furie of the fight This happened in the yeare 509. The fruit of this notable victorie was so great as all yeelded to Clouis where hee marched Those of Angoulesme made shew of resistance but a great parte of the wall beâ—â—g fallen as it were miraculously not onely the Cittie yeelded butall the Countrie being terrified offered their voluntarie obedience vnto Clouis as if God holding him by the hand had put him in possession of all that Prouince as the lawfull heire Auâ—eâ—gne makes some shew to resist but in the end it yeelds with all the Citties of the Prouince In this generall reuolt against the Vuisigoths Almaric the sonne of Alaric gathers a new head in the Countries of his obedience with wonderfull speed Clouis seekes him out and finds him neere to Bourdeaux The battaile is fought and the slaughter great on either side the one armie fights for honour and the other for life and goods But Clouis remaines conquerour 504. who in detestation of his enemie calles the place the Aâ—rien field which name continues vnto this day Almaric flyes to Thierri his confederate King of the Ostrogoths in Italy with an intent to returne speedily to be reuenged of Clouis All the countrie remaines peaceable to Clouis yea Tholouse the capitall Citty of the Goths kingdome And thus he returnes leauing a part of his army in garrison in the Citties of his new conquest vnder his sonnes command and in his Standard as a trophee he caried for a deuise Veni vidi vici I came and saw and ouercame like vnto Caesar. This great conquest gotten with incredible celeritie and admirable successe is a worthy proofe of Gods prouidence who disposeth of States according to his wise and iust pleasure pulling downe one and raising vp another Thus Clouis hauing expelled the remainder of the Romaines seized on the Bourgongnons estate and the Wisigoths remaining in a maner absolute Lord of the Gaules vnder the title of the Realme of France Hee desired much to liue at Tours as indeed it is the goodly garden of France but seeking to giue a perfect forme to this new estate as one head hath but one body hee choseth Paris for his capitall Citty being seated in the Isle of France and the true mansion of Kings aswell for the fertile beauty of the Country thereabout as for the concourse of Riuers which bring infinite commodities from all parts by the chanell of the Riuer of â—eine into the which all the rest fall as the common store-house of all commodities Thus Paris from small beginings as may bee noted by the lowe buildings and narrow streetes of the Isle being the first plotte is growne to a wonderfull greatnesse being the head Cittie of all the Realme The brute of Clouis force spread ouer all with a great renowne of his valour The Emperour sonâ—s Ambassadors to Clouis moued Anastasius Emperour of the East to desire his friendship although hee had more reason to be his enimy hauing dispossessed him of his ancient inheritance Thus the Empire declined flattering his most dangerous enemies against whom he should oppose himselfe Hee salutes him with a very honourable Ambassage sends him a Senators roabe the priuilege of a Patrician and Cittizen of Rome and the dignity of a Consull in signe of the honour his successours should haue to bee Emperours and to preserue the reliques of the Empire from a generall shipwrack Clouis entertained Anastasius Ambassadours with honour and bounty desirous to ouercome them with curtesie as well as by the valour of his victorious armes The violent course of Clouis victories seemed vnresistible Clouis beinâ— conqâ—erour is conquered but behold an vnexpected enemy not onely stayes him sodenly but takes from him the greatest part of his new conquests defeats his Armie and drawes him into danger neuer to performe any thing worthily The nation of the Gothes was then very great being dispersed in diuerse parts in Gaule Italy and Spaine so as one people issued from the same beginning as we haue sayd was distinguished by diuerse names to marke the places of their seuerall aboades The Wisigoths or rather Westgoths were they that dwelt in the West that is to say in Gaule West to Italy the Ostrogoths or Eastgoths possessed Italy by consequence East to Gaule These Estgoths had done great and notable exploits in Italy taken and sackt Rome and hauing seized on the goodlyest Countryes of Italy had there established a Kingdome vnder their name the which was ruined by the Lombards and the Lombards by the French as wee shall see in the continuance of this history These Goths named Getes by the Greekes an ancient people of Asia scattered themselues first along the riuer of Danubye entring the Countrie neere to Constantinople as well on the maine land as in the Taurique Chersonese neere to this quarter And so extending their limits did possesse Valachye and Hongarie and in the end Scandia and the Country which lyes neere the Riuer of Vistula in the Country of Sueden towards the Baltique Sea where they made their last retreate after many losses receiued in many places in seeking of their fortunes The Realme of Gothie carries their name euen vnto this day 510. I thought good by the way to note the estate of the Goths fit for this subiect Thus the successe of the French forces and the allyance so carefully sought by the Emperour a capitall enemie to the Gothike name did easily moue Thierry king of the East-goths to succour his kinsman Almarick a prince spoiled of his possessions whose example did solicite all the Goths to preuent the danger which did threaten them very neere So as from Italie Sicile Sclauonia and Dalmatia by his owne meanes and the credit of his friends he gathers togither fourescore thousand fighting men the which he giues to Ibba to leade against Clouis and he himselfe remaines in Italie to make head against the Emperours desseins least hee should cause some diuision in fauour of Clouis his confederate The Gothike armie enters by Piedmont takes Grace and Antibou and in short time all Prouence obeyes him The people of Languedoc louing their old maisters and not able to indure the insolencie of a new yeeld easily to the stronger A great losse both of Provinces and men Prouence remaines thus to the East-goths and Languedoc returnes to the Vuisigoths Clouis being brought a sleepe with the imagination of a generall triumphe awakes at this brute hee armes and marcheth speedily against the enemie hee is beaten and looseth 30000. men at this incounter whereby it appeared that he held not victoires at his girdle nor they proceeded not from his valour Clouis who vanquished euery where finding himselfe beaten and not able presently to make head against a victorious enemie returnes into France rather mad then transported with furious choller tossing in his braynes how to be reuenged of so notable a disgrace The Goths giue him leaue to runne and take cold being content to haue recouered
equitie according to God and their consciences the Estates did choose Hugh Capet for King promising to obey him Hugh Capet chosen King oâ— France and and his as their lawfull Kings according to the law of State This is the ground of Hugh Capets royaltie There was no need of any preachers to perswade the people nor to send to Rome for the Popes dispensation as Pepin did The people were fully perswaded in their mindes and a fit occasion was offered that without any iniurious change as that was in the person of Chilperie they might supplie the place being voyde with a better King 988. and more profitable for the common weale This Act was made at Noyon in the moneth of May in the yeare 987. and to giue more authority to this famous decree Crowned at Rheims the same Assembly goes to assist at the Coronation of Hugh who was annointed and crowned King the third of Iuly after his election Hugh Capet being thus chosen and crowned King he studied by all meanes to let the French vnderstand by the effects that they had made a good choise as the successe of his raigne and of his posterities will shewe in the following discourses From Rheims he went to Paris wel accompanied where he makes his entry to the great applause of all the people He imployes his first endeauours to send them all home well satisfied who had giuen him so notable a proofe of their affection But euery one being returned to his house behold Charles of Lorraine reiected assembles forces and with part of them begins to ouerrun Champagne shewing all acts of hostility Within few moneths after he himselfe comes to field with a great army of Germains Charles of Lorraine begins war and surprâ—seth towns Lorrains and Bourguignons and hauing taken Rheims at his first approch hee passeth on towards Paris as to the head or heart of the Estate and enters into Picardy where he seizeth on the Citties of Soyssons and Laon al by the practises of Arnâ—lphe the bastard sonne of King Lothaire and Archbishop of Rheims a man both cunning and head-strong from thence he runs euen to the gates of Paris filling all the country with fire and feare Hugh sleepes not but knowing howe much it did import to possesse the people with good conceit of him and to stoppe the courses and spoyles of Charles who of purpose tormented the Parisiens to breed some innouation hee gathereth together what troupes he can attending the rest which he had sent for and with them he goes presently to field but it chanced that Charles being far stronger then Capet did easily defeat him so as hauing cut his troupes in peeces Hugh Capet deâ—eated at the â—irst in great danger he had almost surprised Hugh in the sight of Paris where he saued himselfe with much paine and danger These beginnings did as much amaze the people who had so cheerfully chosen Hugh as it puft vp Charles already a Conquerour and a peacefull King in his own conceit Charles promiseth to himâ—selfe a happy raigne who being retired to Laon in great triumph sends newe letters to all the Prouinces of France perswading them to acknowledge him for their lawfull King vaunting of this happy beginning as a gage of the felicity which did attend him in his raigne But he had not cast vp his accounts with him who holds the euents of things in his hand for the contrary fell out to that he had imagined Hugh is nothing dismayde at this first repulse these summonings of Charles make him to vse all hast and prickes them foreward with whom he had diuided the Realme hauing an especiall interest in his raigne according to their election All men flye vnto him Charles supposing that Hugh ment to yeeld and that these assemblies were made to haue the better conditions had dispersed his army about Laon and retayned the least part within the citty and with this assurance that all necessaryes should abound he had no care to make vse of his victory when as sodainely Hugh appeares with his army before Laon hauing stopt all the passages he beseegeth it all the Lorraines small troupes which were found in the villages thereaboutes were easily taken and disarmed and the citty was presently summoned to yeeld in the Kings name and to deliuer vp Charles of Lorraine guilty of high treason and enemy to the French vpon paine of fire and sword Charles flies to intreaties and teares The inhabitants complayning of him as the cause of their misery resolue with the aduice of Anselme their bishop to obey Hugh Capet as their lawfull King and to deliuer Charles into his hands The which they did with his wife and children Charles taken in Laon and This happened in the yeare 991. and so the controuersie betwixt Hugh and Charles of Lorraine for the crowne was decided in lesse then foure yeares Hugh being a Conqueror goes to Orleans and leades with him Charles Caried to Orleans where he dies in prison and the remainder of his miserable family inflicting no greater punishment on him then perpetuall imprisonment where he was well kept with his wife vnto his dying day in the which he had both sonnes and daughters 990. There are diuers opinions vpon this point Some say they died all there others say that they repeopled the State of Lorraine and transplanted their race vnto the Princes that rule there at this present But howsoeuer As the Romains had expelled the Gaules and themselues were afterwards driuen out by diuers nations and the race of Pharamond which had dispossessed them was displaced by Pepin so Hugh Capet expelled that of Pepin with a better title then Pepin beeing lawfully called by them which had the right and the presumptiue heire was iustly degraded for his fault Hugh Capet no vsurper Nâ—câ—ste Hugo regni inuasor out vsurpaâ—oâ— eliquaâ—iâ—er est iudicandus queÌ„ regniproceâ—es elegerunt saith Nangius so as no man can with reason say That Hugh Capet was an Vsurper seeing he had so solemne and lawfull a calling by a decree of the generall Estates of the Realme To whom the application of the Soueraigne Lawe belonges as Nangius an auncient writer doth testifie For what auailes it the legitimation of his royaltie to say that Hugh Capet came of the race of Charlemagne by his Mother Auoye daughter to Otho Duke of Saxony and Emperour In this regard shee could not be of Charlemaignes race the which without doubt fayled in Lewis the fourth the sonne of Arnoul neither would it auaile him any thing to bee the sonne of a daughter of France seeing the Distaffe may not lawfully succeede This victory added an incredible reputation to Hugh Capets vertue the which was most apparent in greatest extremities and made him an easie way to purchase obedience in his newe Kingdome He began by homage as the seale of authority To that ende The subiects do homage vnto Hugh hee calles all Dukes Earles
to furnish themselues in this affected voyage at what price soeuer Godefroy of Bouillon chiefe of the armie sold the Seigneurie of Bouillon to Aubert Bishop of Liege and Metz to the Inhabitants Robert Duke of Normandie ingaged all his lands to his brother William King of England Herpin Earle of Berry his Earledome to King Philip. A sale farre more honorable for the selâ—ers then for the buiers There was a quarrell betwixt the children of Taâ—cred the Norman of whom we haue spokenâ— who by his valour had conquered Scicile Calabria Apulia â— growne from light beginnings It seemed to be immortall the question being betwixt wilfull Kinsmen but this zeale did so pacific their quarrels as they brought aboue twenty thousand braue men to the army with their own persons Iâ— euery 〈◊〉 there was nothing but men making their prouisions the wayes were full of souldiers horseâ— baggage which repaired to the Rendezuous the Ports Hauens and Seas swarmed with sâ—ips and vessels to transport our generous Argonauts they being guided with this holy zeale The number of the Armie to the Holy lâ—nd to settle the State of Christians in the Holy land The number of the armie is diuersly reported Some write they were six hundred thousand fighting men others restraine it onely to a hundred thousand The first number were more likely for what were that in Europe but for our wretched dissentions But that which they adde is to be considered That many else well affected were kept back by reason of the dissentions betwixt the Emperours and Popes so as Germanie a great nurâ—erie of men of warre sent very few and Italy fewer being dispensed withall by the Pope who had ingaged others See the ordinarie frutes of home-bred quarrels the which fortifies the enemies of Christendome Some writers of iudgment adde that Pope Vrbain did cunningly vse the Christians zeale to weaken the Emperour and his Partisans that hee might preuaile with more facilitie causing them to marche in this action and retaining such as were at his deuotion This is their opinion as the wise reader may verifie in their places 1096. The sequell will shewe that this voiage did nothing mortifie the quarrell betwixt the Emperor the Pope the which was reuiued after a tragick maner We follow the traces of truth as euery thing hath succeeded Here we discourse of the beginnings and motiues of this war we shall see the end and issue of this great preparation Let vs reurne to the hauen to our Argonaâ—â—es the trumpets sound they are all ready to set saile Godefroye diuided his army into three fleets making the Rendezuous aâ— Constantinople whether he had sent his Ambassadors to Alexis Emperour of Greece The army parts and arriues at Constaâ—tinople who entring into iealousie of so great an army made some difficulty to grant him ports yet in the end hee yeelded and gaue him an honorable entertainement The departure of these Christian Aduenturers was in the yeare 1096. the first day of Aprill Behold our Latins arriued in safe port thus hereafter wee shall call them to distinguish them from the Greekes being Christians friends the Turkes Leuantins enemies They vndertooke no small worke neither went they to take possession of an empty inheritance The Turkes and Mahometains their enemies were Lords of Asia from the realme of Pontus towards the Mediterranian sea vnto Hellespont after they had expelled the Greekes ouerthrowne the forces of the Caliphes of Babilon and Egipt The Maâ—â—metain command and had seized on Palestina Iudea and all the rest of the Kingdome of Israell from the entry of the holie Land vnto Libanus Ierusalem was in their hands Their estate springing from weake beginnings encreased dayly Soliman Belchiaroc was their fiâ—t Sultan or Emperour who quickned with so hot a sommons of Christians assembled his forces togither stoode vpon his gard and prepared to fight Godefroy taking the aduice of Alexis Emperour of Greece who made shewe to imploy all his meanes to aduance the common cause resolued to passe into Chalcedone and beginning with the Citties of Asia to make his passage more easie The Christian troupes twâ—se defeated by the Turkes Hee had sent Peter the Hermit before the first trumpet of this warre with Gaultier who was a better soldiar and some troupes to discouer the Country but both togither making scarce one good Captaine suffred themselues to be beaten by the Turkes so as Godefroy sends in their place one called Regnaud or Raimond who makes profession to know the Country but he speeds worse suâ—â—ring himselfe to be beaten by the Turkes and to â—ace his life he renounced the Christian religion abandoning al that had followed him to the slaughter This was a â—oretelling of ill successe The army marching by Asia the lesse first they beseege Nicomedia the lesse takes it â—â—en they attempt Nicea a Citty of Bethinia famous for the first generall Councell 〈◊〉 â—as held against Arrius The Sultan had thrust Mahomet into it one of his braâ—est Captaines yet was it taken by assault by the Christians after two and twenty daies â—â—ege The Sultan had his army in field the which approched to fauour the beseeged Godeâ—â—oy winnes the greatest part oâ— Asia and to saue the remainder of this ship-wracke and likewise to hold the Citties in obedience which stood amazed Nicea being yeelded there were some skirmishes so fauorable for the Latins as Soliman retires his army to the mountaines leaues the plaines Citties to Godefroy who puft vp with this happy successe and leauing a good gard in Nicea he passeth through Bethinia and comes to Heraclea the which yeelds presently and goes on with such successe as in lesse then foure yeares he subdued all the goodliest Prouinces of Asia that is to say Lycaonia Cilicia Cappadocia Paphlagonia Siria Mesopotaâ—ia and Comagene as the wise reader may see in the Originalls of the whole History without making of any particular relation in this discourse These happy and gainefull conquests strooke as great a terror in Soliman and the Leuantins as it purchased honour and reputation to Godefroy and the Christians so as hauing taken Antioche Tripaly and other renowned Citties Iudeâ— and Ierusalem taken Godefroy of Boullâ—n chosen King of Ierusalem they came into Iudea and to Ierusalem with a victorious courage Thus Ierusalem is beseeged with such dilligence and resolution as after eight and thirty daies it is taken by assault and all the Turkes â—ut in peeces The poore inhabitants without armes are carefully preserued to purchase a double victory to the Latins of valour in fighting well and of clemency in sparing the vanquished 1109. The Citty wone the Latins assemble in councel with one coÌ„mon consent choose Godefroy of Bouillon King of Ierusalem Al the royall ornaments were taken accâ—pted by him except the Crowne of gold the which he would haue of thornes like to that of our sauiour Iesus Christ to augment the price
of K. Alphonso attending meanâ— to repaire his affaires in better season In the meane time Simon doth promise himselfe the property of all Raymonds estates the which he had gotten with his Sword but for that it was apparent that the King of France would hardly grant so goodly a Prouince taken from his kinsman to one of his subiects Simon therefore flies vnto the Pope by whose authority this war was chiefely ingaged from whom he attended his chiefe recompence hauing laboured for him Innocent the 3. finding that Philip who would not desist in his pursute against Iohn King of England notwithstanding his interdictioÌ„â— would not be moued now by his simple authority to leaue so important a peece he assembles a great Councell meaning to force the King to yeeld vnto his will â—he Patriarkes of Ierusalem and Constantinople were there in person The Councell of Latran and those of Antioche and Alexandria sent their deputies there were 70. Archbishops 400. Bishops and 1000. Abbots Priors The Emperors of the East West the Kings of France England Spaine Ierusalem Cipres and other Kings Princes and great estates had their Ambassadors By a decree of this notable assembly Count Raymond was excommunicated with all his associats The Earldome of Tholouse giuen to Simon of Montfort by the Pope his lands adiuged to Simon of Montfort for his seruice done and to do to the Catholike Church Philip could not gain-say this decree confirmed in a maner by the consent of the whole world He therfore receiued SimoÌ„ to homage for the Prouince of Languedoc whereof he tooke peaceable possession but he did not long enioy it â—or seeing himselfe inuested he began to oppresse his new subiects An Eâ—le is lost with ouer griping The people of Languedoc finding themselues oppressed with this insupportable burthen of Simon they resolue to call home their Count Raymond who was retired into Spaine to seeke some meanes to recouer the possession of his estate His case was not desperate for hee enioyed the Earldomes of Viuareâ—z Venaissan and the Citty of Auignon places kept by his subiects during these occurrents whether Simons forces were not yet come Raymond being called by his subiects returnes into Languedoc accompanied with a notable troupe of Arragonois being discontented for the death of their King Alphonso The whole Countrey baâ—died against Simon hating him as an vsurper Simon hated by his subiects of Languâ—doc for hâ—s oppression â—yâ—â—nie and detesting him as a tyrant for doubtlesse vniust violent things cannot continue Whilest that Simon seekes to bridle the Citties of his new conquests leaping from place to place with an infinite toile behold Raymond is receiued into Tholousâ— by intelligence with great ioy of the inhabitants Simon abandons all the rest and flies thether but he finds a stop for comming to the gates of the Citty as he approched neere the walles to parley he was hurt in the head with a stone wherof he died The example of Tholouse made the greatest part of the subdued Citties to reuolt Simon of Montfort left two sonnes Simon of Montfort slaâ—n before Tholouse Guy and Amaulry vpon the reuolt of Tholouse the one seizeth vpon Carcassone the other of Narbonne but Guy was slaine in Carcassone by the Inhabitants who were the stronger Amaulry hauing fortified Narbonne repaires to Philip Augustus beseeching him to succor him in his necessity Philip had the Wolfe by the eare for as on the one side he desired this goodly Prouince for himselfe rather then for the children of Simon of Montfort so was he also restâ—ained by the authority of the Pope and Councell He theâ—fore sends his sonne Lewis into Languedoc to reduce the Country to his obedience But he had scarce taken any one Castell when as his fathers death calls him home Count Raymond receiued againe in Languedock So as Count Raymond his subiects of Languedoc had time to reuiue their spirits recouer many places gotteÌ„ by Simon The king of England would neither assist nor send to the coronatioÌ„ of Lewis although he were held as Duke of Guienne 1223. This occasion moued Lewis to warre against him Warre in Guienne against the English whereby he got Niort and Rochel and Sauary of Mauleon Gouernour for the English retired to his seruice This losse made the warre more violent Richard Earle of Cornwaile brother to Henry King of England passed into France with a goodly armie and hauing taken S. Macaire Langon and Reolle Townes seated vpon the Riuer of Garonne and defeated some French troupes he made way for a truce which was fauourable for both parties But especially for Lewis being desirous to settle matters in Languedoc the which troubled him for the daily proceedings of the Albigeois yet was hee loth to labour for another For this reason he treats with Amaulry Earle of Montfort touching the right he had to that Countrie with whom hee preuailed the more easily for that hauing lost the greatest part of the Prouince he was not able to hold the rest with the Kings dislike to whom hee resigned it by order of a decree made by the Pope in the Councell of Latran and in recompence hee made him Constable of France with the consent of Pope Honorius Lewis compounds for Languâ—doc with the â—oâ—n of Simon Montfort Hauing compounded with the Children of Simon Montfort hee resolued to winne Count Raymond to his deuotion and to perswade him to lay aside armes whereof hee did see the euents to be very doubtfull His intent was to vnite this rich Prouince of Languedoc to the Crowne But reason which saith that no man thinkes his owne too much the respect which great men do vsually beare one to another and the alliance which the house of France had with the Countie of Tholouse were great restraints for the couetousnesse of Lewis But how soeuer he determined to make himselfe the stronger to prescribe them a law To this end he leuied a great Armie fortified with his Edicts by the which hee thunders against these poore Albigeois as Heretikes and Rebels These Edicts were of force whereas his authoritie was respected Count Raymond considering with himselfe the cruell beginning of this warre and the continuance of the like miserie in these second armes fearing to imbarke himselfe the third time with a people against his King is easily perswaded by Lewis to reconcile himselfe to Pope Honorius Thus Raimond leauing to oppose himselfe Count Raymond submits himselfe vnâ—o the Pope yeelds to Lewis and perswades the â—arle of Cominges the chiefe agent of his desseignes to the like obedience Thus both of them abandon the people go to Rome they make their peace with the Pope and leaue the Albigeois to the mercie of Lewis who seeing them without a head imbraceth this occasion to their ruine High and base Languedoc was wholy in his power by Raymonds departure Auignon remained with many other places in the Countie of
must haue a ruinous end The mischiefe fell first on him by the people in whom he had relied and after by him vpon the people whom he had deceiued to make them an instrument of many mischiefes yet was the people lesse puâ—â—shed then himselfe as lesse culpable But he who had disloyally abused this brutish multitude felt in the ende thereuâ—â—◠〈◊〉 hand of God not onely in seeing al his practises 〈…〉 the fire of Gods wâ—ath iustly kindled against such as confound the society of m 〈…〉 the laws of State vnder which they are borne Without doubâ— bad counsel is 〈…〉 to the giuer This Prince preached peace and made warre reâ—ormatâ—oâ— of 〈◊〉 nourished confusion liberty and yet brought those Citties which obeyed him 〈◊〉 slauery He abused the people with a shadow of liberty and sought to 〈…〉 deuises but the contra y effects made him so odious as hauing plaâ—ed the 〈◊〉 of his credit The Nauarrois begins to grow odious to the Parisiens he sell into the hatred and destation of all the world as these 〈◊〉 discourse will testifie To teach all men That the greatest policie is to bee 〈◊〉 man The Regent countenanced with this newe Title and the faithfull loue of the French testified by the former effects not sought for by practises but 〈…〉 hearts and encreasing dayly in experience of affaires began to amaze the Nauarrois and to terrifie the heads of this Parisien multitude hee seized vppon 〈…〉 and Pont Charenton And not to loose any oportunity hee approacheth the Cittie of Paris and burnes and sacks the Parisiens houses in reuenge of that which the Nauarrois had done to the Kings seruants Thus both armies were in field Two French 〈◊〉 one against another and doing much harme generally they multiplied the losses on either side vnder colour of reuenge The Parisiâ—ns thus tired chose the King of Nauarre for their Captaine 〈◊〉 him to bring souldiers yea Englishmen into the Cittie of whom the most of his troupes consisted The armies approche the Regents forces incampe at Confâ—â—ns and those of the Nauarrois at S. 〈◊〉 The Parisiens heat began to coole amidst to many miseries and without their commanders it had beene quite frozen Ioane the widow of King Charles the faire and by that meanes Ante to the Nauarrois Ioane desires to make peace desired infinitly to see these two Princes at peace Her degree and age gaue her free accâ—sse to both She visits them and perswades them to concord with all the best reasons she could In the end after many iourneys she obtaines an enteruiew to parle themselues oâ— their affaires without any mediators The Regent a young Prince wise and tempeâ—aâ—e would not at the first be intreated but in his heart he desired nothing more The Naâ—arrois paâ—â—e with the Daulphin foreseeing it to be the onely meanes to bring the Nauarrois in iealousie with the Parisiens who relented dayly growing weary of his actions The successe was answerable to his dessâ—igne for behold the people are presently incensed against the King of Nauarre and the Prouâ—st who had accompanied him to this parle They sodenly make publike and priuate assemblies to preuent the practises of these two traitors as they terme them which would make their peace without them The Parisienâ— grow 〈◊〉 of the Naâ—â—â—rois Iohn Roussac and others iealous for that they were not imployed runne from shop to shop to set fire to this flaxe shewing that priuate treaties are very preiudiciall to the generall good of the Cittie The Nauarrois is amazed at these newes he leaues his armie and runnes to Paris with the Prouost of Marchants to pacifie these new tumults the which he found to be practised against him Being arriued he imployes all his Partakers to preuent it and by their meanes he renues the league with the Parisiens protesting to liue and dye together He sweares the Regents death with them and perswades them to admit a new supply of Englishmen for the safety of the Citty And to shew that he had his heart free from all intelligence with the Regent as they had suspected he makes a braue â—allie vppon his troupes by S. Anthonies gate but he soone found a stop for as he did charge boldly so was he repuised valiantly being charged and beaten by the Regent so as with difficulty he recouered the gate Within few dayes after he tries by the other gates if he might speed any better in diuerse resolute atempts but all is in vaine he is chased shooted at and beaten with losse and shame This charge did so alter the minde of this in constant beast with many heads I meane of this Parisien multitude who of late had so much loued honoured and supported him in all his wrongs as now there is nothing but cryes against him as against a disturber an ambitious and disloyall man â— prater a deceiuer and teller of lies That it is no longer time to depend on him Parisiens discontented with the Nauarrois but the Cittie must prouide seriously for their owne affaires and ioyne with their lawfull Lords During these popular humors the Nauarrois appeares not nor any man for him being so odious vnto the Parisiens as it was very dangerous euen to talke of him It was in vaine to hide himselfe at Saint Denis during the heare of this popular rage But to bring words to effects the Parisiens by a common consent in their Towne-house resolue to treate with the Regent and to this end they send a messenger vnto him beseeching him to grant a safe-conduct for their Deputies to come vnto him The Regent in braceth this occasion and giues them an ample pasport vpon which grant and assurance the Parisiens send a troupe of their grauest Citizens to the Regent with these requests That it would please the Regent to pardon the Parisiens beeing ill aduised what was passed and to graunt them free trafficke vntill a peace might bee made to his content The Parisiens submit themselues vnto the Daulphin The Regent hauing receiued them gratiously graunts their requests and demaunds and makes his troupes retyre from about Paris to the Contesses Valleâ— expecting this peoples course being newly reclaymed to their dutie the which might as sodenly returne to their furie suffering them to taste of peace and to see the rod ready being like vnto a furious beast not to be trusted but vpon good warrant The Nauarrois and the Prouost of Marchants labour to repaire their credit at Paris supposing if this fury were once euaporated they should returne into credit hauing both the 〈◊〉 and the Louure at their deuotion But they are deceiued The chance was cast and the howre of their ruine was at hand the people being resolute to giue an apparent testimonie of their intent and a fit occasion was 〈◊〉 The English nation was the chiefe support whereon the Nauarrois relied hauing lodged them in great troupes both within and without the Citty for his owne strength the
much eased This prouision came happily for the preseruation of France against the which Edward made then great preparatioÌ„ at the instance of the Nauarrois The truce expired he did forbid the FreÌ„ch to trafficke into England in the meane time his army laÌ„ds at Calais himself follows in persoÌ„ with a goodly traine Being landed resolued to take possession of the realme of France or by force to turne it he marcheth directly to Arras the which he takes in 3. daies Edward enters France with an army hauing assured it with a stroÌ„g garâ—ison he goes towards Champagne where passing onely he besieged Sens which yeelds without resistance and by their example Neuers All Bourgongne was strooke into such a terror as they redeemed their country froÌ„ spoile with a great summe of mony Hauing thus found means to intertaine his armie at his enimies charge enriched his souldiers with an inestimable booty he marcheth towards Paris as the head city of the whole realme the chiefe end of his desseâ—â—e the certain triumph of his conquest the goodly theater of his victories Our â—egent was nothing amased at these threats of Edward for hauing asseÌ„bled a goodly army with great expeditioÌ„ he atteÌ„ds him at Paris where the whole burthen of this was did lie He lodgeth his army in the suburbes fortifieth against approches being taught by the examples of his grandfather father not to hazard any thing resoluing only to defend himselfe within his trenches This resolutioÌ„ succeeded happily He besiegeth Paris but in vaine for Edward seeing the impossibility to draw the regent to fight notwithstaÌ„ding al his alarums raiseth his siege marcheth into Britany to refresh his army to the great conteÌ„t of the ParisieÌ„s who could not sufficiently coÌ„mend the wisdom of their regent hauing so politikly auoided this storme The regent imbraceth this occasion he furnisheth Paris with aboundance of victualls commands the souldiers to liue orderly without oppression of the inhabitants he fortifies the weakest places with all speed and doth so incourage the people as they are ready to sacrifice theÌ„selues for the preseruation of the State Edward supposing the great wast caused by the men of warre resident in this great citty would haue taken from them al means to coÌ„tinue haue bred an impatiency in the minds of this vnconstant people giuing him the better meanes to enter it he returnes with his army being strong lusty by this good refreshing of Britaine Being returned he finds things better ordered then before so as preuailing nothing but walking about the citty beholding a far off the great towers and the admirable masse of so many buildings as a briefe of the whole world he resolues to leaue the siege returne no more Thus experience teaching him what the strength of our chiefe citty was he packes all vp and goes towards Chartres meaning to besiege it But whilest he lodged there his army making a horrible spoile of the whole couÌ„try there chanced an occasioÌ„ as the worke of heauen which sodainely quailed his ambitious disseine to ruine France for behold a horrible extraordinary tempest of haile thuÌ„der and lightning falls with such violence as many horses men in the armie perished as if that God had stretched forth his hand from heauen to stay his course Edward amazed with thunder He resolues to conclude a peace with King Iohn This amazemeÌ„nt causeth Edward to vow to make a peace with King Iohn and the regent his son vpon reasonable conditions He which had thus thundred did likewise opeÌ„ the Duke of Lancasters mouth shewing how reasonable it was to limit humane attempts within restrained bouÌ„ds not to attend an infinit perpetuall prosperity in wordly affaires beeing more safe to content himself with a meane successe theÌ„ to be traÌ„sported with the violent course of humane hopes cast in the mould of indiscreet desires He likewise laied before him the impossibility of so extraordinary a desseine as to make himselfe maister of all France a notable example for Princes to behold their own infirmities and the greatnes of God to whoÌ„ they owe the homage of their enterprises being theÌ„ most happy when they are most sober â—â—â—rate without imagining an infinite power in the short weaknes of this mortal life wherevnto they are subiect like other men A peace concluded at Bretignie The Articles This lessoÌ„ mollified Edwards hart inclining to the deliuery of K. Iohn his prisoner to a general peace the which was concluded at 〈◊〉 a village nere vnto Chartres in the yeare 1360. the 8. of May vpoÌ„ these coÌ„ditioÌ„s That the country of Poitu the Fiefs of Thouars Belleuille the couÌ„tries of Gascony Agenois Peregort Limosin Cahors Tarbe Bigorre Rouergue and Angoumois in soueraignty with the homages of the two next yeares after 1360. at reasonable paâ—ments And for the consideration the said King of England and the Prince of Wales his sonne both for themselues 〈◊〉 successors should renoâ—â—â— all rights pretended to the Crowne of France the Duchie of Normandie the countries of Tourance Aniou and Maine the soueraingty and homage of Brittâ—ine and the Earldome of Flanders and within three weekes they should deliuer King Iohn at Calais at their charge the expences of the Kings house onely excepted The hostages giuen for the performance of the conditions For assurance of which agreement there should be deliuered into the King of Englands hands these hostages Lewis Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry sonnes to the King of France Philip Duke of Orleance the Kings brother Philip Duke of Bourgongne the Earles of Blois Alanson Saint Pol Hâ—â—court Porcian Valentinois Grandpre Denne and Forest the Lords of Vaudemont Coussy Pyennes Saint Venant Preaux Montmorency Careneieres Boâ—â—â— guion Estoute-ville the Daulphin of Auueigne Andregel and Craon A choâ—â—â— of well selected personages to be a sufficient caution for the money and conditions that were to be performed The Deputies that treated The Deputies for King Iohn were Iohn of Dormans Bishop of Beauuais and Chanâ—eller of France Iohn of Melun Earle of Tanearuille the Lord of 〈◊〉 Marshaâ—â— of France â— the Lords of Montmorency and Vigny Iohn Croâ—â—â—e Simon of 〈◊〉 Iohn Marâ—â—â— Lawyers and Iohn Maillard and Stephen of Paris Bourgesies of Paris For the King of England were Iohn Duke of Lancaster the Earles of Northampton Warwicke and Suffoâ—â—â— Renauâ—d of Celâ—sâ—an Gualtâ—r of Maâ—ny Knights with certaine learned men for their Councell This treatie of a generall peace signed by the two Kings was ratified by their two eldest sonnes Charles and Edward and proclaimed by Heraulds first at the wiâ—dowâ—â— of the Kings and Princes lodgings and then at the corners of the streetes in great solemnitie The hostages were deliuered to Edward the father who imbarked at 〈◊〉 and lead them into England leauing the Earle of Warwicke in France to see the execution of the peace King Iohn brought to Calis
wherevnto he added a complaint of their bounds in the diuision whereof he would resolutely haue the aduantage But to giue a better colour to this quarrell of State hee ioynes religion For saith he to his people to what end should these Arrians haue so good a paâ—t among the Christians Yet before he would come to open force Warre against the 〈◊〉 he talkes of a friendâ—y conference The two Kings appoint a day and a place for an enterview to parlee of their affaires But this meeting increased their hatred for being both vpon the place some confident seruants to Clouis gaue him notice that Alaric had laide an Ambuscadoe to surprize him in their parle Clouis was much moued with this and resolues to make warre against Alaric hee raiseth an armie and beeing ready to marche towards Guyenne behold a new occasion which makes him turne his forces towards Bourgongne We haue shewed how that Gondebault King of Bourgongne Warres in Bourgongne and why slue his brother Chilperic father to Clotilde vpon the first diuision of their portions after their fathers death Hee had two bretheren remaining Gondemar and Gondegesil of whom he desired infinitely to bee freed hauing too many bretheren and too little land according to his vnsatiable desire Their debate was for Prouence and Daulphiné which they demanded for their portions Gondebault enioyed the chiefe Citties except Vienne which the brethren held Clouis his Armie ouercomes that of Gondebault marching victoriously through the Countrie of Venaison where the battell was fought Gondebault saues himselfe with great difficultie in Auignon and is presently besieged by Clouis who yee grants him an honourable composition and labours to reconcile him with his bretheren which done he returnes into France and Gondemar and Gondegesil retire into Vienne dreaming of nothing lesse then to haue their elder brother for an enemy But Vienne must be the pitte-fall of their misery to swallow them both vp one after an other for behold Gondebault is with a strong armie at the gates of Vienne and his bretheren are reduced to that extremitie as hauing no meanes to defend themsâ—luâ—â— nor to get reliefe from their friends the Citty is easily taken and euery mâ—n seekeâ— to saue himselfe as he can Gondemar flyes into a Tower where he is besieged assaâ—â—ed and burnt with all his troupe Gondegesil is taken aliue after this tragick feare but being alone he slippes a way and flyes to Clouis whome hee found in Armes ready to march vpon this new accident Clouis takes new aduise The ancient hatred he bare to Gondebault who had crossed him in his mariage the iniustice and more then barbarous crueltie the complaint of this poore Prince his ally who cast himselfe into his armes had much power to perswade him to the voyage of Bourgongne But that which made him resolue was for that Gondebault prepared to succour Alaric against whom Clouis did now march with his forces Thus the iust iudgement of God prouided a scourge for this murtherer who addes rashnesse and insolencie to his first disorders Clouis enters with an armiâ— into Bourgongne Feare doth not onely surprise the countrie but also the peoples iust hatred of this tyrant being infamous with so many parricides so as in few dayes the principall Citties yeeld vnto Clouis and the rest are ready to submit themselues into his hands as to their deliuerer Gondebault pursued by God and men faintes being insolent in prosperitie and daunted in aduersitie 507. All things conspired to his ruine But as God doth not alwaies take sinners at the rebound Clouis conquestes in Bourgongne hee stayed the blow by meanes of Clotilde who grieuing to see her house decay to the ouerthrowe of the state of Bourgongne makes intercession to her husband for her vncle and his Countrie and preuailes so with him through her intercession as shee perswades him to passe no further but to leaue the rest to her vncle Gondebault with a reasonable peace whereof she drew the articles Thus Clouis dismisseth his armie hauing onely prouided for the gard of Vienne Mascon Chaalon and other Townes taken from Gondebault and hee giues the charge of them to Gondegesil This is all that Gondebault could hope for in so great a danger but he would needes perish A treacherous attempt of Gondebault when as he sees himselfe without any enemie By Clouis departure he marceth so secretly with his forces as in one night he surpriseth Vienne by the Conduit heads guided by him that had them in charge being cast out ofâ— the Citie with the scumme of vnprofitable people Vienne must bee the Sepulchre of Gondegesil as it was of Gondemar for in this vnexpected surprise as 〈◊〉 and the Bishop sought meanes to saue themselues in the temple of Saint Mory amazement giues an easie entrie vnto Gondebault who being maâ—ster thereof doth massâ—cre both Gondegesil his brother and the Bishop without any reâ—pect Clouis moued with this treacâ—erous attâ—mpt returnes with his armie and beseegeth Gondebault who vnable to resâ—st escapâ—â— by night and saues himselfe in Italie with Thierry King of the Ostrogoths his friend and confederate They being tormented in conscience A iust punishment oâ— the murtherer Gondebault without all 〈◊〉 of releefe hee falls into horrible dispaire and dyes hatefull euen to those that had receiued him leauing a notable example to all men that man is the cause of his â—wâ—e miserie that hee deceiueth himselfe when as ouerruled by his owne passion hee thinkes to mocke God freely who sleepes not when as men are most secure in their wickednesse But after a long patience God payes both the principall and the interest and hee that seekes an other mans goods doth often loose his owâ—e the halfe being better then the whole for to liue quietly with content This was the end of Gondebault and the beginning of the title which the Kings oâ— France pretended to Bourgongne The fast winning 〈…〉 â—nd Prouâ—nce The States of Prouence Daulphiné and Saâ—oye were dependances on this Crowne Clouis reteyning Daulphiné and the Countries adioyning vnto Bourgogne he left Sauoy and Prouence to Sigismond and Gondemar the children of Gondebault ioyning equitie and mildnes to his iust victorie Hauing thus setled the affaires of Bourgongne he marcheth presently with his victoâ—ious armie into Languedoc against Alaric King of the Visigoths who held not onely that goodly Prouince but 〈◊〉 the Countrie from the Pirence mountaines euen to the bankes of Rosne and Loire as wee haue sayd Clouis hauing assembled his armie at Tours marcheth into Poictou where Alaric attends him with his forces meaning to fight with him at his entrie The battaile is giuen and much blood shed on either side but the absolute victorie remaines to Clouis as the bodies the held and the head of Alaric whome hee slew with his owne hand an accident very remarkable 〈◊〉 slaine by the hand o◠〈◊〉 that one Prince should kill another with his sword in hand in the
of Tours For this great seruice he expected some notable recompence But Martel excusing himselfe that he could not alienate the reuenewes of the Crowne nor doe any thing to the preiudice of his Master left Eudon no more aduanced then before the warres and very ill satisfied but he died soone after leauing Hunault and â—effroye his children heires of â—is dâ—scontent After their fathers decease they seeke all possible meanes to trouble the quiet of France Their cheefe strength was in Guienne they had lâ—kewise â—ome in Prouence through the fauour of Maurice Gouernour of the Countrie and Earle of Marseilles but especially in Languedoc whence they were issued as I haue said being descended from the Visigoths whose memorie with their name liues still throughout all that Prouince although they all depend vpon the Crowne of France Thus they assemble all the people they can A famous war in Languedoc either by friends or credit and fortifie good Townes against the French attending to make warre with al violence But finding all these meanes too feeble for so great a proiect they proceed farther The Sarazins remayning in Spaine were much grieued at so great a losse of their men being a general dishonour to al their nation They are easily drawne into this League to be reuenged of the French the better to fâ—rtifie their partie they ioyne with the Vandales Ostrogoths Alans which remained yet in Spaine not friends among themselues yet common enemies to the French King Athin led the Sarazin troupes 738. Hunault and Ieffry brethren commanded those that were assembled in the Prouinces on this side Loire Besides their forces they had intelligence within Lions and the best Citties of Bourgongne assuring themselues to seize vpon Daulphiné as well for the neernesse of Languedoc where they had a great partie as also by meanes of Maurice the Prouensall and the credit they had with the principall of the Country Thus they make a great party to vndermine and ruine the state of France and did manage their practises with such secrecie as their army was sooner in field then Martell could haue intelligence of their preparations The bodie of this armie assembled in Languedoc passeth the Rosne entreth into Daulphinè and goes through it with such celerity and ease as the Citties of Pierrelate Saint Pol Montlimar Liuron Valence Romans other Townes bordering vpon the Rosne hauing yeelded at the first brute they surprise the Cittie of Lions by meanes of their intelligence Vienne alone held firme for the Kings seruice in this deluge of Goths and Sarazins The fidelity of the Viennois They passed from Lions by Sauoye and the Countries on either side of the mount Iura and in the ende seized on many of the best Citties of Bourgongne Chaalon Mascon Dijon and Auxerre by meanes of their intelligences and the generall amazement Martel slept not in this confusion but to preuent this vnexpected storme he assureth the Citties and leuies men with all expedition The courage of a Bishop The towne of Sens through the resolute counsell of their bishop Otho sallies forth so fitly vpon the Sarazin army as hauing slaine a great number they force them to raise the seâ—ge with shame Other townes by their example growe resolute vnder the assurance of their Commander whom they finde carefull of their preseruation Thus this army halfe victorious fearing a second skirmish of Tours by the waighty blowes of Martel loth to ingage themselues farther in France retyres into the Countries of their allies leauing garrisons in the townes they had surprised One part passeth into Languedoc and lodgeth in friend townes an other seâ—zeth on Auignon then a Cittie of Prouence by the meanes of Maurice gouernour of the Country Arles holds firme for the Kings seruice amidest these confusions and the treachery of Maurice Hunault and Ieffroy returne into their Country of Guienne New attempts of the League to preuent the desseins of Martel and to retaine their townes in obedience Hauing thus disposed of their asfaires they send ioyntly into Spaine for newe forces whilest that Martell labors to settle that which they had disordered in many places And in truth they had prouided worke for him the which he preuented in this sort He sends Childebert presently into Prouence with a meane army as well to assure the townes that stoode firme as to keepe the enemy at a bay and to crosse their desseins Hee himselfe remaines in Bourgongne with a great army to recouer such townes as were held by the enemy Both worke according to their proiects but not with like successe Childebert beseegeth Auignon but with much toyle losse of time and small hope of successe so as he was shamefully forced to raise the seege but then comes Martel with his army hauing recouered the Citties of Bourgongne Lions and the rest of Daulphinè with the like facility as they had bin lost punishing the rebells in all places Being incamped before Auignon he so presseth the seege as in fewe daies he takes the towne and cuts the Sarazins in peeces yet their King Athin saued himselfe in Languedoc by the riuer of Rosne and retired to Narbone to his other troupes Martel hauing releeued the Cittie of Arles with a newe garrison passeth into Languedoc and beseegeth Narbonne beeing then a very strong Citty and of great importance for the whole Prouince And as this seege grewe long A new army oâ— Sarazins in France behold a newe armie of Sarazins comes out of Spaine vnder the conduct of Amoré an other pettie Sarazin King Martel fearing least they of Guienne should come and those within the Cittie issue forth and all being vnited make one bodie of an army he resolues to fight with them apart vsing this stratageme which succeeded happily He leaues a part of his army before the Citty with the same countenance as if it had beene whole rising without sound of drum or trumpet and surpriseth this newe army of Sarazins with such celerity as he defeats them 739. Athin frustrate of hope of any succors saues him selfe by sea with a small troupe and abandons Narbonne and the whole Country to the mercy of Charles Martel then a Conqueror This was the ende of that perillous warre bred by Hunault and Ieffroy the sonnes of Eudon and the fruit of all these broyles in Languedoc was that they brought those Citties which had followed them Languedoc seuerely punished by Martel to extremity whome Martel punished seuerely for their rashnesse and rebellion The histories name Narbonne Nismes Beziers and Agde the which he caused to be sackt and burnt It is likely that the ancient walls of Nismes were then pulled downe whereof we nowe see the ruines of an admirable greatnesse vndoubtfull signes of the ancient beauty and welth of that goodly Cittie the which in the time of the Romaine Empire being free in Gaule Narbonoise did enioye the priuileges of Italie hauing had the honour to furnish Rome with an
greâ—t men are no hereditarie possessions to be left vnto their children but they are the gifts of God the author of all good and their soueraigne Prince to whom they owe homage for their greatnesse as to him of whom depends absolutely all the kingdoms of the earth and whose prouidence is the infallible rule of the changes which wee seâ— incident to mankinde the wâ—â—ch the ignorant without reason attribute to blind fortune Pepin seeing himselfe seated in the throne of the French Monarchie by the honourable fauour of the French Pepin striues to win their loues by good â—eeds he resolues to satisfie their hopes by the effects of his actions and begins to confirme in their mindes the true and firme bond of obedience the which is vnited with these two strings loue and the peoples respect to their superiours No thing being more naturall then to loue him from whom wee receiue or hope for good and to respect him whom we hold sufficient to make vs to liue peaceably and in quiet especially when he hath power and command in the commonweale without the which the particular cannot subsist Thus Pepin assembles the generall estates meaning to laye a good foundation in time for the affayres of the realme by the aduice of such as had called him An assembly of the general estates and according to his Fathers stile hee names this assembly a Parliament wherevnto hee calles the Clergie the Nobilitie the Iudges of the land and the common people that with one consent they might resolue what was necessary for the whole estate consisting of these goodly parts During these alterations the Saxons as farthest from their Maisters had shaken off the yoake of the French obedience The Saxons rebeâ—l and are subdued and by their example and practises had drawne other people of Germanie subiect to this Crowne to the like reuolt Pepin armes presently and goes with such expedition as he ouerthrowes them at the passage of the riuer of Vistula but the Popes distresse giues him presently a new cause to imploy his forces for Zacharie being dead Stephen the second a Romaine borne succeeds both in place and troubleâ— 751 beâ—ng â—orced to defend himselfe against the Lombardes the capitall enemies of the Romane 〈◊〉 Astolpho was then their King who made great preparatiues against this new Pope although he made no shew of open hatred Stephen well informed of the Lombards hâ—mour and intent resolues not to attend the stroake but to fortifie himselfe in time seeking â—iâ—st to Constantine Emperour of the East without any â—uccesse hee intreates Pepin to succour him from whom hauing receiued a fauourable answer the better to obtaine the remedy he expected Peâ—in prouidâ—s 〈◊〉 the affairâ—s of Italy he resolues to go into France where beâ—ng honourably entertained by Pepin he doth againe Crowne him King of France in Saint Denis Church in a great and solemne assembly and makes miserable Childeric a Monke assigning him the Cloister for a perpetuall prison a Friars frock for an ignominious punishment â—ithout any hope of returne Then he imployed all his wits to perswade Pepin to vndertake the voyage of Italy against the Lombards and drew him easily thervnto But Astolpho fearing the Pope imployed Carolomâ—n the brother of Pepin to diuert him from this enterprise This Caroloman was a Monke and in great reputation of piety A wâ—se 〈◊〉 of Pepin 〈◊〉 vndâ—rtaking a warre but he could not disswade Pepin from this desseine yet would he not attempt any thing rashly but first trie mildnesse before force Hee therefore sends his Ambassadors to the Lombard to summon him to yeeld Rauenna and all the Townes of the six gouernours to the Pope Astolphe vseth great temperance in his answers to shew the reuerence he bare to the Church of Rome and to Pepins intercession but he resolued neuer to yeeld any thing Pepin finding the Lombards euasions and policie who sought but to auoâ—de this storme assembles a Parliament and layes before them both dutye aâ—d necâ—ssity to succour the Pope To tâ—is end hee resolues to leâ—â—e an Armie against the Lombard Winter being spent in these treaties and in the preparations for warre in the Spring he enters Italy with a strong and mighty armie which marcheth victoriouslie in all places taking Townes and â—poiling the country of Astolphe and then hee went to besiege Pauia the capitall Ciâ—ty of Lombardie Astolphe foreseeing his ruine flies to humble intreaties both to the Pope and Pepin The Pope lulled a sleepe with the Lombards faire promises not greatly louing the French but by constraint suffers himselâ—e first to bee abused and then hee perswades Pepin to returne backe into France Astolpho promiâ—ed to yeeld vp both Rauenna and all that hee deteined from the Church the which â—e could not performe in so great a desolation of his country being 〈◊〉 charged 〈◊〉 such an enemy 〈◊〉 breaks his 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Rome Stephen was weâ—l satisfied with this promise forgeting â—he Lombardâ— humour so welâ— knowne vnto him Pepin glad to see the Pope satisfied hauing no other obiect bâ—t to giue him satisfaction returnes presently into France to his â—wne â—ffaires But he had sâ—arce passed the Alpes when as Astolpho assembles all hiâ— subiectâ— being mad with rage for their great losses and infiâ—itly incensed against the Pope who had drawne in the French and enters the terâ—itoâ—ies of the Church in 〈◊〉 manner The Lombard 〈◊〉 Rome and is forced to 〈◊〉 and to sue for a peace sackes and 〈◊〉 all with a fâ—rious cruelty sodenly besiegeth Rome where tâ—e Pope was resident Stephen amazed at this vnexpected violence sends back to Pepin implores his aide laments his credâ—lity and detestâ— the treachery of the Lombards â—e beseecheth him to make hast if he will preserue his old age from the cruell hand of this disloyall and the whole Church from a horrible desolation exceeding that of the Vandales or Ostrogoths Pepin moued with the Popes intreaties and the ancient daunger assembles his forceâ— with a wonderfull celerity and although Constantin by a most affectionate message laboured to dâ—uert him yet he brings back his army into Italy â—he fruite of his returne was both sodaine great for Astolpho at the brute thereof raiseth the siege from before Rome and retires to Pauia the capitall Citty of his realme Pepin besiegeth him anâ—â—orceth him to accept of such conditions of peace as hee wouâ—d prescribe viz. 〈◊〉 Astolpho should presently deliuer vp all that he held of the Church and giue 〈◊〉 and Pepin should remaine in Italy at the Lombards charge vntill hee had 〈◊〉 all things Astolpho sends in forty hostages yeelds Raueâ—na with the Citties of the sixe Gouernours 754. and those hee held in Romagnia but when there remained no more to deliuer vp but the Citties of Ferrara and Faenze the Lombard did cunningly delay the full accomplishment of his promise to finde some meanes to send backe so rude an officer as the
beseegeth Rauenna the chiefe Citty of the Exarchie 757 The Pope sends his Nuncio vnto him to expostulate the cause of this so sodaine warre against his subiects desiryng him to yeeld what he had taken and not to proceed in this hostile manner without any reasonable cause vpon paine of excomunication By his owne practises At that instant there fell out a great occasion to increase the hatred betwixt Charles and Didier for that Hunault who had beene vanquished in Guienne retired himselfe to Didier and is not onely courteously receiued but honored with the charge of generall of the army the which he had leuied against the Pope Didier suffred himselfe to be so abused with the perswasions of Hunault touching the meanes to attempt against the Estate of Charlemagne that holding Italy vndoubtedly his owne hee plotted a warre and assured himselfe of a certaine victory in France Thus pride and iniquitie hastens his ruine The Pope hauing no other defence but his excommunication not defensible against the armies of Didier flies againe to Charlemagne as to his sacred Anchor or last hope intreating ayde from him in his necessity Charlemagne had great reason to arme against Didier who had alwaies crossed his affaires fed his brothers â—ealousies receiued his widow and children labored to haue them chosen Kings of France to trouble or ruine his Estate entertayned his rebellious subiects and with them practised to make warre against him The sute and summons of the Romaine Church was a great motiue to induce him to arme against him who professed himselfe an open enemy to Christian religion whereof the Kings of France had alwaies shewed themselues protectors and gardiens But not to attempt any thing rashely Charles opposeth himselfe against the Lombaâ—d hee first sends his Ambassadors to the Pope to assure him of his good will the which should not be wanting in his necessity but hee thought it best to try mildnesse before hee vsed force against the Lombard He therefore sends his Ambassadors to Didier and doth summon him to restore what hee had taken from the Pope and to suffer him to liue in peace Didier who relied much vpon his policy giues good words to the Ambassadors promising to perfome all that Charles demanded but in effect hee would haue the Pope accept of conditions of peace from him and that the children of Caroloman should be declared Kings of France These demands were found vnreasonable on either side the treaty is broken the French Ambassadors returne and Didier renewes the warre more violently then before against the Church and hauing spoyled all the territory of â—auenna he takes Faenze Ferrara Comachia Compagnia and Romandiola townes of the sixe gouernments Charlemagnes Ambassadors informe their master that the warre with the Lombard is inâ—uitable and find all things at their returne readie to inuade Italy for Charlemagne beeing forced to suppresse the rebellious Saxons who impatient of the French yoake reuolted daylie had leuied a goodly army the which was readie to be imployed against the Lombard He makes warre by the aduice of the Estates But Charles would not attempt any thing in a matter of so great consequence without the aduice of his Estates Yet loath to loose time he causeth his army to march and makes his Rendezuous at Geneua a towne vnder his obedience vpon the way to Italy and hauing diuided his army into two he seizeth vpon the passages of Mont Cenis and Saint Bernard which are the two entries from France to Italie The Estates hauing found the causes of warre against Didier King of Lombardie to be iust Charlemagne causeth his army to aduance with all speed and ioynes neere vnto Verteil Didier attends him there and giues him battaile but at the first encounter he is vanquished by Charlemagne The Lombard twise defeated by Charles The Lombard hauing rallied and fortified his troupes receiues a newe defeate and so great a one as he is inforced to suffer his enemy to be master of the field An infallible entrance to his ruine Thus hauing tumultuously trussed vp what hee could he sends his sonne Aldegise to Verona with the widowe and children of Caroloman casting himselfe into Pauia the which he had carefully fortified as the dungeon and â—ortresse of his last fortune Charlemâ—gne pursues him at the heeles beseegeth him with all his forces in Pauia and resolues to haue it at what price soeuer And to shewe his resolution 775. hee sends for his wife and children into France to the end the Italians that were doubtful might knowe his minde and without attending any newe occurrents resolue to obeye the victor Hauing coopt vp Didier in Pauia and seized vpon all the approches hee resolues to take Verona which they held the strongest place of all the Lombards estate So leauing his Vncle Bernard to continue the seege at Pauia he marcheth with part of his army to Verona His resolution accompanied with these goodly beginnings and this checke of Didier shut vp as it were in a prison gaue a great alteration to the affaires of either party amidest these people of diuers humors The Spoletins the Reaâ—iâ—s those of Ancona of Ferme and of Ossino as it were in spight one of an other yeeld to Charlemagne and detest the wretched estate of Didier as a worthy reward of his trecherous iniustice and violence The Venetians beeing Neuters spectators of this tragedie who neuer had delt in any sort with Didier offer amity and succors to Charlemagne who was desirous they should keepe the sea quiet least the Emperour should be an actor in this quarrell for Didier Charlemagne stayed not long at Verona before the Cittie beganne to yeeld Berthe the widow of Caroloman beeing the chiefe instrument to drawe them to composition his forces beeing as shee saied verie fearefull Aldegise the sonne of Didier finding himselfe vnable to resist so resolute a consent of the Cittizens nor to releeue his fathers misery flies secretly to the Emperour of Constantinople Thus Verona yeelds to Charlemagne by composition Verroâ—a taken by Charles who receiues both Berthe and the Inhabitants to mercie to whome hee performes his promise he inflicts no other punishment vpon Berthe and her children but a gentle admonition of their vnciuill rashenesse and to returne into France there to do better and to liue more honorably This was about Ester which drewe Charles to Rome Charles entertayned at Rome where hee remayned onely eight daies to visit the holy places and to conferre with Pope Adrian They write wonders of the great entertaynment the Pope gaue him and of the shewes of amity of Charlemagne Hee confirmed all that his father Pepin had giuen vnto the Pope and greatly augmented it The Pope made Charles a Patritian of Rome a degree to mounâ— vnto the Empire from thence Charles came to Pauia the which beeing for the space of ten monethes pressed without by warre and within by pestilence and â—amine Pauia taken and Didier 〈◊〉 it in
countries Thus the war of Saxonie ended being both long dangerous those which were conquered by the truth were the true conquerers in knowing the true God Charlemagne hauing caused the Saxons to leaue their false opinions was carefull to haue them instructed in the truth Care of religion most worthy of Princes to this end he appointed holy and learned men in all places and gaue meanes to maintaine them as the Germaine histories report more particularly It sufficeth me in declaring this briefely to shew his pieâ—y compatible with his valour and happinesse and for a president to Princes to make religion the soueraigne end of their armes and authorities This Widichind was a great personage both in wisedome valour and authority and by consequence very notable in the order of our subiect From him are descended very famous races The two Henries the one called Oiseleur or the Fowler and the other of Bamberg and the two Othoes all Emperours and likewise the Dukes of Saxonie the Marquis of Misne the Dukes of Sauoy and also the most famous race of Hugh Capet is drawne from this spring The offspring of VVidichind by the common consent of learned writers the which ought to be well obserued in the continuance of this Historie From this warre of Saxonie sprung many other in the Northerne parts whereof I will intreat hauing discoursed briefely of the warre of Spaine both for that it chanced during that of Saxonie as also being very memorable for the ouerthrow of the Sarazins who threatned Christendome like a deluge Histories differ much touching this warre but I will report what is most likely by the consent of most approued writers whereof the studious reader may iudge by conference I being but a faithfull reporter The motiue of this Spanish warre was more vpon pleasure then necessitie but the zeale of religion gaue a colour and shew of necessitie to the heroycall desire of Charlemagne seeking to inlarge the limits of the French Monarchie by armes Warre in Spaine So this warre of Spaine was more painfull more dangerous and of lesse successe then that of Italy whereunto necessity and duty had drawne Charlemagne but his wise proceeding in the action did warrant him from all blame The occasion which made him bend his forces against the Sarazins in Spaine was the assurance of his good fortune the quiet peace of his realme the meanes to imploy his Souldiars the Spaniards hate against the Sarazins and the generall feare of all Christians least these Caterpillers should creepe farther into Europe This was the estate of Spaine the Sarazins had conquered a great part thereof Estate of Spaine and were diuided into diuers commands vnder the title of Kingdomes yet these diuers Kings resolued to oppose their vnited forces against Charles their common enemie Foreseeing then the tempest they seeke to preuent it and to crosse the desseignes of Charlemagne which being discouered they caused King Idnabala a Sarazin to insinuate into his friendship being a man full of subtill mildnesse This stratageâ— preuailed more then all their forces Charlemagne was thrust forwards by Alphonso surnamed the chaste King of Nauarre and by the Asturiens and Galliciens Christian people of Spaine to vndertake this warre being easie profitable and honourable and by consequence most worthy the valiant happinesse of Charlemagne Moreouer this Idnabala making a shew of friendship laboured to hasten him to the execution of this enterprise from the which he knew well he should not diuert him but in effect it was to betray him by the discouering of his intentions flattering his desire to get the more credit by pleasing him Charlemagne then well affected of himselfe and perswaded by others calles a Parliament at Noyon and there concludes a warre against the Sarazins of Spaine 786 The armie he imployed in that action was goodly both for the number of men and valour of great warriours Waâ—â—e agâ—inst the 〈…〉 being the choise of the most worthy Captaines in Christendome Amongst the which they number Milon Earle of Anger 's Rowland the sonne of Milon and Berthe sister to Charlemagne Renald of Montaban the foure sonnes of Aimon Oger the Dane Oliuer Earle of Geneua Brabin Arnold of Bellande and others the gâ—eat valour of which persons hath beene fabulously reported by the writers of those obscure times with a thousand ridiculous tales vnworthy the valour of those heroick spirits Institution of the twelue Peeres proofes of the ignorance of that age being barren of learned wits They say that Charlemagne to make this voyage more honourable in shew did then institute the order of the twelue Peeres of France Being entred into Spaine he found no Sarazin forces in field but their Citties well fortified hauing resolued a defensiue rather then an offensiue warre The most renowmed Sarazin Kings were Aigoland The treachery 〈…〉 the Saâ—azin Bellingan Denisâ—s Marsile and Idnabala which be the sâ—bâ—ect of our fabulous tales but the last as I haue sayd made shew of friendship wâ—th Charlemagne and open hatred against the other Sarazin Kings with whom notwitâ—standing he had most strict correspondencie to betray Charles Pâ—mpelune takâ—n The first Cittie he attempted was Pampelune in the Kingdome of Nauarre the which he tooke by force but with much paine losse and danger Hauing sackt it and slaine all the Sarazins he found Saragoce yeelds to him by composition with many other small Townes terrâ—fied by the example of Pampelune This beginning incouraged him to march on relying on his wonted fortune but as he passed through the Prouinces of Spaine like a victoâ—ious Prince without any dâ—fficulty hauing giuen a part of his armie to lead to Milon of Angiers his brother in law it chanced neere vnto Bayonne that Aigoland a Sarazin King hauing in this common dispaire thrust an army into field incountred â—ilon with his troupes little dreading any enemy and tooke him at such an aduantage as he defeated him The losse was very great for they report it was of forty thousand men The Sarazins victory where Milon was slaine for a confirmation of the Sarazins victory Charlemagne was farre off and not able by any diligence to preuent the losse hee pacifies this amazement least it should daunt the whole armie Hee hastens thether and gathers together the relikes of these discomfited troupes keeping the conquered Citties and such as were friends in their obedience But after this followes a second accident Aigoland puft vp with the pride of this victory â—asseth into Gasconie and besiegeth Agen to diuert Charlemagne from his pursute and to draw him home to defend his owne country The Saâ—azins 〈◊〉 into Gâ—sâ—onie So as Charlemagne fearing least his absence and the Sarazins late victory should alter the mindes of them of Guienne being then subiects of small assurance he returnes into France Aigoland hauing continued some moneths at the siege of Agen and preuailed little but in ouerrunning the country the which he did freely without
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
the Countrie of Northuâ—â—â—â—and adioyning vnto Scotland for his charges in the warres Henry the father aduertised of all these preparations moues not hoping that reason should reclaime his Sonne and to this end hee sends an honourable Ambassage to Lewis and to his Sonne being in France the which made them more resolute an vsuall thing in such as are sought vnto Elenor addes more to this dissention great enough of it selfe The sonnes make warre against the Father to crosse the affaires of her old husband with whom shee stood in very bad termes Shee doth bandie her two Sonnes Richard and Geoffrey against the Father causing them to ioyne with their Brother Henry who is puft vp wonderfully here-with hauing his bretheren for companions of his furie The warre breakes forth amongst them the Kings Armie enters into Normandie the which obeyed the Father Henry the Sonne takes some places and ingageth some men of warre with great promises and by great assurances of good the which was not in his power to performe Henry the Father hauing prouided for England against William King of Scottes passeth into Normandie where laye all the burthen of the warre and Armes with great speede The coldnesse of his age was chased by the liuely apprehension of so many indignities The greatest part of his subiects detested the presumption of this Sonne neither could they allowe of Lewis his proceedings 1155. who had done better in casting Water then Oyle into this home-bred fire Lewis supports the sonnes against the father Lewis besiegeth Vernueil and fearing to be forced to raise the siege vnder colour of a parley with Henry he takes the Towne and sends forces from other parts into England to cause new broyles Richard Duke of Guienne by his Mothers right makes warre there but all these vnlawfull attempts haue no successe The French that passed into England are beaten Richard preuailes not against his Father to whom most of the Citties yeeld daily leaue the Sonne Richard drawne to his duty by the respects of Nature But they preuaile not which cannot be denied forced by necessitie desires to parley with his Father He is receiued into grace and deales with his brother Henry for the like reconciliation Lewis finding Henryes disposition allowes of it They send Ambassadors of either side This vnciuill vnlawfull warre was ended by this accord Henry King of England reconciled to his sonnes That the Father should reâ—aine alone in the Royall authoritie acknowledged and obeyed of all his sonnes that he should giue honorable allowances to eyther of them according to their degrees That the marriage of Henrie with Marguerite the eldest Daughter of King Lewis should be consumated and that Alix his other Daughter should be giuen in marriage to Richard the other Sonne of Henry to make an absolute accord Thus this Tragedie seemed to end with a Comedie But there shall be change of subiects vpon another Scaffold As these things passed in England Italy was nothing quieter by the dissentions that were reuiued betwixt the Emperours and Pope After the death of Conrad Frederick surnamed Barberousse is created Emperour of whom Histories yeeld an honourable testimonie of his wisdome and valour Hauing pacified Germanie he came into Italie to repaire the confusions bred both by long absence and the death of Conrad The Emperour hauing punished the Veronois and the Milanois New dissencion betwixâ— the Emperor and Pope had incensed Pope Adrian who supported them the factions of Guelphes and Gibelins beeing confusedly spred throughout all the Citties so as hee was ready to excommunicate him when as death stayed this storme leauing it ready to his successors The Schisme which grewe in the Sea of Rome by these factions stayed the blowe some hauing called Victor as most affectionate to the Emperours partieâ— others Alexander as his sworne enemie To remedie this deuision Frederick calles a Councell at Pauia and sends to both the Popes to come thether Victor comes and offers to performe what should be decreed Alexander on the other side makes the old answer these be the words of the Historie That the Pope was not to bee iudged by any man liuing and that hee neyther ought nor would appeare The Councell being thus dissolued without any good conclusion the Emperour for the making of an accorde intreates Lewis King of France Henry King of England and the Kings of Scotland and Bohemia to meete in some conuenient place for a parley Dijon was appointed as bordering vpon the Empire They meete but their conference did aggrauate the quarrell Lewis was wholy for Alexander who had likewise gained the Venetians and the greatest part of Italy The issue of this paâ—ley was open force the which Frederick imployed against the Milanois being the principall cause of this dissention Frederick the Emperor ruines Milan whome hee did punish seuerelie hauing taken spoiled and sackt their Cittie ruined it vtterly causing Salt to bee sowen there punishing the authors of this rebellion capitally Alexander not able to resist Frederick retires himselfe into France from whence he planted his battery against the Emperour The Milanois sauing what they could in this shipwrack begin to build their Citty vnder the fauour of Pope Alexander to make new desseignes against Frederick who returns into Italy makes himselfe maister of Genoa He takes Româ— and creates a new Pope from whence their means came defeats the Romaines in a pitched field takes Rome causeth another Pope called Calixtus to be created in the place of Alexander the 3. Alexander saues himselfe at Venice Otho The sonne of Frederick folows after to take him with 75. galleis Otho the Emperors sonne caâ—en by the Veneâ—ians But the chance turned for he himselfe was taken by Cian Generall of the Venetians and carried prisoner to Venice TheÌ„ Frederick grew more mild accepted of such conditions of peace as Alexander had prescribed That he should craue absolutions on his knees and himselfe should lead his armie into Asia So as Frederick comes to Venice and being prostrate at the Popes feet in a sollemne assemblie 1171. he asketh pardon The Pope sets his foote vpon his neck and cries with a lowd voyce Super aspidem et basiliscum ambulabis The Emperour moued with this disgrace The Emperor subiects himselfe basely to the Pope answers Non tibi sed Petro. The Pope replies Et mihi Petro. This brauado of Alexander seemed so strange to some of his traine as Theodore Marquis of Misnia trembling and gâ—ashing his teeth with choller was held back by the reines of respect yet hee runnes to the Emperour and takes him vp The Pope fearing least these Germaines should offer him some violence beeing amazed casts himselfe about Fredericks neck whome euen now hee held vnder his feete beseeching him to preserue him from his traine The Emperour giues him his word for hee was the stronger both within the Cittie and without hauing humbled himselfe for
when hee sees Frederecks conquests to increase hee straines his witt to find out remedies to stoppe so dangerous a deluge Hee rayseth some troupes which he calleth holy but they were to weake to withstand so great a force Hee therefore fliâ—s to Councells the firmest bulwarke of his authoritie hee makes a Bull of excommunication proclaymes him a capitall enemie to the Church and layes open the causes by a publike declaration Frederick continuing his 〈◊〉 answeres the Popes writing by an Aduocate of Capua called Iohn de Vignes and so giues words for words But Fredericks forces had preuailed without a better remedie Here-vpon Pope Gregory dies Celestin suceeds him who within fewe daies after his eâ—ection dies and leaues the Chaâ—er to Innocent the 4. with this quarrell not yet determined Innocent in the life of Gregory was a Gibelin and by his death beeing chosen Pope hee becomes a Guelphe as great an enemy to Frederick Gregory turnâ— enemy to Frederick being chosen Pope as hee had beene a fâ—iend a cunning and circumspect man who pollitikely wrought the meanes to vndoe Frederick After his election hee sends his Nontio into France to exhort our Lewis to succor him according to the ancient proofes of the most Christian Kings to the Holy Sea and to assure him the better hee giues him to vnderstand that hee is resolued to come into France as the most safe retreate of Christendome nowe afflicted He comes calls a Councell at Lions whether he cites Frederick but vpon so short a warâ—ing as hee could not appeere Frederick hauing sent his Ambassadoâ—s to the Councelâ— to require a lawfull time and to aduertise the Pope of his comming beginnes his iorney to performe his promise Being arriued at Thurin The Emperoâ— Frederick excommunicated and degraded he hath intelligence giuen him that the Pope had condemned him as contumax excommunicated him and degraded him of the Empire But this was not without the consent of the Princes electors of the Empire who after nature deliberation proceeded to a new election The thundering Bull of excommunication and deposition is no sooner published but the Princes Electors choose Henry Landgraue of Thuringe for Emperour vpon the recepit of these newes Frederick staies at Thurin and hauing sent to sound the Germaiâ—s mindes hee findes strange partialities the greatest part of the Nobility banded against him and resolued to reiect him The Germains choose an other Emperor Thus hee felt the force of the Popes powre The proofe of this resolution was at hand for as Henry of Thuringe the newe Elected-Emperour approched to Vlmes to force them to yeeld to his obedience and that the partisans of Frederick would not receiue him hauing beseeged the Citty hee was wounded with an arrowe whereof he died shortly after wherevpon the Princes Electors of the Empire did presently choose William Earle of Holland for Emperour at the same times the faction of the Guelphes of Pauia being banished found meanes to reenter the Citty where they made a horrible and bloudy massace of Giâ—â—lins with more then ordinary fury vsed in Ciuill mutinyes The Emperour Frederick in this various vncertenty of his affaires being in Italy with his army 1255. he flies to the neerest He beseegeth Pauia and for that he would not hazard his forces whereof he might stand in neede if Germany fayled him hee resolued to block it and builds a Fort which he calles Victoria but hee reckoned ill without him that giues victories measuring the issue too confidently by the proiect Thus God confoundes the enterprises of men when they attribute that to themselues which belongs to his power This done Frederick leauing his Bastard Encius to command the seege takes his way to Lions where the Councell was yet remayning with an intent to repayre his affayres but he is not farre gone when as newes comes vnto him that the Inhabitants had made a great sallye and forced and razed his Fort of Victoria with great losse of his men He returnes to Pauia takes it by force and did execute that which the outrage lately committed might moue a Choloricke man vnto being halfe desperate But this surprise repayred not his Estate for in all the cheefe citties of Italy the Guelphs faction was the stronger through the authority of the Councell of Lions which had wonderfully disgraced Frederick first by Excommunications and then by a ciuil Deposition The death of â—redeâ—ick Frederick seeing himselfe distressed of all sides as in great afflictions one mischief calling another the greatest is to be faint harted he suffered himselfe to be so oppressed with griefe as he falls into a burning feauer and dies burying in one graue his Life his Desseignes and his Imperiall dignity whereof at that time he was depriued Thus Frâ—derick dies Conrad his son poysoned by his Basterd brothâ—r Manfrâ—y leauing Italy and Germany in great combustion and Conrade his Sonne the Successor rather of his miseries then of his enheritance for seeking to effect that which his Father could not doe and to preserue the Realmes of Sicilia and Naples to his successors he lost his Life and both Realmes hauing trusted Manfroy his Fathers Bastard too much who poisoned him notwithstanding hee had appointed him Tutor to his Sonne Conradin not knowing by whose hand he died Manfroy seeing himselfe in possession by this Title giues it out that Conradin was dead and vnder this goodly title to be the neerest kinsman of the lawfull Lordes Manfroy vâ—urps Sâ—cilia Naples He tooke possession of these two Realmes The stronger alwayes preuailes in an Estate Manfroy was master of Naples and of Sicilia although Conradin had the right and to assure the possâ—ssion of what he had gotten he alies himselfe with Iames King of Arragon giuing his daughter Constance in marriage to Petâ—r his eldest sonne This was in the yeare 1255. a remarkable date for so long a quarrell Manfroy could not bee heire to Fredericks Estates but he must withall succeed in the hatred the Popes did beare him the subiect of discontent remayning in those Seigneuries which he enioyed vnder his name Pope Vrban the 4. who then did hold the Sea of Rome did excommunicate Manfroy as a disturber of the Church and of Italy but finding himselfe too weake for the execution of his decree he cast his eyes to the place from whence his predecessors had alwaies drawne assured timely succors Lewis our good King of a contrary humour to their turbulent passions Lewis refuseth Sicilia Naples offâ—red him by the Pope was a spectator of these disorders but so indifferent as athough the councell of Lions had beene held by his consent yet had hee done his best endeauor to quench this fire kindled betwixt the greatest persons of Christendom He could not be mooued by the authority or perswasions of Pope Vrban to take away an other mans estate being well content with his owne But Charles Earle of Prouence perswaded by his owne disposition thrust
on by his wife Beatrex desirous to be called Queene like to her other sisters drawne headlong by the shewe of these goodly Crownes Câ—aâ—les Eâ—rle 〈…〉 Manâ—roy in Sicilâ—a suffereth himselfe to bee easily transported at the Popes intreaty Hee armes drawes vnto him a great nomber of French Nobility comes into Sicilia gâ—ues battell to Manfroy defeats and kills him making him to suffer the punishment of hâ—s cruell and wicked purchase the which he inioyed not full ten years For Charles Duke of Aniou became maister of these two Realmes in the yeare 1265. and Manfroy was confounded in his vniust desseigns After the death of Frederick the 2. the violent elections of Henry of Turinge and William of Holland feare retayning some and fury thrusting on others the Empire was in effect without an Emperor beeing without a guide by the furyes of ciuill confusions like to a great ship at sea beaten with the wind and waues without Sailes without Helme and without Pilot. 1257. Pope Vrbain pretending then that in the vacation of the Empire The Empire without an Emperâ—ur by 〈…〉 confuâ—ions the gouernment belonged to the Sea of Rome He created Charles of Aniou Vicar of the Empire and gaue him Tuscane vpon condition to succour the Sea of Rome against the Gibelins and Sueuians So at one instant Charles of Aniou was possessed of the two Realmes of Sicilia and Naples and the gouernment of the whole Empire Charles of Aniou Vâ—car oâ— the Empire King of Naplâ—s and Sicâ—lia But these two great dignities purchased by the Popes bountie must be countenanced by his vertues and this was the meanes Conradin the Sonne of Conrade was not dead as the Imposter Manfroy had giuen it out but hauing beene patient during these tempeâ—ts he had so well managed his hereditarie meanes as finding himselfe strong he sought to recouer his Realmes vsurped by Charles Duke of Aniou 〈◊〉 â—eeks to 〈◊〉 his realme Hauing incensed the Gibelins throughout all the Citties of Italie to drawe them to reuolt hee leuies a goodly Armie with the helpe of his friends and comes into Italie hauing in the meane time bred an alteration in Sicilia where many Citties were taken and Nocera in the Kingdome of Naples Conradin accompanied by many Noblemen which hunted after his doubtfull fortune but the chiefe were Frederick Duke of Austria and Henry the Sonne of the King of Castile Charles of Aniou besieged Nocera where Conradin resolued to charge him Hauing prouided for the siege he goes to encounter Conradin and hauing drawne him to fight by a stratagem hee defeates his Armie takes him prisoner Conradin defeâ—ted and with him Frederick of Austria and Henry of Castile with a great number of the Nobilitie This goodly and absolute victorie leading the Commanders prisoners in triumph should haue beene seasoned with the wise clemencie of our Lewis But Charles of Aniou his Brother had no portion with him in this excellent vertue whereby we haue seene that Philip their Grand-father in well vsing a victorie did purchase the name of Augustus and did consecrate it to the honourable memorie of his posteritie For Charles hauing these great Princes in his power by the Councell of Pope Clement the fourth Conradin beheaded cruelly by 〈◊〉 with many others beheaded the two first bathing the Scaffold with the bloud of twelue of the greatest Noblemen of the Armie and coopt vp Henry of Castile in a Cage of Iron to make him die hourely causing him to be carryed through all the Citties of Apulia and Beneuent in a most ignominious sort A reuenge which shall cost France deere at the Cicilian Euen-song But wee haue wandred enough in the confusions of Italie An ignominious reuenge Let vs now returne into France and to our Lewis Lewis beheld the tempestuous estate of Christendome a farre off which was the more incurable in Germanie and Italy for that the sick refused Phisicke and that darkenesse came from them whence light should haue proceeded Hee carried himselfe very coldly â—n the heate of these deuisions the which he could not redresse But seeing his realme in peace Lewis resâ—lues to goe into Asia and his authoritie firmely setled in the loue of his subiects and the amitie of his bretheren â—ore-seeing also that by the wisedome of his Mother hee might salue the inconuenience of his absence he resolued to succour the Christians afflicted by the miscreants both in Affricke and in the East Philip Augustus with the Emperouâ—s which had passed thether one after an other had nothing repaired their decayed Estate and the mischiefe came from the Christians themselues one opposite to another the which gaue great aduantage to their enemies as if they had purposâ—ly sought to fortifie them The Empire of the East was in a horrible confusion dismembred by home-bred deuisions The confused estate of the Easterne Empire which drew in the French and the Venetians One Alexis Ducas called Murzuphile hauing himselfe strangled another Alexis called the young and caused one Nicholas another Compeâ—â—tor in the Empire to bee slaine in the end hee is strangled himselfe The Theodâ—res Dâ—cas and Lascares being the greatest families contend for the Empire In the end Constantinople is taken by the French and Baldwin Earle of Flanders of whome wee haue spoken is chosen Emperour The Empire â—o the 〈◊〉 translâ—â—â—d vnto the French so as the Empire of Greece is transported to the French and deuided with the Venetians who at that time carried away the Isle of Canâ—â—e So as at one instant there were three Emperours in the East Baldwin Earle of Flanders at Constantinople Theodore Lascaris in Natolia in the Cittie of Nicea and the third was Alexis Coâ—â—nene at Trebisonde commanding ouer Cappadâ—cia and Colcida All this shall bee a prey to the enemies of Christendome 1258. But let vs returne to our Frenchmen Three Emperours at one instant in the East who leaue the certaine to runne after the vncertaine They scarse held this shadow of the Empire three score yeares Baldwin of Flanders was slaine Henrie his Brother dyed soone after Peter of Auxerre his Father in lawe succeeded rather in his miserie then in the Empire For going against Theodore Lascaris the other Emperour hee was taken and afflicted with the imprisonment of two yeares In the end he lost his head vpon a Scaffold leauing the shadow of the Empire to his Sonne Baldwin too young to gouerne a masse of affaires so confused So as by the aduise of Pope Gregorie Iohn of Breyne was giuen him for an assistant This Iohn of Breyne of whome wee haue spoken was a French Gentleman of meane calling who by his valour hauing taken the Cittie of Tyre became a Prince and after in the confusion of times as the most sufficient of these poore afflicted Christians was chosen King of Ierusalem the which was not yet in his possession So as finding himselfe too feeble for so waightie a burthen
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
who was yet liuing The Inhabitants of Gand a mutinous people by nature who neuer want matter to mutine Troubles in Flanders pacified by Pâ—ilip had then a great discontent both against their Earle in generall by reason of some new impositions and against them of Bruges in particular iealous to see them in so great fauour with their Prince by reason of a Chanell which they had drawne from the riuer of Lis for the commodity of their country which Riuer crossing the riuer of Gand the Gantois supposed it was all theirs in proper so as none might vse it without their liking This iealousie grew so great that this great citty as big with their wayward and contenâ—ious humors as it was populous and rich being thus moued resolues to make shewe thereof and in this fury they make a League and choose a head bearing a marke or token of their faction and from words they go to blowes One called Leon a bold practiser of popular seditions was found fit to be the Ringleader of this tumult their marke was a white cap for all the troupe These Gaâ—tois gather together they hinder the worke of this chanell and the gathering of the custome beeing the cause of this quarrell they kill Collecters and receiuers and in the ende the gouernour of the cittie called Roger who being there for the Earle laboured to teach them their duties Their fury exceeded so farre as they spoyle the Earles Pallace fire it and in their rage pull it downe to the ground They run in great troupes to other townes to draw them to their league They beseege 〈◊〉 held by the Earles men crying in al places Liberty as hauing a meaning to change their Lord and then to seize vpon Flanders This cruell disorder amazed the Earle when as behold Philip Duke of Bourgogne his sonne in law flies vnto him to quench this fire and as men admire rather the Sunne rysing then sitting and that the name of the house of France and the greatnesse of his goodly portion gaue him great authority so it chanced that he pacified this rebellion to the content both of the Earle and cittyes taking a happy possession of this great inheritance by a famous and profitable occasion But Flanders alone was not subiect to these madde mutinies for those of Montpellier newly reduced to the obedience of our King Sedition at Montpelâ—ier grew into so great a fury as they slew Iames Pontel a Knight of the order and Chancellor to Iohn Duke of Berry Gouernour of the Country Guy of Scery Senâ—shal of Rouergue Arnauld of Montelaur Gouernour of the said citty and other officers of the Kings and Dukes to the number of fower score and cast their bodies into a well As the outrage was odious so the punishment was memorable The Duke of Berry comes with forces assisted by the whole Prouince detesting so â—oule an insolency so as the Inhabitants calling to minde their audacious phrensie resolue to submit themselues to punishment and not to stand desperately against force The Consuls of the Cittie hauing halters about their necks and torne cloaths The Duke of Berry comes to Montpellier to punish the seditions the keys of the citty in one hand and a red cap the marke of their office in the other met with the Duke their gouernour being followed by the Clergy carrying a crosse all crying for mercy and weeping with a lamentable noyse In this mournefull sort the Duke enters the citty gates being without any gard he finds the streets full of poore and desolate people vpon their knees men and women olde and yong crying for mercy and redoubling their pittiful cries as witnesses of their repentance Then the Duke commands they should presently bring all their armes into one place nere vnto his lodging placing a gard at the gates and vppon the walles The next day he caused a scaffold to be made in the market place where hauing sharply rebuked the people for their rebellion he pronounced a sentence in the Kings name whereby he declares That all their priuileges were taken from them their Consulship Towne house The sentence pronounced against them of Montpellier common Arches vniuersity their Bells Saltpannes and all Iurisdictions of the cittye eyther of soueraigne courts or of the commonalty six hundred Inhabitants to be chosen at aduenture condemned to die that is two hundred to loose their heads two hundred to be hanged two hundred burnt their children declared infamous and slaues for euer their goods confiscate The commonalty should pay six score thousand franks of gold and the charges of the Dukes voyage and his armies The Consuls with certaine Councellers that were named should drawe the bodies of such as had beene massacred out of the well and bury them A Chappell should be built for their obsequies With the same Bell which did sound the alarum The gates and citty walles should be beaten downe and their armes burnt publikely This was their doome but it was moderated at the intercession of Pope Clement The sentence moderated then resident in Auignon by the meanes of Cardinall de la Lune The same was qualified the priuileges restored the gates and walles preserued but the Aurhors of this sedition were put to death that the rest of the Inhabitants might liue in safety A notable president for subiects to suppresse their fury euen when they thinke to haue a iust cause of complaint feeling themselues surcharged or otherwise grieued considering the errours are sooner committed then repaired And for commanders that it is a dangerous resolution to let loose the raines to a mad multitude which augments the mischiefe supposing to cure it Queene Ioane wife to our wise Charles daughter to Peter of Bourbon dies about this time Queene Ioane dies to the great griefe of her husband to whom she left two sonnes Charles Lewis both very yong for Charles was borne the 3. of December 1371. and was carried to the Font by Charles of Montmorency and baptised by Dourmans Bishop of Beauuois and Chancellour of France Lewis was Duke of Orleans She leâ—t him also one daughter Isabell marryed afterwards to Richard King of England Necessary obseruations for the course of our history Her children This good Prince after his wiues death was nothing healthfull so as broken with poyson the which had much weakened him with the tedious toiles of his youth more then with age he decayed dayly and he himselfe perceiued it so as feeling the ende of his life to approach remembring what troubles he had past during the mournefull imprisonment of his Father by the contempt vsed of his yong age least the like should happen to his sonne Charles vnder colour of his minority gouerned by tutors he decreed in a general assemblie of the States by a lawe and an irreuocable Edict That after the decease of the king of France his eldest sonne should succeed him presently and at the age of 14. yeares should be
indignities he had digested during the sedition could not forget them but vnder fained quarrels to the end they should haue no cause of complaint as breaking the accord he pincheth some The Earle of Flanders seeks reuenge of his subiects and ruines others and for that the Gantois stood vpon their garde not suffering the Earles men to attempt any thing within their Cittie he made a search in the Cittie of Bruges where he commanded absolutely for such as had beene of the faction of White Cappes where he executed aboue fiue hundred This execution kindled a new fier Gand falles to armes and Ypre followes to whose â—uccour the Gantois send three thousand men The Earle being the stronger cuttes them in peeces betwixt Courtray and Pourprigny The Flemings â—â—ke armes as they marche Ypre yeelds vnto him being entred the Towne he cuttes off seauen hundred of the cheefest mens heads and then without any stay he marcheth to Gand and beseegeth it But his forces were too small in regard of that great and spatious Cittie so as hauing imployed all his meanes they had still the libertie of foure gates The Gantois loth to be shut vp and to endure the discommodities of a siege hauing a wonderfull aduantage by the numbers of their people resolues to prouide well for the garde of the Cittie and then to drawe forth a good troupe to spoile the Countrie and to force some of the Earles places thereby to make a diuersion of the siege They go to field with six thousand choise men vnder the commaund of Iohn de Launoy one of their Tribunes They take and burne Tenremonde and Gramont Townes belonging to the Earle committing infinite spoiles in the countrie The Gantois go to field with an armie and are defeated The Earle leaues the siege and marcheth away with an intent to fight with them He findes them neere to Niuelle chargeth them defeats them and puts them to flight They recouer the gates of Niuelle and the Earle enters with them pell mell some of them led by Launoy recouer the fort of the Towne the Earle besiegeth them and causeth many â—agots and Bauins to be brought about this Tower and to be set on fire All these poore wretches are burnt making most horrible cryes This Tribune intreateth that they might be receyued to ransome and shewing his purse but receiuing no answer from them but scornes and mockes he castes himselfe from the toppe of the Tower vpon their Halbards and Pikes Many of thâ— burnt in a Tower and so hee dyes very valiantly This sight was horrible and truely vnworthy of a Lord displeased with his subiects and yet he continued it with a new slaughter of this poore people who being amazed with this great defeat had neither feete to runne nor hands to defend themselues All are put to the sword A cruell execution of a Lord against his subiects so as of six thousand there hardly escape three hundred But the Gantois shall soone haue their reuenge At the bruâ—e hereof they were as much amazed as the Earle was pufte vp with pride to pursuâ—e his victorie being in so ready a way for the execution and pursue thereof In this disorder the Gantois choose another head Philip of Arteuille sonne to Iames of Arteuille who as wee sayd was slaine by the people who aduiseth them to humble themselues vnto their Earle and to craue pardon They are resolued hauing necessitie for their chiefe Councellour The Gantois 〈◊〉 for mercy praying and beseeching their Earle To haue pittie of the bloud of his subiects who submitted their liues and goods to his mercy to dispose at his pleasure eyther in pardoning them or suffering them to depart in abandoning their natiue Country as a perpetuall banishment that it would please him onely to graunt them their liues The Earle was greatly incensed against them and in such a choler as they could receiue no other answer But that all sorts within the Citty The Earle makes the GaÌ„tois desperate men and women aboue the age of fâ—â—eteene yeares should barefeet and bareheaded submit themselues to his mercy and being in this estate he would aduise what to do The people of Gand seeing him transported with wrath and no meanes to pacifie it They resolue by the aduice of Philip of Arteuille their leader in this extreame necessity to hazzard all and not to hope for any safety but in dispaire being the least of two mischiefes to die couragiously for the liberty of their country and defending themselues against the vniust violence of so inexorable a man then hauing seene their wiues and daughters deflowred they should either suruiue their infamie or bee slaine and massacred without any defence like Dogges at the mercie of so cruell an enemy The euent or rather GOD the protector of the afflicted The Gantois desperate resolution fauoured this couragious resolution For the effecting hereof they make choyse of fiue thousand of their most resolute and best armed men to trye their fortunes against the Earle and prouide the best they can for the gard of the Citty with a generall resolution and consent That if these fiue thousand men should be defeated to the ende they should not attend the doubtfull euent of a siege nor fall into the hands of so irreconciliable an enemy they would set fire of the Citty and euery one saue himselfe as he could This being concluded Philip of Arteuille parts from Gand with his desperate troupe and marcheth directly to Bruges takes a seat of aduantage and intrencheth himselfe attending the oportunity eyther to defend themselues with aduantage or to sally vppon the enimy The Earle puft vp with his first successe imagining them too few for the Laquaies belonging to the Gentlemen of his traine came to charge them within their trenches and to force them to fight Arteuille not like a Brewer of Beere as he was but as a great Captaine ordred his troopes with such dexteritie as the Earles armie had the sunne in their eyes vpon this sodaine change hauing a full view of the Earles men he goes resolutely to the charge leading forth this desperate troupe which fell vpon them like a great streame of water breaking forth sodenly hauing found a passage The Earle of Flanders defeated by the Gantois The first rankes troubled with the Sunne beames which dazeled their eyes and not able to withstand so violent a charge giue way and turning their backes they disorder all the rest The Gantois vppon this aduantage teare all in peeces they encounter as famished Wolues do in a flocke of sheepe This braue Nobilitie flies as astonied and is put to the sword The Earle cryes intreates and runnes but all in vaine he that had the swiftest horse and the best legges to flie was the most valiant The passage thence to Bruges was neere the multitude flyes thether like a current of water The Earle encounters with the rest not able to gather againe together his
people and shuttes himselfe into his Castell They enter Bruges The Gantois following and killing them that fled enter pel mel and seized vpon the gates Arteuille hauing speedily prouided for the guard thereof the Gantois being victorers disperse themselues through out the Cittie crying against the vanquished The Cittie is wonne and proclaimed for the good Cittizens Libertie killing all such as they found to fauour the Earle searching all houses for his seruants and commanding to spare the good Cittizens The Earle foreseeing by this brute that the enemy would presently pursue him he sodenly leaues his riche attire and takes the simplest of one of his gromes and so forsakes the Castell to seeke some corner to hide his head in He was scarse gone out but his Castell was beset and easily taken and spoiled whilest that he saues himselfe in a poore womans house The Earle hides himselfe where in her sillie cottage she had onely one roome beneath and aboue a gatret to the which they mounted by a ladder The Earle creepes into this cabbin and the woman hides him in the bed-strawe where her children did lie and comming downe tooke away the ladder The Gantois hauing made search in euery corner for the Earle they came to the house where the Earle was and searching it they went vp to the place where hee laye hidden The Earle of Flandâ—rs in great peâ—plexâ—â—e He that could haue read the secrets of this poore Princes heart in this amazement should haue seene a remorse of conscience for that he had not intreated his subiects with more mildnesse Being thus freed hee creepes out of this cottage and gettes forth of the Towne being alone and on foote running from bush to bush and from ditche to ditche fearing euery one that passed when as behold lying hidden in a Ditch he discouers a houshold seruant of his owne named Robert Marshall who takes him vp on horse-backe behind him and in this order he recouers Lisle This vnexpected successe bred new desseignes in the frantick braine of this Tribune and of this furious multitude who should haue beene satisfied to haue auoyded shipwracke The error of the Gantois and returning to their houses should haue fallen to their vsuall trades and haue vsed this profitable successe to good purpose and made their peace with their lawfull Lord being sufficiently chastised But vanitie thrusts them on and the certaintie of Gods threats shewed it selfe in the following punishment to teach vs That man hath but the miseriâ— which he seekes by his owne folly A generall lesson for great and small both for men families and States Arteuille with his Gantois hauing glutted themselues with the sacke and blood of such as were any way affected to the Earle hauing spoyled his Castle and left it desolate beaten downe the gates of Bruges and filled vp the ditches From thence they goe to conquer the other citties of Flanders where he conceiued a newe Empire Presently all obey him Ypre Dam Bergues Bourlbourg Furnes Scluse Pourprigné Courtray and the lesser townes Andenard resists It is presently besieged At the brute of this sucesse all Flanders flies thither so as in few daies there were aboue a hundred thousand men assembled before the towne All Flanders reuolts and ioynes with the Gantois The Earle amazed with so violent a reuolt of all his subiects hath recourse to his son-in-law Philip Duke of Bourgongne that by his meanes hee might bee relieued from the King although he were more affected to the English then French hauing beene too much respected by our Kings A proud Prince he was in prosperity and too much deâ—ected in aduersity The Regent and the Councell refused to venture the King with this man in so dangerous a cause but two reasons moued the King thereunto and made him ouerrule both the Duke of Aniou his Vncle and his whole councell by the perswasions of the Duke of Bourgongne King Charles succoâ—s the Earâ—e oâ— Flanâ—â—â—â— contrarie to he aduice of the Regent and Councel The one was Arteuille himselfe who during the siege of Andenard not content to haue ruined the Noblemens houses of the Country had made some roades vpon the frontiers of France The other was King Charles dreamed that he was mounted vppon a flying hart which carried him gently through the ayre and a Heron vnder him which did beat downe all other birds came then flying to his fist and the Hart brought him to the place from whence he carryed him to his great content Arteuille to auoide this storme fortâ—fies the passages into Flanders especially Pont du Lis neere to Comines The french surprise this passage cunningly hauing patiently attended all night in the miery fenne vp to the ancles expecting the commoditie of the passage there As the King conceiued a delight to report this dreame 1382. as presage of some good successe so the Duke of Bourgongne labored to drawe him into Flanders The King vpon these motiues doth presently leuie an armie and goes to field Arteuille to auoide this storme fortefies the passages of Flanders especially Pont du Lis neere vnto Comines The French surprise this passage politikly hauing attended all night in the dirty maâ—â—sh vp to the ancles expecting the comoditie of the passage Their patience was the more comendable for that it was in the depth of a sharpe winter in December Comines and Veâ—rain being taken sackt and burnt the Towne of Ypre killes their gouernor who wold not suffer them to obey the King and yeeld themselues paying fortie thousand fraâ—ks for a composition By their example Cassel Bergues Bourlbourg Grauelin Furnes Dunkerke Fourprigné Tourront Vaillant Messine other neighbour Townes resolue to seaze vpon their Gouernors being Gantois and to send them bound hands and feete vnto the King as testimonie that they had yeelded vpon force Charles receiues the Townes to mercie and cuts off the heads of these vnlawful Gouernors Arteuille fearing the reuolt of other Citties The Townes of Flandâ—rs seaze vpon their Gouernors and send them to the King and that his forces which were great would fall from him resolues to preuent Charles and to force him to fight promising himselfe the like successe as he had against the Earle before Bruges With this resolution he chargeth the French army betwixt Courtray and Rosebecque vpon the Mount of gold but hee â—ound an alteration The Gantois charge ouâ— foreward like furious beasts which at the first shocke did somewhat amaze them they recoyling a little but without any disorder yet supported by the Battaile and rereward they breath and all togither charge this multitude with so great a furie as all are put to flight are cut in peeces or taken with a strange disorder They number aboue threescore thousand men slaine and an infinite number of prisoners taken after the Nobilitie had glutted their choller vpon this seditious rable The Flemings ouercome by Charles and threescore thousand slaine who had made rebellion a
he would not accept of this gouernment without the good liking of the Duke of Berry so as all the punishment fell vpon Betizac his chiefe Treasurer who 〈◊〉 burnt at Beziers Betizac the Dukes treasurer burnt purging in the fire the extorsions he had committed vnder his maisterâ— authoritie At that time Charles King of Nauarre died so often blemished in the truth of this historie we haue noted how he had retired himselfe from Court into his realme of Nauarre As this retreat was vnto him a reprochfull banishment so this shamefull solitarinesse was a ciuill death But the Catastrophe of his tragicall life was a famous proofe that God doth often reuenge notable sinnes by notable punishments euen in this life He was much broken by the excesse of venery and all sorts of dissolutions the which he had exceedinglie vsed with his wonderfull tyrannie and crueltie As they did anoint him with medicines fit to warme and comfort his benummed members some say they had chafed him with Aqua-vitae The tragicall 〈◊〉 of the Nauarroâ— and wrapt him in a sheete but behold fire takes hold of this sheete with such violence as being vnable to quench it he was consumed by degrees liuing some daies as suruiuing his paine and that which encreased the horror of Gods iudgement his death made both great and small to reioyce and was receiued in France with as great content as the winning of a great and famous battaile Great robbing during the truce There was a generall truce betwixt the French and English so as the garrisons lying stâ—ll the Souldiars bred vp and nourished in armes fighting no more by order vnder their eâ—sâ—gnes sought now their prey by disorder vpon the labourer and marchant The countries of Rouergue Perigort Limosin Auuergne and La Marche had English garrisons who spoiled these countries and did runne vp into the neerest parts of Languedoc Velai Geuaudan Viuarez and Suenes where the villages are for the most part walled in to preuent these sodaine incursions There were many theeues amongst them Teste noire or Black-pate in the Castell of Ventador Amerigor Marcel at Roâ—h-Vandais who breaking the truce sought to be supported by the King of England but in the end they all fell into the hang-mans hands or perished miserably by some strange death an Image of our late confusions Libertie had bred vp these warriours with so great aboundance as the English passed the sea to make Turneys and to fight at Barriers as they vse at great Triumphes There was a Tilt set vp betwixt Calais and Saint Iaquelvuert where the Nobilitie made triall of their valour as in a Schoole of Fence To take away this troublesome aboundance they tooke occasions to make long voyages into Castille and Italie but in the end there was a very famous one offred against the miscreaâ—ts of Barbarie at the Geneuois request who suffred many discommodites in their traffick by these barbarous Affricans Charles granted them succours willingly and gaue the charge of this warre to Peter duke of Burbon assisted with the Earles of Auuergne and Foix the Lords of Coucy Guy of Tremouille A voyage into Affâ—â—â—ke by â—he Frenâ—h English together Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France Philip of Arthois Earle of Eu Philip of Bar Harcourt Antoing Linge Pyquiny and many other great men from all parts of the Realme which ranne to so famous an action vnder so worthy a commander and at so great leysure more painfull then the toyle of warre to men that desired nothing but imployment Richard King of England to imitate Charles granted succours to the Geneuois vnder the command of the Earle of Salisburie accompanied with many Noble men and Engâ—â—sh Gentlemen moued with desire like vnto the French in the enterprise of this pleasing paine The Deputies of the Kings of France and England assembled to treate of a generall peace but not able to effect it they continue a truce for foure yeares with goodly pâ—ouisions against robberies for the safetie and quiet of their Estates Charles gaue free passage to the English by the Countries of Langâ—edâ—â— and Daulphiné to passe the Alpes safelie All come to Genes to the great ioy of the Geneuois Being shipt they land within fewe dayes in Barbarie Presently they beseege the Citty of Affricke So our histore termes it as bearing the name of all the vast and barbarous counâ—ry They call the Afâ—ricanic commanders Agadinquor of Oliferne and Brahadist of Thunes But our Argonautes found them which stayed their fuâ—y The Barbarians defended themselues with an obstinate resolution But their foâ—ce did them lesse harme then the ayre and diet beeing very contrary to theiâ— complexions so as our armie decreased dayly especially of men of accompt This siege conâ—inued six weekes with much losse no hope to preuaile The 〈◊〉 noated alwaâ—es to be â—aithlâ—sse The Geneuois hauing conceiued a hope of a sodaine victorie began to grow cold and slacke in furnishing of the armie The Duke of Bourbon foreseeing the difficulties which might grow in continuing obstinaâ—e at this siege fearing the winter and not trusting the Geneuois who are famous for that they haue no faith remembring the example of the King S. Lewis resolued to returne wiâ—hout any greater losse He trusseth vp his baggage bringes backe his troupes into France coÌ„tinuing the example to al such as are capable of reasoÌ„ how difficult it is for Christâ—ans to performe these strange attempts after the experience of many ages The â—rench and the English hauing liued louingly together in this voyage returned to their houses without doing of any memorable act but to haue endeauored to doe sometâ—ing worthy of memory to auoide idlenesse during so peacefull a time â—ritâ—aine did then conceiue and afterwards bring forth more preiudiciall effects then Bâ—rbary iâ— selâ—â— and the way was made by light occasions to horrible and monstrous efâ—ects to the great preiudicâ— both of the King and Realme for a notable tesâ—imonie to posterity what Councellors Enuye and ambition be in a state we like wretches seeke for peace and when God gâ—ues it we flie from it we maligne an other mans good and depâ—â—ue our selues of our owne But alas it were a small matter for a great personage to hurâ— himselfe by his owne passions if this poison did not spred abroad to the preiudice of â—he common weale We haue said that Iohn of Montfort remained peaceably Duke of Brittaine by the death of Charles of Blois and the agreement he made with his widow Hatred betwixt the duke of Briâ—â—â—ine the Constable Clisson whose eldest sonne Iohn of Brittâ—ine Earle of Ponthieure was redeemed from prison out of England by the constable Clisson who gaue him his daughter in marriage payed his â—ansome The constable was a Briâ—ton and so a subiect to Iohn of Montfort Duke of Brittaine his ancient and capitall â—nimy and yet by this newe succession was become his Lord. Doubtlesse in this quality Clisson could not
his duty he could not finde any thing That there were no places vnsercht but Princes great meÌ„s houses where if he might be suffred to enter he wold do his best to discouer the murtherers The Princes were all in Councell and the Bourguignon amongest them all promise it freely Ihon of Bourgongne guilty of the crime holds his peace and as they beheld one an other he riseth and drawing the King of Sicile and the Duke oâ— Berry apart he confesâ—eth that through the deuills motion he had committed this murther These Princes beeing amazed conceale iâ— for that day The next day comming to Councell the Duke of Berry willed him to retyre himselfe Thus amazed he returnes to his lodging and presently without any staie hee flies with fiue more into Flanders where the muâ—therers likewise finde a sure retreate That conscience which at the first had terrified him is now hardned and that which had mooued him to conâ—esse himselâ—e the author of this murther doth nowe animatâ— him with new motions to become obstinate and to maintayne by vniust force that which he had committed by furious violence Hauing sought the loue of all the Cittiâ—s of Flanders he finds them willing to support him in right or wrong in his necessiâ—y vpon this assurance he calls an assembly at Gand to leuy those succors wherof he stood in neâ—de At the newes hereof the zeale of iustice growes cold in Court they seeke an accord with him whome they should pursue the King of Sicile and the Duke of Berry go to him to Amiens being prouder then if he had done a meritorious act where making open proâ—ession of his pride hee had placed ouer the doore of his lodging a table wherein were painted two Lances a crosse wherof the one had a wel steeled head for the warre and the oâ—her a but head for the Tilt as giuing the choise of warre and peace publisâ—ing generally that he not onely had done the murther And offers 〈◊〉 iâ—stâ—â—â— the muâ—â—her by â—â—mes but that he would and ought to do it And to the end he might be mad with reason he findes Diuines in those daies that confirme him in this passion pâ—otest to maintaine it by the Scripture as the sequele will preâ—ently shew The Princes that were sent vnto him not able to moue him to confesse his fault and to humble himselfe they command him in the Kings name not to come to Paris He answers them boldly that he would presently go to informe the King what reason had mooued him to punish the common enemy of France And hauing reuiued his practises at Paris by meanes of his intelligences Iohn of â—â—â—â—â—gongne 〈◊〉 armed tâ— Paris contraâ—y 〈◊〉 the Kings pleasure he gathers togither a great army and accompained with hâ—s two Brethren and the Dukes of Lorrainâ— Cleues he comes to S. Denis lodgeâ—h his troupes about this great Citty who willingly stâ—etch forth their hands vnto him as to their redemer who should purchase them perpetuall rest The Princes go vnto him intreat him in the Kings name not to enter â—nto Paris but with his ordinary tâ—aine of .200 men Iohn makes them answer That for the surety of his person he could do no lesse thâ—n to go well accompâ—ined the next day he aâ—riues at Paris withall his troupes being receiued by the Parisiens with cries of ioy as a new Monarke He fortifies himselfe in Bourgongne house where hee is visited by the whole body of the Citty and the vniuersity who seeke to support â—his execrable murther The next day the game is played with a strange praeludium Iohn Petit a doctor of diuinity maintayned with wonderful impudencie that the Duke of Bourgongne had caused the Duke of Orleans his Cousin to be worthily slaine by reason of many notable crymes whereof he doth accuse him The Originall of the history doth set downe these detestable phrensies to shewe how much disorder preuailes in an estate wiâ—hout a head The Councell of Constans shall condemne â—his Impostoâ— being accuâ—ed by the Colledge of Sorbonne who shall disauowe this meâ—cenary man afâ—eâ— the death of the Duke of Bourgongne The issue was answerable to his speech The King being sick in minde and the Princes fainting Iohn of 〈…〉 for the â—â—â—ther Iohn of Bourgongne is absolued of the murther committed on the person of his Cousin germaine The King to couer this bad act declares by his letters pattents That in case he died hee would that Lâ—wis his eldest sonne Daulphin of Viennois should haue the gouermeÌ„t of the realme after him Iohn Charles his yonger sons one after an other without any Regent But the Bourguignon was ignorant that this decree gaue him authority that should punish him being also aduised for some speciall considerations not to deale any more with the affaires of France 1409 but with his owne So he retiers into Flanders not daring to attempt any thing being thus iustified and absolued This insolency accompained with some indignities against the Kings maiestie displeased the whole Court and not iustifiable by the Bourguignon faction it caused Valentine and her Children to renue their complaynts to the Kings Councell who stoutly made a decree against Iohn Duke of Bourgongne for satiffaction of the murther committed by him on the person of the Duke of Orleans But what auailes it to report that which tooke no effect A friuolous decree against the Bouâ—guignon for the murther but only to proue That when lawfull authority is suppressed Iustice is of no force and the stronger treads vnder foote thâ— right of the weaker As it proued in this ridiculous imaginary sentence giuen in fauour of the Children of Orleans against the murtherer of their father for it was scarse recorded for the benefit of the interessed when as newes came of the victorie which Iohn of Bourgongne had gotten against them of Liege in fauour of Iohn of Bauiere surnamed without-pittie their Bishop This did quite change all their thoughts countenances and words in Court al CommissioÌ„s for the leauying of soldiars for the executioÌ„ of this decree by force are reuoked There is no talke but howe to warrant the King and Daulphin from the Bourguignon who without doubt would according to his humor bring his victorious army to Paris disanull the decree vpon their heads that should mayntaine it So as the Daulphin with the Dukes of Berry and Bourbon conduct the King to Tours for his better safety being vnwilling to leaue him in the Parisiens power The King forsakes Paris who were affected partakers of the Bourguignon The Parisiens are wonderfully discontented at this departure they arme drawe their cheynes as in a time of war and call in the Bourguignon assuring him of their hearts and meanes He comes speedily with a great army and staies at S. Denis contrarie to the Parisiens expectation who thought he would haue kept more stirre hauing so great forces But he
authority and the Daulphins who was heire apparent to the Crowne of France the capitall Citty of the realme the aâ—pâ—â—bation of the best Cities most of the Prouinces and wâ—thout comparison gâ—eateâ— means of himselfe both for men and mony Thâ—s â—â—cond warre continued a veare it began in Iuly 1411. and ended the yeare afâ—eâ— 1412. in the same moneth far more variable and violent then the first and memoâ—â—ble in this that the vanquished was victor and the victor vanquished The same authoâ—itie which had supported the stronger was in the ende fauorable to the weaker â—uch as most pleased their masters humor receiued death of him for their reward Very necesâ—aâ—â— obsâ—â—uations to iudge of these Ciuill warres The Orlean faction went first to field They were about seuen or eight thousand horse The number of their foote is not specified 1411 Charles Duke of Orleans makes the body of his army in Gastinoâ—s the Duke of Bourbon in Bourbonois and the the Earle of Alenson in Vermandoâ—s Peronne Chauny Neele and Han yeeld vnto them Clermont which belonged to the Duke of Bourbon is fortified they seeke to surprise Reteil and Bapaumes but in vaine This was the first sally begun by them of Orleans But the Bourguignon takes an other course he prepares the Kings Edicts against them he imployes the peoples force within the Citties and armes in field and all availes him at the first He had a great army both of horse and foote the which doth presently march into Picardy where the Orleanois had begun and easily recouers what they had gotten Han standes resolute they beseege take spoile and sacke it The Flemings which were vassalls to the Duke of Bourgongne being laden with spoile craue leaue to returne home neyther could the Dukes promises nor threats retayne them but they leaue his army and depart This had almost ouerthrowne his affaiâ—es he abandons Mondidier the which was presently surprised by Peter of Quesnes Lord of Gannes of the Orlean faction and putting his army into garrisons doubting the euent of this warre he sends with all speede to Henry the 4. King of England crauing succors in this necessity The Bourâ—ignon crâ—ues aide of the King of England Henry makes his profit of these ciuill dissentions in France he presently sends twelue hundred men to the Bourguignon to supply the Flemings want vnder the commande of Thomas Earle of Arondel The Orleanois loose no time and for their neâ—rer approch to Paris they surprise Saint Denis and Saint Cloud places of importance and fortifie Corbeil for the passage of the riuer of purpose to famish this great Cittie which liues by dayly prouisions brought from diuers parts But hee findes one to countermine his practises vsing the same instrument he had imployed to hurt him The Orleanois keeping the field about Paris must needes be the cause of great calamities And all this was acted in the viewe of the King and Daulphin Iohn informes the King of his enemies insolencie who without appealing to his Maiestie presumed to spoile the heart of Francâ— as if they were strangers or enemies Charles apprehends this error but too easily Tâ—e King Daâ—â—pâ—iâ— incensed against the Duke of Orleans desiring nothing but rest but Lewis the Daulphin especially is incensed by these informations and his chollâ—r encreaseth daâ—ly against his Cousins of Orleans The Bourguignon saied that they played the Kings and could not conceale their intention which was to seize on the Crowne seeing they presumed to take armes against the King There are rigorous Edicts made against the Orleans faction as against rebelles and guilty of high treason All their goods honours and persons are confiscate which remayne in thâ—s army if within fiâ—teene dayes after publication of the Kings letters pattents they retire not themselues to their houses And to begin with thegreatest Charles of Albret Constable of France and Arnolde of Corby the Chanceâ—lor are dâ—spossessed of their dignities and the Earle of Saint Pol preferred to the first place and Dolâ—haing the Duke of Bouâ—gongnes aduocate to the last This stormâ— makes worke at Paris they seeke out all of the Orleans partie and presently cast theÌ„ into prison The Parisienâ— mutine against the Orlean faction Peter of Essars being restored to his place remembers the article made against him at Wincestre and aâ—mes the people against them Whosoâ—uer is found out by the Parisiens bâ—eing of the Orleans faction hee is brought with hazard of his lâ—fe to prison All is lawfull in this popular rage so it bee against the Armagnacs All these engins forced from diuets parts do strangely shake the Orlean partie Such as were restrayned within any Townes duâ—st not breath and many in the army slippe away daily fearing the rigour of these Edicts which were executed withall seueritie Chaâ—les Duke of Orleans hauing taken counsell of the Princes and Noblemen his associaâ—s what course to followe in this alteration before a greater in conueniency resolues to drawe the Bourguignon to battaile although he were fortified with these new forces from England So as hauing passed the riuer of Oyse vpon a bridge of boats all the passages being seized on by the Bourguignon in the Kings name he presents himselfe before the gates of Clermont in Beauuoisis 1412. where Iohn his capitall enemie remayned The Orleans aâ—my yet faire beautified with the presence of great personages the Duke of Bourbon the Eaâ—les of Alenson Clâ—rmont Albret Vertus Vienne Bouciquaut the Archbishop of Sens brother to that Montagu which was beheaded Craon Montbason Hangest with many Batons Knights and Squiers all resolute to ende this quarrell by battaile and to that ende hauing defied the Duke of Bourgongne they attend him betwixt Clermont and Cathenay But the Bourguignon leauing them there to spoile that goodly and fertill country of the Isle of France whereby they increased the hatred and curse of the people more incensed then euer against these Aâ—magnacs exclayming of him as of a coward that durst not fight he arriues at Paris to the peoples great content who attende him with all deuotion Hee presently takes Saint Cloud and Saint Denis from the Orlean partie to their great losse notwithstanding any diligence of Charles their head who proclaymed a victory before the combaâ—e Thus Paris is freed without any restrainte and all the Orleans partie brought verie lowe Neyther Charles noâ— his Associats talke any more of fighting with the Bourguignon they had worke inough to retyre themselues and to defend their Townes expecting a present seege Iohn of Bourgongne failes not to husband this good successe and â—o countenance his forces hee doth intangle the King and Daulphin in the pursuâ—e of his enemies halfe vanquâ—shed So his victorious army enters into Beausse turning head towards the Country of Orleans the inheritance of his chiefe enemie Esâ—ampes yeelds â—o the King The Duke of Bourbon is there taken prisoner and sent presently into Flanders Whilest that all things succeeded thus
make it victorious ouer his enemies The Parisiens discontented with the violent courses of the newe Regent began to abâ—te their ioy within fewe dayes after before Henries returne into England Philip of Bourgongne Earle of Saint Pol Cousin germaine to the Duke of Bourgongne was gouernor of Paris by the appointment of King Charles Henry displaceth him and appoints Thomas Duke of Clarence his brother He sets English gards in all the strong places of the Cittie and displaceth the French and Bourguignons and yet durst they not mutter The Lord of Liâ—e Adam made Mareshal of France for that he had assisted at the taking and massacre of Paris was as much out of fauour with this new King as he was pleasing to the Parisiens The Regent sends men to apprehend him The Parisiens discontented with the new King whome as they led to the Bâ—â—â—ille the people made an offer to rescue but they were sharpely repulst by the English and well beaten a iust reward hauing wished for a strange King but they shall soone after haue other imployments to teach them to knowe newe bread from olde which they had so much disdayned Thus Henry the 5. made the Parisiens to knowe in time that he had authority to force obedience in punishing fooles and rebels growne lycentious in confusion On the other side the Daulphin faints not at the first brunt of this new royaltâ—e but growing resolute against all stoâ—mes he looseth no opportunity to aduance his affaires The English defeated and the Duke of Clarence slaine We haue shewed how that Aniou obeyed him The new Regent commands the the Duke of Clarence his Brother to make warre in those partes So he enters the Country with his army as it were to take possession of his owne He presents him selfe before Angiers the cheefe Cittie of that Prouince presuming that all would presently obeye him but the issue did not answer his hopes for he found all the French resolute to defend themselues against a stranger to obey their naturall King Herevpon the French ioyne together they arme and go to field The English being out of hope to take Anger 's turne head against the French army lodged at Little Baugé which attended resolutly the force of a mighty and victorious enemie On the other side the imaginarie hope of victorie thrust on the Duke of Clarence against our men whom he held to be halfe dead but he finds them reuiued readie to sell their liues at a deare rate The battaile was very bloudy the one fighting for Empire and honor and the other for their liues and altars The euent was vnfortunate for the English The Duke of Clarence was was slaine and the English army lost 1500. men vpon the place for the first fruits of their new Regencie and a gage of their pretended royaltie This famous incounter hapened in the yeare 1420. the ninth of Aprill As in the fit of a dangerous disease the first motions of nature are very important so is it in Sate A light beginning after a great daunger drawes a great consequence either to good or euill This first action had a great traine Charles his partie began to rise as if the good hap of the lawefull heire reuiuing had taken a newe forme in setling his authoriâ—â—e Iohn of Montfort Duke of Brittain fauored this first successe of Aniou After that the English had seized vpon Normandie he put himselfe vnder his protection but nowe he turnes tayle and allyes himselfe with our Charles against him in a defensiue and offensiue league What remaynes of the historie of Brittaine I will reserue for an other place let vs new reâ—urne to our discourse At the same instant Iames of Harcourt leaues the Bourguignons partie He makes war in the Countrie of Vimea and takes diuers places Pont Remy Saint Riquier la Ferté Mareuill Diancourt Araines and other small places The Bourguignon goes to field the smallest Townes yeeld vnto him He beseegeth Saint Riquier being well defended by the Lord of Offemont but newes comes that the Daulphins armie approcheth The Bourguignon resolues to meete them he sendes forth part of his forces they are dispersed vpon a false alarum that the Duke of Bouegongne was dead As they were in this disorder behold he shewes himself to his soldiars 〈◊〉 of resolutioÌ„ so â—itly as hauing rallyed his men and incouraged them he not only reâ—elles his enemie but defends them takes Saint Riquier and frees Picardie from feare Such is the variety of our incounterâ— the Conquerour here is conquered The Bourguignon being in field our newe Regent comes from his realme of England with newe forces The great exploits of Henry hauing resolued to imploy all their meanes ioyntly to ruine the Daulphin before he should fortifie himselfe with any new successe they disperse their forces into diuers parts of the realme hauing more men and mony then the Daulphin The Prince of Orenge held the Daulphin in awe The Lord of Roche-baron made war in Forest and Aâ—uergne and the bodie of the armie with the Regent and Duke marched against the Daulphin who was retyred to Bourges a strong Cittie and of a fit situation lying in the middest of such Prouinces as obeyed him This army marching with a victorious shewe beseegeth Dreux and takes it by composition Chartres yeelds willingly from thence hee marcheth with an intent to drawe the Daulphin to fight but the Regent seeing him retyre to a place of hard accesse resolues to free all the Townes about Paris but especially Senâ—is and Soissons townes of importance Hee hoped to vanquish him by degrees and in the ende to giue him the mate But all enterprises succeed not Man purposeth but God disposeth who ment to trie 1421. but 〈◊〉 to ruine France All succeedâ— not wishfully to the English being King of France in conceit The Prince of Orange is beaten in Languedoc and Tanneguy of Châ—stâ—ll Steward of â—eaâ—câ—ire hauing happily recouered Port Saint 〈◊〉 a tâ—â—ne of importance vpon the passage of Rosâ—â— all the rest yeelds to the Daulphins command so as he could hardly keepe his Towne of Oranges Auâ—gnon fauoured the Daulphin Rochâ—bâ—ron was taken at Seruerotte by Imbert of Grosâ—e Seneshall of Lion and so Auâ—eâ—gne and Forest were subiect to the Daulphin who seeing himselfe without any enemie and forces ready for his defence he besiegeth la Charité and taâ—es it From thence he goes to Cosâ—â— where he findes great â—â—sistâ—nce yet he doth presse it with such violence as they are forced to part They prefixe a certaine day to be succoured by the new Regent or to yeeld to the Daulphin The Regent assures them of releefe exceeding glad of this occasion to draw our Daulphin to the combate wherein he hoped to vanquish him But he had not made his accoumpt with death who holds his assignements more certaine then all monarches for resoluing vpon this voyage although he had many other affaires in hand he â—ell sick and of a
of the Curat of S Eustace and al S. Houores street ioynes in this hardy resolution In the meane time the Vniuersity beyond the bridge doth the like Lewis of Luxemâ—ourâ— Bishop of Therouenne Chancellor for the English the Bishops of Lisieux Mâ—â—aux the Lord Willoby with others deuoted to the English aduertised of these mutinâ—e 〈◊〉 diâ—ers parts of the Citty fearing some sedition retire towards S. Anthonies gate hauing carried all their best furniture into the Bastille and fortifie the houses adioyning All being thus prepared at Paris the Constable of Richemont guided by Lisle-Adam parts 〈◊〉 Pontoise comes to S. Denis in the night where hauing rested some houres â—e marcheth early in the morning accompanied with the Earle of Dunois a bastard of the house of Orleans the Lords of Suze and Bueil with a great company of resolute souldiers approching nere the Citty Lisle-Adam with a choise troupe goes before S. Iames gate the appointed place for the Rendez-uous where he finds all in a readines so as Laillier hauing planted ladders for him at the lowest part of the wall he mounts with his troupe Beeing entred the citty the people of that quarter who were assembled for his comming begin to crye A peace a peace God saue the King and the Duke of Bourgongne Lisle-Adam beeing ioyned to the chiefe of the citty goes directly to the Gate The Constable is receiued into Paris the which was set open by the captaine of that quarter and the Constable who was before it with his troupes entred in good order Then the people redoubled their cries They all stand at a gaze being aduertised of this entry and exceeding glad to see themselues ready to recouer their ancient liberty they prepare to march where they should be commanded to expell the English All run to the Bastille The Tournelles are presently seized on and al approches vnto the Bastille are soone won Such as were within it at the first made some shewe of defence but as all things were prepared to force them they demand a parle and agree to depart with their liues and baggage They are conducted about the Towne beneath the Louure to imbarke vpon the riuer of Seine and so to passe to Rouen They could not well haue passed through the citty The people aduertised hereof run to the walles and cry out with great shoutes bayting the English like dogges Paris obeyes the King whom a little before they had feared and honoured as their masters This happened the 27. of February in the yeare 1436. Thus Paris returnes to the obedience of this Crowne hauing passed seuenteene yeares vnder the gouernement of the English which made the fatherly command of their King more pleasing vnto them and them more willing to obey him hauing tasted the imperious commande of a stranger Charles aduertised of this happy successe parts from Montpellier and returnes slowly by Auuergne The Kings entry into Paris to giue the Parisiens time to prepare for his entry the which was performed with great pompe six moneths after the reduction of the citty but with so extraordinary an affection of the people as drinking after a great thirst All the townes within the Realme had followed this example if Charles had imbraced this goodly â—ccasion all being drawne vnto their duty by a naturall instinct He was of a milde spirit plyable to all windes flying toyle but patient when he had vndertaken it We haue hitherto seene him constant inough in his afflictions Câ—aâ—les his humour although the waight of blowes so often doubled had made him senselesse so as he bare his crosses with lesse feeling as a mortified member doth the rasor or corrosiue but prosperity had so reuiued his spirits as he recouered himselfe returned to his owne disposition He wanted authority to command well and iudgement to make choyse of his seruants for he often iâ—braced and rewarded vnnecessary men and put back such as were profitable This proceeding discontented such as seruing him faithfully did see themselues contemned These discontents gaue them liberty to speake and doe things which offended the King The nature of tâ—actable humors Experience teaching that these tractable humors are as soone moued as pleased and aboue all are suspitious and cholericke for impressions creeping into these weake spirits makes them to fall into another extreamity of vnmeasured passion We haue seene the like in the life of Lewis the gentle but we shal not find the like excesse in our Charles yet shall we see that by the like indiscreet facility he disordered his owne affaires The inconueniences of Charles his facility discontented his bloud grieued many of his best seruants filled his life with languishing in the prosperity of his affaires to cast him headlong in the midest of his greatest triumphs into the gulph of a fearefull graue what we are to represent in this discourse shall be the comentary of this trueth As soone as the spring appeares the Duke of Bourgongnes army goes to field to besiege Calais it consisted for the most part of the commonalties of his estates He easily ingaged them in this warre both by his authority and the shew of profit to haue a Towne so conuenient for trafficke The Bâ—â—rguignâ—n attempts Calais in vaâ—ue This army had scarse continued in field ten dayes but they looke homeward to their houses shoppes and fieldes besides the Engliâ—â— wrought them vnder hand and sent a great supply to defend Calais This humour did so possesse this armed multitude as the Bourguignon had no power to hold them All passe away like to a violent streame and this his desseine came to nothing although he chafed in vaine like vnto the Persâ—â—n that threatned the tempest whipt the sea So all enterprises succeede not The Duke of Bourgongne being thus retired the English hath his reuenge of this affront spoiles the marches of Boulongne and Grauelins to the great losse of the Countrie The Lord of Croy sought to make head against the English being followed by a goodly troupe but he was defeated and saues himselfe with diâ—ficuâ—tie in Ardres The Flemings stirre at this losse The Lord of 〈◊〉 dâ—â—eated by 〈◊〉 and march vnder the Duke of Bourgongâ—es commande but they returne with shame for Calais was reserued for an other season We haue sayed that Charles had a sonne named Lewis borne in the midest of his greatest crosses the first yeare of his raigne in the yeare .1423 Being thirteene yeares old he married him to Marguerite Stuard the only daughter of Iames King of Scotland a Princesse of excellent vertues The Daulpâ—iâ— Lewis married to a daughter of Scotland and a gage of the faithfull seruice which Scotland did to this Crowne in her greatest dangers who suruiued not much this felicity of France Charles was desirous to returne to Montpellier where hauing called an assemblie of that Prouince he heard many complaints of the outrages his soldiars had committed running vp and downe
the Countrie in great disorder The best soldiars were guilty of these insolencies for want of pay Rodrigo de Villandrade an Arragonois who had faithfully serued the King was in disgrace and banished with his troupe but being ioyned with Pothon in Gasconie and hauing taken some places from the English he made his peace with Charles This confusion was not alone in one Countrie but generally diâ—persed throughout the Realme A troupe of 2000. horse led by Anthonie of Chabannes Blanchfort Gualter of Bron â—loquet and other renowned Captaines The robberies oâ— soldiars parting from Normandie passe through the Countries of Vimeu and Ponthieu by Dorlens Oruille Braâ— Cappy Liâ—ons in Sauters and enter into Cambresy from thence they lodge at Solames towards Hainault with infinit spoile eating and ransoming all after a hostile manner Iohn of Croy the Bayliffe of Hainault sent troupes against them but they were deâ—feated They were called the shauers or fleaers In the ende through Charles his many commands they come into Champagne where hauing remained sometime they were imployed to take Chasteau-Landon Charny and Nemours and from thence they were led to Monstereau-faut yonne where there was a meruailous seege being well assayled and well defended but in the ende the Towne was taken by force and the Castell by composition Charles was at Bray and the Daulphin commanded at this seege He made faire warâ—es with the English The Daulpâ—in intreats the English courteously who thanking him before the King his father yeelded him these first fruits of his authoritie in the viewe of the whole army who honored him afterwards as the Sun rising whence greâ—e the iealousies we shall hereafter speake of Tâ—e Mignons of Court which were then in quarter gaue a great occasioÌ„ Christopher of Harcourt Lord of Chaumont and Martin Gouge Bishop of Clermont Factions in Fâ—anders The Duke of Bourgongâ—e in danger of his life at Bruges men that had no good in them but to do ill The Duke of Bourgongne had much trouble this yeare the English had sowed great diuisions in his chiefest Citties Bruges stirred vp strange mutynies against him whereas he was in danger of his life Lisle Adam chiefe Captaine of his gard is slaine A popular man whom wee haue seene to coÌ„mand the Parisiens twise once against the King and an other time for the King he presumed in like sort to gouerne them of Bruges but they teare him in peeces as the Gantois had in former times massacred Arteuille their Tribune A multitude is a dangerous thorne which cannot be handled without pricking Gant followed the example of Bruges but in the end all was pacified with the losse of the most seditious to the content of the same people who deuowre him they did adore After these seditions Philip returnes to waâ—re he beseegeth Crotoy a place very important for the free trafficke of his Countries but after great paines and charge it proued all vaine He is vnfortunate in war A man vnfortunate in war but in Councell he commanded mens minds with an Imperious grauity But a midest the generall shall I omit this particular obseruation profitable for the example That great Captaine la Hire passing neere vnto Clermont a Towne then subiect to the English was there honorably receiued by the Lord of Anfemont gouernor of the Towne 1437. Two strange surprizes and for that he trusted la Hire much he suffred him to enter with his men into the rauelin to eate a banket la Hire imbracing this occasion makes him his prisoner and takes the place Anfemont had his reuenge in time by meanes of the Lord of Mouy he enters Beauuais where la Hire was gouernor goes vnto him to the Tenise Court takes him and leads him away prisoner in vewe of all the Inhabitants and makes him to yeeld both his ransome and Clermont againe notwithstanding Charles his letters to the Bourguignon but in the ende they are good friends Thus discurtesie is alwaies requited with the like leauing a long repentance for him that is the author of the iniurie how braue and cunning soeuer he bee God punishing iniquitie in due season when as men thinke least of it and by meanes least apparent The warres had wonderfully vnpeopled France Famine and pestilence followe war but this scourge was not sufficient The whole Countrie lying wast not able to be tilled by reason of the daylie incursions and ordinarie spoiles of both parties there fell a great famine That which was vsually worth but fiue pence was sold for fiue shillings and six pence or more The people being famished sought bred where they might finde it being forced from their houses by raging hungar they disperse themselues in the fields and Townes in the one to finde some fruite among the trees and in the bushes ro some herbes or rootes in the other to get some morcell of bread or some garbage to fill the panch with any thing they could meete withall So their bodies filled with bad meates were likewise filled with bad humors falling into diuers languishing diseases In the ende all turned to a plague so horrible as al these poore creatures famished weakned with diseases were like vnto drie wood in a great flame Thus one plague bred an other and that miserable plant of warre brought forth two branches of miserie to our wretched Countrie famine and pestilence A lamentable spectacle in Paris These afflictions dispersed throughout the Realme raigned chiefely at Paris the sollemne Rendezâ—ous of this languishing people There was nothing to bee seene but lamentable troupes of people pale and leane of all sexes and ages eyther running in the fields or vp and downe the streets or layed vpon dunghills or dead in the market places a most horrible spectacle to behold There died threescore thousand persons in Paris All the principall men abandoned the Cittie except Adam of Cambray the first President Ambrose of Lore the Prouost of Paris and the President of the Accounts whome God preserued in this contagion to eternize their commendable memories for euer hauing succored the publicke in necessity without whose couragious resolution the Cittie had easily fallen into the hands of the English who watched for all occasions and made daylie incursions from Mante euen vnto the gates The Champian Countrie being abandoned wolues left the forests without feare and hauing made their pray vpon the remainder of this miserable people they came to the gates of Townes euen into the streets This horrible spectacle hath beene seene at Paris in the Theater of the world in the most populous Cittie of all others So one miserie drewe on an other and these afflictions continued two whole yeares vnto the yeare 1439. whilest the contention of Antipopes increased the fire of Schismes in Christendome as we shall shewe in due place Amedee or Amé Duke of Sauoie carried himselfe as we haue sayed during the calalamities of France The Duke of Sauoie becomes a monke in the ende of
Prouost of Marchants calles the Captaines of the quarters and chiefe of the Cittie to councell he commands them in the night to make fires at all the corners of the streets and to watch in armes euery man in his quarter The people stands vpon their garde ready to attempt some great action The King himselfe goes the round Paris in danger to be surprized he findes the gate of the Basâ—â—lle towards the fields open and the artillerie cloyed But oh the prouidence of God misfortune is good for some thing These vnexpected fires disappoint the conspirators practises they hinder the approch and entry of the enemie and saue the Cittie Moreouer Gisors is belegard the garrison abandons it But that which imports more the widow of the great Seneshall of Brezai gouerned by the Bishop of Bayeux then resident at Rouan with some other Partisans Rouan yeelded to the Confederates giues Iohn Duke of Bourbon entrie into the Castle and so into the Cittie The Cittie desiring long to haue a Duke remaining in the country consents to this change and sweares to the said Duke for the Duke of Berry In a manner all the Townes and places of the Prouince follow the example of their capitall Cittie The Bourguignons armie was now reduced to extreame necessitie of victuals and money so as all the Noblemen dreamed onely of a retrait And yet an admirable thing the price of victuals was not risen in the Cittie So many stormes caused Lewis to demand a second enteruiew The peace of Constans and the conditions before that the yeelding vp of Rouan should be knowne to the Earle He grants the Duchie of Normandie to his Brother restores the Townes vpon Somme to the Earle to the Britton his Countie of Montfort with promise to deâ—sâ—aâ—e his charges he giues the office of Constable to the Earle of S. Paul he promiseth vnto Iohn Duke of Calabria men and money to recouer his realme of Naples to pay what had beene promised for the marriage of his Sister to the Duke of Bourbon with the exâ—cutâ—on of other clauses conteined in the contract to restore vnto all otheâ—s theâ—r goods offices and dignities which they had enioyed vnder his father Charles He â—rants vnto the Princes that not any one should be bound to come in person at his summons but sâ—ould discharge their homage and duties in sending such forces as they were bound to furnish at nâ—ed To conclude all the publick good is turned to priuate interest The Earle of Charolois accepts these conditions so willingly as discoursing with the King the vehement desire he had to see the execution of this treatie carries him into the trench of the Bulwarke of franke-Archers by the which they entred the Cittie The Bouâ—guigâ—ons hauing lost him crie out that he was stayed The chiefe assembâ—e togâ—ther they tremble they condemne their Earle of rashnesse alleaging the inconueence happened to his grandfather at Montereau in the presence of Charles the 7. and they begin to talke of their safetie but as they walked into the field on horse-back behold they discouer about fiftie of the Kings horse conducting the Earle to his quaâ—ter Loyaltie in King Lewâ—â— So euery one reuiued his spirits and iointly commend the Kings loyaltâ—e Two dayes alter the treatie of peace was read and â—worne on either side at 〈◊〉 Vincennes Charles the Kings brother did homage for the Duchie of Normanâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Earle of Charolois for the Townes and land in Picardie and likewise the rest that 〈◊〉 homages to doe The Earle of S. Paul tooke his oath for the office of Constable 〈◊〉 rest for the most part receiue their goods and honours So the Duke of Normanâ—â—â— was conducted vnto Rouan by the Duke of Brittanie The Earle of Charolois tooke his way to Amiens and receiued homage of the inhabitants as also of other places that were restored vnto him by the peace Then he entred into the countrie of Liege that rebelled of late dayes against his father vpon the first brute of the ouerthrow of the Earle his sonne at Montlehery without attending the trueth He pacified the Countrie and returned into Brabâ—nt This was called the peace of Conflans which was but counterfeit the 28. of October 1465. the which the Burguignon had not so easily yeelded vnto if he had receiued sooner that refreshing of men and money which Philiâ— sent him by the Lord of Sauenze It was an act of great import for Lewis to disperse these Princes so cunningly he did well foresee Lewis a cunniâ—â— artisan of diuision that the Charolois being farre from them and busied in his owne Countries would hardly turne head in the Winter season Moreouer he knew well the meanes as he was an excellent plotter of partialities how to diuide the Dukes of Normandie and of Brittanie And in trueth they were scarce arriued in their new Duchie but all the Noblemen Gentlemen and Captaines expected some preferment from Charles Duke of Normandie so greatly aduanced by this peace and moreouer the Duke of Brittanie who had beene farthest ingaged in the charge was little amended by the treatie they all by a generall discontent shew a notable subiect of distrust of their new Duke The Duke of â—rittanâ—e discontented with 〈◊〉 Duke of Noâ—mandie so as there is spred abroad a still rumour That the Brittons would carry Charles into Brittanie Vpon this bruite the Dukes seruants and the Inhabitants troupe together they runne by heapes to Saint Katherins Mouaâ—e where Charles remained yet attending the preparatiues of his entrie they lead him into the Cittie without any other assistance but the Clergie in their ornaments The Duke of Brittanie fearing the mutinie of this people retires vnto his Countrie and in his way hee takes some Townes in Normandie wherein he leaueth diuerse garrisons Lewis imbraceth this occasion and vpon this diuision marcheth against his brother treates with the Duke of Brittanie at Argenton to win him from the alliance of the Duke of Normandie Lewis sets vpon his bâ—other he takes from him by the Duke of Bourbon newly reconciled Eâ—reux Vernon Louuiers Pont de Larche and other places and by Charles of Melun â—isâ—rs Cournay Chailly and consequently all base Normandie Caen held with some other places being in the hands of Lescut a trustie seruant to both the Dukes Charles abandoned by all men and set vpon by so mighty an armie resolues to retire into Flanders and seekes to the Earle of Charolois whom this dâ—uâ—sion did much greeue for he desired aboue all things to see a Duke in Normandie the which should gentlie weaken the King But the time was vnseasonable being busied against the Liegeois Yet for a proofe of his good hap he labours to put some troupes gathered vp in Picardie into Diepe but Lewis preuents him and compounds with the Gouernour Herevpon the two Dukes reconcile themselues The Dukes of Noâ—mandie â—riâ—tanie are reconciled considering but too late that as their
of a parle fearing them that feared him But if he could haue made profit of his victory and turned head against them who were yet amazed as their own commanders did confesse all had sought for their safety by flight And if he had displayed his colours in fauour of little Francis sonne to Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan the name of the vsurper was so odious to all the Duchy and the name of their lawfull Lord so pleasing as the people had easily confined Lodowike into the Castle of Milan and consequently the Venetiaâ—s had lost most of the places they possessed in Italy so ready is that natioÌ„ to follow the victors happines This was the counsell of Triuulce but the King would not attempt any thing vpon the right which the Duke of Orleans pretended to the Duchie being now in possession of Nouarre Moreouer God which had giuen him the honour of a victory would take from him all cause of presumption depriuing him of the principall fruites that depended thereon This so happy a victory opened a passage for the King yet was he to incounter a world of difficulties steepe and craggy mountaines rough vallies dangerous forests riueâ—s hard to passe want to victualls and behinde him the Earle of Catazzo had passed the riuer of Taro with two hundred Lances to cut off them that lingred behind The riuer of Treby gaue the first obstacle with some terrour for about ten of the clocke at night the riuer swelled so high as it was impossible to passe it before fiue of the clocke in the morning the souldiers wading aboue the stomacke The King did wisely to dislodge without bruite being besides the enemies army so neere to Lodowike Sforces strong garrisons hauing a great number of horse and twelue hundred Lansquenets lodged in Tortone and Alexandria and fiue hundred others with the foresaid Earle who were entred into Plaisance fearing some alteration Truely Charles did dayly feele the trueth of Sauonaroles predictions That he should endure much but the honour should be his The riuer of Scriuia was kept by Gaspar of S. Seuerin surnamed the Fracasse brother to the Earle of Caiazzo and Captaine of Tortone but aduertised that the Kings meaning was only to passe he retired to his charge furnished the army with victualls came vnto the King and excused himselfe for that he could not lodge him within the Towne the which he kept for Lodowike After a shower comes a sun-shine saith the Prouerbe The King is now in a friends country at Nice belonging to the Marquis of Montferrat and from Nice to Ast. Then the great army of the league which had followed him into the country of Tortone hauing no more meanes to annoy him went to ioyne with Lodowikes troupes before Nouayye the which was in great want for the Duke of Orleans had gouerned the victualls hee found therein very ill and had neglected to furnish it as hee might haue done considering the fertility of the country He had of late retained the supply of seuen thousand fiue hundred good fighting men sent to the King by the Duke of Bourbon and contrary to his maiesties Commandement he hath taken places from Lodowike and nowe in sâ—eed of succoring he demands succours for want whereof he shal be forced to yeeld what he hath gotten But Charles had other worke Naples is in danger Ferdinand sought all meanes to recouer it and hauing presented himselfe with Gonsalue Fernand of the house of Aghilar of the territorie of Cordouë with six thousand men neere vnto Seminare after the taking of Rhegium he had sought to draw the whole realme into rebellion if the Lord of Aubigni gouernour of Calabria had not by his vigilancie and valour slackt the heate of the peoples rage And the quarrell had beene ended by the death or imprisonment of Ferdinand himselfe if Iohn of Capoua brother to the Duke of Termini whom Ferdinand had brought vp a page had not performed the part of a most faithfull and loyall seruant Ferdinand defâ—ated by Aubigni who leauing his horse lost his life to saue his maister Ferdinand hauing his horse slaine vnder him Gonsalue fled through the mountaines to RhegiuÌ„ Ferdinand to Palma lying vpon the sea neere to Seminare froÌ„ thence to Messina Ferdinand grieued with this disgrace wil once againe trie the hazard of armes He is well informed that all the citty of Naples desires him greatly many of the chiefe both of the Nobility and people call him secretly And therefore before the brute of this ouerthrow in Calabria should alter this good humour hee parts from Messina with three score vessels with top-masts and twenty lesse furnished more for shew and brauery then for any good seruice hauing no forces proportionable to so high an enterprise The peoples fauour and desire supplied his want of men The Townes of Salerne Melfe and la Caue display their Ensignes he houers about Naples attending some mutinie in the Cittie But all was in vaine the Vice-roy had in time manned the approches and suppressed the rebellion which began to breed But according to the aduice of some hee should haue armed such ships as were in the harbour with Souldiers and men of execution and haue charged the enemie who being strong in snipping and weake in men was retyred to Ischia The conspirators faint not but seeing their practise discouered make a vertue of necessitie They call back Ferdinand and intreate him to land to giue both force and courage to those that would â—ise in his fauour He approcheth and lands at Magdeleine a mile from Naples Here the Vice-roy shewed no lesse courage when he should most feare then he had shewed himselfe fearefull when as resolution was most necessary He leades in a manner all the garrison out of the Citty to disturbe his landing The Neapolitans imbracing this occasion flie to armes troupe together at the sound of the bell seize vpon the gates and proclaime Ferdinands name in all places Our French are now in danger on all sides shall they attend the forreine enemie or shall they go to incounter them within the Cittie They haue no meanes to enter by the same way they came forth all are armed all is barred vp There is no other accesse but by the port ioyning vâ—to the new Castle 〈◊〉 enters 〈◊〉 but the way is long and hilly and they must go about a good part of the Towne walles But during this march Ferdinand enters and riding through the Citty the people receiue him with great cries of ioy the French hauing recouered the Castle seeke to winne the heart of the Citty but being repulsed with Crosse-bowes and small Artillery and finding the entrie of euery streete well manned the night likewise approching abandoning almost two thousand horse good and bad vpon the place hauing no meanes to keepe them within the fort vnfurnished of prouisions all put themselues into the Castell dispairing euermore of themselues to recouer the Towne Most part reuolt
armes and by a generall proclamation both within the Cittie and abroad commaunds them to arme and to fall vpon the Huguenots with warrant from the Pope the King and the Court of Parliament Then they kill they fill the prisons they massacre many When they find no holes to hold them the riuer is heaped vp with carcasses they cast them aliue out of the windowes and if they labout to recouer the banks they beat them downe with stones and staues The Protestants shut vp in the Towne house hauing no other helpe but to despaire of health resolue to sell their liues deerely They had Canon and with the thunder thereof doe amaze their enemies they make many sallies with great effusion of bloud on either side They treat an accord with them They demaund an assurance for their liues and goods with the obseruation of the Edict It is reiected and so this vnciuill fatall combat continues many dayes In the end the 16. of May they graunt them To retyre in safetie leauing their armes and harnes in the Towne house They goe forth towards night But oh confusion it is the best expedient to disarme an enemie with dispensation of conscience with whom they will keepe no faith At their going forth they imprisoÌ„ such as they can lay hand on the rest scape by the gate which they held some recouer Montauban or other places of their partie others are subiect to the mercie of the pesants and souldiars lying in the fields So as aboue three thousand fiue hundred persons saith the Originall lost their liues in this mutinie The Catholiks are now absolute maisters of the Cittie they beate downe the Protestants Temple and foure dayes togither they kill imprison and spoyle These broâ—es and popular tumults haue often times confounded the authors themselues and the spoile of rich houses is a very dangerous and attractiue bayte The Parliament knowes it well and begins now to feare least the insolencie of such to whome they had giuen libertie should fall vpon themselues They therefore leuie a summe of money to content the companies and to voyde the Towne of them So Montluc and Terrides march against Montauban Fourquenaux against Bezieres Mirepoix the yonger against Limoux The Court hauing the gouernment without controul displace two twentie Councellors that were least partiall and most suspect with some cheefe menâ— condemne prisoners and from the end of May vnto February following they execute by diuers manners foure hundred persons This massacre of Toulouse that of Gaillac in Albigeois against eight score persons Montauban and the approch of Burie and Monluc had so amazed the Inhabitants of Montauban as they abandon the Towne but the taking of Agen and the troubled estate of Bourdeaux as we haue heard called away both of them for this time In the meane time Arpaion and Marchastell putting two thousand men into Montauban had put courage into them when as newes comes that Monluc Terrides comes to beseege them with a thousand horse and fiue thousand foote the which made the Captaines take a new resolution to go to Orleans The people are amazed feare driues many out in confusion the drum sounds they issue forth tumultuously forsake the Towne and abandon the gates But which was the better expedient either to die in defence of their houses and families or to fall into the hands of the enemie from whom they might expect no mercy The most part being surprised in the fields were forced to yeeld their throats to their swords that pursued them others brought to Toulouse ended their liues vpon sundry gibets the Captaines and some few others recouered the Towne The 24. of May Monlucs armie arriues but being content with some skirmishes Three seeges of Montauban and to haue wasted the corne hee retyred to make a greater leape Hee returnes in September following with nine companies of men at armes a great number of voluntary gentlemen 25. enseigns of foot foure companies of Argoletiers and three of Spaniards which made twelue hundred men and thirteene peeces of artillerie The partie was stronger on either side then at the first for Duras and Marchastel were entred vnder hope to leade both the companies and Canon to Orleans So as Monluc hauing lost some six hundred men in diuers skirmishes and refused to fight with Duras who offered him battaile he retyred the second time Then Duras and Marchastâ—l leading away the troupes vnfurnished the Towne of two great Canons and two field peeces the which were afterwards lost in the battaile of Ver. Monluc aduertised of the estate of Montauban by Fontgraue one of the Captaines of the Towne hastens thither offers the scalado and giues the alarum in three parts Two hundred recouer the first courtyne being followed by the two enseigns of Bazourdan Laboria borne in the Towne and Captaine there beats them backe and with the slaughter of two hundred of their men forceth them to leaue their attempt to winne it by force The 13. of October they batter it with nine peeces of artillerie and continuing vntill the two and twentith of the moneth hee beates downe a peece of the wall Bazourdan will needs discouer the breach but being shott in aboue the left pappe he could not returne with any newes The next day they giue a furious assault the more couragiously the assailants presse them the more resolutely the assailed defend themselues men women and children euery one in his place Often times they obteine that vnder the foxes skin which the Lions cannot effect Labâ—â—ia might doe much to draw the Inhabitants to composition Terrides promiseth him the gouernment of the Towne vnder the Kings authoritie and three companies entertayned Hee accepts this offer But his new proceeding brings him presently into suspect so as hauing no more credit and the Cittizens resolute not to giue eare to any capitulation with men who hauing say they no faith cannot keepe it with any men Laboria followed by his sergeant retyres himselfe to Terrides campe from that time vnto the 15. of Aprill the day of the publication of the peace the seege passed in assaults sallies and skirmishes wherein the besegers lost aboue two thousand men with a great number of Captaines and worthie gentlemen without any profit Carcassonne Castelnaudarry Reuel and Limeux were partakers of these disorders The Protestants of Carcassonne had their exercise in the suburbs The 16. of March 1562. the Catholiks hauing taken vew of foure or fiue thousand men giue an â—larum to the Protestants assembled in the suburbs Carâ—â—ssonne and others they made them to leaue the place at the sound of their Canon drums and trumpets they pursue them kill hurt hang and ransome them Castelnau darry was subiect to the like fortune about fiftie persons were murthered with the like furie and popular tumult Those of Reuel hearing of the confusion at Toulouse saued themselues at Castres and els where leauing their famiâ—lies and goods to the mercie of theeues and robbers Some
attempt against his owne house These counterfet speeches reteine the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Condé who had desired leaue to retyre themselues but then they made no more mention of leauing the Court. Charles himselfe Katherin his mother come in the afternoonâ— to visit the Admiral The Admirall shewes vnto them the miseries which the breach of the peace would bring vnto France 1572. beseecheth him to chase away these mutinies and to mainteine his promised faith wherevpon he was come to Court and to prouide for the preseruation of the realme But the Queene Mother knew well how to preuent him least hee should acquaint the King with some secrets touching the preseruation of his Estate The King protests againe to be exceeding sorry Treachery in â— King that this acte toucheth his honour and that he will be reuenged so as the memory thereof shall remaine for euer Hee perswades the Admirall to suffer himselfe to be carryed to the Louure for the safetie of his person that it was to be feared least the multitude stirred vp by the authours of his hurt should fall into some greater mutinie He also aduiseth the Gentlemen Protestants to lodge about the Admirals lodging least sayd hee that being dispersed through the Citty they should receiue some wrong But to shew that hee would not forget any thing that might concerne the Admirals safety seeing the griefe of his wound would not suffer him to be transported hee commands Cosseins Captaine of his gardes to giue the Admirall as many of his garde as hee pleased and to suffer no Catholike to enter And least any man should grow amazed hereat the King writes to the Gouernours of the Prouâ—nces to the chiefe Townes and Magistrates That he would take such order as the authors of so wicked an acte should bee knowne and punished And to his Ambassadors with forraine Princes That they should make it knowne to all the world that this outrage doth displease him The Queene mother writes in like maner but this was onely to keepe euery byrd within his nest In the meane time the Dukes of Aniou and Guise tooke counsell of that which they had to doe the â—ight following Saterday in the morning it is bruted through out the Citty that the Protestants did threaten the house of Guise Herevpon the Dukes of Guise and Aumale go vnto the King and say vnto him That of late they haue found their seruice to be little agreeable to his Maiestie that if he were pleased to see them retyred to their â—ouses they were ready to depart Go saith Charles vnto them with a frowning countenance where you please I will haue you at all times if you bee found guiltie of the Admirals hurt So making shew to be discontented they go to horse and many with them yet meaning to lye in Paris Paris was a pit-fall to intrap the chiefe of all the Protestants they being dead the baser sort of that party would in all likelyhood remaine quiet The time now offred a fitte opportunity of reuenge the which should not be lost This counsell was taken after dinner at the Tuilleries by the King the Qâ—eene Mother the Dukes of Aniou Neners The King resolues â—o mâ—â—sacre the Protestanâ—s Rests and Tauannes The King of Nauarres life with the Prince of Condes were put in ballance the warres had beene managed in their names If they liue sayd one they will serue as an Enseigne to reuiue those Huguenots which shall remaine in diuers Prouinces and shall euery day minister new motiues of confusions Contrarywise the Admirall and the principals being taken away it shall bee easie to restraine these young Princes not onely not to attempt any innouation but also in time to win the Kings good fauour by their seruices also the indignity of the fact would purchase an insuppoâ—table hatred among strangers God disposed the hearts of the Councell to this second aduice so as they will imbrace the Catholikes religion and liue vnder the obedience of his Maiesty As for the rest whom the fury of their armes should touch they might with a goodly pretext leaue to the ancient quarrell of the Guisiens against the Admirall and take for an excuse the feare they had least the Huguenots should seeke a reuenge for his hurt To lay all the hatred vpon the Guisiens they giue the charge of this businesse to the Duke of Guise they appoint him the meanes the time and the ministers of the execution The night being come the Duke calls vnto him the Captaines of the Suisses and other companies whom to that end they had drawne into the Citty and deliuers his charge vnto them The Duke of Guisâ— giues order for the massacre which was to roote out the Admirall and all his Partisans He exhorts them to bloud and spoile and disposeth his troupes in some speciall places Then he giues aduise vnto the Prouost of the Marchants the Sheriffes and quarter maisters â—hat throughout all France the like should be done to the Huguenots as at Paris â—hat the Palace Bell ringing at the breake of day shall giue the signall and the marke of these executioners should be a handkerchefe tyed about theâ—r armes with a white crosse in their hattes That they should put their men in armes and be at midnight in the Towne-house to receiue order what they had to do They assemble at midnight and place many gardes in the streetes Some Gentlemen lodged neere vnto the Admirall rise at the noise of their armes and the light of their Lampes and going into the streeres they inquire of the fiâ—st they meete what this assembly of armed men meant at so vnseasonable a time A doubtfull answer being giuen them makes them to repayre to the Louure to discouer more Here the gardes go from words to blowes and fall vpon them The Duke of Guise parts from the Louure accompanied with the Knight of Angoulesme The chiefe murtherers bastard to Henry the second the Duke of Aumale Cosseins Sarlaboux Goas Attin a Piccard Haufort an Auueâ—gnac and Besmes a Germaine with some Harguebuziers of the Kiâ—gs and all the Duke of Anious garde The Alarum Bell â—ings at Saint Germaine Auxerrois and they publish throughout the Citty That the Huguenots had conspired against the King the Queene Mother and all the chiefe in Court Cosseins knocks at the Admirals gate hee enters at two of the Clock in the morning the 24. of the moneth stabbes him that comes to open it forceth the dores of the lodging enters with seuen or eight armâ—d men Besmes a houshold seruant to the Duke of Guise offers the Admirall the point of his sword Herevpon the Admirall being risen vpon his feâ—te and couered with his night gowne sayd Yong man thou shouldest haue respect vnto my olde age Thâ— Admiral muâ—thered and infirmitie but thou shalt no way shorten my dayes he thrusts him through the brest and then doubles it on his head Attin shootes him through with a
obedience and rebeâ—â—ion some remayned iâ— their fidelitie the rest might haue beene assured wiâ—h small force But Caâ—herine terrefies 〈◊〉 most of all You haue saith shee to do with tâ—e Pope the Emperour tâ—e King of Spaine the Duke of Sauoie with some Princes oâ— Germanie with the Cathâ—â—ike Câ—â—tons of the Suisses who renounce your aâ—liance and with al the house of Lorraiâ—e Theâ— number fiue and twentie Prouinces and great commaunders in this pâ—rtâ—â— yâ—â—r â—est Townes are ingaged all are resolute to hazard goods persons and liues to saue reâ—â—gion from shipwracke Thus this poore Prince is terrefied hee thinkes tâ—e Dâ—ke 〈◊〉 Guise is at his heeles holds the Capuchinâ— Cloister to be more safe for him 〈…〉 Louure He is not the same mâ—n that vanquished his enemies at Iarnac Montcontour he wants courage hee desires nothing more then to purchase the Dukes fauour 〈◊〉 promiseth that for a peace he will giue him a good part of his Kingdome The Duke of Guise a Prince of great experience discreet valiant and worthie to be numbâ—ed amongst the brauest Captaines knowes the King is seized with fright and sees that the lustre of his armes shines ouer all His courage swels through the Kings chiâ—dish feare hee continues his course and begins to hope for more then hee had pâ—â—tended Hee therefore demaunds much and his request ioynes his owne priuate interest with the publike The Duke of Guâ—sâ— fortified by a peace hee beseecheth the King to make an irreuocable Edâ—ct for the extirpation of heresies to take away the Townes held by the Huguenots by force to renounce the Protection of Geneua to allow of their armes to ioyne his vâ—to theâ—rs Which was as much to say of a King to make himselfe a partisan The King makes a counterfeit peace with them and by his Edict of the 18. of Iuly reuokes all other made in fauour of the Protestants The peace reuoked by the Edict of Iuly hee commaunds their ministers to depart the realme and to all his subiects within six monethes to make profession of the Catholike religion or to auoyd the countrie He approues the Leaguars armes as leuied for his seruice allowes of their pretexts and by secret articles concluded at Nemours contents them in all matters onely with this condition To leaue the League and instantly to lay downe armes a trappe whereby they should in the ende be taken As for their security they left it to the Kings good pleasure yet would they haue in their powers the towne of Chalon Thoul Verdun S. Disier Reims Soissons the Castell of Dijon Beaune Rue in Picardie Dinan and Concq in Brittaine they caused the King to pay two hundred one thousand sixe Crownes and two third parts for the strangers which they had leuied they had a discharge for a hundred sixe thousand three hundred and fortie Crownes eight sols and three deniers which they had taken vpon the generall receites They obtayned a hundred thousand Crownes to build a Cittadell at Verdun and entertaynment for gards on horse-backe for all the Princes of the League To conclude the extorsions robberies burnings profanations and other insolencies which such armes drawe after them deuoured more flesh in three moneths that this warre continued wasted more fat and suckt more bloud from the poore people for whose ease they had so often protested to haue taken armes then the ordinary charges could haue consumed in many yeares This outrage was the cause of seauen and twenty Edicts to discharge those millions of gold which this furie had wasted to the peruerting of Iustice policy and the treasure A rash enterprise ruines it selfe when it finds resistance but if the attempters finde that they are feared their impunity growes confident This peace had made a great breach in the Kings authortie but they had extorted it by force not three daies before hee had proclaymed them rebells and guilty of treason they might then easily iudge that hee would hatch an egge whereof should spring some notable reuenge Doubtlesse Henry determined it but the three bretheren who were the chiefe architects of this conspiracie kept themselues apart and could not bee catcht in one net and to maintaine themselues they had no better expedient then by armes They make the King resolue to warre against the Protestants they shewe him the facility thereof three mornings say they will ende it We haue the assistance of all Christian Princes the Germaine forces will march no more for the King of Nauarre a poore Prince without money and withour credit The Queene of England shall haue worke inough to resist the Spaniards attempts the Spaniarde prepared then that great armie against England which wee shall see dispersed with small resistance like a puffe of winde and their strongest places will parle at our first approches Let vs make warre saith the King against them in Gods name Warre against the Protestants I will entertayne three armies one in Guyenne an other about mine owne person and the third vpon the fronter against the strangers whome the Huguenotes expect out of Germanie there wants nothing but money the charge amounts to foure hundred thousand Crownes a moneth I haue by your aduise broken the peace saith hee to the best of the Clergie of the Parliament and of the Cittizens of Paris beeing assembled at the Louure assure me nowe of meanes to make warre And afterwards he saied to the Cardinall of Guise The heads of the Clergie are they which haue most importuned mee to warre it is no reason I alone should beare the charge of that which redounds to the publike I assure my selfe you will not faile to assist mee And to the first president notwithstanding the Parliament had lately verified the letters pattents whereby the King condemned the authors of this rebellion as traytors I haue found so much zeale and affection in you to cause mee to reuoake the last Edict of peace as I assure my selfe you will finde reasons sufficient to perswade them of your facultie to forbeare their entertaynments so long as the warres shall continue And then to the Preuost of marchants he saied The Cittie hath shewed it selfe most affectionat tothe breach of the Edict they must be as willing to contribute the charges of the warre Go presently and assemble the bodie of your Cittie and make mee an imposition of two hundred thousands Crownes Without doubt euery one of these was verie willing to haue warre but loth to feale the discommodities it brought They begin to finde that the most preiudiciall peace is better then the most triumphant and victorious warre Yet the League 〈◊〉 haue warre and euen they whose forefathers were wont to carrie it beyond the 〈◊〉 into Asia Affricke and to the end of the world do nowe nourish it in their owne Câ—untrie But the authors thereof could not stand but in the midest of a generall confusion The King of Nauarre seeing tâ—is cloude readie to breake vpon his partie complaines that the
writes vnto them Our great could not execute his desseine the King hâ—uing saued himselfe within Chartres I wish you to retire to your houses as quietly as you may â—aking no shew to haue seene any thing And in the ende I am so amazed as I knowe not what to doo I beleeue him Kings haue long hands they catch a farre off and their blowes are dangerous So hereafter the King shal free himselfe from the leaguers party but he shall be little the better The Duke is no lesse troubled in minde seeing the Sunne of the royall Maiesty eclipsed hee seemes grieued rebukes the people causeth outrages to ceasse deliuers the French companies their armes and puts them out off the Citty but at Saint Anthonies gate quite contrary to the waye which their Maister tooke In such mutinies no minde bee it neuer so resolute continues stâ—ll constant in one Estate The Duke of Guise sees now that the greatest of the Clergy approue not these newe insolencies their callings haue more grace vnder the beauty of a King then in the confusion of a Democraâ—ie The French Nobility at the least of ten parts nine cannot fit themselues to the humors of the Princes of the League their proper and eâ—â—entiall forme iâ— to oppose themselues against the subuersion of this Estate The Gentlemen hold their honours dâ—gnities charges fees and iurisdictions by homage of the King and foresee that a royalty cannot be suppressed but the Nob lity must likewise perish there is the like reason but without proportion of the obedience and taxe due vnto a King as of a rent due vnto the Lord of a Mannor hee that hath withdrawne himselfe from the first will likewise free himselfe from the last Hee sees that the learned men of honour abhor tâ—is disgrace lately done vnto the King The Court of Parlament resolues to abandon Paris All France is offended with the Kings departure and without the Kings person the Tragedy of Chilperic cannot well bee played nor the instructions of the Aduocate Dauid perfectly effected It is therefore better to play the dutifull seruant and making vnto the King some shew of respect seruice and obâ—dience to labour to returne into Grace and at the fiâ—st opportunity to effect their purpose The Duke seekes â—o returnâ— into â—auour So the Duke of Guise not able to support himselfe in these high attempts falls flat downe Hee protests of his innocencie to the King and of his endeauours to checke the peoples fury hee offers to prostrate himselfe at the Kings feete to iustifie his honour the which hee saies is strangely wounded by his enemies that are about his Maiesty But on the other side the glosse doth ill agree with the text hee chooseth a Prouost of Marchants and Sheriffes at his pleasure receiues the Arcenall the Bastille and other places of strength deposeth many quarter maisters and Captaines takes an oath from such as he installs seizeth vpon the Kings treasure as he had done at Chaalons Reimes Soissons and through all the towns of his obedience And if this mischiefe continues said he I protest to preserue both the Religion and the Catholikes Then by other letters written to Bassompierre a Lorraine The King leuies forces and so do we He is at Chartres and we at Paris Espernon is chased out off Normandie the kings seruants are imprisoned in many great townes the lesser send to submit themselues to Paris and vs. Whilest the Duke prepares a salue for the so are which he had made and the Parisiens perswade their associates to mainteine themselues ioyntly against the King of Nauarres with whom they said the King had made himselfe a partisan to the preiudice of religion and the Catholike Church his Maiestie exhorts his Lieutenants and Gouernours of his Prouinces to retaine the Nobility and people within those limits of duety and respect which tie them to their Soueraigne and the chiefe citties not to frame their affections after the modell of Paris But he speaks no more like a King his stile is the stile of a man that flies that feares that intreats And to repaire this disorder he imployes the Queene Mother The Queene Mother imployed â—or a peace But how could this turbulent spirit cure the infirmities of the Estate being irreconciliable in her hatred to the princes of the bloud and transported in her affection to the children of her daughter the Duchesse of Lorraine She aduiseth the King to passe ouer quietly the insolencies of the league but there is no likelihood she should more regard the profit of her sonne then the aduancement of the Marquis of Pont her grandchild She brings to this newe common weale for the royalty seemed now to be changed into a Democratie complaints and teares against the brauings and force of a couragious Prince and a furious multitude And promising effects of greater zeale to Religion more respect in the distribution of offices and more moderation in the exaction of subsidies she presumed to giue contentment to those who made shew to imploy themselues for a generall â—eformation and to reduce the most violent to their obedience But this serues but to breed a second treaty like to that of Nemours Paris without the King is a body without forme the most iudicious find it and lament his departure The late orders of religious men haue great credit with him They send the Capuchins in procession vnto Chartres to mitigate the heat of his choller and then the chiefe of the Citty went to excuse the motiues which had forced the people to defend themselues and to beseech him to returne to Paris where hee should be â—eceiued with as great ioy as his subiects were grieued to vnderstand of his departure and should finde better seruants then those which had councelled him to ruine and then to leaue them and to graunt them seuen principall points of their petition The extirpation of heresie by the forces of his maiesty and the holy vnion Seuen demâ—nds of thâ— leâ—gue The banishment of the Duke of Espernon and of his brother la Valette Warre in Guyenne by the King in person and by the Duke of Mayenne in Daulphiné Abolition of the tumults of Paris Confirmation of officers chosen for the managing of ciuill causes since the Barricadoes A restoring of the goodly and auncient ordinances of the Realme And an abolition of parties gifts and abuses brought in by Espernon and â—a Valette The Qâ—eene mother presents these Deputies and the King vrged by the league to graunt their request le ts the Cardâ—nall of Bourbon and the other Princes vnderstand The Kings answer That the peace and warre the battells wherin he hath so willingly exposed his person and the last ouerthrow of the Protestant Reistres haue alwaies beene sufficient testâ—monies of his zeale to the mainteynance of the onely Catholike religion withi◠〈◊〉 realme to the extirpation of heresie and false doctrine but iealousyes and distrust had preuented him from reaping the fruits
of the aduantage which he had ouer the said heretikes That for a present reformation of affaires and to preuent the feare the Catholikes had to fall vnder the commaund of heretikes he would call a Parlement of the three Estates of France and resolues presently to reuoke many impositions which oppresse the people As for the priuate complaints against the Duke of Espernon and his brother I will saith he alwaies make it knowne in all occasions that I am a iust Prince and will preferre the common profit of my Realme before any other consideration The duke of Espernons iustification But the two brethren Espernon and la Valette say To what ende should they make an enterprise at Paris to take the Duke of Espernon who was then in Normandie and why made they â—arricadoes euen to the gates of the Louure armed the people and seized vpon all the chiefe places of the Citty to chase la Vallete from Valence and other parts of Daulphiné where he remained And if the confusions of former ages haue kept other Kings from acknowledging our fathers seruices and he hath rewarded his merits in his children what bee those iealous and malicious heads that enuy our fauours with his maiestie What censure what rigour what lawe may keepe a King of France from aduancing to authority some fauourites who reuiue in them the vertues of their ancestors Moreouer the League makes mention in what places our fauour hath beene imploied the treaties of the Duke of Espernon in Guienne his being acquainted with Cleruauts negotiation for the Huguenots of Metz the enterprises hee hath made vppon Cambray his late fauour to the Reistres in their returne his secret conference with Chastillon the consultations of that tumult which hath lately happened in Paris the taking of Vallence Tallard Guilestre and other places from the Catholikes of Daulphiné and his practises to stay the yeelding of Aussone But we say would to God we had in like sort taken Chaalon Dijon Montrueil Cambray and all that are subiect vnto his Maiesty within the heart of France They tearme vs fauourers of Heretikes And yet we haue in sixe moneths taken from them by the sword all their conquests in Prouence the King since the death of Henry the bastard and Grandâ—Prior of France had giuen this gouernement to the Duke of Espernon which former Gouernours could not do in twenty years The taking of Sorgues in Daulphiné by vs two during the frozen time of winter and the ouerthrow of the Hugâ—enots Suisses by la Valette but especially the last disvnion of the Suisses from the Reistres which made the way for the Duke of Guise to defeat them at Auneau and the discontent wherein the Duke of Espernon left the King of Nauarre at his departure out off Guienne are not these sufficient testimonies that their accusations are as friuolous and malicious as the sale of offices wherewith foâ—ke chaâ—ge them for iustification whereof the Duke of Espernon offers to present his head at his Maiesties feete if it be proued that he had euer any such thought in his soule Contrariwise who hath during the reignes of Henry the second and Francis the second managed the treasure without controll but the house of Guise whereof the latter â—ollow the steppes of their Predecessors Who haue forced the King to exact vpon his subiects but the warre which they haue kindled and drawne his Maiesty into what house did euer from so small a beginning grow to so fearefull a greatnesse To conclude no man shal blame vs for being Pensionars to the King of Spaine to haue hindred our King from the recouery of the Seigneuries of the Lowe Countries nor to haue stollen away the reuenues of his generall receipts Wee will no wayes hinder this goodly reformation we are not in Court nor in the Kings presence Let vs see the first fruits of this so commendable a gouernement Haue you left Paris haue you yelded it to the King your Lord and naturall Prince Nothing lesse you haue reuolted Câ—rbeil Melun and Pontoise you haue with false perswasions withdrawne the best Citties of the realme But we will in protesting to bee ready to deliuer iâ—to his maiesties hands with our liues and honor all the offices â—harges gouernements and places which it hath pleased him to commit vnto vs inuite our accusers to doe the like And if they will pretend in quality of persons let them vnderstand that whatsoeuer eyther party holds it appertaines vnto the King neyther can they keepe it but at his pleasure Thus the two brethren iustified themselues whilest the Court of Parlement makes knowne vnto the King by their Deputies their griefe for this insolencie which had forced him to abandon Paris They appeale vnto his clemencie and bounty Deputies of the Parliament with the King They present for an humble excuse of his officers the weaknesse and feare which had forced them yeeld to so violent a reuolt beseching him to returne into his Citty and to giue rest and content to his Maiestie order to his affaires grace to their purple robes and authority to their offices and by his presence to disperse the mutinies which diuisions had bred For answer The Kings answer I doubt not said the King but you would willingly haue reformed this disorder if it had beene in your power neither of your persisting in the same affection and fidelity which you haue testified to my forefathers I am not the first that hath beene toucht with such afflictions neither will I leaue to be a good father to such as shall be good children I will alwayes intreat the Parisiens with the quality of a father as children that haue strayed from their duty not as seruants that haue conspired against their maister Continue in your offices and receiue from the Queene my mother the commandements and intentions of my will This answer was soft and colde but after dinner he addes a sharper part and calling back the Deputies I know saith he wherefore garrisons are set either to ruine a Towne or for distrust of the inhabitants But what cause had the Parisiens to presume that I would destroy a Towne wherevnto I haue brought so many commodities by my presence as ten or twelue townes would thinke themselues greatly benefited thereby and what distrust could I haue of a people whom I loued of a people in whom I trusted Haue they lost a loafe or any thing whatsoeuer by meanes of these pretended garrisons I sought the preseruation of my good Cittie of Paris and the safety of my subiects meaning by a strict search to put out a great number of strangers whom I knew to be secretly crept in They haue offended me yet am I not irreconciliable neither haue I any humour to ruine them But I will haue them confesse their faults and know that I am their King and maister If not I will make the markes of their offence remaine for euer I will reuoke my Court of Parliament my
Inquisition might not bee equalled with the Duke of Aumale who was absent but by reason of the troubles Euery one was content eytâ—er with that wâ—ich was done or with that which reason did not allowe to be done After that the Ambassadors of Spaine had obteyned wâ—at they dâ—sired for the execution of the Peace and admired the Kings houses and the wonders of Paris they returned with a â—emembrance of his Maiesties bountie who gaue them Ieâ—els and Cupbords of Plate There remained foure princiâ—all men as hostages for â—ssâ—rance of the restitution of the Townes as it was concluded by the Treatie All should bee performed by the second of August they began by the Townes of Picardie so faithfully as the King withouâ— expecting the full â—atisfaction of the Treatie sent backe the hostages relying onely vpon the r word It was also concluded by the Treatie that the Archduke who had approued the Peace in the name of the King of Spaine should also sweare the obseruation thereof in the same name and in the prâ—sence of such as it should please the King to send H s Maiestie would not employ any other then such as had serued him so worthi y in the conclusion theâ—eof as Belâ—eure and Brulart two of the chiefe of his Councell and â—im whose valour in the recouery of Amiens had much aduanced the end of tâ—iâ—â—arre Tâ—is honour was accompanied with an other that was greater and more dâ—â—râ—ble vpon the chiefe of this Ambassage The King doth neuer forget to recompence great and generous actions hee would haue the Marshall Biron as well a preâ—â—â—ent of hâ—s â—auours as of the loyalty of his seruâ—ce And therâ—fore he erected his Baâ—onie of Biron into a Duchie and made him Peere of France He was receiued in the Parliament with a generall applause and testâ—monie of all the assistants that theâ—e â—onours alâ—hough they were great did not equall the greatnesse of his merits He made a soâ—lemne feast for this new dignity The King went from Saint Germaine to honour him with his presence A 〈…〉 â—he Duâ—e of Bâ—ron 2â— Iune witnessing that this was not the end nor period of the honours wherewith he would reward the perseuerance of his seruices and the constanciâ— of his affection At that time there was nothing in him that was lesse to be admiâ—ed then imitated Slander could not cause any corruption in a body inspired with the life of honour and valour as flyes breed not wormes but in dead bodyes and hee that had spoken ill of him should haue gotten no credit Hee had not yet receiued that pestâ—lent infection which corrupted his bloud and dâ—priued him of all â—â—dgement Reprehension had no power ouer him but when as hee spake vnreuerently of the King One of his friends was then the Oracle of his fortune who told him plainly that if hee did not forbeare his licentious speech he would repent it What can they do answered he the other replied that which you feare not And pressing him to speake more plainly his friend knowing that Princes are very apprehensiue sensible and that the offences which they dissemble most they pardon least said vâ—tâ— him halfe in choller and halfe in iest that the King would cut off his head This threate was so vnlikely as he made a iest of it The bad intentions which began to seize vpoÌ„ his soule in this Ambassage of Flanders haue verified the prediction Nothing could make him vnhappy but the excesse of his happines which depriued him of al gouernment modesty If he had bin lesse fortunate he had bin more wise It was no strange thing to make the sonne of the Marshal Biron Marshall Biron An ancient house might well be honored with the title of a Duchie A great Captaine who had so great a share in the restaurat on of France deserued the honor title of a Peere but this was to recoÌ„pence him in the midst of his course for all that he might expect at the end of his carrier The fiâ—st seruice the Duke of Biron did after this new dignity was the voiage of â—landers He made his assembly at Peronne from whence he went to lie at Cambray In the mid way the Earle of Sore Lieutenant generall of that Country met him who after that he had saluted him with a long and respectiue discourse told him that he haâ— coÌ„mandement from his maister to do him seruice in that voiage and to accompany him vnto Bruxelles They of Cambray feasted him in their Towne house He had the like entertainment at Vallenciennes and at Mons Being arriued at our Lady of Halle three leagues from Bruxelles he found a Steward of the Archdukes and fifty of his gard to attend him The next day which was the fift after his departure he was met vpon the way to Bruxelles by the Earle of Mansfield the Duke of Aumale and the Prince of Orange with aboue two hundred horse in the Archdukes name so conducted through the Citty vnto his lodging He rested the Friday and the next day he went to haue audience of the Archduke He was accompanied with Count Mansfield Belieure with the Duke D'aumale and Brulart with the Prince of Orange Thus they entred into the Archdukes chamber whom they found alone without any one but the Bishop of Antwerp and the President Richardot The Duke of Biron began the discourse and Belieure continued it On the Sunday following the Duke of Biron went to the Cathedrall Church the Archduke hauing sent him 20. Carosses for him selfe and his traine There did the Archduke sollemnly sweare the obseruation of the Peace in the name of the King of Spaine The Archâ—duke sweares the â—eace from thence the Duke of Biron went on horseback to the Archdukes Pallace where he dined At the Archdukes table sat the Duke of Biron Belieure Brulart the Count Mansfield the Duke of Aumale the Prince of Orange the Bishop of Antwerp At another Table were some 20. French Gentlemen chosen by the Duke of Biron The Archdukes prâ—sents to the Duke of Biron and 8. or 10. Spaniards Wallons So after some daies spent in feasting the Archduke hauing presented the Duke of Biron with 2. faire Horses gold plate a rich Iewel and a Rapier with Girdle and Hangers set with pretious Stones all which were esteemed at ten thousand Crownes hauing alsâ— giuen to Belieure and Brulart rich sutes of Tapistry and Chaines of gold and to euery one of the French Gentlemen a Rapier blade and a paire of Spanish Gloues they returned home very well satisfied But the Duke of Biron did not so much respect what was giuen him as the esteeme they made of his valour if he would imploy it for the King of Spaines seruice Picote did first infect him with this poison which caused a Feuer proued incurable but by that shamfull letting of bloud wherof the King was presently aduertised by a true hearted FrenchmaÌ„ who remained at that time
Marchants forbidding to lay any new imposition vpon the marchandise remembring well that as the auarice of the Duke of Alua in the imposition of the tenth penny vpon all marchandise had made all the Prouinces reuolt so it was reasonable to augment their liberties Isabelle of Valois Mother to Isabelle of Austria called The Queene of Peace for the Prince which seekes to inrich his subiects cannot be poore wheÌ„ they are rich They did hope that the Infanta Daughter to a Princesse whom Europe called The Queene of Peace should be the Doue to bring the Oliue branch in signe that these great Deluges of bloud should cease but she declared presently that she could not yeeld vnto a Peace liberty of Conscience In all other things they do acknowledge her a Generous Princesse full of Pietie and Clemencie Let vs leaue their Highnesses in their Councels at warre and returne into France to see how the King doth husband the Peace He imployes all his thoughts for the profit of his subiects to restore them to those commodities whereof war had depriued them And therfore considering that a great multitude of his people remained vnprofitable for that they were not imploied in trades and occupations most necessary for traffick for that the works which should be made within the realme by FrenchmeÌ„ The enâ—â—ie of Silkes forbidden in France were brought and sold by Strangers namely Silkes and Cloth of Gold and Siluer he did therefore forbid by an Edict the entrie into his Realme of all Stuffes made of Silke Gold or Siluer pure or mixt vpon paine of confiscation to the end the French might be imploied in the making of all those marchandises which were forbidden to be brought in As the Marchants of Tours did solicit these Prohibitions so they of Lions made great sute to hinder it They alleaged that prohibiting the entry of Marchandise made by hand they must of necessity be made in France the which being well planted would yeeld sufficient coÌ„modity to nourish 500000. Frenchmen the Gold Siluer which goes out of the realme in specie in great abundance should continue there stil. Those of Lions did shew They of Lions hinder the purâ—ute of theÌ„ of Tours that this prohibitioÌ„ made the King to loose halfe his custome at Lions that it would ruine the Faires this ruine would draw after it the ruine of the Citty the which had bin built for the comerce and traffick of all Europe and was neuer seenâ— more flourishing then since the strangers frequented it by meanes wherof it did for a time so abound with money as our Kings haue found great succours in the necessity of their affaires and somtimes were indebted 6. or 7. Millions of Gold as well to the Inhabitants as to Marchant strangers That the whole State was interessed into her preseruation being one of the Bulwarkes of the weakest part lying open to enterprises of his enemies That many Strangers being ready since the Peace to come and make their Banke at Lions were held back vpoÌ„ the brute of the prohibition of strange wares if the Citty should continue disinhabited of Marchants of that quality it would be dangerous to leaue it in the hands of poore Artisans who are insolent in time of peace impatient in troubles and alwayes desirous of Innouations hauing nothing more vnpleasing vnto them then the present Notwithstanding all these reasons the King would haue the Edict passe the Duchesse of Beaufort was greatly affâ—ctâ—d to it The deceased King would haue done it and it was found reasonable by his Councel but in the end time let them know that it was no time to vse such prohibitioâ—â— The King in â—auour of the Queenâ— reuoked the forbidding of the entry of Silkes that before they hinder the entry of forraine stuffes made of Silke they must haue wherewithall to mâ—ke it within the Realme And therfore this Edict was reuoked at the Qâ—eenes entrie into Lions This yeare there was a notable Imposture which ministred matter of diâ—course to the Kings Councell to Preachers in their Pulpits and to the Court of Parliament 〈…〉 possest with a Diuell A yong maide of Romorantin named Martha Brossier hauing curiously read ouer the discourse of the Diuel of Laon she was so transported with the imagination of that which she read as imitating the motions of her folly she seemed to haue the Fits Passions of one that were possessed with the Diuell although nothing be so hard to counterfeit as the Diuell Iames Brossier her Father a man of himselfe busie and â—actiâ—â—s â—â—sirous of new things hauing obserued in his Daughter furious motions with such a stupidity and feare as it did moue commiseration and amazement in the most resolâ—â—e feare in the weaker hee seemed to beleeue that which hee would haue the people beleeue who came running to see this new Diuell publishing euery whâ—re that his Daughter was possest with an euill Spirit He presented her to the â—heologâ—â—l of Orleans who beleeued some thing seeing that his desseigâ—e grew into credit 〈…〉 the most famous places of all the Diocesse for deuotion 〈…〉 to be a Counteâ—fet to all the people beâ—eeuâ—d ceâ—taâ—nly that she was possest the which must be verified by the Iudgement of the 〈…〉 the Bishop of Angiers a graue and a wise man discouered her to be a 〈◊〉 and sent her away threatning to punish her if she returned into his Dâ—ocesse The 〈◊〉 of Orleans did also finde out her imposture forbidding the Clergie of the Diocesse to Exorcise her vpon paine of Suspension After that she had run 15. moneths vp and downe the Country being growne perfect in her counterfeit tricks Deuiâ—ish motions her Father thinking she knew enough that it was now time to present her vpoÌ„ the great Theater of France he conducts her to Paris and leads her to all the Churcheâ— to gather almes The people crie out presently to haue the Diuell coniured 〈…〉 an impiety to suffer one of Gods Creatures to bee so tyrannically 〈…〉 Diuell The Bishop assembles the learnedst Diuines and Pâ—isitioâ—s of the 〈…〉 Paris to haue their aduise about the coniuring of this 〈…〉 lie that it was but counterfeit A Capuchin griâ—ued to see the 〈…〉 said with some passion If any one beleeue not if he will 〈…〉 carry him away Marâ—scot fearing not be carried away by this kind of 〈…〉 that he would abide the hazard setting his knee vpoÌ„ Marthâ—s 〈…〉 he coÌ„manded her to be quiet whervpoÌ„ she stâ—rred not saying that her 〈…〉 The Court of Parliament seeing that all the people did run after Martha 〈…〉 that superstition which goes before is alwaies the beginner of impiety 〈…〉 their opinions and affections and cause some dangerous sedition 〈…〉 that Martha should be deliuered into the hands of the Lieutenant 〈…〉 Clergie said that those that were possest did not belong vnto the temporall in 〈…〉 and that the
to moderate their punishment what know I what they would haue sayd vpon the wheele you neuer attempted any thing against mee but when as they which slue my Sonne could no more accuse you What did then hinder you why you did not speedely aduertise the Iustices At the least it was feare to restore the money which you had taken in committing a Domesticall theft the which was alwaies punished with death and wherein the Lawes of Hospitality the which are Holy among all Nations were also violated Whome should I sooner challendge for the death of my Sonne then him who had his spoiles Nature hath hidden in the earth both gold siluer and iron but the malice of Man hath drawne them all forth that it might want no instruments for Murthers nor reward for Murtherers Desire and couâ—â—ousnesse thâ— cause of murâ—â—hers No man shâ—ddes bloud to die his hands therein there must be some other violent passion to thrust him on Couetousnesse is the most ordinary All coniectures all presumptions were and are found true that my Son had bin slaine by some one that desired his money whom then might I better call in question then him who was found seized thereon If treading vnder foote the Murther of my Sonne as some Mothers do I had onely demanded his goods of you you could not haue aâ—oyded 〈…〉 and rigorous condemnation But for that I haue sougâ—t reuenge of the Murther â— am thiâ— day in danger to bee condemned what recoâ—â—ence Caâ—us Antonius waâ—â—ccused for the Conspiracy of Catelin whereof he was 〈…〉 intermixt with other thefts which he had in formeâ—-times committed in Macedoniâ— for the which he was condemned And yet the one of his 〈…〉 common with the other In this câ—â—se Mâ—rther and Thefâ— haâ—e great 〈…〉 many bee there in this great Citty which beeing murthered lâ—â—e to this poore â—ong-man should â—emaine three monthes vnknowne if their Hoste waâ—ting them did not presently adueâ—â—iâ—e the Iustice. Sâ—ffer them to take their money without punishment that is 〈…〉 declare him innocent that hath hidden it and you shall hâ—pe to â—â—de the Murtherers It is a strange thing that in the head Citty of this Realme and in the 〈◊〉 of the Parliament there should be such furious Tigers found to 〈…〉 in the most â—ideous forest in the world Tâ—e mâ—re these 〈…〉 to coÌ„temne the Lawes the more must you endeauor to 〈…〉 All that may â—erue to punish such detestaâ—le crime must be 〈…〉 can so much aduance it as to 〈…〉 spirits are terrefied and amazed If all be â—â—ke vnto the 〈…〉 bee rotten before they know he is dead There be some that are incident to the suâ—pition of a crime 〈…〉 be very innocent as he that is found neere vnto a man that is newly Mâ—â—â—â—erâ—d 〈◊〉 happily be put to the Racke this is a meere mischance or rather 〈…〉 obserued in this case by the Heatheâ— Lawiers let vs say with the Dâ—ctors of the Church that it is a secâ—et iudgement of God the which we must aâ—mire and not curiously serch into The Thunder is Worshiped euen by them that are stroken with it Puâ—ishmeâ—ts ordayned by Iustice are the chastâ—sements of Gods hand whose Poâ—re is represented here belowe by the Prince and His by his Magistrates The Philosopher Crator sayd that hee which suffers 〈◊〉 wiâ—hout desert is much eased in this accident of fortune but in this fact which is now in question the Plaintiâ—s theft and not his mi â—ortâ—ne hâ—tâ— with great reason made this suspition to fall vpon him Do you not consider that the paine which you haue suffâ—ed is the cauâ—e you shal be tâ—is day abâ—olued Without it your theft could not remaine vnpunished your demand of domage and interest belongs onely to them that are meerely innocent if you bee accâ—sed of two faults and are found guilty of one you must iâ—pâ—ore the mercy of the Iudge and not his rigour It was then imp ssible to free you from the Racke by all the Mâ—ximes of Lâ—â—iers and their Interpreters followed by a Decree which nâ—edes no other dâ—â—ence then Reason And not to straie from this cause shall I let you plainly see that you neede not bâ—â— so fearefull to come to the Racke If these Mâ—rtherers â—ad not beâ—ne tortured for the robbery for the which they were executed they could not haue beene condemned for want of proofe The one of them conâ—est it vpon the Racke As the Racke tormented you so the Racke releeued you hauing discouered your innocency in regard of the Murtâ—er And in easing you it hath brought before iâ—â—â—e eyes my Murthered Sonne who presents himselfe euery night vnto mee with stretched out armes whilest the Mâ—rtherers kill him So as one and the selfe same tâ—ing hath filled me 〈◊〉 Heauâ—nesse and you with Ioy. Coâ—â—ent your selfe then with your good Fortune and insult no moreouer my misery do you not fâ—â—re that they will lesse pitty you and the paine you haue endured when they shall see you haue none of 〈◊〉 nor of my distresse I will not say vnto my Masters that it is cruell and barbarous to add afflictions to the afflicted why should I 〈…〉 seeing that all the condemnations which my aduerse partie demands against mee 〈…〉 no more to my calamitie A mothers passions excusable then small brookes doe vnto the Sea It is the onely comfort which remaynes in my miserie that it can haue no increase I will not therefore spend any time to cyte the texts of Lawiers which hold the violent passions of 〈◊〉 miserable a Mother excusable They be Lawes which are borne with vs whereof 〈◊〉 man can be ignorant seeing we haue suckt it with our Mothers milke and which â—ee cannot abrogate but in spoyling our Humanitie I will not striue to represent vnto you that affection to the Children or to the Parents euen as the loue of good Subiects to their Prince consists not in any mediocritie or temper but in excesse that excesâ—e which in otâ—er motiues of the mynd is vicious is herein the full of all perfection Why should I come to these excuses seeing that if I were to begin my Accusation I would doe no lesse then I haue done I had rather bee condemned to all sorts of Dâ—magâ—â— Interests and Reparations then to repent mee of the pursute I haue made for the death of my Sâ—nne A goodly pretext for those Mothers which doe euery day sell the deare bloâ—d of their Children when they shal heare that I haue bin condemned shall they not then haue reason to say that they feare Domage and Interest if they open their mouthes Dion obserues that they were reduced to that point at Rome hauing so much discountenanced accusations as they were forced to promise Impunity to him that should conuict an other of a greater crime then his own Calumniators and false accusers are to be feared vnder bad Princes which inrich themselues with the confiscations of their Subiects and not vnder the iust and flourishing
vnknowne of any one The Sermon being done she returned presently to her house and 〈…〉 her Adulterer of her Husbands abâ—ence who fayled not to come at the 〈◊〉 she gaue him and then they went into the Husbands bed who 〈◊〉 off his Closset found them naked together and slue them the Adulterer had 〈◊〉 wounds and the Woman seuen and twenty and â—o their detestable sinne was 〈◊〉 by the view of their dead bodies the which were brought before the Iustice being â— lamentable thing and piâ—tifull to behold The Husband did easily obtaine his 〈◊〉 the which proceedes from the Kings bounty It is a iust griefe the which may 〈◊〉 transport a Husband A Pardon promised to all that were of the Duke of Biâ—ons conspiracy finding his Wife with an other as these poore 〈◊〉 wretches were The King about this time pardoned all those that had beene 〈…〉 Duke of Birons Conspiracy so as they came declared theÌ„selues within two 〈◊〉 and caused their Pardons to bee confirmed The Towne of Emden as we haue 〈◊〉 was in quarrell with the Earle of East Friseland the which increased in 〈…〉 the Inhabitants seeing the Earle to hinder their Nauigation hauing builâ— vp 〈◊〉 diuers places The trouble of Emden and by this meanes to force them to Obedience beeing thus 〈◊〉 they demand succors from the States of the Vnited Prouinces they which they eaâ—â—â—y obtaine Entring into the Earles Iurisdiction with these succors they bring aâ—l vnâ—er their command and presse the Earle in such sort as he is forced to go and purge himselfe of that which was imputed vnto him before the States at the Hage to reâ—â—â—st them to be a meanes to end their Controuersies the which they did at his request â—â—ping by this meanes a Peace would be soone made betwixt them Afterwards there was a Complaint made to the Electors of the Empire The Earle goes to purge hâ—mâ—lâ—e at the 〈◊〉 for that Emden is of the â—â—feriour Circle vnto whom the States sent to lay open their reasons of the assistance which they had sent to the Inhabitants of Embden That it was well knowne the Earle was greatly fauored by the Spaniard and that he pretended to deliuer the Towne of Embden to the Archduke Excuses made by the S ates of the 〈◊〉 Prouinces to be Maister of the Sea by that meanes and to annoy the Estates with their Allyes and Confederates That therefore they held it a part of their duties to mediate a good accord betwixt them the which they had propounded at Delfe where with the Earle in the beginning was well pleased But since â—e brake off and hath built Forts vpon the Riuer of Amise the which was neuer tollerated in any of his Predecessors â—hat they might iustly suspect him for that one of his brethren followed the Archduke who had of late sent him into Spaine That the Archduke pretended to be Earle of East Friseland as it appeareâ— by the Peace of Veruins where he giues himselfe the Title Mâ—reouer they were duly aduertised of the said Archdukes practises against them who sought al meanes to surprise them and that it had beene resolued on at Bruxelles They therefore required the sayde Electors to take in good part what they had done haâ—ing no intent to preiudice the â—ights of the Empire but to assure their Prouinces by all meanes and in like sort to helpe their Neighbours and Friends to maintaine their Liberties and Freedomes These excuses were held by some of the Deputies for vaâ—lable and by others that they were not to bee regarded notwithstanding hauing consulted vpon all the points The Duke of 〈◊〉 enterpâ—â—se vpon Geneua and considered of the reasons on either side the Treaty of Peace was continued betwixt the Earle and the Inhabitants of Embden The Discourse of the eterprises and intelligences which the Duke of Sauoy and his Father haue had to surprize the Citty of Geneua with their pretentions and their defence on the contrary side to maintaine their Liberties would make a good volume They relied vpon the the publike assurance of the Treaties of Veruâ—ns Paris and Lions in the which they held themselues to be comprehended and so assured from all the desseignes of their neighbours The Duke of Sauoy did not hold himselfe tyed by the Peace not to seeke the meanes to become Maister thereof and to raigne there as his Predecessors had done and that there was no danger to breake his Faith with People of a contrary Religion This Citty doth so much import his Estates as it deserues if not to breake the Peace at the least to straine and wreste it It is situated at the end of Lake Leman The situation of Geneuâ— which serues for a Ditch on the North part The Riuer of Rhosne passeth by the Towne on the West side and vpon the East and South is the Countrie of Sauoy the Great and Rich Playnes of the Baylewikes of Thonoâ— and Ternier and the Countries of Chablais and Fouâ—igny The Duke had great pretensions to it The Dukes pretensions as Soueraigne of the Country of Geneua and Vicar perpetuall of the Empire Hee maintayned that if the Bishop of Geneua had any absolute authority it was without preiudice to the Soueraigntie the which hath alwayes remayned to his Predecessors as Earles of Morienne or Dâ—kes of Sauoy The Citty of Geneua who to maintaine her liberty findes all propositions of seruitude troublesome and strange The defence oâ— the Geneuois hath alwayes detested the Sauoyards command sayes That the Bishops of Geneua haue beene alwayes soueraigne Princes of their Citty and that the Earles of Sauoy and Geneua haue often done homage to the Bishops of Geneua for the Barronyes of Terâ—ier Remilly Montfaucon and for the County of Geneua That the Duke of Sauoy can pretend no right as Vicar perpetuall of the Empire beeing granted by surprise and reuoked after examination of the cause by the same Emperor who vpon complaint made vnto him by a Bishop of Geneua called Ardutius declared that hee had beene surprised in that behalfe The Vicariat obtained by Veod Earle of Sauoy in the yeare 13â—6 râ—uâ—keâ— in the yeare 1383. and disanulled all that hee had giuen to the Earle of Sauoy his Cousin forbidding him to contradict this reuocation vpon paine of his indignation and a thousand Markes of pure Golde The parties differing vppon the mayne point the question could not be decided without proofe The Duke would haue no other production but his Title of Duke and Soueraigne of Geneua to maintaine the which hee beseeged the Towne and brought it to extremity as hath beene shewed elsewhere It is true that without the Kings protection this citty could not long resist the forces of the Duke of Sauoy Beeing abandoned by the King there is no defence for them but will proue weake against so mighty a Neighbour who shall bee alwayes assisted by the greatest Forces of Italy and Spaine And if they
sorts of Cipres both curld and smoth and of all other sorts which were not made before but in Italie is now established in the Castell of Mantes Gilt hangings Hangings of gilt lether oâ— all sorts and coullours that may be wisht fairer then Imbrodorie better cheape and of greater continuance for the easinesse and inuention to make them cleane and to amend they are in great shops in Saint Honores and Saint Iames suburbs to set poore people on worke Cutting mâ—lls There were cutting mills inuented and set vpon the riuer of Estampes where they cut iron into many peeces and into what forme they will the which was not done before but by the Smithes The turning of iron wherof France abounds into fine steele Turning oâ— iron into fine steele the which they were forced to seeke in Piedmont in Germaine and in other strange Countries for fiue or sixe soulz the pound hauing neuer found any thing in France but iron the which for the excellencie they call course steele of Brie or of Saint Desier the which is sold for two or three soulz the pound at the most The fournaises are to bee seene in Saint Victors suburbs vpon the mouth of the riuer of Bieuâ—e the which deserues to be admired for the excellencie thereof The making of white Leade White Leade the which is a kind of drogue or quintessence drawne out of Leade very necessarie and common for Painters Farriars and many other vses the which they were forced to seeke and buy deerely out of France is new made there better and better cheape The like inuention there is of pipes of Leade as long and as big as you will Pipes of Lead without solder beaten and as light as iron for Cuirasses stronger and more lasting then the ordinarie pipes of Leade and better cheape and which make the waters that passe through them more holsome for the bodie of man by reason of the ingredients of the soldring which corrupts the water that passâ—th by them Besides the solder doth still leaue some little tongs or drops perced the which stayes the slime of the water and makes the pipe to bend with many other secrets and commodities that depend thereon inuented by Ferrier dwelling in the suburbs of Saint Germane Some parts of France as well as of Sicilia were this yeare much afflicted for want of Corne. Scarcitie of Corne. The Dukes of Guise and Vantadour besought the King that hee would be pleased to suffer Prouince and Languedoe to bee supplyed by the other Prouinces of his Realme where there was abundance The King hauing giuen libertie there passed great store by the Cittie of Lions who fearing to fall into the like want besought the King to reuoake his grant of the passage The Kings answere seemed to proceed from the heart not of a Prince onely but of a Father who desires to prouide equally for all the necessities of his familie and hath a care that nothing be wanting The principall reasons were Communication neceâ—sarie among Prouinâ—es that there is nothing more necessarie for the well ordering of an estate then to entertaine communication betwixt Prouinces to succour one another and to haue the trafficke as free and as easie as may bee Nature hauing so framed them as they haue need one of another for if the one restraynes of the one side the other may doe the like on the other side so as if one Prouince anoies an other it may also receiue the like anoyance from them as if they stoppe the passage of Corne at Lions they of Lâ—nguedoâ— and Prouince No Region Prouince or Câ—tâ—â—â— can pâ—sse without theiâ— nâ—ighbours may keepe from them Oyles and Spice and many other necessarie commodities That the Cittie of Lions hath no interest in this passage being lawfull for them to make what prouisions of Corne they please in Bourgongne and other places That hee must also haue care of other Prouinces which haue need of releefe whome they might easily perswade that this libertie of passage depended vpon the fauour and good wil of them of Lions and not vpon his commandement Dâ—scâ—â—modiâ—ieâ— by the 〈◊〉 of the commerce There wanted nothing in France but permission to trafficke in the King of Spains the Archdukes dominions The sea Townes endured great discommodities and in the end if this prohibition had continued they would haue sayd of the greatest as was sayd of Megalopolis a great Cittie in circuit of walls and little in number of Inhabitants Mâ—gna Ciuitas magna solitudo A great Cittie a great wildernes The Spaniards found this Inhibition much more greeuous insupportable there was nothing to be heard among them but publike complaints for that all things grew extreamely deare and the Artisans desperate This greeuance depending vpon the execution of the Treatie to Veruins the Pope commanded his Nuncio to deale in it The King would not yeeld to any thing before that the Spaniards who had troubled the water did make it cleere againe in reuoking the Imposition of thirtie on the hundred Therein hee forced his nature for being so good God neuer tyred wiâ—h doing good as hee desired onely the good of his people and feeles in his soule that content wherewith God himselfe cannot bee satisfied hee could not heare speake of this Commerce if the King of Spaine did not discharge that Impost of thirtie for the hundred which made the libertie of trafficke an extreame seruitude and the profit an assured losse This was most seuere and rigorous There is not any but is bitter to the Marchants Couetousnes hauing changed the first cause as well as the quantitie of Impositions and Customes In former times they were not payed but for the safetie and libertie of the passage from one place to another and for that Princes haue publike wayes in their protection which for that reason are called The Kings high wayes they haue acknowledged this right of protection with some consideration In like sort when the Nauigation was vndertaken to the Indies Nauigation to the 〈◊〉 into Arabia and Ethiopia the Emperour for the purging of the Sea of Pirats and Rouers imposed the Gabell or Custome of the red Sea for the entertayning of shippes of warre against the attempts of Pirats with the money that should be raysed thereby Such Impositions for so necessarie occasions cannot bee but iust Others are not so and yet they must beare them being no more lawfull for the subiect to murmure against the Customes and Imposts wherewith his Prince doth charge him tâ—en against the Hayle Rayne Stormes and Tempests of Heauen Obedient Children kisse the â—odd wherewith they haue beene whipt Reuenge is reserued vnto God who forbids the Soueraigne Magistrates to oppresse the people with such charges Hee let Pharao knowe so much when as Moses turned his rodd into a Serpent to let him vnderstand that his Scepter and his raigne was changed into Tiranie and extreame Crueltie Some sayd that Spaine which
concerne the King his Person and his State and if it bee tollerable to heare what is sayd yet is it not lawfull to â—peake or publish it His Maiestie himselfe hath not yet declared the cause of the Count of Avuergues restraint and in the letter which hee did write vnto the Gouernour of Lions vppon that subiect hee did onely send him these wordes The Kings letters to la Guiche from Fontainbleau the 15. of Nouemb 1604. You haue vnderstood how that I haue againe caused the Count of Auvergne to bee apprehended being aduertised that hee continued still in his bad practises and that hauing sâ—nt often for him hee would not come At the least I will keepe him from doing ill if I can At the same time when as the Count of Auvergne was taken the brute was that the Duke of Bouillon had like to haue beene surprised When as he could find no other refuge for his â—ffayres but to retire himselfe out of the Realme hee hath vsed the lâ—bertie of his retreat wisely and hath alwayes sought the Kings fauour for the assurance of his reâ—urne Some forraine Prince of his friends aduised him not to returne to Court to hold all reconciliation suspect and to beleeue that when a Prince is oâ—ce offended he is neuer qâ—iet vntill the offence bee reuenged That hee must not trust to that which hee promiseth nor to that which hee sweares houlding both the one and the other lawfull for reuenge That the word of a Prince that is offended is like vnto Zeuzis cluster of grapes which takes Birds but his oth is like vnto Parrasius vayle which deceiues Men. Those which haue lost the fauour of their master for that they had intelligence with them whome they could not serue without cryme are alwayes in continuall distrust the which followes the offence as the Boat doth the Shippe vntill they haue quenched and smothered the cause and made it knowne that they are diuided and enemies to all their wils that would distract them from their duties for Men that are double and dissemblers are neuer tamed no more then a Batt which is halfe a Ratt and halfe a Bird or the Chastor which is flesh and fish The Duke of Bouillons patience hauing giuen the King time enough to consider of his intentions The Duke of Bouillon is redie through the Kings Clemencie to obtaine all that he could desire to returne to a greater fortune in the which lesse is allowed then to a meaner estate The Duke Tremouille ended his fortune by death Hee might haue dyed when as the King would haue lamented the losâ—e of him more Death of the Duke of Trâ—mâ—uille for hee was not now well pleased with certaine wordes which had beene reported vnto him and if hee had liued he would haue beene in paine to excuse himselfe of the commandement hee had made him to come vnto him to answere it From hence spring two fruitful considerations the one that there is nothing so fearefull and terrible as the threats and disgrace of his King the other that it is alwayes dangerous to speake ill of his Prince For the first Cassander greatlly feared Alexander euen when hee was dead for that hee had seene him once transported with choller against him And although that after the death of Alexander he was aduanced to the Throne of Macedon yet walking in the Cittie of Delphos and hauing seene an Image of Alexanders who was nowe rotten in his graue he did so tremble as his Hayre stood right vp his knees fayled him and the palenesse of his countenance shewed his amazement and the terrible assault which his memory gaue him for the second when a free speech hath once escaped against the respect of the Prince he must haue a great and a strong Citty as Lisander sayd to defend his liberty of speech They haue neither Friendes not Councell against the King and if their misery findes any shadowe or protection it is but like vnto Ionas Gourd of one night Let them not flatter themselues in the greatnes of theiâ— houses nor their Allyances this qualitie doth but increase their offence Princes are not so much mooued with that which the common people do as with the Lycentious words of great men Caius disguised himselfe into as many fashions as he imagined there were Gods A Cobler seing him set in his Pallace like Iupiter with a scepter in one hand a Thunderbolt in the other and an Eagle by his side burst out in a great laughter Caius causing him to come neere asked him why he laught I laugh at this foolerie answered the Cobler The Emperour laught also suffering it to passe freely without choller yet punishing other speeches seuerely which came from persons better quallified Thus ends the seuenth yeare after the conclusion of the Peace FINIS ⧠A TABLE OF THE MOST memorable things contained in this Historie Pharamond the first King of France THe fundamentall date of the French Monarchy Folio 1 The estate of the Empire at the beginning thereof ibid. The time of his raigne fol. 2 The estate of the Church ibid. The French can endure no gouernement but a Royaltie â—ol 3 The Royaltie of France successiue and the efficacie of a successiue Royaltie ibid. A successiue Royaltie the best kind of gouernement fol. 4 The manner of the receiuing of a new King in old time ibid. The people consent not to preiudice the Kings prerogatiue at his first reception fol. 5 In France the Male is onely capable of the Crowne ibid. The fundamentall Law which they call Salique ibid. The practise of the Salique Law â—ol 6 Of the word Salique and what the Saliens were ibid. The death of Pharamond fol. 7 Clodion or Cloion the hairie the second King of France THe first attempt of Clodion fol. 8 The estate of the Empiâ—e fol. 9 A Law â—or wearing of long haire ibid The Estate of the Church ibid. Mâ—roâ—â—è the third King of France HE enters France â—ol 10 The French ioyne with the Romanes and Gothes fol. 11 Orleans besieged by Attila hee is ouerthrowne but not quite vanquished ibid The happie raigne of Meâ—ouâ—è fol. 12 The estate of the Empire and the Church ibid. Childeric or Chilperic 4 King of France HE is expelled for his vice fol 13 He is called home againe ibid. Clouis 1. the 5. King of France and the first Christian King HE aspires to the Monarchy of all Gaule fol. 15. The fiâ—st rooting out of the Româ—ins ibâ—d Clouis becomes a châ—istian fol. 16 Religion the only true bond of aâ—â—ectâ—ons ibid. Gaule called France ibid. Waâ—res against the Wisigothes fol. 1â— Warres in Burgundy and the cause why ibid. Clouis conquests in Burgondie fo 18 A â—recherous attempt of Gondâ—bault hee is justlie punished for his murthers ibid. The first winning of Burgundy Daulphine and Prouence ibid. Alaric slayne by the hand of Clouis ibid. The Emperour sends Ambassadours to Clouis fol. 19 Clouis being conqueâ—or is conqâ—ered ibid. He looseth
His death mounted the royall throne of France thus he raigned thus he liued and thus he died leauing to his posterity a happy taste of his name A religious Prince His manners wise moderate valiant louing his subiects beloued of them happy in father in children in his gouernment an excellent patterne for excellent Princes who by his example hold it for a resolute maxime That the strongest cittadell of a Prince is the loue of his subiects and the surest bond of their authority a respect gotten and preserued by vertue Estate of the Empire and of the Church BVt before we enter the raigne of Charlemagne we must briefely represent the estate of the Romane Empire the which was happily vnited to the French Monarchy and of the Church of Rome by reason whereof there happened great and notable exploits vnder his raigne The Empire in the West The Empire of Rome had nothing remaining in the West as we haue shewed Gaule was possessed by the French with the best part of Germanâ—e since the beginning of their Monarchie vnto the time we now describe it hath beene greatly inlarged In Gaule not onely in compasse of territories obedience of people but also in reputation of ciuility mildnesse iustice wisdome and valour aswell by the happy successe of their victorious armies as by the modest vsage of their victories towards such as they subdued In Spaine Spaine was apportioned to diuers nations Vandales Goths Sarazins pelmel some here some there Italy was in miserable estate Rome sometimes the head of the world was then the sinke of all confusion In Italy the Rendezuous of all furious nations as if they had vndertaken the ruine thereof by taske hauing sackt it three time for vnder the Empire of Honorius in the yeare of grace 414 the Goths by their King Alariâ— tooke it after two yeares siege and sackt it without demanteling thereof Fortie fiue yeares after vnder the Empire of Martian in the yeare 459. the Vandales vnder the conduct of Genserike their King take it againe sacke it spoyle it and disgrace it leading the widow of the Emperour Valentinian the third basely in triumph 768. In the time of Iâ—stâ—nian the Emperour the Goths vnder the command of Toâ—ila hauing vndermined it with a long siege tooke it sackt it and demanteled it Thus Rome was no more Rome but a horrible confusion after so many ruines retaining nothing of her ancient beauty but onely the traces of her old buildings and the punishment of â—ertyrannie hauing endured that which she had caused other Citties to suffer Behold Italy wasted infinitely tormented by sundrie enemies Italâ— desolate by the Goths who had vniustly afflicted all the nations of the earth The Goths had fiâ—st seized thereon and enioyed it long but as vnder the Empire of Iustinian in the yeare of Christ 552 they were expelled by the valour of Narses an excellent Captaine who deâ—eated their armie slew their King Totila and repeopled Rome so soone after the Lombards comming out of Germanie lodged in their place as if they had played at leuell coyleâ— being drawne thether by Narses himselfe discontented with the ill vsage hee receiued from Iâ—sâ—nian his maister The Lombards held Italy about 200. yeares By the Lombardâ— vntill that Chaâ—lâ—magne expelled them At the same time the six Gouernours for the Empire of Rome held Rauenna and some other Citties depending thus was the greatnesse of the Romaine Empiâ—e restrained but with such couetousnesse and insoleâ—â—â—â— as it tyred them no lesse then forraine foes That gouernment of sixe ended by the Lombards and the Lombards by the French as the sequel will shew who purchased credit euery where The which 〈…〉 by the Fâ—â—nch by comparing of the barbarous and confuâ—ed inuasions of these warlike nations they adding to the valour and good successe of their armes iustice pietie teâ—perance and clemencie this reâ—utation of vertue winning them as many hearts as theâ—r swords did Câ—tties During these confused and obscure times there passed about 400. yeares from the first sack of Rome vntill that Charlemagne expelling the Lombardes became absolute maister of Italie was made Emperour at Rome All this passed vnder the Empires of Theodâ—sius sonne to Arcadius of Valentinian the 3. Martian Leo the second Zenon Anastasiâ—s Iustin the fiâ—st Iustinian the first Iustin the second Tiberius Mauritius Phocas Heraclius Constantin the second Iustinian the second Philippicus Artemius Leo the third Constantin the third Leo the fourth Ireneus Nicephorus vnder whom by a publicke and sollemne contract the distinction of the Easterne and Westerne Eâ—pires was made The command of the West is left as it were in garde with Charlemâ—gne and the French nation But the East was in a bad plight although the name and â—eate of the Empire were yet at Constantinople for besides the dissipation of the State to increase their miserie a new sect sprung vp forged by Mahomet an Arabian borne Eâ—tate of the East vnder a colour of libertie by the mixture of sundrie doctrines and after a mouâ—d of carnall felicitie With this charme hee corrupted infinite numbers of people and erected a new Kingdome in the East from whence hee vtterly expelled the Romaine name with all the dignitie of the Empire This was in the time of the Emperour Heraclius in the yeare of grace 623. an infamous date The beginniâ—g of Mahomets sect to note the beginning of Mahomets blaspemies Hee began in Arabia hauing wonne credit with the Sarrazins who were Arabian Souldiars desperate aduenturers and discontented with the Romaines and by the first beginning of his new doctrine hee gotte so great reputation as hee assembled an infinite number of men armed with an incredible celeritie vnder the enseigne of liberty So as he marched as a conquerour in all places hauing not onely subdued by the force of these tumultuous troupes Arabia where hee was borne but also Persia Palestina Iudea Egipt and Affrike and then ranging ouer Asia the lesse he came to the gates of Constantinople in lesse then thirtie yeares Buâ— the prouidence of God caring for the preseruation of his Church opposed the Frâ—â—ch Monarchie against the violent rage of Mahomet which else had ouerflowed all Europe into the which hee had already made a breach by Spaine had gotten a great countrie and was ready to inuade France if Charles Martel had not stopt his course at Tours as wee haue sayd During these confusions in the Empire the Bishop of Rome grewe great by these ruines The Goths and Vandales were more enemies to the estate then to religion for although for the most part they were Arriens yet did they aduow themselues Christians The Estate of the Church of Rome and held the common signe of Christianitie so as in the taking and sacking of the Cittie of Rome the Bishop was somewhat respected in his fauour the people built vpon the foundation of the ruined houses and many of the
Countrie finding more safetie at Rome then in other citties of Italie retyred themselues thither and peopled the Cittie So by this occasion newe Rome the seat of the Popes iurisdiction succeeding the Emperours hath beene built within old Rome amidst the Pallaces walkes Basiliques Coliâ—ees Amphytheatres and other ancient buildings But aboue all the credit and authoritie of the Bishop of Rome by these new occurrents crept in by degrees vntil he aduanced hiâ—selfe aboue the Emperours Kings Princes of Christendome yet he of Constantinople held himselfe the Superior being in the proper seat of the Empire and in the light of the Imperiall Court Thus they fall to debate Contention for the Priemacie and the cause of their dissentions was the preheminence of their seas and the authoritie of the vniuesall Bishop This contention bred infinite confusions in the Church and in an vnseasonable time which inuited men to sacke and spoyle So as S. Gregorie Bishop of Rome a man of singular pâ—etâ—e learning hauing couragiously opposed himselfe against Iohn Bishop of Constantinople who affected this title of vniueâ—sall Bishop and detesting so vnreasonable and vnseasonable an ambition cries out Oh times oh manners the whole world is set on fire with warre Christians are euerie where massacred by Idolaters A worthie speech 〈◊〉 S. Gregorie Citties and Temples razedby Barbarians and yet the pastors of the Church as it were treading vnder foot the common calamitie of Gods people dare vsurpe names of vanitie and braue it with thâ—se prophane titles The reader curious to vnderstand the Estates of those times and to note the degrees and authoritie of this vniuersall Bâ—shop established in the Church may read the epistles of this good father great in name and in effect without troubling my selfe to â—et them downe in particular whose intention was to shew That who so taketh vpon him the authoritie and title of vniuersall Bishop in the Church and to haue any Soueraigne preheminence presumes aboue Iesus Christ the onely head of the sacred bodie of the Church Hee that takes on him the title 〈◊〉 vniuâ—rsâ—ll 〈◊〉 is the 〈◊〉 oâ— Antichrist and by consequence he doth affirme that he is the foâ—erâ—nner of Antichrist And yet after these graue and serious admonitions of Saint Gregorie the great within tenne yeares after Boniface the third obteined from Phocas the Emperour the title of vniuersall Bishop with authoritie ouer the vniuersall Church as Platina the Popeâ— Secretary doth reâ—ort To this quarrell for the Supremacie was added the controuersie for images which caused infinite confusions Dispute for Images the â—mperours and Bishops were banded one against another and by their dissentions the people were stirred vp to seditious reuolts the which aâ—ter many Tragicall euents were a meane to ruine the Empire of the East It was a popular custome to erect Images to those whome they would honour as hauing deserued well of the Common weale Christians desiring to honour the memorie of holy men began to set vp images euen for them also following this ciuill custome and did erect them in Temples as places consecrated to deuotion Some Bishops â—auored this new deuice in the Church and others did impugne it Epiphanius did teare a picture in peeces Images at the 〈◊〉 a politike 〈◊〉 and Serenus did beat downe an image the one in the Eâ—st the other in the West The Christians borne and bred in this ancient doctrine of the Apostles My children beware of Images maintainâ—d in the Catholike Church by succession from father to sonne could not digest this innouation no more could the Emperours Hence grew the dissention the greatest part of the Bishops holding the contrarie That it was a part of the seruice of God and a bond to retayne mens soules in deuotion with reuerence This contention grew in the time of the Emperour Philippicus called Bardanes who by an Edict caused them to be throwne downe in the yeare of grace 713. the which continued to 782. vnder Constantin the second called Copronimus an enemie to images who commaunded them to bee cast downe contraâ—y to the liking of his mother Irene who not onely maintained them with violence but also caused them to be confirmed by a Councel held at Nicee a Cittie in Bithinia seeing 〈◊〉 at Constantinople where shâ— had made the conuocation of this Ecclesiasticall Assembly the people were resolute to withstand them Hence grew an execrable Tragedie in the Imperiall Court Irene seing her sonne resolute against her deâ—ence oâ— Iâ—ages was so transported as hauing seized on him in his chamber she caused his eyes to be put out so as dying with greefe she vsurps the Empire Through this bad gouernment Tragicall crueltie of a mother against her soâ—ne confusion so increased in the East as in the end necessitie made the way for Charlemagne to take vpon him the dignitie and title of the Emperour of the West and to preserue prouinces in those parts from the disorders of the Grâ—â— Emperours as wee may see in the continuance of tâ—is Historie I am bound to obserue these so notable occurrents in those times as belonging to the subiect of my Historie to represent truely both the Estate of the Empire and of the Church when as Charlemagne vndertooke the gouernement of the Empire and vnited it happily to the French Monarchie The wise reader may verifie more plainly in the Originalls from whence I haue drawne this Inuentorie what I haue briefly set downe here touching the occurents of those ages wherein the Oracle of holy antiquitie was verified by the end of these straÌ„ge Tragedies The truth is lost by contending The first simplicitie of the Catholike Church being rich in her pouertie by the abundance of truth conteined since the golden age of the Apostles and their Dâ—sciples was changed into rich and stately pompe the Crownes of martirdome wherewith the fiâ—st Bishops of Rome had beene honoured into a triple Crowne Estate of the ancieÌ„t church which not onely hath and doth giue Lawes to the Emperours Kings and Princes of the earth but doth tread them vnder foot dispossesse them of their estates Insolencie of Popâ—s at this day and declares them incapable of rule when they obey him not and for a marke of this soueraigne authoritie hee makes them to kisse his feet in token of the homage of deuotion and spirituall reuerence as hauing power ouer soules to iudge of all men and all things soueraignly and not to bee iudged by any as the circumstances of our historie wil shew in diuerse places This was the Estate both of the Empire and of the Church vnto the death of Pepin the short the first King of the second race in the yeare 750. or thereabouts CHARLES the Great or CHARLEMAGNE the 24. King of France From the yeare 768. vnto the yeare 814. CHARLES THE GREAT KING OF FRANCE XXIIII 768. THE Estates of France assemble after the death of Pepin and by their consents and aduice
proiects were to become absolute masters of Italie so their ordinarie course was to flâ—e vnto France when they felt themselues the weaker to vse their meanes in necessitie and to vsurpe vpon them by all occasions as wee haue seene and shall see by that which followes To Otho the Emperour who wilfully went to seeke his owne ruine in France succeeded this Frederick the second grand-child to Frederick Barbarossa of whom we haue spoken a Generous wise and Learned Prince who being scarse seated in the Empire hauing giuen Innocent the third the Earledome of Fondi in the realme of Naples to bee proclaymed Emperour when as Honorius successor to Innocent the third caused a part of Tuscanâ— and Apulia to bee surprised by certaine Noblemen of the Countrie esteeming the conquest the more easie for that Frederick was newly aduanced to the dignitie hauing neyther courage nor power to oppose himselfe against his surprises and euen in the fresh memorie of so many affronts which the Popes had done to his Predecessor Frederick But he was ignorant of his disposition The Emperour goeâ— with â—n aâ—my against the Pope and his confederats being resolute not to suffer the Imperiall dignitie to be any thing blemished by him Frederick goes into Italie with an army recouers what had beene taken and punisheth the rebels Honorius seeing himselfe the weaker flies to his accustomed meanes To hiâ— fulminations and Ecclesiasticall terrours these are the very words of the History against the force subtilties of the French He did first excoÌ„municate Frederick then he flies to France and doth sâ—irâ—e vp Henry the Sonne of Frederick against the Father Frederick beginnes with the most dangerous for being seized of this disloyall Son who would haue taken and depriued him of his dignity he confines him to perpetuall prison by a decree of the Princes of the Empire He had happely made a League with Lewis the eight father to our Lewis and had renewed it with himselfe on whose faith hee relyed much but Charles of Aniou Earle of Prouence his brother The Pope dâ—awes thâ— Frâ—nco to his succor would bee doing beeing desirous to get something He was easily perswaded with the hope of these goodly Realmes of Napâ—es and Sicilia which the Pope offered him as the fruites of his labours so as in the end hee shall come to his ayde and being King of Sicilia shall expell the race of Frederick This Tragedie must continue long they vse craft vpon craft and whilest one is preparing an other is put in practise The zeale of the holy Land was the Popes ordinary colour to coniure these stormes raysed by the Emperors The Popes policy to suppâ—ant the Emperors and in sending them farre off to haue better meanes to comâ—aâ—ie their desseignes at home without controule Iohn of Breyne King of Ierusalem comes and preuaâ—les so much as Pope Honorius promiseth to absolue Frederick the second so as hee will make a Voyage into the East Frederick accepts thereof and presently makes leuies in Germany for an Army whâ—lâ—st that he assembles the Estates of the Empire at Crâ—mona to assâ—â—e the affayres of Italy in his absence The place and subiect of the Assembly displeased Pope Honorius who accuseth Frederick that by his delayes hee suffered the Christians to go to ruine in Asia whether he had promised to go and doth excomunicate him againe This doth hasten Frederick hee parts with his army but without taking leaue of the Pope and arriues sodainly at the holy Land 〈◊〉 happy sâ—ccesse in Asia where he stâ—ooke such a terror into Sultan Saliaâ—oc as he demands a Truce and obtaines it vpon condâ—tion That hee should restore Ierusalem and the holy Land to Frederick and all the Christian prisoners without any ransome These conditions duly performed Frederick victualleth Nazareth fortifieth Ioppa and the other Citties of Iudea beeing in a good way to settle the Christians affayres As he labours thus with a commendable successe the Pope displeased at Fredericks departure without his blessing and holding it done in comtempt of his authority proclaymes him Excommunicate and â—oâ—â—e â—s his Estates He presently seizeth vpon the Realme of Naples and rayseth factions in all the Citties of Italy to cause a reuolt against the Emperor Frederick moued with these newes leaues Asia and beeing returned into Italy he imployes the Princes of the Empire to make his peace with the Pope The Popes hatred against the Eâ—peror â—â—â—ecoÌ„ciliable forgetting the prâ—uate wronges he had done him and obtaynes absolution giuing him eleuen thousand markes of â—old to pacifie him But this accord lasted little yea it turned into an implacable hatred which augmented the factions shed bloud made Citties desolate buried Frederick and his posterity and in the end banished the Imperial authority quite out of Italy Vpon this Accord Honorius dies and leaues Gregory the ninth his successor in the same quaâ—â—ell against the Emperor Frederick hauing satisfied the Pope for his priuate interest and payed very dearely for his authority sayd that he could not passe away the rights of the Empire beseeching Pope Gregory to leaue things as they had bin before his going into the East that the Citties of Italy which had freed theÌ„selues by this occasion might acknowledge the lawefull authority of the Empire Gregory the â—inâ—h is wonderfully mooued with this proposition and forbids Frederick vpon paine of a newe Excommunication to make any more question thereof but to leaue the Confederate Citties in their liberty This was to giue a Lawe to the Emperor to subiect his authority to the Popes command to giue leaue to the Imperiall Citties to rebell and to authorise their Rebellion Frederick much discontented with this answer and seeing playnely that this was the last farewell of the Imperiall authority in Italy as without doubt it was he imployed his wit and al his means to preuent the practises of Gregory the 9. who without any dissembling ought to suppresse the Imperâ—all dignitie in those parts Frederick tries all meanes to crosse the Pope hee sollicits the Gibilin faction throughout all the Citties of Italy hee leuies a mâ—ghtie armie in Germanie and enters into Italie The Emperor enters Italy with a great army with a horrible wasâ—â— Taking Sacking and Spoyling the reuolted Citties and filling all places with fire and bloud Milan Genoa and diuers Townes of the Duchie of Spoletum were thus strangely spoyled by violent force without any mercy wherein Frederick exceeded the bounds of a iust punishment the which must bee in the Maiestrates hands as the rod in the Fathers and the raâ—or in the Surgians to chastise and not to ruine to cure and not to kill Hee shall soone receiue his reward by his hand who strikes two stroakes with one stone and doth alwayes well when men doe ill Gregorie stoode at gaze at Frederices first entrie not much mooued with the sheding of so much bloud and the sacke of so many Cittie 's ruined for his quarrels sake But