed of Ligny in Barrots by the Gentleman of Comeâ—cy A disgrace which shall draw the Bourguignon to a â—â—mposition so much desired togither with the happy successe of the French in the Câ—untry of Arthois the taking of S. Valery in Ponthieu The confusion of the warre and the generall wauering of 〈◊〉 câ—iefe Citties in Picardy tired with these confusions being so great as no man was 〈◊〉 of his person of what partie soeuer if he were the weaker The Cardes were so shuffled 1432. as an English man would become French to take a Bourguignon and a Frenchman become English or a Bourguignon to take a Frenchman These vnkinde treacheries were vsuall especially at Amiens Abbeuille and throughout all Picardie where the warres had been most licentious Which outrage hath been reuiued in ouâ— miserable age through the crueltie of these wretched warres which causeth men to make shipwracke both of faith and honour This yeare had a plausible beginning but without any great effect The Councell of Pisa being assembled as we haue said to redresse the confusion of Antipopes and to reduce the Church diuided by this Schisme vnto vnion sends the Cardinall of Auxerre vnto the Kings of France and England to exhort them vnto peace Charles protested that he desired nothing more the English said the like They assemble to this end at Auxerre in great troupes but at their first meeting all this treatie was broken off for both the one the other stood vpoÌ„ the qualitie of King of France being the fundameÌ„tall point of all their quarrell The Duke of Bedford spake more proudly then Charles himselfe A treatie betwâ—xt the French and English as if the law of State which maintained this Monarchie had beene made in England an Iland become firme land and France changed to the Isle of Albion or of Brittanie of such force is error euen in matters of State when as passion ouer-rules the light of reason So as they all depart without any effect They onely conclude a truce for the great want of the poore people who could suffer no more But this truce was a pit-fall for many trusting the countenance of this courteous warre which making profession to meane nothing so is more to be feared when she smiles then when she frownes Ioâ—n Duke of Bourbon dies in England Wee haue saied that Iohn Duke of Bourbon was taken prisoner in the battaile of Azincourt whom they could neuer redeeme at any rate This yeare he dyed in England and his sonne Charles succeeds him He had to wife the sister of the Duke of Bourgongne but they fall to words for their rights and so to warre Charles takes from Philip A quarrell betwixt the Dukes of Bourbon and Bourgongne Grancy Aualon Perepertuis Mucy-l'Euesque Chaumont and other places The Bourguignon had his reuenge and besiegeth Belleuille in Beauieulois belonging vnto Charles Mary Duchesse of Berry labours to reconcile these Princes and drawes them to a peace the which shall soone be a meanes of a generall accord betwixt the Bourguignon and France by the mediation of the Duke of Bourbon a profitable instrument of so good a worke This occasion not preuented was seconded by an other for the Duke of Bedford Bedford marrieth againe after the death of his wife being sister to the Duke of Bourgongne marries with Iaquelin the daughter of Peter of Luxembourg Earle of S. Pol who was no friend to the Bourguignon and moreouer the youth and beautie of this new spouse had so bewitched Bedford as he was easily drawne from Philip whose loue he entertained with great difficultie The Duke of Bedford and Bourgongne in dislike yet in respect of the generall cause they made a good shew and had met at S. Omer to that effect but this enterview encreased their discontents In the meane time the truce being ill obserued on either side is conuerted into a languishing warre Bedford makes warre in the Countrie of Maine by Scales and
more plainely the ancient lawes of the French called Saliques augmented them and shewed the vse as well for the gouernment of the estate as for priuate persons 422. And therefore he is called the author of those Lawes although he receiued them from his Ancestors He raigned xi yeares leauing Clodion his sonne for his successor The time of his raigne 422. with a good tast of his integritie noted in his name for Waramond or Pharamond according to the common pronunciation in the old French language that is to say in Germaine signifies a true mouth a vertue in truth worthie of a Prince and necessary for the conduct of humane societie This is all that may be certainly written of the originall of the French Monarchie yet Gregorie of Tours a very ancient author makes no mention of Pharamond and sets downe the beginning of this estate in grosse as a thing vncertaine What certaintie then may we looke for of more ancient times We find in the Romaine histories some apparent steps to guide vs to the knowledge of our beginning These goodly Prouinces of Gaule were courted by all their neighbours the Romaines vnder colour of conueniencie seized on that which lay neerest vnto them by meanes whereof they sought to become masters of the rest but they wanted no competitors The Heluetians since called Suisses likewise the Almaignes would haue lodged there if Caesar had not withstood them His successours were inccuÌ„â—red with the like difficulties but in the end they preuailed to whom God had determined the possession that is to the French issued doubtlesse out of Germanie and gouerned by Kings We read in the liues of the last Emperours the names of Melâ—baudes Richimer Marcomir Berther Sunno Pharabert Theodemir and Dagobert but hereof wee cannot with reason beleeue all that the Registers of Hunibauld Trithemius do comment touching these ancient Kings Let vs therfore leaue these subtilties to such as haue leisure to refine their wittes lay before our eies the light of a more sound and profitable truth let vs obserue the estate of the Church when as this Monarchie began to appeare for hereafter the Church shall be her principall gemme although the French Kings were infidels in theâ—e first beginnings S. Ierome Chrisostome Ambrose and Augustine liued in those times spectators of the dissipation of the Empire The estate of the Church wherein the Church suffered much Damasus Siricius Anaâ—â—asius Innocentius Sosâ—â—mus and Bonifacius Bishops of Rome liued there one after another men renowmed for their pietie learning and dexteritie amidst the confusions of the Empire euen at Rome whereas the Emperours were seldome seene so as the absence of the Emperours troubled to withstand the Barbarians and the miserable estate of the time which forced Christians to flie to their Bishop for counsell and comfort in their confused afflictions laid the foundation of their authoritie then small being tyed to their charges and subiect to the Emperours command but it grew by degrees vntill it came to the height of this soueraigne and absolute power so as in the end they haue prescribed lawes to the Emperours Kings and Christian Princes A necessary obseruation both for the truth and order of this Historie to vnderstand rightly both the times and meanes of their rising In the first age the Bishops of Rome durst not shew themselues being persecuted imprisoned martired by the Emperours Since Constantine the great their authoritie began in the dissipation of the Empire it increased and this Realme did fortifie and augment it Our first Kings knew them not their next successors maintained aduanced them as Charles Martell Pepin Charlemaigne to whome they are indebted for the greatest support and increase of their cheefe authoritie Fundamentall Rules or Maximes of the State of France 423. BVt before we proceed any further in this Theater reason and order commands vs to set downe the soueraigne Maximes of our Monarchie as goodly pillers in the first fronte of this great building to the end we may not dispute either of the ancient forme of gouernement in the first age of our Ancestors The first Maxime or of the Fundamentall lawes of the estate It is necessary that our mindes euen in our infancie be seasoned with this common beliefe The French cannot indure any other gouernment theÌ„ a Royalty being the bond and vnion of the naturall obedience we owe vnto our Kings Without doubt it is neither true nor likely that our Predecessors taking possession of this goodly inheritance made any question of that which had beene concluded amongst them from father to sonne The most ancient histories whose authority is without controll testifie that the French nation was gouerned by Kings and experience ioyned with reason doth shew that the French cannot be otherwise commanded then by a royaltie Whereto then serues this question amongst the French touching the forme of gouernment when as Gaule was first possessed by them And to what end should these goodly painted speeches be vttered by our ancient warriours who made so great profession to do well as they neglected eloquent words This Maxime thus layde as the ground of the Estate of France 2 The royalty of France is successiue the truth of that which hath passed in ancient times doth plainly shew what the forme of this royaltie hath beene for who doth not see by the names of the Kings of France as they haue commanded in this realme amidest so many alterations of the State in the change of the three Races where wee may note the succession from father to sonne from brother to brother from cousin to the nearest kinsman of the bloud Royall that it was hereditary froÌ„ all antiquity This is the law The efficacy of a successiue Royalty the vse wherof is so worthily regarded in all coÌ„mands the force wherof defends the State amidst the strangest confusions yea sucking babes haue enioyed it without any dispute or contradiction At the very name of an infant King Armies haue marched vnder the command of a woman otherwise very odious by reason of her vices and yet so respected being the Kings mother as the French haue growne desperate in most perillous battailes returning with bloudy victories thrust forward with this onely resolution to preserue the estate of their yong King lying in his swadling clothes By the force of this law the French after the decease of their lawfull Kings A royalty is the best sort of gouernement leauing their wiues with childe haue reuerenced the wombe of their Queene expecting her deliuery being a sonne hee was nourished bred vp and honoured as their King And if he dyed in his first infancie they haue performed his obsequies with the like respect and reuerence as to a King in his maioritie To conclude reason authority and experience doe plainly shew that a succeeding royaltie is better then that which depends vpon the peoples choise and election How it appeares by reason
For what is a Royaltie but the image of a fathers command the loue honour and obedience which children beare towards their parents bee the effects of the lawe of nature figured in their hearts A father commands ouer many children who although they bee planted in diuers parts as wee see in the peopling of great familyes yet all returne to the chiefe stock or stemme all acknowledge and honour the father all obey him while he liues by a more voluntary obedience for that it is meerely naturall Behold the patterne of a ciuill gouernement To apply it to our subiect it appeares the first man had this naturall authoritie euen as wee see it at this day As mankinde multiplyed into diuers families so this multitude had neede of a greater gouernement Man cannot liue alone society consists in commandement and obedience From this fountaine a royaltie springs 425. Looke what is done in a family the like is in a state by the same force of nature one commands and is obeied There this naturall respect is that bond of lawfull obedience So here in like sort whereas the commandement of one giues lawe to all for that the lawe of nature hath power ouer all it doth authorize this respect in the hearts of subiects by a voluntary obedience to their Kings as to their fathers And as wee neede not to be taught to honour father and mother So who is so vnkind that wil make any question to honour the Prince vnder whom hee is borne It is that which the originall of the first truth doth teach vs Honour father and mother not onely to tie vs to them that gaue vs life but to those that make vs to liue happily in the common societie of mankinde that is to the father in the house and to the King in the state as the father of our fathers Thus a Roialty is the most antient and best forme of gouernment when as the King is Father of his people according to the ordinance of nature as we shal shew else where at better leasure I hope this smal digression shal be excused for the necessity of the subiect A Roialty then is the Image of a fathers authoritie How can a father then whom God hath giuen by the course of nature be chosen by his children A succâ—sâ—iue Roiaâ—tâ—e is the best If to liue well according to nature and by consequence that which proceeds from nature be the best who doubts but a Roialtie the which God hath giuen vs by the law of State the soueraigne law of societie wherein wee are borne is without doubt better then that which depends on the tumultuous factions of people Thus much for reason Now let vs see what Authority saies By authoritie which speaks plainly in the goodliest estate oâ— the world which was the comon weale of Israel wherin God had planted his church as his most pretious iewel Truly the lawful Royaltie of the house of Dauid hath bin hereditarie successiue from father to sonne and from Cousin to the nearest kinsman A paterne whereby to frame a perfect estate farre better then the common weale of Plato who notwithstanding hath respected the bloud Royall in the race of Kings with great prerogatiue moued thereunto by the force of nature to acknowledge the best forme of gouernment in an hereditary succession whereas one is borne to commaund an other to obey I will dilate no more of so rich and ample a subiect hauing onely coated that which is necessarie for the circumstance of my purpose By experience But what shall wee say of Experience the mistres of fooles What is hee but may thereby feele the visible proofs of this truth Doubtles those Countries and States which haue kept this libertie to choose their Kings do often feele to their costs the tumultuous fruites of their elections striuing with much paine to maintaine this priuilege against the lawes of nature postiâ—g from nation to nation with much toyle and small profiâ— searching for that a farre off which they might easily finde at home and for the avoiding of tumults which might growe among equall Competitors they procure vnto themselues infinite troubles the which they might auoide in receiuyng of him willingly whome God should cause to be borne among them with a lawfull authority But some will obiect that which we cannot deny to haue beene practised in two Races That the French had in former times authority to place and displace their Kings as appeares aswell by the Kings Chosen by Parliament In old time at the reception of a new king they vsed to caâ—rie him vppon a target in a publike aâ—â—emblie which were borne vpon targets as also by the famous examples of Pepin and Hughe Capet Wherevnto the answere is true and plaine that this consent was but the seale of the naturall prerogatiue due to the race of our lawfull Kings and their dissallowing a declaration of their base slouthfulnesse vnworthy of that naturall prerogatiue wherewith they were honored in their birth and from the which they did degenerate in liuing ill And as we see in the succession of Kings the neerest allied holds the other by the hand so in these two alterations when as necessitie forced the French to change their King as when the like necessitie constraineth the children to giue their furious father a tutor wee may obserue that they haue alwayes made choise of men neerest to the blood royall preferring vertue before a maske of Authoritie corrupted with vice the publique good before the priuate interest of a vitious man reteyning nothing but the name of his noble race 426. They haue preserued as much as they could their naturall respect to the bloud royall The lawe made the King that is his birth But the law of nature The prerogatiue of a Kâ—ng is nothing impaired by the peoples consâ—nt at his last recâ—ption fâ—lâ—owed by the law of nations and the free consent of the people hath not beene the cause but the very effect of this naturall authoritie So this royall authoritie is limited and ruled by the souereigne law of State which doth so aduance the head aboue all the members of the bodie as they may not be separated For what is a King without subiects but a head without members the King preserues his estate as the head doth the bodie But as the head from whence life proceeds to the bodie liues with the bodie so the King who preserues the estate by his authoritie is preserued in the estate by the consent of his subiects In this inseparable vnion hee doth fortifie his power by theirs and his commaund with their voluntary obedience Plato sayes that Authoritie not subiect to controulment is pernitious to him that commaunds and to them that are commaunded It is a lawfull and profitable restraint for Kings and the necessary counterpoyse of their authoritie This lawe will haue euery member to hold his place in the bodie of a State And by consequence
their owne After this he attempted no more against them and the greatest part of Bourgongne returned to the children of Gondebault But in the end both Prouence and Bourgongne shall bee incorporated to the Crowne by diuerse accidents the which we will note in diuerse places Clouis cruell practisâ—s to become great Clouis suruiued fiue yeares after all these losses remaining commonly at Paris hauing no heroicke mind to attempt any great conquests yet of a cruell disposition which made him die with desire of other mens goods Hee imployed all his wits to put his kinsmen to death hauing some â—eignieuries included within the compasse of his great monarchie with an imagination â—o leaue his children a great estate vnited In this desseine he puts to death Chararic to haue Amyens Ragnachatre to become maister of Cambray and Sigâ—bert to haue no companion at Mets although he were acknowleged in all these places for soueraigne This rauishing of other mens goods was vnexcusable but his tragicall proceedings to haue it was more detestable I tremble to represent the horror of these execrable crimes you may reade them in the originall of Gregorie of Tourâ— The truth of the historie requires they should bee registred but reason would haue the memory of so dangerous examples buried in obliuion I desire to be dispensed withall if I discourse not of these monstrous enormities A modest tragedie goares not the scaffold with the bloud of Iphigenia being content to report by a messenger that she was slaine by her fathers coÌ„mand drawing a curteine to hide the blood But if any one will vrge me with the debt which a historie doth owe I will say that Clouis caused Chararic to be slaine hauing seized on him and his sonne and condemned them to monastery As they were cutting of their haire the sonne seeing his father weepe bitterly said These greene branches will grow againe meaning the haire they cut off for the stocke is not dead but God will suffer him to perish that causeth them to bee cut off Horrible murthers coÌ„mitted by Câ—ouis Clouis aduertised of this free speech They complaine for the losse of their haire sayes hee let their heads bee cut off And so they were both put to death To get Ragnachaire who had faithfully serued him both against Sâ—agrius and in all his other enterprises hee corrupted some of his domesticall seruants with promise of great rewards in token wherof he sent them bracelets of latten guilt These traitors bring him Ranachaire and his brother with their hands and feete bound Hee beholding them Outcasts saith hee of our race vnworthie of the blood of Merouee are you not ashamed to suffer your selues to be thus bound you are vnworthy to liue repay the dishonour you haue done to our blood with your bloods and so gaue to eyther of them great blowes with a Battell Axe which he held in his hand 514. and slue them both in the presence of his Captaines and Councell But when 〈…〉 Traytors demanded their reward and complained of his Bracelets Auant saâ—th 〈◊〉 Traytors is it not enough that I suffer you to liue I loue the treason but I hate Trâ—ytors But the last exceeds the rest Hee perswades the sonne of Sigibert to kill his â—â—ther This infamous parricide murthers him and returnes to Clouis to put him in possession of his treasures whom he had thus massacred who being in the chamber and â—ending downe into a Chest to draw forth bagges full of gold hee caused his braiâ—es to be beaten out and being the stronger seized on Mets making a good shew to the people as ignorant of this murther Thus Clouis liued thus he reigned and thus he dyed in the yeare of our Lord 514. of the age of 45. the thirtith yeare of his reigne in the flower of his enterprises The death of 〈◊〉 in the Citty of Paris A Prince whom we must put in ballance to counterpeise his vertues with his vices valiant politick colde wise temperate diligent in execution His vertues his 〈◊〉 of admirable authoritie and indued with excellent politicke vertues fit for an estate Contrarywise hee was extreamly couetous ambitious wilfull cruâ—â—l bloudy infinitely giuen to the world immortalizing his good hap in this mortall life by his many enterprises the which hee feared not to execute with the losse of other mens goods and liues We must not wonder if we read of confusions in the following reignes wherein we shall first see bloud for bloud and the robber robbed spoiled dispoâ—sessed according to the trueth of Oracles Woe to thee that robbest for thou shalt bee robbed that killest for thou shalt be killed the same measure thou measurest shall be measured to thee againe Vnder his reigne the Romane Empire vanished quite into the West Spaine Gaule Italy and Germany were seized on by strange nations retaining no markes of the Romaine name The East had yet some shewes of the Empire whereof Constantinople was the seate Leo Zeno Anastasius Emperours liued in those dayes with many enemies The estatâ— of the Church shame and losse The Pope of Rome thrust himselfe forward amiddest these confusions and ruines recouering that which the Emperours had lost Leo Hilarie Simplicius Foelix Gelasius liued in those times learned men The Councell was held againe at Chalcedone against Eutiches and Dioscorus The 6. raigne vnder the foure sonnes of CLOVIS Childebert Clodamir Clotaire Thierry Who raigned togither forty and two yeares as Kings of France yet with a particular title â—nder this generall but in the end Clotaire remayned King alone And therefore their raignes are distinguished To this Coniunction of foure brethren some giue the sixt degree in the number of Kings and Childebert as the eldest beares the title CHILDEBERT the 6. King of France CHILDEBET KING OF FRANCE VI CLOVIS his desseine was to rule alone in a great vnited Kingdome but he sees his resolutions frustrate for this vaste bodie compounded of many peeces is scarce vnited but it is disioyned againe yea in his life time and the rest is diuided into foure parts to his children according to the lawes of nature but to the visible preâ—udice of the Estate incompatible of so many maisters as the following â—â—â—course will shewe A lesson both for great and small and a notable president of the vaâ—ity of humane enterprises where the end is not alwaies answerable to the beginning They take great paines to settle a firme estate which shal be soone dismembred either by lawe or force and that shal be dispersed sodeinly which was gathered togither too hastily Let euery one consider what hee leaues to his Children 515 for the which there is no warrantable caution but a good title These foure sonnes diuide the realme into foure Kingdomes Childebert was King of Paris and vnder this realme was comprehended the Prouinces of Poictou Maine Touraine Champaigne Aniou Guyenne and Auuergne Clotaire King of Soissons and the dependances of this realme were Vermandois Picardie
Venaâ—sin and in Prouence He besiegeth Auignon and takes it from thence he passeth into Prouence where as all yeelds to his will The Counties of Viuaret and Dié yeelds without blowes and many families were made desolate Dâ—sâ—lation of the Albigeois by Lewis by the rigour of these Edicts which did forfaite both bodies and goods The house of Montlor one of the greatest of Viuaret hauing followed the Albigeois partie being cursed makes his peace by meanes of the Towne of Argentiere giuen to the Bishp of Viuiers who enioyeth it vnto this day These poore miserable people were dispersed here and there and such as remained in the Countrie were forced to acknowledge the Pope as soueraigne pastor of the Church This heat was for a while restrained but the seeds were not rooted out as we shall see in the following raignes Lewis hauing thus subdued the Albigeois gaue order to suppresse them if they should rise againe appointing the Marshall Foy of the house of Myrâ—pois to command his forces and leauing the Lord of Beauieu for Gouernor and Lieutenant generall of Languedoc he tooke his way towards France But comming to Montpensier in Auuergne hee dyed in the yeare 1225. the 27. of October leauing foure sonnes by his Wife Blanche Lewis which succeeded him Robert Earle of Arthois who dyed in Morea Alphonso Earle of Poitiers and Charles Earle of Aniou who shall be Earle of Prouence and King of Sicilia and Ierusalem Lewis dyes In this yeare the Flemings were much disquieted by meanes of an Impostor who said he was their Prince but hee receiued condigne punishment for his rashnesse and by his death this error vanished wherewith many had beene bewitched Lewis the eldest sonne of France succeeding his father goes now to sit in the royall Throne LEWIS the 9. called Saint Lewis 1227. the 44. King of France LEWIS .9 KING OF FRANCE XXXXIIII THE piety and good disposition of this Prince consecrated to the happy memory of his posterity represented vnto France goodly first fruites but his age not yet capable to gouerne the helme of this Monarchie suffred him onely to take the first and most pretious gage of his lawfull and hereditarie right for being but twelue yeares old he was crowned at Rheims but his mother Blanche a wise and couragious Princesse tooke vpon her the gouernment of his person and Realme Blanche regent of the Kâ—nâ— and realmâ— according to the the decree of Lewis the 8. who knowing her capacitie had appointed her for Regent He began to raigne in the yeare 1227. Blanche had much honour in the education and instruction of her Sonne the which purchased her the free consent of the Estates assembled at Paris to be admitted Regent but this was not pleasing to the Princes of the bâ—oud who pretended this prerogatiue to appertaine vnto them and not to a woman and a stranger borne From these discontents sprung two warres in France in the beginning of this raigne the which were suppressed not onely by the discretion of Blanche but also by the wisdome and valour of young Lewis who then played his parte with so good successe as he purchased great credit in his youth The heads of this faction were Philip Earle of Bologne A Faction in France for the Regencâ—â— Vncle to the King by the Fathers side Robert Earle of Champagne Peter of Dreux Duke of Brittanie and Robert Earle of Dreux his Brother Princes of the bloud valiant and factious men who had imbarked many of the Nobility vnder a goodly pretext That it was not reasonable a Spanish woman abusing the Kings minoritie should gouerne the Realme at her pleasuâ—e and by the Councell of Spaniards whom she aduanced reiecting the Princes keepâ—ng back the Naturall French from all preferments But that which was most to be feared in this occurrent of affaires was that Raymond Earle of Tholouse who had so great a subiect of discontent against the King being spoiled of the greatest part of his estate should ioyne with that partie and drawe his cousin the Earle of Prouence into the same quarrell Men which were neither dull witted nor goutie handed and who were nothing altered in minde although they had made a good shew yeelding to necessitie the which Blanche preuented happily winning Count Raymond who now began to rise in Languedock by the mariage of Ioane his only Daughter with Alphonso the Kings brother Languedoc annexed to the Crowne by mariage and Earle of Poitiers vpon condition that Raymond should enioy it during his life and that after his death the said Alphonso should succeed in the right of his wife and if they had no issue the Earldome with all the dependances should returne to the Crowne as to his first beginning Thus Languedock shaken at the first by Armes as we haue said was honourablie vnited to the Crowne of France by this accord as the Historie will hereafter shew in the raigne of Philip sonne to our Lewis By the like meanes she drew Robert Earle of Champagne vnto her a very factious man and did not onely thereby weaken the party of these discontented Princes thus disioyned by withdrawing the most sufficient man they had but also shee imployed him against them There remained a Triumuirate Blanch supplanâ—s the discontented Princes the which she deuided They made a good shew but Blanche did cunningly countermine them discouering their actions euen within their Cabinets where she found accesse by money In the end their practise must breake forth The Earle of Bologne fortified Calais and the Duke of Brittaine with the Earle of Dreux did purposely demand some of the Crowne lands which they knew well that Blanche would not yeeld vnto as Inalienable whereby they might pretend some colour to rebell They now go to armes and at the first seize vpon Saint Iames of Beâ—ron and of Belesme Blanche flies to the Maiestie of the King and threatens these armed Princes to proclaime them rebels and guiltie of high treason if they obey not The confederate Princes answer That they most humblie beseeche his Maiestie to giue them free accesse to complaine of his Mother who abused both his name and his authoritie Blanche admits them being well aduertised by the Earle of Champagne that their intent was vnder colour of this parley to seize vpon the Kings person Their desire was to haue this meeting at Vendosme but they had layde their ambush neerer to surprise him by the way Lewis in danger to be surprised by his rebels They had aduanced their troupes to Corbeil when as the King parted from Paris being arriued at Mont-lehery newes came that the troupes marched to surprize him The King retires to the Castell then being of some strength and Blanche giues it out that the King is in a manner besieged The Parisians aâ—me speedily and goe in great troupes to fetch their King to make the Leaguers thereby more odious and to confirme the Queenes authoritie These Princes being thus discouered
all sutes among his subiects and happily hee might haue preuailed in reconciling that great deuision betwixt the Emperor and the Pope if zeale to releeue the afflicted Christians had not made him to abandon his owne quiet with all his good workes to transport his treasure and life into Affrick and there to leaue them among the Barbarians All declined in the East Mahomet preuailed so both there and in Affricke as Europe was threatned by their neighbor-hood Spaine as the neerest and Prouence and Languedoc by the easie aboard of the Mediterranian Sea Lewis not able to liue without seeking the aduancement of the Christian religion resolues a voyage into Barbarie Lewis goes into Barbèrie against the aduise of his estate and contrary to his owne experience A zeale which shall succeed ill for himselfe and his whole realme whom we cannot excuse of indiscretion Thus he inrouled himselfe the second time and his Sonne Philip likewise which shall succeed him with Peter Earle of Alanson and Iohn Earle of Neuers surnamed Tristan He left the Regencie to Simon of Neele and Mathew of Vendosme of whose fidelitie he relyed much Before his departure he made a league with the King of England to whom he had done many good offices in his great necessitie It was agreed A League wiâ—h Enâ—land 1269. â—hat the English should pretend no interest to Normandie nor to the Earledome of Aniou Maine Poitou and Touraine and as for Guienne hee should enioy the Countries of Quercy Limosin and Xainronge vnto the Riuer of Charenton all which Countries hee should hold by homage of the Crowne of France and in this regard he should be Vassall and Leege-man to the King of France For confirmation of this accord Edward his Sonne enters into societie of Armes with Lewis for the voyage of the Holy-land to maâ—che at the same time This accord was made in the yeare 1269. and their departure was the yeare after 1270. the first day of May. He paâ—ted from Aigues-mortes and not from Marseilles as some haue written for that there was no good port vpon the Mediterranian Sea hee caused the Cittie of Aigues-mortes in Languedoc to bee built and compassed it with goodly Walles which speake yet of him and with Chanels for the commoditie of the shoare the largest is calâ—ed The great Lewis by his name Edward takes his course for Asia and Lewis for Affrike the French armie consisting of forty thousand fighting men that of England is not specified The voyage was shott vnhappy for them both but especially for our good Prince Lewis had scarce lost the sight of shoare and discouered the Iland of Sardinia when as both he and his whole Fleete had almost perished in a storme Lewis in danger at Sea A presage of a mournfull successe In the end he lands in Affricke A Country worthy to loose that ancient name among vs and to be called Barbarie for the barbarous and vnfortunate successe it brought Lewis resolues to take Carthage a new Cittie built vpon the ancient name and held for a strong garrison of the Barbarians He takes it but with great paine and losse From thence heâ— goes to Thunis a strong and well garded Cittie resolute to haue it at what price soeuer But man purposeth and God disposeth For as Edward sonne to the King of England turned backe from his voyage of the East The Armie infected with the plague hauing passed but to Malta and Charles King of Sicilia going to ioyne with him to set vpon the Barbarians of Affricke altogether In a manner at the same time as they arriued all at Thunis the plague had deuoured a great part of the French armie and taken away many Noblemen And to encrease the mischiefe 1270. it enters the Kings pauiâ—â—on and strikes Lewis although some say it was a Flux But whatsoeuer it be our Lewis is extreamly sicke and feeling it deadly Lewis being sicke giues his sonne instruction hee calls for Philip his eldest sonne whose age and vertue preferred him to the Crowne Hauing giuen him goodly admonitions and exhorted him to serue God to liue verâ—uously and to gouerne his people â—atherly vnder the obedience of his lawes which hee himselfe must first obey hauing recommended vnto him the loue of his brethren Lewis dyes and intâ—eated all the Nobilitie about him to obey Philip he yeelded vp his soule to God to take his true rest in heauen leauing all his followers in great heauinesse being the most perfect patterne of a good King that euer was read off in Historie He only wanted the happinesse of a good writer although these small gleans which wee finde in the writings of the Lord of Ioinuille make his vertue admitable A Prince borne for a testimonie to that obscure age Lewis his vertues and for ours which is corrupted to be a President to all Kings and Princes of Religion Equitie Clemencie Wisdome Valour Magnanimitie Patiencie and Continencie to Loue Pietie Iustice Order and Peace to ioyne the loue of holy things and the modestie of manners with armes and State Hauing shewed that it is very fitting for a King To be a good Christian a good Warriour a good Husband a good Father a good Gouernour a good Iusticer and to know how to make Warre and Peace Verâ—ues required in a prince That it is very necessary to ioyne vnto the Maiestie royall Pietie Clemencie and Authoritie to gaine the Loue Respect and Obedience of all men And to conclude That the best gaâ—de and most assured reuenew of a Prince is the loue of his subiects worthy of that venerable name of Holy wherewith posteritie hath iustly honored him He was twelue yeares old when he began to raigne His raigne and gouerned 44. yeares So hee died in the 56. yeare of his age hauing receiued this mortall Crowne in the yeare 1226. and the immortall in the yeare 1270 the 25. of August Of Marguerite the Daughter of Raymond Earle of Proâ—ence His Children hee had foure Sonnes and foure Daughters A Princesse worthy of so great a husband the sole Wife of one husband and hee the onely Husband of one Wife His Sonnes were Philip surnamed the Hardie King of France Peter Earle of Alanson Robert also Earle of Alanson succeeding his brother Peter deceased without Children and he likewise died without any issue and Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauvoisin His Daughters were Blanche Queene of Castile Isabell Queene of Nauarre Marguerite Countesse of Brabant and Agnes Dâ—chesse of Bourgongne His posteritie in his two sonnes Philip and Robert So as of his foure Sonnes there suruiued but two Philip and Robert From Philip the 3. called the Hardie his eldest Sonne are issued successiuely eyther from Father to Sonne or from brother to brother or from the neerest kinsman to the next of bloud Philip the 4. called the Faire Lewis the 10. called Hutin Philip the 5. called the Long Charles the 4 called the Faire Philip
in a common-weale who hauing power in the soueraigne authoritie abuse the people with a shew of the common good an ordinarie cloake for such as fish in troubled waters We shall see by the vnruly euents of the contempt of royall authoritie the King being eyther a prisoner or sick in iudgement what a body is without a head a realme without a King well obeyed and a multitude gouerned by it selfe A subiect susceptible of all impressions but of bad rather then good though alwaies couered with a shew of good an instrument of all mischiefes in an Estate when as transported by violent and disordred passions couered with a shew of common good it is not restrained with the reynes of a lawfull authoritie I meane a multitude a dangerous beast with many heads doing commonly more harme then good We shall see heere what councellours of State the ambition and couetousnesse of great men be especially when women entermedle armed with the sâ—ew of publike authoritie and to conclude we shall confesse by a sound iudgement of this discourse that all things done in our age were done before A briefe preface for the greatnesse of the subiect yet necessary for that which is represented in these raignes the which we will note according to thir occurrents The raigne of Iohn Iohn the eldest sonne of Philip of Valois succeeded his father in the yeare 1350. and raigned fourteene yeares He had made a long apprentiship in managing the affaires of the Realme vnder his father Philip but he neither ruled better nor more happily His manners shall be known by his actions He had for sonnes by Ioane Countesse of Boulogne His children and the most remarkable personages in this raigne Charles Lewis Iohn Philip and one Daughter named Ioane Charles his eldest sonne was Dauâ—phin of Viennois in his fathers life and Duke of Normandy and after him King of France Lewis Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry and Philip called the hardy first he was Earle of Toâ—raine and after through his brothers fauour Duke of Burgongne and Earle of Flanders in the right of his wife Ioane was married to Charles King of Nauarre and Earle of Eureux Princes which shall play their partes vppon this Theater in euery scene of the Tragedy that I am to represent and for this reason they are to be obserued in the beginning This Charles King of Nauarre was sonne to Lewis Earle of Eureux and of Ioane daughter to King Lewis Hutin who by the sufferance of Philip the long her vncle Charles King oâ— Nauarâ—e the scourge of thâ—◠〈…〉 The humors of Câ—arles of Nauaare succeding to the Crowne remayned Queene of Nauarre and by this right Charles her sonne carried bâ—th the title and effect of the Realme with many other great inheritances A Prince of the blood royall both by father and mother and sonne in lawe to King Iohn hauing married Ioane his onely Daughter A man of a subtill spirit eloquent actiue vigilant but 〈◊〉 vnfaithful malicious reuengefull armed with the prerogatiue of his blood and the great meane he inioyed to be a pernitious instrument to trouble the King his Realme beyond all measure but in the end he shall receiue a due reward for his actions by a death worthy of his life After Iohns coronation at Rheims with his wife Ioane being returned to Paris he began his raigne by a famous act of an vnfortunate presage for he caused Raoul Earle of Eu and of Guines to be beheaded in prison vpon light accusations A mournful beginning of his raigne as hauing intelligence with the English and that he betrayed his affaires for that he had passed and repassed into France vpon his faith giuen during his imprisonment He was Constable of France Iohn aduanced Charles of Spaine to his place grand child to the King of Castile and son in Law to the Earle of Blois and so allied to the King and exceedingly beloued of him amongst all his greatest fauourits He shal be the first fruites of many miseries when as this raigne promised some rest vnder a King of age and experience fit to gouerne a Realme Fâ—r as Iohn was busye to institute the order of the Knights of the Starre in the ende growne so common as it remaines a badge for the Knight of the watch and his Archeâ—s vnto this day there chanced a great misfortune to this Constable Charles of Nauarre complained that the King detayned froÌ„ him the Counties of Champaigne and â—rie belonging to his mother by the same title that the kingdome of Nauarre did This was true but by reason of their neerenesse vnto Paris Charles of Nauarre discontented the Kings counsell had â—â—â—ted these Earledomes vnto the Crowne and giuen in exchange the Townes of Mante and Meulan with a pension answerable to the reuenues of the said Earledomes without any preiudice to the Nauarrois But he sought an occasion for a cause smothering some mischâ—uâ—u pretence in his hart the which he discouered by many effects Not dating to complaine directly of the king he quarrelled with the Constable as the chiefe of the Councel Charles of Sâ—aine Constable of FraÌ„ce slaine in his bed by the King of Nauarre of whom he was exceeding iealous for the priuate fauour the King did beare him Hauing taken Councel with his passioÌ„ he caused the Constable to be slaine in his bed at Aigle in Normandie but with so great a presumption as he himselfe came vnto theplace accompanied with his brother Philip of Nauarre Iohn Earle of Harcourt and his brethren and with many Gentlemen his followers This murther thus audaciously committed he retires himselfe easily to Eureux whereof he was Earle from whence he writes to the good Citties of the Realme auouching this murther as done by his command and iustifying it as lawfull and reasonable King Iohn found himselfe much wronged but not able then to redresse it An imagined pardon he promised to remit the fact so as he would aske pardon with the reuerence due to his royall maiesty The which Charles is content to doe but vpon good gages holding the Kings word insuffâ—cient to secure his person So as Iohn giues him Lewis his second sonne for hostage The Nauarrois comes to Paâ—is he presents himselfe to the Kings Couâ—cell and seeks to giue some reason for this murther yet the Councell condemnes him as guilty of high Treason decrees that he should be commited to prison Iames of Boâ—rbon Earle of March newly aduanced to the office of Constable laie hold on him and puts him in gard but all this was but for a shewe to maintaine the publike respect for presently the three Queenes go to the King Ione daughteâ— to Lewis Hutin his mother in law Blâ—nche widow to Phillip of Valois and Ione daughter to King Iohn Queene of Nauarre his wife Charles likewise came himselfe and falls vpon his knees before the King both he and they seeme to weepe and to sue for mercy of
King Iohn who had already granted his pardon vpon good assurance Iohn grants his request yet could he not command his heart to leaue this malitious iealousie the which made him to seeke new occasions daylie to crosse his father in Lawes actions He then offers his seruice to the King of England who failes not to imbrace this occasion hauing the heart and hand of a Prince of the bloud whose power was great in the State Vpon this assurance he sends Edward his eldest sonne Prince of Wales into Guienne with a goodly armie a yong man of an exceeding hope And giues him for councell Iohn Shandos Robert Knowles Fraâ—cis Hali and Iohn of Arondel great men in their times and which shal be famous in those actions which shall follow New warre by the King of Nanâ—s practises He attended the end of truce the which being expired he enters Guienne and passeth into Langnedoc to Thâ—louse Narbonne ouer al he spoiles sacks kils and finds no resistance and returnes wiâ—hout difficulty to Bourdeaux being loaden with spoiles At the same instant another cloud of English men breakes out of Calis and spoiles the Country of Picardy but Ioâ—n by these skirmishes foresees the tempest of a greater warre measuring the forces of England by the will of King Edward his assured and tryed enemie He therefore seekes a remedie by an ordinarie course he calls a generall Parliament to take Councell and comfort from them in these newe occurrents Charlâ—s of Nauaâ—re assists but with an intent to crosse the Kings procedings by indirect practiâ—es and to withdrawe the subiects affections from assisting the King with their meanes in this necessitie Open force of the 〈◊〉 against the King but it was in vaine for in regard of Iohns promise to better the coyne they granted him a reasonable aide to raise and intertaine a great armie This faithful resolution of the French did for that time suppresse the violence of the English but not the furious malice of the Nauarrois for hauing labored in vaine to disswade the people from their promised succours and hauing raised by these practises seditions in diuers parts of the realme he lands at Cheâ—ebourg with two thousanâ— men robs and spoiles the countâ—y and takes â—he Castel of Coâ—ches in Normandie from the King An intollerable presumption of a subiect against his Prince after the muâ—ther of a Constable But Iohn disâ—embles this assiont and by the mediation of his sonne Charles Daulphin of Viennois he remâ—ts this second fault and receiues the King of Nauarre his son in Law againe into fauour but in effect he doth it to frustrate his purposes and to punish such as had assisted him Iohn did then giue the Duchie of Normandie to the Daulphin for his portion so as hee must take posâ—ession thereof An apparent cause to drawe him thether but in effect Iohns intention was to drawe the Nauarrois into a place of easie surprise to make him and 〈◊〉 adherents to giue an accompt of their wicked actions and to preuent them hereafter The new Duke of Normandie arriues at Roan whether all the good Townes of the Countrie runne to do him homage The King of Nauarre who held Eureux and many great Lordships in the Country with one of the greatest dignities in the realme comes to do him honouâ— well acompanied but better receiued by Charles his brother in law The King aduertised that the Nauarrois was at Roan with his sonne goes speedilie from Paris accompanied with his Brother Philip Duke of Orleans Lewis his second sonne Duke of Aniou the Earle of Tancaruille and Arnoul of Endreghan Marshall of France and ranne to Roan with this great traine 1352. Arriuing about dinner time he presently goes to his sonnes lodging where he findes him at table accompanied with the King of Nauarre and the most of them which had assisted him at the Constables murther where without any more deliberation or delay he causeth them all to be apprehended And then not pausing longer he made choise of fower out of this number the two Brethren of Harcourt the Lord of Maubue and Colinet Doublet chieâ—e actors in the foresaied murther and without any other forme of proceeding as a matter long before determyned he causeth their heads to be cut off Charles of Nauarre taken pâ—isoner by the King Fower of his complices beheaded setting theÌ„ vpon stakes and drawing their carcases to the gibet The next day he made choise of prâ—soners and sends the Nauarrois with Friquet and Bontabu his domesticke and most trustie seruanâ—s to Arras vnder sauegards and presently dismisseth all the rest to their houses enioyning them expresly vnto fidelitie and loyaltie to his seruice bynding them by a new oath This vnexpected execution amazed the whole Countrie like to a cracke of thunder but it roused vp the Nauarrois faction especially Philip of Nauarre brother to Charles and Geoffroy of Haâ—court Vncle to the two Bretheren beheaded Occasion of newe warre the which opened the gates to a strange confusion which shal cast Iohn into miserable captiuitie and drawe the Nauarrois out of prison with a flaming torch in his hand to fier the whole realme Behold Philip and the house of Haâ—court presently in England crying out against murther They intâ—â—ate Edward to stretch â—orth his hand to bee reuenged of so notable an iniustice and disloyaltie They offer him their hearts persons goods Townes and hauens to land in Nâ—rmandie without any difficultie and there to make warre comodiously against so trecherous and cruell a Prince Edward a wise and vigilant Prince who had his eyes open to all occasions that might annoy his enemy imbraceth this offer hee asâ—embâ—es his troupes to send them speedâ—ly into No mandie And to do nothing by halues hee imploies all hee can to leuie a great army the which he sends into Guienne to make worke for Iohn in diuers places and not to suffer this first heat of the discontended french to coole hee then without anie delay sends the Duke of Glocester into Normandie with .4000 choise men who lands easily Warre in Normandy and ioynes with Philip of Nauarre and so they ouerrune and spoile the Champion Countrie The terror of these newe forces spâ—eads presently ouer all The Towns of Lizieux Orbes B cheloin and Ponteau on the sea yeeld presently And not staying to beseege any great Citties he goes to Bretueil and Tuillieres and from thence to Vernueil in Perche the which he takes easilie giuing it out in all places that it was to reuenge the wrong done to the King of Nauarre and his seruants a dutie of humanitie which Kings ought not to refuse one to another in their greatest necessity King Iohn hasteth thither with his armie and recouers Bretueil and Tuillieres and had easily repossessed all the rest if a new occasion had not drawen him else where and the secret decree of God to his owne ruine Edward Prince of Wales the eldest sonne of Edward King of
the 19. of May 1364. hauing before his coronation prouided honorablie for his fathers funeralles He raigned sixteene yeares being called and knowne by the name of Wise. In his youth he did taste the bitter rootes and in his age the sweet fruites of vertue His manners beloued honoured feared and respected both of his owne subiects and of strangers A deuout Prince wise temperate chast vigilant louing Iustice order and the people indued with as great authoritie as any Prince that euer raigned ouer this Monarchie accompanied with other vertues fit for those tâ—mes to preserue a state the which had more need of councell then of force too venturously hazarded by his grand father and father He was well assisted by the Princes of his bloud and the officers of the crowne very wished worthy aduantages for a King who being the head of an estate ought to be well serued by the principall members to guide and gouerne the whole body We haue said that he had three brethren Lewis Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry Philip Earle of Tourraine to whom according to his fathers testament he resigned the Duchie of Bourgongne with a mariage of great aduancement He gaue to Lewis the Duchie of Orleans Charles augments his bretherens portions and to Iohn he gaue Auuergne Poitou and Xaintonge besides Berry for his portion and Languedoc for his gouernment He was likewise well serued for Militarie causes by Bertrand of Gueselin a Britton an excellent Captaine whom he honoured with the dignitie of Constable in the place of Maurel de Fiennes hauing deposed him for sundrie crimes and for affaires of state he had Iohn Dormans Bishop of Beauuais and Chancellor of France in the end Cardinall whom his brother succeeded in the same charge With these helpes of councell and force he soone restored the realme being dismembred by the strange confusions of the forepassed raignes In his youth during these former broâ—es he was poisoned by the practises of the Nauarrois of whom we haue so often spoken This was preuented by counterpoysons yet left it a great infirmitie in his bodie the which forced him to a quiet life more profitable both for himselfe and his whole Realme then if he had beene a man of action 1364. for he dispatched affaires in his Closset without danger and incountred his enemies with a happie successe In the beginning of his raigne Charles his marriage and his children he married with Ioane the daughter of Charles Duke of Bourbon a Princesse of excellent beautie the which he preferred before the great wealth of the heire of Flanders and the benefit of his owne realme he had three sonnes and one daughter In the former raigne there was nothing but warre desolation teares cryes lamentations despaire and generally the mournfull image of death After these long and insupportable calamities the wisdom of Charles reducing things to their first beginning by his happy dexteritie gaue France a new forme like vnto a man who hauing a long dangerous sicknesse recouers himselfe by carefull keeping But there remained an infinit number of men accustomed to liue dissolutely through the licentiousnesse of the warre the which if he had sought to reforme by any good order it had bred some tumult in the State according to the violent and head-strong or restlesse humour of the French who must be doing at home if they be not imployed abroad The Eâ—glish prouided worke for these warriers in Brittaine in Flanders in the heart of France and in Castille but the wisdome of Charles preuented all I will note what happened rather according to the subiect then the order of times for that the matters are so confused as I cannot represent the dates distinctly without repetition and tediousnesse Brittaine was the first list to trie our men of warre there might they make warre without breach of tâ—uce and the quarrell betwixt Charles of Blois and Iohn of Montfort continued more violent then before for that Iohn of Montfort had married the daughter of the King of England and Lewis Duke of Aniou the daughter of Charles of Blois who imbraced and inkindled their pâ—iuate quarrels by these new occasions Bertrand of Gueselin a Gentleman of Brittanie of whom we haue before made mention had done the King good seruice during the warre with the Nauarrois Warre in Brittaine Charles relying vpon his fidelitie and valour giues him the charge of the warre to assist Charles of Blois being old and broken who was pressed by the enemie being supported with forces from England Gueselin being arriued the Nobilitie of Brittanie which were of Charles his faction repaire vnto him to the number of 1500. lances The Historie names the houses Rohâ—n Lâ—ual Leon Dinan Rieux Chasâ—eau-Briand Tourne-mire Raiz Malestroit Quintin Auaâ—gour Loheâ—c Ancenis Pont and many others This notable occasion was ministred to imploy these forces seeing that Ioane the heire the Dutchesse of Brittanie would not end this controuersie by composition as her husband Charles of Blois desired Iohn of Montfort beâ—ieged the Castell of Aulroy well defended by the contrary faction Iohn Chandos an Englishman a wise and well experienced Captaine commanded the English troupes He had an aduersarie in front no lesse valiant then himselfe Gueselin who â—ought for his countrie and the despaire of Charles of Blois much grieued with the t0ediousnesse of so painfull a processe The French English fight in Brittanie was a new spurre to animate him to fight They ioyne with their troupes the encounter is furious well charged well defended The two commanders made great proofe of their valours Gueselin Clisson are noted to haue omitted nothing of their duties but God who holds victories in his hand gaue it to Iohn of Montfort and the English armie The ouerthrow was great The French army defeated for Charles of Blois the head of the armie with Iohn his bastard brother the Lords of Dinan Auaugour Loheac Malestroit Pont Quergourlay and many others were slaine the Lords of Rohan Leon Raiz Mauny Tonerre Rouille Frainuille Reneuall and Rochfort were taken prisoners and so were Iohn and Guy the sonnes of Charles of Blois with Bertrand of Gueselin the which did greatly preiudice our Kings reputation The place of battaile the ensignes and the dead bodies remained in the power of Iohn of Montfort who sent the body of Charles of Blois with an honorable conuoy to his widow The Castel of Aulroy the cause of this battaile yeeld to the conquerour This hapned the 29. day of September .1364 This great defeat tâ—oubled Charles as a thing beyond his expectation Iohn of Montfort sends his ambassadors beseeching him as his Soueraigne to receiue homage of him and his 〈◊〉 the Duchie of Brittanie wonne by rightfull armes by the defeat of his enemie as God adiudging vnto him this right and possession 1365. Charles imbraceth this occasion he assignes him a day for the performance thereof and to do right and iustice to both
happily for the Duke of Bourgongne Henry the 4. King of England calles home the troupes he had sent to his succour The English troupes leaue the Bourguignon vnder the Earle of Arondells commande intreating the Duke to hold him excused if he did vse his owne at his neede Hee had no meaning to fauour the stronger paâ—ty but to succoâ— the weaker as experience did soone teach This sodaine altâ—ration did somewhat stay the Bourguignons desseine to attempt Orleans but making warre aduisedly he attends his enemies proceeding and taking an honest leaue to retyre by reason of the winter he comes to Paris where not to loose any time he continues the Kings thundring Edicts and executes many of his prisoners to flesh the people To bloud he addes Ecclâ—siasticall excomunications against the Armagnacs whilest the Orleanois â—ake cold by making warre in Charolois and sending for succors into England seeking for releefe in the same place where their enemy had found a scourge to whippe them Certaine letters carried by a monke from the Duke of Orleans to the King of Englâ—nd were intercepted and brought to Paris being examined in full assembly of the vnâ—uersitiâ— and from thence imparted to the people with the Bourguignons commentaries They made the Orleans faction so much the more odâ—ous as if the Dukes of Orleâ—ns Berry and Bourbon combined togither had sought to take the Crowne from the King and Daulphin and to dismember the realme in giuing part of it to the English and to deuide the rest among themselues Strange newes without any subiect which vanish at their breeding but yet they serue to purpose according to the desseine of their Architect The King and Daulphin being possessed by Iohn of Bourgongne haue no thought but to ruine the Orlean party and pufte vp with this first successe hoping to finish the rest they imploy all their meanes to leuie a great army the which through the Bourguignons care was held to be a hundred thousand men A notable number after so many miseries and â—n so great a confusion The Cittie of Bourges was of great importance for the vniting of the Prouinces on that side Loire where the Associate Princes had their greatest supplies of men The Bourguignons greatest malice was against the Duke of Berry who not onely had forsaken him but â—or his degree and age vnderstood much iâ— his enemies affaâ—res They resolue therefore to beseege it to make the way more easie for conquest of â—he rest In the beginning of the Spring the King and Daulphin go from Paris to theâ—r army which assembled in â—asâ—inois being entred into Berry the lesser Townes yeeld without question Dun le Roy Fontenay and Sancerre Bourges being summoned makes answere That neyther the King nor Daulphin did make this warre but the Duke of Bourgongne The King Dâ—ulpâ—iâ— beseege Bourges by the Bourguâ—gnons â—eane who holding their persones and willes captiue would depriue the Princes of France of their right hauing imbrued his murthering hands in the bloud of the fiâ—st Prince of the Câ—owne seeking to vsurpe the State There were verye many good soldiars within the Cittie which were supplied with all that might be wished for in a long seege They intreated the enemye in korne that hee would approch neere the Cittie and leaue their gates open in a brauery Many fortunate sallies are made by them crying in field God saue the King They take many prisoners The waters abroad are poisoned and many die before they discouer the cause All â—â—ngs out with military raylings of Armagnacs and Bourguignons but the greatest defeat is in spoyling oâ— the Country â—erry made desolate All â—he prouision being carried into the Citâ—y what a spoile shold an army of a hundred thousand men with their followers make and to increase the miserie all the houses of the champion Country were eyther sackt or burnt The English being victors in France neuer committed greater spoiles then these French armiâ—s As the Duke of â—erry the Lord of that Country was much greeued to see these spoyles so the Daulphin â—he heiâ—e apparent of the Crowne was discontented with his father in Lawes ambâ—tion growing odious vnto him His bloud which could not degenerate mooued him to compassion and the bloud vniustly shed troubled his coâ—scieâ—ce Foâ— to what ende should they ruine a whole â—ealme to maâ—ntaine so execrable a murther The Daâ—lphin disconâ—enâ—ed with his father in Law the Duâ—e of Bouâ—gonâ—â—â— If zeale to reforme the State saieth hee bâ—e the Bourguignons intent is thâ—s the way His father being sicke could not apprehend these things by reason of his infirmitie what râ—proch then were it for him being his â—ldest sonne to â—uffer himselfe to be bâ—flâ—d by his father in Lawe like vnto an infant These apprehensions mooued this yoâ—g Prince who nothing dissembling his conceptions told his â—ather openly that he was not pleased with these confusions that they must finde out some meane to pacifie them It chanced one day as they aduertised the King that in a sally made by them of the Towne they had slaine some one of his seruants the Daulphâ—n câ—ied out in the presâ—nce of the Bourguignon Shall we neuer haue an ende oâ— these misâ—ries I am resolued to make them câ—â—sse The Bourguignon hauing before discouâ—red some coldnesse in this young Prince found his mind now to be wholly changed He therefore replyed mildely That it should be well done so as they of Orleans would acâ—nowledge their error How saith the Daulphin shall they acknowledge thâ—ir fauâ—t if wee do not knowe them for our bloud And then they resolued to make a peace The Duke of Berry had layed the foundaâ—ion by Lignâ—c great master of Rhodes who fayled not to imbrace this occasion seeing the Daulphin so well affected The Eaâ—le of Sauoie had sent his Ambassadors to exhort both parties After a monethes seege they begin to treate of â—he meanes to pacifie these troubles The Bouâ—guignon mâ—kâ—s hast to bee the first in all things and parlees with the Duke of Berry betwiâ—t two barres One accuseth the other excuseth but in the ende a peace is concluded by deputiâ—s The Priâ—ces at an enteruewe imbrace one an other with all shewes of cordial louâ— such as their bloud makes shewe of after long bitternesse The Bourguignou onelâ— is tâ—oubled doubâ—ing this peace to them would be a warâ—e to him for that hee had no peace in his owne Conscience The King enâ—ers into Bourges where â—he peace is signed and for that reason it was called the Peace of Bourges the 25. of Iuly in the yeare .1412 â—he peace of 〈◊〉 A Parliament is called at Auxerâ—e to coâ—firme it by sollemne oath The Princes are receiued inâ—o fauour with the King and Daulphin alâ— Edicts made against thâ—m were disâ—nulled and of no force They and theiâ—s restored â—o their degrees and dignities All things to bee forgotten Tâ—e names of Armagnac and Bourguignon as in famous marks of ciuill dissention
with profit it is necessary to distinguish it in order There are three parts famous both for the subiect and successe The first shewes the confused and troublesome beginning of this raigne The order of this discourse vntill our Charles was sollemnely installed King and thereby acknowledged of all the French for vntill that day the greatest part called him Earle of Ponthiâ—ure or King of Bourges in mockerie and such as were more modest termed him Daulphin of Viennois The second putts him in possession of his royall authoritie shewing by what meanes he reduced the Citties subdued by the English to his obedience beginning with the Cittie of Paris and so proceeding to the rest of the Realme expelling the English from all but onely Calais The third shewes the ende of this raigne discouering the Kings domesticall discontents which hastened him to his graue after the happy euents of all his difficulties So this raigne continued thirty nine yeares variable in good and euill The beginning difficult the middest happy and the ende mournfull This is the Theater of mans life where ioye sorrow happinesse and misfortune play their parts diuersly both with great and small Charles the 7. was one and twentie yeares old when hee began to raigne and raigned 39. yeares for after the decease of his father Charles the 6. hee tooke vpon him the name of King of France notwithstanding the pretension of the English the 22. of October in the yeare Charles his raigne 1422. he died the thirteenth of Iuly .1461 He was married at aleuen yeares of age to Marie the daughter of Lewis of Duke Aniou and King of Sicile By this marriage hee had three Sonnes and fiue Daughters His sonnes names were Lewis Philip and Charles Lewis the eldest shall succed him to the Crowne Philip died very yong Charles liued somewhat longer but without any great successe His childeren hauing only the titles of the Dukedomes of Berry Normandie and Guienne His daughters were Radegonde Yoland Catherine Iane and Magdaleine The first died being betrothed to Sigismond Duke of Austria Yoland was married to Amedee Duke of Sauoie Catherine to that great Charles Duke of Bourgongne who shall be his owne ruine Iane to Iohn Duke of Bourbon and Magdalein to Gaston Earle of Foix and this was his race His manners and disposition His manners will appeere by his life he was of a tractable and gentle disposition capable of counceil but louing his ease too much and suffring himselfe to bee often carried away by his seruants And yet as God would vse him for the establishing of the French Monarchie so did he bring him vp in the schole of affliction to fortifie him against all difficulties assisting him with great worthie persons both for warre and councell by whose meanes he did raise vp this estate yet with great and confused combats and by a long and painfull patience But let vs proceede to that which hath chanced vnder his raigne most worthy of obseruation The miserable estate of this raigne vnto the Coronation of Charles the 7. during seauen yeares From the ende of the yeare 1422. vnto .29 in the moneth of Iune when as hee was solemnly installed King in the Cittie of Poitiers SVCH was the estate of Charles when his fathers death called him to the Crowne Wee haue seene after that the miseries of France had caused his mother Isabell to forget her owne bloud making him to bee reiected from the Crowne and Henry the 5. King of England substituted in his place yet he fainted not in these extreamities but did valiantly withstand the pretended desseignes by whose death God soone laid the foundation of this realmes restoring Yet after the death of King Henry the 5. Charles was incountred with infinite difficulties He had small meanes fewer friends and many mighty enemies He scarce enioyned the least part of his estate followed by intreatie and obeyed by halues euen of such as made profession to be most faithfull The Citties had diuers motions Diuersitie of humours in the Citties as priuate interest drew mens mindes to that partie which they held most profitable There were but too many which followed the fortune of the English being a Conquerour the corruption of man inclining commonly to the stronger But amidest these vncertaine humours of people The enemies of Charles he had enemies which incountred him with aduantages apparently victorious for Henry the 6. although he were very young yet did he exceed him in all things he had a realme hereditarie and absolute The King of England the best part of the French Monarchie the assistance of the Duke of Bedford his Vncle with many worthy men and great meanes To these enemies were ioyned some great men which fished in a troubled streame euery one imagining to haue a part of this garment building their desseignes vpon the Sepulcher of Charles and the alteration of the State Among the chiefest were Philip Duke of Bourgongne Amedee Duke of Sauoie Peter Duke of Brittaine with his Brother the Earle of Richemont Diuers instruments vnder that great engin of England but all these motions were to ruine France and to build their greatnesse vpon her ruines The Burguignon who had a great hand in the State was most interessed and most opposite to Charles being apparently the author of his fathers murther The Duke of Bourgongne Yet Philip a iudicious Prince so hated him whom necessitie commanded him to hate in this accident as if he should loue him in time not wedding himselfe absolutely to the English yet did he so worke for him in shew as making himselfe in effect the stronger he might counterpeise him if necessitie required and strike the last stroake for him to whom the French should incline Reason likewise taught him that the people would respect the lawfull heire of the Crowne louing their Prince naturally and in the end would reiect the Stranger as an vnlawfull Tenant who made himselfe daily insupportable by his imperious cariage Amedee Duke of Sauoye being on the Stage and farre from blowes kept the stakes and entertained Charles The Duke of Sauoye as if he should be an assured mediator in these quarrels to end them with more aduantage then any Christian Prince and so he nourished this diuision by a strict intelligence which he had with the Bourguignon As for the humour of the two Brethren of Brittaine the course of the Historie will soone shew it Thus Charles charged by many enemies The Duke of Britaine had few faithfull and confident friends and in that golden age so small meanes to entertaine his friends as he could hardly supply the ordinary charges of his traine selling and ingaging peece after peece of his inheritance So as he had nothing more assured then the equitie of his cause and his resolution in this great necessitie He had yet some good friends remaining in Scotland whom he bought dearely Charles aduanceth Scottishmen aduancing them to
Perâ—inet Grasset for the â—â—urguignon and so the terrour of the warre came into Berry much troubling the quiet commerce of the Court for that the King most commonly was resident at Bourges or at Meâ—ng The like mishappe fell vpon La Hire at Vitry the which he yeelds to the Duke of Bourgongne by a composition very preiudiciall for the King and the Realme And at the same time Beaumont vpon Oyse surprised by the French was taken againe by the English with much bloud and sacke In like sort the fort of S. Michells Mont is besieged by the English The horrible estate of thâ—se times a true Image of ours and well defended by the French which caused the victory of Grauelle happily taken by the Baron of Colances from the English as it were to coole the heat of our continuall feuer with some little water In sooth the Estate of France was then most miserable There appeared nothing but a horrible face of confusion pouerty desolation solitarinesse and feare The leane and bare labourers in the countrye did terrifie euen theeues themselues who had nothing left them to spoile but the carkasses of these poore miserable creatures wandring vp and downe like ghosts drawne out off graâ—es The least farmes hamlets were fortified by these robbers English Bourguignons and French euery one striuing to do his worst There was no speech but of forts and contributions All men of warre were well agreed to spoyle the countriman and the naked Marchant euen the cattell accustomed to the Larume bell the signe of the enemies approch would run home of themselues without any guid by this accustomed misery This is the perfect description of those times taken out of the lamentations of our Ancestors set downe in the original Who seeth not here the image of our times during the confusions of our vnciuill warres But amiddest this horrible calamity God did comfort both the King and realme for about the ende of the yeare he gaue Charles a goodly Son by Queene Marie his wife a happie gage for the establishing of this realme Lewis the xi the eldest son of Charles borne whereof hee shal be a peaceable King He was borne at Bourges and there was honorably baptized in Saint Stephens Church and was named Lewis King of France after the decease of his father Charles wouâ—d haue Iohn of Alençon a Prince of his bloud and then his trustie friend to be his Godfather But alas both by this Godfather and this Godson shal growe a horrible câ—â—fusion euen when as Charles expected an ende of all his troubles Wherby wee may learne that there is nothing but vanity in worldly affaâ—â—es remarkable for great 〈◊〉 in that which seemeth most firme in mans life This was the flux and â—eflux of this yeare 1424. The beginning of the new yeare shewed a better countenance but these small gleames of good happe were soone ouercast by horrible losses which seemed to giue the last wound to this Monarchie and to alter the name if God had not stayed it with his mightie hand In laying a foundation whereon he shal build the meanes to restore it to her ancient beautie without any shew of the industrie or force of man when as all things seemed desperate But the prouidence of God creepes on insensibly by degrees to perfect his worke The losse of the Scottes was verie great in the vnfortunate battaile of Cullant To repaire this losse Charles sends into Scotland Renauld of Chartre his Chancellor and Archbishop of Rheims accompained with the Earle Du-glas Marshall of France And being reduced to a miserable want of mony New supplies come out of Sâ—â—tland hee ingageth the Duchie of Touraine vnto him A title which Du-glas shall not long inioy But whilest they make this leauying in Scotland and shal returne to his companies let vs consider the humor of the French and English during this medlie As the successe of the English was happy so their hearts swelled with pride and they exceeded dayly in Insolencie especially in great Citties where they braued it disdainfully as treading the name of Frenchmen vnder foote This contempt bred an extreame discontent euen in the most senselesse to see themselues thus intreated their kings suppressed and their Lawes abolished The French growe discontented with the insolencâ—â— of the English There were not two yeares past of this newe royaltie and yet disputable How farre say they will this English Empire exceede being augmented and fortified by the authoritie of manyyeares Shal it be either to transport new Colonies beyond the Seaes or to plant others heere and in the ende to extinguish the name of the originall French to the ende that no man shall dare to repine at the ruine of his Countrie reduced into the power of Strangers These imaginations were generally in all mens mindes but complaints in the mouths of fewe and that they whispered softely to their well assured friends but the time was not yet come although the bloud which cannot degenerate shewed many signes of hearts discontented with this seruitude both at Paris and especially at Rouen where the English gouernment was most heauie One Michell Lallier was the beginner of this liberty Some French men executed by the English and was put to death at Paris and a woman was burnt worthy to liue amidst the flames and to shine in the goodly light of our Historie The Nobility of Picardie was much discontented with this newe command Tournay began first to stirre for the Kings seruice So immouable is the French obedience to their Kings and so sweete and pleasing is their command It was a capitall crime to speake of the King of England but as the lawefull King Spies were set in all places to restraine the libertie of the French These executions were threatnings of worse if any should mutine Yet the Nobilitie of Picardie were so wearied with the English and Fourguignon yoake as they resolue to free themselues at what rate soeuer The heads of this resolution were the Lords of Longeual Saint Symon Mailly Maâ—court Recourt Blondel and many other gentlemen which had followed the Bourguignons partie These are named The original should not conceale the rest whome I could not specific without some Author Behold the first fruits of the French libertie These Enseigne bearers assemble at Roye they fortifie themselues for the King against the English and the Bourguâ—gnon Complâ—tâ— against the English and take diuers Townes in Picardie at a prefixed day Iohn of Lunembourg thunders against them that were suspected and some hee takes and hangs At these terrors some d awe backe and left this league Yet the greatest part remayned constant though with the apparent danger of their liues These were the pure and true sparkles of the French fidelity to their King but the day spring was not yet come which mounting to our horizon should in the ende shewe forth the goodly light of libertie to all France These
who receyued him with all the good chere hee could desire Hee was taken at Azincourt in the yeare 1415. and was deliuered in 1440. the 25 of Nouember by the meanes of his sonne that had slaine his father and had done all hee could to ruine his house Beeing come to Philip hauing thanked him for this good will and protested to hold him for his father he swears a perpetuall league with him the which is confirmed by the marriage of Marie of Cleues the niece of Philip with the Duke Two great enemies become great friends and then he swears to the troaty of Arras except the article of the murther committed on the person of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne whereof he was innocent and for confirmation of this sollemne league he takes the order of the golden fleese from the hands of Philip and is admitted into the number of his Knights Behold two great enemies are become great friends by so memorable an occasion The reason that mooued the Duke of Bourgongne to do this good turne The Duke of Bourgongne had his priuate considerations for the safety and quiet of his house he sees himselfe raised to greaâ—nesse But as it is no lesse vertue to keepe then to get and that his bloud profit dutie and necessitie commanded him to hold firme for the French partie as the greatest and most assured for the good of his affaires so likewise hee considered that he should neede some trustie friend neere the King on whome he might confidently relie And what greater personage then the Duke of Orleans the first Prince of the bloud and what greater bond then to free him from Captiuity necessitie also forseeing him thereunto for it was verie apparent that this Prince being freed from prison had the like action against Philip that Philip had against the King for although Philip had not slaine his father yet was he son to the murtherer and the quarell must needs be hereditarie in these great houses where discontents and wrongs go from father to sonne being also likely that the King discontented to haue beene forced by his subiect to aske him forgiuenesse in the viewe of al Europe would mayntaine the right of his bloud in a Prince that had neuer wronged him against his reconciled enemy whose friendship he had so deerely bought wherein he noted well the Kings humor being suspitious iealous and impatient of any new authority which being able to oppose it selfe hee would neuer faile to crosse in all occasions Philip wisely foreseeing all these difficulties preuented them in assuring himselfe of the Duke of Orleans loue vpon so good consideration suppressing thereby all doubt of danger which he might hereafter feare Herein we see a notable example that we must neuer despaire in the greatest crosses of this life that quarrells must be mortall whereas they die friendship must be immortall That the best meanes to vanquish an enemie â—s to do him all the good we can The honour of this good worke was not attributed to the Duke of Bourgongne alone but to the Duchesse his wife who woone as great credâ—t in drawing her husbaÌ„d to this reconciliation as her Predecessor did dishonor by the incensing of her husband against the house of Orleans whence grewe that infamy which poluted these two houses with two tragicall murthers The wiues honour is to pacifie quarrells betwixt the kinsemen and Allies of the house whereinto she is matched and contrariewise it is an importune iealousie to sowe dissention among kinsemen God also blest the mediation of this worthy Princesse in the marriage of Marie of Cleues Neece to her husbaÌ„d with the Duke of Orleans by whome he had Lewis .12 which shal be King of France two daughters the one Elenor which was married into the house of Nauarre of whome is issued Ioane Queene of Nauarre mother to our good valiant King Henry the 4. now raigning This yeare shal be full of warre and succesfull for Charles yet in the ende it shall minister occasion to enter into the former treatie of peace which hauing begunne the yeares before and little aduanced shal be ended in the following yeares after another manner then the English expected Charles seeing that the King of England by his cold delayes sought not onely to make his conditions better being sought vnto but also to drawe him into some inconuenience he resolues to armes The English had taken Creil vpon Oyze and could not bee dispossessed of Pontoise a Towne of importance for the neernesse of Paris The King resolues to take them both The Admirall of Coytiuy beseegeth Creil and forceth it in the Kings presence The memorable seege of Pontoise Thus the way is made to Pontoise the seege was memorable being well assayled and well defended but in the ende it was taken by Charles for the good of France He lodgeth at the Abbie of Maubuisson accompanied with his sonne the Daulphin of Viennois Charles of Aniou the Earle of Clermont the Constable of France the Marshalls of Loheaâ— and Soloigne Lewis of Luxembourg Earle of Saint Paul and of Pigney who brought vnto the King a goodly troupe of men from the Duke of Bourgongne with them of the Cittie of Tournay who sent a gallant squadron of their Cittizens Thus vnitie brought both French and Bourguignons vnder the same enseignes against the common enemie of France There were also the Earles of Eu Albret and Vaudemont the Vidame of Chartres the Lords of Chastillon Tancaruille Ioigny Morneil in Brie Bueil Mouy la Tour Angesi Longeuall Moyencourt Suze Chabannes Flauy S. Symon Mailly Penesac Blanchefort and those braue Captaines la Hire Pothon and Floquet with an infinit number of the Nobility who added their valour to the number of the soldiars which they had brought vnto the King The Citty of Paris sent a goodlie troupe so as Charles had twelue thousand fighting men At the first approch the bastion vpon the bridge next to Maubuisson was taken by la Hire on the other side against the Abbie of Saint Martin they make a bridge with a great bastion where they lodge three thousand archers yet the Towne was not so straightly beseeged but Talbot sent in both men and victualls 1441. Whilest that Charles stood discontented with this error behold a greater brauado for the Duke of Yorke Lieutenant generall for Henry King of England comes to Cenery and Hotonuille places very neere to Pontoise with a goodly army of eight thousâ—nd men and sends his heraulds vnto Charles to offer him battaile Charles who by the aduice of his Councell would not commit this succesfull beginning of his affaires to the hazard of a battaile returnes them with no other answer The Duke of Yoâ—â—e goes with an army to â—eleeue Pontoise but that he should haue his bellie full sooner then he liked The riuer of Oize was betwixt both armies Charles resolues to keepe the passages from Pontoise to Beaumont and the Duke of Yorke to passe the riuer in
nothing to his seruice but necessitie and constraint These men being wonne doe animate or rather force the people making themselues the strongest in places where there was no gards whereof they were not onely wearied but were plunged in the trust and assurance of a profound peace Who seeth not then but this made the way more easie for these disloyall treachers to surprize those Townes which they had deliuered to the English but from whence soeuer the mischiefe came 1454. this was the remedie Talbâ—t was the Kings prisoner as we haue said at the taking of Rouen Charles had shewed him all the fauour a man might hope for of so great a Monarche he gaue him his libertie without ransome and had honoured him with goodly presents yet he is become head of the English armie which were esteemed eight thousand fighting men and marcheth directly against the Kings armie which made hast to recouer what had beene lost and to preserue what remained Castillon was become English The Earle of Ponthieure with the Admirall and Marshalls of France besiege it attending the King who came posting to quench this fire Talbot makes hast from Bourdeaux with the choisest of his men bearing an assured victory in his conceâ—t and being ignorant that he went to seeke death At the first charge our men begin to wauer vpon the braue arriuall of Talbot but they gather themselues together againe with great resolution to stay the course of this streame Talbot on the other side incourageth his men as going to a banket and not to a battaile he beates out the heads of pipes of Wine to make his men drinke himselfe being drunke with presumption and making his Souldiers drunke with the vaine hope of victorie being mounted vpon a little Nagge but followed by six or seuen thousand men they come to fight The combate was fierce but the English are repulsed scattered and ouer-throwne There were two thousand slaine vpon the place and amongst the rest The English defeated and Talbot slaine Talbot was ouer throwne from his horse and slaine with his Sonne The Earle of Candal sonne to Captal de Buche Montferrand and Anglade are taken prisoners Esparre escapes for an other time In the end Castillon yeelds at discretion Saint Million and Liborne returne to the Kings obedience to the great content of the inhabitants being surprized to their griefe Charles did also warrant them from all losse in this reprise Cadillac Langon Villandras and S Maquaire shake off the English yoake at one instant and open their gates with their hearts The Kings armie goes from thence to Bourdeaux being full of Englishmen but fuller of feare seeing the English lothe to buy it so deare as Talbot had done so as they suffer the French to wander at their pleasure vp and downe the country of Medoc This victory was due to the presence of Charles who being arriued at Fronsâ—c the which was held a place inuincible by force it yeelds as vanquished The English haue their liues granted them with a white wand through the bounty of Charles Charles puâ—â— to death the French Captaines that reuolted He doth not so intreate the reuolted French for the Captaine of Cadillac being taken is beheaded for an exemplatie punishment From thence he comes to Bourdeaux the which was the chiefe place of his affaires but the multitude that came vnto his seruice was admirable they came from all parts knowing that the King was present so willingly do the French obey their Prince There were foure thousand English remaining in the Towne Bourdeaux bâ—â—sieged and as many of their faction being drawne together from diuers parts of the country the siege continued two moneths Charles had built vp Bulwarkes to stop the entrie and to incounter the English defences but there were no memorable assaults The sicknesse which increased in the Kings armie hastened the composition for the Citty the which he might haue forced but that he desired to spare the bloud of his subiects The composition was thus made That all the English should passe into England with their goods that the Cittizens of Bourdeaux should be all in the Kings protection taking a new oath And yeelded by composition neuer to rebell against him their Soueraigne Lord. And for that some of the country and of the Citty of Bourdeaux had drawne in the King of England contrary to their oath the King pardoning the greatest number he should chose twenty at his pleasure to banish them out of the Realme their goods remaining forfeited to the Crowne of this number were Captal de Buâ—he and Candal his sonne Duras Anglade Rosan and Esparre who in the end lost his head being found guiltie of a new treason a yeare after this pardon The Cittizens of Bourdeaux renue their oath of fidelitie with teares and receiue a great garrison to preuent all surprises they build two strong Castels to that end one towards the Sea called Castell Trompette an other towards the maine named Castell du Ha. The Earle of Clermont gouernour of Guienne remaines in the Citty to settle the Kings authority Charles carried this true commendation in the recouery of his losse to haue doubled his army by the good order which he caused to be carefully obserued and by his victorie in vanquishing his enemies not onely by force but by clemencie his subjects by loue and mildnesse So as both the treachery of these disloials and the rashnesse of his enemies with their new attempts were parts due to his victory so much the more admirable for that he doth vanquish when as he seemed vanquished he winnes when as in shew he was lost and forced as it were to warre for the desire he had of peace he reaped the â—ruites both of warre and peace The fruites of Charles his victorie in fighting valiantly and vsing the victorie modestlie to the eternall memorie of posteritie Charles returnes from Bourdeaux to Tours hauing happily finished so doubtfull an action But oh the inconstancie of this world England which had so much troubled vs takes occasion to trouble it selfe for the losses which they supposed to haue made of that which they had taken from vs and as affection is wayward and often blind so it sowes dissention vpon strange subiects Troubles in England The Dukes of Yorke Somerset and Glocester accuse one another and make factions within the realme Richard Duke of Yorke being of a branche of the bloud royall pretended the Crowne to belong more iustly vnto him then vnto Henry the 6. then raigning but contemned by reason of his great losses and of his naturall defects Somerset being fauoured by the King as the ringleader of his faction was pursued by Yorke and so cunningly as the Londoners hating him as the cause of all the losses in France put him in prison but in the end he was freed by the Kings authoritie This diuision burst out into open warre vnder the names of two factions Lancaster from whence
and the same hope of eternall life Are our Prouinces more stronger fertill and richer then theirs our Townes stronger and better peopled O Christians if he be wise that takes warning by an other An excellent aduertisement to all Christians how well should these examples serue vs The same way which the capitall enemy of the Church hath made to Mahumed to inuest him in the Empire of the East is it not open by our common dissentions A miserable date the end of the warres betwixt France and England was the confirmation of the Ottomans at Constantinople and the beginning of many miseries to many nations as wee shall see in the following raignes But as misery is good for something nay rather as the prouidence of God is admirable who can drawe light from darknesse by the ruines of the Easterne Churches those of the West haue beene enriched The ignorance of all learning was very great throughout all the Westerne Prouinces since the rule of the Gothes The knowledge of learning and sciences being banished out of the East by the Turke came into the West so as by a singular miracle the West is now become East this goodly Lampe hauing lightned the Prouinces to be a herbinger to the gospell But this planting of the Muses is due to the raigne of Francis the 1. as well King of the Mules as of the Frenche The shipwarke of Constantinople did cast these great personages into Italie the which haue giuen a beginning of solide and perfect knowledge to our nations Emanuel Chrysoliras an Athenien George Trapezondee or of Trebizonde Learned men came into Europe Theodorus Gaza a Macedonien Ierosme Spartiate Gregorie Tiphernas Iohn Argyropile of Constantinople Laonicus Charcondil an Athenien Marcus Musurus a Candiot and Iohn Lascaris These haue begun but our men haue so followed as they haue surmonted them in the knowledge of those goodly professions Almost about the same time the arte of Printing had his beginning Some attribute it to the yeare 1440. to Iohn Guttemberg borne at Strausbourg Printing inuented others to Iohn Fauste at Mayence in the yeare 1452. Doubtlesse it is an excellent inuention to increase knowledge although the vanity and malice of men makes it often times their baude to the preuidice of the truth and all good manners But hauing wandred ouer so many strange Countries Let vs returne to France from whence hauing expelled the English and restored this Monarchie to her auncient beautie by the meanes of our Charles wee must nowe see the last act of his raigne and life The Last act of the raigne and life of Charles the 7. conteyned in seauen yeares From the yeare 1454. vnto 61. THis last act of the life of Charles 1455. 1456. 1457. 1458. 1459. 1460. conteyns a notable president of the vanity of this world Charles had passed a languishing youth borne in the weakenesse of his father and bred vp in the cruelties of his mother he began his life with pouerty the which was continued in the despaire of his affaires and yet he purchased peace to his realme but now he cannot inioy it Obseruations for the discours banding against his owne bloud lyuing in so wilfull a waywardnesse as in the end he brought himselfe vnto the graue after a terrible and tragick manner The whole Realme being in quiet after a long and tedious warre behold a newe storme ariseth in the Kinges house Lewis the eldest sonne of Charles and Daulphin of Viennois was not well satisfied with his father King Charles and the Daulphin discontented one with an other and his father lesse with him The occasions are rather probable then true as they are obserued by writers For to what ende should Lewis bee so discontented with his father for that hee was giuen to the loue of Ladies It is more likely that to proceed at what price soeuer names ceâ—taine Noblemen that should supplie their places that were absent in this action that nothing might want of all necessarâ—e solemnities to iustifie the condemnation To conclude according to the forme set downe in this processe Iohn Duke of Alanson was found guiltie of high treason practising to bring the English into the realme the ancient enemie of this Crowne witnesses are produced Letters auerred and the confession of the accused what more Sentence was iudicially giuen that he should loose his head and forfeit all his goods all being at the Kings goods pleasure Charles giues him his life the which neither President nor Councellor durst contradict yet Charles giues him his life condemning him to perpetuall prison and his goods to his wife and children where he continued but two yeares for Lewis being King he freed him from prison and restored him to his dignitie It is a hard law when force is ioyned to a Kings command Howsoeuer it were the cleere sighted did iudge that the Kings iealousie was the true cause of the condemnation of this poore Prince who had alwayes serued the King faithfully and the King had loued him aboue all the Princes of his bloud honouring him so much as to make him his gossip carrying his eldest Sonne Lewis to the Font. This his familiaritie with his Godson and the credit the Daulphin gaue vnto his councels was held to be a dangerous testimonie against him Were it then iustly or vniustly that this Prince was thus intreated who seeth not heere a great proofe of the inconstancie of this world of great friends they become capitall enemies nâ—ither bloud nor the gages of loue in so holy a thing as the badge of our Christianitie can subdue the violence of passion the which hath no restraint Passion makes Princes prisoners yea euen that which should be of most force to vnite loue hath most power to breed and increase iealousies A notable president in two so great personages Passion makes these two great Princes prisoners borne of one bloud the one a King the other capable of a kingdome The one is prisoner at Loches with his gard the other at Vendosme or at Tours in the greatnesse of his Court This is the difference the one endures paine forceably the other voluntarily But he that commits a sinne is hee not a slaue to sinne Charles his waywardâ—es Aâ—ter this condemnation Charles seemed alwaies grieued both in minde and couâ—tenance the iealousie which he thought to quencâ— in suppressing him whom he suspected so increased as in the end it was the cause of his death He suruiued little aboue two yeares after this Tragedie the which happened the 10. of October in the yeare 1458. and the King dyed the 22. of Iuly in the yeare 61. which time was vnto him a languishing prison or rather a pining death Doublesse he that serues God doth raâ—gne and he that serues vice is but a slaue the Crownes and Scepters of Kings haue no exception in this The quiet of a good conscience is true libertie And who can haue a good conscience but
came a new taske in hand To kepe them in practise he sends part of them vnder the command of the Admiral bastard of Bourbon for Montauban was dead and the Earle of Dammartin into Armagnac He had beene one of the common-welth and this enterprise did alwaies sticke in Lewis his stomack At the fiâ—st without any effution of bloud they make him peaceable possessor of the countrie whereof they invest his brother and so the yeare ended But let vs se the first frutes of the following yeare To be revenged of Charles of â—ourgongne A new pretext of reuenge he must haue some apparent colour Lewis doth vnderhand practâ—se the Townes lying vpon the riuer of Somme animates the Nobility of the Countrie to complaine in the Parlement at Paris of the difficulty they had to receyue iustice and therevpon to require the Kings assistance fauour Moreouer they charged the Bourguignon that he extended his limits farther then he ought by the treatie vsurped the Kings rights and prerogatiues forcing some Lords whose lands did hold directlie of the King to doe him homage and seruice against all men Vpon colour of these complaints Lewis assembles the Estats at Tours in the moneth of March and Aprill the which was all he euer held but he calls none but his most confident seruants who would not contradict him in any thing For a conclusion of the assemblie the Duke is summoned to appeere at the Parlement of Paris He retaines the officer many daies at Gand and in the end sends him back As all things were prepared to ruine the Duke of Bourgongne behold there falls out another matter of some moment in this action The Earle of Warwick hauing aboue all others supported the house of Yorke against that of Lancaster had besides his patrimonie inriched himselfe aboue 4000. Crownes a yeere reuenue in rewardes and offices by Edward King of England Competitor to Henry the 6 whom he kept prisoner at London which Henry had so long ruled our France This his great credit drawes iealousie after it too ordinary in soueraine Princes especiallie to theÌ„ whom they haue raiâ—ed vp Edward King of England the Earle of VVâ—â—wick diuided wherby the Earle falls into some disgrace with Edward The Duke of Bourgongne to whome the Earles great authoritie and the secret intelligences he had with our Lewis was wonderfull odious and suspect for the Duke had married the sister of Edward to fortifie himselfe against Lewis not for any affection he bare to the howse of Yorke being by his mother issued out of the house of Lacaster feeds this harted of Edward agaiâ—st Warwicke who finding himselfe forced to yeeld to the stronger resolues to retyre into France hee leads with him Marguerite the wife of Henry 1470. daughter to Rene King of Sicile the Prince of Wales son of the sayd Henry and Marguerite Warwike â—lies into Fâ—ance the Duke of Clarence son in lawe to Warwicke and brother to Edward the Earle of Oxâ—ord with their wiues and children and many followers In his passage he takes many ships from the Bourguignons subiects and sells the bootie in Normandie And â—or a requital Charles causeth all the French Marchants to be taken that were come to the faire at Antwerp hee complaines to the Court of Parliament at Paris The Duke of Bourgungnes arrogancy of the reception the King had made of the Earle of Warwick threatning to fetch him wheresoeuer But the arrogance of his words was but the leuaine of his splene Lewis giues such entertaynment to the Earle of Warwick as he might hope for he armes all the ships he can finde in his fauour by meanes wherof he returnes happily into England and gathers togither an infinite number of men which ioyne with him from al parts he marcheth against Edward and forceth him to fly to his brother in lawe into Holland being accompained only wih seauen or eight hundred men for his gard without mony and without apparell other then for war Hee drawes Henry out of prison where he himselfe had formerly lodged him and installes him againe in his royall state Edward notwithstanding the presence of the Dukes of Glocester and Somerset sent by Henry obtaynes of the Duke of Bourgongne but vnderhand and secretly The Earle of VVarwike slaine and his whole army defeated by Edward for that hee would by no meanes incense Henry whom al England now obeied succors of meÌ„ ships money he returnes into the realme is receiued into London he meets with the Earle of Warwicke fights with him and kills him with his brother the Marquis of Montagu cuts all his army in peeces The Duke of Clarence before the battaile goes to â—is brother Edward and with his owne hand slue as some write Henry whom Edward had taken in London and led to this battaile this was in the yeare 1471. on Easter day This happy victorie is seconded by an other no lesse famous The Prince of VValles sonne to Henry deâ—eated by Edward The Prince of Wales sonne to Henry followes after with whome the Dukes of Glocester and Somerset had already ioyned leading fortie thousaÌ„d men of his faction Edward pufte vp with the prosperous successe of his first victory marcheth towards him fights with him kills him takes the Earle of Somersâ—t prysoner and the next day cutts off his head To conclude Warwicke had conquered the realme of England in eleuen days and Edward recouered it in twentie and remayned in peaceable possession vnto his death If the Earle had patiently attended the great forces which Prince Edward brought vnto him who will not thinke but he had remayned a conquerour But he feared Somerset whose father and brother he had put to death and hee must feale the effects of the diuine Oracle Hee that hath shed mans bloud his bloud shal be shed for God hath made man after his owne image and Gen. 9.6 Math. 26.52 Apoc. 13 10. All those that haue taken the sword shall perish by the sword In the meane time whilest these stirres are in England Charles the 8. of that name afterwards King of France was borne vnto Lewis at the Castell of Amboise a happie proppe of an old decayed father This birth causeth the Princes hereafter to be lesse respected and the King more feared and honored who hauing now an heire to whome he might leaue the Crowne Charles the 8. borne bandies all his witts to weakeÌ„ his enemies as wel for his own priuate regard as to leaue therealme wholie peaceable to his sucâ—essor Charles of Guienne lyued for shew in good amity with the King Francis of Brittain although he had preferred the order of the golden fleece before that of Saint Michell the which Lewis had offred vnto him being loath to loose assured friends to accept the friendship of a Prince in whom he could repose no confidence yet he contayned himselfe Charles of Bourgongne woare the garter openly molested the Kings subiects
day of their iourney they had certaine aduice by a messenger which the Lord of Craon sent to the King Abbeuille made the way to the rest The Admirall and Argenton had sent a man before to treat with the souldiers Townes in Picardie yeeld to the king who atteÌ„ding the coÌ„ming of these noble meÌ„ there came forth to the number of foure hundred Lances Being come forth the people open the gates to the Lord of Torâ—y they spare the King those crownes pensioÌ„s which the Admirall by vertue of his warrant had promised the Captaines This was one of the Townes which Charles the 7. had deliuered by the treatie of Arras the which should for want of heires males returne to the Crowne Dourlans followes They summon Arras the King pretending this Towne to be his by confiscation for not performance of duties and in case of refusall they threaten force The Lords of the Rauastein and Cordes make answere to Maister Iohn of Vacquerie afterwardes chief President of the Parlement at Paris that the CouÌ„tie of Arthois appertayned to Mary of Bourgongne and came to her directly from Marguerite Countesse of Flanders Arthois Bourgongne Neuers and Rhetel married to Phillippe the first Duke of Bourgongne son to King Iohn yoÌ„ger brother to King Charles the 5. Beseeching him to mainteine the truce made with Duke Charles deceased So they returne without doing any thing but onely wonne some men that soone after serued the King well who resoluing to reduce such places by force as should disobey his commaund goes into Picardie In this voyage he causeth his Court of Parlement at Paris to come to Noyon with the masters of requests and some Princes of the bloud to resolue vppon the processe of Iames of Armagnae Duke of Nemours and Earle of Marche prisoner in the Bastille at Paris and taken in the yeare 75. at Caâ—lâ—t by Peter of Bourbon Earle of Beauieu at what time the Dukes wife died partly for griefe and partly by childbirth She was daughter to Charles of Aniou Eaâ—le of Maine By which Court being found guiltie of high Treason he was condemned by a sentence pronouÌ„ced by master Iohn Boulenger the chief president to loose his head vpon a scaffold at the Hales at Paris on munday the 3. of August The Duke of Nemours beheaded and was by the like grace buried at the gray friars as the Constable had been He was one of the chiefe of the warre for the common weale whome the King laboured to bring to his end all hee could Lewis is exceeding glad to haue surmounted his most malicious aduersaries the Duke of Guienne his brother the Earle of Armagnae the Constable the Duke of Nemours All the house of Aniou was dead René King of Sicile Iohn and Nicholas Dukes of Calabria and their Cousin the Earle of Maine afterwards Earle of Prouence whose successions he had gotten But the more the house of Bourgongne exceeded all the rest in greatnes and power hauing with the helpe of the English continually shaken the estate of this realme for the space of thirty two yeares vnder Charles the 7. and their subiects being alwaies readie to trouble this Crowne by warres so much the more pleasing was the death of their last Duke vnto him knowing well that being now freed of his greatest incomber he should hereafter finde greater ease Yeâ— he erred in his proceedings not taking so good a course as he had forecast in the life of Charles of Bourgongne Lewis his error after the death of Charles in case he should die for allying him selfe by the marriage of the Daulphin his sonne with the heire of Bourgongne or at the least with some of his Princes for that there was a difference of age betwixt them hee had easily drawen vnto him the subiects of these large and rich Seigniories and had preserued them from many troubles the which haue afflicted both them and vs by the same meanes and freeing them from war he had greatly fortyfied his realme recouering with small toyle that which he pretended to be his The which he might easily effect for the Bourguignons were very humble without support without forces notable to make aboue fifteene hundred horse foote which were preserued at this generall ouerthrow But these are humane discourses wherein he had done better then thus resolutly to haue sought the ouerthrow of that house and by the ruine thereof to purchase to himselfe friends in Germanie or elsewhere as he pretended but without effect Presently vppon his arriuall Han and Bohain yeelded Saint Quentin takes it selâ—e and calls in the Lord of Mouy Maister William Bische borne at Mâ—lins in Niuernois a man of base qualitie but inriched and raysed to great authoritie by Duke Charles Gouernor of Peronne yeelds the place and the Lord of Cordes inclines to the french party They fayled of their enterprise at Gand but yt succeded at Tournay The King had sent Maister Oliuer le Dain his SurgioÌ„ borne in a village neere vnto Gand not onely to carry letters of credit to Marie of Bourgongne who then was in the possessioÌ„ of the Gantois that suffered no man to speake vnto her but in the presence of witnesses perswading her to yeeld vnto the kings protection seeing that both by father mother she was issued from the bloud of France being well assured that hee should hardly obtaine her whilest that hee prouided her a husband fitt for her qualitie as also to worke some alteration in the Cittie discontented with the Priuileges which Philip Charles had taken from them the rigorous exactions they had made Oliuer hauing staied some daies at Gand is called to the Town-house to deliuer his charge The Surgions 〈◊〉 He deliuers his letter to the Infanta assisted by the Duke of Cleues the Bishop of Liege and other great personages She reads it and they call him to deliuer his message He answeres that hee hath no charge but to speake to her in priuate They reply It was not the custome especially to a young gentlewoman that was to marrie He insists that he will deliuer no thing but to her selfe They threaten him with force Hee is amazed and going from the Counsell considering the qualitie of the person they doe him some disgraces and if hee had not speedily escaped hee had been in danger to haue had the riuer for his graue Doublesse it is a great hazard when matters of importance are managed by men of meane estate and the people thinke themselues contemned if they bee treated withall by men of base qualitie This barber knewe something for to preuent this inconuenience he termed himselfe Earle of Meulan others write of Melun whereof he was Captaine But Lewis reposed great trust in two men of the same sort Being gone from Gand hee retyâ—es to Tournay the which lies vpon the frontiers of Hainault and Flanders a strong and a goodly Towne but free and at that time a neuter seated fitly to
promises By meanes of this accord the Pope returnes to the Vatican the Pontificall Pallace where the King made his filiall submissioÌ„ obtaines 2. Cardinalls hats the one for the Bishop of Mans being of the house of Luxembourg the other for Brisonnet Bishop of S. Malo and for himselfe the title of Emperour of Constantinople and a promise to inuest him in the realme of Naples without any preiudice to an others right and then he cured many of the Kings euill And to shewe that as eldest sonne in the Church hee had as great iurisdiction as the Pope with in Rome Hee caused three seats for Iustice 〈…〉 made 1495. and execution to be done of some that were guilty of a sedition made in tâ—e â—ewes streete Ferdinand was no sooner parted out off Rome but the hatred which the people bare to the house of Arragon shewed it selfe The tyranous oppressions of Ferdinand father 〈◊〉 Alphonso were yet freshe The I le of Iscâ—ie flowed yet with the bloud of foure-and twenty Princes and Barons that had returned vpon his word who being impryâ—â—ned after the reuolt of ArragoÌ„ Alphonso to make his coÌ„ming to the crowne famous 〈◊〉 barbarously to be slaine amongest others The crueltie of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the Duke of Sesser his owne Vncle the Prince of Rosane whohad married the sister of Ferdinand his father Ferdinand had 〈…〉 without saith a disseÌ„bler cruel violent a great exactor infamous a rauisher â—f wâ—meâ— irreligious witnesse the Bishoprike of Tarentum the which he sold to a 〈◊〉 thirteene thousand ducats for his sonne who he had sayd was a Châ—istian Alphonso had the same qualities and moreouer he was d ssolute impious The 〈…〉 against theâ— and wicked Herevnto were added the old relikes of the Angeuin faction which might helpe much to â—reede an alteration Thus the people of Naples rise Aguila and Abruzzo aduance their enseignes Fabricio Collonnois keepes al in awe about Albia Taillecoâ—sse al the rest of the Realme was ready to rebell But that which most imports the furies of his owne conscience torment him He thinkes that the ghosts of these murthered Noblemen appeere vnto him Alphonso 〈◊〉 with horriâ—le apprehensions that the trees and stones sound into his eares the names of France He sees his subiects ready to reuenge the bloud shed against his fayth Thus vnable to withstand both a foraine and a homebred enemy he causeth his sonne Ferdinand to be crowned whose yong yeares had yet giuen no cause of scandall and wâ—th foure light Galleis laden with all kindes of wine wherevnto hee was much giuen seeds to gardin withall some Ieweles a little money he fled to Marare in Sicile 〈◊〉 crownes his sonne and flies where he sodeÌ„ly changed his horrible excesse into a Monkish life assisting the reâ—igious at al houres of seruice both day and night liuing in abstinence almes and praiers but oppressed with the hemroâ—â—s and grauell he died being ready to shut himselfe vp in a monastery at Valentia the great This flight made the Kings way more easie and verified the saying of Pope Alexander That the French were come with wodden spurres chalke in their harbingers hands to marke out their loâ—ging without any difficulty Alluding it to the priâ—kes of wood which pages and lackeys put in the heeles of their masters shoes when they ride vpon their moyles And in truth Henâ—y dies our Frenchmens backes were not much inflamed with their armes in this expedition not any one place staying the king aboue a day but the Castelles of Naples The King going from Rome comes to Vellâ—â—re from whence the Cardinalâ— of Valentia his fathers right sonne stoale from his maiesty From Vellitre he 〈…〉 Montfortin a Towne belonging to the Church strong of situation yet was 〈◊〉 taken in fewe houres All that were fouâ—d in armes were slaine except 〈◊〉 three sonnes of Iames Comâ—é a Romain gentleman Lord of the â—owne who preferring the hatred hee bare the Colonnois before his honour had left the Kings pay 〈…〉 Alphonso These with some others beeing retyred into the Castell yeelded then sâ—lues prysoners vpon viewe of the Cannon Mont-Saint-Ian a Towne belonging to the 〈◊〉 of Pescare seated in the same plaiâ—e Moâ—â— Saint 〈◊〉 tâ—ken and burnt vpon the coâ—fines of the kingdome of Naples strong both by arte and nature fortified with three hundred strangers and fiâ—e hundred inhabitants which were resolute to defend their state yet was it in one 〈◊〉 beseeged battred assailed and taken in the Kings presence Seauen hundred and 〈◊〉 were slayne in the fury of the fight and bâ—t thirty French and to terrifie the rest 〈◊〉 burnt â—e are nowe readie to enter The Arragonois must shew his courage Ferdinand 〈◊〉 King assembles all the forces he can hauing fiftie cornets ofhorse six thouâ—sand choâ—se foote vnder the most expeâ—t Captaines of Italy and campes at Saint Germaine The place is of easie defence on the one side an high and in accessible mountaine on the other side the waters hinders the approch in front is the Garillan a riuer vneasie to passe not far off is the passage of Cancello a mountaine which of necessitie they must passe It is the keye of the whole realme here must they fight or giue way But this army was daunted without courage and without force the name of the French had amazed them The first entry of the French into the realme of Naples and the captaines partly desirous of innouation partly greedy of better intertaynment wauered in their faith and courage The Marshall of Gié approcheth with three hundred Launces and 2000 foote but terror goes before him In this amazement both Cancello and Saint Germaine are shamefully abandoned and eight peeces of great artillerie are taken to thunder hereafter in fauour of the French Capoua was sufficient to receiue the army which marched after the Forward rather like trauellers then men of war Capua yeelded without order without coÌ„mandement without obedience the soldiers gaping after nothing but spoile The situation is very strong hauing Vulturno before it a riuer very deepe in that place but their resolution was like to that of Saint Germaine and to increase it as Ferdinand made account to defend it and by that meanes to hold Naples and Caiette The Queene his Grandmother sends him word that since the losse of Saint Germaine there was so great a tumult at Naples as all would be in an vnprore if he came nor speedily He goes and promiseth to returne the next day But Iohn Iaques of Triuulce towhome he had giuen the Towne in gard comes with some gentlemen of Capua to the King being at Calui he presents him the Towne his seruice and makes an offer to bring Ferdinand The King accepts the Capuans offer and the coming of Ferdinand vpon condition that he retaine no portion within the realme but should content himselfe with such meanes as he should giue him
he had reason for from that time this army not able to finde a Commander of that credit on the one side rich with spoile on the other weake both of force and courage by this so bloudie a victory seemed rather vanquished then victorious This battaile had filled the Court of Rome with terror and tumult and the Cardinalls running to the Pope prest him with instant praiers to accept a peace with such conditions as the King offred by the Cardinalls of Nantes and Strigonia wherewith the King was yet content notwithstanding the happy successe of his affaires That Bologne Lugo and all other Townes which Alphonso held in Romagnia should be restored and the Councell of Pisa disanulled The treachery o◠〈◊〉 Iulius seeing these conditions very honorable for him that vnder colour of these parlees he should stay the Kings army vntill he heard the resolution of those on whome hee grounded the rest of his hopes subscribed these articleâ— nine daies after the battaile promising on his faith to the Cardinalls to accept them Buâ— our Lewis must try once more how dangerous it is to mooue a warlike nation The Suisses wonderfully discontented with the Kings refusall to increase their pensionâ— by whose valour sayd they hee had conquered so great Estats without his reâ—â—me and â—or that he had entertayned Lansquenets as if he had meanes to make war without their forces they haue no sooner receiued a florin of the Rhin for euery man 〈◊〉 the Pope whereas before the King was inforced to giue much gold and great presents to their Colonells A newâ— descent o◠〈◊〉 to haue them fight but descending into Lombardie with seaâ—en or eight thousand men they force Palisse Lieutenant general of the Kings army to reâ—â—re to deâ—end the estate of Milan Robert Vrsin Pompey Colonne Anthony Sauelle Peter Margaâ—â— and Rance Manâ—in had since the battaile accepted the Kings pay and nowe the descent of the Suisses and the dislodging of Palisse makes some to lead such men as they had leuied with the Kings money vnto the Pope others retaine the money to themselues onely Margane more modest then the rest restores it againe All this freed the Pope from feare Treachery in 〈◊〉 commanders and confirmed him in his obstinacy He begins the Councell of Lateran the third of May pronounceth a monitory vnto the King That he deliuer vpon the pâ—â—nes set downe by the holy Canons the Cardinal of Medicis taken prisoner in the war being a Milan and after some sessions he surceasseth to attend the warre Iohn Paul Baillon general of the Venetian army attended the Suisses in the territories of Verona with foure hundred men at armes eight hundred light horse and six thousand foote being ioyned they surprise a letter which Palisse did write to the generall of Normandy who remained at Milan That it would be very hard to resist the enemies if they turned towards the Duchie of Milan A sufficient instruction to direct theÌ„ in their course which makes them march towards Milan Palisse had not with him aboue a thousand Lances six or seauen thousand foote all his other troupes beeing diuided into places for defence and this generall of Normandie as bad a warrior as a treasorer I would not forget to name him if I had learned his name hauing after the battaile of Rauenna vnder colour of sparing for the King contrarie to the disposition of present affaires indiscreetely discharged the Italians foote and some French And besides the small number of men the dissention and disobedience of Captaines and the soldiars contempt of their commander ioyned with the discomodities of a tired army a generall little regarded ill accompanied in a Country farre from succors Disorders in the French army enuironed with mightie and many enemies must needes produce some great and sodden disorder The best meanes our Captaines could finde was to abandon the field and disperse their troupes into the most important places In Bresse two thousand foote a hundred and fifty Lances and a hundred men at armes of the Florentins in Creme fiftie Lances and a thousand foote in Bergame a thousand foote and a hundred men at armes of the Florentins The remainder of the army consisting of six hundred Lances two thousand French foote and foure thousand Lansquenets retired to Pontique a strong place of situation and fit to succour Milan Cremona Bresse Bergame and to withstand the enemy But it is a great inconuenience to relie most vpon forreine forces so subiect to change The Emperour giues the first stroke hee calles home his Lansquenets and their departure making Palisse loose all hope of possibility to defend the Duchie of Milan hee retires to Pisqueton So the Cremonois abandoned yeelds except the Castell at the first approach of the confederats and pay fortie thousand ducats to the Suisses Certaine banished men returning into Bergame cause a reuolt and Palisse beeing too weake to stoppe the enemies passage ouer the riuer of Adde putts himselfe into Pauia But hee sought to preuent the ruine of a great building with a rush Then Iohn Iaques of Triuulce the generall of Normandie Anthonie Marie Paluoisâ— Galeas Visconte and many other gentlemen and seruants to the King The estat of Milon lost by the French sauing themselues 〈◊〉 Piedmont leaue Milan in prey which bound it selfe at the first summons to pay a great some of money Pauia battered and abandoned by the French is saued by the 〈◊〉 meanes from spoile All Townes except Bresse and Creme make hast to do the 〈◊〉 All the Country cries against the name of the Empire All is taken and gouerned in tâ—e name of the holy League for so they called it The Cardinall of Sion gouernes 〈◊〉 his pleasure and causeth all the taxes of the conquered Townes to be giuen to the Suâ—sses so as vpon the brute of this money an infinite number of others runne and 〈…〉 the first Rimini Cesenne and Rauenna returne to the Popes obedience 〈◊〉 and Parma yeeld willingly vnto him as members of the gouernment of Rauenna The Suisses seise vpon Lucarne the Grisons who also in this crosse left the French alliance vpon Voltoline and Chiauenne Genes rebells expells the French and Iohn Frâ—gose a Captaine in the Venetians army returning causeth himselfe to be created Duke as his father bad beene At the same instant the Pope recouers all Romagnia the Bentiuoles abandon Bologne and the Duke of Vrbin seiseth thereon in Iulius name So euery one pulls his peece from the whole and all these estats conquered with so great toyle so much money and such losse of blood are lost at the first attempt after this great victory of Rauenna with little labour and lesse bloudshed Truely the best witts are confounded in the 〈…〉 of these things and wee must confesse that the issue of humane affaires depends of a higher Councell then that of Man Notwithstanding according vnto man to whome shall we impute the cause of these mischances but to the
what is past we must haue our eyes open to distinguish the causes from the pretexts and discouer the euill which is hidden vnder a shew of good holding alwaies for an infallible Maxime 〈◊〉 there is no â—â—st occasion to arme against his Prince nor to trouble the quiet of his Countrie We haue beene so abused as we haue taken the Maske for the Face Sâ—lanâ—â—â— For Inocencie and Falshod for Truth and vnder these false impressions we haue 〈…〉 assured Peace for a doubtfull We haue beleeued those Emperiks of State who desirous to continue our languishing and to prolong our diseases haue from that Principle of Truth that Ciuill warre ruines both Estate and religion drawne this proposition Warre ruines both State and Religion That France cannot liue in peace with two Religions The which hath dost the liues of those that haue maintayned it and the ruine of others that haue beleeued it Being then reconciled for that which is past and well aduised hereafter hauing escaped shipwrake against our owne hope let vs remaine in the port of this concord where the King doth guide vs after so many stormes and tempests wee shall be there assured The Sea doth no harme to Shippes that haue good Anchors Obedience is the Anchor which doth assure our Shippe Obedience the eye and heart of an Estate against the furie of winde and waues It is that which giues life and motion to all the members of the body and there is not a more certaine signe of the life of an Estate then Obedience It is the eye of the body which liues last and dyes first it should bee the heart which liues first and dyes last This yeare the Princesse Antoinette Daughter to the Duke of Lorraine was conducted by the Earle of Vaudemont her brother to the Duke of Iâ—illiers who had married her shee was attended with a goodly traine and came to Collen where she was honourably receiued by the Senate and after some dayes she went downe the Riuer to Duisseldorp The Nuptiall ioy was great and stately The Duke of Iuillâ—ers marries the daughter of the Duke of Lorraine although it were somewhat disturbed by the insolencie of the armies aswell of the States as of the Admirall The marriage of Sibille Sister to the Duke of Iuilliers and of the Marquis of Bourgondie brother to Andrew of Austria the Cardinall caused a peace in the Countrie of Cleues and all the Spanish pretentions went to smoake When as after the death of the Duchesse of Beaufort they saw the King falling into a new shipwrack from the which hee was lately escaped and that loue mourning yet for his first Venus lead him to another you might heare the sighes of the most modest the murmuring of the most turbulent and generally presages of some approching storme This was the onely spotte of Oyle which did pierce through the glorious actions of this Prince who superiour to all other in Courage and Valour and alwayes equall to himselfe made himselâ—e subiect to this Pâ—ssion Trueth will not suffer me to suppresse that which cannot be bid It is good to conceale that which is doubtfull in his actions that hath no other Iudge but God· but to keepe secret that which is knowne and seene of all men is a basenesse It imports to know things truly which not being written shall passe to posteritie according to their passions which shall begin and continue the tradition Ancient Historieâ— as full of simple Trueth as voide of Affectation haue not concealed the loues of Princes whose vertues they haue written Of all the foâ—lies of mâ—n there is none more excusable nor of the which fewer do excuâ—e themselues then of Loue. All fight vnder this banner If then it was necessarie for the King to loue he could not loue any thing more worthy of his loue But when as Death did see that the Louer grew blind in the thing he loued and that this blindnâ—sse had brought France into confused darknesse he separated them Vpon this consideration the Court of Parliament finding that there is nothing that doth more preserue France from falling into forepassed miseries or more assure the present and continues their prosperities hereafter then the Kings issue The Court of Parliament perswades the King to maâ—â—y therefore they beseeched his Maiestie to marry and to giue to himselfe a Sonne and a Successor to his Realme there being no armie more powerfull either by Sea or Land to assure an Empire then many Children La Guesle the Kings Atturney general made the speech He represented vnto his Maiestie how much he was bound vnto God He discouered the publick diseases of his estate shewed the remedies and in the end he let him see that the enioying of all the felicities which peace purchased by his victorious armes could promise him was weakly grounded France was not assured to see it durable the which depended on the lawfull birth of a Daulphin That although by the lawe of State a sacred and immutable Law M. de la Guesles speech vnto the King and an originary and fundamentall Law of the Crowne the succession belongs to the neerest Kinsman yet France is too full of those turbulent spirits which in the calme of Peace watch carefully for occasions of warre which in the middest of rest breath after troubles and freed from the perill of armes hold still like madde man their Hearts and tâ—eir Courages armed to mooue new contentions an other day against the Lawe and order of the Realme whereof the King himselfe had made such tryall of their bad intentions as without the vertue of Heauen infused into him his Right had beene vanquished by Force That although his Maiestie by his wisedome accompanied with a singular boâ—nâ—iâ— and charitable affection to the quiet of his Subiects hath declared his successor to the Crowne yet France hath alwayes obserued that when the Crowne did leape from one branche of a Familie vnto an other and that the Sonne did not succeed the Father it was disquieted with new factions and the fields bathed with the bloud of her Cittizens and the fire of Ciuill warre so kindled as two ages was scarse able to quench 〈◊〉 That to take away these iust feares and apprehensions of these publike calamitâ—es the succession must not change the branch for where there is no change there is no stirre and the Children succeeding in the Fathers Realme it seemes that he that raigned is rather growne yong againe then changed The King of Fâ—ance neuer dâ—es there is nothing new the Crowne continues in the same houâ—e the Fathers face is noted in that of his Sonne That the shining of the SuÌ„ne is pleasing as a calme Sea or the Earth couered with his greene tapistrie But there is nothing so goodly nor so delightfull to the Eye as the sight of Children newly borne in a family that wanted this aduantage That to attaine vnto this happines they must begin by the dissolution of the
it neyther can any Aduocate or Orator how excellent soeuer vnlesse he be possessed with a diuine spirit represent the passions of a Mother witnesse the Prophet when he deliuers what God had sayd Can the Mother forget her childe but she must haue pitty of the fruit of her wombe and if she should forget it I will not forsake him saith the Lord. It is God our common father God who is charity it selfe for so he is called by one of his Apostles God of whom the Greeke Poet Aratus honoured by the allegation of S. Paul sayd That we are his ofspring God of whome the same Apostle doth teach vs That he is father of Heauen and Earth It is hee by whom all Mothers haue their affection to their children It is he by whom the Defendresse a miserable Mother was incouraged to seeke pursue reuenge for the bloud of her child Behold persons of diuers qualities in our cause who pretende their innocencies by different reasons The Baker and his wife demand reparation being ignorant of the Murther of Prost and the Mother of Prost murthered seekes to bee freed from the imputation of slander But there is yet an incounter in this controuersie which regards the authority of things iudged wherein the publike hath an interest To deliuer what is fit v pon euery one of these qualities it seemes expedient to obserue what hath past in the accusation and proceeding the first iudgement in the decree the execution and what followed since That which appeares by the Processe iudged is that the deceassed Iohn Prost sonne to the Accuser hauing beene lodged for a time in the Bakers house About the beginning of February 1599 Katherine Cordier the Wife of the Baker sent for a Lock-smith by her husbands Sonne and caused him to open the Chamber of Prost being absent the which she hath confessed after much disguising of the boies name whom since she knew to be her sonne in lawe After this ouerture there was another made in the view of two vnknowne men who brought the Keys which the sayd Prost had giuen them the which is a second charge for these two men entred into the Chamber in the presence of the Hostesse and tooke what they pleased of that which Prost had left and yet afterwards there was a third opening made by the Locksmith which was brought by the Sonne of the Baker by his wiues commandement this beeing thus adâ—owed and iustified by the sonne The Chamber being opened the fourth time by a Commissary of the Chastelet there was some money found belonging to Prost but not all for that the Baker and his Wife had taken and promised some to their Maide if she said nothing Moreouer Prosts apparell being in his Cofer and among the rest a Dublet the Hostesse being examâ—ned sayd that Prost had none other In the end the Processe hauing bin made perfect by intergatories confrontations One of the cheefe allegations made by the Husband and the Wife for their iustification was that the Accuser although a Mother did not loue Prost her Sonne whereof he had often comcomplayned By a sentence giuen by the Prouost of Paris it was decreed that the Baker his Wife and Seruant should be put to the Rack They appeale There followed a second decree in regard of the Baker as for his Wife and seruant it was ordained they should haue the Rack presented vnto them the which was done And after the deniall of the Baker his Wife and Mayde there followed an other sentence allowing the receptioÌ„ of the ordinary Processe and yet restrayned that in case no greater proofs being found on the ordinary Rack The accused should preuaile yet the should haue no Charges Domage nor Interest adiudged vnto them In Iune following Gâ—d hauing suffered that 2 theeues wherof the one called Iohn Bazana had murthered this Prost were apprehended by the Iustice and by the testimony of Bazana the act was confessed So as the Baker his Wife pretend theÌ„selues freed by this testimony demand an honourable reparation with some recompence from the Motherof him that was murthered saying that the accusation being false she ought to be iudged a slaÌ„derer wherein it seemes that Innocency presents it selfe at the feete of Iustice and cries out for them as Dauid in the 7. Psalme intituled Siggaion that is to say The ignorance of Dauid the which is his defence against the slanders of Semei where he exclaymed in denying and forswering the Impostures of his aduersary and in saying that he knewe not what it was he spake these words If I haue committed such a fact if there be iniquity in my hands that I may fall before mine enemies Prouerb 30. Excellent words and deliuered in the kind of an oth In like case a poore Host plaintife complaines and may say with Agur the Sonne of â—ake Truly I am more brutish then any man whatsoeuer I haue no vnderstanding neither haue I learned any wisdome nor ateyned to the knowledge of holy things The wit of man will maintaine the infirmity thereof but who will support a greeued minde The Accuser at the first seemed iust in her cause but the Accused come to purge themselues and haue found out the truth The Words of slanderers saieth the wise King are ambushes of bloud but the mouth of Truth shall deliuer them You see an Host and Hostesse accused of Inhospitality of Infidelity and of the Murther of their Guest a crime so far from the manners and hearts of the French as if Euripides saied among the Grecians That it was not for the Achaeans to murther their guests We may say with the Plaintifs with as much or more reason That it is not vsuall among the French to murther their guests for among Ciuill people our Caeltike nation hath beene most renouned for Hospitality a vertue proper to the French and celebrated by many Stangers yea by Parthenius a Greâ—ke Author in his booke of the Affections of Loue where he saieth in the History of Eurippus that at what time the Gaules made roads into Ionia the Celtes receiued their guests willingly and intreated them courteously The which is confirmed by Saluianus a Preest of Marseilles in his booke of the prouidence of God where among the vertues of our Nation hee termes them Francos hospitales It was therfore a great crime vnfit for the Plaintifs A crime for Barbarians Pagans and Infidells worthy of extraordinary punishment and so much the more punishable for that it had beene committed in Paris the chiefe Citty of the Realme the seat of our Kings the Place of soueraigne Iustice whereas the most Holy and Reuerent Senate of the world is resident The Court of Peeres and the great Parliament of our great King The Husband accused in this Parliament and not onely accused but iudged and tormented in Body and Minde comes this day in Iudgement as a man reuiued againe by his innocency he brings his wife with him and saieth against the