may raigne at their discretion and no longer then it shall please them The second article is that the King shall cause the counsell of Trent to be published authorised and receaued in his dominions onely the execution to be stayed for a time concerning the reuoking of certaine exemptions and priuiledges of some Chapters Abbeys and other Churches from their Bishops This article they doo set foorth to bee the seede of immortall warres knowing well that it cannot be published without the sound of the trumpet Note and double Canon The third article is that the King shall establish the holy inquisition of Spayne at the least in good townes which is the onely way to roote out hereticks and suspected so that the officers of the said Inquisition be strangers or at the least be not borne in the places where they may haue neither kindred friends nor alyaunce This is the meanes to execute the decrees of the counsell which in the former article they haue giuen to the kingdome of France for a law that by Note that law all the inhabitants of the realme who shall be to the Inquisitors either hereticks or suspected for who will not be suspected if it pleaseth master Frier the Inquisitour Secondly the inquisitors must needes be either Lorreines or Spaniards two nations delighting in the blood of Frenchmen as the Wolfe in the blood of Lambs or else they may not haue any kindred say they that is that neither blood duetie of nature nor friendship may let theÌ„ from euill doing and from subuerting the french nation The summe of this article is that the french nation may bee destroyed without mercy or compassion The fourth article is that the King shal grant licence vnto the churchmen to redeeme at any time the Church goods and landes which they haue sould of whatsoeuer quality the said goods and lands be or they that haue bought them And that the King shall compell the beneficed men to make such a redemption within a certaine time that shall be prefixed to them according to the abilitie that they shall be found to bee of by them that shall be appoynted to see the state of their reuenewes and lands The Leaguers haue made the churchmen to blowe the Trompet of Note ciuill warres vpon that condition that they should not fight themselues but pay money to them that would fight for them and so haue made them sell their church landes Now they will enforce the poore Priests to buy againe their church lands that they may sell them againe when the Leaguers haue neede of them The fift article is that the King shall put into the handes of some of them certaine places of importance which shall bee named to him In the which it shall be lawfull for them to build Fortresses and put in men of warre as they shall think good and all at the charges of the townes cities and countreys the like also they shall doe in the places which they hold at the time of the making of these articles The leaguers doo thinke that the King had too great a portion in the Note last deuision of his kingdome which they made with him in Iuly 1585. and that the King was too strong for them yet Therefore by this article they doo call him to a new deuision wherein they goe about to doo three things First they would haue more strong places and such as they themselues shall appoynt It is to be thought that they will not make choyse of the worst For if the King should put them to their choyse I dare affirme that they would choose Paris Calis Anious Reymes Bologne Newhauen Caen Roan Orleans Tours Naunts Poytiers Bourdeaulx Limoges Perigeulx Tholouse Bayone Narboune Marseilles Lyons Dijous Auxone Langaes Seus Mets and other such which they doe meane by places of importance Secondly they would haue the King this to doe for them as to suffer them quietly to build citadels and therein to put garrisons which they gently call fortes and men of warre to keepe out the King if at any time he should change his mind and call for his owne The third is that the king and his poore subiectes shall beare the charges of fortifiyng and keeping these places from his obedience that thence they may easily oppresse him when they shall spie time and tyramze his subiects The sixt article is that the King shall giue pay to men ofwarre to be maintained in Lorreyn vpon the borders of Germany to let the entrie of the Note strangers their Neighbours and for that ende shall cause out of hand the goods of herelikes and others which be associat with them to be sould The cause of this article was feare of the vengeance which their conscience represented continually before their eies for the great enormityes iniuries execrable abominations by them committed in the County of Noubeliard for they perceauing their weaknes in strength and wealth against that hot vindicatiue and mighty nation of Germany would haue the King to defend them and so doing iustify their vilanous actions and thereby to begger himselfe and procure the hatred of that Nation which had beene alwayes at amity with the Crowne of France Secondly whereas they require the goods of heretikes and their associats by the which they do vnderstaÌ„d the Princes of the bloud the Duke Mommorency Noble men and other qualities of men which shall please them to be sold I maruell when they will go into Guienne and other Prouinces to pluck sheaue with them it will be hard for them to get y â— sheaue out of their hand yet the king must do all this to iustify the murthers whoredomes Sodomiâ—ryes and other abominations committed agaynst the frendes and alied of the Realme of France The seuenth article is that al they who haue beene heretikes or holden for hereâ—ikes euer since the yeare 1560. of what degree soeuer may bee taxed to the third or fourth part of their goods A research must be made of the space of 28. years past and all liberty geuen Note so oft by the Kings proclaymed by their edicts must néeds be made coÌ„yne Euen they who were reunited by the last ediâ—t of July 1585. made at their owne discretion must be called to account and this is to make the warre immortall vntill they attaine to the marke they shoot at if they do not catch a fall by the way The eight article is that the Catholikes shall pay the tenth part of their reuenues euery yeare And that commissioners be appointed to make the sallies and taxes as well of ecclesiasticall as lay persons others notwithstanding then officers of the Soueraygne courts that all things may be executed more speedily and with lesse charges In this article first the Leaguers spare neither friendes nor foes but Note that they are somewhat more fauourable to the Catholikes then to the heretiks For whereas they were promised at the first rysing of the league to be eased of
We haue recited in as good order as such a deformed confusion could be reduced vnto those things which passed in Paris in that damnable commotion Now the King being at Trappes considering the treacherie of that house which he had fauoured and honoured more without comparison then the houses of his owne bloud the person also whom hee had loued and vnited to himself more then any other the sauagednes of his subiects and familiar houshold seruants representing to himselfe the rage of the people whom he had alwaies tendered almost more then all the residue of his Realme the ingratitude of that Citie which had béen alwaies his delights and to the which he had neuer denied any thing that he could do for the peace preseruation ease riches and greatnes of the same calling to minde the tumuits rage and violence attempted and executed against him their benefactor reasoning with himselfe how that they were Catholikes of his owne religion and that they had béen his right hand in persecuting them of the reformed religion how they were his fellowes followers in committing the most vile and sauage murther that euer was heard of in the world Calling to remembrance the long and daily warning geuen him by the King of Nauarre the Princes of the bloud noble men and gentlemen of all degrees and of many forreine Princes of the Guyzes intent against him his crowne and state Pondering in his mind the token which his eies had seene his eares had heard and all despised and contemned and withall in stéed of looking to his security against such practizes he had from tyme to time hardned his hart agaynst Christ and to shed innocent blood and vnder the colour of defending the Catholike religion had countenanced strengthened and armed his enemies agaynst himselfe whereby he hath receaued that foile shame and confusion this day Euery man may iudge in what distresse of minde this great King passed all that night full of iust indignation of sorrow which although in outward apparance it might be kept close yet inwardly inhart it could not be dissembled The selfe same day of the tumult in Paris the Duke de Mayne attempted vppon Lyons but he was put backe by the inhabitantes About the same time also the inhabitantes of Orleans Anious Bourges Abeuille and in other places did expell the Kings garrisons and officers with the Citizens who did hold with the King whom they did call politickes and many of them were taken prisoners The thirteenth day the King went to the Citty of Chartres where many of his faythfull seruantes resorted to him and also his gardes which had escaped the slaughter of Paris The Duke of Guyze though very sory that so foolishly hee had missed to take the King in the Loure as he made his ful reckoning the day before followed the victory as well as hee could and first beginneth to play the good husband in Paris to further the affayres to the premeditate intent First he brought to his house aboue seuen hundered thousand crownes of that which was none of his which there hee layed for an earnest of the whole The same daye also hee tooke the Kinges Arseuall at the Bastile and sealed vp the Kings treasury and in hope shortly to make all his owne in the meane time hee will carry the key When the Duke of Guyze had so played the good husband now hee will trie in a small matter how hee can play the Kings part in great and waighty matters For suspecting the Prouost of Marchantes named Perreuse the Escheuins to be politickes and fauourers of the King assembled the state of the citty and there in his presence the said Prouost and Escheuins were deposed and by his commaundement one Chapel a most treacherous and seditious man was elected Prouost and one Rowland Compan with other factious and mutinous companions all deuoted to the Duke of Guyze were elected Escheuins Immediatly after these thinges done in Paris the fame there flyeth abroad from towne to towne reports are spread abroad not as before that Cities are surprized that the people rise in armes that muster is taken but the king was besieged in the Loure and in great daunger to be slaine by the Duke of Guyze hee is fled from Paris the Duke is in possession of the sayd Citty It was incredible to many some made but a â—ush at it good men were greatly mooued as it for seeing that such a treason would draw after it many calamities But the Leaguers lifted vp their heads thes stoutnes and high courage of the Duke of Guyze was in the mouthes of them of his faction but specially the Priestes Monkes and Iesuits did in their Pulpits extoll him to heauen and vpon the newes of this exploit done in Paris by the aduertizements which the Duke of Guyze gaue euery where but specially by the preaching of the Friers and Iesuits the partakers make them selues ready to battaile A sudden feare came vpon the Duke of Guiz and them of Paris his partakers for after the Kings departure from Paris they considering their error and that now they are further to execute their enterprize vpoÌ„ his person than euer they were the guiltines of their consciences doe represent to them the reuengement and the King making already as they see in their fearfull vision an agreement of peace with the King of Nauarre and calling him with his forces to his ayde to chastize them according to their deserts Therefore they sent presently to their partakers to arme themselues The Fryers and Iesuites sound the allarum euery where their seditious and impudent tongues seruing them for trompets and their pulpits for a drumme and giue the rendes vous at Paris about the person of the Duke of Guyze When the Duke had so played the good husband and had no more to take and had played the king in altring the state of the citie and seazing vpon the kinges arseuall and treasurie and had shewed himselfe a good prouident Captaine yet considering that in a little while the king was like to wax stronger than the Leaguers specially if he should ioyne himselfe to the king of Nauarre whose name they not onely hated but also feared extreamly in the meane while they goe about both to strengthen themselues and to amend their error as well as they can espetially three maner of wayes by letters by spyalls and seeking the way of reconsiliation As for the letters the Duke himselfe playeth the secretary to shewe how pretily he can skill of that occupation when it pleaseth him And for that the part of a good Orator is to delight he hath a speciall care of that and supposeth that vanitie is the chiefest thing whereby to delight the Reader therefore to atchieue this part of eloquence happily he plucketh quilles out of one of Polypus wings wherewith hee maketh him three pennes and with the one he writeth to the gouernour of Orleans of whom he had alwayes asmuch assured himselfe as of the
them that now the time is come that they ought to liue and dye together to bring to passe their intents Thus the Duke of Guyze with his Parisiens hauing dispatched those thinges which they thought necessary either to strengthen or excuse their actions Now he taketh in hand the third pen to write to the King wherewith he powreth out the words of a faithfull seruant and in disguising his enterprize goeth about to deceaue him to lul him asleep but to do it with good grace in his exordium hee doth chafe braule first for feare the King should haue that aduantage ouer him as to begin with him And although this his last action did openly shew the intentes of al his former dealings he must dissemble and make the words of seruice obedience sound highly There he doth lament and almost fall a weeping Crocodils lacrymis for his estate that by reason of the slaunders of his aduersaries he hath béen rendered suspect to the King of the cryme of high treason Secondly to make his innocency appeare he sheweth how he came to him with a small company to iustify his actions Thirdly he blameth the King that he would harken to his enemies who caused him to put extraordinary forces in Paris and to dispose them into the cheefest places of the sayd Citty and that he would be mooued by their perswasions to make such an exemplary execution of so many noble men and cittizens whose names hee doth omit in silence Fourthly he sayeth that when the commotion began hee was altogether vnarmed and fast a sleepe in his house Fiftly that his great paines which hee tooke in contayning the people from murther doth declare him that his intent was neuer to stir that Citty to sedition Sixtly the care which he had to saue them of his officers who had not well deserued of him doth manifestly prooue that he neuer intended any thing agaynst his seruantes Last of all the sauing of the liues of his Swissers Captaines and Souldiers doth plainly shew that hee neuer feared any thing so much as to displease him These be the pennes where with he doth so vary his skill and doth write so contrary thinges not to delight as the art of Rhetorike teacheth but by the one to confesse the truth with the other to colour his actions dissemble and lye and by the third to diuert the crime of those things which haue happened from himselfe and his partakers and to charge the King of Nauarre and the Duke Espernon namely as the workers and practisers of all the misdemeanours that haue fallen out in that commotion On the other side the King about the 17. of May being at Chartres sent letters vnto the gouernours of the prouinces of his Realme to geue them notice according to the trueth of things which had happened at Paris But namely hee wrote letters vnto the Lord Boiseguine gouernour for his maiesty in the citty of Poytiers and knight of the order of the holy Ghost wherin he sheweth briefly the summe of the matter of so sudden and contrary to his will comming of the Duke of Guyze of his owne intent in placing new garisons within Paris what had there hapened by the secret practising of the Duke of Guyze of the causes of his retire to Chartres praying him to giue notice of all these thinges to the Lords Gentlemen and all other of credit in Poytow and thereabout He writeth also to the same effect vnto the people and inhabitants of his realme for to diuert them from rebellion to the which they might be sollicited by the Duke of Guyze and his partakers and by the example of the Citty of Paris Whilest these things are so handled on both sides euery one iustifiyng his cause The Leaguers seeing themselues farther to execute their intent vpon the kings person than euer before do seaze vpon as many towns and holdes as they can and about the 25. and 26. of May the Cardinall and the Duke of Guyze went out of Paris and seazed vpon Meaulx and Chasteautiery in Brye The king seazed vpon Corbeil and Meloune and other holdes and places vpon the riuer of Seyne right against Brie and vpon the high wayes to Paris but the Duke of Guize hauing made sure Meaulx Chasteautiery as is said about the 27. of May returned to Paris and considering how the holding of Corbiel and Meloune was very grieuous to Paris do in hast prepare all things for the siege of Meloune and doth his best indeuour to force it but seeing that it was too hot for him and that it would not be recouered being so strongly fortified by the king gaue it ouer Whilest these things aboue said were a doing there appeared within Paris spanish captaines euery day more than other out of diuers parts men did ioyne with them Some who were faythfull to the king and of some credit among the people went through the streetes to perswade the inhabitance to open their shops and to doe as they haue done before Other who were of the league did cry with a lowd voice shut vp your shops and take armes if you will not be ransaked your wiues rauished and lose your traffick Many of the inhabitants went foorth out of Paris and retired some whither else they who could not doo it desired greatly the Kings returne In the meane time that on euery side they make their parts strong and that the parties were like to come to handy blowes The Leaguers considering their strength to be weak if the king should take the matter at the worst sent three manners of spials First they sent of their owne faction vnder the colour of seruice to view the kings countenaunce and to giue intelligences thereof from time to time Secondly the Capuchins were sent thither in procession that vnder the colour of hypocriticall holynes they might see what weather was at Chartres and to try if the kings minde was any thing altred toward the Friery Monkerie and popish superstition and inclining in any wise to y e heretikes as they tearmed theÌ„ The Capuchins are a sect of hypocrites differing from the Franciscan Friers nothing but in haire and forme of their cowle Their garments are of colour like the robes of the sweepe chimnies here in England and their cowle is made after the maner of a suger loafe likeso many melancholike Deuills spewed out of hell to make the worlde laugh Last of all another sorte of spialls were sent wiser of greater countenance than the other 2. sorts who would sound better make a more perfect anotomy of the kings heart to wit certaine picked out of the court of Parliament and among others namely the Lord Dauron master of the requests to excuse that which had bâ—ene committed in that tumult and to endeuour to pacifie that indignation which iustly hee had conceiued against Guyze and the inhabitants of Paris To whome he shewed himself very casie to be entreated as it may appeare by his speaches
doo leauing of all suspitions and despising the counsell of many who would haue him to differ that interuiewe vntill another time considering also that there was no apparance of danger he passed ouer the riuer at the bridge of Saint Saphorine went to méete the King accompanied with the Marshall Hautmont and many of his nobilitie and his gardes leauing the rest of his forces to stay for him at the passage He found the King staying for him in the alley of the Parke of Plessis there was so great throng as well of Courtiers as of the inhabitants of the Citie who ran thether from euery where that the two Kings stayed the space of halfe a quarter of an houre stretching their armes one toward another before they could touch one another so great was the preace for the place though very spacious would not receaue the multitude so that the trées were loaded with men to beholde that blessed méeting The embrasings the salutations were reiterated diuers times of both Kings with a shew of mutuall ioy and contentation The reioysing of all the Court and of the people was incredible for all men did crie by the space of halfe an houre God saue the King a voyce that had not been hard either at Tours or in any place else where the King had béen in more then foure moneths before Another acclamation followed the first God saue the Kings God saue the King and the King of Nauarre all men praised God and blessed that happie and long desired reconsiliation The two Kings parting thenâ—e entred into counsell where they were the space of two houres and after the counsell they tooke their horses and roade together accompanied with the Court vnto Saint Anne which is halfe the way to the Suburb called Roches the streates were so full of people that it was hard for them to passe all the way sounded with acclamatioâ—s and voyce of ioye for the hope which euery one had conceaued that these two Kings being so vnited would ouercome their enemies and restablish the state of the kingdome and would end the miseries which had vexed France so long The said King of Nauarre departed from the King at Saint Anne repassed Loyre where his troupes stayed for him lodged at the Suburbs of Saint Saphorin nigh the bridges end The morrow after being the first day of May about sixe a clock in the morning the King of Nauarre entred into the towne to goe to salute the King All that morning was employed in counsell vntill ten a clock that the King would goe to Masse where hée was accompanied by the said King of Nauarre vnto the Church doore from thence hée went to salute the Princesse of Condy and County staying for the Kings returne from Masse Afterward the said King of Nauarre as long as hée made his aboade there oftentimes visited the King and tooke counsell together for the common benefit of the realme The same day the said King of Nauarre obtained of the King for them of Sedan ten thousand Crownes for to helpe them in their affaires with letters written vnto the Duke of Lorreyne commaunding him to make warre no longer vppon Sedan declaring that they were vnder his protection Whilest these things were a dooing at Tours the Duke d' Mayne did batter Chasteaurenault but vnderstanding of the interuiew of the two Kings at the selfe same houre of the interuiew hée brake the siege and in haste retired to Vendosme The King as is before said stoode in great danger to be either murdered or else deliuered to the enemy by the intelligence which the Duke d' Mayne had with some traitours which were of his counsell in the Court and in the Citie Now by this blessed reconsiliation here is a great change to bée séene on a suddaine for by this the King is put out of feare liueth out of danger of the rebels is fortified by ariuall of this mighty Prince and army vnlooked for the hearts of all good subiects are herewith encouraged and the conspiratours are terrified for the Duke of Mayne being at Vendosme and in the territory there abouts with a mighty army of traitors had committed such insolencies vppon the people of their owne League and vnion that the countrey was replenished with outcries curses and imprecations Feare therfore of the King of Nauarre and of some insurrection of the people of the countrey constrained him first to place part of his army in garisons in the townes of Beausse Anjou Mayne and Perche to make hauock of all that he left behind and afterward to returne to Paris The Duke d' Mayne hauing so deuided his army with one part of the same giueth to himselfe many alarum in that retire to Paris It is said before how about the beginning of Aprill the King considering the reasonable proffers of the King of Nauarre who in his great prosperity and when he might haue enlarged his authority farre and wide throughout al France proffered peace and ayd vnto the King to his great disaduantage at length necessitie inforced the saide King to conclude a truce with the King of Nauarre for a whole year beginning at the 3. day of Aprill 1589. and ending the same day of the same moneth in the yeare 1590. inclusiuely The conditions of the said truce were agreâ—d vppon and promised to be obserued by the two Kings the 26. of Aprill First in publication of the same truce the King with a long discourse doth protest of his consiancy in the Catholick religion and opposeth the proofes which he hath shewed from his youth vp as well in his priuat profession and exercises as in pursuing the contrary religion by all meanes and restablishing the said romish religion in places where it had béene abolished against the calumnies false reports and slaunders of the Leaguers On the contrarie sheweth how his enemies haue taken the pretence of religion and discharging the people of sundry exactions to make associations to strengthen themselues to replenish the realme with tumults and confusions whereby they haue giuen opportunity to the heretickes to abolish the Catholik religion and to enlarge theirs and they themselues haue by sundry cruelties and extortions oppressed his subiects of the Catholick religion he complaineth that the Leaguers hauing attempted against his person and proclaymed an open war against him and his authority who through their iniuries haue enforced him to call the King of Nauarre to his naturall and lawfull defence against their rebellions and treasons Secondly he declareth how the King of Nauarre acknowledging his duty toward his Maiesty and pittying the miserable state of the realme subuerted brought to a lamentable confusion by the Leaguers hath instantly required peace of him Whereupon by the aduise of the Princes of the bloud officers of the Crowne and Lords of his Counsell he hath concluded a truce and ceasing from all hostility throughout the whole tralme therein comprehending the County of Venisse and state of Auignon belonging to the
Pope the said truce to begin the third day of Aprill and to continue a whole yeare The conditions of the said truce are as followeth First that the King of Nauarre shall not during the time of the said truce employ his forces within nor without the realme but for his seruice and at his commaundement and direction Secondly that wheresoeuer the King of Nauarre shall come he shall alter change nor innouat nor interrupt the exercise of the romish religion nor shew any displeasure to the Priests nor to the places of their deuotions Thirdly that whatsoeuer place Towne Citie Castell or Fortresse he shall take by any meane whatsoeuer immediatly deliuer the same to the Kings pleasure Last of all the King graunteth to them of the reformed religion the liberty of their consciences wheresoeuer within his dominions and the exercise of the same in places were it was exercised at the time of the concluding of this truce also that they all shall enioy their goods wheresoeuer so that likewise they shall suffer the Catholikes to enioy the freedome of their religion and goods in places which are in their power This was proclaymed and recorded in Parliament the thirtie day of Aprill at Tours the day of theyr interuiewe About the same time in like manner the king of Nauarre did set foorth a declaration of the causes of these truces wherein first he doth protest that in all these ciuill warres he hath armed himselfe and his friendes against his will nature and necessitie enâ—orcing him so to doe and sheweth that his warre of the League began vnder a pretence and shadow of religion but in very deede is found a war of estate Protesteth that his great desire hath beene alwayes to doe some good and acceptable seruice to the king Complayneth of the malice of his enemies disguised and coloured with fauourable pretences to ouerthrow the State Commendeth the king who at length hath with a good iudgement discerned his innocencie from their malice through so great and thick mist of colours and calomnies of his enemies Secondly he sheweth that the Leaguers making the world beleeue to warre against the reformed religion whome they doe cal heretikes neuer went to seeke them out where they were but abusing of the kings authoritie and power which they had â—â—il in hand to that end haue by the said forces surprized the townes and fortresses which were furthest and least suspected of religion Thirdly he sheweth that they haue not vsed their preachers and Iesitites to conuert the pretended hereticks as they should haue done but in all places where they haue borne the sway haue made them serue for trompets of sedition and firebrands to sound the alarum and to set the whole Realme on a fire and miserable combustion to rayse the subiects against their prince to seduce them from the obedience of their magistrats to dispose them to tumults alteration and noueities whereby they haue procured an horrible deformitie in the Realme a generall and incredible rebellion by the which they haue banished all pietie and iustice out of all Cities and places which are vnder their tyranny Fourthly he sheweth the causes of this their reconsiliation and interuiew to haue been no respect of religion at all But that he for his parte pitying the miserable state wherunto the enemies had reduced the realm when he mought haue vsed the publike calamities of the saide state for to doe well and assure his affayres forgiuing all iniuries and discurtesies receaued vnto the realme hath offered to the king his life and meanes to assist him to restablish his authoritie which proffers the king of his clementie and goodnes accepted And vpon that acceptation that hee might the better haue meanes to doo him good seruice the sayd King bath conciuded a generall truce throughout all his Dominions for a whole yeare including therein the Countie of Venisse and state of Auignon Last of all hee chargeth and commandeth all them of his side and religion to keepe the conditions of this truee inuiolable forbidding them to enterprise innouate or alter any thing either in religion or policie in any place of the Kings dominions And as the King of his gracious goodnes had giuen libertie to them of the reformed religion to enioy the freedome of their consciences goods he willeth also the like libertie to bee giuen to the Catholikes who are in the Prouinces Townes or Cities holden by them of the reformed religion so long as this truce shall endure Among all other Prouinces which through rebellion had forsaken the Kings obedience Picardy and the I le of France had waded most déepely in that rebellion hauing generally reuolted Calis and Boloigne excepted In the I le of France there is a small Towne named Seulis in the way bewéene Champaigne and Paris that Towne also had rebelled and ioyned to the vnion of the League a Towne of no strength neither in fortifications nor situation About the beginning of Aprill the Lord Thore of the house of Mommorency went vp and downe in the Towne of Seulis conferring with the good and faithfull inhabitants of the sayd Towne who with his good and graue reasons reduced them to the Kings obedience About the beginning of May the sayd Lord Thore within the space of three dayes made a choyse and muster of able men out of the villages of the Dutchy of Mommorency so that as well of his companies as of the inhabitants of the Towne he made a sufficient number of resolute men to the number of two thousand able to stand against any forces that should seeke to assault the Towne furnishing the same aboundantly with victuall and munition and all necessary things for the kéeping and defence thereof This he did not that the place was of any such strength but reposing his trust in God who is a defender of a iust cause and in the courage faithfulnes of the inhabitants and souldiers there The Parisiens amazed to see the sâ—daine reducing of the sayd Towne to the Kings obedience did all their diligence to put out that fire kindled so néere them The Lord of Mayneuile whom wee haue sayd the Duke de Mayne had left gouernour of Paris in great hast with a company of Parisiens well armed came to besiege the sayd Towne of Seulis The Duke d'Aumale with a braue companie of horsemen and a sort of footemen arriued incontinently there after the Lord Mayneuile so that on a sodaine they besieged the Towne being at the dash to the number of foure thousand men The fourth day the Parisiens and other partakers and fellowes of the vnion came posting from many places being well horsed and furnished and found themselues that day before that Towne to the number of sixe thousand men The fift day they sent to Paris for Ordinance whereof three were sent them to wit two Canons and one Culuerine and because none would enterprise to conduct the sayd Ordinance this way was deuised In the alteration which
to bring with them thrée thousand men that should vpon a luddaine be landed there at the time appoynted and should seaze vpon the City to the King of Spaynes vse At the time appoynted came the Galeys and Souldiours and tooke land The second magistrate of the city being a faithfull Citizen and in that neutrality of the City suspecting some treason thought to preuent it by diligence and as it pleased God that night tooke vpon him to view the watch and in his way met with certaine Mariners all amazed and frighted requiring him to prouide for the safety of the city for that there were a great number of Spanyards already landed wherupon he commaunded the townesmen presently to arme themselues And going a little further accompanied with some good Citizens did light on the company where the chiefe gouernour was there taking order with the enemy for the entring of the Towne This magistrate dnderstanding of these things already well accompanied with townesmen commaunded the dromme to sound the alarum and with great courage charged vpon the Spanyards whome they slew in great number he tooke many of them and the gouernour of the City prisoner with them and such of his complices as were with them so the City was yet once preserued from the Turkish bondage of the Spaniards Euen as the shéepe straying from their shepheards runne into the Wolues daunger so townes and Cities euen whole Prouinces with drawing themselues from the obedience of their Lords are dayly in danger to be made a pray to their enemies It is said how the Duke d'Mayne after his flight from Saint Andrews plaine went to Saint Denis to sée what entertainement the Parisiens would shew him and after he with few had concluded to holde Paris and Saint Denis specially fast from the Kings power and so he and the Spanish Moore Commendator Moreo went into Picardie thence to Bruxels to the Duke of Parma The Duke d'Mayne soiorned at Pâ—ronne a towne in Picardie situated vpon the riuer Sonie betwéene Amiens and Saint Quintine to gather such forces as he could he craued aide from al parts but they are as slowly to come to him as he is earnest to enuite them Balagny Gouernour of Cambray did promise him fiftéene hundred horses out of Picardie There the Duke d'Mayne séeing that al things went contrary yet to ease his stomack he maketh great braggs how that he will make againe an army of thirty thousand men These great bragges did procéede of the vaine hope which they had already conceaued of the King of Spayne for while these things aboue saide were a dooing by the King about the 20. of March they sent foure Ambassadors into Spayne first from the Duke d'Mayne and another from the Duke of Lorreyne the third from the Duke Merceur and the last in the name of the whole body of the League They arriued at Vadolit in the latter end of Aprill The somme of their Ambassage was to begge and not much neither but thrée Milions of Gold and thirty thousand men vpon that condition that they would make him King of France if he could get it yet promising their furtherance So after much capping and crouching begging and crauing chopping and changing what money they obtayned it is not certaine but it is reported that they were promised one Milion and that they had thirty thousand Crownes which they tooke in hope that more would come and an army out of the Lowe Countreyes of Flanders The King of Spayne was willing to hearken to these Ambassadors for thrée causes ambition feare and desire of reuenging First by the proffer of this Ambassage hée was put in some hope that considering the great power of these three Dukes and the great power of the League that is of the Townes Cities and commons rebelled hée might perhaps spéede better then he looked for And if he should not spéed in the whole yet he might in part thereof The second cause was feare which caused him with all his meanes to keepe the King from growing mighty for considering his great valoure and the iniuries which both his predecessors he had receaued at the Spaniards handes would in time call them to remembrance and seeke the means to recouer his owne The third cause was desire of reuenge supposing that in working him mischiefe he might bee reuenged of the losse reproch and dishonour of his Spaniards and Flemmings who had remayned to dung the playne of S. Andrew by reason of these particular affections not for any loue which hee had to the Leaguers or Leagued he wrote to the Duke of Parma to passe in person with such Forces as hee had and could spare in the lowe Countreis to succour the rebels in France In the meane while that the King soiorned at Mante the Parisiens beeing hardened by the Deuillish and seditious Sermons of the Fryers and Iesuits as the Egyptians were by the enchauntmentes of Iamnes Iambres they elected for gouernor of their city the Duke of Nemours by whose conduct they began to fortify their walles men women and Children night and day they pulled downe many houses in the Suburbs they receaued into the City three thousand Germans whom they placed part of them in the Arsenall and others in watch and ward in the most needfull places of the city They gathered corne and wine into the Citie so much as the could They fortified also Saint Denis Corbeil Melun Montereau fault yonne and Sennes The King passing in the sight of the Citie of Paris layed the siege before Corbeil which shortly after yelded the King stopped the riuer of Seine with a chayne of Iron so that no boats being neuer so little could passe by From Corbeil the King went to lay the siege before Montereau which is a great towne situated vppon the fall of the riuer Yonne into Seine which yeelded without any resisting From Montereau the King returned to Melune a strong towne vppon Seine this town part of it lyeth vpon the South banke of Seine and part is in an Iland within the sayd riuer there the Rebels had placed a strong garrison but the Citizens and Souldiers perceauing that they would be forced and that there was no hope of succour yeelded the place and put themselues in the Kings seruice The King hauing placed a strong garrison there wentbacke agayne to Sens compassed it doth plant sixe pieces of Ordinance agaynst the wall sent a Tâ—ompeter to the City to sommon them to render the place promising them all good and gracious fauour The Gouernor called the Lord Chambalon determined not to receaue him except first he would become a good Catholike Whereupon the K. began to batter the towne in two seuerall places gaue two assaults where he was repulsed beeing within the town one thousand and eight hundred Souldiers besides the Citizens and Inhabitants who were able to make two thousand Souldiers more The king therfore thought good to leaue of that enterprise and to follow the
moneth Possonnes the Duke de Mayne his gouernour there considering the state of the Duke of Sauoy his affayres seeing the Canon planted and the Lord Diguieres fortified with newe supplies all the commonaltie bent against him and being without any hope of ayde or reliefe the 30. of September yeelded the Towne of Essiles by composition that his Souldiers should freely depart with bagge and baggage So by these meanes the passages into Piemont doo remayne in the Kings power and the countrey of Daulphine is limitted with his olde limits long before fortified by the French Kings during the warres of Italy Sonnes generall of the Duke of Sauoy had prouoked the Lord Morges his nephewe to fight fiftie agaynst fiftie on horsebacke and appoynted the place which thing the Lord Diguieres vnderstanding conducted the sayd Morges vnto the place where the sayd Morges remayned with his forces readie to accept the offer from nine a clocke in the morning vntill three a clocke in the euening and at length came a Trompetter with a letter from the sayd Sonnes carying an excuse The Lord Diguieres in attending the comming of y e enemie had espied a passage néere Iallon where the enemie had entrenched himselfe and there lodged eight companies vnder the conduct of Captaine Venust and perceauing that there was no more hope of Sonnes comming to the combat appoynted he determined to spend the rest of that day in doing some exployt and to assault the sayd companyes who did lye vpon the hanging of the mountayne betweene Suze and Noualize and hauing found meanes to place one hundred Musketters who battered the enemie vpon the side of their fort the trenches of the enemie were forced and fourescore of them slayne among whom were Captaynes Venust Gassard and Charband Captayne Vilars with some other was taken prisoners and foure companies of Senton master of the Campe were so scattered that they came neuer together agayne This exployt was done the first of October This being done the Lord Diguieres returned again to Essiles and sent backe the foure Canons to Ambrun and caused two great peeces to bee drawne from Gap to Barcelona a place situated in the County of Nice and pertayning to the Duke of Sauoy hee sent his forces before to besiege the sayd Barcelona and when hee came himselfe about the eleauenth day of October and had made a breach the same day the enemie did parley and yéelded themselues with safetie of their liues leauing behind them their armour colours horses and baggage the Captaines were permitted to depart with their swords vpon an hackney The inhabitants had graunted them to enioy their goods abiding vnder the Kings obedience as the rest of his subiects vpon condition to pay sixe thousand Crownes for the army and the fraight of the Artillerie The 13. day the gouernour called Coreloere departed with three souldiers with him and as many of citizens and countrey men who repayred to their houses vnder the Kings safegard The 14. day the Lord Diguieres layd batterie before the Castle of Metans which he slenderly battered the 15. day only to view the enemies countenance But they being greatly afrayed the next night did steale away and so saued themselues except thirtie of them who were intercepted by the watch In this way of Piemont the Lord Diguieres had neuer aboue three hundred horses and twelue hundred shot and found no greater enemie then the inaccessible height of the mountaynes where ouer he was forced to passe the Canon but chiefly in his iourney to Barcelona The Citie of Grenoble in the land of Daulphine notwithstanding the truces and good entertaynment from time to time receaued of the Lord Diguieres had been seduced after the King last deceased and did hold still after for the League though not with such desperat madnes and insolencie as many others had done Now the L. Diguieres hauing well repressed the madnes chastized the rashnes and folly of the D. of Sauoy and hauing in a manner subdued and pacified that countrey forsooke the Duke of Sauoy and determined to scoure as much as he could all the remnant and ragges of rebellion out of that prouince which thing to bring to passe he thought good to begin at the head to wit the Citie of Grenoble and as by the euent which followed it seemed that he did besiege distresse that Citie which thing caused the inhabitants to consider that the Lord Diguieres had in a manner all the land of Daulphine at commaundement His power was increased and returned out of Piemont with few victories of many they weighed also how they were out of hope of any succour as well from the Duke de Mayne as from the Duke of Sauoy who being taught by the schoolemaster of fooles which is experience would not haue hereafter great lust to returne in haste into Daulphine These circumstances caused them well to consider the danger wherein they stoode which thing moued them to make a motion of peace by the which they were reduced to the dutifull obedience of their lawfull Soueraigne This peace was concluded in the suburbs of Saint Laurence by Grenoble the two and twentith of December betweene the Lord des Diguieres one of the kings priuie counsell and of estate captayne of a hundred men at armes of his Ordinances and generall of the armie leuied for the kings seruice in the land of Daulphine on the one part and the court of Parliament the commonalties of the countie and the Consuls of the same First that the exercize of the Romish Religion shall remaine frée both within the towne and suburbs thereof as hitherto it hath béen and that the Cleargie in all the prouince shall enioy the full possession of their goods in any place in the prouince vnder the kings protection Secondly that the frée exercize of the reformed Religion may be publikely celebrated within Trescloistre suburbs of the sayd citie without any let trouble or molestation Thirdly that all dwellers in the same towne that will continue therein shall personally protest and acknowledge Henrie the fourth king of France and Nauarre for their Soueraigne and shall yéeld to him the oth of fidelitie in like cases requisite in the hands of the Lord Saint Andrew president of the court of Parliament and Chastelard counsellor in the same court in the presence of the Lordes of Blemew and Calignon and vpon the same oath taken the sayd inhabitants shall bée maintayned and restored in the full and peaceable enioying of their goods offices priuiledges and franchizes Fourthly if any man of whatsoeuer calling or condition soeuer it bée shall be vnwilling to take the sayde oath and shall be desirous thereupon to departe else where hee shall be safely conducted to any place that they will go and may enioy their goods offices and dignities either by sale or by receauing their annuall fruits or stipend thereof at their choyce prouided alwayes that they enterprize nothing against the Kings seruice Fiftly that the custodie and
committed treason but also solicited others to the like offence The sayd Citty had admitted the Duke of Sauoy for their Soueraigne who had put in garrisons to keep them in subiection and about the beginning of this yeare began also to build a citadel in the Citie whereuppon the people fell to a mutiny refused to receaue any more garrisons in his be hoofe The Citie of Marseilles is an ancient Colonie of the Greckes named Phocoei who forsook their countrey when Cyrus king of the Persians did war and subdue Asia the lesser that citie had been commended in the time of the Romans by reason of learning and good discipline which florished there It is a Citie gouerned by their owne Magistrates as Rochel is vnder the protection and obedience of the kings of France and hath continued very long in their sidelity vntill now a dayes degenerating greatly from their ancient vertue they haue shewed great inconstancie in their duty of sidelity vppon these occasions The king of Spayn hath beene greatly iealous of that Citie and hath vsed all the meanes possible to reduce that Towne vnder his obedience since that he dreamed of some possibility to inuade FraÌ„ce supposing that it would haue been a fit Port as a gate for him to passe and repasse to goe in and out of France vppon all occasions at pleasure To bee short to make it an Arsenall to subdue all those Southernly Prouinces lying vppoÌ„ the Mediterran Seas Therefore at the beginning of the League this citie was one of the pledges that should haue béen deliuered him by the Leaguers which practises haue been put to execution twise all ready but through the watchfull dilligence of some faithfull Citizens haue beene disappoynted of their purpose The King of Spayn notwithstanding the great charges which hee sustayned by giuing great pâ—nsions vnto some Captayns and Inhabitants there to fauour his proceedings seeing himselfe still disappoynted yet would he not geue ouer but began to worke another way to wit to continue or rather increase his beneuolence towards the inhabitants perswading theÌ„ in the mean time to associat themselues to the League and to accept the Duke of Sauoy their neighbour for their Protector supposing by these meanes in time the faction of the League preuailing there to make himselfe master of that place The Citizens corrupted with Spanish money and otherwise greatly addicted to Popish vanity and superstition to continue this Spanish liberality among them and to please thus farre the king of Spayne at his request accepted the Duke of Sauoy for Protector of their City and in signe that they were Leaguers aduanced the Standerd of the holie League and set it vppon their walles which is an Idoll which they called the Crucifix in that state they continued nigh a yeare But now vnderstanding the cogging and double dealing of the sayd D. at Aix in intending and attempting there to build a Citadell and how both the nobillity of the Countrey had forsaken him and the people resisted his attempts pulled downe the Standerd of the League and erected the armes of France publishing that they would hold for the King of France Wee haue left the King with his Princes at Chartres there to take possession of that great riche and florishing Citie and haue walked through part of Piemont Daulphine and Prouance Now let vs returne to Chartres there to know what the King doth and shew also the prosperous successe which haue followed the taking of this Cittie of Chartres The Citie of Chartres beeing in the Kings power the Parisiens conceaued a great amazement and terror knowing very well that this exploit would be a scourge vnto them For as in the ancient time Alexandria and Sicilia were the Nurces of Rome so the countrey of Beausse and this Citie of Chartres were the chiefest prouiders for the Cittie of Paris Now therefore the carriage of any kind of victuals and prouisions beeing stopped both aboue and beneath the riuer from the North side and the South and finding themselues destitute of victuals money and all other warlike prouisions for their strength and succour they fall to their olde custome that is to demaund bread of their Idols therefore the Bishop of Placentia their Fryer Gregory the thirteenth his Legat after the returne home of Fryer Henrico Caietano Sponte insanientes instigat set them on to running and gadding about the streetes to carry their Idols with or a pro nobis there is mourning weeping and beâ—ayling there is stridor dentium horror â—empiternus and regnum tenebrarum Yet the Fryers and Iâ—suits do comfort them with seditious sermons and bitter wordes as well as they can but venter non habet aures During the Kings soiourne at the siege of Chartres the Duke de Maine with such power as he could make went and layd the siege before Chasteauthierij situated vpon the riuer Marne The gouernour which was within sâ—nt word to the King that he would hold it against the enemie a whole moneth The King hauing taken order of the safe kéeping of the Citie about the twelfth day of Aprill remoued his armie from Chartres to Aulneaw and Macheuile which townes were reduced to his obedience About the fiftéenth day the armie remoued to Dourdan which towne immediately his armie entred by force where was found great store of victualls gathered with intent to be conueighed to Paris The sixtéenth day the castell a very strong place was assaulted and taken So by this expedition Paris is disappoynted of victuals and prouision and distressed neerer and neerer The same day the King separated himselfe from his armie and leauing the same to the leading of the Marshall Biron with a great troup of horsemen took his iourney toward Chasteauthierij purposing to rayse the siege and to see his face whome he had not seene many yeares before and to craue more acquaintance The Duke de Mayne ashamed and afeard to shew his face for the guiltines of rebellion and parricide procured had no great liking of that acquaintance neither durst be so bold to stay there and contrarie vnto the promise of the captaine of the place and the Kings expectation the Castel being râ—ndred to the sayd de Maine he fled as fast as his horse could cary him to the Citie of Reames The King hearing not onely of the hastie retire of the Duke de Maine from Chasteauthierij but also that he had deuided his armie into sundry parts and that they should continue in that sort for a certaine time determined to stay at Sanlis there to view the countenance of the enemie and in the meane while to take the townes of Dowserie and Claye where the enemies kept garrison which thing was speedelie done In this pursuite the king also tooke the towne of Tremblay by Mountfort which is nowe a great hinderance fo the enemie by reason of the passage The one and twentith day of Aprill while the King pursued the enemies the Duke Espernon and the Lords d'Ho and Vicres
cut his way in his returne to Nantes by night secretly did steale away and with the mayne galop amaze and many alarms which he gaue to himself feare making him to imagine thinges which were not recouered to Nantes without any bayte the fourth day of September leauing behinde him his companies with great disorder and discontented mindes some of his troupes with decestation of his euill leading cursed the houre that euer they knew him Some of the Princes companies pursued the disaray and setting vpon the carriage tooke it and many prisoners with it Thus happily succeded the beginnings of the vnion and the miracles of these great Captaines whose heat was some what cooled and their hornes beaten in with this blow About the 5. day of September the Prince returning from Fonteney passed through Mele where the Countrey of Rochefocault which not long before had repayred to him left him againe taking his iourney to his own house And for as much as the plague was very sore at S. Iohn D'Angelye the Prince tooke his way to Iarnak vpon Charante where the Lorde Lauaughion and other Gentlemen left him to retyre to their houses Whilst these Princes soiorned at Iarank the Lord Laual a yong Noble man in a little bodie hauing a minde endued with notable godlines vertue with a ripe wit and couragious heart which did make him no lesse beloued and honorable vnto all honest vertuous and peaceable men then feared of all wicked and perturbers of the state of France This Lord accompanied with his three brethren the Lords Rieulx Taulay and Saulye the 8. of September departed from his house of Vitre in Batangue with a 150. Rutters and 300. Harquebusiers on horseback and with that companie passed ouer Loyre partly a forde and partly with boates at Manues three Leagues about Nantes by the help of the Lord Chargroys who was afterward his Lieutenant From thence he tooke his iourney through Poytow to S. Iohn D'Angelye where he entred not because of the pestilence which was there but passing through Tailborge went to the Prince at Marennes when the said Prince besieged Browage about the 12. of September About the 9. of September from Iarnak the Lord Saint Gelays with the Lord D'Aubigny and some other Gentlemen tooke their iourney toward Mele for some great affaires There they had knowledge that certaine companies of the League were comming to compasse them about which thing being found true the Lord S. Gelays Marshal of the Princes campe sendeth all night to the Lord Charboniere who was two leagues of with his companie hee sendeth also to certaine Gentlemen there abouts who were of the religion which with great diligence came toward him all night and at the breake of the day ioyned with the said Lord Saint Gelays The Leagued companies were conducted by Captaine Saint Katarine and others who perceauing themselues on a suddaine and beside their expectation compassed about without any further a doo required parley with the Lord Saint Gelays who after few words yeelded and promised to forsake the League and to cause their fellowes to doo the like and also that they would neuer carrie armes against them of the reformed religion which agreement they quicklie sealed and performed Many of these companies went to the Prince being then at Pons they which would not were sent away without weapons And this is the second miracle which the Leaguers did in Poytow About the same time the Lord Saint Mesmes Ranques and Orges went toward Tonnecharante at whose approaching the Lord Saint Luke who was then at Soubize with nigh two hundred Souldiours with great terrour departed and burning the bridge and gate of Soubize retired to Browage leauing most of all his garisons at the bourg of Moses These Lords mought haue pursued taken the Lord Saint Luke but delaying the time from Friday to Sunday they lost the occasion The 13. day these Lords tooke the tower of Foncras vpon Charante which did holde for the League About the same time the Prince of Conde least he should keepe his companies idle with the Lord of Rohan and others with him from Pons withall their companies tooke their way toward the Iles of Xainctonge for to recouer Sonbiez and the castell Augle which the Lord S. Luke had fortified with Garisons of the League and also to sease vpon the salt of the Iles whereof great summes of money might be made And for to bring to passe these things more easilie to haue munition and meanes of artilerie and other necessarie things in the meane whiles the Prince with a certaine number of horsemen tooke his iourney to Rochell notwithstanding the plague was very great there where hee obtained of the Citie both munition ships and power of men to conduct all to Browage Oleren and other places there abouts About the same time these Lords Douault Boysdaliz Sanuere Campos with many other Gentlemen hauing giuen the rendes vous in Berry as is aforesaid repayred to the Prince then being at Pons in Xainctonge About the 15. of September the Lords Saint Mesmes Ranques and Orges after the taking of the Tower of Foncras vpon Charante pursued the Garison which had fled from Soubieze and had stayed at the bourg of Moses as is said betweene Soubieze and Browage and followed them to a place called Graund Garison right against Browage on the north side of the riuer where after they had skirmished a while in the sight of the towne and of the Lord Saint Luk who was on the other side of the water on the key of Browage and being reduced there at the low water and hardly set on by them of the religion through dispayre of rescue cast themselues into the oose where the most part were slaine others that could not get out were drowned when the tide came The Lord Saint Luk was in great agonie to sée the best of all his Garisons so cast away without any remedie to saue one of them certaine shot of ordinance was discharged but it was all in vaine Among other prisoners were the Captaines Luchet Meanbourg and Sauage with some other whom the Lord Orges sent home without any ransome to the great discontentation of the Prince because they were they who did most seruice in the defending of Browage against the saide Prince About the same time the Lord Clermont enterprised to passe ouer Loyre with few with him among whome was one Captaine Rochemorte for to assemble them who could not dwell in their houses by reason of the publication of the edict of vnion About the 16. of September the prince hauing done his busines in Rochel assembled his forces at Saint Gennes and so marched toward the siege of Browage and from thence to Saint Iust. Here is to be noted that in that part of Xainctonge lying betweene the riuer of Browage and Garemme commonly called Almert there be foure townes to wit Saint Iust distant a mile and a halfe from Marennes Hyers betweene Marennes and Browage whereof
beliefe Fiftly they shall beleeue that in the transubsâ—antiation the bread and Wine are chaunged into the bodie bloud soule and deitie of Christ Sir William Ruze either is an asse who knoweth not what he saith or else a false Prophet which leadeth men to a strange God for such a paradoxe Note was yet neuer heard in Christs Church that the Bread and Wine was changed into Christs deitie Sixtly he saith that wee must beleeue the Masse to be a sacrifice propiciatorie for the sinnes of the quick and the dead What proofes hath Sir William Ruze to shew out of Gods word that the Masse is a propiciatorie sacrifice for sinne more then the sacrifices of Note the heathens Last of all the fire of purgatorie the hauing and worshipping of their Images the adoring of Reliques and praying vnto them and also that the counsell of Trent is to be receaued as good Catholick and an article of the faith of the Church of Rome All these things are articles of faith which they that will goe to the diuell must needes beleeue but cleane contrarie vnto the faith of the true Note Catholick and Apostolick Church The persecutions imprisonments seazing of goods and abiurations had begun and went forward in diuers places but especiallie in such as were addicted to the League long before and had receaued the last edict set forth by the King And among other places there is a towne in Poytow called Niort great and rich where the faires and martes of the countrey beyond Loyre are kept This towne had béen seduced of long time and of all townes in France most earnestly adicted to the League there of all places and in the townes there abouts they began most cruelly to persecute the Church which was assembled at Saint Gelays in the which persecution many bowed downe the knee to Baall Therefore about the 20. of December Lewis Blachiere Pastor of that Church hauing retired to Rochel and vnderstanding the fall of many in that heate of persecution writeth a letter to raise them that are fallen and to binde that which was broken In the which first hee sheweth the vse of persecution that is to discerne the true Disciples of Christ from false bretheren and hypocrits who yeeld and turne after euery winde of doctrine Secondly hee dooth terrifie them that are fallen by the threatnings of Christ against them that shall denie him before men Thirdly he detecteth the subtiltie of the enemie in the forme of his abiuration in that he hath made a doore of golde to enter into a priuy or dongeon full of filth stinking and poysoned ayre placing in the beginning the Nicen simbole afterward patcheth to it all the filthie abominations of Antichrist Fourthly hee sheweth to them that are fallen the gate of mercie to remaine alwaies open to them which seeke the right meanes to enter in and that repentance is neuer too late Last of all them who doo stand he doth encourage to preferre the confession of the son of God wherein doth consist eternall life before this present life or the commodities and pleasures thereof Thus wee will make an end of this second Booke of this Tragicall Historie raised vp in the Kingdome of France by the Leaguers The end of the second Booke THE THIRD BOOKE IT is shewed in the former Booke how the Leaguers after hauing long vnder hand practised the supplanting of the house of Valoys at length did burst out into a manifest rebellion I haue shewed what pretence coulour and buckler they tooke to wit religion iustice the Cardinall of Bourbon Thou hast seene gentle reader how the King tooke them for enemies rebels and traitors and some of their partakers were condemned and executed for such Also by what meanes practises and wicked counsell the King was drawne to ioyne friendship and armour and to deuide his kingdome with them whome hee a little before had declared rebels and traitors What edicts declarations iniunctions the King afterward set out in fauour of them against the reformed religion The atemptes of Merceur in the Lowe Poytow the exploytes done by the Prince of Conde in Xainctonge Poytow and his voyage beyond Loyre to Anger 's and the successe of that voyage the exployces done by the Vicount Turenne the comming of the Duke De Mayne with his armie and all his conquest in Perigord and Limosin Now will we begin the third Booke with the beginning of Ianuarie The first day of Ianuarie the King of Nauarre being at Montoban a citie in Quercie wrote letters vnto all the states of France and first of all vnto the sacrificing Priests commonlie called the Cleargie in the which he protesteth first of his moderatenes which he hath vsed toward all men euen in the middle of warre and that hee hath often times remitted sundrie and great iniuries done to him in respect of the publick peace Secondly he complaineth of them that they doo assist with their power and meanes them who making their ambition a zeale to holy Church and the reuenging of their priuat discontentments with a publick warre haue set the whole realme in a miserable cumbustion Thirdly hee letteth them vnderstand that he feareth neither their money their names nor the armes of his enemies but pittyeth the state of the poore people who doth suffer all the oppressions and miseries which will ensue these enterprizes of his enemies Fourthly he threatneth them that they who should be the vpholders of peace and the support of the poore people shall answere before God for all the bloodshed confusions vices and miseryes which the warre caryeth with it for entertayning with their meanes and norishing with their goods this vniust and damnable warre with the disorders which insue thereof Fiftly hee protesteth that hee hath proffered himselfe to be tryed by a conference and distentation in a free counsel but they haue preferred war fire and sword before these good lawdable and ordinary meanes of conference which is most worthy of man Last of all he sheweth them that this warre is most vnworthy of Christians but specially of such as do pretend to bee teachers and Doctors of the Gospell and committing his innocency and iust cause to God warneth them that the dangers of warre are common as well to them as to him and his so maketh an end with them Vnto the Nobility hee rehearseth the summe of all thinges passed euer since the raising vp of the League First how that in the middest of peace these sturres are bred and borne Secondly he reciteth with what patience he hath borne all the iniuries proffered vnto him by the Leaguers who haue made him the subiect and scope of their warre Thirdly he putteth them in remembrance of all the Kings actions before the edict of vnion how the King declared them rebels and perswaded them as such in all his courtes of Parliament And how they to wit the Nobility haue béen armed agaynst the Leaguers and that all these actions of the king did proceed
had beene still in the Loure and knowing that there rested nothing more to doo but to haue his person for a gage of the Crowne determined to besiege the Loure and to bring out of hand the Artilery before the gate But vnderstanding that he was issued out and gone already a great way of hee remayned Master of Paris séeing that the Master and the seruants had yeelded him the lodging Hetherto wee haue conducted the King to Trappes and his forces are sent packing and the Duke maketh merrie in Paris in hope likewise to be Master of all the rest The Duke and his partakers perceauing how the King had giuen the slip and auoyded their bloudie hands doo scratch their heads and see their error for although the ouerthrow was great yet the victorie was not full the enterprise not well executed and the King being not taken the issue thereof was doubtfull and full of perplexitie For their consciences doo represent before their eyes the perfidious rebellion which they had committed as to haue not onely dispossessed him of his house of whome they holde all that euer they had but also to haue sought to murther him whom God had consecrated to represent before their eyes the image of his Soueraigne iustice to destroy their Prince who had loued them so tenderlie their benefactor who had cherished them as a Father his owne naturall Children They accurse their negligent folly in that they had not beene more watchfull to attend vpon his person feare seazed their hearts when considering the greatnes of their offence doo also knowe that yet hee will haue meanes inough to bring their dooings to iudgement and to take reuengement of them according to the haynousnes of their offence To be short they are very sory not for that which they had done but for that they haue not done worse But the Duke of Guize considering well that the stincking fame of his villanous fact would flee abroade vnto the eares of forraine Princes who will thinke themselues interesâ—ed in this iniurie and that they will not forsake such a mightie Prince in his distresse hee thought good that the execution done this day might be reported vnto Princes neighbours and friends of the Crowne in such a manner that whatsoeuer was therein most odious and damnable might bee either concealed or else coloured Therefore among others he forgot no courtesie and honest offers to the Lord Ambassodor of England to whome he sent the Lord Brissak accompanied with some others to offer him a protection and to pray him not to bee dismayed and not to remoue thence with assurance of safetie The Ambassador answered that if he had been as a priuat men in Paris hee would haue gone to prostrate himselfe at the feete of the Duke of Guize for to giue him most heartie thankes for his courtesies and honest proffers but being there nigh the King for the Queene of England his Mistresse who had aliâ—unce and couenant of amitie with him he could not nor would not take any protection but of the King onely The Lord Brissak shewed him that the Lord of Guize was not come to Paris to enterprize any thing against the King or his seruice but that hee hath resolued himselfe vpon the defensiue and that there was a great conspiracie against him and the Citie of Paris and how the towne house and other places were ful of gibets whereon the King had determined to hang a great number of the Citie and others The Lord of Guyze prayed him to aduertize his Mistresse of all these things to the end the worlde might be informed of the trueth The Ambassador answered that he could easilie beleeue that he saide as he thought but that hauty and hard enterprises oftentimes doo remayne incommunicable and closely shut vp in the hearts of them who doo enterprise them which also when they thinke good doo produce them forth with such colour as they iudge most fit for their aduantage And that he would say freely that whatsoeuer had passed in Paris would bee iudged very strange and wicked by all the Princes of Christendome who were interessed in it and that no colours were they neuer so fayre could make it to seeme good being the simple duety of a subiect to remaine in the iust obedience of his Soueraigne And that if there were so many gibets prepared it would bee beleeued more easily when the Lorde of Guyze shoulde bring them in sight And graunt that so it were yet is it a hatefull thing and intollerable that a subiect would let by force the iustice which his Soueraigne will execute with strong hand He promised him that willingly he would aduertise the Queene his Mistresse of all that which he tould him but to serue him as an interpreter of all the conceites of the Duke of Guyze and of them of his part it was no matter belonging to his charge The Queene his Mistresse being wiser then hee to beleeue and iudge what would please her Maiestie vpon that which he would write vnto her The Lord Brissake seeing that neither by fayre offers words nor prayers the Lord Ambassadour could be mooued to allowe their actions ended his speaches with threatnings saying that the people of Paris had a quarrell to him by reason of the crueltie which the Quéene of England had shewed to the Quéene of Scots To this word of crueltie the Ambassadour answered I arest you vpon this word of crueltie my Lord no man euer named a iustice well qualified crueltie Moreouer I beléeue not that the people of Paris haue any quarrell to mée as you say for vpon what occasion seeing that I am here a publike person who neuer molested any bedie Haue you any armour sayd the Lord Brissake If you did aske it me sayd the Lord Ambassadour as as of him who hath béen sometime friend and familiar of the Lord Cosse your vncle it may be I would tell you but being that which I am I will not tell you You shal be searched here sayd Brissake ere it belong for it is thought here is armour and it is to be feared you will be forced I haue two gates in this house sayd the Ambassadour I will shut and defend them as long as I may that it may appeare to the world that vniuftly in my person they haue violated the right of Nations To that Brissak replied but tell me in good friendship I pray you haue you any armour The Ambassadour answered seeing you aske me as a friend I will tell you as a friend If I were â—ere as a priuate man I would haue armour but being here as Ambassadour I haue none other armour then the right and faith publike I pray you sayd Brissak keepe your doores shut vp I ought not to doo it sayd the Lord Ambassour for the house of an Ambassadour ought to be open to all goers and commers considering that I am not in France to dwell in Paris onely but to bee nigh the King wheresoeuer he be
inhabitants Therein he sheweth in plaine tearmes that he doth not repent of his former actions but reioyceth in them and willâ—th him to warne his friends to come to him speedily with horses and armour without baggage and sheweth the facility thereof saying that the wayes as he supposeth are free Secondly he boasted to haue defeated the Swissers and cut to peeces the Kings guardes Thirdly he braggeth that he was ready to haue besieged the King in the Loure making his reckoning to haue either taken him or slain him there But seeing that the king had beguiled him in flying away by stealth hee referreth that matter till an other time Last of all he sheweth that he hath determined to seaze all that which the king hath in Paris vntill he be called to accounts The copie of this letter was sent the 14. day of May to the Gentlemen of the League in the Bayliwikes of Orleans and Bloys who immediatly tooke their horses to repayre to Boysgency where the gouernour had giuen the rendes vous But the 15. day they receiued a contrary aduertisement by a letter which the sayd gouernour sent them contayning as followeth Our great Duke could not execute his enterprise the K. hauing retyred to Chartres wherefore I couÌ„sell you to retyre into your houses as softly as you may making no semblance to haue seen any thing If you doo not think your selues safe come hether I pray you let this letter serue for the Lord Villecombline and Cigognes of Marchenoyre and haue me excused if I doo not write to you seuerally it is not that I am proude foolish or drunk but I am so glad that I knowe not what to doo With the selfe same pen he wrote also a letter to the Lord Bossempiere in the which he boasteth of his exployt done at Paris First how he hath discomfited the Kings forces of Swissers French men who were bestowed in certaine places of the Citie and after how the sayd companies are beholding to him by sauing their liues armours and goods Secondly he reioyceth of the great good will obedience and reuerence of the persons shewed vnto him in that commotion Thirdly he complaineth how he hath béen assaulted by the practises of the heretickes Fourthly he acknowledgeth to haue béen preserued by the brauerie and valiantnes of them of Paris of whom he assureth himselfe for euer Fiftly he maketh a comparison betwéene the King and himselfe in these words The King gathereth forces and we also the King is at Chartres and we in Paris Sixtly he boasteth how he hath changed the state of the Citie And last of all sheweth that euery where the Townes and Cities about doo send to acknowledge him Also praieth the sayd Bossempiere to come to see him where he shall finde him very lustie with forces courage friends and money enough to make merrie withall To those kinde of people whom he durst trust hee wrote in plaine tearmes with a plaine pen what his minde and intent was But writing vnto some friends in whom he thought that there was some french heart and nature and therefore could not trust them so farre as to commit the thoughts of his hart vnto theÌ„ in plaine tearmes he taketh another pen which could disguise the matter by the which he goeth about so to colour his actions as to make them beléeue that they are all iust and lawfull First hee deriueth the occasion of all the things which had happened from him and his ambition vpon the Duke Espernon whom indéede he knewe to bee one of the faithfullest seruants to the King of all his Catholikes whom hee would faine haue to be put out of countenance supposing that if he were not he might doo with the King what he would and rid him easily out of the way Therefore hee blameth the Duke Espernon to haue searched out the meanes to let the Dukes iourney into Guienne agaynst the King of Nauarre whether he fained himselfe to haue béen desirous to goe and to haue had that charge Secondly to bring these things to passe he chargeth him to haue gone into Picardie and Normandie with part of the Kings forces to picke quarells to refresh olde inormities thereby to diuert the kings power from Guienne Thirdly he accuseth the said Espernon that to that intent he would haue deriued the warre against the Duke of Guize and the rest of the League by reporting and perswading the King that the sayd Duke intended to make a slaughter of the Kings friends in the Citie of Paris and there eyther to kill or to take the King prisoner and to ransacke the Citie to make money to warre against whom he should thinke good Fourthly he accuseth the king of rashnesse for beléeuing those reports and for that thereupon he encreased his forces in Paris and for his stealing away out of Paris Fiftly hee sheweth how thinges passed in that commotion so that hee washeth still his hands and is in no fault and the King and Espernon bée the procurers of all that hath passed of late in Paris and that if it had not béen for his wisedome and care the King had béen vndone and the state in extreame danger Last of all hee hopeth that the King will be a good boy and if not hee will make him a boy indeede With the selfe same pen he writeth to the Townes and Cities of his confederacie and supposing them to be of diuers dispositions to so many as may by his actions enter into his thoughts to them he saith nothing of that which hath passed in Paris leauing the report thereof to such as were his trustie friends in the sayd Cities thereby to colour his actions with lyes and surmises Therefore he specially without naming him imputeth all these vprores which haue béen in Paris to the King of Nauarre who for to diuert the warre from himselfe hath sent saith he diuers expresse gentlemen and also hath laboured to the same purpose them who were at his deuotion about the King who haue gone about to perswade the King to warre against the Leaguers Secondly he exhorteth them at the example of Paris to suffer no manner of garrisons to be put into their Townes and Cities Thirdly he prayeth them that they will ioyne their meanes and willes with him and the Citty of Paris The inhabitants of Paris borrowed the same penne of the Duke of Guyze to write with the selfe same stile as hee had done therewith And namely they do charge the Duke Espernon as a secret friend to the King of Nauarre to haue procured the King first to bring forces and accustomed garrisons within the Cittie of Paris by which occasion the mutiny and commotion had ensued Then to haue perswaded the King in these tumults to suspect the inhabitants of the sayd City and at length to haue counselled him to flee from Paris Secondly they stirre vp the Cities and Towns of their confederacie to make like vprores agaynst the King and his forces as they haue done warning
vttered to them as followeth The Queene my mother hath geuen me to vnderstand that you were all assembled and will repayre to me whereof I am well pleased being assured that you would not offend in such force being the first company of my Realme I haue promised to my selfe of you alwayes all faithfulnes and obedience such as you haue shewed heretofore to my predecessors Kings as vnto your lawfull and naturall Princes And I know that if it had beene in your power to let thinges there passed that you woulde haue done it I am sory for that which hath happened to the city of Paris notwithstanding I am not the first to whome such misfortune hath happenned And the more I am displeased that the spare of these foureteene yeares that I haue beene king I haue alwayes honoured it with my abode shewing all gentlenes and goodnes to the inhabitants and they haue alwayes found me a good king gratifiyng them in all that euer I could I know that in such a Citie as that is there be good and bad when they shall make their submissioÌ„ will acknowledge themselues I will be readie to receiue and imbrace them as a good father his children and as a good King his subiects Your dutie is to labour in the matter for therein consisteth the preseruation of the Citie of your selues your wiues and your familyes Furthermore continue in your charges as you haue accustomed the Queene my mother shall certifie you from time to time of my will In the after noone the King sent for them againe and vsed these speaches following I haue sent for you before you goe hence to let you vnderstand besides that which I tould you this morning that I was aduertised of certaine reportes giuen out that I would haue put Garisons in the Citie of Paris I doo greatly â—â—use that euer such a thing came in their mindes I knowe that Garisons are set either to vndoo a Citie or for the mistrust of the inhabitants They ought not to thinke that I would destroy a Citie to the which I haue shewed so many tokens and witnesse of my good will which I haue so much benefited by my long abiding therein for to haue remayned there more then ten of my predecessors before me had done which thing hath brought to the inhabitantes euen to the simplest sort of artifficers all the commodities which there doo appeare this day whereby ten or twelue other Cities might haue been made rich And when my officers or Marchants haue had neede of me I haue done them good and I may say that I haue shewed my selfe a good King towards them And therefore it was farre from me to conceaue any diffidence of them whome I haue so dearely loued and of whome I ought to assure my selfe for the friendship which I haue witnessed vnto them was enough to take away that opinion from them that I should bee willing to giue them Garisons neither can it in trueth bee said that any man of my gardes or Garisons hath put his foote in any house or taken from any man a loafe of bread or any thing else but contrariwise haue at my prouision been furnished of all needful things neither should they haue stayed there aboue foure and twentie houres but the morrow after without lying in any other place should haue been appointed to their charge as if they had been in the campe I intended to haue made exactly a search of many strangers who were within my Citie of Paris and desirous to offend no man I sent euen to the Lord of Guize and other Lords to that end they should giue me a booke of the names of their houshold seruants and to cause the residue to auoyde Whereof I was aduertised that there was a great number no lesse then fifteene thousand men which thing I did for the preseruation of the Citie and safetie of my subiects This is the cause that I will haue them to acknowledge their fault with sorrow and displeasure I knowe well that they are made beleeue that hauing offended me in such a sort as they haue done mine indignation is irreconsiliable I will you to let them knowe that I haue not that humor nor will to vndoo them and that as God as whose Image I am here vpon the earth though vnworthie desireth not the death of a sinner so doo I not desire their vndooing I will alwaies prooue the peaceable way and when they shall shew their duetie and confesse their fault and testifie in deede the sorrow which they haue of their offence I will receaue and imbrace them as my subiects in shewing my selfe as a father toward his children I will haue them to acknowledge me as their King and Master if they doo it not but delay the matter in drawing my hand as I may doo I will make them feele their offence so that the marke thereof shall remaine for euer For being the first and principallest Citie honored with the first and suprem court of my Kingdome and other courtes priuiledges honors and vniuersitie I can as you know reuoake and remoue thence all my courtes and vniuersitie which would turne to their great displeasure for these things ceasing all other commodities and traffick will diminish as it fellout in the yeare 1579. during the great plague by reason of my absence and ceasing of the Parliament a great number of my officers being retyred thence young Children were seene that yeare to play at the nine pinnes in the streates I knowe that there is a great number of good men in my Citie of Paris and that of foure parts three are of that number who are very sory of that which hath happened Let them therefore so deale that I may be content let them not inforce me to shew them what I may doo more to doo that which I am able and will not You knowe that patiency prouoked doo turne into furie and you knowe also what a King offended may do if I list to employe all my power and meanes to bee reuenged And although I bee not of a vindicatiue spirit yet I would that they should know that I haue courage as much as any of my predecessors I haue not yet since the time that I came to the Crowne by the death of my brother vsed any rigour toward any man yet will not I that they should abuse my clemency I am not an vsurper I am a lawfull King by succession and of a race which hath alwaies commaunded with clemencie It is a tale to speake of religion they must take another way there is not a Prince in this world more Catholicke which desireth more the rooting out of heresie then I my actions and my life haue giuen sufficient witnes in that behalfe to my people I would that it had cost me an arme that the last heretick were in picture in this chamber Goe home to your charges and bee of good courage you ought not to feare any thing while you
haue mee on your side I will you to let them vnderstand all that I haue tolde you During these practises of the Leaguers and their running to an fro to amend their errour to fortifie themselues to make a way to reconsiliation they stoope to the Q Mother who was left at the Loure there they cap and crouch vnto her they kisse her hands and giue her sugred words excusing the matter that they meant no hurt but were put in some feare by the kings forces being lodged and placed in Garison before their doores they were all the Kings most obedient and faithfull seruants they require nothing else but that a Catholick successe be nominated an immortall warre denounced against the hereticks vpon that condition they are ready to bee sacrificed at his feete that she would be a meane to pacifie his anger and displeasure she had been hetherto the onely vpholder of the state against the hereticks now she may shew a notable proofe of her great wisdome and do great seruice to the holy Church By these and such like perswasions she was easily wonne to bee a mediator yet once for them to the King The Q. Mother was as deeply fallen into the crime of treason as they saue onely in one degree for they had conspired the kings death and vsurping of his kingdome Shee was not desirous of the kinges death nor that his kingdome should be taken from him but she was glad and sought all meanes to keepe him wrapped in troubles during her life though it should cost him at length his life and state that shee might alwayes wrest the rule and gouernment out of his hand by throwing him headlong from time to tyme into troubles and dangers This accursed woman therefore seeth here an occasion proffered her to nourish still her ambitious humor to bind both the king and his enemies vnto her by the meanes of reconciliation She from tyme to time sendeth vnto the king maketh him beleeue that there is not so much fault in the Leaguers as it outwardly seemeth to bee they tooke armors to defend themselues standing in some feare and mistrust of his forces disposed in the streetes at their dores and that it was rather a fray which happened by the prouoking of some vnaduised persons then any intent of rebellion and that the people once mooued ranne somewhat rashly and inordinatly as the maner is in such a case shee warneth him to take heede not to kindle a new ciuill warre farre more dangerous then the former with the heretikes stronger in forces wealth and partakers if all the power of the realme had not béene able to extinguish the former it would bee an endles worke to bring this to an end which could not bee done without the subuerting or at least the renting of the kingdome that in tyme he may well be reuenged of the iniuries of some of whom hee feeleth himselfe greeued It is best to dissemble and winke for a time then by a precipitation of counsell to hazard life and state By this Cup which shee borrowed of Circe her countrey woman she transformed the king from a man hauing a Lyons hart into a sheepe cast him in a sound and vnsensiblenes whereby after he could not feele the good counsels of his faithful subiects who proffered him their help to reuenge such notorious and publike contumelies vntill that at length necessity enforced him to do it The rumor of such a notable treason attempted and performed by the Leaguers in expelling the king of such an ancient race out of his imperial Citty spread abroad there repayred vnto the king two maner of people to offer him their help in the reuengement of such an iniury to wit some Leaguers which seeing that the Lorreins had proceeded so far as to attempt agaynst his person and state now do change their minde do pitty their Prince so much abused vnder colour of Catholicisme The Catholikes both noble ecclesiasticall and commons the better sounder part of them come in post to the King exclaiming against the Guyzes and against their presumption requiring the K. to take punishment equall to the greatnes of the offence do counsell him to let alone the King of Nauarre and all the heretikes who neuer enterprised such a thing and to turne his forces agaynst such notorious offenders They prayed him to ouergoe his greefe they proffer him their seruice their liues goods and meanes for the performance thereof The King despiseth not their good counsell and affection toward him but being bewitched by the sorcering of his mother as is abouesaid answereth them quietly that he wanted neither courage nor force to reuenge his priuat iniuries sayth that he will not kindle a new ciuill warre in his realme thanketh them and sendeth them home intending already reconsiliation with the Leaguers It is sayd before how the Leaguers and the Parisiens leagued with them perceauing that the missing of the King might turne to their shame and vndooing tryed to iustify their actions by letters solicited other townes and citties to the like rebellion fortifyed themselues seazed vppon as many holdes as they could surprize and in the meane time searched and viewed the Kinges mynd by their secret spials sounded his mind a farre of by the hipocriticall Capuchins whether these vngratefull actions had any thing mooued him to disoaine poperie and to seeme to encline to them of the reformed religion but specially by them of the court of Parliament whom they sent to him to know his disposition to peace and how he digested the contumelious iniuries It is sayd also that in the meane time by the means of his mother they extinguished that Nemesis which is in great Princes and turned it into pusillanimity and how bee shewed some tokens of that basenes of hart in his speeches with them of his court of Parliament Now the Leaguers perceiuing by all these meanes that the Kinges heat was cooled more inclined vnto impunitie which he calleth clemencie then vnto punishment and reuenge Before they enter into treaty of peace they goe about to temper him somewhat better yet by a forme of petition and to giue some authority to the same they borrow both the person and the name of the Cardinall of Bourbon whose authority from the beginning they had made a couering of their negotiation and conspiracies This Cardinall being one of the first Princes of the blood was not ignorant long time before of all these cōmotions of the old hatred which they of the house of Guyze haue borne to the Princes friends and seruants of the house of Bourbon and that in seeking the decay and fal of thē they procured also his own But through a certaine vnhappines he had suffered himselfe to be possessed and handled by them of the contrary part and following their counsels they had made alwaies a buckler of him considering his qualitie and degree which he hath in that realme as well among the Princes as among the priests So
offence of the leaguers and the innocencie of the party condemned he graunted the Edict of re-union patched by the hammering and tinkering of his mother the Leaguers in the towne of Nemours where they had assembled themselues bearing date the one and twentith of Iuly This Edict was made according to the former demaunds and articles of Nancy spoken of before Here it may bee asked how the King knowing the secret thoughts and drifâ—s of the Guizes and other Leaguers by long experience and obseruation of their behauiours by the admonitions giuen him by men of all degrees both strangers and subiects by their attempts and actions so often times atchieued by their vniust pernicious vnreasonable vnseemely and irreuerent demaunds so oftentimes proposed and his faithfull subiects vrging him with earnest prayers to seeke the remedying and reuenge of these iniuries why did he not hearken vnto them and pursued them with strong hand if they had refused to answer to his iustice which thing to doo at length he was enforced to do There is no doubt but he had a will and purpose to be reuenged of them but being a scholler of the villanous and prophane Atheist the Italian Machiauell whose philosophie he had hardly studied by the counsell of his godles mother and of some villanous scullions Italians which were about her hee supposed that he could be reuenged better by craftinesse and surprising of them then by force He watched for the occasions how to handle them in such wise as he handled them of the reformed religion at S. Bartholomew and so with one banquet to haue rid his hands of his enemies and recouered his authoritie state and quietnes And so refusing the lawfull meanes by the which God giueth saluation vnto Kings his owne counsell turned to his owne shame confusion and dishonour Doo ye therefore that which is righteous ye Kings and Iudges of the earth and kisse the sonne least ye perish out of the way The king therefore hoping to bestowe a S. Bartholmews breakfast vpon them was content to take any thing at their hands This agréement concluded caused an excéeding great ioy to all the conspirators who thought it to bée no small cunning of theirs thus easily to haue auoided the deserued punishment of their mutinie and rebellion for which cause they of their confederacie doo carrie their heads higher then euer they did their courage dooth double and heate kindle against them of the reformed religion without comparison farre more then before Thereupon two mightie Armies are appoynted to be sent the one into Guienne the other into Daulphine compounded of the Kings Leaguers forces dreadfull and terrible not only to the reformed Churches of France but also to the Nations round about The Duke of Sauoy one of the conspiracie of the League mustered a mightie Armie that should inuade the Marquizat of Saluces to enter into Daulphine to ioyne his forces with the League The Townes and Cities great and small according to the edict of reunion doo shewe themselues readie and willing to bestow gold siluer goods fauours armours and liues to further the affaires of the Leaguers All these things were much but they were nothing to the great preparation of warre and the inuincible Armado which was not onely in a readines but also sayling forward to the execution of this conspiracie agaynst the Church of God they goe to worke by land and by water For this nauall Armie builded in Spayne was thought sufficient to conquer many Realmes the shippes were of incomparable bignes in number so many that they couered the seas The most excellent Carpenters cunning men and finest workemen of all Europe had spent their wits and seuen or eight yeares in the building and preparing of the sayd Armie The Artillerie powder pellets munitions tacklings and other necessarie things for so dreadfull an army was a heape of things incredible to beléeue All Italy Venice Sicil Sardinia Malta and other Ilands subiect or confederated to the King of Spayne had brought to it their counsell their money their shippes their Captaines their armour their pylots and all that euer they could deuise so that Xerxes did neuer so much against Grecia as this Armado determined to doo to England and to France in passing by As for France the Spanyard made his account to bee alreadie vanquished and subdued vnder his power hauing already these mightie armies aboue said and the conspiracie of the League on his side As for England they thought they should haue a little to doo in conquering it as they had indéede though they had much a doo on the narrow Seas nigh the coast of England On the other side the Duke of Parma had a mighty army in the Lowe Countrey wherewith at the same time to inuade the Countreys of Holand and Zeland and others where they haue the exercise of the reformed religion so that they had alreadie swallowed in one morsell by imagination all France England Scotland Zeland and Holand and for to make this great morsell goe downe easilie without choaking there was in the middest of France two armies and about France the Duke of Sauoy on the South the Nauall army of Spayne on the West and Parma on the North side The enemies of God made their full account that there was no more hope to outstand or ouerwaigh such heauie forces They therefore breathing fire bloud and murther doo not onely determine to reduce al that remained of the reformed religion to fire and ashes and to make hauock and waste of all things but also doo promise themselues a beginning of an assured rest hereafter and infallible victories and that this exployt being done and this great morsel swallowed Germany Denmark Suisserland and Geneua other places would follow or else for feare of like handling would be reduced to the holy Church After this famous victory of the Leaguers was knowne through the realme how they had conquered the Kings heart and courage the edict of the 21. of Iuly proclaymed and sworne in euery towne and Citie where the crier durst venture Sathan the chiefest master and worker of all this game stirred vp false Prophets in euery place to wit the legions of Iesuites Friers Monks Priests these false Prophets â—an euery where a vision a vision I haue séen a visioÌ„ they bring into their pulpets which haue serued them this long for trumpets and drommes to kindle sedition rebellion and murther they vtter the vision of their owne hearts bring forth diuers Prognostications and Prophesies for to animate these fiery courages of the Leaguers and Catholicks reunited together they doo handle so their visions that they do promise an infallible good and prosperous successe But specially they by their spirits of diuination shew their great learning in vttering loades of wisdome vpon the predictions of the olde Mathematicians concerning the yeare 1588. which they had long before accounted fatall to the world both the Prophets and the people doo easily perswade themselues that the
things will befall which they greatly desired The feare of these thunderclaps was great euery where the forces in number and furniture were inequall therefore in France many not considering that God may defend his people as well with few as with many and that hée hath Legions of Angels to fight at his commaundement for the defence of his Elect yéelded to the time and reuolted made their abiuration and followed the world The Duke of Guize was the Northen Star by the which all this Nauigation was guided so that it was perceaued that neither all this preparation and stoare neither the Prophesies and visions of the rauing Prophets could assure the happy successe except the Duke of Guize might be in court nigh the Kings elbow Therefore the Q. Mother she must be set to worke she with other Leaguers which were about the Kings person tell what a great wise man the Duke of Guize was and that hée could not bée well without such a counseller hauing such great waightie things in hand The King thought it was a dangerous thing to haue such a guest so nigh him yet supposing that it would be the néerest way to surprise him and that at some occasion he might rid his hands of that perilous burthen consented thereto All caueats and prouisions which the prouidence of man could deuise for his safetie being prouided and made sure he purposeth to depart out of Paris to goe to the court He tooke in his companie the Q. Mother and raigning w t a great traine of the inhabitants of Paris the Lords Byron and Neuers who had béen alwaies with the King the one as a faithfull seruant to the King the other as a secret fauourer of the League went to meete the said Duke At his comming to the Kings presence what welcomes what complainings what excuses what praiers what promises what gréetings and what dissimulations there was betweene them to wit the King Guize euery man of iudgement may consider The Duke of Guize caused his table of great master of France to be established and good and assured meanes for the maintenance thereof he obtained also a patent of great Master of men of war in France which is a â—iminiâ—iue title of Constable for an earnest and in hope shortlie to haue all And whereas in the request presented to the King it was demaunded that he should be the Kings Generall of that armie which should bee sent into Guienne Now he dooth recant and vpon the push doth refuse to take that charge but willeth another to be appoynted and that for two causes he would rather venture another mans skin then his owne knowing well that hee could neuer repasse Loyre without a broaken skin which thing he loued not the second cause was that he would not go farre from the King and from Paris there to be at hand vpon all occasions to take opportunitie to execute his enterprise In his roome therefore the Duke of Neuers is appoynted to conduct the armie into Guienne against the King of Nauarre he maketh his excuse fearing the whip as the other did of his indisposition and offereth to mainetaine one hundred Gentlemen so that he might be excused which charge notwithstanding at length he accepted The wisest sort feared in general that this wound could not be closed vp and healed without some fowle scarre remayning or that hee who had once presumed to beat his Prince out of his imperiall citty should not want audacity to attempt further matters All these vprores being now pacifyed and all these great preparations vrged with great courage they of the reformed religion all ready proscript all things threatning death and desolation by land and by water a parliament of the States is appointed by the King to be holden at Bloys the 15. day of August next following there to determine vpon the affaires of the land according to the said edict of reunion and not otherwise and about the reformation of the State but specially for the disheneriting of the Princes of the bloud that they should not succeede to the Crowne In this Parliament the King and the Duke of Guyze had diuers and contrary meanings and neither of them both did intend to do the thinges aboue sayde touching the affaires of the land and reformation of the State But the Kings purpose was that now hauing recouered as he thought part of his authority hee might bridle his domesticall enemy to wit the Duke of Guyze whose practises and attempts had béen so euidently shewed to the eie of all men agaynst his person and estate and there either to haue had him condemned and executed by the full assembly of the states or else by surprising to haue dispatched him out of the way as hee at length performed The Dukes meaning was either to exclude the King from all gouernment or else to haue condemned him by the authority of all the states or if opportunity might serue to do him away by some violence and after to haue tryed how to bring his intent to passe Euery one of them therfore hauing his contrary thoughts in his mind yet they in common do prepare all things for this assembly of the Parliament they make the ouerthrow of the King of Nauarre and the rasing of the Blockhouse of Rochel as they tearme it very easy While they keepe this great adoo and replenish the world with cruell threatnings and are in hand both by land and by water to aduance the treasons of the Leaguers which cannot be done without the rooting out of the true Religion Therefore it is assaulted on the South syde by the Dukes of Sauoy and Mayne with two mighty armies on the West by the omnipotent Armado on the North by all the forces of y e low Countryes in the middle of France by the Duke of Neuers with a mighty army behold God who holdeth the stearne of the whole world doth produce euents all contrary vnto those which men had promised to themselues For in the meane time God doth execute his dreadfull iudgements against the inuincible as they did call them but in deed barbarous and sauage nation of Spaniards partly beating them out of the narrow Seas with a notable slaughter and shame of them by that nation which they had so deadly hated for the Gospell and so arrogantly despised and partly God sent his messengers the wind storme and tempest with the rocks in their waies that by shipwracke thirst famin and pestilence and other calamities of the Sea they might be drowned in an euerlasting obliuion lyke Pharao his horses and horsemen In August the Kings writtes are sent into all prouinces and citties to send speedily their Deputies so that they were catholikes Romans and not otherwise and in the meane time doth fortify himself but not mistrusting the practises of the Leaguers in the Prouinces he gaue them leaue to do all by partialities in the Prouinces in choise of the Deputies For they gaue order that their partakers might come
they knew to be about the Kings person in great number wayting for opportunitie to deliuer him prisoner to his enemies or else to dispatch him out of his life with one blow knowing that by their counsels his forces diminished his cities and strong holdes were surprized his enemies waxed strong But specially they feared greatly the playes and tricks which they had taught Charles the ninth his brother and him which they had played many times with them of the religion they I say feared at length to bee snared in the like springes Therefore all these things wel considered they begin euery where to strike the alarum and prepare themselues to the battell against God their King their countrey their liâ—erties and the graues of their fathers So that the Lords Brissak Chastre and Boysdauphin to whome a little before the king had forgiuen great treasons who a little before had promised with an oath obedieÌ„ce to the king who did shewe a semblant of great ioy for the execution done at Bloys they priuily doo steale away and breaking their fayth promise and allegeaunce to their king reuolted agayne to the enemie Brissak went to Anger 's where he thought to cause that Citie to rebell agaynst the king for some of the citie of Anger 's had hitherto dissembled their affection and good wills whch they had to the league and rebellion as well because they had the king at Bloys and Tours who looked to them neerely and narrowly as for not hauing the meanes to execute their enterprize But now at the reuolcing of Brissak they made him head of their enterprize for to seaze vpon the Castell one of the strongest places in all France And for to bring their counsell to a good passe with speede fearing least by delay they might be preuanted by the king being so nigh them therefore they followe a short course for first they trie what corruption may doe They doo promise to the Lord Pichery gouernour of the Castell an hundred thousand crownes and to entertaine foure thousand footmen so that he would keepe it for the league The Lord Pichery as a faith full seruant to his Prince refused all those proffers whereupon the Lord Brissak with the rest of the rebells within the towne did assault the Castel and fortified themselues by all meanes with trenches and barricadoes vpon the ditch of the sayd Castell Whereuppon the Lord Pichery aduertised the King of the state of his affayres and attempts of the Lord Brissak and inhabitantes of the towne The King sent the Marshall Haumont with the regiment of Picardy and part of his guardes who were admitted into the Castell by the Lord Pichery who opened vnto them the great bridge of the said Castell Assoone as the Marshall Haumont entred into the Castel although the rebels were in farre greater number yet the skirmish began then was it tyme for the enemy to packe away in hast many of the rebels were slayne There they were taken prisoners to the Kings vse so many as yeelded one hundred throusand crownes for raunsome Some were executed in the towne and chiefly some Iesuits and Fryers who had beene the firebrands to kindle the combustion and the trompets of the rebellion The Lord Brissak head of the rebellion there saued himselfe by flight with few of his company and seazing vpon the townes of Mans Alençon and Faleze caused the inhabitants there to rebell agaynst the King About the same time the Duke Mercure desirous to get the fauour of the townes and people to assure better the dutchy of Britaine to himselfe tooke vpon him the name of protector of the Romish Church in that prouince of Britanie by the helpe of the Bishops and other rabble of that sinagogue who prescribed certaine formes vnto the Iesuites and Friers whereby in theyr sermons to bring the people to that deuotion Although Christian Reader thou mayst easily perceaue by the whole course of this his history how from time to time the house of Guyze who were not so much by nature as to bee admitted into the society of the Nobility of France at the first made a fayre wether after that preferred them selues before the Princes of the bloud And when through too much lenity of the house of Valoys toward them they had obtayned that they haue practized to steale away the hearts of subiects from their natural Prince at length haue enterprized vpon his life And when by a singular prouidence God had deliuered the King out of their snares and clawes and see they are not able to depriue him of his life they doo depriue him of his Crowne ad dignitie First by the iudgment of Sorboune Secondly by the assotiatiation with they haue sworne to present him to death by all meanes possible Thirdly by taking away from him the name of King though not in plaine tearmes yet by paraphrase as when one taketh vpon him to be the protector of the Crown of France y â— other protector of the Church and giue the same to themselues which properâ—y is and hath beene the office of the king of France For the Kings in France haue had alwayes that honour as due vnto them by right to be Protectors of the Crowne Dignitie State Kingdome Church and people of their dominions and neuer yeelded that title to any man neither durst euer any man vsurpe that title vntill this yeare 1589. by these two companions to wit the Dukes de Mayne and Mercure But it may be obiected that the same title hath béene geuen and taken to the King of Nauarre as protector of the reformed churchs of France and therefore they do that which the heretikes haue taught them To this it may be answered that the case is not alike for the reformed churches were forsaken of the King without any cause at the solicitation of flatterrs sycophantes and clawbaâ—kes who to bring the King to that confusion that hee is come vâ—to did hold his kingdome into troubles and ciuill warres by litle and little to entrench vpon his authority at length to tread him downe vnder feete That part therefore of the Kings subiects which was the best though not the greater in number being wrongfully put from the Kings protection and assaulted euery where haue recourse not to a stranger nor strange bloud the first Peere and Prince of France who after the King hath most interest to the Crowne him they haue requested to protect them vnder the Kings authority against the violences of them who did so counsell the King to forsake the protection of his people But these companyons what hath moued them to vsurpe these tytles The King did neuer forsake the Crowne nor the Romish Church in godliues that way in zeale in integrity and austericy of life in wisedome prudence and fortitude to defend the romish Church he hath passed all the Kings of all ages he hath bestowed his forces hath spent his goods hath ventered his life diuers times hath made shipwracke of his honor for
the defence of the Romish Church What neede therefore had that church of any other protector then their owne King whose bountifulnes and liberality they so oftentimes haue tryed Whilest these things did so passe at Anger 's the citty of Nantes vppon Loyre began to hault by the secret practises and treacheries of the seditious Leaguers who were within the cittie But when the newes came of the taking of Anger 's and of the execution done vpon some seditious Iesuits and other Fryers the rebels at Nantes tooke the alarum in this wise for the Ladyes Martignes Mercure wife to the Duke of Mercure gouernour of Britayne tooke occasion thereupon to hasten the rebellion for beeing aduertised that many of the cheefest officers of iustice in that cittie as also other good Citizens faithful to the King seeing the practises which were wrought in their cittie by the Leaguers did disswade theyr fellowe citizens to geue eare to such seditious persons and aduised them rather to remayne faythful vnto the King then to draw vpon themselues the Kings wrath with a cruell and mortall warre For to breake the good purpose and intents of these men and to chastise them for their too great fidelity to their King These Ladies sent for two Captaynes of the towne well knowen for their seditious practises great affection to the traytors they shewed vnto these two Captaynes their passions with great amplifications of the thinges past at Anger 's They began by many inuectiues and spitefull speaches against the K. to shew how the King had put to death a great number of Priests and Friers who were taken at the winning of Anger 's how he had taken the chalices and relickes and wholly became an heretike then with much lying they fell to talke of them whom they would haue to bee taken prisoners in the citty charging them that they sought to bring into their cittye the K. of Nauarre with all his troups with determination to haue the cittie ransacked to take away their goods liues and religion and that therefore it was needfull they rayse the people to rebellion out of hand to seaze vppon them which were faythfull to the King and make the citty sure for the League The chiefest Captaine appointed for this execution was one Gassion a Gascoine brought vp in the house of Martignes and greatly affected to the League An order before that time was that the said Gassion for one halfe yeare commaunded in the castell and the Lord Crambok who was faithfull to the King the other halfe yeare this man no authority then at all The counsell of these two accursed women was quickly executed by the said Gassion hauing for that time the rule of the castell The people vpon these furmises were armed the streats were fortify to with Baricadoes The first execution of this rebellion was the apprehending of foure score of the most notable men and richest families in all the Citie and among the rest were the Lord Miron the Kings threasurer in Britaine the Lord Bourin a great Lawier and one Doctor Rogues Dean of the facultie of Phisicke and many other faithfull seruants of the King who were put in straight prison in the Castle their houses were spoyled and goods rifled The Citie being thus made sure for the League by the Rebells the countrey about was not free from that tempest light horses are sent into places most suspected many gentlemen are taken prisoners abroad without respect of age qualitie or religion such as did escape with the losse of their goods thought to haue sped well In like manner the Citie of Rhemes head Citie of the lowe Britaine which had behaued themselues modeslie enough hetherto might greatly haue fauoured aduaunced the treasons of the Duke Mercure if he could haue got it to his deuotion But for that purpose first it was needfull to haue the helpe of the Bishop of the place named Emare Hannekin sonne to a citizen of Paris for the stage play could not bee well seazoned with mirth except a Priest might play the diuels part Sir Hannekin therfore bestirreth himselfe all that euer he can to bring his treason to passe but his credite being there yet vnder age and small account he taketh the Bishop of Dole of the noble of Espinay to countenance the play being also assisted by a citizen named Botelier who was much beholding to the sayd Sir Hannekin because he was such a louing ghostly father to his wife he had also some other citizens some of the court of Parliament there men of faction who secretly set their shoulders to that worke All this blessed companie by the counsell of these two sedicious Priests deuisers of rebellion against their naturall and lawfull Prince doo raise vp the people in armes giuing to vnderstand though most falsly that the Lord Huuanday Lieutenant generall for the K. in that countrey the Lord Moubarot gouernor of the Towne and the Lord Asserake who accompanied them would haue oppressed the libertie of the Towne and brought in garrisons to sacke it Vppon this false rumour spread abroade by those two lying Priests the people armed did seaze vppon the Market place and fortified the streates with Barricadoes The Duke Mercure who then was a petie King at Nantes aduertised of these things so passing at Rhemes and desirous to enlarge his newly swallowed vp kingdome of little Britaine doth gather forces as great as he can and fayning to goe to Vaunes to the States of the countrey taketh his way to Rhedon and turned vp short to Rhemes where he arriuing was receaue◠with great ioy of thē of the League he put garrisons within the tower of the Fuller within the gate of S. George in the white gate It was time then for the Lords Huuanday Montbarot and Asserak to keepe themselues close within their houses being sought out for no lesse matter then for the price of their liues The Lord Montbarot had seazed vppon the tower of the gate Mordelese hee was summoned by the Duke Mercure to yeeld the sayd tower into his hands which thing he refused to doo saying that there he was placed for the King and for his seruice Vpon this refusall the Canon was brought before the Tower and many houses pearced to make it ready to the battery There was no appearance to sustaine a battery much lesse to hope for any succour which thinges béeing considered the Lord Montbarot agreed and yeelded the place with honorable conditions both for himselfe and his fellowes By these meanes Mercure remained master of the place whereof hee changed the whole estate and gouernment placing therein men at his deuotion there he caused a Iesuit most bitterly seditiously and vnworthy to inueygh and rayle agaynst the King he dispatched a Captaine Spaniard named Iohn with his company to scoure y e country hee did execrable oppressions robbing and sacking all indifferently he tooke many gentlmens houses which he robbed many men whom he cruelly entreated and put to great
Bishop of Paris called Lombard went about to amend the fault and to haue pulled him downe out of that sacred chayre propounding to the students a book of common places such as it was called commonly Magister sententiarum Then came the begging Fryers with their wallets full of stones and among them Scotus and Thomas Aquinus they layd down a forme of their dreames questions they turne the bread of life into stones wholy There came after them worse then these more ignorant these harpyes defile both the word of God this booke of sentences though not pure before w t vnnecessary questions and vnlearned gloses to be short as many writing Fryers so many Alcorans they conceaue and bring forth they did reuoke the studie of Diuines from Gods word the reading of the learned antiquitie whose monuments they buryed in dust in their libraries to the descanting of Scotus Thomas the book of Sentenices with their corrupted dreames pro contra After that these frogs rising out of the infernall gulfebeing striken with giddines as they of Sodome at the dores of Lot by the angel of the Lord were deuided among themselues and to shew that they were no more of Christs people tooke other names and would be called by the names of their master some Scotists some Thomists some Simmonists but rather they should be called by their qualities Soccist Momists and Foolists This palpable darknes of Aegipt was had in admiration as the onely wisedome of the world fed and entertained by these seducing Friers and Monks vntill the wasting of that noble and in olde time famous Greece by Amorith the prince of the Turkes For then many learned men being the keepers of pure learning flying from that barbarous and cruel tiranny repayred some into Italie some into Germany some into France who were entertained by the liberalitie of Princes and common wealths by whose exile we were deliuered from y e darke bondage of ignorance which the legions of Fryers had brought into the world About the same time the most noble arte of Printing was reuealed of God vnto a noble man of Germany whose name shall be blessâ—d for euer in the generation of the righteous wiâ—h facilitie to performe the worke which hee had determined Francis of Valoys first of that name a prince whose fame no age to come shal blot out of mens remembrance with his princelike liberalitie restored in this Vniuersitie a purer learning and an easier traditine by calling thether famous men of all parts of the world This his liberalitie the Leaguers for the space of this twentie yeares haue vsed to the supplanting of the state of his posteritie The third part of that Citie is an Iland betweene the Towne and the Vniuersitie called commonly the Citie that Iland is of the forme of an Egge It is beautified with three special things first the palace of iudgement which heretofore had béen a Sanctuary of iustice Secondly a most sumptuous and rich Hospitall the like whereof is not in the world Thirdly the Temple of our Lady much like vnto Diana of Ephesus Temple the Bishops seate and a sinke of Idolatry The Suburbes bee of a wonderfull greatnes and may bee compared with a great and sumptuous Citie As this is great and large so is it populous to admiration surpassing the report which may be made thereof The most sort of the inhabitants is a rascall people of all sorts of handicrafts and of seruile nature The people generally is of small stature swartie of complexion of countenance like Spaniards or Italians fewe like one to another as it is commonly seene among them that are a mingled sinke of diuers Nations not like Frenchmen they are craftie and deceitfull great bablers and pratlers suspicious mutinous and factious cruell cowardly and effeminate lewd of life and behauiour desperatly supersticious and idolatrous foolish and sottish so generally that through all France they are prouerbially and reproachfully called badins de Paris that is a malapert sot of Paris of nicenes and purposed folly disguising and corrupting their tongue and going The Duke de Mayne perceiuing the King almost destitute and forsaken of his subiects compassed about with enemies at home with domesticall foes in the Citie with vnfaithfull subiects abroad in the field with sedicious and rebellious robbers thought to haue a fit opportunitie to oppresse the King Therefore in a great heate he doth gather and muster a great and mightie armie of the basest sort of this people but specially of such as were desperate and had nothing to lose and had conceaued good hope to doo well their busines with gayne and aduantage caused the Citie to prouide for them they were lodged in the suburbes and small Townes about Paris The Duke hauing this great armie doth from weeke to weeke from day to day so delay his iourney representing to himselfe continually the valianâ—nes victories faithfulnes and celeritie of the King of Nauarre who was not a dayes iourney from Tours who would not suffer the King to be oppressed nor easily surprised These mutinous and rebellious companies did commit such intolierable insolencies that the people both in Paris and about did cry out and complayne with great discontented mindes both of these oppressions and also of the scarâ—enes of victuals which did growe in the Citie by reason of the long soiourning of that armie about Paris To pacifie therefore the vprore about the middle of Aprill he did venture to goe foorth and taketh the field making great boast that now within fewe dayes he trusted to reduce all France to the obeisance of the League and the least of his promises was that he would bring the King to that passe that the most mutinous fellowes in Paris desired to haue him Taketh order for the safetie of the Citie and whereas in the alteration of the state of Paris done in Ianuary last they had made eighteene Colonels and Captaynes of so many wards as the Citie was deuided into euery Colonell should haue twelue hundred horsemen and footmen to walke about the Citie and to the Boys of Vicennes least that Castle should be surprised by the enemies the Lord of Mayneuille being left gouernour of the Citie with a strong garrison beside to see well that in the absence of the great Protector of the Crowne of France the malcontent people of Paris should not enterprise against him and exclude him from their Citie if at any time for feare of the King of Nauarre he should runne away So the Duke de Mayne bringeth this holy and inuincible armie for so it was commonly called into Beausse where was some good store of victuals which aboue all things his holy armie desired So that as well to ease the countrey about Paris as to hast his wicked intent he bringeth his armie as farre as Vendosme wherein hee entred by the helpe of them who were of his confederacie There hee tooke the Kings great counsell prisoners so that none could escape
but one he seazed also vpon many other weake Townes in that champian countrey where hee stayed very long doubtfull of minde what to doo whether he should go néerer to Tours or goe backe To goe further he feared the King of Nauarre being so nigh a neighbour to goe backe shame his great bragges and promises made to the rebels of Paris would not suffer him Concluded therefore to stay in Beausse where lodging and victuals for the taking were to be had without money liuing in hope and watching still for some conuenient occasion to execute his damnable purpose vpon the Kings person by the intelligences which hee had with the Leaguers of the Court and of the Citie of Tours During his soiourne in Beausse he made the like bragges and promises to the Nobilitie and people as he had done in Paris The Wallons which were in his armie considering that nothing was done and lacking money determined to retyre home but with much adoe were stayed vpon promise that great forces were expected from the Duke Aumale out of Picardie and that shortly they would goe about their busines handsomely like good fellowes and that one houre would make them men for euer In the latter end of April the Leaguers of Poytiers began to stir against the King and to make that great and large Cittie sure for the League holy vâ—ion vpon the newes thereof the king sent the greatest part of such forces as he had to rescue that piece which was of great importance The Leaguers aduertised the Duke de Mayne who was about Vendosme of the state of the affaires and how the King was left destitute of the greatest part of his forces now imploied about the reuolt of Poitiers how that he might come easily and without finding any resistance to lodge in the Suburbs of Tours or the Abbey of Marmonstier neere by and that they would so prouide within the citie that by the helpe of his frendes the King might be dispatched or deliuered into his hands aliue The Duke de Mayne vpon these intelligences setteth order for the safe keeping of Vendosme and marched toward Chasteaurenault the towne Caâ—tell hee battered he layeth also the siege before Saint Oine nigh Amboyse where the Countie Brienne was appointed by the King for the keeping of that place intending the night following by stealth to haue resorted to Tours to execute y e enterprise of the Leaguers which were in the court and the Citie vppon the Kings person And that hee might be sure to worke safely he had sent into Picardy to the Duke of Aumale his cosin praying him to send him such forces out of Picardy as he might putting him in hope by some new supply of succour to bring to passe the thing which they had most desired but the towne of Gaulis which by the means of the Lord of Thore was reduced to the Kinges obedience hindered that this new supply could nether be so great as was expected nor could come in any time to do him seruice Of these forces of Picardy it shall be spoken hereafter but for this time wee will leaue this great Duke to batter Chasteaurenault and Saint Oine and will shew what was done in other places at the same time The King considering that the enemy with a puissant army was on his armes and stayed for nothing but to know what assistance he might haue of the Leaguers of the court and of the cittie to worke his feat knowing also the infidelity of his subiectes and seruants both in the court and in the cittie and on euery side and almost dispossessed of his Crowne and Kingdome is enforced for the safety of his person to cast himselfe into the armes of his mortall enemy as he was made beleeue by the Sycophants who alwayes had béen most in eredit with him but in very deed his most profitable and necessary frend if long before he had vsed him Truce therfore at length is concluded betweene the two Kings and among other things it was agréed that the King of Nauarre should haue the Pont de Sel a Towne vpon the riuer of Loyre betweene Saumour and Nantes tight against Anger 's for the safety of his passage But some difficulty beeing made at the surrendring of the said Pont de Sel by the Captayne the King graunted him the towne of Saumour vpon Loyre The sayd towne was receaued for the King of Nauarre by the Lord Plessis Marlin to whom the sayd King gaue the gouernment thereof But now before wee proceede further to shew the accidents which happened after this vnexpected reconsiliation of these two Kinges wee wil search out what hath happened in other countreys After the death of the Guyze the Duke de Mayne sent into the Prouinces but specially into Normandy to perswade the people that the Countrey men might arme themselues without any leaue or consent of the Nobility who were not of their side for the defence of the Catholike religion their liberty he hired specially in Normany the priests monks Friers Iesuits such rabble of woolues with summes of money in their Sermons to stir the people to rise agaynst their Soueraygne and to take counsell agaynst the nobility The means or arguments which these Atheists both for money will ryse agaynst God his ordinance and set the world in an vprore to pollute the earth with bloud were these The King sayd they with great vehâ—mency and amplifications hath murthered the Cardinall of Guyze imprisoned the Primat of Lyons and hauing touched two of the Lords annoynted and layed handes vppon two chiefe Pillers and rulers of holy Church ouer whom neither hee nor any of his had any power or iurisdiction agaynst fayth and promise and hauing violated the publike faith at the States at Bloys the King was no more childe of the Church was excommunicat banished out of the Church and cast out of the communion of Catholikes and therefore the people were not bound to obay him any more but that it was lawfull to persecute him by all meanes possible as the holy faculty of Theologie had also of late determined but rather that it was lawfull to murther and to destroy the King and persecute them by all means possible that wil not league themselues and beare armes against the King They dayly preached also that the King was a protector of heritikes and had intelligences with them and that he sought nothing more then to stablish heresie in his kingdome And for as much as examples do both moue and encourage to doo or discouraging from dooing they encourage the simple and ignorant first declared themselues enemies to the King renounced his obedience gaue forth vilanous vnworthy and traiterous speeches of him so as nothing more vile may bee named and spoken These were the deuout prayers of such despisers of God and all godlines in their Pulpits to the which the People said Amen But after the truce was taken betweene the two Kings then they had a large
to hold for enemies onely them who haue declared themselues enemies of the realm by theyr rebellion and outragious insolencies committed against the soueraigne magistrate and iustice promising notwithstanding to receaue to mercy them which deceaued by the enticements of the rebels or feare rather then by their owne malice haue associat themselues to the said rebels Denounceth therfore to all Prouinces Cities Commonalties Church-men Nobles Magistrates Captaynes Souldiers Borgeses Citizens and all other of any degree whatsoeuer to retire speedily from the society of those traitors and rebels and to returne vnder the obedience of their naturall and lawful Prince and King but specially willeth the Church men whereof some haue rendered themselues instruments of the former treacheries and rebellions to loue peace and to keepe themselues within their bounds returning and abiding vnder the obedience of their King Thirdly he protesteth that this his passing the riuer of Loyre by the commaundement of the King is for their defence and therefore taketh all the Kings faithful subiects vnder his protection but specially the Church men forbidding vpon payne of death all his Captaynes and souldiers not to proffer any iniury vnto any of them their goods or places of exercises willing also all the aforesaid persons to repayre vnto the king or vnto him to haue and receaue pasporte and protections that the faythfull may be discerned from the Rebell Fourthly he turneth his speach to the foresaid persons admonishing them to consider the horrible euils which haue already and shall rise out of that damnable rebellion To the Cleargy hee speaketh to consider how godlines is euery where choked in the middest of those tumults the name of God blasphemed and religion despised The Noble men he prayeth to consider how theyr order must needs fall with the ruine of the King Crowne and Estate The Magistrates hee warneth to represent before their eyes what execrable violating of iustice will follow by the examples of the Parliaments of Paris and Tholouse carried away Prisoners as in a triumph by rascals and vilanous persons The commons hee aduertiseth to thinke how they are eased by these tumultes where their goods are exposed to the pray of the vilest sort their traffike interrupted their husbandrie altogether turned into wast and desolation Last of all he exhorteth all men to endeuour themselues to bring what they can to remedy these euils which y e rebels haue procured to the realme which cannot be done without a good peace neither can that be obtayned but by the returning vnder the Kings obedience restoring his royall authority and reestablishing of iustice hee assureth himselfe that God who geueth saluation vnto Kinges will assist him in this enterprise and iust cause Auuergne is a Prouince in France full of hilles and mountains wherein there be three Cityes situated in forme of a triangle and not distant farre one from another to wit Rion Clermont and Monferrant the Kings long before had established at Rion beside other courts a soueraigne court of his treasurers receauers This Citie had receaued the League and had committed rebellion agaynst him in shaking off the yoke of obedience Therefore the King about the 24. of April seeing their obstinacy in their rebellion do reuoke from the said Towne of Rion all his courts and doth transport the same to the Citie of Clermont commaunding all his officers of al his courts in that citty to repaire to the said Clermont and there to execute their charge About the same time also the King doth adiudge all the goods of the Dukes of Mayne Aumale and of the Cheualier Aumale and of the voluntary inhabitants of the cities of Paris Roen Amiens Abeuile Rhemes Orleans Chartres Mans Lyons Tholouse to bee forfaited to his crowne for their treasons and perseuerance in the same aboue the time prefixed vnto them which was the 15. day of March last past and ordained commissioners to sell the sayd goods and lands to his vse The King of Nauarre in the meane time scoureth the countrey and prepareth himselfe to receaue the Kings commaundement and vnderstanding that the Duke de Mayne was lodged at Vendosme and Montoyre the 28. of Aprill he determined to surprize some of the enemies and about foure a clock in the morning taking eight hundered horsemen and one thousand shot on horsbacke went to bait at Chaulx in Anjou ten long leagues from Saumour departing thence hauing already gone forward three leagues he receaued newes how the Duke of Mayne had brought his forces to Chasteaurenault and had sent part of them to besiege the County of Brienne who was at Saint Oyne nigh Amboyse The King hearing of the siege of Chasteaurenault and Saynt Oyne by the enemy hauing him so nigh neighbour and fearing that he would come to lodge in the Suburbs of Tours being in danger to be deliuered into the hands of them by the intelligences which they had wiâ—h the leagued of his Court and of the Citie he did dispatch diuers Postes both to Saumour also to other places to the King of Nauarre And about three leagues from Chaulx toward Vendosme hee was aduertyzed by three Postes that the King sent for him whereuppon the sayd King of Nauarre turned bridle and came that night to lodge at Maille vpoÌ„ Loyre within two leagues of Tours after he had beene 24. howers on horsbacke and immediatly sent word of his comming to the King The King vnderstanding of his being so nigh him did greatly reioyce knowing that the enemy neither would nor durst enterprize any thing whilest he was so nigh his person The enemy sent certayne companies in the euening with a great brauade and tooke a Suburbe of Tours where they defloured a Mayd who had fled into the Church before the high alter in the armes of a Priest but hearing that the King of Nauarre was at hand without any leasure to take breath they retyred presently The King of Nauarre rested himselfe and his troupes the next day but the 30. of Aprill beeing the Lords day in the morning the sayd King of Nauarre iudging that it were necessary for them both to see one another thereuppon to take some certayne resolution of their affayres beeing also requested by the King although his counsell had diuers opinions of that interuiew hee sent to the King by the Lord of Mignouuile that he was gone to set all his troupes in battaile array at the Pont la Mot a quarterr of a league from Tours and thatif it should please his Maiesty to come to the Suburbs he would kisse his Maiesties hands and would receaue his commaundemeÌ„ts to execute theâ— according to the necessity of the affayrs After the said King of Nauarre with all his troupes had stayed about two houres the Marshall Hautmont came to him from the King to pray him that he would passe ouer the riuer to come to him to Plessâ—s les Tours where the King with all the court stayed for him That thing he immediatly determined to
the Kings power that in lesse then an houre they were all taken with the losse of fifteene hundred men of the enemie There were also fourteene Ensignes taken and thirteene pieces of Ordinance The chase was followed with such a furie that the Kings men mingled among the enemies followed euen within the gates of the Citie and if the Kinges Ordinance had come as it was appointed the Gates had béen beaten downe before they could any way haue fortifyed them So the King came into the Suburbs of Saint Iames about seauen or eight a Clocke in the Morning the people crying in the Stréetes with a lowd voice Viue le Roy with more shew of ioy then of any feare at al. About a hundred and fiftie Harquebuziers of the enemies tooke for their defence y e Abbey of Saint Germayn making a shew as though they would hold it perforce which thing they might well haue done by reason of the strength thereof but about midnight beeing charged to render the place they gaue it ouer Then was the King master of all the Suburbs which do lye on the side of the Vniuersitie which are as big as the Citty of London within the walles The King being master of the Suburbs in the space of two hours saue the Abbey as is aboue said tooke such good order that none started from his company for any pillage vntill the Quarters were appointed vnto the Souldiers where they should haue their pray That day was employed about entrenching before the Gates of the Citye and watch and ward set in conuenient places About midnight following the said 1. of October the King was aduertised that the Duke de Mayne came into the Citie of Paris with his Forces whereof the King was exceeding glad for two causes first because the enemy was new retyred from Picardy Secondly because that hee was in good hope that he would bee drawen to a battayle for the defence of that Citie by which meanes he should not be enforced to execute his iustice agaynst the walles of the Citie and his owne subiects who were greatly seduced by the bad perswasions of the enemy The second day of October the King stayed all the day to see what the enemy durst attempt and whether hee would venture to come forth to fight but seeing they shewed no feeling of their losses receaued the day before The third day the King determined to yéeld them the Suburbs to see whether that would prouoke and encourage them to attempt any thing Therefore leauing the Suburbs set himselfe in battayle aray staying in the field from eight vntill a eleuen a clocke and seeing that no man appeared he marched thence quite for two causes First for very compassion which hee had of an infinit number of people seduced from their dutie and obedience supposing that time and this perill which came to theyr doores would make them wiser and call their dutyes to remembrance But if not that it was the iust and heauy iudgement of God who hardneth theyr harts as hee did the Egyptians in olde time that he might reuenge the idolatryes whoredoms contempt and hatred of his Gospell and the bloud of his Saynts which they had powred in their Stréets lyke water and that such a great City when theyr iniquity and rebellion had come to a full measure might be assaulted at any other tyme. Secondly he thought good to reduce into his obedience the Countreys which did lye betweene the riuers Loyre and Seyne which their enemies had seduced for two causes that hee might haue a sure way for munition and victuals out of those countreys which are very fruitfull Secondly to procure a safety vnto the countryes which are vnder his obedience but specially to the Citie of Tours which by his predecessor was made the seat of the Realme and was in a manner all compassed but specially on the North side with townes castles and holds rebelled and furnished with garrisons of rebels The Duke de Mayne playing the night Crowe fearing the day light arriued in the night at Paris neither proffered any issue nor skirmish vnto the King nor shewed any token of his being there no more then if they had béen fallen on a sudden into a lethargie The King being retyred from Paris the sayd Duke fell to a saffer and more profitable kinde of warre for his money being spent in erecting so many Trophées in Normandy with that mightie Army as he did after he had receaued so many stripes and bastonadoes as he sayd that he will no more of that play he determined to search the Coffers of his friends the Parisiens whom he loued well yet their money better And as it is sayd commonly that the man who desireth to kill his dog maketh himselfe beléeue that hee is mad so this valiant Duke to picke a quarrell doth easily make himselfe and the Parisiens beléeue that they had procured the King to come to Paris and that which the King had done by valour was done by winking of them and was enterprised vpon intelligences which they had with him and that if hee had not come with spéede they would haue deliuered the citie to the King No man could deny this for there was within the citie witnesses who were returned from Picardy to the number of twentie thousand who had the Fortresses of the Citie in their hands all these would beare witnesse agaynst them And who will not beléeue such a multitude of witnesses But yet if it had not béen so their goods were sufficient witnesses of the crimes aboue said so that whosoeuer was rich or so accounted was sufficiently conuicted to haue practised against the association and holy vnion Whosoeuer had goods was quickly conuicted to be an heretick and betrayer of the Catholike religion Therefore hot skirmishes were within the Citie deadly warre is proclaymed against the Coffers Closets and Counting houses of rich men Rich Marchants are sent for pulled out of their houses with their wiues and children their goods taken to y e holy vse of the holy League they are made fast to a payre of gallowes and there hanged for the very zeale and deuotion which the Leaguers haue to their Catholike faith and holy mother the Church they did throw into the water the wiues and children of many rich citizens least they should clayme any part of their goods All parts of the Citie were full fo horrible executions weeping mourning and heauie lamentation The King did neuer shewe the hundred part of that extremitie vnto his enemies as the heads of the League did vnto their friends whom they should haue defended from being executed by others So that the heads of the traytors hauing obtayned a profitable and gaynfull victorie agaynst the Counting houses and Coffers of their friends and hauing that which they most desired doo rest themselues take their case after so many skirmishes fought in Normandy but specially in Paris for now they haue money to spend The King being at the Village Liuars vnder
and to common it The Lorde Boysdaulphin which commanded in it for the League made answer as though hee had been resolued to bury himselfe therein and all those that were with him rather then to depart out of it and the 27. of Nouember the saiâ— Boysdaulphin went out of the towne to burne a great part of the Suburbe named la Consture but the Lord Farges comming vpon him with his troupes reseued a great part of the said Suburbe from burning The 28. of Nouember the King departing from Chasteaudeloyre the second day arriued at Iuray Leuesine distant from Mans one League The 30. of Nouember the Baron of Biron and the Lord Chastilion arriued with the greatest part of the French infantry by whome the same night the trenches which the enemie had made in the Suburbs was woon in some twenty foot high and might easily haue attended the Canon after that it was supposed that they were easier to be dealt withall then it was looked for considering the high loftie speaches of Boysdaulphine Captaine of the Rebels The 29. of Nouember the King came and lodged in the Suburbs which are faire and in a manner more commodious to lodge in then the Towne The same day the King caused all the rest of the Suburbs to bee woon except the Suburbe Saint Jahn situated on the other side of the riuer Sarthre which was woon the day after The said Boysdaulphin had burned more then halfe but specially that part which was next the bridge beeing the fairest houses so that their valour appeared in nothing else but onely in burning the houses and goods of their owne frendes The King bestowed three daies and nights trauelling himself almost the whole night in making Gabions and other preparatiues necessary for the battery and to see the pieces brought to their places All things beeing in a readines the second of December the King began to batter certaine defenses of the wall of the Towne and after certaine volâ—is of Canon Boysdaulphin perceauing that within three howers he should haue had an assault geuen him and his hart failing not willing to abide it for he was a man experienced nâ—t in feats of armes but onely in feats of sedition among a mutinous company of robbers as it did appeare in his dealing in Paris After few voleys of Canon shot his high wordes were turned to vanity he demanded parley and in fine by two a clocke in the after noone the said Towne of Mans was yâ—elded vnto the K. which without great â—are of the King had béene sacked by the Souldiers but he caused the gates to be kept shut and to take away all occasion of annoyance to the Citie he would not lodge in it himselfe but kept in the suburbs where he was first lodged There was within the Towne more then two hundred gentlemen and twenty ensignes of footmen who duâ—ing the time of parley did publickly scolde and outragiously reuile one another For the gentlemen said that the Souldiers would not fight the Souldiers said that against their wils the gentlemen would compound but in verie deede beeing but a rable of seditious persons when they came to the pâ—nch euery one did feare his skin For whereas they had caused the towne to bestow aboue two thousand crownes in fortifications they had burned aboue one hundred thousand crowns in housing in the suburbes they had ruined the countrey sixe times as much more and yet would they not abide aboue three voleyes of Canon Whilest the King battered Mans Brissak another busie Captaine of rebellious robbers heard the thundering of the Cannon beeing at la Forte Bernhard with two regiments who were coÌ„ming to succour the town of Mans beeing put in great feare gaue to himselfe the alarum and fled back againe twelue leagues and in retiring fell vnawares into the Rutters quarter that serued the King who tooke from him thirtie or fortie horses chariots without the losse of any man The King restored into the Towne the Bishop and the Lord Larges his brother to his office of Gouernour there as he had been before and pardoned the inhabitants who came as well Ecclesiasticall as other to giue him thankes with protestation of fidelitie and true obedience The King abode there after the taking of it fiue daies during the which time the greatest part of Gentlemen who were in the Towne of Man and had bin seduced by the League and by them induced to this rebellion put themselues into the Kings seruice About the second day of December the Castles of Beaumont and Touuoy yéelded vnto the King and about the same time in the countrey of Laual the Townes of Sabliee Laual Chasteaugontier townes of importance and many other of lesser name were brought vnder the Kings obedience About the 9. of December the King sent his armie to Alencon vnder the conduct of the Marshall Byron and the Baron his sonne Marshall of the Campe whilest he himselfe made a voiage into the countrey of Laual to the intent by his presence to comfort the Nobilitie and people of that countrey who were newly redeemed from the slauerie of the Rebels and reduced to his obedience but specially to cause the Prince D'ombes to repayre vnto him out of Britaine that he might see him So taking his iourney the eight of December arriued at Laual the ninth day There as well the Ecclesiastical as Cannons and other sorts of popish priests with their ornaments wherewith they had accustomed to go to procession met him a great way out of the towne and hauing by the mouth of one made their submission and protestation of their fidelitie and obedience they accompanied the King marching before him vntill he entred into the towne singing with great melodie all the way along Viue le Roy. There came out likewise the Magistrates of the sayd Towne to méete him and the people saluted him as he passed through the stréetes with this acclamation viue le Roy. The King abode there ten daies and in the mean time the Prince D'ombes arriued with a great companie of Nobilitie out of Britaine who was most courteously receaued of the King In his way from the Man to Laual certaine of his companie departed from him and tooke in their way Chasteaubriault in Anjou and brought with them the Captain to the King being at Laual with many other prisoners The King hauing spent certaine dayes with the Prince D'ombes and taken order for the affayres of that Prouince sent him againe to his charge of Britaine and dispatched the Marshall Aumont to gather his straunge forces together so that the 20. of December the King departing from Laual went to Mayennelafahes where hee was very well receaued assured himselfe of the Castle and withoutleauing any other garrisons in the Towne passing through a most foule countrey arriued at Alencon the 23. of December Now the Marshall Byron departing from the Towne of Man with the armie the ninth of December could not reach to Alencon vntill the 15. day of
the same moneth by reason of the foule way which hindered the carriage of the Ordinance but hauing sent the Lord Artray certaine daies before he had compassed the Towne and at his first comming tooke the Suburbes and drew them of the Towne to composition Captaine Lago Gouernour of the Towne retyred into the Castle with foure hundred and fiftie Souldiers making shew as though he would defend it The place was very strong enuironed with water and strong wals well flanked and good towers The Marshall of Byron being entred the towne kept so good order in it that it was not seene that it had bin besieged the shops being kept open that day as if it had bin in time of peace and presently caused the artillerie to be brought before the Castle and shot at the defences found meanes to take away their water The 23. of December the King being arriued at Alencon and viewing what was done at the siege of the sayd Castle sayd that the siege would not be long The same day the King caused the sayd Lago who was within the Castell to bee aduertised that he was come and to bee sommoned at which newes he began to bee astonied and the morrowe after he required parley and the same day yeelded the place with promise of safetie of liues armes and baggage The King hauing prouided for the assurance of the place left there for Gouernour the Lord Artrey with a good garison in the towne and castle and departing herehence the 27. of December went and lodged at Sees where the Bishop and his Priests with the Magistrats of the Citie came to méet him and receaued him so well that he trusted vnto the inhabitants of the place without leauing therein any other garrison The 28. of December the King departed from thence to Argenton which is a good towne in Normandie wherein is a Castle of good strength There was in the same Castle three Ensignes of footmen whom the Lord Brissak had left there who with Captaine Picart and his regiment were come from Paris to Man and had promised to shewe himselfe at all the sieges which the King would take in hand and he would empeach him from the taking of any towne in the countreys of Mayne and base Normandie But this great warriour was as olde in courage as he was hot in words for he neuer shewed his face at any siege The inhabitants of the towne of Argenton hauing determined to yeeld to the King came foorth and met him most humbly desiring his Maiestie to receaue them to his fauour which thing he did willingly The Souldiers seeing that retyred into the Castle beseeching the K. to suffer them to depart with their liues and baggage which thing the K. granted vnto them The 29. of December the garrison of Damfront vnderstanding that he had sommoned the towne and that the inhabitants had determined to acknowledge and admit the King entred in consultation what they should doo and being deuided into contrary factions put themselues in armes one agaynst another It happened that they who would submit themselues to the King although they were not halfe so many in number as the other were encouraged and assisted of God for the iustice of the cause had the victorie The Baron of Verny Gouernour of the Castle was slayne and certayne other whereupon as well they of the Castle as of the Towne sent to the King to craue his fauour and clemencie which they obtayned The 30. of December the King sent to the towne to be assured of both partes which thing was done without force or violence The Lord Brissak and his companions rebels being beaten away out of all townes of Anjou Mayne and Perche had put himselfe with the regiment of Captaine Picart into Falaize a Towne situated betweene Argenton and Caen where is a Castell very strong and esteemed to be the best place of base Normandie the Castell of Caen only excepted Thether Brissak had entised many Gentlemen and Souldiours of the Countrey men of his owne humour whose heart did boyle with rebellion and treacherie and also the remnant of the Gantiers who had escaped the slaughter done vpon them before by the Prince Montpencier vaunting that they would repayre the honour of their companions who had yeelded and lost all other townes and that at this place all the spoyle which the King had gotten should be surrendred The night following the 30. of December the King sent the Baron of Byron to enuiron it with certaine troupes of men of warre who came thether the morning following so happily that hee found the Lord Brissak comming out of the Towne purposing to haue burned the Towne of Gybray which is as if it were a Subbâ—b of Falaize The saide Lorde Brissak perceauing the troupes of the Baron of Byron returned back into the Towne in hast and with great terror so that by the comming of the said Byron the Towne of Gybray was kept from burning seazed vpon and the enemies there inforced to râ—tyre into Falaize The 31. of December the King arriued and went presently accompanied with the Marshall Byron to view the Towne and Castell which are both strong The Towne is compassed with a great poole whose water cannot be drawne away the wall is good and flancked with good Towers and hard to approach for the battery of the Ordinance The castell is much stronger fortified with great and strong towers and very good walls with a dongeon separated and compassed with great deepe ditches Besides this the Lorde Brissak was within well accompanied with Gentlemen Captaines and Souldiours and made a great shewe that hee would defend that place effectually with intent to get honour The first day of Ianuaâ—â—e the King sent to sommon the Towne to the which the Lord Brissak made answer with a great bragging of resolution that he had vowed vnto God neuer to speake of any composition for that Towne Vpon this answer the King caused with great diligence and expedition gabions to be made baggs to be filled with earth and al things necessary for the battery to be done which thing was so dil gently followed that the third day of Ianuary all was in a readines and had begon to batter that day but he stayed for three Canons which the Prince Montpencier did bring to him out of the Castell of Caen which arriued at the siâ—ge that same day That sâ—me day the Prince Montpencier came to the King hauing with him about twelue or fifteene hundred Souâ—diours a good troupe of Gentlemen of the Countrey and certaine companies of men of aâ—ms with the three Canons aforesaid They which were within the Towne did neuer all these foure dayes sally out but with great braggings shewed a resolut minde supposing therewith to feare away the King The King hauing put all things in a readines for the battery determined to make one worke of two for knowing that the Castell being won the Towne could not hold out long hee concluded to place three
perswaded them that the King whatsoeuer might happen neither durst come neere them neither was able to let the carriage of the victuals to their citie which was the cause that they liued from hand to mouth and had prouided no more then in tyme of the greatest peace that can be But after the rumor of the ouerthrow of the Leaguers came to Paris all the Cittie was replenished with terror many of the Citizens came to the King to plead their innocency but specially two of the chiefest of the citie to wit Belieure who was one of the Kings lately deceased Secretaries of estate and Brulart President of the Court of Parliament in Paris These two men had béen wauering a great while not faythfull to their old maister King Henry the third who had preferred them neither did greatly trust the Leaguers and yet liued in some suspition of this King now raygning But when they heard of the Kings good successe contrary to their expectation like good Mariners they turned their saileâ— to the wind came to the King to make their excuse and submission and both of them were receaued curteously of the King The King said vnto Belieure that he had thought him to be an honest man vntill he fell to the Q Mother and ioyned to the company of Vileroy but Brulard was receaued with greater fauour whom the King hath employed since in great affayrs as to bee his Ambassador to the Cantons of Swisserland In this consternation the Parisiens who had liued in great security began to open their eies and see the danger whereto the great bragges of the Duke de Mayne the promises of the Fryers and Iesuits their vaine hope had cast them and did threaten them at their doores and caused them to bee deuided into diuers opinions for some who were of a hot nature would haue a new muster to be made in the Cittie and on a sudden afore he had suplyed the roome of them which were dead in the battell to set vppon him but this course was thought rash and dangerous for many eauses Other gaue a wiser counsell if it could haue béen followed to wit to try his elemency and that vpon reasonable conditions ther was no doubt but they should find fauour and peace and for the proofe thereof alleaged his gentle disposition far from all cruelty and desyre of reuenging which hee hath alwayes shewed in all his actions Some were of a contrary opinion and gaue counsell to take order for the prouision and fortifications and pollicy of the citie they shewed that by the multitude and other meanes which they had they were able to geue him a new battell if he would goe about to draw neere to their Câ—tie and at the worst they were able to abide a siege they shewed that he was not able with as great forces agayne as hee had to force them and that hee would not hazard his old experienced Souldiers so rashly knowing that it were hard for him to recouer the like againe to be short great variance rose among them as the manner is in such a case Whilest this variance was among them the Duke de Mayne came to Saint Denis to view the countenance of the Parisiens feare and shame warning him not to come into Paris None or few of the inhabitants of Paris went to salute him but they onely who had sent him to the butchery in the playne of Saint Andrew to wit Frier Henrico Caietano Frier Sixtus his Nuncio the blinde Captaine Bernardino Mendoza the Spanish Moore Ambassador of Spayne there and the incestuous Fryer Byshop of Lyons with few more to comfort him and to goe forward in his begun rebellion Therefore it was thought good to remedy the affayrs as well as they could deuise that the sayd Duke de Mayne and the Comendador Moreo who was then in Paris should goe with all speede into Picardie to stay the remnant of the forces of Flanders which were going home through Picardie after they had lost their guide the County Egmond and that there the Duke de Mayne should gather such new forces as he could the Comendador Moreo should goe to the Duke of Parma to bring him y e goodnewes of the victory of the County Egmond and his company but specially great care should bee had least Paris and Saint Denis should in any case yeeld to the King In the meane time Frier Henrico and Bernardino would take order to pacify the strife and diuersity of opinions They returning to Paris scattered few Pistolets of Spayne and Ducados Italianos among the Fryers and Iesuits to teach them Frierlike Rhetorike These rauing Prophets and among them one Peter Crestin such a one as was of my remembrance magister nostor de cornibus or magister noster Olyuer Maillard stept vp they fret they fume they fome lyke Boars they rayle they reuile there is nothing holy before them they shew how the King is an heretik a relapse son of an heretike father and mother they looke euery day for a new excommunication from Rome he is out of the bosome of holy Church incapable of the Crowne of France no obedience is due vnto him they descant vppon the praise of his gentle nature how it is but fayned and if he were once established hee would shew such cruelty vppon holy Church as hee did vppon Borgoyn Gessey and few other Fryers he would roote out the Catholik religion and plant here sie It were far better to die all then to admit such an heretike ouer them if they die in this quarrell they goe straight way to heauen they are blessed Martirs they shall be Saints as Frier Iames Clement was of late these raging furies of hell do so perswade the people that as a people destitute of reason and â—ereâ—t of their witts are lead to their owne destruction by these enchaunters so that afterward if any man should speake of peace with the King or of any thing besides warre fire and desolation hee was presently murthered by them or cast into the riuer in one day more then twenty persons were so murthered But fearing to bee compassed with a siege afore they had set order in their affayres and pollicy to daly with the King they sent from Paris Fryer Paniguerola Bishop of Aste and in hast and Vileroy to busie him and to dilay the siege which they supposed the K. would haue layedd presently with speeches of truces or peace that they might fortify themselues in the meane space The King would haue no speeches with such companions but yet of his accustomed clemency sent Paniguerola to the Marshall Biron to see what he had to say and what wisedome he had brought with him out of Italy After many salutations and popish blessings the Frier did wonder much to see sayd he that so great companie of Catholikes could finde in their hearts to followe after an hereticall King The Marshall Byron answered the saucie impudent malapert Frier that it would not be safe for
him nor good for his master to meddle with the Kings affayres we sayd the Lord Byron hold the King for the true and naturall heire of the Crowne of France That the King maintained their lawes and liberties inuiolable and had none for enemies but fewe straungers thrust forward by ambition who vnder y e pretence of religion sought to ouerthrowe all good lawes to lay downe the foundation of their tyrannie to giue entrance to the Spanish King and for religion to bring in all Atheisme The Frier protested that his master was free from medling in any such enterprises But his doings his practises his ministring of money to the Rebels his conuersation and familiaritie with Bernardine Mendoza was so auerred to the foolish Friers face that he was proued a lying false flattering Frier Thereupon master Frier his stomacke being not yet satisfied would haue a saucie Frierlike fling against the King and demaunded the Marshall Byron how they being professors of the Catholike religion made so light account of his masters holines and purposes to carrie armes against the Catholikes their brethren The Lord Byron answered that they carried armes agaynst rebels and traytors and told him agayne that it were very wisely done for him his master to looke somewhat neerer to his owne estate For if he so encroached and medled with them they would quickly excommunicate him And that there were diuers Bishops in France as good Catholikes as his master who would bee glad to bee made Patriaches in their seuerall Prouinces and would finde as good Scripture to maintaine their authoritie as his master had any to defend his Some reasoning being vpon this poynt Frier Paniguerola was found to be so great a Clark that he could answer little or nothing But at length to conclude the talke he shewed the somme of his Ambassage to wit he desired a good peace to be concluded and some paynes to be taken to bring the King to be a Catholike But he shewed not his intent which was to delay the siege of Paris if the king had intended to besiege it out of hand The other Ambassadour to wit Vileroy was sent by the King to the Lord Plessis Morney a noble man of great wisedome and profound learning who handled the sayd Vileroy very plainly and roughly reproaching vnto him his vnfaithfull and treacherous seruice to his old master Henry the third And when he had denyed these things wherewith he was charged the Lord Beaulieu both condemned his fayre flattering wordes and promises which he brought now full of dissimulation and verified his olde trayterous practises agaynst his olde master it was thought that iustice should haue been executed vppon him for his treasons according to the Kings edicts The King hauing soiourned at Mante fewe dayes tooke his way to Vernon which lyeth between Mante and Pont de larche which also yéelded vnto him From Vernon the Gentlemen of Normandy to the number of fifteene hundred horses retyred to their home about the eight of March The Lord Chartres gouernour of Deepe returned to Deepe sicke in whose absence certaine Leaguers inhabitants there went about to haue seazed vpon the towne for the League who being detected and preuented at his returne were exiled out of the Towne to the number of sixe score among whom were many of the richest sort of all the towne About the same time that the King soiourned at Vernon the Duke of Longueuile the Lord of Tinteuille arriued to the King with eight thousand Rutters The King hauing seazed on Vernon and Mante and stopped the traffique of that riuer with the Citie of Paris on that side and prouided for the safetie of the sayd Townes concluded in his counsell to besiege Paris the principallest Citie of the Realme where it was considered that the Citie being populous and great would easily be woon by famine which would eschewe slaughter both of his owne Souldiers and Citizens whome hée would by all gentle meanes bring to their duetie of obedience and therefore it was thought good to stop the passages of the riuers Oyse Marne and Seyne aboue Paris For in stopping Oyse the Towne of Pontoyse also should bee distressed Therefore the King deuideth his armie as followeth The Duke of Longueuile should haue part of his armie to besiege Beaumont vpon Oyse He sent the Marshall Byron with another part of the armie to scoure the riuer Marne where he tooke Cressie a towne situated in Brie betweene Meaulx and Corbeil where a Parisien named Peter was Captaine for whose raunsome was proffered eight hundred Crownes but the King for some speciall causes commaunded him to be hanged and fiue and twentie of the chiefest of the towne with him The sayd Marshall Byron immediatly after the taking of Cressie layed the siege before Lagnye vpon the riuer Marne right agaynst Corbeil The Citizens required space of time to send vnto the King which was yet in Normandy to craue his gracious mercie which they obtayned The King about the 21. of March hauing receiued certayne munitions from Deepe and taken order for the safetie of Normandy with part of his armie coasted betweene the riuers of Seyne and Eure and tooke the townes of Possie and S. Germain and the Pont S. Clow and marched toward Corbeil to seaze vpon the riuer of Seyne on that side It is said before how the Leaguers had compacted with the King of Spayne vpon some conditions of receiuing a certaine somme of money to haue deliuered the Citie of Marsels a great strong Citie in Prouance vpon the Mediterran Sea but being disappoynted of his purpose as is said in the first Booke that Citie continued faithfull vnto the King vntil the Duke of Guize his death The King of Spayne had corrupted aforehand the chiefe gouernour of the Citie by giuing him pay to the summe of fifty Crownes a day he had also drawne to his faction three score of the chiefest Citizens paying to some forty crownes some more and some lesse a day Thus the hearts of a great number of Citizens being disposed the death of the Duke of Guize was bruted euen to the coast of the Mediterrane Sea The gouernour and his complices hearing of that began to â—nuaigh and bring the City to a wauâ—ring and inconstancy of wills counsels some would haue the Towne to yéelde to the League and some would not so the Citie remayned as neuter hanging neither to Spayne nor to France In the meane time the Lord Valete as is said hauing made peace with the Lord Diguieres and considering the wauering of that Citie had prepared a nauy of Galeys on the Sea before the said City to controule such Ships or other vessels as might come or goe that way to benefit the said Towne whome he molâ—sted as Leaguers The gouernour and the rest of malcontents hired by the King of Spayne practized that the said King of Spayne and the Duke of Sauoy should send Galleys thether in shew to clense the Seas but in déede
course taken to wit the siege of Paris raysed therefore the siege and marched toward Paris The 25. of Aprill the king layed the siege agaynst Charanton a towne situated vpon the fall of Marne into Seine in the sight of the City of Paris There was in a Tower ten souldiers of Paris which did obstinat themselues in the defense of the same whom he forced and caused their Gouernour to be hanged Hauing seazed vpon Charanton the king doth present himself before the Citie about the 28. of Aprill tooke the Villages about began to lay downe the forme of the siege where he determined to send part of his forces on the South side of the Cittie therewith to compasse that side And with the other part to besiege the North side and the Towne of S. Denis all at once there he maketh all things ready maketh his approches sitteth still without proffering any force but onely doth stop the entring in of victuals hoping that scarcenes and neede would haue mollifyed their hartes and the present danger of the very famin which did threaten them would haue mooued them to some moderat counsell Now wee will leaue the king before this siege harkening what the determination of the Parisiens is and goe to see what is done in other places About the beginning of May there was in the noble and loyall Citie of Renes in Britaine a sauey sot prating Frier who in the pulpit to stir vp sedition in the cittie tooke it for a poynt of diuinity and an ornament of Fryerlike Rhetorike to call the king heretike but the Court of Parliament there so gagged him with a cord about his necke that when hee had preached his last Sermon on the top of a Ladder he brake his necke with a sore fall there were also sixe of the chiefest Cittizens hanged with him for company for hauing procured this seditious Frier in his Sermons to stirre vp sedition About the selfe same time the Lord Rieux defeated the Duke of Lorreyn nigh Mâ—tes and tooke away all his artillery It is sayd before how the King sent the Duke of Longueuille with part of the army to scoure and stop the riuer Oyse who accompanied with the L. la Nouë tooke Beaumont which was gouerned by the Lord Pierrencourt there the Duke of Longueuille caused the chiefest men of the Towne to bee hanged Paris beeing besieged by the king as is sayd the people do harden their harts more and more being perswaded by the Fryers and Iesuits and by them whom that sottish and Idolatrous people had in admiration to wit the Popes Legat the Spanish Ambassador the Bishops of Paris Lyons Glasco Placentia Aste Rhemes Sanlis there were the Duchesses de Nemours Mayne Montpensier The Prouost Escheuins other officers they partly encourage partly do terrifie the people doo yet once agayne gather a great somme of money vpon the inhabitants they doo cast great store of artillerie and prepare all things to withstand the siege They made a search of all the grayne and prouision of victuals which were within the Citie They made also a reckoning of the people which did amouÌ„t to two hundred thousand persons the corne came to that quantitie as would suffice the citie for a whole moneth allowing a pound of bread to euery one a day and besides fourtie thousand bushels of Oates They appoynted one Anthony L'amy a rich Marchant of the Citie to haue the charge of the market and to appoynt Bakers in euery quarter of the Citie to whom he deliuered the corne at foure Crownes the bushell and not aboue after that rate they should sell the pound of bread at halfe a Spanish royall This order being taken they went about to assure themselues of the wil of the Citizens for feare that any sedition should arise by reason of the scarsenes which vndoubtedly they sawe would ensue They gathered all the chiefest Citizens and Captaynes in the halles of their quarters and there they were made sweare neuer to consent to receaue any hereticall King They were sworne also to detect and reueale any man whom they knewe to dissent from this their vnion and oath This last part of the oth taken replenished the citie with proscriptions confiscations banishments cruell torments executions funeralls and lamentations for a great many were murthered many iudicially executed many emprisoned many saued them by flight but all lost their goods and substance which was no small pray to the heads of the rebels And that they might molest the King with sallies they hyred the Lord Vitry Captayne of one hundred and fiftie horses with the somme of two thousand Duckets which the Ambassadour of Spayne did pay Thus hauing set a Militarie policie in the Citie touching the strength of the Citie and the sinewes thereof they sometime would set their heads out of the gates to see what weather was about but fearing some shewer of blowes they ranne in agayne The King hauing distressed Paris alreadie twentie dayes or very nigh and looking that vpon some reasonable condition they would haue sought meanes of peace and seeing them contrary to his expectation hardened and waxed more obstinate and malicious with part of his forces set vppon the Suburbs of S. Martin which he tooke without any great resistance From that day vntill the beginning of Iune the time passed away without any great exployts but onely certayne light skirmishes For the king would not shewe any extreame force hauing a care of them hoping still that famine would haue mooued them to hearken to reason and to remember their dueties In the meane time the King caused the peeces of artillerie wherwith the Duke of Longueuille had battered Beaumont vpon Oyse to be brought to Paris which being arriued the King battered the walles with thirteene péeces of double Canon The Duke of Nemours had in the meane time cast great store of Ordinance whereof hee caused threescore and fiue peeces to bee set vppon the walles About the 13. of Iune there came foorth out of Paris a strange kinde of men of warre which were neuer seene in the field before Quintus Curtius in the life of Alexander if I remember well reported of such a kind of strange warriours For when Alexander came into India with his victorious armie they perceaued on the top of a mountaine an army of men as they thought with pikes and long staues whereupon that terrible armie of Macedonians sounded the alarum Alexander sent horsemen to viewe the enemie when they came néere they perceaued an armie of Apes which had imitated the armie of the Macedonians whom they had spyed out of the trees and mountaynes All the courage of the Macedonians was turned to laughter So the Bishop of Sanlis would play the like part he made himselfe a Captain his Souldiers were the Cartusien Friers the reformed Bernardines and barefoote Friers the Cartusiens are of the dyet of the Otter for they eate nothing but fish their cowle is like vnto the bag wherewith the Apothecaries doo
straine their wine hippocras and by reason of their flegmatick féeding they are all rotten and leapers afore they come to halfe of their age they doo crawle with lice and taken with that sicknes which the ancients doo call Hydrokephalia that is a madnes procured by rotten flegme enflamed The reformed Bernardines are of the dyet of the asse which féedeth vpon grasse and thistles for they eate nothing but hearbs sod or rawe which thing doth cause them to haue dry and skiruy bodies and that diseaze which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but with all to haue asses wits they goe all in black hereby they doo represent to the world their melancholik humor The bare foote Friers doo shew what humor dooth trouble their braine imitating the frantick mad men which haue delight to goe bare foote winter and sommer for we account that man mad that will go bare foote when he may haue shooes to put on All these rakehels armed themselues vnder their lousie raggs doo march in battaile aray through the City mumbling their portuses and when they had giuen a sight of their prowesse vnto the Citizens they would also goe to sée what weather was out of the Towne and when they had marched a while the Kings gardes in the Suburbs tooke the alarum supposing to haue to deale with men but when they had the sight of this legion and perceauing that they were apes imitating men they turned their fury to â—aughter hooping shooting whereupon the apes returned with great speed into the City and this was the end of this skirmish They had for an ensigne a Crucifixe and our Lady carried before them to play the bulbegger About this time bread began to be scarse in Paris whereupon the masters of the Citie fearing the increasing of famine sought out all the poore within the Citie who came to thirty thousand and determined to haue turned them forth out of the City to take their fortune But some of the counsell of the Citie thought that it could not stand with the greatnes and honour of the Citie and therefore were stayed in which thing did greatly hasten the famine which shortly after followed In the middest of Iune the famine being very great there was little or nothing to eate the Souldiours had no pay neither was there money to pay them the Citizâ—ns refused any more to contribute aleaging the great and huge sommes of money which they had disboursed and for feare of some sedition in the Citie Frier Henrico Caietano Frier Goundj Byshop of Paris and the blinde Captaine Bernardino Mendoza consented to rob all the Gods which were in the Temples of Paris they take the golden cuppes of their Gods and all the shrines of golde and siluer which Demetrius his prentizes had made to Diana to Venus to Belona and to many Diuels of hell they turne their reliques old rotten bones of old Friers old dogges and horses which they had made the people worship for the bones of Apostles Martyrs and other Saints of God out of their coates of gold and siluer and make good money to pay the rebells to warre against their naturall and lawfull King contrary to Gods ordinance to that end that things most wickedly abused might remayne still in the same nature The blind Captaine Don Bernardino doth promise to bestow euery day in almes sixe score Crownes Frier Henrico Caietano said he would doo the like but that deuotion waxed as could as the weather was hot according to the Aphorisme of Hypocrates ventres hyeme calidiores estate frigidiores The King knowing well of the great extremity wherewith the Citie was distressed pittyed them and willed them to take some pitty of their distressed estate promised them mercy and fauour but the Friers Henrico Caietano and Goundi answered contrary to the meaning of the poore people that they had determined to dy all rather then to admit an hereticall King Vpon this answer of the Parisiens in the latter end of Iune many noble men and gentlemen began to mutter in the Kings army what great imminent danger was hanging ouer France the ruine of the nobility the decay of so great and noble a City as Paris was and the desolation of the whole realme which euills the King could redresse in making himselfe a Catholicke Of this faction tending to some enterprise was chiefest the prince of Soisson and went so farre as to speake openly that they will serue no longer vnder an hereticall King The King aduertized of this muttering called his nobles and Captaines shewed them what hee was what his right and cause was And whereas they willed him to become a Catholicke he put theÌ„ out of doubt that for to purchase many Kingdomes as great as the realme of France was hee would neuer so little depart from his religion which hee knewe was grounded vpon the infallible truth of God As for their seruice he made no great account knowing that it was God who was his strength force and defender of his cause willed them to depart from his army when they would and that hee had rather haue their roome as their company he knew that GOD would giue him the meanes and power in time to represse his enemies he knew that GOD would raise him friends enough to assist him It is sayd before how the King all in one worke did besiege S. Denis which is a towne walled within foure miles of Paris In this Towne in an Abbey where the burials and monuments of the kings were this towne was so gretaly distressed that they had neither bread nor munition to defend themselues they had consumed all their prouision Horses Asses Dogges Cattes Rattes Mice Hearbes Rootes and whatsoeuer the belly could aduise them Euen to haue tryed to make bread with flower of Oates huske and all and dust of old rotten postes some tryed straw grownd to dust The sayd towne therfore considering how the famin within the sword without did threaten them proffered parly and at length concluded to deliuer the towne to the King with liues reserued vnto all maner of men the souldiers and all manner of men to retire with all thinges which they would carry away who of his great clemency gaue them Horses and Cartes for their carriage The same day the King entred into Saint Denis with great reioycing of all men who had proued his gracious fauour and clemency And beeing setled in his lodging he spyed in the chamber of presence three men walking in the habit of gentlemen whom hee knew not but he suspected that they were there for no good They vppon that suspition were apprehended and examined by certayne noble men appointed by the King vppon a sudden they faultered in their answeres and changing their countenance were sent to prison but afterward being narrowly examined they confessed that two of them were Fryers of Saint Francis order and the third to be a Priest and they three were of the 24. who had coÌ„spired vowed and sworn the
kings death They were hanged without any scraping of the holy greasing which they had of their Bishop These murtherers left a president what trust princes may haue in the rable of Friers Monkes and shaueling Priests About the same time the Lord Rubempre gouernour for the King in Tourreyne gaue an ouerthrow to the Lord Chastre in the Countrey of Berrye About the beginning of Iuly the Lord Viques a most cruell Leaguer had besieged Pontarson a towne in base Britaine holding for the King against the Leaguers and after three assaults in the which he was repulsed he heard that the county of Thorigni was comming with great forces to rayse the siege wherupon he retired to S. Michaels mount wrote letters vnto the Duke Merceur who was then at Nantes for succour fearing least he should bee forced in the sayd mount Saint Michaell Hee that carryed the letters came with the sayd letters to the Earle of Thorigny who hauing perused the letters sent the copie of the same to the Prince Dombes who was betweene Saint Mal◠and Vitre and forthwith sent the Messenger to the Duke Merceur with his letters who after hee had seene them sent by and by an answere to the sayd Lord Viques praying him to be strong and that within three daies he would come to his aide with three thousand men to rescue him from the Earle Thorigny and to oppresse him seeing that the sayd Earle could not haue helpe from the Prince The Messenger came agayne to the sayd Earle and shewed him the answere of Merceur the copie thereof was sent immediatly to the Prince the resolution was so taken betweene them that the Prince caused all the horsemen to march speedily and to get betweene the sayd Merceur and Nantes and the Earle of Thorigny marched towards the sayd Merceur The Duke perceauing that hee was compassed betweene two armies ventured to fight with the Prince Dombes and whilest they were a fighting the Earle came vppon him on the other side hee was so beaten betweene them that he lost seuenteene Ensignes and twelue hundred of his company were slayne on the place he saued himselfe by flight into the Castell Josselin one of the strongest places in all France When the Lord Viques vnderstood of this ouerthrow he yeelded and in the conclusion he gaue his Daughter in marriage to the yonger brother of the Lord Montgomery who was kept prisoner by him He was permitted to keepe Saint Michaell for his safety About the same tyme the strong Towne of Dinan in base Normandie hearing of the sayd ouerthrow of Merceur did beat out of their town their gouernour brother of the Duke Merceur killed many of his Souldiers and among them the chiefest of his Captayns named Iahn and so yeelded vnto the King About this time also the inhabitants of Kilbeuf in Normandie took a galley of the Duke Aumale laden with his goods as it was going vp to Roan In this moneth of Iuly the Franciscan Fryers of Sanlis must needes plaie a Fryerlike part they were greatly desyrous to betray the towne and to deliuer the same into the Leaguers handes which for to bring to passe they caused many Captains of the rebels to come thether apparrelled like Countrey men hauing each of them a basket full of Cheries vppon their shoulders as though they were market-folkes to sell Cheries These Cherie mongers were receaued by the said Friers into their Fryery house where they had gathered together great prouision of armor But this thing beeing suspected by some good Citizens they notifyed it to the King Whereuppon many were taken and of the Fryers Masse-mongers Chery-mongers and treason-mongers of the Towne were hanged to the number of seauen score and so the play was ended Wee haue left the King at Saint Denis whilest wee went to see what was done in other places of the realme now wee will come to the siege of Paris and first speake of the state of the Citie There the famin had so preuailed in the beginning of Iuly that it far passed the famous famin of Saguntum Then began they to denounce war agaynst all the leane horses and skiruy iades agaynst the asses cats and dogges these things were more dayntie vnto them then the daynties of Sibaris little bread and that of Oates with huske and all was very scant it was for Princes and great Ladies and that a small quantity euery day In this extremity Fryer Henrico Caietano had sold and wasted all his money and plate and begging was there little regarded he with the rest of his Masse-mongers did bury in their stomackes their God whom they had made with fiue words in horse dung if they could get it but a strange thing there happened as had béen heard of in any age to wit the Asses of Sorboun were enforced to deuour their owne brothers flesh There were foure sorts of men who went about to remedie this extremity each one following their course Some of the best sort and stoutest stomacke pittying themselues their fellow Citizens whom they saw perish by heaps for the pleasure of few rebels by the aduise of one Renard Atturney in the Court of Parliament tooke counsell how to deliuer the Cittie into the Kings hands of whose clemency and gracious fauour toward the poore distressed people they assured themselues But beeing discouered some fled to the King who were graciously of him receaued some were taken prisoners and the said Renard with some others were executed but the goods of all were forfayted to the heads of the League The second was the Duke de Mayne who fearing greatly the losse of Paris being abroad where he made shift for good cheere though it were at other mens charge as the saying is Qui satur est pleno laudat ieiunia ventre He writeth letters to the inhabitants of Paris commending them for their great constancie promiseth them succour and great prouision of victuals within a certayne time prefixed in the letter willing them to bee patient yet and not to goe about any making of peace with the King The Friers and Iesuites tooke the copies of these letters read them in their pulpets and serued them for text to discourse vpon and to make braue and lustie sermous The third was the blind Captaine Bernardine who taught the delicate Parisiens the dyet of his countrey to wit to take Oates ground meale huske and all and therewith to make a kinde of pap such as the countrey men in Spayne doo vse for their ordinarie dyet and as they doo in France for the fatting of their hogges and here in England the Hunters doo for their houndes and that slubber sauce to bee sould to them that had money by a measure which was followed as long as Oates did last The fourth was the Priests who would also feede their mindes with idolatrous fantasies as their bodies were fed sparingly with spanish slubber wash and first to begin they perswaded them to vow to Nostra donna di Loretta a lampe
tooke another resolution to wit to defend it to hold them play the enemies passing ouer the riuer vppon a bridge made with boates began to batter it with nine pieces of artillery the breach was made before the King had any notice thereof by reason of the great winde which was contrary and a great thick myst yet assoone as the King had any knowledge thereof he sent succour to haue rescued the Towne but the enemy giuing the assault afore the Kings forces could come and being few against many the enemy carried it away which being entred into the Towne omitted no barbarous cruelty and villany which that Sarrasenicall sauage nation could deuise there were betwéene two and thrée hundred Souldiours within the Towne gouerned by the Lord Laphin who defended that weake towne so valiantly that the enemy lost in that assault the most part of them that were at y e siege all the Garison Souldiours with their Captaines were slaine in like sorte as Leonidas with his Lacoues at Thermopylas The King tooke that losse very sorrowfully and supposing that this beginning would haue cheered and fleshed the enemy commaunded the skirmish to be giuen hoâ—ter then euer before But as the Woolâ—e pursued and hunted hauing gotten his den ouer his head will rather dye there then to get him forth and trie the matter with the hunter so these sauage rauening monsters could not be drawne out of their moore The King perceauing that nothing would encourage these fearefull warriours departed out of the campe with a good company of horsemen with ladders and marched toward Paris and caused certaine companies to draw nere the walls betwéene the gates of Saint Iames and Saint Marcel which being detected the alarum was giuen in the City the Kings Souldiours did hide themselues in the darkenes of the night being a great myst withall The Parisiens returned euery one home the Iesuites who are the most desperat and warlike of all the legions of the locustes of the kingdome of Antichrist watched all the night vpon the wal fearing some surprise and about foure a clock in the morning the Kings Souldiours lying in the towne ditch began to scale the wall the Iesuits fearing to be researched first for their horrible treasons doo sound the alarum and doo kéepe of the Kings men from leaping vpon the wall as well as they can whilest company doo run to helpe The inhabitants doo cast fagots kindled into the ditch by which meanes the Kings Souldiours being discouered did sound the retire gaue ouer the enterprise and so the King returned no more to Paris Here Christian reader thou shalt note in this City the notorious sins of the inhabitants the iudgements of God shewed vpon them and what is yet to come This City hath béen first of all the bulwark and strong hold of all Idolatry and heathenish superstitioâ—s which they haue increased of meere malicious wickednes and as it were to spight the Gospell whose voyce had been heard and had knocked at their gâ—tes many yeares They raised the alarum at the sound thereof they haue murthered the Saintes in the streates they haue shed their bloud vpon the earth like water their bodies they haue drawne by heapes and giuen them to bee meate for the beastes of the field and the fowles of the ayre they haue searched them out as it were with a lanterne that they might roote out the knowledge of God from the earth they haue made the gospel of life a hissing a by word a nodding of the head and a song of despight and contempt among them Therefore the Lord hath giuen them to a reprobate minde to commit among themselues all the abominations of the heathens and hath solde them to seducers and rauing false Prophets For beside the infinit heards of Epicures and idle bellies of idolatrous Priests Monkes and Friers about the yeare 1560. when the Gospell did knock at their gates there crept out of Spayne and Italy the vermine of Iesuitâ—s whome Sachan did burst out as vltimum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by whose desperat rage specially these sinfull people haue béen blinded and seduced to the vtâ—ermost They haue kindled and maintained to the vttermost of their power war against them of the reformed religion They were the first in all France to shew the fruite of their hellish Idolatry that haue rebelled against the King who was of their owne religion as great and deuout a Catholick as any was in the world they stirred vp and inuited to their rebâ—llion all other Cities of France by their example letters and Ambassadors and at length they haue shortned his life by an haynous parricide by the which they haue made their walls their houses their temples and themselues guilty of the damnable crime of treason hated both of GOD and man Now let vs sée the fearefull iudgements of God shewed vpon them the Lord hath executed his iustice vppon that defiled City defiled I say with the bloud of the innocents at all times by punishing them with his scourges of pestilence and dearth But after they had defiled their hands with the Kings bloud the anoynted of the Lord who represented before their eyes the image of God the Lord strooke them with the giddines of Sodome and the darkenes of Aegipt and sent euill Angels among them to vexe them with disquietnes with guilty consciences with vprores and seditions And now when the Lord during the siege had sent them mercy and fauour euen to their gates by the band of his messenger and Lieutenant Henry of Bourbon now raigning Prince of great and famous renowne They as men senseles fallen into a letargy and out of their wits would hearken to nothing but to the voyce of sedition of commotion of bloud and murther being deliuered into the bondâ—ge of â—raitors and tyrants And when the Lord had broaken the staffe of bread among them with greater rigour then in any place which euer was heard of they did not turne vnto the Lord who had giuen them bread wine oyle flaxe as Osea speaketh but multiplyed their idols worshipped diuâ—ls as Iames Clement the parricide and others euen with gréedines They did rather choose to eate the flesh of their sonnes and daughters which by the lawes of that realme is a capitall crime and to bee râ—uenged with fire then to accept grace and fauour at the hands of their King whome law nature and God had giuen vnto them Now let vs consider what by al reasons grounded vppon the stedfastnes of Gods threatnings is like to ensue thaâ— God may powre downe the fulnes of his wrath and iust indignation vppon that accursed City he in whose gouernâ—ment are the hearts of Kings and Princes doth alter the minde of the King to giue ouer that City vntill the day of vengeance Not for that he was not able to haue distressed the same longer and haue kept the Duke of Parma from approaching to it but to that end to hamper his enemies yet more in
of Parma if he would haue taken it so and how the sayd King retyred to Saint Quintin in the beginning of December 1590. but what course he tooke nor what coast he followed I haue nothing to speake of for lacke of instructions except wee may gather some thing by the euents It seemeth therefore that the King after he had soiorned some dayes in Picardie hee returned to his army which he had leftin Normandie where he tooke aduise concerning the citie of Chartres great mighty strong and riche situated in the countrey of Beausse This is that Citie whereunto K. Henry the third soiorned for a time after hee was put to flight from Paris in May 1588. This Citie is ancient and famous for the ancient superstition of the Druides in our dayes for the renowmed Idoll of our Ladie of Chartres that Citie hath been therefore both with the Pagans with the Romanists a seat of most damnable Idolatrie and of late one of them which rebelled first of all agaynst Henry the third after the death of the Duke of Guyze and had continued still in the same rebellion In the beginning of Ianuary therefore the King hauing prepared all thinges determined to wrest this Citie out of the tyrannous bondage of Leaguers and to enforce the same to returne to theyr dutie And for lacke of instructions of al the notable exploits done in that siege wee haue to shew two things First of a stratagem vsed by the King and secondly of the yeelding of the same This town of Chartres is very strong both by art nature yet was it not very well prouided of Souldiers besides the Citizens and Townesmen After that the King acompanied with his owne forces and the Marshal Biron hauing laine long time about the said Chartres came to his campe he perceaued that it would be very difficult to obtaine the same by force therfore he aduised himselfe to prooue what might be done by stratagem And about the fourtéenth of Februarie he seperated himselfe from the Marshall Biron and faining to geue ouer that siege marched towardes Dreux geuing out that hee would goe to besiege the same and went but thrée miles from the said Chartres The Marshall Biron in like manner séemed the next day which was the fiftéenth of the saide moneth to raise vp the siege and to followe the King as though he dispaired to doe any good there They of Chartres with such forces as they had seeing that resolued themselues to make a sally and to set vpon the rereward of the Marshall Biron as hee was marching toward Dreux vpon this determination they issued out of the towne and roughly charged the Marshals hinder troups The Marshall first seemed to make head against them but soone after began to retire himselfe geuing place to the enemies The enemies followed him amayne continually skirmishing vntill they came about two miles from the Towne In the meane time the King lying in ambush when he saw his time got betweene the Towne and the men thereof that followed the Marshall of Biron and so couragiously charged them behind and the Marshall turning his face towards them agayne that in lesse then an hower that they fought he slew them all except thirty cuirasses which hardly escaped The King following the victorie entred presently one of the Suburbs of Chartres The townesmen seeing this began to make a motiō of peace with him and offered to deliuer him the towne fiftie thousand crownes vpon condition that hee would remooue his forces and place no garrison therein which the King refused to doo and thereupon prepared to batter the towne in two places hauing resolued not to leaue it vntill he were master of it For lacke of instructions we omit here many particularities exployts valiantly performed at that siege During the which siege the inhabitants enforced by y e rebellious Leaguers which were many shewed themselues very malicious and obstinate agaynst him refusing to acknowledge him for their Soueraigne with threatnings and breathing out most vnreuerent and vnnaturall speaches agaynst him The King in that siege hauing made diuers times many breaches gaue assaults vpon them which they endured with great losses vntill they saw theyr walls wonderously battered and beaten downe to the playn ground Then offered they diuers times to yeeld vp vppon certayne conditions But the King answered that it was for him to giue them lawe and for them to receaue it at his hands The King did delay the sharpnes of warre hoping through consideration of the extreame daunger to bring them to reason and duetie But when that would not preuaile about the 16. day of April there was a great and terrible assault giuen which the inhabitants notwithstanding sustayned but very hardly and with great losse The wisest and best sort of the inhabitants considering that it was in vayne to with stand the King and that in fewe such feasts all their citizens might bee spent and yet the King neuerthelesse would enioy the Citie by force which would redound to their extreame perrill agreed to yéeld themselues to his gracious clemencie There was a great number of Leaguers within the Citie who vnderstanding of this resolution shewed themselues greatly offended at it threatning the rest that they would make them repent that euer they went about such matter The rest of the citizens séeing this discontentation of the Leaguers consented that the sayd Leaguers who were so obstinately bent and so hot in the cause at the next assault should defend the breach So the eight day a newe assault being giuen so hot that a great number of them were there throughly cooled and the rest glad to retire and giue ouer and with the rest without any further disputation did submit themselues perceauing now that the League did nothing els but seeke the ruine and destruction of the countrey and that in vayne they did resist him whom God had sayd should raigne ouer them Therefore they agreed to send to his maiestie offering to acknowledge him their onely King and Soueraigne and to craue pardon for their disobedience and vnnaturall rebellion yéelding themselues and their Citie to his accustomed gracious mercie The King graunted their petition and hauing seazed vpon the Citie by such as were appoynted by his maiestie with his Princes and Nobles prepared to enter the towne The ninth day of Aprill the citizens considering with thankfull mindes the Kings great and gracious fauour who might haue had conquered them by force and by lawe of armes iustly taken away from them their lands and goods and for their rebellion put them to the sword they I say prepared themselues in their degrees to attend his Maiesties comming First the whole Cleargie went before in their attyre and order next vnto them the Magistrates with their robes and after them the Citizens followed euery man according to his place and all falling downe vppon their knees before the King did acknowledge him their Soueraigne with this acclamation God saue Henry
of Bourbon our mercifull and gracious King long may he liue the noble King of France with great reuerence and submission crauing pardon and shewing themselues sorrowfull for their rebellion and offences committed agaynst his maiestie The King considering their repentance and submission pardoned them with louing gracious and comfortable words whereupon were the keyes of their citie deliuered him who receaued them with amiable countenance These things being done the Citizens marching before the Magistrates after and the Cleargie following them conducted the King and his Princes in most triumphant sort to his lodging the people saluting him all the way with this acclamation Long liue Henry of Bourbon King of France and Nauarre It is sayd before how the Lord Diguieres had pacified Daulphine hath assaulted the Duke of Sauoy abroad and at home The Duke of Sauoy séeing himselfe hardly matched aduised how to molest the sayd Lord Diguieres sent to his good master the King of Spayne to bee reuenged therefore they tooke this aduise to send foure hundred light horses of Naples with some of the best of the olde garrisons there into Piemont which by reason of the swiftnes of their horses should molest the land of Daulphine with daily courses roades and inuasions These foure hundred Neapolitanes hauing taken counsell how to enter the land of Daulphine with a swift pace had not determined with what pace they should get out They therefore ranne as swift as their horses could goe as farre as the fort Bowe where the Lord Diguieres méeting stayed them so that they are not like to goe euer to Naples agayne to tell newes vnto their Curtizans of their light horses being there all slayne only a fewe excepted There it appeared to them that the best warre is not in Italy nor the best souldiour of Naples and that there is a great difference betweene the souldier trayned vp in Militarie Discipline and daily employed to great and waightie affayres and him who vnder the name of souldier is moulten in filthie pleasures in the Stewes of Curtizans as these were There appeared also how the horse is but a vayne thing to saue a man in an vniust cause and that they were but robbers who came to spoyle and molest them that had neuer proffered them wrong This exployt was done about the beginning of March as I can coniecture The Lord Digueres hauing cut short those insolent Italians determined to pursue some forces which were retiring out of Daulphine into Sauoy againe whome hee followed so short that hee entred the citie of Chamberie Metropolitan of Sauoy This is a great Citie famous for the straunge Idolatrie vsed in the same There is an olde filthy ragge some gowtie clowt of some gowtie Frier they haue made the world beléeue such is the spirit of Idolatrie in them that know not God and such is the spirit of Auarice in them that applie religions to gaine that it was the shrowd wherein Christ was buried therefore certaine times of the yeare there was a resort of infâ—nite mâ—ltitudes of people of diuers countreys and nations which came to worship that holy ragge and pray holy 〈◊〉 ora pro nobis The Lord Diguieres hauing taken the same sacked and spoyled it but hauing not forces sufficient to munit and keepe it left it and returned home with a fat spoyle without any losse Whilest the Lord Diguieres was in Sauoy the Duke of Nemours gouernour of Lyons descended from Lyons with his forces into Daulphine desirous to haue surprized some townes in that Prouince in the absence of the Lord Diguieres But the said Diguieres in returning home from Sauoy met him and so charged him that after he had slaine most of his horsmen put him to flight and followed him so hard that the inhabitants of the Citie cleane burned the suburb called Guiltiere being very fayre great and rich fearing least the sayd Lord Diguieres would haue entrenched himselfe in the sayd Suburb Whilest these things did so passe in Daulphine there happened in Prouance that certaine great practizes were discouered to the losse of the autor as the old saying is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Lord Dampuis Lieftenant to the Duke of Sauoy in Prouance being resident at Aix the Metropolitan Citie there had wrought a treason to surprize the Citie of Tarascon situated vpon the â—iuer Rosne by the meanes of certaine Dominican Friers and thirtie or fortie of the inhabitants of the towne to whome hee had made many fayre and large promises The bargaine being made the meanes and time must be sought out which were in this wise about midnight the black diuels Friers should rise to sing their holy mattens and black santus and should giue the watch word with three strokes of the bell whereupon the trayterous Citizens should seaze vpon one of the gates the L. Dampuis should haue come to the gate with fiue hundred Cuirasses 5. hundred Harquebusieres who should haue entred by the meanes of the traytors who were within This counsell could not be kept so close but it came to the eares of the Ladie of Oruano and one captaine Corses by whose diligence and good order vsed the treazon was disappointed in the manner as followeth The gouernour hauing intelligences of their intent and whole platforme caused the Friers and their complices â—he night before to be taken and layd in sundry prisons the night appoynted to worke the feate being come an ambush of certaine souldiers of his companies was set out of the town in a conuenient place the said gouernour also had appointed a companie as well of his souldiers as of the faithfull citizens to stand in silence within the gate of the Citie vntill the watch word agreed betweene the Friers and the enemies should be giuen with thrée strokes of the bell All things beeing in a readines and the time come to worke the Lord Dampuis came vnto the gate with his companies according to promise harkening to heare the watch word and to bee admitted into the Citie by the complices Well the three strokes of the bell were heard the ambush began immediatly behinde and the towns men opening the gate before to assault them so furiously not with the sounding of the bell but with sound of the Harquebuze shot that the enemies beeing compassed about within halfe an hower were slayne in a manner all and the Lord Dampuis taken prisoner and so wounded that two dayes after hee died of the woundes so the Towne was preserued from sacking and the people from murther and bondage and both the towne and People reserued to their kinges seruice this was done about the end of March. About the selfe same time the Countie of Carces had wrought another such practise also against the Towne of Tolon by the treason of the chiefest Consull and other Townes men which was in like maner discouered and the conspiratours apprehended and chastised We haue said before how the Senat of Aix in Prouance were rebels who not onely had
part also in the sayd attempt with his foure hundred Souldiers whatsoeuer should chaunce and therevpon displayed his Ensigne and together with Sir Roger vowed by Gods assistance to enter the Barricadoes and to charge the enemie The sayd Lord vpon this resolution chéered vp his Souldiers and willed them to fight in the behalfe of their lawful King whose right they were bound to defend and God doubtles will prosper the same to the confusion of his enemies Sir Roger in like sort like a true Christian Knight encouraged his Souldiers shewing vnto them that although fewe of their side haue to deale with a great multitude skilfull stout hardie and trayned vp in Martiall Discipline yet considering y t their cause is but an execrable rebellion agaynst their Soueraigne they are but a multitude of traytors opposing themselues to Gods ordinance therfore condemned of God to a shamefull death both here and in the world to come He assured them that God will assist them in the execution of his sentence pronounced agaynst them hée alleaged the common experience in all ages and Nations hee concluded that the God of battailes will so fight for them that their eyes shall haue their desire vpon them as vpon enemies of God of man societie and nature He assureth them that in putting their confidence in GOD not one haire of their heads shall fall which when hee had finished to speake hee prayeth vnto the Lord with great confidence And when he had ended prayer he made them to promise each vnto other to die euery man rather then they would flye one foote These things being done they marched forward with great courage displayed their Ensignes strooke vp their Drummes with their Trompets sounded defiance and with this resolution full of confidence these valiant English Souldiers gaue a fierce charge vpon the enemie and assaulted them in such sort as if they had not trauailed all night This fight continued two houres space the English men still hartening the Frenchmen At length they entred the Barricadoes of the enemie Sir Roger being one of the formost fought hand to hand with the chiefest gouernours of the enemies The gouernour of Deepe on another side entring did valiantly behaue himselfe at length the enemie began to recoyle backe and being all enclosed within their Barricadoes as a flocke of sheepe in a Shéepcot were all put to the sword by the English and Frenchmen suffering none to escape aliue Hauing obtayned this wonderfull victorie vpon their knees in the same place gaue thankes vnto GOD which had subdued their enemies vnder foote and with singing of Psalmes gaue the praise vnto the highest All that the Gouernour and Sir Roger Williams lost were not aboue eleauen men and fewe wounded but not very grieuously This exployt being so prosperously done the Generals tooke order not to stay there at any hand but speedily to returne to Deepe least some newe fresh supply should come from Roan vpon them or by casting about should meete them in the midway homeward They gaue order also that the Souldiers should leaue the spoyle behind them to the end they might not ouercharge themselues with carriage The Souldiers obeying the counsell of their Commander tooke nothing but that which was light and easie of carriage Thus safely they returned to Deepe The enemie as it was supposed came with a great power to meet them in the middest of the high way but they had passed foure houres before and so the enemie disappoynted of his purpose returned backe Wee haue shewed before how the King hauing had a prosperous successe in chastising the Rebells in Picardie went in person into Britaine where likewise God prospered his wayes Whilest the King was in Britaine his armie soiourned for a time at Vernon wayting to surprise the towne of Louiers situated vpon the riuer Eure betweene Pont de larche and Eureux The particularities of this surprise could I neuer heare but such as the King himselfe did write vnto the Prince Countie Gouernour for his Maiestie in Anjou Vendomoys Toureyne Poytow Berry and Limosin The sixt day of Iune ten of the Kings men possessed themselues with one of the gates of the towne and as it is reported by others in this manner There was a certayne Corporall in that Citie who was in great credit with the gouernour of that towne called Fonteyne Martel This Corporall considering the great wrong which the Rebels did to the King and desirous to doo to his Maiestie some seruice of import practised that there should be at seuerall times by sixe at once a number of footmen and horsemen sent into the Wood hard adioyning to the towne and in the meane time hauing woon to himselfe foure or fiue Souldiers of his owne companie his time came of his watch About noone day the sayd gouernour being at dinner and according to his signe giuen there came certaine horsemen of the Kings which he espying went presently to the gouernour who had the keyes lying on the table by him and sayd he marueiled that they sat so long at dinner shewing that there were some friends come vnto him The gouernour commaunded the sayd Corporall to take the key and let them enter which he did The King had caused the Baron of Byron to come néere with his forces who soone also entred therein Fonteyne Martel had one hundred Cuirasses in that towne beside the inhabitants who obstinatly made a strong resistance to the King which was cause of a terrible fight The King himselfe made one of the gates of the Citie to yeeld to him whereto most part of the men of warr and the inhabitants withdrew themselues to resist yet at length the Towne was taken There the Bishop of Eureux and Fonteyne Martel the gouernour of the place were taken prisoners There was found great quantitie of Corne Wine and Bacon beside other munitions and as the report is foure thousand fat Oxen in the medowes That towne was so fortified that it might bee called one of the Forts of France There the King lost about eighteene or twentie men among whom were fiue Captaines At the selfesame time that this exployt was done at Louiers the Lord sent prosperous successe to the Kings affayres in other countreys The Vicount de la Guerche a most wicked rebell in Limosin had greatly troubled the Kings peace in that countrey and about the beginning of Iune had besieged Belak a towne in Lymosin famous in that countrey for making a kinde of rough cloth like vnto Irish rugge with two Canons one Culuerine and a bastard péece of Ordinaunce The Prince Countie being come into Poytow with an armie for the Kings seruice to purge that countrey beyond Loyre of the oppression and tyranny of some remnants of rebels which were spoyling that countrey and being aduertized of the said siege of Belak marched directly thither to rayse the siege or to bid battaile to the said Vicount if he durst stay his comming The fift day of Iune hauing marched a
vero vernacula lingua rem descripsi aspera quidem inculta sed qua proprietate homini peregrino licuit vt lectores etiam ineruditi iudicia diuina admirari timere discerent euangelium reuerenter amplecti vitae nouitate poenas peccatis debitas retardare auertere magistratibus diuitius constitutis se qua decet obseruantia subijcere reipublicae ecclesiae pacem non temerè ira odio morositate libidine aut ambitione turbare disciplinaÌ„ laxare denique mortales vt discant iustitiam moniti noÌ„ temnere diuos Si quid autem videatur acerbius dictum id noÌ„ ni veram nobilitatem familias de republica Christiana benemeritas dictum boni viri autument Nam vt est vetus dictum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 huiusmodi mycterismis sarcasmis acerbioribus verbis degeneres à vera nobilitate mores impietatem hypocrisin ambitionem libidines saeuitiam immanitatem sacro sanctoruÌ„ regum laesam violatam maiestatem à perduellibus proditoribus sacri istius si dijs placet foederis taxaui Desinant igitur malefacere malefacta ne audiaÌ„t sua Existimo enim nullis satis atrocibus verbis rebellionis crimen defectionem coniurationem in maiestatem regiam a sacri istius foederis autoribus principibus excitataÌ„ exprimi posse Quod si violatae maiestatis crimen summum in toto genere humano malum malis verbis tanquam proprijs epithetis ornauerim veteres oratores Demosthenem Aeschinen praecipue Ciceronem autores habeo imo ipsum Christum Apostolos Petrum Paulum Iacobum Iohannem qui acerbis verbis impios insectantur Quos eo consilio secutus sum vt atrocia flagitia atrocibus verbis monstrata omnibus execranda proponerem Vt enim acutis morbis acutam curationem adhibere solent medici ita similem in genere humano non antè auditam defectionem Christianis regibus principibus seruitutem aut exitium minitanteÌ„ istius foederis coniurationeÌ„ non satis odiosis verbis regni legitimi amantibus odiosam reddere conatus sum non vt foedus istud curareÌ„ curationeÌ„ enim non patitur sed vt quantuÌ„ in me esset alios a similibus malis auertereÌ„ reuocareÌ„ Calumnias vero pontificioruÌ„ eorâ—m qui sunt euangelij legitimae potestatis hostes haud moror Mihi vero satis probe satisfactuÌ„ erit si bonis quibus placere studeo satisfecero exeÌ„pla in hac narratione proposita alios cautiores efficere possint ne in eosdem errores prolapsi easdem subeant poenas Tuae vero sapientiae huius narrationis iudicium permitto vt quicquid hic narratuÌ„ fuerit tuo iudicio stet cadátue Quod tuis auspicijs vt testimoniuÌ„ meae in te gratitudinis obseruantiae in lucem prodeat vt pro tua benignitate fauore quo bona bonos omnes excipere soles aequi bonique consulas te magnopere oratum velim Octob. vigesimo 1591. Tui ex animo obseruantissimus A. C. To the Christian Reader TVlly the glorie of the ancient Rome defineth the historie to be a witnesse of time and a remembrance of things that are past this is to say somewhat but not enough For it is a witnesse and record of the execution of Gods iustice in reuenging the corrupt iudgements vncleane affections and wicked deedes of men and of Gods good will and fatherly goodnes in defending deliuering and rewarding the iust Therefore Christian Reader I haue to warne thee of three things of the vse order and locution of this historie desiring thee to reade this not onely to delight thine affection in seeing this man doo prosperously and commended for his prowesse and vertue and another dispraised according to the desert of his actions but specially to consider the presence of God in gouerning the one and prospering him in doing profitable things for the defence of a iust cause and his countrey and the iudgement of God which according to the threatnings of his law doth leade the wicked to punishment if not at all times and after all ill actions yet most commonly and at length alwaies doth make him swallow downe the dregges of his wrath Feare therefore and keepe thy selfe within the bounds of that vocation which the lawe of God hath prescribed thee The greatest part of this Historie is translated out of French which was set foorth concerning these affayres of the holy League encreased much out of the seedes of actions dispersed in the declarations edicts proscriptions apologies aduertisements agreements articles and letters written by the Kings Henry the iij. and iiij now raigning and other noble men acquainted with the publique affayres and estate The latter part of the Historie to wit from the death of Henry the third is a gathering of such euents as haue been published from time to time And as for the distressing of Paris and the horrible famine there I haue for the most part followed the report of Pedro Corneio a Spanyard which was then in the citie during the siege thereof which doth report it after a more incredible sort then I dare lay downe Of such things which I doo suspect I doo note the vncertaintie thereof by the word of report following therein that famous Historiographer of our time Iohn Sleyden I haue written this Historie in forme of Annales reducing the actions of euery seuerall yeare into a sundrie booke saue onely the first which is a collection of the secret practises of many yeres to bring that state to that confusion which we see it now The new Popish Kalender hath brought some diuersitie in the date of dayes moneths and yeares some following one Kalender and some another yet I haue reduced it to the old so farre as I could do it Forasmuch as the rebellion of the holy League is the greatest conspiracie that euer was heard of against all Christian Kings and Princes threatning all of bondage and subuersion and first put in vre in the kingdome of France as most fit to receaue the same by reason of the dissentions long coÌ„tinued there wrought by the vilest men and meanes that euer were heard of hauing attempted atchieued most haynous outragious murthers I haue thought good to decke the parties with titles and ornaments fit for such deedes to wit with sharpe words to expresse more effectually the greatnes of the offences protesting not to touch the noble families of Christendome whom I reuerence but the degenerating of them who hauing put aside the robes of true Nobilitie are become slaues of all treacheries and rebellions and haue clothed them selues with dishonour and infamie to the end that the Christian reader may by the signification of grieuous Epithetes comprehend the greatnes of such transgressions as doo boyle in such men and learne to auoyde the societie of all damned congregations of Corah Dathan and Abiram THE TRAGICAL HISTOrie of the ciuill Warres raised vp in
meanes as is aboue sayd in the Prouinces for the making of a strong league with as many as they were able they procured the towne of Montmarsan in Gascoyne to rebell against the King of Nauarre which he shortly after surprized in one night and brought the inhabitants to their duetie without any bloud shedding By their meanes also the Towne of Rause in the Countie of Armignake belonging to the King of Nauarre as the sayd King had entered into the Towne without any mistrust with eightéene Gentlemen the partakers of Guize there let the Percullis fall at his heeles and setting vppon him one offered the Caliuer at his breast But the sayd King neuerthelesse seazed vppon a Tower with his companie and made way to the rest of his traine to enter into the sayd Towne not suffering any of the inhabitants to be put to death buâ— onely him which had leuelled the Caliuer at his breast and that at the earnest sute of the Magistrates of the Towne accusing him with diuers other crimes In Ianuary the King sendeth an Ambassador to the Prince Casimier Palatine of Rhine named Vilaquier to excuse his doings with lyes surmizâ—s and slaunders as that they of the reformed religion had seazed vppon diuers and had committed murthers and cruelties vpon the Catholikes and that they required not the exercize of the religion for any conscience but for fashion sake only and that his States will not suffer him to execute the Edict of peace Vnto this message the Prince Casimier answered as shewing how the King was abused by the States which were none other but such as were enemies of his estate and perturbers of the peace vnder the name of the States and lastly willeth him not to cast his Realme into a miserable flame of ciuill warres for other mens pleasure The Prince Casimier also sendeth Butrich his Ambassador to the King to perswade him if possible were to entertaine the pâ—ace which was made so solemnely which he also willed to be called his peace The sayd Ambassador had audience at Bloys the 23. of February The 7. of March ensuing the sayd Butrich Ambassador surrendred in his Masters name the lands Lordships pensions and offices which the King had giuen him at the concluding of the peace For as much as the Guizes had spread abroad both through France Germany and other countries that the said Prince in consideration and respect of his particular profite was preiudiciall to the publike commoditie of his Souldiers The parish Priests about this time tooke the names of able men Souldiers were euery where secretly mustered according to Sir Hugh his counsell as is aforesaid The Iesuits also began to take the matter in hande to further conspiracies by rayling Sermons who by these meaues crept so deepely into the Kings fauour that he preferred the sawciest of them and them who could thunder most furiously against the reformed religion to Bishoprickes Abbeyes Prebends and other fat Benefices nourishing in his bosome from time to time the firebrands to set him and his Realme in combustion at the first opportunitie The Guizes seeing they could not win them of the religion to fauour their doings but rather that their agents were taken forbeu cozba considering also that they were not able to haue their desire vpon them fearing greatly the King of Nauarre whose wisedome vertue and valour they knewe well goe about to make him to some hatefull and to others contemptible Therefore the Admirall Villars father in lawe to the Duke de Mayne raised vp vpon him the old lye and flander reported of the Christians of the Primitiue Church vp the Pagans to the end that Sathan might bee like to himselfe to wit that the sayd King being at Agen in the night the candles should be put out That false report was spread abroad throughout France afore that any man had heard of it in the Citie of Agen. It was also reprooued for a most false lye by many Noblemen and Ladies of both religions which were then present Now the conclusion or rather collusion of the States was that they required the Edict of peace to bee reuoked the exercize of the reformed religion inhibited and Poperie to be set vp euery where The King was as desirous to graunt them as they to require the breach of the peace wherevpon fearefull persecutions were raised vp euery where great cruelties effected in diuers places vpon them of the religion and open warre denounced And for as much as the condemnation and execution of Monsieur could not be brought to passe as yet for many coÌ„siderations it was kept close and deferred to a fitter time But specially for that he might be a good instrument to be occupied against the King of Nauarre and them of the reformed religion Therefore they thought good to make him and the Duke of Guize Generall ouer the Kings forces Him I say to giue the more authoritie to the actions and enterprizes with greater terror The other was ioyned in Commission to preuent what might happen that Monsieur should not in any wise fauour the King of Nauarre nor his partakers any whit at all The King of Nauarre hauing such power as he could make in Guyen prepared himselfe vppon the defensiue and hauing a mightie power of Germaines readie to enter into France his enemies hearts were somewhat cooled and began to faint On the other side the King wanting money nothing was done By this expedition a great terror of the Germaines hauing seazed France the King now sheweth himselfe as desirous of peace as he was not long before of warre and sendeth his Mother to the King of Nauarre to treat for peace Now old Catie must shewe some Italian iuggling or els farewell Poperie After much chopping and chaunging of words the bargaine was made The King of Nauarre being at Nerack in Gascoyne receiued the peace with some restructions of the former Edict abhorring the slaughters of the Nobilitie and oppressions of the people This peace being concluded at Nerack the Guizes tooke it very grieuously as vnprofitable for the aduancing of that mysterie which did lye hidden in their braine and also for that the King went about to reforme many abuses brought in by warre and to restore the Nobilitie to ease the people of diuers charges For the Guizes would haue all these abuses to continue that in time it might serue for an olde cloake to couer withall their treacherous drifts as they did afterward at the rising of them in armes 1585. Diffidence and iealousies therefore did growe daylie betweene the King and the Guizes But the King to obtaine his intended purpose thought good to pacifie them calleth them to the Court dooth assigue them great pensions bestoweth great gifts and honors vppon them Yet they hauing alwaies a hartburning tickled with their accustomed ambition watching for the death of Monsieur determined to hasten them forasmuch as they feared him more than the King In the yeare 1579. the Guizes sent Frier Claude Mathew
For a Stage play can not haue good grace to make the people laugh except there be a popish Priest to play the Deuils part All this whispering among them was about a great summe of money which the king of Spaine should lay out for to beginne the play and least the sayd king of Spaine should be cosened of his money the Duke of Guyze to deliuer him the dukedome of Britayn y t Cityes of Bourdeaux and Marseilles and for the performance thereof he should send some of his children to the Duke of Sauoy in hostages Therefore now the Guyze is as full of Spanish pistolets as a Dogge is full of Fleas as the Prouerbe is when wee will signify great aboundance of thinges He geueth great summes of this Spanish liberality to his partakers but specially to discontented persons He profereth also of this Spanish money to many which neither require it neither would haue of it But all men did excéedingly wonder whence should come this plenty séeing that it was well knowen that he was déepely indebted Now when all thinges séemed to be in a readines to begin the tragedie the Fryers of the society of Bariese the sorcerer named by cutting short Iesuits do play the prologue for they steppe vp into Pulpits euery where whom they haue turned to trompets and drommes of the Deuill to blow and sound the alarme of sedition and rebellion There they do shew the decay of popery which they call the Catholike faith they do vrge the miseries of euery degrée to procéede from the Hugonoets and their fauorers meaning and in a maner openly declaring the king They do propound y e great dangers which did hang ouer the heads of the Catholikes There they did tell how that there was a certaine confederacie of the Hugonoets with the heretikes of Germany England Denmarke and Swisserland to oppresse the Catholike Church It is said before that in September last there was holden a certayne conuenticle of conspirators against Christendom in Paris by the Bariesuits commonly called the Iesuits where they forged a certaine infamous libell to serue them for a firebrand of the sedition There they say and lye all at once that the 14. day of December 1584 ther was concluded at Magdebourge in Saxonie that the kings of Nauarre and Denmarke the Queene of England the Princes of Germany the Princes Palsgraue and Orenge the Landsgraue of Hessen they or their Embassadors should appeare at Basill the next moneth of May following Where is to be noted the impudencie of these lying Fryers For the Princes Palsgraue and Orenge were dead the one a whole yeare before the other they had procured to be murthered in Holland by one of their owne Iesuits 6. moneths before But these two Princes they should raise vp by the Boriesu their master whom these Coniurers founde in their Pamphlets to appeare at Basill They affirmed also in the said infamous libels that the King of Nauarre should haue taken armes the 18. of Aprill the yeare 1585. which in déede was the time appointed for the League to rise vp They affirmed also that the king of Nauarre had promised in the assemblie of Montaulban that in case he should suruiue the king and that hée might attayne to the Crowne he would roote out of France all Popish religion and depriue them of the said religion of all state dignity and autority They said also that the ministers had perswaded the king of Nauarre to reuenge the murther of Paris and that it was concluded that out of euery towne and citie 3. of the chéefest Burgeses should be deliuered to requite the said murther They did reade these forged lyes in their Pulpits where they omitted no point of Monkish railing rhetoricke in their sermons to stirre vp the people to sedition and warre against them of the reformed religion They crye out they rage and fume saying that now the time is come that holy Church for by this word they meane the pride pompe and voluptuous life of Bishops Cardinals Monkes Fryers and Priestes do craue their helpe or neuer They do exhort the people both in their Sermons and prinate confetence and in their shriuing of the people to ioyne with the Leaguers made them great promises of heauenly rewardes they extolled the noble buds of Charlemaigne meaning the Guyzes which haue vndertaken the defence of holy Church against the force and attemptes of heretikes and fauorers of them They preached also their valure their wisedome their woundes and noble feats for the defence of the realme and holy Church They shewed how easie it would be to roote out the heretikes out of all France hauing such Captaines to manage the warres About the beginning of this yeare 1585. there was a Bachiler or rather a lodger of diuinitie in Sorboune which dyed a holy Martir in this wise let good men iudge This Diuine had holden in disputation publikely in the Colledge of Sorboune this Theologall proposition ful of Iesuitical diuinity which he dedicated to the Abbot of Cluny bastard sonne to the Cardinall of Lorreine that was to wit That it was lawfull for any man priuate or otherwise to depose or kill any King or Prince which were wicked euill men or heretikes The king hearing of this new and strange kinde of Diuinitie aryued now of late into the land was greatly offended and intended to call this Bachiler to accompt but he was preuented by these meanes For they which had made him so speake with Pistolets of Spaine hired a good fellow likewise with Pistolets which slew this diuine with all his diuinity in the court of the Colledge which act done fled auoided least he who had set both of them to worke for Pistolets should be disclosed Thus the Prologue being so well played and the hartes of the beholders so prepared the Duke of Guyze also with his Pistolets hauing drawen the Malcontes to helpe to playe the rest and the principall Authors themselues almost readie to come forth There rested one practise more to be set downe before the entrance which was as followeth Betwéene the riuers of Charante Botonne and the townes of Niort Fonteney and Ralmond cituated vppon the Ocean sea lyeth a Countrey called Annix pertaining to the gouernement of Rochel the Riuer Seure comming downe from Niort afore it falleth into the sea méeting with an other riuer running from Fontency deuideth it selfe into many channels which do make diuers Ilandes commonly called the Ilandes of Maran by the name of the chiefe towne there called Portmaran At euery accesse into those Ilandes there are fortes builded vpon the channels of the sayd riuer The third day of February the Minister of Maran being at Rochel was aduertised by the letters of a friend that there was greater and more cruell preparation of warre against the reformed religion than euer had béen afore time and also that there were drifts to seaze vpon the Iles of Maran the Castle and other Forts if it were not looked to For the Guizes
rase but to shewe the vnaduised facilitie of that man who suffered himselfe to be so abused as to become a slaue and a Geta vnto the ambition of other men and by the same meane hath set his Countrey in the which hée did beare so many honors his naturall and lawfull Prince his house his kindred and familie so honorable ancient and famous in a miserable combustion and daunger to be rooted out for a vayne imagination to become a King But to returne to the purpose First they make him require the abolishing of the reformed religion and that the stablishing of the Catholike religion may not bee interrupted hereafter whatsoeuer alteration may happen in the succession of the Crowne they all of them I meane the Leaguers naming themselues falsly only except the Cardinall Bourbon Princes of the blood doo require that a Catholike successor may be nominated which to bee the Cardinall himselfe because he had as they supposed but few yeres to liue and therefore was not like to stand long in their way Secondly they doo require that the K. of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and their heires may bee declared incapable to succeede to the Crowne in case the King should dye without issue alleaging that they are heretickes and relaps And note that for the rest of the Princes of Bourbon to wit the Cardinall Vendosme the Earles Princes and Countie of Soyssons they doo exclude them from the succession of the Crowne because they are sonnes of an hereticke or otherwise contemptuously passe them ouer as not able to buckle with them The house of Monpensier is beyond the x. degree of aguation The King himselfe cannot liue long for they will prouide for that therfore the conclusion is easily to be inferred The Crowne is fallen in the laps of the Péeres of France they must procéede to election of a newe King And who should bee elected I pray you but Master Francis of Lorreyne Thirdly they do quarrell with the king for fauouring the Duke Espernon as though the king may not fauour but whom the Leaguers shall appoint him The cause they do pretend is that Espernon is a fauorer of heretikes that is to say he is too faithfull to the king for their turne Fourthly they do alleage that the Clergie Nobilitie and Commons are charged with intollerable bondage and exactions whom they would restore to their old dignity and liberty The king had geuen the gouernment of Prouance to Monsieur the great Pryor who had published the edict of peace according to the kinges commaundement and caused it to bee precisely obserued in his gouernment of Prouance But the Leaguers had drawen to their conspiracie a great number of that Countrey with Spanish pistolets and specially among others two noble men to wit Monsieur de Saultes and Vines These two applyed the market for the League in Prouance with Spanish Pistolets and woon on their side the Consul of Marseilles named Darius and a Captaine of the towne named Boniface The 9. day of Aprill these two heads of sedition came in the euening to the doore of one Boniface brother to this Captayne aforenamed who was the kings receauer in y t countrey with fained letters from Mōsieur great Prior which was at Aix the head towne in Prouance The said Boniface the kinges receauer came to the dore his owne wife carrying the Candel before him who was immediatly slaine by the said Captayne his owne brother the Consull Darius and their company at his owne doore and in his wiues presence This exploit done the Parricide himself with few of his owne company went vp to ransake the house and rifled all that was there to their lyking From thence with a company of seditious people armed they went to the houses of them of the reformed religion whom they lead with great violence and a great number of prisoners into the tower of Saint Iohn afterward made great hauocke of theyr goods The 10. day they tooke 4. of them more manly one named Chiousse and the other Antony Lambalent which they cruelly murthered and after that their bodyes had béen drawen through the stréetes at length they were cast downe ouer the walles into the towne ditch before the face of them who were detained prisoners in Saint Iohns tower intending to dispatch the rest in like sort the morow or shortly after The 11. day the seditious seaze vpon y e fort of Nostre Dame de la garde and wrote letters to Monsieur Vines praying him to come in all hast with some fortes to take the towne to the vse and kéeping of the League promising him their assistance The Duke of Neuers a man of his owne Countrey to wit an Italian did then lurke in Auignon and had procured 4. Galleyes of the Duke of Florence to be in readines in the hauen vnder the colour to goe to a maryage into Italy at the first newes to haue hasted out of Auignon and with his companie ioyning to Monsieur of Vines to haue made that towne sure for the kyng of Spaine according to their agreement when they cosened him of his Pistolets or else to some pety Duke of Italy There was a certayne man in the City of great wealth credit power named Boukier for feare of this man many of the chiefest citizens by reason of some particular displeasures standing in great distrust of him supposing that now he would take occasion to be reuenged of them fledde into the Abbey of Saint Victor But Boukier considering the daunger that the towne stoode in and the common perill of them all sent to them that had fled into the said Abbey aduertysing them that the time did not require to call to remembrance priuat iniuries assured them of his good-will and safety of his part and required their assistance in kéeping the said towne in the kinges obedience and to looke to the common preseruation of themselues These fearfull Citizens being so reconcyled and encouraged by this waighty occasion and ioyning together went to know of the said Consul Darius Captaine Boniface by what authority they did that which they had done And when they answered to haue done it by the commaundement of the grand Prior and could shew nothing for it they were apprehended and the same day letters were dispatched to the grand Prior being then at Aix to aduertize him of the intended and attempted treason and what had passed there The 12. day the graund Prior came from Aix to Marseilles with 2. hundred horses and a Chamber of the Parliament of Prouance who do hold their court there The 13. Day the said Chamber after due examination of the fact and euident knowledge and proofes of the offences there committed pronounced sentence of death against the said 2. heads of the treason to Darius Boniface which out of hand were executed Also they set at libertie them of there formed religion with commaundement on both sides to kepe the kinges edict and so by these meanes
fayled them that they durst not resist him Entring therfore without any resistance into the towne of Marans hee called the inhabitantes of both religions and told them that hee had determined to place a gentleman within the Castell to kéepe the same in obedience to the King vnder the gouernement of the King of Nauarre gouernour of Guyen for the sayd King which thing if they would refuse hee would burne all their houses into ashes And therefore bid them out of hand to chuse a gentleman of his company such as they would themselues there to commaund to the which thing some with a good will and some vnwillingly but yet all obayed There was a certaine Notary who had professed the reformed religion after a sort hee the day before the Lord Rohan his comming hauing intelligence thereof went to the Papistes from house to house warning them to stand to their defence agaynst the sayd Lord Rohan and to enter into the Castle first to let the said Lord Rohan from the entring By whose perswasions a great number of Papistes and of the most skilfull in warre with their Notary seazed on the Castell But foure Gentlemen of the reformed religion hauing gotten the tower of the gate which commaunded ouer the court of the sayd castell did threaten to shoote against all such as would presume to let the said Lord Rohan enter in or any other whom hee would place there So the Papistes with their Notary began to speake fayre and to open the gate to the Lord Sowsaye of Beauregard whom the inhabitantes had required there to commaund he entred therein with the Lord Mortaygne his brother the 15. day of Iuly and hauing receaued the oath of the inhabitants to be faythfull vnto the King vnder the authority of the King of Nauarre gouernor for the King in Guyene departed and left his brother the Lord Mortaygne there as his lieftenant Whilest these small quarrelinges did so passe at Marans we haue left the Q. Mother with her Counsellers to make the bargayne and to sell to the Leaguers the crowne of France the Kings authority and honor for as litle as they may afoord it that is gratis and for iust nothing The affayres were handled with such faithfulnes that these Counsellers as soone as they came out of their chamber went into another to sit in counsell by them selues to aduertise the Leaguers day by day of all which they had gone about and with the Q. Mother also what was the disposition from time to time to aduise the Leaguers what they should request and how farre they should yeeld at length after long changing and chopping of wordes saeuis inter se conuenit vrsis Certaine Articles are concluded at Chalons in Champaygne the twelfth day of Iuly which do consist of thrée principall pointes First that the King shall make an edict in the which hee shall graunt them all that they requested at Bloys the last yeare to wit 1584. in the assembly of the states there Also all whatsoeuer they demaunded by their declaration bearing date the last day of March and all what was required of them in their last resolution dated the tenth day of Iune at Chalons and that is as much as they would for this tyme. Secondly that leuying of armes all actions of hostility committed since by them or by their partakers or by the townes and cities of their association shall bee allowed and declared good lawfull and done for the Kinges seruice for the defence of holy Church and aduauncing of Gods glory Hereby the actions of hostility are comprehended the murthers spoils robberies ransackinges riflinges of publike or priuat thinges all rapes whoredoms villanyes committed by them of the League which all the King must thinke and publish by his authority to bee done for his seruice and the defence of the Popish Church Here is a King but badly serued Also that all iudiciall proceedinges iudgementes proscriptions condemnations and executions passed agaynst them of the League shall bee reuoked and declared voyde wrongfull and vniust Thirdly before his owne face they enforced him to deuide his kingdome among them and of a King of France for to please the League he hath made himselfe one of the thrée kinges of Colen Now followeth the good bargayne which they when the King had sent to make his market had agreed on whether it be to the kings aduantage and honor let euery man iudge Here is an other point of the Leaguers good seruice to theyr King First the Cardinall of Bourbon the new king of the Friers must bee prouided for and let him be sure that he shall haue the least part For besides the places belonging to his Bishopricke of Roan he shall haue the old castell of Deepe which no body else will haue The Duke moreouer shall haue the gouernement of Britaine and two of the strongest places that he shall name in that Prouince with the admiralty of the same The Duke of Guyze shall haue the citadel of Mets because his gouernment of Champaigne hath no places good inough for him The Duke de Mayn in his gouernment of Burgondie shall haue the castell of Dyjon or the citadell of Chalons vpon Sawne The Cardinall of Guyze shall haue Rhemes and the countrie about so much as he will The Duke Aumall shall haue the holdes of his gouernment of Picardie Wee see how the great masters be indifferently well prouided for now theyr seruantes and partakes must haue part of the kinges spoyle or else they will frowne and tell tales First the Lord Antragues shall haue Orleance The Lord D'ho shall haue Caâ—n and Constances in base Normâ—ndy The Lord Brissacke shall haue the gouernement of Anjou The Lord Saultes shal haue the gouernment of Prouance in the absence of the graund Pryor The Lord Chastre shall haue the gouernment of Bourges The Lord Vailhac shall haue the Castell trompet in Bourdeaux Mandelot Q. Mothers Scullion shall haue Lyons and the Citadel there I pray you masters hold your handes you be well if you could consider it vse him no worse then his granfather Francis the first prophecied of you lethim haue his doublet and his bréech to couer his shame But how chaunce that in your partition you haue forgotten your selues Is Poytow Xainctonge Engomoys Limosin Perigord Quercye Rowarges Viuarets Auvergne Gascoyn Languedocke Daulphine nothing woorth with you Be not these countries worth the hauing If you be such great Captaines as you would seeme to bee there you may haue occasion to make proofe of your valiantnes if your stomacke serueth you but you will say it would cost blowes and that you loue not Here gentle Reader consider the course which these lustie buddes of Charlemayne do follow they will roote the heretikes as they say out of France they will exile them and ridde the realme of France of them yet they seaze vpon the kinges Cities and Dominions and do enforce him to deuide his kingdome among them but specially they
assure themselues of those prouinces townes cities and holdes as had not in a maner one of the reformed religion left among them but they either had béen murthered or else so vexed and disquieted by the continuall dangers which euery day compassed them that they had retyred most into those prouinces in France which were safer from the violence of the Leaguers or into forreine Countries So they warre agaynst the heretikes by subduing the Catholikes to their deuotion They warre against the heretikes where none were to make them resistance and dare not looke on the prouinces where the heretikes as they tearme them were in great number But to the matter Although the vniust and inconstant dealinges of the house of Valoys had empayred greatly their honor and renowne and that this king by his own actions at the massacre of Saint Bartholemy had greatly stayned his garments with a spot that would neuer be washed yet did hee alwayes retayne the authority and reputation of a Soueraygne Prince vntill that for hatred of the Gospell hee suffered the ambition of the house of Guyze to encroch too much vpon his royall authority and prerogatiue vnder colour of Catholike zeale Thus hee weakened his royall authority by following the counsell of Italians thrusted into his seruice by the cunning of the Guyzes for that intent These Italian scholemasters did endeuour alwaies to rule him by the preceptes of Machiauell the Italian prophet so that after he came to the Crowne the Guyzes with their adherents interrupted diuers times the peace made with them of the religion made continuall monopols and secret practises and associations with his subiects to the great empayring of his royall authoritie as is afore sayd and still vnder colour of Popish deuotion so that at length hauing by the means abouesayd seduced the harts of the Priestes Monks of many of the Nobillity and people hauing specially woon his Senators and Counsellers and robbed him of the good will and loue of his subiects in the end by this market they haue made themselues equall to him they haue set their seat as high as his so that now the king is nothing which they are not except onely that as yet they do not take vpon them the name of king but suffer him for a while to enioy the same So that the king now hauing not onely lost part of his Princelike strength which consisted in his townes cities and holds but also part of his authority which lyeth in commaunding alone as a soueraygne is become a fellow of the League If you demaund why the question is soone answered because he set himselfe agaynst him of whom he had receaued all power and authority Hee which had giuen him tooke it agayne for his vnthankfulnesse But now let vs returne to the League These articles called the holy League being concluded to the kinges great disaduantage and dishonor the edict must be made thereafter which was published the 18. day of Iuly and is commonly called the edict of vnion wherein the king doth all that it pleaseth the Leaguers to commaund him to do as a good obedient fellow of that holy association Fyrst hee forbiddeth the exercise of the reformed religion throughout all his Dominions commaunding the ministers of the Gospell to depart the realme out of hand Secondly he commandeth all men to professe the popish religion and that the professors of the Gospell without any respect of persons either shall beleeue poperie or else within sixe moneths shall depart out of the Realme with licence in the meane time to sell their goods to their owne vses Thirdly that as many as haue been infected with heresie for so hee calleth the Gospell of trueth or are knowne to fauour it shall bee incapable to be are any office within the Realme Fourthly he dooth dissolue the bipartit and tripartit chambers of iudgements which were ordayned for the indifferent ministration of iustice in respect of religion Fifthly that the townes graunted to the keeping of the King of Nauarre at Saint Germane the yeare 1584. shall bee surrendred into the Kings hands Sixtly that all whatsoeuer offensiue actions haue been committed by the Leaguers their adherents Townes Cities or comunalties of their association shall be hereafter iudged as lawfull good and acceptable seruice to the King done for the defence of the holy Catholik Romain Religion And that all declarations proclamations iudgements prescriptions condemnations and executions whatsoeuer against the Leaguers or any of them for the said offences pronounced shall be voyd as vniustly wrongfully pronounced against them Where note gentle reader that the King is come to that bondage that hee is perswaded to alowe and approue all the murthers exactions spoylings excorsions treasons rapes whoredomes blasphemies and sacriledges as done for his seruice the defence of the Church and aduauncing of Gods honour Will not the Lord reuenge this pusilanimitie in such a great Magistrate with some notable example of his iustice according vnto his threatnings woe be to you which call euill good Last of all he commaundeth all manner of officers and the Nobilitie to sweare the obseruation of the said edict which he caused to be published and sworne in the Parliament of Paris hee himselfe sitting in iudgement the 18. day of Iuly The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde vnderstanding the conclusion and publication of the edict of Iuly appointed a certaine meeting with the Duke of Monmorency at Saint Paule de cadioulx in the Prouince of Albigerys to take aduise together what were to bee done in those extremities They therefore the tenth of August concluded a certaine protestation in the which shewing what the intents driftes and demeanours of the Leaguers haue been also what the Kings iudgement was of them not long since what meanes the King of Nauarre hath sought and what hee hath proffered for the preseruation of the state What his behauiour had been euer since the League did rise how hee hath kept himselfe quiet and vnarmed to the extreame danger of his person when he had great occasions to doo great exploites At last they protest that they are not the cause of al those miseries which are like to ensue out of those troubles and seeing that no reason will take place committing their innocencie and equitie of their cause vnto God doo resolue vpon the defensiue This resolution being made the King of Nauarre returned to Nerak the Prince of Conde to Rochel and Monmorency to Languedock to view the attempts and expect the euents of this new and strange vnion This vnion being concluded the King considering that in some manner hee had been enforced to breake the edict of peace and that it was not the proclayming onely which would cause the edict of vnion to be obeyed but that a certaine cauell warre would ensue and that there must be some sâ—newes to holde it Therefore hee turneth all his thoughts to make some preparation for the warre for the which cause the 11. of
for the which cause he had ordayned aforehand prouisions of corue and wine to be set vp in certayne townes and cities among others the Duke de Mayne was appoynted to that warre not as one who was thought fit for that charge but for the causes which do follow As the Guyzes to wit the Dukes Guyze Mame Cardinal bretheren Aumale cosin vnto them did consent in these three points to wit in altering the state by transporting the crowne from the true owners and haires into their familie in killing degrading or at least disinheriting the house of Bourbon and destroying the auncient nobilitie whom they knew would resist their atempts and beare vnpacientlie their vsurped tiranny The Priests were the fire brands to kindle this ambitious rage and by their money to aduaunce the same So they all did prouide to bring this treason to effect that of all things the kings forces should not fall into any other hands then in to their own or of their partakers but specially that none of the Princes of the bloud should by any meanes be armed with the guiding of the Kings power Wee see then how they all did agree to vndoe the King with his owne forces But herein they did vary for euery one had particular fetches and drifts which did swim in their braynes whereby they went about to aduaunce their particular affaires by the Kings forces for the Duke of Guize did determine to stay nigh the Kings person and not to goe farre from Paris and Belgike where he had gotten great fauours and many partakers there expecting either fit oportunitie to strike the blowe which he had long afore hand purposed or else at the least hee bearing the sway about the Kinges person and counsell might both spy and preuent the Kings driftes and policie if he should seeme to wauer neuer so little and keepe of the Princes of the bloud and Nobilitie from entring into fauour with the King whereby they might disapoint his driftes He also imagined that whatsoeuer might happen Paris and the Belgike being at his deuotion either were able to defend him againstthe Kings attempts or else if the King might be cut off by any misfortune the saide citie and countrey would be able to lift him vp into that roome whereon he did so greatly desire to sit euen against the consent of the rest of the realme and against his owne brother the Duke De Maine whose emulation hee not onely alwaies suspected and desired to preuent but also endeuored to send him farre from the said King citie and countrey beside that he knew to be a fit instrument by skilfull entising and policie to seduce their great and populous cities of Poytiers Limoges Perigueux Bourdeaulx others where he should come regarding not at whose deuotion those cities might bee so that they were not in the power and fidelitie of the King or of the King of Nauarre that by so much they might be weakened The Duke De Mayne being appointed for Guienne not to subdue it but to haue the Kings forces in the hands and at the deuotion of the League and farre from him if at a pinch he should haue neede of them was very vnwilling to depart from Paris to his iourney aleaging alwaies some excuse The causes of his vnwillingnes were loue ambition and feare the obiects of these affections were Masters Saint Beusue and other Courtesans in the towne of Paris where he walowed himselfe in filthie pleasures and whoredome as the Boare in the myre his owne brother whome hee would haue preuented what occasion might haue happened by keeping Paris ouer his head for he was acquainted with the intents and driftes of the League as one of the chiefest of them yet vncertaine of the euents and what in his absence being so farre from Paris might happen vnto the King he would faine haue kept Paris still in possession so that if either nature or violence should bereaue the King of his life â—e might haue that capitall mightie rich and factious citie in his owne possession by whose helpe hee supposed to ataine to his long wished desires and become his eldest brothers master The third cause was feare and the obiect thereof the King of Nauarre for knowing that the said King of Nauarre was priuie to their driftes not onely by his deepe and princelike prudencie many euident tokens and their own too manifest attempts but speciallie by their inticing him and them of the reformed Religion to their conspiracie and faction knowing him also to be a Prince most faithfull to the state Crowne and Realme of France a Prince of great valour and implacable to traitors thus hauing a conscience which is more then a thousand witnesses guiltie feare made him continually to enter into such apprehensions that he thought certainly to goe into Guienne was to goe to a most assured death Thus these two bretheren aspiring both to the crowne yet did varie in thoughts as the auncient saying is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For the Duke De Mayne would faine to keepe the possession of Paris and therefore maketh many excuses hauing not sometime money enough another time hauing to weake forces sometime aleaging health sometime the vnseasonable weather The Duke of Guize was greatly desirous to haue him out of Paris supposing that there his shadowe did infect the citie and therefore to take away all excuse least he should aleage his forces not to be sufficient to march with the King of Nauarre he caused the King to adde vnto him the regiments of Swissers So the Duke De Mayne hauing eight thousand Swissers twelue regiment of French footemen twelue hundred horsemen French Forces sufficient for a good Captaine to subdue the whole countrey receaued eight and twentie thousand Crownes which the treasorer of the Cleargie deliuered him and shortlie after eyght and twentie thousand more and not long after his departing sent him foure and fiftie thousand more Yet the King could by no meanes perswade him to take his iourney for the Kings commaundements he regarded not vntill the newes came to the King that the Prince of Conde had passed Loyre out of Poytow into Anjou so that at length with great importunacie being perswaded by his brother that in the absence of the Prince being as if it were inclosed in he might easily subdue all that countrey and that it was neede with his armie all by one voyage to goe to the other side of Loyre to let the repassing of the Prince if he should atempt it about the 23. of October weeping and wayling as a child he went out of Paris assured of stripes if he should come within the reach of the said King of Nauarre And wher as at his departing he had opened his timerousnes to euiuently he thought good to couer it with the cloake of vanitie for want of a better in breathing bloud slaughter and fire in words and bragges which at length were turned into a blast of colde winde yet fully resolued
not to come within the reach of the King of Nauarre for feare of the Bastonado or Strapado or some such like thing being in good hope in the meane time that in walking and taking his pleasures in Guyenne at the Priestes costs he might make his part strong with seducing the forenamed Cities and other from the Kings obedience to his deuotion but he was as far deceaued in that as in escaping the Bastonado But now to returne to our purpose the Duke Ioyeuse was at the back of the Prince of Conde the Duke De Mayne passing through Orleans ouer the riuer of Loyre was at his right hand and as farre as Bloyse stopped all the passages least the saide Prince might passe ouer The King had sent Biron with forces into Beause which marched right against his face least hee should escape that way on the left hand the way to the sea through Britaine and Normandie was long difficulte and dangerous by reason of many townes and Garisons therein placed The Prince being thus compassed about with al these forces of enemies was in lesse daunger because that they knew not what and how things passed in his armie and supposing the same to be farre closer and stronger then it was in deede did greatlie feare to aboard it whereby he and all his Captaines had opportunitie to beguile them and to steale away from them Now to knowe well the rest of this voyage vntill the dissolution of the armie it is necessarie to know the situation of the country There is on the north side of Lorion a riuer called Loire washing the townes of Chasteau dune Vendosme Chasteaudeloy Lude Flesche and Luche which méeting with the riuer Sartre at Anger 's falleth into Loyre beneath Pont de sel The Prince at his departing from Beaufort folowed this riuer almost as far as Chasteau dune The 26. of October the Princes armie dislodged from Beaufort intending to lodge at the towne of Luche in Anjou belonging to the Lord Clermong there purposing to passe ouer y e sayd Loyre vpon the bridge into the countrey which lyeth betweene the sayd riuer Loyre and Sartre called Vaudeloyre but the riuer was so ouerflowen as though the foure Elements had set themselues agaynst that army that it did couer halfe of the sayd bridge and the Lord Clermont which is Lord of the place sounding the foord himselfe thought it were not passable whereupon they determined that day to goe to Lude There happened vnto them other things which increased greatly the amaze For newes came that the Duke Ioyeuse with greater forces than theirs pursued with great hast after them and that not long after the departing of the Prince he had seazed vpon Beaufort On the other side the countrey which before trembled for feare of them began to rise vpon them for they of the Flesche the selfesame day issued out and intercepted some souldiers and carriage That day according to the determination they lodged at Lude The 27. of October they would haue passed ouer Loyre vpon the bridge of Lude but it was so highly ouerflowen that although it was easie to passe the bridge yet at the further side of the said bridge there was another great riuer which they must néedes passe ouer by a foord for there was but a little boate which would scarse carrie three men without daunger The horsemen passed and set themselues in battell aray vntill all had passed there a great many gaue ouer their carriage they which had friends in the countrey gaue them their stuffe That day from Lude they sent the Lords Boysduly and Aubiguy towards Boysgency Mere and S. Die to finde some passage and that the morrowe after they should all méete at Orges or the Chappell S. Martine Whilest they stayed in that playne in battell aray for the safe passage of all the companies there happened a thing which would haue wrapped a superstitious soule into sundrie and fearefull thoughts for not farre thence beyond them was a Hare started by the enemies betwéene the Loyre and Lotion with a great crye after which gaue them the alarum and all prepared themselues to receaue the enemie couragiously but at length the Hare was seene with more than two hundred horses with fewe dogges That poore Hare passed and repassed among the horses feete with many stripes and yet was not taken but saued her self though she was pursued more than halfe a mile Some tooke this for an euill and some a good presage saying that if God had care to preserue that poore feeble and fearefull beast much more would hee haue care of that little flocke amazed which howsoeuer it was hollowed and pursued by all the forces of France notwithstanding would escape safe and sound in receiuing but feare without great hurt which thing also happened From Lude they at length arriued at Prillay two houres in the night this is a great towne belonging to the Prince County the Prince of Conde his yonger brother At their comming thither there was such a confusion and presse in the streates that they could neither goe forward nor backward for the space of an houre not the Prince himself vntil that the doores of some houses broaken gaue some roome The 29. day they marched through Vandeloyre and at night came to S. Arnol and the villages about not farre from Lauerdine but the sayd S. Arnol was a poore little village where was small store of lodgings so that the further they went the néerer they approached to their miseries There also newes came that the enemies followed after them as couragiously and with such hast as they went about to goe from them with great iourneys The Lords Espernon and Byron and most of the Nobilitie of the Court were at Bonaual in Beause to méete with this terrified armie The Duke de Mayn on the other side with a great armie was on the other side of the riuer of Loyre neere Bloys to cut them off by the way if by chaunce they should repasse The Townes betwéene Bloys and Orleans were all be set with strong garrisons The Lord Chastre had sent into Soloigne to kéepe the riuer of Loyre and to retire the boates and milles into the townes The Commons were set to watch readie to rise vpon them at the first sound of the Toxine The companies of the Prince were as wearie as their enemies were lustie and as men may bee wearie with courses and watches so horses much more with galloping night and day without resting The meanes to passe betweene Bloys and Amboyse fayled them all these things being knowne of all made them to haue little hope of their affayres Yet there is no doubt that if the enemie had appeared the necessitie had much increased their courage But it seemed that by a singular prouidence of God the enemies stood in such feare of these companies that he would haue them defeated through wearines that it might appeare to be Gods owne hand and his proper work to scatter them
Nauarre ioyned themselues with the Lord Turenne who within a short space grew to the number of sixe thousand With this power the Vicount Turenne kept the field in Limosin Perigord and about the time that the Prince departed from Browage to his iourney to Anger 's letters came vnto him from the Prince by the which he willed him to drawe néere Browage to fauour the siege thereof Vppon the receipt of these letters the Lord Turenne called his counsell together to knowe what was to be done There was then reasoned among them of the necessitie of his presence at that siege On the other side aduertisement was giuen that the armie of the League vnder the conduct of the Duke de Mayne was drawing nigh toward Guyenne although it was not yet scarse out of Paris and that the same was beaten with diuers disseases and among others the Swissers which made them conclude that occasion might be giuen to worke some good exployt vpon that armie and if not discomfited yet greatly it might be molested Agayne he had receaued letters of the King of Nauarre who aduertized him that he was at the poynt to depart out of Bearne to Bergerake ward in Perigord and therfore warned him to be in a readines that if néede should be he might ioyne with his Maiestie So that considering all these waightie occasions hée could not succour the siegr of Browage staying for the Duke de Mayne and expecting the King of Nauarre his comming He had many good occasions to enterprize vpon certaine Townes in Limosin as vpon the Citie of Trile Brune la galiarde and others in those quarters Trile is a Citie in Limosin a Bishops seate situated in a valley compassed about with high hilles which doo commaund the Towne It hath thrée fayre Suburbs about it and there is a little riuer named Vestere which washing the walls passeth by the Suburb which is greater than the citie Therein is a Frierie of the Franciscans which is inclosed about with a strong wall and for that cause the inhabitants had retyred and committed their goods to the Friers keeping which thing fell out very ill for them The high suburbe is like the first in greatnes the third is lesser than the other twaine The 8. day of Nouember the Lord Choupes with a great number of Gentlemen and Souldiers set on the lowe Suburbe The Lord Turenne who commaunded ouer the Harquebusiers which came out of France staying at the Franciscans house which is situated at the ende of the Suburbe set the gate on a fire and vppon occasion entered further euen to the Trenches which they of the Towne had made and after long skirmishing and killing of some of both parts wonne the same The high Suburbe at the same time by other companies as they were appoynted was also assaulted which they of the Suburbe did resist at the Trenches but at length enforced did retyre within the Towne They of the Towne being besieged all round about defended themselues vpon the walls without issuing out at all for the space of sixe daies The 13. day of Nouember were applied two péeces at the gate which made some way to enter in but they of the Towne did their endeuour to defend the breach which being not assaultable the assault was giuen ouer The siege continuing many of the Towne were slaine which caused the rest fearing to bee forced not to refuse the perswasions of Amaury who counselled them to capitulate Hostages being giuen of both sides the Kings Lieutenant with some of the chiefest Citizens came foorth to the Lord Turenne who was lodged at the gray Friers the agréement was long debated and at length concluded The 16. day of Nouember they of the Towne consented to redéeme the Towne and the ransaking of their houses with a certaine summe of money Furthermore it was agréed that a Captaine stranger with such as were left of his companie for most of them had béen slaine should goe foorth out of their Towne and they should receiue Captaine Amaury This Captaine Amaury was he of all the armie whom they feared most and yet did they requested to haue him whom they receaued for their gouernour and there he remayned in that charge vntill the comming of the Duke de Mayne About the 10. of December considering that the place was not sufficient to resist such an armie he gaue ouer the Towne into the hands of the Citizens and within fewe dayes after was slaine as followeth Within a while after the taking of this Citie the Lord Turenne retired his companies in garrisons in places of greater importance The 25. of December Amaury was aduertized that the Lord Sacramore of Birague this is that Sacramore whom after the Duke de Mayne killed in his anger with his owne hand one of the Leaguers was not farr from Turenne with a companie of Harquebusiers to lay in ambush and as he aduaunced himselfe one of his owne Souldiers too hastie to shoote with his péece hit him by misfortune and killed him and after they retyred to Turenne The Duke de Mayne sporting himselfe made good théere at y e Priests costs but it was no matter for holy Roode did pay for all and doth conquer Kingdomes in Perigord and Limosin and about the 27. of December tooke Montignake le conte an olde Towne and ruinous Castle belonging to the King of Nauarre He tooke also Beaulieu such a Fort as no man which hath any skill in warlike affayres would make any accompt of And ten daies after the inhabitants who were al of the reformed religion redeemed their Towne with one thousand Crownes which were payed to Antefort About the 17. of December the Duke de Mayne recouered Trile which the Lord Turenne had caused Amaury to surrender into the hands of the inhabitants about ten daies before because that place was not defensable The D. de Mayne at length perceiuing y t his practises against the Cities and Townes of Limosin Perigord would not frame determined to passe the riuer Dordonne at Souliake into Quercy leauing behind him Monfort a strong place and many other Townes and Holds because hee could not carrie them away with him It is sayd before how that the King of Nauarre in August last went into Languedock to S. Paul de Cadeioux where he met with the Prince of Conde and the Duke of Monmorency to aduertise them of their defence The sayd King remayned afterward in Bearne in great silence and quietnes viewing how farre all this league and vnion would proceede expecting the producing of some lamentable euents and as if it were out of his watch would become of the thrée great armies prepared for Guyenne Languedock and Daulphine and being hidden vnder the wing of the most high mused what would bee the end of the fierie threatnings and bragges of his enemies bearing patiently their insolencie euen to the danger of his owne person It is also sayd how that the Leaguers had procured an excommunication from Frier Sixtus
vicar of Rome against the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde therewithall and with the sedicious inuaighing of the Iesuits and Friers to make them odious vnto the people whose liues they could not touch neither by violence nor by any haynous act It is sayd also how the Senat of Paris gaue their iudgement by the way of admonition to the King against the sayd excommunication the Pope himselfe and the procurers of the same The sixt day of Nouember the King of Nauarre answereth to the said excommunication of that beggerly Frier Sixtus and caused the same answere to bee set and fixed vpon the corners of the streates in Rome where publique writings are wont to be set First he doth hold the sayd excommunication false wrongfull voyd and doth appeale from him as no Iudge vnto the Senat of the Péeres of France whereof he is the first Secondly whereas the sayd franticke Sixtus dooth lay heresie to his charge and presumptuously calleth him hereticke the sayd King in one word doth answere that he maliciously and most impudently with reuetence of his goose cap be it spoken doth lye Thirdly the sayd King doth charge the beggerly Frier Sixtus to be an hereticke himselfe and doth proffer to prooue him so in a generall Counsell lawfully assembled Fourthly he doth declare him Antichrist and as vnto such a one he doth denounce a perpetuall and irreconciliable warre vntill that the miurie done to the house of France be satisfied Fiftly he assureth himselfe in God that as he hath assisted his predecessors and made them able to chastize such sawcie companions as he is when they haue forgotten their duetie and passed the bounds of their vocation confounding the ecclesiasticall power with the ciuill So he trusteth in God that being nothing inferiour vnto them God will make him able to reuenge the iniurie offered to the King Crowne State and Parliaments of France Last of all hee dooth implore all Christian Kings and Potentates all States alied and confederated with the Crowne of France to assist him to represse the raging tyrannie and damnable vsurpation of the sayd Frier Sixtus and of all Leaguers and conspirators agaynst the Crowne of France So much also doth protest Henry of Bourbon Prince of Conde This answere of the King of Nauarre being fixed as is sayd in the ordinary places of Rome where such writinges are wont to be set did not moue Frier Sixtus to repentance but as being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did cast him into feare so deeply that he sendeth not long after a Coriero to the Duke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is one that putteth me together by the cares then runneth his way Momorencye to excuse the matter and to remoue the fault from himselfe and to lay it vpon the Leaguers who as he sayth had deceitfully induced him to do what hee had done praying him to smooth the matter with the King of Nauarre and to pacify his displeasure About the 11. of Nouember the King sendeth forth an iniunction to all his officers to seaze vpon the persons and goods of al them that haue born armes with the Prince of Conde who after the breaking of the army at Saloune had returned to theyr houses or returned to their friends and to proceede agaynst them according to the edict of Iulye and the declaration thereof vearing date the 6. of October Also that such as will be reduced to Popery he is willing to pardon to giue them his patents for the same conditionally that they shal be without armes and horse and also that they shall put in good suretyes to persist in the profession of Popery The 19. of Nouember the Shauelinges Cardinals and Bishops made a long exhortation to the King by Sir Emare Henekin Bishop of Saynt Bryen a citye in Britayne In the same long and tedious oration Sir Henekin first did shew him the duty of Kinges toward the holy Church to wit to magnify it to the vttermost of his power Marke this Christian Reader that by the name of Church he meaneth Note the shauelings and by the duty of Kings toward the Church he although in other wordes goeth about to perswade the King to yeeld himselfe prisoner to their willes and affections and to make it short to let them haue what they would haue and to approoue whatsoeuer they would doe Secondly he teacheth the King that it is the holy Ghost who hath inspired him to make the edict of vnion To make the edict of vnion was to replenish his kingdome with bloud Note murther and desolation and to yeeld his authority into the handes of traiterous conspiratours of the League this is a worke of inspiration of the holy ghost by Sir Henekyn his diuinity Well sayd Sir Henekyn goe too this is good stuffe Thirdly hee blameth the King that heretofore he hath not shewed cruelty ynough agaynst them of the reformed but hath suffered them to haue the liberty of theyr religion by his edictes of peace but now he trusteth that hauing reuoked the edict of peace he would play Pyrgopolynices in Plautus Here Sir Henekyn sheweth whose sonne hee is breathing nothing Note but murther and whose scholler to wit Antichrist of Rome which is the trompeter of all mischieues in Christendome Fourthly after breach of the edict of peace Henekyn hopeth that the King will play the man and that all thinges shall goe well Here Sir Henekyn dooth suppose that all thinges shall goe well Note when the King hath throwen himselfe his Nobility his Kingdome and Subiectes into a heape of miseryes and hath opened the dore to desolation and desperation most miserable this is to haue a new heauen and earth to Sir Henekyn Fifthly he assureth the King that he shall haue power ynough to breake the forces of the Heretikes Here Sir Henekyn knowing not that there is neither counsell Note nor power against God to resist his will warranteth the King like a good diuine that he shall performe what Sir Henekyn wisheth Sixtly hee willeth the King to vse such discipline among his Souldiers as that the Priestes be not molested by them Here Sir Henekyn foreseeing what euilles the breach of the edict of peace would breede is well content that other men perish so that hee Note and his fellowes may liue in all pleasures and voluptuousnes without any molestation Sir Henekyn is a good reasonable and kindly fellow Seuenthly hee willeth the King to publish the counsell of Trente and to reforme the Priestes and to cause them to be good and vertuous The King hath resigned into the handes of the Leaguers a great part of his roiall authority Now Sir Henekyn will haue him to publish Note the counsell of Trente that is to resigne the rest of his royall authority to Fryer Sixtus I thinke that his minde is in plaine tearmes the King to become a begging Frier and to goe to Fryer Sixtus to haue a dispensation to forsake his wife and to
Chaumont and Nerake by the Duke de Mayn The next exployt done by this victorious Captaine was at Castets This is a little towne and a Castle belonging to the Lord Fabas which place the Marshall Matignon had besieged before the space of ten dayes before the Dukes comming and had made a sufficient breach The Duke de Mayne to defraude the sayd Lord Matignon of that little honour compounded secretly with the sayd Lord Fabas thus That the Lord Fabas first should haue twelue thousand Crownes for the losse of the house and of the goods which were in it and so should surrender the same Castle to the Duke de Mayne to be rased which was performed so Castets was wonne with an assault of money the Lord Matignon was defrauded and the Duke de Mayne had the glorie and if it pleaseth him he shall be called Castensis of Castets as Scipio Carthaginensis of the winning of Carthage The next place was Meylan an olde ruinous Towne wherein was Captaine Melune with a small garrison who considering the weaknes of the place gaue it ouer supposing that it was more profitable to let y e Duke de Mayne to haue that place for a while than to defend it There the Duke with all his armie tooke great paynes to beate downe old ruinous walles which no man did defend least it should be sayd that he had done nothing From the rasing of the walles of Meylan he went to Saint Bazeile a towne situated vpon the riuer of Garonne hauing like ruinous old and decayed walles and forts as the aforesaid townes had There were fewe of the religion in garrison who after hauing sustayned certayne shot of ordinance and assaults they considering that it was not a place to obstinate themselues therein compounded to their great aduantage Amorith did neuer so reioyce at the winning of Constantinople as this Duke did for Saint Bazeile By by the Lord Saisseual the Dukes Curiero was sent to the King in post with hast hast hast to aduertize him of these great conquests and to fetch money to conquer more This dispatch done he marched with this armie to Monsegne This is an old Towne decayed in Bayadoys where the exercize of the reformed religion had béen appoynted to bee had by the edict of peace so chosen not for the strength thereof but for because it was thought most commodious for the whole countrey there to assemble This towne was kept by fewe of the religion These fewe made so little account of that armie and of the Captaine thereof that after they had caused him to bestowe two thousand and some hundred shot of ordinance with certayne weekes of siege and certayne assaults which were deare vnto the enemie they yéelded themselues with conditions very honorable but pernicious to them For the Souldiers comming foorth with their armes agaynst faith and promise were slaine for the most part of them in the middest of that cowardly army part of them notwithstanding saued themselues and retyred to Chastilion where afterward they had their penyworth of the enemie for that treacherie and the death of their fellowes The towne was giuen to the spoyle but there was nothing found but the bare walles When he had done these conquests and exploytes vpon the riuer of Garonne he went to rest himselfe at Bourdeaux for the space of two moneths to wit Aprill and May and part of Iune as though he had wonne Carthage where he practised the citizns to the League and when he was wearie of his conspiring allured by the pleasantnes of the place and felicitie of the Countrey he putteth off the person of a Captaine and played the Poet in writing such riming verses as he could of his loue And while this great Captaine was thus occupied they of the religion fortified Meylan and many other townes vpon the same riuer of Garonne and made them stronger and better furnished then euer heretofore they had been so that the traffick of that riuer betweene Bourdeaux Thoulouse was stopped more straightly then euer it had been before Whereupon many who had commerce vpon that riuer being greatly decayed and some hauing broken their credit and other which were in danger to doo the like did agree with them of the religion for the opening of the traffick blessing with many bitter curses the League the Captaine and the armie which had bragged and promised much and done nothing but onely prouoked them of the religion and wasted the countrey The Duke de Mayne hauing recreated himselfe so long was vrged by the King who expected dayly to heare miracles wrought by this captaine and his armie to lead the same out of that citie to doo some exploite more moued by the earnest sute of the Lady de Mayne his wife which had a stomack to them of Chastilion at length hee determined to besiege the saide Towne Chastilion is a little town vpon Dordonne three Leagues aboue Liborne and three Leagues beneath Saint â—oy hauing Montrauell on the one side about a League and Gensak another towne on the other side so much distant of this towne the Duke was Lorde it was almost forsaken of the inhabitants Therein the King of Nauarre had placed the Baron Saliniak with a small Garison not to obstinate himselfe therein but to minister some play to that armie that weary with doing nothing at length it might be reduced to nothing Captaine Alen Coronnean with some other gentlemen and others had folowed of their owne motion the said Baron there they were in all to the number of nine hundred Souldiers About the 18. of Iune at the first approache of the enemie they issued out with such courage that their sallie cost the liues of a great number of their enemies They within the towne had made a barticado at the ende of a suburb which they defended ten daies against all that armie and all the shot of their Ordinance But at length being inforced to retire into the towne out of the which they issuing oftentimes gaue many fearefull alarums and hot skirmishes vnto the enemie with the losse of the liues of many During this siege of Chastilion the Lorde Saissiual returned from the King and brought letters of credit of thirtie thousand Crownes but no man was willing to buie so deare a piece of paper Yet the Duke gaue not them ouer so hoping that the priests would haue him in their memento at Masse and would blesse him yet with some more money but to satisfie his wiues stomack he would venture that little remuant of credit of his which rested wherefore hee caused many great rampiers of earth to bee made as though he had to besiege Ierusalem The siege continued seauen weekes in the which space the Vicount Turenne with a few notwithstanding that great armie victualed the Towne and fortified Montrauil a towne situated vpon a hil and Gensak on the other side each of them distant from Chastilian a little League On another side Captaine Beutune a man of
great valour went forth out of Saint Foy to attempt vpon that armie and in the conflict the said Beutune and the Lord Maligny a valiant young Gentleman Sonne to the Lorde Beauuoyr with two Souldiours more were slaine and the Lord Piles hurt On the side of the Leaguers were slaine three men of armes Charles of Birague and Grimaldie were taken prisoners Monardy was wounded During this long siege the plague waxed so hot within the towne that of nine hundred there remained but two hundred a liue whereof many were infected other were wounded their Chirurgions were dead medicines to heale with powder and shot fayled them there was left but two old women which serued them in steade of Chirurgions and cookes So that God disposed of those inuincible hearts that were almost destitute of force meanes of defence after the discharging of sixe thousand shot of ordinance seauen weekes of siege at length hauing lost but sixe skore persons onely by the lot of warre and among them but sixe Gentlemen onely Chastilion was surrendered by composition In the surrendring they that were whole did escape away they that were sick were sent forth The Duke to please his wiues minde would neuer consent that the inhabitantes should bee comprehended in the capitulation because they were his tenants yet at the instant request of the Vicount of Aubeterre they were promised to receaue no hurt but notwithstanding contrarie to promise most of them who were found in the towne were executed the spoyle of the towne was giuen to the Souldiours but there they found nothing but few raggs infected with pestilence The Lorde Salignak Captaine Alen and Coronnean with thirteene Gentlemen more were taken prisoners and sent to the Castells of Bourdeaux and Blaye to be safelie kept whence not long after they were deliuered by exchange for Popish Gentlemen who were prisoners at Bergerark Saint Foy and Rochel The follie câ—wardlines leaud and voluptuous life of this conquerour his traiterous intent which was that vnder colour of conducting the Kings armie sought nothing but to make himself strong against the King by seducing his people vnder colour of the Catholick religion being spied of the most part of the captains but especially by the Swissers and Colonell of the French footemen also the small gaine which they haue had for the space of a whole yeare and the little seruice which they had done to their Kings intollerable charges and the small reputation which they had gotten by seruing vnder such a Captaine caused many to disband themselues some for lack of paie refused to be any longer imployed In Aprill last while the Duke was wallowing in filth in the citie of Bourdeaux the Duke of Guize vpon aduertisement of his brother who greatly feared the Vicount Turenne which watcht for him vnder euerie hedge came to Paris to shew the King that if his brother the Duke de Mayne were not assisted it were impossible for him to withstand the forces of the hereticks in Guienne which did ioyne to the Vicount Turenne out of euerie prouince of the realme to oppresse his brother he prayed therfore his Maiestie to prouide some speedie remedie which might not be done otherwise than by diuerting their forces he shewed also how that might be done by sending diuers armies into diuers countries and so set vpon them on euerie side This policie being approued now they began to please themselues in their owne conceites whereupon the Marshall Byron was appoynted to leade an armie into Xainctonge the Marshall Ioyeuse was appointed for Languedock the Lord Ioyeuse his sonne for Auuergne the Duke of Espernon for Prouance The Lord Chastre should haue a nauy in a readines on the coast of Britayne so that at the Leagues commaundement like mad men they ran to it by land and by water The brute of these new armies being noysed abroad made the Captaynes of the Duke de Mayne his army to be lesse willing to remayne in his seruice and more willing to serue others vnder whose conduct they hoped to speed better and do seruice with more credit These new armies a preparing were as the rockes vppon the which this Sardanapalus army was cast and broken to pieces The souldiers therefore first and then the Captaynes began to slyde away after they had the spoyle of Chastilion which was iust nothing but the plague and such as continued with him were imployed yet once more as you shall heare There is a litle towne in the way to Chastilion to the City Perigueux named Puynormand in the which there is an old Castell belonging to the king of Nauarre wherein the sayd King had put a Captayne of the Catholike religion named Captayne Roux not to make warre but to kéepe the Castell as his house The inhabitantes except a few were all of the popish religion The person himselfe did neuer depart from thence knowing well that for the number of them of the Religion hee needed not to feare The inhabitantes brought dayly victuals and the artificers of the sayd towne necessary wares to the Dukes armie at the sieg of Chastilion Into the sayd Castell the Countrey had sent their goods to bee safely kept The sayd Captayne Roux had in the Castell a prisoner named Cussel who had confessed that the Lord Lansake had hyred him to kill the Marshall Matignon which Cussel during the abode of the Duke de Mayne in Bourdeaux the sayd Lord Matygnon had determined to put to death for some offences but at the request of the Duke de Mayne his life was spared and he set at liberty such a one by the meanes of the Lord Lansake the Duke had procured to murther the Marshall Matignon that he being made out of the way his faction in the city of Bourdeaux might haue surprized the same with the castels The Duke de Mayne to be reuenged of Captaine Roux for giuing notice to the sayd Matygnon of the enterprise confessed by Cussell layd the siege before the said town and castell which within few daies was rendered with these conditions that the Souldiers should goe forth safe with their liues goods that the goods of the inhabitaÌ„ts should be preserued There went foorth sixteene Souldiers and foure countrey men for the most part all catholikes the castell contrary to promise beyng ransacked was set on fire and burned The Duke de Mayne being at the siege of Puynormand sent Saisseual to the king to aduertise him of his great conquest of Chastilion but specially to haue money and within few dayes after he followed his messenger to do his message him selfe From Puynormand the rest of that armye fel to pieces and within a while became inuisible That army I say that had boasted within sixe moneths to roote out of Guyenne Oastroyn all them of the reformed religion or else to force them to a perpetuall exile without hauing any more liberty not so much as to turne their forces toward their countrey This valiant warryer had bestowed a
be shewed in his place So he made the world beleeue that he had been the onely instrument by the which that armie had receaued all the harme which they receaued And whereas the Kinges onely pollicy had vndone that army yet made he the world beléeue by his horsecorsers whom he sent to walke the said Dutch horses whom bee vsed for sowers of false rumors that not onely the king had willingly let them to escape but also had geuen them the meanes to retire some into Germany and some into Languedock and from thence to the king of Nauarre so that the pulpits of Fryers and Iesuits in Paris and other cities did sound nothing else but of these newes extolling the valour wisedome and glory of the Duke of Guyze with procuring to him much popular authority and good will and making the King hatefull among the Catholikes for glosing and dissembling with them and fauouring the heretikes to that end that when oportunity should be offered the sayd Duke of Guyze might easily bring to passe his enterprizes and the king should not be able to let him Now let vs know what became of the fragments of this armie First the promise was not obserued to them for a great number of theÌ„ were slaine robbed and spoyled in dyuers places The Duke of Lorreynes eldest sonne called Marthuis de Pont accompanyed with the forces of the League set on them in diuers places and enuaded the county of Montbeliard where hee committed horrible cruelties putting all to the sword with execrable whoredoms and abominations Many dyed in the way many dyed when they came in place of safety euen of the cheefest noble men The Lords Boillon Cleruaut and Vau with many other noble men retyred to Geneua where after so many labours and greeues they dyed in the Lord. The like happened to the Swissers whose Colonels and Captayns who were the authors of the first parley and capitulation with the king were punished by their seignories so that few either of the Germans or Swissers returned home or escaped vnpunished It is said before how that France in this yeare was groaning vnder the burthen of seuen great armies besides many particular assemblies wherof it is said how Ioyeuse and his armie was made sure at Coutras and their reduced carkasses were left in perpetuall infamy not for their death but for the causes of it The Germans haue made shipwracke vppon the Rockes of Lancy in Mosconoys the eight of December and after The kinges armie was broken against the banke of Loyre and from thence scattered euery man home The Leaguers are excluded out of Daulphine where the Catholikes and they of the reformed religion after much bloodshed at length agreed to liue like good fellow cityzens vnder the lawful gouernment of theyr king and so the yeare is ended and Christ raigneth for euermore The end of the fourth Booke THE FIFT BOOKE THis yeare is notable not so much by reason that it was holden by the Mathematicians to bee fatall to the world as by reason of the great and tragicall euents which happened to many great and Noble personages For this yeare dyed the Duke of Boillon and other Nobles at Geneua The Prince of Conde at Saint Ihan d'Angelye The Duke of Guyze and some of his partakers The inuincible armado of Spaine intending to haue inuaded England was beaten both by God and man And last of al the famous enterprize atchieued by the French King Henry the third with the famous victories of the Church of God in the principality of Boillon against the conspirators and enemies of mankind of the League It is said before how after the capitulation of the King with the army of Germanes at Lancy in Masconoys the Duke of Boillon the Lordes Cleruaut Vau and others retired to Geneua where these three especially dyed Not long after their aryuing there the Prince of Boillon fell sick the 27. of December feeling in himselfe his end to be at hand that he had to passe to a most blessed life carefull for the state of the Church of God gathered in his Soueraigne principalitie of Boillon disposed of his affayres as followeth He made his soule heire generally of all his goods holden as well in Soueraigntie as otherwise the Lady Charlote de la mark his sister vpon condition y t she shal neither alter nor innouate any thing in the state nor in ReligioÌ„ the which there she shal maintaine as it is established Also that she shall not marrie without the aduise of the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and the Prince Monpensier her Uncle vpon paine of forfeiting the right of those Soueraignties from the which in case she should otherwise doe he vtterly excludeth her And in case the said Lady of Boillon should decease without heires the Prince of Monpensier her Uncle is substitute as next to inherit and after him the Prince Dombees his sonne conditionally that they shal change nothing in the state nor Religion vpon paine of the like forfeiture And in case the said princes should make there any innouation he doth substitute the King of Nauarre and in like case the Prince of Conde in case the first should fayle in the performance of the premises The said Lord Boillon made executor of his Testament and the Lord la Noue the which done the first of Ianuarie he was deliuered out of this mortall liâ—e to enter into the full enioying of the societie of God being the day of his natiuitie and the 25. of his age This was a Prince of great auncient and famous nobilitie issued by the father side out of the stock of that renowmed Argonante Godfrey of Boillon who was crowned King of Ierusalem a noble and vertuous man his Mother was one of the most vertuous women of our age daughter vnto the Prince Monpensier and sister vnto this Prince now at this yeare liuing her vertue godlines and constancie in the confession of the true doctrine shall be in an euerlasting remembrance For shee being very oftentimes requested by her Father a great deuout Catholick to forsake the Gospell and to returne to poperie at length she agreed vnto him with this condition that if the popish Doctors could bring better proofes for their religion then the ministers of the reformed would for hers shee would fulfill his will Whereupon a disputation being obteyned at the hands of King Charles the ninth and the matter being reasoned betweene two Doctors of Sorbonne and two Ministers of the Gospell for many dayes in her presence her owne husband sitting as moderator it fel out that in stead of that which her Father looked that she should haue been conuerted to popery she was confirmed in the trueth by whose singular wisdome and speciall care afterward the Churches of the Soueraigntie of Boillon were reformed This Principalitie of Boillon is a small countrey holden in soueraigntie yet commonly vnder the protection of the Crowne of France between the riuers Mose and Moselle a
part of the auncient Nation called Eburones hauing on the East side Lorreyne and Ardenues on the West Henault on the North Liege on the South Baroys and Champaigne it hath two strong places Sedan and Iamets and many other strong holdes and Castels the Countrey is Woody Moorish and strong lying altogether vpon the banck of the riuer Mense This Countrey since it had imbraced the Gospell and become the Garden of Eden hath been the place of refuge for them of the reformed religion of the Nations which doo lie betweene the riuers of Marne Seyne Mosselle and Saosne a place most fit to retire vnto in time of persecution There were two bretheren the Duke of Boillon and the Countie de la Mark two Noble young men of great vertue valour and godlines who had from their cradle as if it were sucked the true religion and vertue with the milke of their vertuous and godly Mother They ventured all that they had liues goods and state for the defence of the Crowne of France and true religion and opposed themselues against the conspiracies of the Leaguers not as Merceuaries but moued with a true zeale and loue toward both These two noble men were called out of this life vnto that which neuer decayeth and to inioy the inheritance of the Saincts in light whose names shall be in the euerlasting remembrance of the righteous The one to wit the Countie de la Mark dyed at Lancye about the beginning of October as is said before but the eldest to wit the Prince BoilloÌ„ at Geneua the first of Ianuarie as is said It is said before how the Duke of Guize set vpon the Rutters at Vimory where many were slaine and taken on both sides and the Duke of Guize tooke also about three hundred wagon horses and in like manner tooke some more in the surprise which he did enterprise vpon them at Aulneau in Beausse This man being possessed with a legion of vncleane spirits named Ambition this vncleane spirit did so torment him that it made him to thinke an houre a day a day a yeare and a yeare an olde mans age so he longed to see the royall familie rooted out and the crowne of France to fall to his lot hee aduised therefore himselfe of this point of policie to make his name ring ouer all France his victories sung out and to store vp the loue and admiration of the people toward him and to procure hatred and enâ—ie to the King He deuyded these horses and armour which hee had taken from the Rutters at Vimory and Aulneau into sundrie companies of horsecorsers and riders transported with affection and factious malcontents and vnquiet to make a progresse through the realme into those Prouinces whereunto they durst venture and into those Townes and Cities specially which were fauorable to him There these horsecorsers carried as if it were in a triumph through the cities the Germaines spoyles horses weapons and all other aray And when the people were flocked together in great troupes to see these new showes there were the Orators ready among them The number of the dead horses and Ensignes taken were increased by the figure of multiplication one killed a hundred and a hundred ten thousand as Pyrgopolinices in Plautus the manner of the fight was made very difficult and dangerous for the conquerours They shewed also how not one of the Guizes Souldiers were found wanting to be short vanitas vanitatis Then they applied their showes how that the Duke of Guize had atchiued himselfe all the difficulties of the warre and either slaine or taken the chosen and valiant Captaines and Soulâ—iers thereof and if hee had been assisted by the King he would haue gotten such a victory as neuer the like had been heard of in France For hee knew the meanes how to haue made such a slaughter of them as not one had been left to tell the newes in Germanie all the realme might haue inioyed the commodities of such a victorie But the King he retyred beyond Loyre as though he had beene vnwilling or afeard of them for he would or durst neuer shew his face or draw his sword against them and for to shew some outward countenance or for shame when the enemie were alreadie vanquished and that the Duke of Guize had left the small remnant who were but pages and scullions so hurt wearie and sick that they could not flie trusting that they would haue been dispatched by the King they were followed so slackly that not onely he gaue them leasure to escape without running but also helped them to ouercome so many distresses wherunto they were driueÌ„ by the said Duke of Guyze also vnder colour of a counterfeit yeelding and submission he granted vnto them their liues horses and furniture and to some of them their goods and by these meanes they came all to their iourneys end and safely arryued to the King of Nauarre Now the conclusion of these infamous reports was left to euery man to inferre that eyther there was not in the King such princelike vertues as should be in him or else that hee was a fauourer of heretikes and a dissembler with the Catholikes Then what should wee doe with such a King Let vs haue another And whome should we haue but him that hath done such exployts and deliuered France from so manie daungers and terrors By these deuises hatred and contempt was no lesse procured against the King as gloria in excelsis prayse loue fauour and authoritie to the Duke of Guyze The Iesuites and Friers on the other side tooke these lyings and slaunderous reportes for a theme to discourse vpon in the pulpits he that was of a timorous minde cryed that the King was a betrayer of the Catholikes he was become either a close and desembling heretike or a fauourer of heretikes and that it was to be feared ere long hee would forsake the catholicisme and ouerthrow the Catholike Religion in France Others which had a more warlike stomack discoursed vpon the other common place that the K. had a timorous mind durst not look few Pages and Scullions halfe vanquished in the face and that was the cause that many attempts vpon the heretikes had come to small effect because the warres were not pursued by men neither of courage nor wisedome But the Duke of Guize that noble branch of Charlemaigne the deliuerer of France the onely protector of the holy Church was the onely man to whome they owe their religion their liues and goods the onely hope of the Realme Thus the frogges that rose vp out of the bottomelesse pit did dayly in their pulpits crie croake croake croake There was great hope that the sundry lamentable euents which did beate the one and the other part in France by the scourge of warre and execution of armours as well in the losse of the battell at Coutras in the death of notable men as in the oppression and hauock which the armies did cary with them would haue
the premises are according to trueth and for the certitude of the same wee haue sealed this report with our hands andseales at S. Ihan d' Angely the 6. day of March 1588. Medicis Bontemps Pallet Poget Mesnard Chotard About the same time the King of Nauarre came out of Gascoyne who being aduertized of his death commaunded that such as were suspected of that villanous fact should be pursued Whereupon a page suspected saued himselfe by flight many more were apprehended The processe was made vnto many with all the solemnities requisite thereunto whereof within a while after the condemnation of one Brillaut ensued the page also was condemned vpon centumacie executed in Picture Brillaut was drawne vpon a hurdle through all the streates of S. Jhan and in the chiefest place of the sayd towne was torne in peeces with foure horses Now we see how the Leaguers when they haue not been able to destroy the Princes by valour haue vsed treacherous procéedings For first hauing treacherously shortned the life of the Duke of Alençon by poyson as it is saide in the first booke and seduced the Cardinall of Bourbon making him dreame of a kingdome in his old doting age and to oppose himselfe to two Kings to wit the King and the King of Nauarre and to all the house of Bourbons out of which God had made him that honour as to haue issued one of the chiefest as is sayd in the second booke They also haue condemned the King of Nauarre to dye by their Italian figges and there uppon proclaymed his death which they had promised to themselues both in Lorreyne and in the Court and in Townes and Cities of their fauourers but God hath disappoynted them of their murtherous purpose At length by the long suffering of God to plague France they haue preuayled agaynst that good godly vertuous famous Prince of Conde and that vpon such a day as hath béen fatall to the house of Guize to work mischief murther and rebellion The death of this noble Prince amazed all men in Xainctonge knowing that God had some heauie iudgements to execute vppon France and that GOD had taken that noble Prince least he should see euill dayes as the Prophet Esay saith It is sayd before how the Lord Lauerdine who was master of the Campe saued himselfe by flight out of the slaughter of Coutras betooke himselfe to the towne of Niort to the Lord Malicorne his vncle where hée soiourned as his Lieutenant Here Christian Reader wee haue to obserue that although the King and the Leaguers hated in wardly one another and in outward appearance did deepely dissemble their affections yet wee doo see that as Herode and Pilate did excercise priuie hatred betweene them and at length in persecuting Christ did well agree as friends so in men of like degrées and in like actions the like affections are boyling in their hearts For the rumour of the death of the King of Nauarre and Prince of Conde which the Leaguers hauing set some secret price vppon their heads had promised vnto themselues did cause the King and the Leaguers in outward apparance to be great friends and to promise vnto themselues an vtter rooting out of them of the religion and a sure subduing of all things beyond the riuer of Loyre With speede therefore they sent eight or nine regiments conducted by the Lord Courbe to the Lord Lauerdine Lieutenant of his vncle the Lord Malicorne at Niort in Poytow who with al the forces which he could gather both in the lowe and high Poytow the 16. day of March about two a clocke after midnight descended into Marans by boates through the marishes of Beauregard and with fiue hundred footmen seazed vppon the house and farme of the sayd Beauregard hauing found no resistance but onely of two of the inhabitants of Marans with a little boate who were gone to discouer the Iland Cicoigne these two discharging their peeces vpon the enemies retyred to the trenches of Beauregard there they found but fiue or sixe Souldiers as well of the inhabitants as others who also discharged certaine shot vpon the enemie who notwithstanding aduanced and came to land The cause why the Lord Lauerdine subdued these Ilands so easily was first the certayne newes of the death of the Prince of Conde and the rumours bruted abroade touching the supposed death of the King of Nauarre which thing caused great amaze and discouraging among all men Secondly the ill order and prouidence of the gouernour for if he his troups and inhabitants had done their duetie Lauerdine had not entered that Iland at that price or els had been chased out to his dishonour and losse The Lord Iarry had béen aduertized three dayes before of the enterprize of Lauerdine and might haue put into the Ilands forces sufficient to resist the enemie for the companies of the Lord Trimouille conducted by the Lord Boysduly returning from Cotaudiere were very nigh him to wit at S. Radagond Champaigne and Puyreneau who desired nothing more then to enter into Marans But the gouernour and the inhabitants fearing the preace of Souldiers which was excessiue indeede would not admit them but sent to Rochel the Captaine Plaute Lieutenant of the Gouernour to request them of Rochel to send them about fiftie Souldiers whom they would entertayne vntill they might see what the enemie would doo which thing they of Rochel could not doo for that time Notwithstanding this refuse and that the gouernour was well aduertized that he had not sufficient forces to let y e enemie to take land yet the companies of the Lord Boysduly passing through the Brault were sent further as farre as Esuand through foule wayes ouerthwart the Marshes whereas they should haue been stayed to be vsed as the necessitie had required They sent notwithstanding the same day at euening to the said Boysduly but arriuing not before ten or eleuen a clock in the night was the cause that succour could not come in time although that the diligence of the sayd Boysduly and his companies was wonderfull for without any leasure to lodge and without any respect of the indignitie proffered him and his troupes the day before they departed presently and repayred to the fort Brune one houre and a halâ—e before the enemie tooke lande at Beauregard But whilest the gouernour and the inhabitants made some difficultie to let in all his troupes being not willing to receaue aboue 50. or 60. the enemie on the other side entred at Beauregard as is sayd so that the entrie into Brune was not opened to the sayd Boysduly nor his troups afore that the enemy had already gotten the farme house of Beauregarde There had beene meanes to driue back the enemie if speedely the troups who were entred at Brune about three a clock after midnight had gone to meete the enemie as some did giue their aduise to doe For the L. Lauerdine was not yet well accompanyed and it had beene an easie thing to cut the way to the
forces which repayred into the Iland out of euery side Hee had also meanes to make fortes and trenches in diuers entringes of the Iland to stop the succour which might come to them within the Castell and in the meane time pressed them hard The King of Nauarre on the other side receaued some forces as well them which had followed him out of Gascoyne as other who repayred vnto him out of Poytow and Xainctonge All these companyes together were fayre and disposed to do well although the forces of the enemy were no lesser notwithstanding he determined to enter into the Iland But hee found in the place which he thought to be most easie which before hee had viewed himselfe that the enemy had so entrenched himselfe there that it was impossible to force them without great losse of men considering y t the most part of the way to come to the sayd trenches the Souldiers should haue waded in the water to the wast the horses to the saddle The enemy also had set some Peeces vppon the bancke of the marsh by the which they might greatly haue endamaged them that would haue gone about to passe they had broken also some bridges to make the entring difficult All these discommodityes considered the King of Nauarre chose rather to saue his men to a better opportunity theÌ„ so dangerously to hazard them without any helpe to them that were within the Castell who might saue themselues some other way so he tooke his forces from Clousy and gaue it ouer Hee kept onely the fort of Brault the passage into the low Poytow which notwithstanding two or three dayes after came in the power of the enemie The enemy waxed stronger and stronger dayly because the castell refused parley and harkened to nothing but to defend themselues seeing no Ordinance At length the Lord Lauerdine had three Pieces brought from Niort which he set against the castell the 24. of March The first battery was agaynst a rownd tower which maketh one of the corners of the Castell toward the towne and with shot did so enlarge a window which was garnished with a Lattice of Iron that he enforced the Rochellers to forsake it they shot also agaynst the tower of the gate and in other places here and there without hurting any man although that place be very ill for the shot of Ordinance They which commaunded in the Castell and many Souldyers lacked no courage although they wanted many thinges necessary to assist themselues in defence of a naughty place but as the affections are diuers specially in a company confused as that was within the Castell so one gaue counsell one way another another way at length they came to that issue that they would surrender the place but vpon such tearms and conditions as should not be dishonorable vnto them The reasons of this resolution were that they had promised and so sent word to Rochel that they might hold eight dayes and no longer without succour The tearme was expired they had no more bread but for two dayes and yet was not there ynough for all Many of their horses were dead for hunger which did infect them with the stinke there happened also that some horses for lacke of fodder had eaten the tayles one of an other euen to the bones They had no saluâ—s to dresse them which were wounded they had no tooles to fortify them selues hauing among them all but one shouell and a maâ—tock The dungeon beeing very little the fall of the walles did quell them and that which was woorst of all they heard no newes of the King of Nauarre but onely what Lauerdine told them who made them beleeue that he was still in Gascoyne and although they beleeued not the wordes of the enemy yet did they see nothing to perswade them to the contrary The enemy on the other side fearing to be forced by the king of Nauarre offered them honest and good suretyes for the performance of the offers so that they did choose rather to take him in that mood seeing that they must yeeld then to expect greater extremity which might â—ender the conditions harder hauing done already that which good souldiers men of war might do therefore they yeelded vp the castell vpon these conditions That there should goe forth all gentlemen Souldiers and inhabitantes with their armor horses and stuffe and should be safely conducted whither they would which was faithfully kept by the Lord Lauerdine in the taile notwithstanding some souldiers were spoiled of their good but few The Iland of Marans being so reduced into the hand of the Leaguers the Lord Cluseaulx otherwise called Blanchard obtayned the gouernment of that place which he kept about two moneths About the same time that these things did so passe in the Iles of Maran to wit the 25. of March not farre from thence to wit in Britayne vppon the North side of Loyre as at Naunts and other places thereabouts happened an earthquake as a presage of such commotions as haue happened do continue there still which was testifyed by Lewis Viuant doctor of Phisike in the vniuersity of Naunts to Duke Mercure gouernour of Britayne as followeth These are to let your Lordship vnderstaÌ„d y t on Fryday being the 25. of March about 11. a clocke in the morning the weather being calme the wind at Southwest at the time of the celebration of the high Masse was heard throughout all the citty a great noyse roaring and groonting with a great shaking and quaking of the earth for that small time that it did continue so that the people which were in Churches with great multitudes were afâ—ard of that sudden noyse except some which thought it to haue béen carte loaden drawen through the streets Other doubted it had béen the Myne of the gate Sauuetour that had kindled they which were in houses thought that the fire had suddenly caught the Chymnies hearing such noyse as when a Chimney is fyred This noyse and earthquake not onely was in the Citty and Suburbs but also at Nozay Eucenis Oudon Mauues Calquefou S. Erbline S. Stephen Bâ—oys la Hay the low Goulene and high Goulene chiefely where the Countrey people were so amazed in those quarters that they forsooke both the Masse and the Priestes that saide it the riuer also was seene bubling at the same time This token dooth presage many calamities and a wonderfull alteration in this estate this earthquake doth admonish vs to search the right knowledge of our offences as also of late we haue been warned by fiery men which haue been seene by the watermen about Tours and Saumur to fight in the ayre Thus farre Doctor Viuaut to Duke Merceur It is saide before how the Duke of Lorreyne both besieged Iamets and also asked the Duchesse of Boillon in marriage for his Sonne the Lorde Vaudimount the Duke of Guize did the like for his This Noble Princesse abhorred their aliaunce partly for their false religion or rather atheisme which was
of Guyze sent his horse coursers and riders with his Oratours to bring in triumph and to shew the horses armor and spoyle of the Rutters taken from them at Vimorye and Aulneaâ— by Montargis and Chartres not onely with amplifications of his victoryes and great valiantnes but also with deprauing and debasing the Kinges dooings with calumnies lies false reportes and slanders into such Prouinces and Citties where these sycophants did venture to goe for such were the graces and ornaments of their rhetorike wherewith these Oratours did beautify their demonstratiue orations It is sayd also how the King of Nauarre after the prosperous iourney at Coutras sent Ambassadors to the King to search the meanes of peace offered him his and the Germans forces to be reuenged of the Leaguers his secret enemies Also how by what pollicy the good hope of this Ambassage was preuented and made of none effect by the Leaguers seeking to nourish dissention and warre in the Realme Furthermore it is sayd how after the dissipation of the Germans the King retyring to Paris and hearing of the proceeding of the Duke of Guzye against his person and honour and what great discredit he had procured him among his subiects too late hee saw his error in hauing reiected the proffers of the King of Nauarre and neglected opportunity of reuengement which he doth purpose to dilay and referre it to another time supposing this to bee his best course first to repayre the fault committed For seeing the communalty addicted altogether and affectionated to the Duke of Guyze hee determined to doo some thing plausible to the Commons to recouer their good wils and affections In the twelfth Chapter of the Actes there it is shewed how a King killed Iames seeing that it pleased well the people to get their loue to the vttermost tooke Peter also intending to kill him like wise so this King with dutiful reuerence of the soueraigne power be it spoken in comparing the counsels and actions not the persons determined to recouer the loue of his subiects by the slaughter of the King of Nauarre Nobility and people which follow the example of Peter and imbrace the same forme of doctrine which he hath deliuered Hee concludeth therefore to make warre agaynst them of the reformed religion The King therefore passing the latter end of Winter in the meditating of these enterprizes in repairing and renuing his forces an expedition was published abroad agaynst them of the reformed religion whereunto the K. in his owne person would go the next Sommer The Iesuits fearing least the colde of the Winter and the sweetnes of the spring next following would both coole and quallify that heat and bitternes which did so boyle in the Kings minde importunatly by their outcryes and tumultuous Sermons did presse him forward their Pulpites ringing of nothing else but fire fire burne burne kill kill the heretikes to sharpen and flesh him to goe about his businesse more eagerly They daily assured him and shewed him certayne argumentes of Gods wrath against the heretikes as they tearmed them promised him an assured victory and blessed issue descanting specially vpon the fatall yeare 1588. so much spoken of by the Astronomers Yet for all these hellish Frogges crying croak croake the King made no great hast to his voiage in Poytow either doubting of some new rebellion of the Leaguers or else mistrusting the euents But whilest the thinges abouesayd do so passe in the Soueraignty of Sedan the king hauing opportunity geuen him by the death of the Prince of Conde and the good successe of Lauardine in subduing so speedily the Iles of Marans which he thought to be a good beginning to bring vnder his obedience the rest of Poytow and Xainctonge and at length to force Rochel began earnestly to resolue himselfe vppon his expedition of Guyenne and thought good to vse some speede and celerity in inuading Poytow and Xainctonge as the neerest of them which did embrace the Gospell Therefore he prepareth all things and deuyseth all the means possible to destroy the King of Nauarre to take the I le of Rhe to Blocke in Rochel to get the towns of Talmond Ganach and Fontenay and gyrdeth about his loynes to goe in his owne person to that voyage there to fill the measure of his prayses and victories hoping thereby to winne agayne the harts of his lost subiectes On the other side the master of the league perceiuing himselfe to haue crept deepely into the hearts of the people and to haue dislodged the K. from thence forgetteth the heretikes and the defence of the holy Church which he had heretofore pretended and beginneth to discouer the haâ—red against the King which had lyen hidden in his brest a long time cryeth out that the warres so often times mooued against the king of Nauarre had vanished away without profit the onely fault is the kings intelligences with the heretikes but the supporter of the king of Nauarre being once dispatched with lesse labour shall he be ouerthrowne hee dreameth that Germanie and England are so angry with the king of Nauarre for the dissipation of the Germane armie that he can hope for no more ayde nor succour from thence As for the K. he is weary of warre his good Souldiers are spent worne out the residue weary of the tediousnes of this war or else for want and neede doe onely desire quietnes and peace Hee doth enholden and incourage himself vpon the fauours which he had at the court of the chiefest about the kings person concludeth that the king may easily be oppressed and the king of Nauarre cannot defend himâ—elfe long and in the meane time he determined to try what miracles the slubbersawce figges of Italy can doe as is afore sayd Of all the armies which were prepared the yeare before against the K. of Nauarre remayned none but onely the Leaguers companyes such as were together were occupied at the siege of Iamets and in wasting the teritory of Sedan who in token that there they had been they left their accursed carkasses for gage for the most part The masters of the League hauing receiued the foyle before Iamets and at Douzie in the principalitie of Boillon as is afore said considering that their counsells succeeded not their forces were greatly diminished and that they had opened diuers wayes at diuers times but nowe specially their intents too euidently and considering also that a small hole in such a dangerons conspiracie would in a little space turne to a great breach which bloweth abroad the counsels weakneth the authority mollifieth the courages tooke aduise to remedie speedily those daungers which might ensue thereof for their goods their honours and liues stoode thereon They knew also that their counsells and treasons had peareed in-into the kings closet who might dissemble but neuer forget it First therefore in hasting the execution of their conspiracy necessitie compelled them to put feare aside and respect of all authoritie vnder foote Secondly
that in such extremiâ—ie none but a violent remedy would serue Thirdly that the execution could not much increase the punishment of such a dangerous conspiracie Last of all Fortune would helpe their valiaunt courages and that high enterprizes could not be brought to passe but by diligent exploytes These are the reasons which made them haste the execution of their enterprize The meanes to exempt their purpose was to seaze vpon Paris the cheâ—fest towne in the realme and there with the helpe of their partakers to kill or take the King therein and by the selfe same meanes to destroy the Pinces of the blood as many as should come within their reach and all other the Kings faithfull seruants and officers of the Crowne with all others as should oppose themselues to their purpose As for the prince of Conde they had dispatched him out of the way by their paltry pills The Cardinall of Bourbon was the Tree vnder whose shadowe they did worke all their conspiracies The King of Nauarre they made no account of assuring themselues of his life by one meane or other To bring this proiect to a perfect wished and blessed end they needed two things to streng then themselues and to weaken the King Their forces were diminished greatly by reason of the Bastinados which they receiued at a maidens handes at Iamets and Douzie in the teritory of Boillon yet was it easie with a short warning to repaire them sufficiently Therefore the Duke of Guyze sent into those countries and Prouinces which fauoured him to warue his partakers to bee in Paris with horse armour and furniture at the beginning of May and there to attend vpoÌ„ his Mastership for he had a mistical may-game to play wherin he had neede of their seruice For the weakning of the king they vsed this Dilemma we will so work that the king will send his fores into Picardy whereby he will weaken the safety of his owne person and so shall he be easier to be surprized or hee will not send If he send and recall them to Paris to preuent the danger which we will prepare him then will it be a good occasion to the factious citizens to pick a quarrell and to make an vprore against him and so by open violence of many against few he may easily well be dispatched If the King send not his forces from about him into Picardie it may be wrested out of his hand and in course of time the next Prouinces will followe and yet will wee so prouide that in Paris he shall be able scarse to defend himselfe Now let vs consider how they executed euery part of this dilemma The Duke d' Aumale with all theresidue of the forces which suruiued their companions at Iamets and Douzie with other complices of y e Guize who were in the countrey of Pycardie were sent into the sayd countrey of Picardie to make warre not against the Hugonets for there were men to oppose themselues agaynst the Leaguers but agaynst the hereticks of the Romish Church who will remayne faithfull to their King they therefore most furiously did warre against the Kings Cities Townes Forts all was reduced from the Kings obedience saue Calis and Boloigne which was besieged greatly distressed They in Boloigne were worse hereticks then Rochel although they did worship our Ladie with all the Saints and the Saints of heauen and some diuels also among them with greater deuotion then euer they did worship God The like did he in Normandy and in all those countreys the Catholikes without changing of their olde superstition were on a sudden become heretickes the King by many degrées worse then an hereticke The King of Nauarre had béen of good religion if he would haue cast his lot among them and haue had a common purse with them and gone with them to shed innocent bloud About the beginuing of May by the secret aduertisements of the Duke of Guize there repayred into the Citie of Paris out of diuers parts of the Realme Gentlemen and of all qualities beside men light headed rash malcontents and desirous of nouelties aboue 15. thousand Besides this great number of strangers in Paris most part of the citizens and an infinite multitude of sottish and rash people desirous of nouelties who had most villanously conspired the kings destruction and to that intent secretly had giuen the hand of association and oath of obedience to Guize great master of the League in France This accursed multitude was greatly incouraged by the straungers who altogether would haue made a mightie armie and had béen able to match with the Turke both in number and qualities All these were swimming in that citie as in a large and wide sea being not perceaued nor knowne but by their partakers On the other side the King liued in securitie voyde of any suspition of treachery of the people of Paris who made his right hand of theÌ„ as whom he had alwaies cherished loued as himself and more regarded in a manner then all the rest of his kingdome But as counsells which doo drawe after such haughtie euents cannot long bee kept close but doo take winde so the déepe prouidence of the masters of the League could not take so good order being not able to execute any thing alone but distrust began to rise in the hearts of many men who were faithfull to the King so that after diuers mutterings sundrie aduertisements were giuen to the King that there was some great matter in hand against his person and estate And although they could not tell him expressedly that which happened afterward yet experienced of long time in the anatomie of the hearts and counsels of them of Guize began to mistrust the matter determined to remedie it by all gracious waies grounded vpon reason The King in the latter end of Aprill hearing of the commotions of the Duke Aumale in Picardie and Normandy sendeth the Duke Espernon into Normandy with part of his forces and some part into Picardie there to defend his authoritie The Duke of Guize hearing how he was expected in Paris both by the mutinous citizens and straungers who vpon aduertisements giuen them had flocked thether out of diuers parts of the Realme and vnderstanding that the King had sent his forces into Picardie and Normandy resolued himselfe to goe to Paris with a small companie for to auoyd suspition yet assured to finde there as in a little world a number of partakers prouided of all necessarie things and in readines sufficient to surprise a great King The King informed of this deliberation of Guize to come to Paris and desirous as is sayd before to preuent all their attempts by gracious waies about the eight day of May sent the Lord Belieure to the said Duke whom he met at Soyssons to informe him of his will that his comming to Paris would not bee agreeable to his Maiestie willing him in the Kings name for that time not to come to Paris and beside
the king commaunded the sayd Belieure that in case the sayd Duke would néedes continue his purpose of comming thether plaine termes he should tell him that it was against his Maiesties will and that in so doing he held him as a Traytour and author of all the troubles and diuisions of the Realme and therefore iustly to deserue his displeasure The Lord Belieure gaue notice of all the Kings will and intent vnto the sayd Duke as he was charged to doo The Duke subtilly gaue him a doubtfull answere not declaring whether he would goe or not but as the water being stopped waxeth stronger and more violent so the prohibiting of him encreased his heate and ambition by nature impatient and made him thinke that the delay was an irreuocable losse So that at one instant after the departing of Belieure out of Soyssons the Guize tooke horse and his way to Paris and followed the sayd Lord Belieure so nigh that the one arriued the Monday about nine a clocke and the Duke likewise arriued at Paris the same day about twelue a clock accompanied with eight gentlemen hauing in all not aboue fifteene or sixteene horses that could be seene and being there arriued he lighâ—ed at the lodging of the Q Mother at the penitent Sisters the 9. of May. The King being aduertised of the Dukes comming to Paris tooke great discontentation therof conceaued a great displeasure against the said Belieure as though he had not faithfully deliuered his commandement and in the same tearmes as he was charged to the Duke of Guize This solitarie comming of the Duke of Guize encreased the suspitions and mistrust making euery man that knewe him and his pompe thinke that such extraordinarie comming had some mysterie which ere it were long should be reuealed For if it had been simple and without fraude a cooling of the partakers had ensued as commonly they who doo obey doo frame their actions according to the manners of them which doo command so that such a tumult had not insued it as did A little while after the arriuing of the Duke of Guize the Q. Mother caused her selfe to bee carried to the Loure to speake with the King The Guize with a small companie to see too followed the Q. Mother on foote and it is to be noted that by the way the Lord of Guize going through the streates of Paris with the Q. Mother the people flocked in great companies to bid him welcome and among others a gentlewoman standing vppon a bulke plucking her maske downe saluted him with these words Good Prince seeing thou art come we be safe The Q. Mother and the Guize arriued at the Loure together entered into the kings chamber who then sat nigh his bed and did not stirre out of his place for the comming of the sayd Duke who saluted the King with a fayre and humble countenance making a courtesie almost his knee to the ground Fewe would haue iudged by this interuiew that there had been so dangerous vlcers in their hearts the King greatly displeased at his comming shewed neither to his mother nor to the saide Duke any other welcome but asked him thus Cosin wherefore are you come He answered that it was to purge himselfe of the calumnies and slaunders that hee was charged of as though he were guiltie of the crime of treason In making this answer he seemed very much moued and pale as though he had feared that the King euen then would take punishment of that contempt wherewith he had despised his commaundement The King relyed that he had sent him an expresse commaundement that he should not come for that time The Duke made answer that it was not told him in such sort as that hee had occasion to feare that his comming should bee so disagreeable to him The King then turning his speach to the Lord Belieure asked him whether he had not commaunded him to make him vnderstand his intention When Belieure would haue recounted in what sort hee performed his message the Duke of Guize interrupted him and said to the King speaking by Belieure that he had tolde him more Vpon this the Q. Mother beginning to talke with the King a side the Duke of Guize drew nere to the Queene raging and talked together with her during the parley of the Q Mother with the King The Guize a little after went away being neither accompanied nor followed by any of the Kings seruants The King being aduertized a new how Paris was full of armed men replenished with faction and madnes and that there had resorted and howerly did resort a number of strangers of all qualities and that the Duke of Guize was the adamant stone which did draw the yrâ—n of that commotion began to double his mistrust thought it was high time to take order to assure his affayres and prouide both for the safety of his person and the state of the Citie And first to assure his forces about his person sent for two thousand and fiue hundred Suissers which were in Picardy for the companies of his guardes and some regiments which were extraordinarily ordayned by him for two companies of Suissâ—rs to fortifie his gardes and three companies of Frenchmen The tenth day he commaunded the Escheuins that is the Aldermen and chiefest men of the Citie to make search through the Citie in all houses of all such men as were to be found without any lawfull busines they dissembled the matter as though they had good liking thereof He caused also notice thereof to be giuen to the Duke of Guize who had no great liking of it but tooke it for a token which hasted him to doo his feate this order was taken but not executed vntill the morrow after The same day the Master of the League that is the Duke of Guize came to Loure accompanied with thirtie or fortie horses and accompanied the King in his walking to the artilleries and there conferred together verie friendly about the warre of Guienne against the King of Nauarre The 11. day the search being a making through the Citie by the chiefest of the Magistrates and certaine Knights of the order of the Holy Ghost commonly called the Kings order to countenance the matter gaue great occasion of mistrust whereupon the King caused the search to cease The 12. day very early the Suissers and the French companies being 12. Ensignes of footemen entred into Paris through the gate Saint Honore the King and his nobles being there on horseback to receaue them At the arriuing of them the Parisians gaue themselues the alarum and faigned great feare as though the great Turke had entred the Citie with an hundred thousand men euery man ran into his house shut vp their doores and windowes many cried that they were lost vndone and would be all murthered It had been an easie thing for the King if he had had an euill intent against them as afterward they made themselues beleeue to haue let the attempt which they
did that same day in raising and trenching themselues against their King But the King was accustomed to vse patiencie and long delayes euen in the middest of mistrust The Kings forces being entred the Citie were by his commandement vnder the conduct of the Lord Byron distributed into diuers plares of the Citie not to enterprise or to offend any man but there to holde fast least that any mutinie should rise in the Citie as all things seemed apparantly to bée disposed by the comming of the Duke of Guize Part of those forces were appoynted to be about the King to fortifie his gardes and another part was placed at Saint Ihan de Greue before the common house of the Citie vnder the conduct of Marshall Haumont the Prouost of Marchants and other of the chiefest of the Citie who knew the Kings intent Likewise part of the saide forces were set vpon the little bridge vnder the commaundement of the Lorde Tinteuille There were also also some of them placed at the new market vnder the conduct of the Lorde Dampieore some were also at Saint Innocent and many other places This diuision of the Kings forces was well made for that end to the which it was done but it was not vniuersall nor in some speciall places where the necessitie did specially require For in the place Maubert was no body placed And that place was of such importance that being seazed vpon it might be the meanes to recouer all the others but yet if it had béene prouided with one hundred Pikes and thirtie Harquebusiers they had béen sufficient to let them for a time who would stirre The Lord Byron was warned of it and himselfe was not ignorant of it but for lack of men hée prouided not to it beside that these words were not looked to The Duke of Guize considering that his treacherous intents were already too manifest kéepeth his bedd that morning to dissemble the matter more kindely and supposing that all this preparation was for him whilest the King should make his processe he thought to preuent the worst therefore by secret messengers he sent to his partakers to flock together to seaze vpon as many places as they could to strengthen and to Barricado themselues afore the watch woord be giuen and that he may sweare that it was not his doing he was a sléepe still About eight a clock in the morning behold the Escheuins whether they were terrified by threatnings or accessaries to the rebellion in a moment of one side they began to vanish away and to descend from the vniuersity on the other side the people flocking together seazed vppon the place Maubert Barricados were planted within ten paces of the Suissers who might easily haue let it and immediatly they began euery where to trench themselues with Barricados from thirtie to thirtie paces the chayne 's also immediatly were drawne their Barricados were well flanked and well furnished with men to defend them so that it was no more time to goe through Paris any where without watch word passeport or particular billes from the Captaines or Colonels of the wardes The Duke of Guize vnderstanding that the Kings forces were seuered a sunder and disposed in certaine places knowing his partakers to bée stronger and more in number without comparison trenched with Barricados hard by the Kings Garisons set in diuers places as is before saide euen with thirtie paces one from the other and perceauing that all this while a sléep he had inclosed vp the Kings forces on euery side how much more can he doo awaking out of his bed if he would bestirre himselfe about his busines now séeing that it resteth no more but to charge and to dispatch the Kings forces that destitute of all succour more easily he may be had out of the Loure dead or a liue resteth therefore but the watch word to begin the may game All things being in a readines two sorts of men are appoynted the one to giue the watch word the other to giue the first blowe The watch word was giuen by interposed persons who went about the Citie reporting that the King would establish new Garisons in the Citie and executt one hundred of the chiefest inhabitants and many other noble men at the suggestion of the Duke Espernon who had intelligences with the King of Nauarre Others were interposed among the Kings French Souldiers who did bid the inhabitants to lay cleane sheetes in their beds for the same night they would lye in their houses On a suddaine therefore the fire was set to the myne in a moment Paris was fired into an horrible and confused commotion and as if there had been question to run vpon the enemy euery man doth prepare himselfe to set vpon the Kings gardes and the rest of his forces The others who were appoynted to beginne the fray were Brissak Boysdauphin Chamoyes and other partakers of Guyze who at the watch-word geuen began to charge the Swissers whereof some were killed some vnarmed the like was done to the other companies of Frenchmen many were slaine and all vnarmed The Duke of Guyze wayting a sleepe for this beginning started vp as he sayd out of his sleepe ranne to the fray shewed a double dilligence did endeuor to shew outwardly to the world that hee enterprised nothing and that he was vtterly ignorant of all these thinges and to that end hee might haue witnes he caused the slaughter which was made of the Swissers to sease caused the armes to bee rendred to the Kinges companies who had béen vnarmed but after such a maner as did shew how much greater regard they of Paris had of him then of the King and what intelligences hee had with them whereof hee did shew himselfe not discontented In that commotion some would haue killed the Marshal Biron and the Lord Belieure which thing this King of the may game misliked would not suffer Such occasions did content him greatly for by such actions he confirmed himselfe in the trust and confidence which he had in that people he would also haue them whom he saued from the slaughter to beleeue that he had no small part in France besides that he bound them to him in as much as their liues were woorth To be short no man was in danger of y e rage of the people who either was with him or was commended by him The Duke of Guyze after the vnarming of the Kinges companâ—es set themselues as prisoners vntill the euening and within a little whyle after these thinges were done they made their approches by litle and little to the Loure where the king was The King being aduertized of all which was a dooing did not shew himself mooued therwith at all But the 2. Quéenes were greatly amazed specially the Q Mother which all the dinner tyme did nothing else but weepe with great aboundance of tears And immediatly after dinner she tooke her coach to goe to the house of Guyze where the sayd Lord of Guyze
meanes of reuenge and let the heretikes alone for a time The King whom Gods iustice did vrge and pursue for the hardnes of his hart in so obstinating himselfe against the Gospell and other offences which do issue out of that spring seemed to be touched with the readines of his good Subiectes but not to any purpose moued to follow their good counsell but thanketh euery one as though hee had no neede at all of their counsell and ayde The Leaguers now vnderstanding by their spials the pusillanimity of the King and his inclination to some composition and peace with them though disaduantagious by his slender and fearfull answere to their vnreasonable demaunds in their supplication do now conceaue a good hope not onely to amend the former fault but also to make themselues a way more plaine and easier then euer they had before to performe shortly their enterprises And as they haue had recourse alwaies to the Q. Mother by whose meanes they haue found a present remedy in all faultes committed and offences geuen to the King but now y t at their request she had besotted him by her sorceries shee must make an end of her good worke begunne This accursed woman hath béen the dishonor of womankinde the subuersion of the whole kingdome the slaughter of the nobility the butcher of the commons and the vndooing of her owne children The Leaguers then hauing such an intercessor who vnder colour of a motherly counsell will bring them neerer to execute their rage vppon the Kinges person and to vsurpe his estate do send this old Medea to make a negotiation for them as much to their aduantage as shee can Therefore that they may strip the King cleane out of authority they do thrust in their demaundes the articles concluded at Nancy spoken of before She must vrge the Kinges consent to these articles following for which intent shee went to Nemours a towne in Gastinois In these demaunds they woulde faine make the Kinge beleeue howe all that they doo is for the preseruation of the popish religion and that they desyre greatly a reunion of the Catholiks whereof he should be the head First they doe demaund that all generally shall promise and sweare to imploy their persons goods and meanes for the conseruation and defence of the king of his estate and authoritie and of the children which it shall please God to send him and that against all manner of men By this demaund they lull the king asleepe They shall sweare also the rooting out of heresie and doe require prouision to be taken that no heretike Prince or suspected of heresie or fauourer of heretikes may enioy the Crowne whatsoeuer right he may pretend thereunto and that this may be confirmed by an oath of all men Also that the king shall sweare to defend the Leaguers who doo call themselues Princes against the heretikes and their fauourers By this artcile they will exclude if they may all the Princes of the house of Bourbon whome they will easily finde either heretikes or fauourers Note of heretikes Secondly they demaund that it may please him to sweare to the obseruation of those demaunds and that hee will permit in their custodie the townes and Cities which are graunted them during six yeares and that in all other townes which shall ioyne themselues to the Leaguers nothing be innouated and that they may not be punished for any offence or rebellion committed Furthermore they doe demaund that if during the six yeares there should happen any vocation of gouernours and Captaines in the saide townes and Cities that then the Leaguers may name such as they think good and that the king shall stablish such at their request This is to dispossesse the king of his holds towns and cities and therin to place such as shall bee at their deuotion whome they may trust Note Thirdly they doe require the publishing of the councell of Trent and the obseruing of the same and that the King shall forsake his aliance which he hath with princes and nations heretickes and that hee shall giue ouer the protection of certaine townes knowen to bee the receptacle of heretikes By these they meane the Germanes the kings of Denmarke and Scotland Note the Queene of England the cantons of Swissers the townes of Geneua Sedan and Iamets that of one side he might be destitute of friends to defend him against his enemies and that the one of these Cities might be the more easily subdued by the Duke of Sauoy and the other two by the Duke of Lorreine Last of al that the goods and lands of the heretikes be solde and to imploy the mony to make warre against the heretikes but specially to maintaine one armie in Poytow vnder the conduct of the Duke of Guyze and the other in Daulphine conducted by his brother the Duke de Maine The king knew very wel except he had been talpacoecior y t these articles were against the dutie of faithfull subiects and that of the princes mentioned in the said articles there was but one to wit the Cardinall of Bourbon that all the others being strangers did handle him cunningly at will vnder faire colours and made him their mouth to speake for them He knew very well that all that which they say in their articles of the preseruation o◠his person crowne and estate were but wordes and a couering of their trayterous drifts he perceiued well that the desire which they pretended to haue of the ease and preseruation of Cities was but a flattering bayte on the one side to alienate them from his obedience and on the other side to make them affected ready to the execution of their enterprizes As for the nomination of gouernours and captains in the sayd townes which they would haue to be reformed to them to place therein such as they would think good he vnderstoode well that in plaine tearmes they meant to abridg y t small store of authoritie which they had left him and to make him their inferiour He saw well enough that the degraduatiō and disheriting of the lawfull Princes from the succession of the crowne vnder the colour of heresie or fauouring of heretikes was but a meane to put the Crowne vpon their owne heads Also that to breake the aliances which he had with the forraine Princes and nations whome they called heretikes was a thing no lesse vniust than pernitious to his estate whome by such means they wrapped into a heape of newe troubles and that such a demaund was arrogantly to command their King and Soueraigne To be short the king knew very well that in all these things they sought but the easier way to their greatnes and the means to debase his authoritie and to hasten the fall of his estate Yet as a man bereft of wit destitute of wisdome and courage and bewitched with the pernitious and poysoned counsells of Circe his execrable and accursed mother without considering any thing the greatnes of the
horses of carriage the onset was giuen within two leagues of Pilmil suburbe of Nantes The King after giuing of thankes vpon that place where the skirmish was fought for that prosperous successe and victorie made a light dinner vnder a tree and after retyred to his lodging at S. Georges where hee soiourned the whole day following for the long daies iourney which he had made the day before notwithstanding that day hee went a hawking for Partridges and in the euening viewed the towne of Montagne to take order for the fortifications and garrisons of the sayd towne and purposed to haue layed the siege to the towne Clisson not farre thence The King being yet at S. George was strengthened with foure regiments of footmen to wit of Charbonieres Sallignak Preau and the regiment of his gardes commanded by the Lord Querine there also he receaued the light horsemen of the Lord Trimouille who had discomfited the regiment of Lestele and taken foure Ensignes which they presented vnto the sayd King The selfe same day being aduertized of the daunger wherein the Duke Espernon stood within the Towne of Engolesme besieged there within the Castell by a conspiracie of the Leaguers caused him to giue ouer his enterprise vpon Clisson the day following being the 15. of August departed from Saint George purposing to make toward Engolesme to succor the saide Lorde Espernon but hearing by the way how the tumult there was pacified went not so far as that place It is saide before how that the Leaguers in their request presented vnto the King made a great complaint against the Duke Espernon charging him to haue intelligences with the King of Nauarre and them of the religion to haue been the cause that their armies had heretofore small successe and that if he should grow to greater authoritie it were danger that in time he would deliuer the places of his gouernement to the King of Nauarre that he is the onely cause that the politick state is so corrupt and out of frame and therefore the King must needes put him from about his person and fauour This Lord Espernon of the auncient house of Valette grew in great fauour with the King through his faithfull seruice a man altogether sold to popery yet a louer of the Kings person crowne and state a louer of the realme and peace of the same a hater of conspirators and perturbers of the quietnes of the King and his subiects who neuer could bee drawne to the conspiracies of the Leaguers neither by faire promises nor other meanes whatsoeuer which thing was the cause that the Leaguers hated him as the onely man about the Kings person who did hinder the execution â—f their enterprises that man therefore must not be about the King nor be admitted into the assembly of the states The King to giue place to their hatred for a time and to auoyde the inconueniences which through y e malice of his enemies might befall to such a trustie seruant determined to send him out of their sight and where hee thought that they should be least able to practise against him And giuing him a very great power and commission in a most ample manner to commaund in the Prouinces of Aniou Toureyne Poytow Engomoyes Xainctonge commaunded him to depart the Court about the same time that the edict of reunion was made by the Leaguers who hauing soiourned a while in the Tower of Loches situated in Toureyne vpon the riuer Vndre which falleth into Loyre betwéene Tours and Samure to fortifie and assure the said place to the Kings obedience against the practises of certaine Gentlemen of the League made against that place From thence he tooke his iourney to Engolesme where he vnderstoode that many enterprises were a working by the League against the Kings seruice There commaunded the Lorde Tageus his kinseman vnder the charge of the Lord Valette his brother The saide Lorde Espernon arriuing at Engolesme accompanied with a great number of the nobilitie was honorably receaued by the Maior and Aldermen of the Citie by the officers of iustice policie with great numbers of people who went to meete him at the gates of the Citie hee was likewise receaued by the Bishop and his Priests at the doore of Saint Peters Church where they sung solemnly a great te Deum laudamus in the worship of him Not long after the said Lord Espernon called together the Bishop and his Priestes the Maior and the Escheuins the Kings officers and other chiefe Citizens to giue them notice of the occasions of his comming which was first to preserue them all in the Catholicke Romane religion for the which and for the Kings seruice he would willingly aduenture his life against all manner of men Exhorting them to aduise what was requisit for their conseruation and that they would propound the same vnto him All answered with one consent that they would dye vnder his authority in the same resolution and for to testify their willes the better they would haue his authority from the King printed read and published as the manner is through all the towne The said Lord hauing many companies both of horsemen and footmen yet would he innouate nothing not so much as to change any part of the garrison of the Citty and to testify vnto them more apparantly of the confidence which hee had in the promises and fidelity of them he would not lodge in any stronger place nor more aduantagious for his preseruation but in the Castell which is called the Kings house wherein he found his Cosin the Lord Tageus lodged as the gouernours heretofore had accustomed to do This Castell hath no strength which is any thing worth nether in Ditches nor in any handy worke except some great Towers of stone very olde but otherwise very commodious for the store of chambers which are therein The said Lord had brought his Lady with him and had also lodged the Lady Tageus there Hee went the same day into the Citadell wherein he commaunded the Lord Bordes with all the nobility which accompanied him could euen then haue lodged there if he had had any diffidence of the inhabitants for the keies were presented to him by the Lord Bordes That Fortresse was sufficient to haue bridled the inhabitantes considering the strength and great store of Munitions of the said place as well in Ordinance as in other necessary things But specially hauing a gate to get out of the towne whereby may be let in as many men as one would But the sayd Lord in stéed of mistrust kept an open house as well for the nobility of the countrey as for the inhabitantes of the citty without any respect of persons whereof a great number but specially the Maior of the town with his conspiratours sat ordinarily at his table with great curtesy and welcome shewed vnto them by the sayd L. Espernon He walked familiarly with them through the citty and suburbs with a small company of his
without any other care then to conferre louingly with them about the necessary thinges for the preseruation of their Cittye The Maior had in his possession all the keies of the Cittie the inhabitantes made their accustomed watches and by halfes with two companies which were vnder the commaundement of the Lord Bordes whereof the most part were inhabitantes of the Citty Vppon request made vnto him by the Maior and Aldermen concerning the necessary fortifications for the safety and increasing of their Cittie the said Lord promised to lend them to that effect such a summe of money as they should thinke good And to aduaunce the worke the said Lord commaunded the Maior and the Lieutenant Nesmond to make the proiect by the counsell of Captaine Ramel son of Augustine mayster of the Kings workes In the meane while the said Lord caused the edict of reunion to be published in the Cittie and according to the same did prepare to war agaynst them of the religion to let them from gathering subsidies and tallages to represse their courses furthermore had made an enterprise agaynst one of their best places And for a beginning of y e performance of these things had commaunded his cosin the Lord Tageus to take with him all the companies of his light horses and the companyes of the Lords Sobelle and Cadilan with all the footmen and troops which he had brought with him And besides all this for to win the hartes of the inhabitantes he caused euery day all sorts of publike exercises of Romish poperie to be done in all their chiefe Idoll Temples in the Cittie He had also promised to the gray Fryers to helpe the reedifying of their couent and temple of the same For the warre defensiue and offensiue agaynst them of the religion hee obmitted no meanes he had no indsturie nor diligence For his pastimes he would go euery day without mistrust of any man to the Tenis court situated in one of the furthest partes of the citty Euery morning he would get vppon his horses himselfe to exercise them in the sight of great assembly of people with a very small company of his men about him It is sayd how the King to conuay the Lord Espernon his trusty and faythfull seruant out of the ielousies dangers of the Leaguers haâ— sent him into Guyenne to keepe such townes there as did wauer into his obedience The towne of Engolesme was aboue all the townes of that Countrey inclyning to the League so disposed by many Gentlemen therabouts who were leagued and deuoted to the Duke of Guyze The Duke Espernon as it is sayd went thether to make it sure to the kings obedience The newes comming to the towne of the determination of the saide Duke the complices of the conspiracie of the League considering that neither to admit him nor to exclude him was a safe way for them considering that the King might recouer the town at all tymes by the citadel which was kept by the L. Bordes a faithfull seruant to his Prince did immediatly send one who was y e Maiors brother to the court to know by the Oracle of the Leaguers what was to be done in such a doubtfull matter The Duke of Guyze with his counsell to wit his brother the Cardinall the Archbishop of Lyons did sit vpon the death of the Duke of Espernon they did condemne him to die They answered to their partakers to admit him and bid him welcome but to rid him out of the way if it can bee done by any meanes the reuenge they neede not to feare for they are in good hope that the master shall followe him shortly and if not yet they wil finde out some shift to excuse the matter and will find him guiltie of his owne death else they will so worke that the King shall haue little leasure to thinke vpon the reuenge They writ also to their complices gentlemen of the countrey as to Mere Massilieres Maqueuile Boucheaulx to the Baron Tonnerak Caze and Fleurak They caused also Vileroy the Kings Secretary to write his letters to the Lord Aubeterre to repaire to the Maior of Engolesme with al his power at such time as they should haue warning by the â—aid Maior in the meane while they expect the Oracle of the Leaguers the Duke Espernon is lulled a sleepe and cast into a dangerous security by the Maior and the rest of the conspiratours they make him beleeue that they loue him as their owne soule by the which dissimulation hee vnarmeth himselfe sendeth his forces abroad to warre agaynst Christ At length Souchet long desired commeth from the court geueth the answere that Espernon must die by all meanes possible biddeth them to put asyde all feare of reuenge for the causes afore shewed Now then it must be executed out of hand afore the returne of the Lord Tageus with the Dukes forces for then shall they not be able to put in execution y t iudgement hauing any forces about him or else because he will goe forth to war agaynst the heretikes according to his deliberation The tenth day of August the Lord Espernon very early got him on horsbacke to goe to his ordinary exercises with few of the nobility with him The maior with certaine of the inhabitants of the cittie were all that morning with him The sayd Lord lighting downe of his horse embraced the Maior and with great curtesy asked him whether hedelighted in horses Thence the sayd Lord returned to his lodging and went into his closet to change his shirt intending to goe deuoutly to Masse in the Chappell of Saint Laurence in the church of Saynt Cibert where his Almoner had prepared all the tooles ready to finish that misticall play this was about 7. a clocke The Maior on the other side with his complices who were gone to see his riding onely to spie what strength he had about him went home to put on his armour to charge his pistoll to take order about nine of the clock that the toxin should be rung and to appoynt at the same time certaine firebrands of sedition to goe about the streates crying that the Hugonâ—ts had seazed vpon the Castell The Maior also did craftily entice the Lord Bordes gouernour of the Citadell into his house vnder colour to discouer him a certaine enterprize against the king and when hee had him in his house kept him as prisoner Betweene eight and nine a clock the Lord Espernon being in his closet and knowing that the Abbot of Elbeue and the Lord Mariuault were in the next wardrobe staying there to accompany him to Masse sendeth a Page to call them to him into the Closet which when they had done hee â—hewed them a place in a booke sent him from Paris full of defamations against the honour authoritie of the King lamenting the vnbridled licence of this age hee prayeth them also to sit by him to vnderstand out of his own mouth his resolution and platforme of war against
them of the religion assoone as the Lord Tageus could returne from this exployte whome he would leaue there for the preseruation of the Citie Behold Christian Reader this noble man indued with good gifts raised vp to high degree sent out of the danger of his enemies to keepe the kings subiects in peace and iustice vnthankfull of Gods good graces doe meditate how to turne that power wisdome and graces receiued of God to persecute his Church and whilest hee is laying downe his plott God sendeth him a warning to wit murtherers to execute the rage of Gods enemies vpon him For as they concluded vpon the resolution of this warre which he purposed against the Children of God the Abbot of Elbeu sitting next vnto the doore of the closet heard the sound of a pistol shot within the wardrobe and some crying kil kill At this alarum the said Abbot ranne first to the doore nigh the closet where he found the Aulmoner of y e said Duke who had rushed in had shut vp the doore and thought it had neither lock nor boult but held the said doore with his back very pale and frighted The Abbot enquiring what it was speake softly sayd the Aulmoner there be armed men which seeke to kill my Lord. At the same instant the said Lord Espernon the Lord Mariuault and the Abbot heard two other pistolls shot in the same wardrobe with manie voyces crying kill kill comming to the said doore cryed yeeld my Lord for you are but a dead man The Abbot and Mariuault then counsailed the sayd Espernon to keep within the closet where was a second doore very narrow hard to get in At the same time the Toxin began to ring in all Churches of the Citie and they of the faction ran into the streates crying that the Hugonets had surprised the Castell and willing all men to run to succour it according to the instructions giuen by the Maior These tokens being giuen the people ran on euery side to their weapons and went toward the Castel they lodge themselues in the house next to the Castell The Maior that morning intending to bring to an end their conspiracie had perswaded them of his faction but especially 40. or 50. of the vilest and most desperat persons of all the Citie that his brother in law Southct came from the Court and had brought with him an expresse commaundement from the King both by letters and word of mouth to seaze vpon the person of the said Lord Espernon dead or aliue and to assure the citie some of them he had appoynted to run through the citie and to giue the alarum as is afore said some should seaze vpon the gates of the Castell when hee should haue entred the saide Castell and some should goe with him to execute this murther This vile traitor then head of the conspiracy entred first armed into the Castell through the great gate hauing two men booted with him which as he saide were Purseuants whom he brought to speake with the Duke and followed with ten men going vp into the hall and passing through it saluted the Lord Couplieres who sat vpon a table and thence passing through the Lord Espernon his chamber went as farre as the wardroabe supposing there to finde him and there to execute his damnable conspiracie there he met with on Raphael Gyrolamy a Gentleman Florentine Rouillard and Segnencio Secretaries and one Sorline the Kings Chirurgion The Lord Aubine one of the Kings Magistrates in the Court of Engolesme who was expressely come to aduertise the Lorde Espernon that there was some practise against him in the towne and there he stayed for his comming foorth to doo his message The Maior therefore entred as is said first of all armed with a Corselet into the wardrobe with a Pistoll in his hand ready charged and the cock downe came to Sorline first who set his hand to his sword and did hurt the Maior a little on the head Another man great and strong with a Pistoll set vpon Raphael who immediatly taking him by the coller cast him downe vppon the ground and with his sword wounded him as he did three more as they haue confessed after and beate them out of the chamber crying still my Lord is not here but being wounded with a Pistol he fell downe and then they made an end of him with their swords The others who were in the wardrobe saued themselues as they could Sorline running into the kitchen gaue the alarum to the cookes who ran with their broaches but the conspirators being in the hall and hearing the noyse in the kitchen stopped the way out of y t kitchē into the hall In the meane time while these things were dooing within the wardrobe by the Maior his partakers went about as they had receaued instructions aforehand of the Maior to seaze vpon the great gate of the Castell for to bring in the people who were already in armour but they were let by some Gentlemen who were in the Court of the Castell staying there for the Lorde Espernon his comming forth The first were the Lordes Ambleuille Beaurepayre Sobelle and others in defending of the said gate the Lord Beaurepayre was slaine with the stroake of a Halbeard the Prouost Baretes likewise and one of the gardes the Lord Clauery was hurt certaine Gentlemen entred into the said gate afore it was shut vp as Captaine Baron Artiges the Countie Brune brother in lawe to the Duke Espernon the Lords Goas Mirane Coste Emars and others They beleeued then that the Lord Espernon was dead so that being astonied and looked one vpon another they knewe not what to doo nor in whome to trust vntill that the Lords Ambleuille Myran Sobelle and Emars acknowledging one another and giuing hands with promise to dye together gathered as well Gentlemen as Souldiours of the garde close together and ran to the Chamber doore of the Lord Espernon through the which the conspiratours would haue gone forth to seaze vpon the tower of the Castell but they were let by the Gentlemen and gardes who wounded the Maior through the doore where of he fell downe they shot also against the residue of the conspiratours with these threatnings you shall dye traitors Seguencio the Secretarie whome they detayned prisoner reported that at that threatning they began to be amazed and to say among themselues we are vndone if we doo not saue our selues some where and thereupon carrying away the Maior went out through a little doore of that chamber which issued to a little paire of staires that did lead vp to a chamber nigh the tower but they were followed by the said Gentlemen and at the same time the Lord Espernon the Abbot Elbeu and the Lord Marinault who vnderstanding the voyce of Sobelle went forth of the closet with Pistolls and swordes in hand The conspirators were enforced to saue themselues in that Chamber nigh the great tower to y e which no man could go but by a
payre of staires so narrowe that but one man alone might passe there were none armed neither the Lord Espernon nor any of his were at all which thing caused them to stay their going vp At the same instant a maidseruant aduertised the Lord Espernon that the Maiors brother with a number of armed men did enter into the castle through a hole in the wall on the side of the Curtine The sayd Lord Espernon ran thether who found alreadie the Maiors brother entred with another which both were slaine there and a gard was put at the place At the same time the complices of the conspiracie and among others the foresaid Souchet the Maiors brother in law who had come lately from the Court with some other gentlemen of the countrey seeing that they could not fire the first gate where they found resistance as is sayd before ran to another gate of the Castle with fire to burne it preparing also giâ—s to breake it vp But the Lord Espernon with fiftéene of his men whom he had gathered together ran also to the sayd gate to defend and fortifie it with earth stones boords and such like leauing his gard to keepe the dore of the chamber where the conspirators were locked vp the which endeuoured themselues to issue foorth but notwithstanding were repulsed by the sayd gardes and the Lord Espernon himselfe who hauing deuided his gardes vpon the entries into the Castle went too and fro as néed required and where hee iudged his presence necessarie so that resorting to the foresayd doore he killed one of the sayd conspiratours with his own hand as he went about to issue foorth The inhabitants in the meane time did bestowe their shot freely vppon the chambers of the Castle because they were so great and wide and because the inhabitants had seazed vpon the next houses and among others vppon the house néerest to the Castle called the Quéenes house The diligence of the Lord Espernon and other gentlemen which accompanied him was such that within two houres they assured themselues of the Castle so that it had béen hard for the gentlemen and others who were within the Towne to force it without Canon The labour bestowed in fighting fortifying and breaking the staiers of the chambers and in fiering the narrowe staiers which went vp the chamber where the conspiratours were locked vp had béen quicke and violent The L. EspernoÌ„ desirous to make the gentlemen which were with him to drinke there was found in al the house but foure flagons of wine which were brought in that morning for his breakfast there was no water at all and very small store of bread for the inhabitants had seazed vpon the well which was in the other court and also the way to goe to it which thing did greatly trouble them that were besieged the space of two dayes and a halfe that they were inclosed therein But the discommoditie was little in comparison of the constant resolution which they tooke rather to dye then yéeld themselues vnto that sedicious multitude It is sayd before how the Maior afore hee began to execute his enterprise had by false surmises entised the Lord Bordes gouernour of the Citadell to come to his house making him beléeue that hee would discouer him some great practise against the King whom when he had in his hands he kept prisoner in his house This thing did greatly amaze the Lord Espernon that he heard not the Citadell play against the Citie the cause was that when the fray was begun at the Castle immediatly men appoynted by the Maior brought the sayd Bordes before the Citadell to cause the Lieutenant to surrender it or els to stay him from discharging the Ordinance against the towne which in case hee should doo it they threatned to kill the sayd Lord Bordes The Lieutenant desirous to saue the life of the sayd Lord Bordes promised to doo their request and so kept promise with them The Lord Espernon ignorant of all these things was greatly dismayed fearing least the Citadell had béen in the hands of the conspirators or els had fauoured them The conspirators closed vp in the high chamber of the Castle did affirme the same and when they were summoned to render themselues they answered that it was for the sayd Lord Espernon and his to yeeld that they should quickly see the Canon of the Citadell before the Castle There was an other mischaunce that happened The Ladie Espernon before the coÌ„motion began was gone to Masse to the Dominican friers WheÌ„ the alarum was giuen she went about to go forth to get the citadel ouer her head beleeuing that they were Hugonets that had attempted against y t town she was lead by y e armes by 2. gentlemen to wit Seguency not the secretary but an other of that name Pial she was arrested prisoner and her two Gentlemen slaine by these two Catholicks within the Church doore not permitting the Priest to make an ende of his iuggling game They tooke also many Gentlemen among whom were the Lords Curee Mesme Blere and Captaine Ramel the Baron Coze and many others of all degrees of the traine of the said Lord Espernon The Lords Curee and Mesme went about to get into the Castell but the people with Holbards kept them back although they saide that they would go fight against the Hugonets when they assaid to haue entred the Castel The Lord Haultclerie a man of that countrey of great estimation with much adoo saued their liues Captaine Ramel fell into the same daunger of the people in going about to get into the castell by the Curtine of the towne wall but he saued himselfe by taking the Bishops house In the middest of all these discommodities the Lord Espernon sendeth a Lackie to the Lord Tageus who was at Xainctes with all his horsemen to make haste to succour him The Lacky was let downe the wall of the Parke ioyning to the Castell but he was incontinently taken by the inhabitants Notwithstanding the Lord Tageus was aduertized of the commotion by two Gentlemen who in a good houre went forth of the towne to goe on to hunting who hearing the Toxin did gallop vnto the gate of the Citadell where they caused immediately all the bread and prouision which was in the subburb to be brought in and the selfe same day at night came to Xainctes to warne the Lord Tageus of that commotion The people in the meane while continued in their rage assisted and conducted by diuers gentlemen of the couÌ„try who were of the league among whome was one brought vp in the house of Guyze Messeliere Makuole and Boucheaulx and others who two houres after the commotion summoned the Lord Espernon by a drumme to yeeld and to deliuer the place into their hands promising him and his life and baggage safe That proffer he disdayned and gaue them no other answere but that he would within few houres make them change their language They threatned also the Lady Espernon
if she would not perswade her husband to yeeld to make her serue for a gabion or else to stabb her She answered them that if they would bring her before the Castell she would perswade him to the contrary and that she did hope one day to haue reason of the insolencies of the said Mere who did proffer her such speeches The Lord Espernon had but eight Harquebusiers of his guard they neuer shot without killing or hurting some one or other so that there were killed by them 25. or thirtie persons but this was their euill luck that they had no powder with them but that which they found in their flasks One of the conspirators who was shut vp in the Castel with linnen cloth cut in length and knotted in the endes in stead of a coarde was let down into to the Castell ditche and aduertized the inhabitants howe that his felowes were ready almost to be stifled with fire or quelled with the fall of the house which could not bee auoyded except they were very shortly rescued That moued the Parents to induce the other Mayor named Bourgoyne to goe to the Castell to parley The Abbot Elbeu and the Lord Ambleuille spake with him through a hole of the wall and shewed him the danger wherein the towne stoode to be ransaked at the arriuing of the succour which was at hande That they had in holde the Maior with his conspired felowes whâ—me the Lord Espernon had forgiuen and that easily he mought be moued to pardon the people also which had beene abused And that it they should goe further in their enterprize and assault any more the Castell the Lorde Espernon would stay them all Furthermore they offer themselues to make meanes for the people with the said Lord Espernon They which were shut vp being no more able to endure yeelded vnto the Lord Espernon vpon his faith which he kept to them inuiolable The Maior at the time of his yeelding was gaping for life and within a while after dyed in the castell of the wounds which he had receiued The Lord Espernon caused his prisoners to write to them of the towne in what danger they were of their liues if they should any more assault the Castell Whereupon the inhabitants required the Maior Bourgoyne to returne to the Duke Espernon in the behalfe of them that he would send the Abbot and the Lord Ambleuille to them to intreate of peace The Lord Ambleuille would not forsake the Duke Espernon The Abbot preffered himselfe so that they would giue hostages They of the towne gaue the Kings procurator who entred into the Castell by a ladder by the which the Abbot came downe into the towne The Abbot at the first trenches found Mere and Messeliere two Gentlemen firâ—ts of the sedition accompanyed with a multitude of people who would haue treated with him but the Abbot would not saying that he would goe to treate with the seneschall in the house of the Lord Argence who was an olde Gentleman and of honour who also had promised all friendship to the Lorde Espernon Being conducted thither all the officers and chiefe of the Citie with much people resorted to the place The Abbot shewed them the enormitie of their ofâ—ence so to attempt against such an officer of the Crowne a good Catholick and faithfull seruant to the King that they had made themselues guilty of high treason Hee shewed them also the Maiors treasons whereof they had made themselues rash exâ—cutioners vnder a forged colour of the Kings commandement He spake vnto the officers the nobility and people to euery one sâ—nerally and before all shewing them their fault and their duty and concluded that by such kind of dealing they put themselues in great hazard of the Hugonets their common enemies He so much affected that they were deuided among themselues and found in the end that the kinges officers the cheefest of the cittie and the most apparant of the nobility were not at all priuie nor consenting in the beginning to the Maiors conspiracy who had onely assured himselfe of forty or fifty the vpleâ—â— sorâ— for the execution of his conspiracy and that these at the sound of the alarum had caused all the rest to take armour in hand vnder colour of the name of the Hugonets The common people induced by Mere shewed themselues void of all capacity of reason and intractable Many spéeches and reasonings passed in this conference the people fell to mutiny agayne and bidding the Abbot to make short proffered him like conditions as before The Abbot cut them short and assured them that the day following after noone the Lord Espernon should giue them the law The seditious Leagued Mere whom we haue said to haue béen brought vp in the house of Guyze the schoole of treasons and seditions did heate the people by an assured promise which hee made to them of an infallible succour of the Lord of Aubeterre who as hee sayd was at hand to whom also the Lord Vileroy the Kings secretary had written to that effect The Abbot departing thence went not without payne and danger to visit the Lady Espernon and commended her vnto a company of gentlemen who were assembled there and protested reuenge agaynst them which should proffer her iniury That beeing done he returned to the castel hauing nether sâ—ene the L. Bordes nor any other of the gentlemen which were detayned prisoners in the Towne The morrow after beeing the twelfth day of August the alarum was geuen in the Towne by the Drum and Toxin and as well the gentlemen the people the Leagued and others who were not of the conspiracie were enforced to take armor to go to the breach which they prepared and hoped to make in a weake place of the Castle wall defended neither with any window nor otherwise flanked Some small opening beeing made the people presented themselues where they were receaued and there was flayne the Lord Fleurak one of the Leaguers About three a clocke in the morning the people heard the trompets of the light horsemen of the Lord Espernon which made them beleeue that succouâ— was not farre This asswaged much their fury and on the contrary encouraged much the souldiers of the Citadell which hetherto had done nothing so that they let flee many shot of Harquebuzes and certayne voleyes of Canon agaynst the Cittie The Lord Espernon hauing commaunded them so to doo from the top of the high tower of the Castell At this new thundering from the Citadell they of the Towne began to wauer and to draw on agayne to parley and do desire that the Abbot would returne and that they would harken to the propositions of the said Lord Espernon The Abbot calling to remembrance the danger past maketh some difficulty to goe forth agayne But at length the Lord Espernon writeth and sendeth by the sayd Abbot what he wil require of them of the towne for the acknowledging of their fault Agayne all came together about noone to the house of
the Lord Argence As they were all ready there to signe the agreement behold a new commotion of the people who will not compound the reason was the arryuing into the towne of the Baron of Tonnerak with diuers gentlemen of the League also of captayne Caze Marshall of the lodgings of the L. Aubeterre who do assure them that the sayd Lord of Aubeterre will come with succour to them the next day morning with three hundred horsmen and fiue hundred footmen The Abbot by these occasions was enforced to get him to the castle agayne with greater danger then at the first by reason of the raging of this Leagued people For they brought him by force before the Citadell to forbid the Souldiers to discharge the ordinance agaynst the towne which thing notwithstanding in a while after they continued to do because that the people assaulted the castell continually vppon a vayne hope incited by those leagued gentlemen newly come The chiefest officers of the King and Bourgeses of the Citty hauing duly considered in the Bishops house the danger wherin their citty stood if so many strangers on euery syde should come in ioyned themselues with the cheefest Gentlemen agaynst the rest who were stubburne They sent agayne 2. of the chiefest Bourgeses to the Lord Espernon to beseech him that it may please him that the Lord Tageus his kinsman newly arryued in the Suburbs with his companies might signe and seale the agréement to the which they added onely that they who were detayned prisoners in the castell should be comprised therein and set at liberty according to the fayth which he had geuen them promising of their part to do the like to them whom they did detayne and all that which had been taken in the houses should be restored The Lord Espernon graunting vnto them their demaund sent againe the Abbot who went forth with them of the towne to the Lord Tageus to make him seale the composition which was done about foure a clocke in the euening Within a while after the trenches were broken the people went away the Lady Espernon was conducted by the sayd Abbot into the castell with all the prisoners detayned in the towne The Lord Bordes entred the Citadell the conspiratours and Maiors fellowes who were prisoners in the castell were set at liberty Mere with his complices went forth out of the towne and retyred into theyr houses vnder the conduct of the Lord Maumont captayne of light horses The dead on both sides were quietly buried and namely the Maior whose corps with the corps of his brother were freely deliuered to their friends to be buried When the agreement was concluded it was nine and thirtie houres that neither the Lord Espernon nor any of his had eate nor dronk There was no more powder for the shot he had determined the night following to issue forth vpon the enemies for to seaze vpon the well hee also looked that night to be rescued by his men to be short by the singuler goodnes of God he escaped a perilous snare of the Leaguers a marueilous great danger for the which to auoyde hee shewed himselfe both valiaunt and watchfull and if he would be thankfull to God for so great deliuerance and consider from whence for what cause these blowes came he should doe the part of a right noble man About the selfe same time that these things were done at Engolâ—sme against the Duke Espernon the Lorde Autragues gouernour of Orleans sent to the King to protest obedience with excuse that the things which he had done in fauour of the League had been for none other cause then for zeale of the Catholick religion but perceiuing that the chiefe Leaguers passed further then he thought he wholly doth renounce detest y â— League and vpon that protestation he was receaued in fauour by the King Whilest the King after hee had sent his writtes to the Prouinces Townes and Cities to make thoyse of their deputies men of wisdome discretion and louers of peace to send with speede to the States preparing all things to resort with a soft pace to Bloys to the States It is said also how the Leaguers peruerted all things suborned all the most vile and accursed traitors that could be picked out in all France It is said also how least that execrable company might be spied or crossed they had obtained by the edict of reunion that none of the reformed religion or suspected to fauour the same and that none of the Princes of the bloud shoulde bee admitted to that house least they shoulde bee spyed when they should go about to make processe against their lawfull King and naturall Prince The King considering the shortnes of the time reiourned his estates vntill the beginning of October following whatsoeuer other causes did moue him so to doo But toward the latter end of September he and his mother accompanied with the Duke of Guize with all their traine ariued at Bloys The Princes of Monpensier County and Soyssons did appeare at Bloys and for because the Prince County had ioyned himselfe to the army of the Germanes the yeare before his company was greatly suspected and many of his friends went about to perswade him to send to the Pope for an absolution but in that following the counsell of his best friends and seruants he did it noâ— The Prince of Soyssons had alreadie obtained a Bull of the Pope containing a pardon for hauing followed the part of them of the religion with a Renuoy for his absolution to the Legat of Venise who was also at the States hee made great difficulties in the matter so that they of the assembly had once resolued to require the King not to suffer the saide Prince to bee admitted but at length it was found good to stay their sute for that time Whilest these things aboue said do passe so diuersly in sundry places the great and mightie armie appoynted for Daulphine vnder the leading of the Duke d' Mayne dooth march and at length arriued in Liomoys there continued long daring not enter far into the Prouince of Daulphine for feare of scalding but soiourned vpon the borders betweene Liomoys and Daulphine as a man that came onely to see whether he could make the hereticks afraide or not The King arriued at Bloys with all his traine maketh readie all the solemnities fit for that assemblie whilest the deputies and assignes of the Prouinces doo make readie their instructions and hast to the place appoynted The King hauing more trust in his subiects then his subiects were to be trusted of him doth expect honest wise and indifferent deputies such as would seeke onely the good of the Common wealth But the Duke of Guize had so laboured of long time and so reduced the people that there was almost no citie towne nor prouince in all France but the complices of the Leaguers vnder colour of zeale of religion preuailed in sending such as were altogether factious and desirous of innouations
publike reuenger of Gods lawe and executer of his iustice who commandeth him that his eye shall not take pitie vpon such abominable contemners of Gods ordinance and iustice whose Image his person represented fearing men more then GOD and vnder the colour of clemencie consented to their crimes and through impunitie approoued their misdéedes God a righteous Iudge turned this his pusillanimitie to a snare and a blocke of offence by the which he wrought his owne ouerthrowe and miserable end Now leauing the euents which followed this tragedie played at Bloys we will fetch other matters and exploits which were done in other places that varietie may not onely delight the Christian Reader but also stirre him vp to feare tremble and reuerence Gods iudgements For not onely at Bloys he powred mightie streames of his wrath vpon the wicked but also in other places the Lord at the same time fed his enemies with shame clothed them with dishonour and rewarded them with confusion and in all places deliuered his Saints It is sayd before how at the making and concluding of the edict of reunion in Iuly last it was agreed that two mightie Armies should be mustered and made vp with as much readines as it could be done the one should be conducted by the Duke of Guize into Guienne and the other vnder the leading of the Duke de Mayne into Daulphine there to roote out them of the religion But yet the Duke of Guize aduised by his counsell to wit the Cardinall his brother and the Bishop of Lions altered his purpose for three causes First the cause of religion which he pretended was not the marke that he shot at neither did he greatly care which of the two went backward or forward Secondly he perceaued how he went to cast himselfe into the hazard of warre which is vncertaine but specially agaynst such a Captayne who hetherto had remained inuincible and knewe with fewe how to ouercome great multitudes and mighty forces whom hee feared as the slaue doth dread his Lord whom he hath greeuously offended Therfore he thought good not to hazard that way but to reserue himselfe to a better opportunity which would be offered him ere long The third cause was that if he should absent himselfe farre from Paris it might be that the King would enterprise it there uppon and carry it away from him Also if he should absent himselfe from the Court he were not able easily to bring to passe his intent nor giue the blowe which he had in minde long before Therfore another is to be sent yet it must not be any suspected person As for the Princes they are partiall in this cause and being of great authoritie of themselues are not to bee armed with power for els they may marre the play The Marshals Byron and Haultmont are good noble men good French men and valiant they are Royals and therfore we will haue none of them For it were not good to arme them with such forces for if wee say they should in the meane time execute our enterprise whilest they had such an armie they might marre all and begin a new tragedie vpon the players of the former Therefore such a Generall must néedes bee appoynted as may flatter with both sides and that will turne to the strongest part and if he should be lost in the battell it maketh no matter who that should be The Duke of Neuers of Nation an Italian an Atheist by religion a Spanyard by faction a Leaguer and a Royall both by policie and dissimulation in Nobilitie nouus homo For here is to be noted that in Italy there is no ancient Nobilitie remayning except it bee the Vrsins and Colomuae and some of the Patrilij in Venice For all the rest perhaps some fewe excepted are families raised vp within these few hundred yeares out of Colliers as the Medicis Porters and Chimney sweepers during the vniuersall rebellion of Italy against the Emperours vnder the factions of Guelpses and Gibelius and the Popes bastards also are the stockes of many families which now are accounted of the chiefest Nobilitie there as the houses of Parma Vrbines c. This Duke of Neuers hanging about the skirts of the Q. Mother maried the onely heires of the noble and ancient familie of Neuers whose father was slayne at the battell of Dreulx being of the house of Gonzages neuer heard of before these eight score yeares The noble Princes of the royall blood the ancient Nobility of France are no men but set behinde the doore they may not lead the kings armies not for lack of sufficiencie Why then Because they are suspected by the League to be true to their king good louers of their country and too naturall to their kings subiects and fellow Citizens Whilest therefore the States doe continue at Bloys and Rochel the Kings armie in Nouember taking their iourney into Poytow with great preparatioÌ„ intending as wel to recouer the places occupied by them of the Religion as also to beat the king of Nauarre in which doing not only they should make an ende of the warre by rooting out vtterly them of the Religion but also should recouer the losse of the honour of the armie which a moneth before had beene buried at Coutras by the King of Nauarre This armie was great and strong consisting of Frenchmen Swissers and Italians hauing a great number of armed men And as it marched forward so still it increased For light horses and Noble men with other qualities out of all partes out of the cities and communalties of the Prouinces neere about as well of the one as of the other side of the Loyre did voluntarylie ioyne themselues to it And among others out of the low Poytow were the Lords of Roches Beatault of Bourneueau Boucherie and Saint Andre with their companies The Duke of Neuers as is sayd before was generall assisted with the Lord Chastre and Sagonne two notable traytors Leaguers and Lauerdine loyall and faithfull to his Prince with other Lords and Captaines Ordinance munition and all kinde of preparation of warre was great The greatest part of this armie as well of the heads and commaunders as of the Nobilitie and others which did obey were Leaguers and leagued who thought that they could neuer worke mischiefe enough It is an incredible thing to heare the mischieues hauock and oppression which this armie did where it passed through but specially to them of the reformed religion who were found before them both in their houses and abroad the people men and women euen in diuers places the very cattell did flie before this armie as before a thundering tempest euen as a flock of sheepe before a heard of woolues sauage beasts or monsters neuer seene before Sultan Soliman Siech Selymogly did neuer cary greater cruelty sauagenes barbarousnes and terror into Austrich and Slireland when he came downe with three hundred thousand men to the siege of Vienne than did this râ—bble of turkish broode monstrous Cyclops God-contemners
agaynst their Soueraigne and benefactor and parricide among bretheren one to preuent another The newes of the death of Guyze beeing brought into the Prouinces the most part of Towns and Citties from the riuer of Loyre West North and East being already surprised aforehand and seduced from the Kings obedience by the Leaguers vppon the rumor of that execution were so greatly mooued the Duke of Guyze beeing accompted the onely piller of Popish religion by the perswasion which the Catholikes had conceaued of him that they began euery where to wauer and kindle to a manifest rebellion by the setting on of the Leaguers who were the greatest part in number euery where They did greatly by their inuectiues make heynous and odious that execution vppon the persons of Guyze and the Romish Priest his brother tearming it the Massacre committed at Bloys And thus the iust iudgement of God iustly taking vengeance for so many murthers shedding of innocent bloud and innumerable villanies committed vppon the saintes of God and for stopping their eares at the cleere and lowd voice of the Sonne of God who so louingly hath called them by his word promises by his threatnings and plagues ofpestilence famine and warre gaue them ouer to a reprobat sence with a senceles rage to fall to commit such cruelties among themselues that no enemy would or could haue desired or deuised greater their towns and citiesbeeing euery where replenished with massacres robberies banishments and proscriptions not committed agaynst them of the religion but euen of popish Catholikes against popish Catholikes of Idolaters against Idolaters of murtherers agaynst murtherers so the Lord hath sent euill Angels among them Paris the capitall cittie of the kingdome as they more hoped vppon the Duke of Guyze then any other did so they shew themselues most offended There were firebrands which kindled the sedition to the vttermost to wit the Duchesses of Guyze and Nemours who with their outcries and lamentations did animate the people to a raging madnes Thereunto also added the Iesuits and Fryers set on by the aforenamed all their inuectiues insolent and vnreuerent wordes in their ordinary tragicall outcryes in their Pulpits and philippicall sermons to make the people obstinate desperat and vntractable to be hereafter reduced to any obedience Other Cities followed the example of Paris as Orleans Roen Anieus Abeuille Reymes and Tholose whereby the conspiracy and setting on of the Bishop of the place in most cruel maner they tooke the first president of the court of Parliament there hanged him vpon a Gibet and afterward dragged his dead body about the streets beeing one of the most zealous romish Catholikes which then could liue in this world the onely cause was that he would not allow their rebellion The King vnderstanding the great sturres perilous flames of rebellion in most part of the townes and cities of his realme supposing by impunity which he calleth clemencie and gentlenes to quench that fire which was already too far kindled writeth his declarations emporting an obliuion of all iniuries to be published in all his Parliaments and other courts in Prouinces First he sheweth how oftentimes hee hath borne with the perturbers of his realme not onely in forgiuing them their offences whome hee might haue iustly punished but also by winning them by all fauours possible to be shewed onely thereby séeking the preseruation of the peace of his subiects and of the Catholick religion vntill that hee was certainely informed that they had conspired against his person life and estate so farre as he was inforced to make that execution extraordinarily Secondly he sheweth that although many had béen of that conspiracy whome he might haue iustly punished yet for the loue which he beareth vnto all Catholicks hée hath stayed the punishment vpon the two chiefest authors of the euill Thirdly he protesteth that he will haue the edict of reunion obserued in all poynts burying al the former offences in perpetuall forgetfulnes commaundeth his iudges and officers in all his courtes to make no inquisition of the former offences willing all men to liue in peace vnder his obedience and if not hee chargeth his officers to make exemplary iustice of the offenders The King hauing assembled his estates as is saide before supposing by their help and assistance to haue repressed the outragious attempts of the house of Guize sawe himselfe in the middest of them compassed with a company of mortall enemies to his person life and state Whereupon destitute of authoritie counsell and help through pusillanimity was faine to spare the liues of them who were in his power and of others whome he might easily haue apprehended who had their hands as déepely in the trespasse as the chiefe authors themselues This was the worke of the Lord to bring him to the consideration of his great errors in refusing so often the wholsome and brotherlike aduertisements of the good K. of Nauarre and other Princes both within and without the realme his louing and faithfull friends The more therefore he goeth about with impunity of most grieuous offences which in his declaration hee tearmeth clemency to bring that people of Paris seduced from his obedience to their duety y e more that miserable people condemned of God and in his wrath appointed to hauock and thraâ—dome for multiplying rebellion murthers and confusions vpon their former murthers Idolatries and abominations dooth rage and like mad dogs as out of their wittes doo run headlong to worke the full measure of their desperat rebellions accounting the Kings clemency cowardlines which they might haue called pusillanimitie in deed as though hée feared either to haue them his enemies or else to loose them from being his subiects Therefore hauing committed greeuous crimes all manner of wayes euen with greedines at length hauing concluded to withdraw themselues from their soueraignes obedience the chiefest players in this tragedie of rebellion to colour their diuilish passions with the authoritie of Gods law as though they would haue asked Gods wil out of his owne mouth adressed them themselues to the facultie of Theologie there commonly called the Colledg of Sorboune For that purpose they sent one Vrban one of the Magistrates of Paris to the sayd Sorboune hauing framed in manner of supplication two questions to be resolued by them First an populus regni Galliae possit solui liberari à sacramento fidelitatis obedientiae Henrico tertio praestito Whether the people of France may not be discharged and setfree from the oath of allegeance and obedience made vnto Henry the third Secondly an tuta conscientia possit idem populus armari vniri pecnnias colligere contribuere ad defensionem conseruationem Religionis Catholicae Romanae in hoc regno aduersus nefaria conscilia conatus praedicti regis quorum libet aliorum illi adherentium contra publica fidei violationem ab eo Blaesis factum in praeiuditium praedictae religionis Catholicae edicti sanctae vnionis
naturalis libertatis conuoâ—ationis trium ordium huius regni Whether the people may with a safe conscience take armâ—s vnto theÌ„selues and make collections and contributions for the defence and preseruation of the Catholick Romish religion against the haynous practizes and attempts of the aforesayd king and all other his adherents and against the breach of publike faith committed by him at Bloys in the preiudice of the aforesayd Catholicke religion and of the edict of holy vnion and of the naturall liberty of the assembly of the three Estates of the Realme The seauenth day these priestes of Apollo after a generall procession of all the orders of the said facultie and a Masse of the holy Ghost adsit reuerentia auribus sung in the sayd colledge of Sorboune at the request of the Prouost Escheuins Consuls Catholick citizens of the Citie of Paris the maisters of the said facultie assembled to the number of threescore and tenne hauing debated these questions as they say by the holy scripture but specially by the Cannons and decrees of the Popes al with one consent either extreamely wicked or else most pernitiously ignorant or both rendred this oracle out of the bewitching hell of Apollo to wit The people of France may doe all things which are propounded in the questions against their lawfull king and his adherents onely they required that this their oracle of rebellion might be sent to Rome there to be sealed by the pope and be burned with the mark of the spirit of diuels and beare the Image and print of Antichrist The eight of Ianuary the said Vrban came to knowe the answere of the oracle which he brought to the counsell of the citie and after they had perused it taking it for an answere of Vrim and Thumim and a voyce of God by whose authoritie they were put at liberty to doo what they would with armed hand brought it to the Senate of Paris which was the second Maiesty of France and with drawen swordes required of the same to approoue the said oracle The Senate flatly denied such a wicked vnnaturall and diuelish act to bee lawfull and worthy of the ancient loyalty of France requiring to take some deliberation vpon it and whilest they satte vpon it the mutinous rebels impacient of delay brake open the gates of the Pallace and seazing vpon the whole bench casting them into prisons so now the Senate being carried away in a triumph all reuerence of Magistracie being troden downe the Temple of iustice is poluted forsaken and vsurped by robbers The ninth day of Ianuary the seditious doo in hast choose a new counsell to the number of seauen and forty who should administer the State in stead of the kings prime counsell of the most vilest and factious persons in the citie as Rowland Compan the villanous and incestious Picheuard Louchard Rue Clerke Oliuer Seuault others of such like sortes men neither of abilitie authoritie wisdome nor counsell but onely because they had solde themselues to the League to worke all manner of villany and shewed themselues bitter enemies vnto the King This new Senate of conspiratours firebrands of Hell to replenish the Citty with confusion and mischiefe considering â—â—at to preserue an vnity among their company of robbers they must needes haue a head and rather then they should haue none they will make one of an old blocke they aduised themselues whom they might make that would vphold their misâ—eedes To take some of the Princes of the bloud they knew well them to bee wise ynough from leauing their lawfull vocations to become heades and leaders of theeues murtherers and traytors Therefore they concluded to continue the rebellion in the house and family where the conspiracy the mother of this rebellion sprang out was nourished and entertayned these 40. or 50. yeares continually The Duke de Mayne was thought to be most fit as one who in so vile an enterprise should succeede his brother considering that he was brought vp and nourished in the same schole learned the same bookes and had proceeded in the same degrees as his brother had done was well acquaynted with such matters from his infancy will and ambition boyling in him as hot as euer it did in his brother after his brothers death not much inferiour in fauours of partakers to his brother though not equall in haugtines of mind He therefore by the earnest sute and solicitation of his agent and partakers is made the head of the rebellion and inuested in his absence of that proude and new title of Lieutenant Generall of that state and Crowne of France which is a Periphrase of this word King The Duke de Mayne now beeing made manipulus furum must play the King for he doth assemble all the Captaynes of the sedition as namely the aforesayd counsell newly established with the Dukes Aumale and Nemours with other seditious persons few in number nothing in countenance nor authority to hold the States of the Realme as they did tearme them assembled of the Princes Nobillity and Commons when as there was not one Prince nor any communalty but few seditious persons The Dukes Aumale and Nemours and Cheualier Aumale were made gouernours of Paris to lead the seditious people to do such outrages and robberies as neuer were done yet in any towne or Citty in this world These three Captaynes of robbers and murtherers dayly went to the houses of them which were knowen to be the Kings friends depriued them of their authorities if they had any put them in Prisons ransacked their goods lodged their robbers whom they called garrisons in their houses whereof many by a wise and prouident mynd foreseeing the horrible tempest and thunderclaps which would fall from heauen vppon that sinke of traytors fled out of their houses carrying their liues for a pray The Ladie of Monpensier sister to the Duke de Mayne the Ladyes of Mayne Aumale 〈◊〉 Nemours beeing then in Paris caused a booke of the riche men to be geuen them so that there was no day but they sent some of these Captayns to raunsake and cary away the goods of some rich Marchant or other vnder colour that they were royals heretikes or fauorers of them After many robberies and murthers committed in Paris the seditious people were lead by their Captayns vnto the Loure the royal house where they committed such outrages vppon the goods mouable which did partayne to the King that the posterity will scarse beleeue it They violated the seale of France the sacred instruments of Soueraigne iustice brake it to pieces trampled it vnder foot they did breake and dragged in the stréets in a most spitefull sort the armes of France Valoys and Bourbons The tenth day whilest these things were dooing at Paris the King caused an expresse commaundement to be published at Bloys that all the partakers of the house of Guyze should depart and retire to their houses with pardon of their offences so that they would remayne faythfull seruants
vnto him Hee sent Cotteblanch Prouost of Paris and the president Neuilly to Paris to see whether they could reduce that seduced people to their dutye the Lords Vilaguier and D'Abin did the like but neither of them could do any good About the fifteenth day these strange alterations beeing done in Paris vnder colour of the authority of the States there called and holden by few seditious persons letters were sent from they sayd assembly of rebels there vnto all citties of their confederacy to go forward in the like outrages and furie as they had done And first to autorise their seditious procéedings with great honourable tytles they call their letters a declaration of the Princes Catholikes vnited with the three estates of France touching the Massacre committed vppon the persons of the Duke of Guyze and the Cardinall his brother First they doo warne their fellowes to beware of any manner of instructions giuen vnto them by the King himselfe or any others contayning any excuse of the execution committed at Bloys vppon the Duke and Cardinall his brother Secondly they doo aduertise them that they haue as yet of that broode the Dukes de Mayne Aumale Mercure and Nemours and that the Duke de Mayne hath a great armie in readines to defend them Thirdly they go about to cléere the Duke of Guize of the crime of treason saying that it is but calumnies of hereticks denised against that house the space of 25. yeares So with them to spye from time to time the trayterous attempts and Note secrecies of the house of Guize is heresie and a worke of heretickes Fourthly they accuse the King of violating the publike faith and prophaning their corpus Domini as they tearme it vpon the which hee had sworne the edict of reunion But in déede the King swore the edict and not to suffer himselfe to bée murthered by the Duke of Guize Note At length they doo aggrauate the death of the Cardinall of Guize and the imprisonment of the Cardinall of Bourbon and Archbishop of Lions and exhort their companies to vnite themselues and to followe theyr example In the first page of this letter was this marke in the other side the Image of the Duke of Guize Now wee will leaue these confusions of Rebells assembled vnder the colour and name of the States of France to procéede further to fill the measure of their trespasse and will goe to see what the King doth at Bloys and elsewhere Immediatly after the death of Guize the King thought good to make Orleans sure of his side The Citadell in the middest of all these tumults and rebellions of Cities was and did hold for the King And the Lord Antragues who a little before had giuen ouer the League did all that euer he could doo to hold the Citie in the Kings obedience But the inhabitants being seduced afore hand by the Leaguers partakers of the Duke de Mayne encouraged by the conduct of Captain Breton and others who did promise to the inhabitants readie succour from the Duke de Mayne tooke weapons and by the confidence which they had in their riches and strength of their walles did openly reuolt It is commonly said that the Citie of Orleans is the Citadel of France as well for the commodious situation of the same vpon the riuer Loyre as for the fortifications thereof These reasons among others caused the King to trie by gracious and fayre meanes to bring them backe to their duetie But reason not preuayling with a people carried away with passion and seduced by the louers of alteration from the obedience of their King he was compelled to trie by force the meane of the Citadell He therefore sendeth the Marshall Haumont with forces as well of footmen as of horsemen with him hee sendeth part of his gardes and the Swissers The inhabitants on their side goe about by all meanes possible to rid themselues of the Citadell as of a heauie burthen they doo besiege it within the towne side doo trench themselues and couer themselues with horsmen and platformes doo vndermine it to blowe vp that Fort which nothing els but onely one of the gates commonly called Porte-bamere they make issues out and euen vpon the Swissers with some successe they doo thunder and rase that Fort with shot of Ordinance on the inside thereof They of the Kings side doo what they can there is a great number slaine on both sides The Lord Antragues promiseth notwithstanding to the King to keepe during the space of a moneth the out side although it were but broken walls and ruines during the which time he might call backe the armie which was in Poytow at the siege of Ganache vnder the conduct of the Lord of Neuers The inhabitants made two Mines vnder the Citadell but they were vented by them within About the 17. of Ianuarie there went forth out of Paris thrée thousand men well furnished but young souldiours and not trained vp in warre to goe to succor Orleans but they were discomfited by the Lorde Montigny and other Gentlemen who charged them betwéene Estampes and Orleans many of them were slaine the remnant were turned home naked The Duke d'Mayne about the last day of Ianuarie sending some supply of succour to Orleans stayed so their estate which did seeme to hang a side that they tooke courage partly by ruines partly with shot of ordinance and other meanes so wrought that they of the Kings side were inforced to giue ouer the ruines that rested of that which was called the citadell By these meanes Orleans remained hardened at the deuotion of the League So good Christian reader thou séest how the right of God and man is turned vpside downe their popish religion which they would séeme so much to honour reuerence and defend they haue most wickedly prophaned vsing it for a couering of their rebellion thou séest how the reuerence of all soueraigne power and authoritie is blotted out of the minds of them the respect of all lawes troden vnderfoote the sanctuarie of iustice violated and poluted thou séest here a damnable and diuelish anarchie the séeds and foundation of a barbarous and intollerable seruitude laied downe in France by the Duke d'Mayne and his partakers in a manner in like sort as Mahomet began his rebellion against the empire of the Romans Therefore yée O Noble Princes and Nobles of all the Kingdoms of Europe all men who are the louers of vertue and ciuility desirous to resigne to the posteritie good lawes christian libertie and discipline vp make hast to runne vppon these accursed enemies of all mankinde put out by time that fire which dooth threaten all authorities and powers of an horrible cumbustion Now there remaineth but thrée things for the League to bring to passe to set vp and dedicate their Idoll which they haue made to wit the Duke d'Mayne and to finish that piece of worke which his brother the Duke of Guize had brought almost to an end if he had
not béen ouerthrown by the way They follow on their accustomed course and method vsed by them these 14. or 15. yeares to wit to seduce the people more and more to make the King hatefull to his subiects that hee may bee forsaken of all men if it be possible and to render the King of Nauarre abhorted of all men in hope that if they could bring to passe any thing vpon the Kings person by these meanes the said King of Nauarre may be excluded from his right of succession The first poynt to performe was left to the assembly of the pretended states as it shal appeare hereafter the other two pieces of work were committed to the Iesuites Friers and other of like sorte de bacchandi calomniandiperitissimis for their dignitie runneth most of all vpon these two common places Whether the King considering the great necessities which hee should haue of money to maintaine a dangerous and long warre against the rebels and traitors had sent his coÌ„missions vnto his threasurors and receauers of his impost to continue the receauing and gathering of tallages and impost as they had done the yeare before or else that the rebells in Paris vsurping the name of the thrée estates of France had forged such a thing I am vncertaine But so it is that if they did not deuise yet they did vse his action to steale away the hearts of the people from his obedience and thereby to make their part stronger to aâ—ure the Kings subiects to ioyne hand with them in their rebellion For immediatly after the Duke d' Mayne came to Paris they set foorth a declaration bearing the name of the Princes Citties and commonalties vnited with the thrée estates of the realme where in deede there was not one Prince onely the Dukes d' Mayne Aumale Nemours and certaine other seditious persons of Paris Anious Roen Orleans and Abeuile with their generall counsell which consisted of seauen and forty persons most vile and for their wickednes picked out of the sinke of that rebellion whereof we haue spoken before First they doo still hide their damnable rebellion vnder the olde ragged gaberdine of defending the popish religion and because the poore people had béen of long time oppressed with diuers payments and greatly impouerished by long continuance of warre vnto the defence of popery they ioyne this plausible snare to wit to ease the people of the former accustomed payments Secondly vsurping the royall authoritie they forbid all manner of officers to gather any payments money tole impost or tallage for the King but to pay vnto their officers the tallages according vnto the rate of the yeare 1576. Thirdly they commaund that in case they haue payed the saide somms vnto their commissioners and the Kings officers should come to demaund the saide sommes or should goe about to compell them to pay the same sommes they to apprehend them and to bring them vnto the next prisons and there processe to be made as vpon publick extortioners Last of all they commaunde all officers and receauers of the Kings demaynes woods graines farmers of salt garners receauers of tenths and others whatsoeuer to bring pay and deliuer the same to none other then to them or their officers and that vpon paine of death It is said before that after the Oracle giuen out by the facultie of Theologie in the colledge of Sorboun the seditious brought it to the Senate of Paris to bee alowed inregistred and published who vppon the refusing of such a disloyall treacherie were all brought to prison and there as malefactors detayned Now vpon the Dukes comming to Paris they were called and offered either to remaine still in prison or else to doo two things First to alowe and approue the resolution of Sorboune Secondly to sweare to the new vnion which was a confederacy of the rebells This Senate in olâ—e time so famous and honorable for feare of this dangerous conspiratie of the Leaguers and rage of the people against their alegeance and loyaltie doo fall to this composition with the generall counsell of the citie aboue saide and the pretended states to wit the Senat shall ioyne with the rebells and sweare with them to persecute their King by all meanes without any respect of person or dignitie for the execution done by him vpon the persons of the Duke of Guize and the Cardinall his brother the 23. and 24. of December which they doo tearme with an odious name of massacre This excerable rebellion nowe hath gotten credit by that so famous and reuerent Senat the second Maiestie of France in olde time so renowmed The 30. day of Ianuarie all the chambers of the Senat with all the officers appertaining to that court to the number of 326. gathered together in the presence of the Duke d' Mayne the generall counsell aboue saide and the pretended states did sweare and subscribe some with their owne bloud as Catelina in olâ—e time in like case that forme of vnion which they had concluded the day before whereof the somme followeth First they doo sweare and promise to God to his mother to the Angels to al the hée saints and shee saints of Paradise to employ their liues their goods and all their meanes to the defence of the Catholick religion and doo protest that all that which they doo in this vnion is for the setting foorth of Gods glory and for the defence of the holy Church Secondly they sweare to defend the citie of Paris with the state there established also other cities of their association which then were or might be hereafter Thirdly they sweare to defend the Princes to wit the Dukes d' Mayne and Aumale for so they loue well to be called the Priestes Lords and Gentlemen vnited with them both in their persons and goods with the liberty of the states of the realme Last of all they sweare to pursue by al meanes possible them that haue violated the publick faith broken the vnion franchizes and liberties of the states meaning the King in committing the massacre so they cal the iust punishment of the Duke of Guize and the Cardinall his brother without any respect of persons dignity or prerogatiue whatsoeuer and also al them who shall fauour and assist the King by any meanes with promise neuer to forsake one another As this rebellious people did rage in the Senat house in the counsell of the citie and in their pretended states so the people are set at liberty to commit al outrages violences the poorer sort are against the rich the vile person against the honorable the wicked against the vertuous the ignorant and blinde against the learned to be short there is nothing but an infernall horror The Iesuits Friers other vncleane fowles of like feathers doo rage no lesse in the places and charges appoynted vnto them to wit in rayling most villanously against the King and slandering the King of Nauarre and them of the reformed religion for the causes aboue saide
making their pulpets the trompets of murther treason and rebellion for beside that they did inuaigh against the King in all manner of vile tearmes and interpreting all his actions maliciously to the worst they also forbad the people vpon paines of spirituall and bodily punishment for if they did it was a capitall crime to pray for the King Also the inhabitantes of the citie of Rhemes in Champaigne published an infamous libell comming forth out of the Iesuites forge bearing this title A grieuous lamentation of the inhabitants of the citie of Rehmes vpon the death of the Cardinal Archbishop of Rehmes peere of France and what may he not be if they would That libell was sawced with infamous inâ—ectiues vnworthy and outragious speeches against the king by their language the authors thereof did testifie sufficiently their consent in the rebellion of other towns and cities And seeing that the priests Iesuites and Friers did say such a masse at the funerall of their Bishop it was no marueile if the ignorant people who beleeued them answered Amen And for as much as among those rebellious countreys and cities there were none of the reformed religion vpon whome they might spew their gall they called their owne Priestes Parsons Vicars and Curates for to subscribe vnto their rebellion charging them vpon payne of death not to pray in their massing for the King But such as kept an vpright heart to their Prince and would not conient to their prohibition but in their prayers or otherwise did wish well to the King were executed as male factors and great fauour was shewed them vpon great intreatie of friends if they might escape with depriuation of their liuings or imprisonment and cary away their liues for a pray And by such iniuries shewed vnto their owne priests they placed such as were fit to serue their turnes in kindling more and more the fire of sedition The third taske appoynted to the Fryers and Iesuites was to render the King of Nauarre and them of his part execrable in the eares of all men that by the consent and generall misliking of all men if it were possible he might be excluded from his right of succession The occasion was thus The 26. of December the King of Nauarre had surprized the towne of Niort in Poytow of the taking it of the said Kings gracious goodnes and clemency shewed vnto the inhabitants his deadly enemies which had committed great outrages vpon them of the reformed Religion against his owne person against the Princes of the blood and of late agaynst the Lord Valette an officer of the Crowne of France as it is sufficiently spoken of before These writers of lies to testifie to the world whose Children they are did set foorth such ridiculous falshoods and execrable calumnies and that with as much assurance as they tell vs of their lies and lying miracles which they did worke with their holywater among the sauadge people of Giapane whether they be sure that no man will send to enquire about the truth of the matter with so bolde and impudent faces they did auerre most manifest lies which out of any parte of France might bee disprooued within foure dayes The shamâ—les pamphlet went abroade with this inscription The execrable cruelties committed by the heretiks against the Catholicks of the towne of Niort in Poytow The fable sayth that they of the religon would neuer haue taken that towne without the intelligences of the politicks that is to say of them which fauour the king which were within the sayde towne It is sayde in the Pamphlet that the Kinges officers of Iustice were slayne that the Maior and the Aldermen of the towne were hanged That many were hanged onely for that they would not denie their religion also that all the Priests and Monkes were hanged for companie Also a Priest was opened aliue before his fellowes by terror to make him denie God and his noble partes were pulled out but they remayned as constant as rocks for all those cruelties and valiantly suffered martyrdome That there were innocent persons killed in such great number through the towne euen betweene two or three hundred persons so that the streets flowed with blood and dead bodies That the heretikes as the fable sayth tooke a woman which reprooued them of their cruelties whom they would haue enforced to deny the Masse which thing shee refusing they filled her belly with powder and then set fire to it to make hir burst so that sayth the lyer there is nigh three hundered martirs there put to death which are now in heauen These holy Martyrs may be called in one word holy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All this lying lybell is easily confuted euen by the inhabitants themselues by the Magistrates by the Priestes who there do liue in liberty of their Religion and by all the people who will testify that there was no such thing nor otherwise then is recited in the discourse of the surprise of their towne but will testify of the Christian mildnes clemency and moderatnes of the King of Nauarre and surprisers to haue béene far greater then euer they could haue expected or had deserued at his hands But this grosse kind of lying was spread abroad to hasten the rebellion of the Citties and to render the people vntamed and hard harted agaynst true and dutiful obedience whatsoeuer might fall hereafter as if to fall into the handes of the King of Nauarre and of them of the Religion were to fall among sauage beastes mad Tygers and cruell Lyons The King considering that the more he endeuored himselfe to winne the rebels by gentlenes clemency and promising of impunity the more hardned obstiuate insolent and bolde they became Seeing that he must be driuen by force to chastise their rebellions first he procéedeth against them by order of law And for as much as the Dukes de Mayne Aumale and Cheualier Aumale he as if it were subroged in the places of the Duke of Guyze and the Cardinal his brother the King doth first and chiefly proceede iudicially agaynst them three by proscription as attaynted of fellonie rebellion and high treason First the King doth shew himselfe to be a King ordayned and geuen of God hauing receaued of God that sword and power which he had not by vsurpation but by lawfull and naturall right of succession Secondly hee doth shew the great benefites which hee and the Kings his predecessors had bestowed vpon them and namely that he hath spared their liues whom he might iustly haue punished for their diuers attemptes fellonies and disobedience for the loue which hee had vnto them and their house He sheweth also how he had since this their last rebellion sent vnto them diuers of his faythfull seruants with letters and euen Heraulds of arms to let them vnderstand his good will and readines to put vp all iniuries offences and to receaue them to his fauour But that in stead of humbling themselues and of accepting his gracious fauour
they became more insolent which they haue shewed in surprising his townes fortresses and in rebelling agaynst him his Officers and Magistrates couering their treasons vnder the name of Catholike religion Therefore he doth declare the sayd Dukes de Mayne and Aumale to haue forfayted all estates and offices honors power gouerments charges dignities and prerogatiues which they haue receaued of his predecessors and himselfe hee doth declare them attaynted of fellony rebellion and high treason commaundeth his Officers to proceed agaynst them by any maner of way and agaynst their posterity as agaynst such as he hath declared them if they do not submit themselues by the first day of March next following This proscription was declared the first day of February The same day also the King pronounced the like proscriptions against the rebellious and trayterous Citties of Paris Orleans Anjous Roen Abeuile and others declaring them conuicted of fellony rebellion and treason in the highest degree willing all his officers to proceede agaynst them and against al them that doo or shall assist them by any meanes and against their posterity as agaynst such as they be declared if they do not returne vnder his obedience by the 14. day of march next following The King intending by these thunderclaps to call them to their dutie purposing yet to haue forgotten all offences for the loue which he had to popish religion common to the rebels with him and for hatred of the reformed religion gaue them as is aforesaid a certayne day prefixed by the which tyme if they did not returne to their duty he determined to chastise them by force and therefore the sixt day of February hee sent forth his commissions to all Nobles Gentlemen and Captaynes to prepare themselues with all furniture necessary to repayre to him the 12. of March following Neither is the sentence of the King an ydle threatning but is as if it were a condemnation of Gods law pronounced by the soueraigne Magistrate whose punishments God hath partly executed and partly hath reserued to execute hereafter in the fulnes of time About the middle of February the King vnderstanding what had passed in Paris how the rebels had enforced the Senat to swear an vnion against him his life person and estate did transport the exercise of iustice and of all his courts and chambers of Parliament from Paris and also all other courts of iustice in the aforesaid townes of Orleans Aujous Abeuile Roen and others to his citie of Tours vpon Loyre deprauing the sayd trayterous cities of al offices dignities charges and priuileges commaunding al his Iudges Counsellers officers of al his courts in the said cities to repaire to the citie of Tours vpon Loyre by the fifteenth of Aprill next following there to execute their charges vpon payne of depriuation of their wages offices forbiddeth also that no apparance be giuen by any officer vnto any suter and also no parties to appeare in any other place saue in Tours onely before his Iudges there vpon payne to be declared rebels It is sayd before how wee haue left the King of Nauarre sicke in bed of a dangerous pleuresie whilest the League haue nigh filled the measure of their execrable treasons and rebellion Now the Lord reseruing that noble Prince if not to restablish the flourishing estate of that Realm yet he hath raised him as it were out of his graue to prolong the vtter dissipation of it and in the middest of the horrible confusions thereof to reunite the hearts and mindes of the godly and vertuous to saue some corner of the sayd Realme for a place of refuge for the remnant of the Israel of God Behold therefore O great King the Lord hath restored thée to health strengthened thine armes to warre and thy hands to fight he hath girded thée with force constancie wisedome and iustice the Lord of Armies doth call thee to restore true religion iustice iudgement Discipline and peace vtterly decayed through the malice of thine enemies be strong and faint not for the Lord will put a great worke in thine hand to execute Followe the vocation of God and the Lord will be a shadowe at thy right hand to kéepe thée from euill doo good things with good meanes and thou shall see thine enemies to fall before thy face thou shalt pitie them and do them good Whilest the King doth so thunder the threatnings of Gods lawe and the claps of his iustice agaynst those Rebels forsaken and reiected of God as is afore sayd the King of Nauarre perceiuing the King to be in distresse persecuted and dispossessed out of his Towns and Cities euen out of his owne houses by his enemies abroade and to liue in great mistrust of his domesticall enemies who did daily eate bread at his owne table did greatly lament his case keepeth himselfe quiet beyond Loyre ceaseth from all acts of hostilitie and exployts of warre least he should encrease his affliction and heauines And desirous greatly to make a proofe of his fidelitie towards the King and to crosse the actions of the leagued rebels proffereth peace to the King and watcheth diligently that his enemies might not set foote in any place where hee had meanes to make sure for the kings seruice as for the ease of them of the religion So that after the taking of Niort as is afore sayd in the latter end of Ianuary the inhabitants of S. Meixant and Maillezay two Townes nigh neighbours of Niort yeelded themselues vnto him The Lord Aubiguy was appoynted Gouernour of that Iland About the 14. of February the King of Nauarre hauing recouerd his perfect health and strength with part of his forces tooke the field marching toward the riuer of Loyre The inhabitants of Lodune Lisle Bouchard Mirabean Chastelerault Vinonne and other places and Castles of the countrey of Turenne and Poytow offered to open the gates of their townes vnto him and also proffered vnto him their seruices He receiued them very courteously and without innouation of any thing he suffered them of the Romish religion to liue with all libertie with their ordinarie exercises onely he commanded them of the reformed religion with the exercise of the same there to be established commaunding them of both religions to liue in amitie and peace About the same time many Townes and places in diuers parts of the Realme which before did seeme to bee at the deuotion of the Leaguers were made sure for the Kings seruice as well in Bourgondy as in other Prouinces and among others the Towne and Castle of Sancerre in Berry was seazed for the King That Towne had béen greatly defaced in the former warres for the walles of the Towne had béen rased by the Lord Chastre Gouernour of Berry who did put a Captaine within the Castle for the kéeping of the same and to bridle the inhabitants there who were all of the religion But after the death of the Duke of Guize the Lord of Requien of the house of Montigny Captayne of
raunsoms sparing neither Nobles nor others of the romish religion for that onely they were faithfull to the King This exploit done Mercure gathered as great forces of men of warre as he could and from thence tooke his iourney toward Fongeres in the low Britayne a towne which he had gone about long before to seduce and had the chiefâ—st of the inhabitants at his deuotion they receaued him very willingly and hauing the towne he agreed with the Captaine of the castell who solde him the place with all the moueable goods and furniture therein belonging to his master the Marquesse Roche for the summe of fifteen thousand crownes which he receaued In Aprill the Lord Bordage and other Gentlemen of the religion accompanied with few men tooke the town of Vitre belonging to the yong Lord Laual which thing when Merceur who was then at Fongers vnderstood hee sent a Gentleman of Britaine named Tailowet with certaine companies of men of warre and the commons of the countrey whom he raised vp in armes to the number of sixe thousands they besieged Vitre the space of fiue wéekes but the place was valiantly defended by the saide Gentlemen and their small company During this siege in the moneth of May they of Roen hauing receaued letters from the King by the helpe of some honest and faithfull men came againe to their right wittes and returned to the Kinges obedience with whom they agréed for the impunity of that offence which was past They tooke prisoner the Lord Charroniere whome Merceur at his departing to Fongeres had left there gouernour they tooke also the Spanish Moore to wit Captaine Iohn and many other of that faction and behauiour if the Lorde Merceur had béen there it had béen an easie thing to haue taken him also Whilest these things were a dooing on both sides the Lord Morlak entred into the Castell Iosselin the strongest place of all Britaine for the Kings seruice The Lord Saint Lauuers a Captaine of the Leaguers with certaine companies enterprised to surprise the Towne and so to kill Morlak therein choosing for the executioÌ„ of his purpose the day which they call holy Friday a day of great deuotion among the Papists least of al suspected and so to haue taken it when they should haue béen busie about their ceremonies and enchauntings so he surprised the towne but not the Lord Morlak who did holde the Castell Whilest these broyles did so passe in Britayn in other places also as if it were at a day appoâ—nted the traiterous Leaguers tooke Molins in Borbonnoys situated vpon the riuer Allier which rising out of the Mountaines of Anuergne falleth into Loyre at the towne Charite That place was well defended by the Lord Rostayn but being set on when the Garison was absent for lack of men the towne was caried away to the Leaguers About the selfe same time the faction of the League in the citie of Bourdeaux shewed themselues and attempted to surprise the towne against the King They had conspired an accursed practise both against the Marshall Matignon the Kings gouernour there and also against the towne and good inhabitants who were knowne to bée faithfull to the King their intent was to stab the said Marshall Matignon to sâ—aze vpon the citie and Castles and to kill all them that should not bée of their side The traitors had made a great preparation of shippes at Browage had stayed many shippes which were bound to Newland for fishing to fauour the enterprise vpon Bourdeaux Vpon Easter euen therebels there vppon the watch word rose vp in armes part of them did seaze vpon the gate of Saint Iulien and part of them had incamped themselues at another side without the citie The Magistrates of the citie séeing this commotion with strong hand went toward them who had stayed vpon the gate Saint Iulien the rebels did resist the Magistrates and beate them back The Marshall Matignon taking part of the Garisons out of the Castells with the assistance of the inhabitants faithfull to the King dooth march with some forces a foote through the streates of the towne toward the gate that they had seazed vpon The rebells séeing this power comming against them without any fight began to faint and in a while after to run away and shift for themselues yet could they not so spéedily auoyde but there was fiue slaine vpon the place many of that conspiracie were apprehended There were two executed one a captaine of the citie and the other was of the gaâ—des of the Marshal who declared the whole conspiracie and accused a great number and of the chiefest of the citie They who had remayned within the towne fearing to be detected by reason of a guiltie conscience the night folowing left behinde them their maker whome they shoulde haue swallowed downe whole and aliue the next day following being Easter day They leapt ouer the walls for on the morow a great number of ropes were found hanging at the wals by which they slided down the greatest part of them retyred to Browage and shortly after the King sent eyght hundred Launce-knights there to bée in Garison to kéepe the rest in their duetie Whilest these rebellions were a working in Britayne and other places and Prouinces of the realme the King vnderstanding the greatest part of his realme to be reuolted from his obedience and how a great many Noblemen and Gentlemen whome he hath forgiuen at Bloys and let scape vnpunished abusing his lenitie or rather accounting it as it was in trueth pusillanimitie had turned againe to his enemies began to fal in great mistrust and to despaire both of himselfe and of his estate The Leaguers who were about his person to increase this his amaze aduertised him though falsely for the most part that the Spaniard the Princes and States of Italy the Dukes of Sauoy and Lorreyne had sworne the reuengement of the death of the Duke of Guize Also they perswaded him that he was not in safety at Bloys and therefore aduised him to retyre to Tours this counsell they gaue him not for any care which they had of his safetie although that God turned it to the best but for that they thought to haue more assistance there to performe their wicked intent purposed against him that citie being great and populous and where were many of the chiefest Leagued who had promised their helpe to the traitors They tolde him also how the King of Nauarre with great power approched and was already at Saumour to passe ouer Loyre for to inuade the Realme The king not knowing what to doe nor whom to trust and perceiuing theÌ„ that were at Bloys for the most part to be his secret enemies to haue intelligeÌ„ces w t the rebels in the latter end of March departed from Bloys and remoued to Tours being wel assured that at al extremities he should haue the King of Nauarre whose fidelitie and valour he knew well howsoeuer the Leaguers of his counsel did terrifie him of his
forces there nigh at hand and ready to succour him although that so oftentimes hee had been deaffe at his most reasonable counsells The king being at Tours the first thing which hee did was in the beginning of Aprill there he depriued the Duke Mercure of his gouernment of lands dignities offices and prerogatiues to him granted by him for his treasons committed against his Maiestie in his gouernment In the beginning of Aprill the king being at Tours and perceiuing the great dangers which compassed him about on euery side hauing many Leaguers of his counsell and about his person the Citie for the most part leagued bent against him by the meanes of some of his saythfull counsellers as of the Marshals Biron and Hautmont and others and considering more deepely the reasonable and modest protestation of the K. of Nauarre who in his great prosperitie yet of late craueth for peace desireth to be taught proffereth his seruice to the king willeth them to deuise some good wayes to remedie the horrible confusions which doe ouerflow France began to hearken to some good and moderate counsell as to take some truces with the said king of Nauarre to vse his counsell and forces for his iust and lawfull defence In the moneth of March following after the taking of the Citadel of Orleans by the rebels and the ennouatious which they had made in Paris in the changing of the State and treading downe vnder foote the kings royall authoritie The Dukes of Mayne and Aumale began to shew such ielousies and suspitions which ambition did worke in their hearts as it did before in the two brethren to wit the Dukes of Guize and Maine For the Duke de Mayne was caryed to the vsurpation of the Monarchy after his brothers death as if it were vpon the shoulders o. rebells and would haue had been sory if his cousin the Duke de Aumale should haue had either the whole or else any part thereof in superioritie but rather desirous that he should depend of his commaundements and therefore did holde him short with secret practizes and factions The Duke d' Aumale would haue beene glad to haue had all to himselfe rather than his cosin and if not all yet he thought to get as good part in the cake as he might but the factious were not so fauourable vnto him as to the other Fearing therefore some Guizien trick such as hee was well acquainted with to be played against him by the helpe of the mutinous Parisiens he putteth on a good countenance and after infinite sackings riflings and manifolde robberyes committed vpon the rich Marchaunts and others in Paris for in those dayes all rich men were either royalls or hereticks he departed out of the Citie into Picardy where he thought his parte might bee stronger and hee mought bee in greater safetie Mercure on the other side for his part was content if he might make sure vnto himselfe the Dutchie of Britaine supposing that the throte of his ambition was not so wide as that he might swallow down the whole kingdom Crown of France yet betweene them 3. the glorious name of the League and holy vnion holy Church and holy Catholick Religion did rowle among them and were patched by the Fryers and Iesuites for an olde gaberdine to hide vnder all their treacheries against the king and robberies against his subiects All these things did flie abroad vnder the authoritie of the newe great generall Protector of the Crowne of France to wit the Duke de Mayne to whome that title was giuen by conspirators assembled at Paris vnder the name of States as it is afore sayde All these three did well agree together in resisting the kings authority and oppressing the kings subiects euery where euery man reseruing to himselfe his owne thoughts yet would they not be kept so secret but that their enuies ielousies and enimities sometime would flame out so that they could be euidently spied by other men The Duke d'Aumale absented himselfe from Paris and in the I le of France Picardie Brie Tartenoys and Vermandoys went about to doo his busines as well as he could his part as strong as strong might be made with those great summes of money which for his share he had made of the spoyle of the rich men of Paris The Citie of Paris is one of the greatest Cities in the world but doubtles the greatest in Europe It is deuided into three parts The one and the greatest part lyeth in Belgik on the banck of the riuer Seyne in a low fayre and plaine situation That part is called the towne Among other edifices on the lower end by the riuer nigh Newgate is the kings house called the Loure and right ouer against it on the other side of the streete is the auncient house called L'hostel de Bourbon about a mile and a halfe vpon the same side of the riuer is the town house called by a temple nigh to it Saint Iahn en Greue There is a long street from the pont anchange directly to Saint Denis warde called Saint Martins streat which deuideth that parte of the Citie well nigh through the middest The other part lying in the celtick on the south side of the riuer is the Vniuersitie lesser than the former part it is full of Monkeries Friâ—ries and Nunneryes of all feathers and colours vnder the heauens So that a man comming out of a strange countrey and seeing so great diuersitie of fantasies would think himselfe to wander into a countrey of monsters or a Citie of mad men but if he consider well he shall finde himselfe in the middest of Sodome so cleane is their conuersation Beside these infernall Locusts there is a great number of colledges and houses of learning for the which cause it is called the Vniuersitie wherein are chiefly two colldges to wit Sorboune and Nauarre Sorboune is a colledge where Diuines and students of Diuinity cheefly haue allowance and beside it is an association of Diuines whersoeuer they haue taken degrees it is more famous than Nauarre by reason of their ignorance but Nauarre is greater in liuing and multitude of students This Vniuersitie was founded or rather reformed I feare me from better to worse by Charles the great by the helpe of his schoolemaster one Alboinus an Englishman sometime scholler of the learned Beda who as it seemeth changed the former order of studie and fashioned them to the forme of doctrine laide downe by the learned S. Augustine This forme there continued vntill y t time that a visioÌ„ was seen in the ayre to wit a man naked hairy and deformed carying a wallet ful of stones gnawing on a stone which he had in his hand Immediately after that forme of studie was changed and diuinitie reduced to vaine speculations carnall Philosophy and fâ—iuolous questions without edifiyng or breeding any knowledge or wisedoms in the students Then began Aristotle to beare sway in the Diuinity schooles and to fitt in the chayre of Moses The
argument to walke in they cryed out that he serued himselfe of the forces of heretickes no maruel if they cry out now when they see a whip prepared for their backes and that now they are further from bringing to passe theyr wicked thoughts thâ—â— euer they were By these execrable outragious and seditious inue ctiues of these damnable Iesuits and Fryers hyred to sound the trompet of rebellion in a maner throughout all France but specially froÌ„ the riuer of Loyre north west and east and among other Prouinces Normandy was so infected with their poysoned and detestable rebellions that there was not so much as a Uillage to bee found where there was not some of all qualities dronken with their cup of abominations It is sayd before how the King had pardoned Brissak Boysdaulphine and Chastre with many others who within a while abusing the Kinges facility and ascribing their impunity to the Kings puâ—â—llanimity fled and reuolted to the League agayne After this reuolt Brissak and Boysdaulphine went to Anger 's as it is sayd and procured that great Citty to rebell but after the reducing of the sayd Cittye to the Kings obedience by the Marshal Haumont the said Brissak and Boysdaulphin fled and in their flight caused by the meanes of their partakers the Citty of Mans which was already wauering to rebel against the King To these 2. manipuli furum resorted the Lords la Mot Serrant Touchet Angeruile and Normandiere who by theyr treacherous solicitaâ—ion procured almost all the townes of Normandy to rebell and to open their gates to them as Roan which was reuolted long before Luseulx Falaize Newhauen Seas Bayeux Argenton and afterward Alcencon all these opened their gates to the rebels who afterward a most in a litle space consumed them There remained Caen Constances few other towns in base Normandie in the kings obedience by the good and prouident counsel of the Lord de la Veaue Beuuron the Presidents Aulbiguy and Lizeres and some other loyall and Noble men We sée how the cities of Normandie for the most part at the solicitatioÌ„ of Brissak Boysdaulphine and others whose names shall be knowne hereafter and by the preaching of the furious and frantick Iesuites and Friers are brought from the Kings obedience to a damnable rebellion The countrey men also and pesants were induced by the selfe same meanes to rebellion vnder colour of the defending the Catholick religion and hope of libertie There is in high Normandie a certaine place called la Chapelle Gantier thereupon the perswasions of the desperat Iesuites and Friers to countrey men were stirred vp to rebellion both against the King and the Nobilitie and began to commit horrible excesse and cruelties by reason of this beginning all the rebels in Normandy were called Gantiers these Peasants ioyned to themselues a number of Priestes but specially the Priestes of Sees and a great number of bedlem Friers furious Iesuites Parsons and among others the Parson of Vimonstier the most pestiferous desperat and seditious firebrand of all Normandy About the 19. the King vnderstanding of this rebellion in Normandy and foreséeing the mischiefe which might ensue if this euill were not in time remedyed thought good with all spéede to send the Prince Montpensier generall Lieutenant for his Maiestie into that Prouince to reduce them into the true way of their duetie and obedience and commaunded the Lord Saint Cire one of his counselers and Master of the requests of his house to accompany and assist him The King to bring this seduced people in the right way of iust obedience gaue charge to the saide Prince to offer pardon and impunity vnto the rebels in case they woulde liue quietly and peaceably vnder his gouernement Secondly hee discharged them of the third part of all taxes due vnto him hoping to haue a better opportunity and more happie season woulde come when he might gratifie them in some greater matter Thirdly hée gaue a forme of an oath to the said Prince to commaund all men to liue peaceably vnder his Gracious gouernement and to forsake all Leaguers and associations whatsoeuer and in case they would refuse either to returne vnder his protection or else to take that oath he gaue him authority to chastise them with strong hand as traitors and rebels About the 30. the saide Prince departed from Tours accompanied with the Lords of Backeuile and Archant and came to Luce where hee vnderstoode that Boysdaulphin and la Mot Serrant and other rebels had surprised the towne of Mans and purposed to méete with him to stop his way The 31. day this noble Prince of the house of Bourbon passed hard by the nose of the enemies and came as farre as Alencon where hée found the inhabitants amazed for the surprising of the towne of Mans by the enemy whome the rebels also had enueigled to enter into their rebellon and confirmed them in their obedience and duetie toward his Maiestie There this noble Prince with great deuotion and solemnitie kept his Easter and hauing taken order for the safetie of the towne appointed the Lorde Reuty gouernour of the said place with two companies of shot on horseback to kéepe the towne and Castell and to make roades in the villages about to repulse the rebells when they should come to forrage and constraine the inhabitants to pay them taxes and other tributes due to the King The 4. day the Prince vnderstanding that the citie of Sees were minded to ioyne to the rebels and had refused to take the oath according to the prescribed forme of the King purposed to passe that way and sent worde before to the Bishop and inhabitants that they shoulde open the gates for him who vpon a short consultation answered that they were ready to receaue him and being met by the citizens a great way out of the towne hée accompanied with the Lordes of Bakqueuile Archand and their troupes passed through without any stay The said Prince shewed vnto the Bishop and the inhabitants that he came from the King to offer pardon vnto the rebels and that the King ment to deale fauorably with his subiects to make account of them according to their duety and obedience towards him to chastise the rebels obstinat The inhabitants protested though with fained lippes of their loyaltie affection and obedience toward his Maiestie The departing from Sees met with the Lordes de Hallot and Creueceur his brother with a good and honorable tronpe of nobilitie to whome they proffered with many protections faithfully to serue the King as long as breath was in their bodies The 5. of Aprill the Prince departed from Escouche had intelligences that the Lords Touschet Angeruile Normandiere Captaines of the rebels with many Laâ—nciers and a good number of footemen haue come forth out of Falaize and marched on to stop the Princes way and went as farre as a village called Perrefit distant two miles from Falaize where they being met by the Lords Bakqueuile Archand Creueceur were
so charged that they stood little to the fight for the Prince leading the maine Battaile beginning to appeare they fled and left behind them Touschet Angeruile and Normandiere their chiefest leaders who were taken prisoners and brought before the Duke who were redeliuered into the hands of those that had taken them till such time as hée should call for them againe All the companies of these rebels were hewen in pieces the Prince lost not one man there was none hurt of his side but only the Lord Chammont in the head and in a short space after cecouered That same day the Prince Montpencier came to Falaize where the enemies made a shew as though they would haue set open the gates for him intending some surprise against him The Prince hauing no Ordinance to force theÌ„ tooke his way to Caen where he entred about y e seauenth day of Aprill all the faithfull Citizens welcomming him with these salutations often reiterated God saue the King and my Lord the D. Montpencier in token of an vnfained ioy they kept that day holy day The Lord Beuuron accompanied him to his lodging which was the house of the presideÌ„t Aubigny thether came the L. Verune to do reuerence to the Prince who receaued him courteously and highly commended him for his loyall seruice to the King in kéeping the towne within his obedience The said Prince soiourned in Caen about ten dayes to set all things in a readines as well for the safety and defence of the Citie as for to assault the enemy and to scoure the country During the Princes soiourne there ariued the County Thorigny and afâ—er him the Lord Longannay with a great troupe of Gentlemen who were courteously receaued and imbraced with great thankes for their good affection toward his Maiestie promising to aduertise the King of their duetifull seruice and to requiâ—e it in particular as occasion would serue About the 15. of April the Prince Montpencier hauing done al things that were there to bée done and gathered such forces as hée might and by the aduise of the Lord Saint Cere he concluded to warre vpon the rebels and to make them to leaue that which they hold so fast in the countrey and because they had the chiefest townes he resolued to carry a long some pieces of artillery to force them if possible he might Therefore he sent away before Monsieur de Hallot Batreuile Archand with the regiment of Monsieur Tracy the companies of the Captaines Saint Denis Maillot Radier Chauuaine Daulphin Roqueuile Glaize and other voluntary Captaines to attempt vpon Falaize The Sonday to wit the 16. of Aprill hée like a good Catholick caused a procession to be made and a sermon and a certaine forme of prayers to bée dayly said for the safegarde of the King and the good successe of his affaires against the rebels The 17. the Prince hauing appoynted officers ouer his treasure money victuall and artillery departed with two Canons and one bastard Culuerine hoping at the least to drawe the enemy to the field ariuing at Falaize he lodged at the Abbey Saint Iahn On the other side the ringleaders of the rebels as Brissak the Lords of long Champ the Barons of Eschaufour and Tubeuf assembled the flower of their rebell forces within the towne of Falaize The 18. of Aprill they laid their Artillery to batter and hauing beaten downe thrée towers they sent a Sergeant and ten Souldiours to view the breach but séeing that they would haue enticed them to enter into the towne to haue intrapped them and considering that the wall was yet too déepe the Prince sounded the retraite And vnderstanding that the rebels had taken from about Aigle Orbeck Sees Argenton Vimonstier and other places néere thereabout a company of more then sixe thousand Gantiers wel appoynted for Muskets and Harquebuses as might bée among these peasants they intermingled some seauen or eight hundred good Souldiours such as they could come by some also of the Nobility of the weaker sort to these companies of rebellious robbers resorted a great number of Priestes CaÌ„ons Monkes Friers Iesuites and such stinking poysoned vermine the Lord Brissak accompanied with the Barons of Eschaufour the Lords Vieupont Roqueuual Beaulieu and Annay and other Captaines receaued them and conducted them the right way to Falaize to them repayred the Baron Vernier with his forces from Damfront The Lorde Pierrecourt also came with such forces as hée could make out of Ponteau de mer and Ange and Houfleur supposing to haue inclosed the Prince betwéene the Towne of Falaize and these great forces and so to haue surprised him and his power The Prince hauing intelligences of the enterprize prouided for them remooued his artillery from the trenches and sent away his cannon to Courcy and with the Culuerine resolued to encounter the enemie in the plaine field The enemies had lodged in three seuerall villages not farr distant a sunder betweene Argenton and Falayze to wit Pierrefit villiers and Commeaux The Prince Montpencier appoynted the County of Thoriguy and Longaunay and the Lord Vickes the elder brother to lodge betweene the said villages and Argenton there to stay them if they should seeme to recoyle back He sent also the Lords of Bakqueuile Archand and Benuron with their companies to enuiron them on the other side The 20. day y e prince himself ayded with the L. Hallot Creueceure his brother with the whole armie and being on the top of a hil commaunded the Lords of Emery and Surene Marshalls of the field to aduance the infantry which was on the left hand with the Culuerine which they did these footemen were lead by the Lords of Saint Denis Maillot Radier Roqueuile Chauuayn Daulphine Glayze and others all so well resolute to encounter with that rabble of rebels that they made no delay but skitmished straight with a hot on set on both sides but assoone as the culuerin had begun to play in their faces they began to bee amazed and Brissak himselfe caused his Cornet to turne bridle and retyred from the danger with a number of horsemen as hardy as himself The rebels notwithstanding stoode to the fight but when the Culuerine roared once againe and they sâ—w the Lord Vaumart one of their chiefest leaders with fifteene others carried away with the shott they began to quauer Then the prince commaunded a fresh charge hee marching formost of all his companies which was giuen so hot and fierce that al the rebels were put to the chase to yeeld and to fall downe before them whom God had armed with authoritie and force to reuenge that most damnable rebellion This first encounter was vpon two thousand who were lodged at Pierrefit they were all slayne or takeâ— prisoners few onely excepted The prince hauing assemblâ—d his troupes agayne immediatly set vpon the third village named Viliers where were another company of rebels conducted by the Baron Tubeuf they were all put to the sworde saue the Baron Tubeuf and a few
oppressâ—d with famin pestilence sword and with intollerable bondage vnder the Leaguers The King of Nauarre after this ouerthrow of Saueinze and his companies nigh Bonaual about the 22. of May being at Boysgency vpon Loyre veneath Orleans fiue leagues writeth a louing letter to the rebels of Orleans to proue what reason and fayre offers might do with them wherein he sheweth to them First that he hath foreseene and forewarned France of the euils which this last ciuill Warres would bring and protesteth of the dislyking of it at all times And although his protestations and warnings haue béen little regarded notwithstanding the iniuries which he hath receaued yet wil he not fayle in his duty toward his countrey but will séeke the meanes to cure her disease or die wiâ—h it both in generall and particular Secondly aduiseth them to consider the causes of their rebellion to bee in themselues and not in other men for it cannot be for any religion or any violence or necessitie which hath enforced them thereunto but a wicked and rash minde which maketh them pretend a feare of some euill that may come hereafter and so doing they make themselues vnfortunate and cast themselues in a miserable state And in preuenting a fault that may bée hereafter they doo commit a manifest and heynous crime in going about to stop an euill which they doo imagine to see a farre of they doo procure to themselues innumerable euils to assure a libertie to their children which no man will hinder they doo throwe themselues into a present bondage To make sure as they say their state and goods they yéeld themselues to be spoyled and robbed Put them in remembrance of the calamities which will accompanie their rebellion and their obstinacie in the same as that they doo drawe a cruell warre to their gates whereby they shall be continually in feare and alarume by it they shall haue need continually of an armie to gard them by it they shall see their houses their fieldes their vines set on a fire their wiues and children spoyled their traffique stopped their husbandrie wasted and all this they are like to suffer for going about to reuenge another mans naughtie quarrell and for to make their backes to be footsteps for other men to get vp vnto the scaffold of their ambition which if it doth fall as it cannot stand it will quaile stiffle and vndo them Thirdly admonisheth them to call to remembrance the fidelitie and loyaltie of their ancestors to Charles the 7. whom they defended against England and the most part of France which had conspired against him and exhorteth them also to remember their oath naturally giuen to keepe their fidelitie loyaltie and duetie inuiolable to their naturally Prince Last of all hee assureth them of the Kings clemencie and gracious fauour and proffereth them his meanes to further the same if they will returne vnder his obedience Afterward the King of Nauarre scoured all the countrey of Beausse hauing enforced the rebels to keepe in their Holds At length the King hauing receaued certaine regiments of Swissers and encouraged with these good beginnings against the rebels knowing the God of battailes to be of his side in the latter ende of Iune gatheres all his forces together and came in person to his Campe Helpe commeth to him from all parts of the Realme his armie encreaseth daily in number fame and power The state of the King thus suddenly many Cities begin to entreate vpon peace Thus the King hauing recouered part of his authoritie and in good hope to recouer the whole and more then euer he had by refusing the counsell of strangers and following the good wise sage and discreet counsell of the Princes of his bloud and other his noble and faithfull counsellers subiects and friends he marcheth directly toward Paris to begin the punishment where this vnthankfulnes treacherie and rebellion had begun He taketh Pontoys S. Clow seazeth vppon Poissy S. Germayne Charanton and other Townes round about Paris Meloune and Corbeil he had fortified and holden euer since the beginning of the rebellion The Princes of Germany and Italy sent Ambassadours vnto him doo wish him well doo proffer him money and men to represse that barbarous treacherie of his enemies Some of the first conspirators also through dispayre flee vnto his mercie Finally all things now fall contrary to their expectation and traiterous desires without any hope to looke any more so long as the King liueth for any condition of agreement or suretie of life To be short the case is altered For the King leading his power nigh Paris to compasse it round about and hauing all the Townes about beginneth so to distresse it that either none or small store of victuals could be brought into the Citie The conspirators begin to tremble at this newe and sudden chaunge therefore the heads of the traitors seeing themselues so hardly beset doo enter into counsell to determine vppon the extremitie of their affayres One among the rest declared the daunger wherein they liued he shewed that the mindes of the Nobilitie were mutable and inconstant fawning alwayes on Fortunes side He shewed also that the fearefull Cities could not be kept faithfull vnto them and that vppon the sight of any imminent danger they would be ready to reuolt agayne to the King Also hee discoursed how the Cleargie were couetous and neuer gaue but very little of their owne to their Kings and therefore there was small hope that they would giue to them who might but intreat for it And thus stood their case at home From abroade sayd he lesse hope was to bee looked for for the Spanyard was olde and carefull for the quietnes of his owne familie vnto whom it was more securitie that France should bee troubled then vsurped by any other then himselfe The Italian Princes are circumspect and wise The Germanes are couetous and misers The Pope is subtill craftie and inconstant gréedie for his owne gayne and turning with euery blast of fortune therefore he concluded that there was none other remedie remayning for them but to dye or runne away except one thing could bee brought to passe to wit the death of the King which if they would auoyde their assured vndoing was to be laboured by all meanes possible and that there was no other remedie for redresse of their distressed estate In this counsell sat the Duke de Mayne as a King in hope Aumale Nemours the treacherous Bishop of Lions whom the King a little before had pardoned and set at libertie the Lords Rosne Boysdaulphin Brissak Sagonne the 47. chosen for the counsell of the Citie as aboue sayd the seuentéene Colonels appoynted ouer the eightéene wardes of the Citie All this blessed company hauing heard the discourse aboue sayd and séeing with their eyes vengeance to be at the doore concluded the condemnation and execution of the King speedily to bee dispatched and murthered but the meanes are found very difficult to bring such a famous act
therefore least the smoake of this execrable intended parricide should flee ouer the walles of Paris and so by giuing intelligences their haynous vnnaturall and hellish treason and murther might bée preuented it was diligently prouided that no man should goe out of Paris before the exployt were done Therefore the gates were shut vp and carefully kept and all the issues at the Suburbes end straightly and narrowly watched that no man could goe to tell tales out of the schoole Now the Frier hath on his hypocriticall coate his letters in his hand his lesson in his head his poysoned knife in his sleeue order is taken that no intelligences may be giuen the way is made plaine before this diuellish murtherer euen as farre as to the Kings gate the doores are made open to him by these meanes the execution is to bee performed speedily least delay should disappoynt his enterprise This murtherer accompanied with the other Frier who had confirmed him in his reuelation or illusion wherewith Sathan had deluded him as is aforesayd the 21. of Iuly which by the newe heauen of the Popes making is the first of August out of Paris taking his way to S. Clow which is a Towne vpon Seyne beneath Paris two small leagues and comming to the Campe he tolde them whome hée met first that he had letters from the first President and certaine other Parisiens well affected to the king which contayned matters of great importance and beside that hee had great and waightie things to disclose to the King The King being scarce ready and aduertised of this accursed Friers comming commaunded that he should attend and that speedily hee should be admitted to his speach the Frier did attend with his letter in his hand which he said was from the first president detained prisoner The King being made ready and at such an houre as he was wont to enter into his oratory and when it was not lawfull not for the Princes of the bloud to haue accesse vnto him caused that sauage murtherer to be called to him The Frier came before the King with a bolde countenance the King looking merily vpon him said these words amice ad quid venisti The Frier making a low and humble reuerence euen to the ground gaue the King the letter which he said came from the first president of Paris which letters when the King had read asked the Frier what newes hee brought from Paris the Frier answered that hee had matters of great importance to declare vnto him Whereupon the King commaunded two Gentlemen who waited and serued him at his vprising to goe foorth out of the chamber and sat downe in a chayre to heare what the Frier would say The Frier drew nigh to the King and falling vpon his knées began to tell a tale the King stouping somewhat low to heare what the Frier was about to say gaue more attendance to his words than to his fingers The Frier drawing softly his knife out of his sléeue stabbed the King there with in the lower part of the belly and made hast to get away The King amazed at the suddaine and vnexpected stroak cried out and laying hand vpon a dagger that lay nere him stroak the Frier who partly for the blow partly for feare fell presently down Vppon this noyse the Lordes came running into the Kings chamber and after many woundes slew that cursed Frier Some doo report that the King commaunded that hee should not bee flaine but taken vp and examined which declared who set him on and the authors names of so vile treacherie the wound was presently dressed and as the report went seauen stitches made in it at length the wound being dressed hee was laide on his bed and slept a little vppon his paine and griefe After his sleepe hee made his praiers vnto God and with a loude voyce made a confession of his faith and of the féeling which he had of his redemption adding there unto this feruent praier IF it bee to thy glorie O God and the commodity of thy people graunt me I most humblie desire first pardon of my sinnes and then some longer dayes of life But if it be otherwise I thanke thee most highly O Father that thou doost barre me hence forth from the thraledome of sinne whereby we most oftentimes procure thy wrath against vs and therefore I am ready most willingly to come where thou callest me The King hauing made an end of his praiers sendeth for his brother the King of Nauarre and for the chiefest Lords of his court gouernours and captaines but specially for the heads of the strangers to the intent that if it were Gods will that hee should dye they might knowe his last will First speaking to the King of Nauarre commended vnto him the charge of his Realme the gouernement of his subiects the lawes of France Often times he repeated wordes whereby hee charged the said King of Nauarre to haue a speciall care to keepe Christes flocke in vnity and concord and to preserue the godly and ancient institutions of the realme requested him that by all meanes he would pacify the matter of religion in France and not to alter any thing therein but by the aduise of a generall or naturall counsell lawfully called which things the King of Nauarre promised to doo To the rest of Princes Lords and Noblemen he signified that the lawfull succession of the royall state of France fell not to any other then to the person of Bourbon and declared at that time the King of Nauarre first successor he prayed and exhorted the whole company to acknowledge him and to be faithfull vnto him willed them also to protest in his presence all with one voice the acknowledging of him and to promise true obedience vnto him as to the true lawfull and naturall heire of the Crowne willed them also to cause the like promise and acknowledgement to be made in the Campe by all true and faithfull Captaines and Souldiers that could not be present at that assembly consisting as well of Frenchmen as strangers In all these speaches he shewed himselfe of a good cheere which caused all men to hope that hee stoode in no danger of death The said King sent presently letters to all Prouinces and Cities to aduertise them how things had passed at S. Clow and of his will and last Testament requiring all his faithfull Subiects to protest the fulfilling thereof The second day toward the euening there appeared in the King accidents prognosticating an assured danger not so much through the nature of the wound as through the poysoned contagiousnes of the weapon wherwith the wound was made so that all remedies being vsed by the Phisitions and Chirurgions to preuent the danger and nothing preuailing the King called againe to him the King of Nauarre and other Princes and Lords before whom he greatly bewailed the accursed ciuill warres which had béen the vndooing of his house his nobility and realme and the breeders of so many
treacheries and treasons whereof he feeleth the smart imputing the causes thereof vnto himselfe in that hee had alwaies preferred the bad and violent counsell of his secret enemies before the good wise moderat admonitions and warnings of the Princes of his bloud and many other Princes strangers and faithfull friends willeth him to make a iust reuenge for example sake vpon the authors of such a vile act The King of Nauarre with the rest of the Princes and Nobility departing very sorowfull and dismaied the King called for his Confessor to whose eare he confessed his sinnes and hauing craued pardon for his offences said that he had a sensible feeling that they were forgeuen him through Christ The Mediatour desired to communicat of his sacred body and that all might heare that he had receaued fréely of God the forgeuenes of sinnes in like casehe not onely forgaue the conspiratours but also the very murtherer and procurers of the murther so the poyson preuailing and scattering it selfe through did infect the noble parts whereby the night following the 22. of Iuly he yeelded his soule vnto God Here Christian Reader thou mayest see with the eye notable examples both of Gods iustice and mercy shewed vppon this noble King of a noble kingdome issued out of noble Kings First how this King hauing obstinatly persecuted the Gospell partly for hatred partly at the pleasure and solicitation of Priestes and Fryers and other sycophants and clawbackes who were continually about him and set him on still that vnder the colour of catholike Church and rooting out of heresie they might weaken him spoile him of his authority of his Kingdome and at length of his life For they neuer gaue ouer nor left him at rest vntill they had snatehed his forces out of his hand and kept his armies alwayes in their hands or of their friends and partakers then by calumnies slaunders libels seditious preachings had procured the contempt and hatred of his subieets agaynst him Moreouer vpon oportunity they seazed vppon his Townes and fortresses expelled him out of his owne house seat city of his kingdome and of his realme condemned him twise to die and at last executed that condemnation with hipocrisy and treachery which thing they could not bring to passe by force Who did all these vnnaturall iniuries vnto their naturall King They whom he had so far fauoured as to expose his goods his state his credit his honor his life for the defence of their iuglings filthy pleasures pride ambition and atheisme to wit of the Priests Monks Fryers and Guyzes in whose loue fidelity and force he trusted more then in God But behold with trembling the iudgements of the Lord which are all righteous and pure This King had not harkened vnto Gods wisedome which-cryed in the streates of the Citie O ye foolish how long will yee loue foolishnes Gods wisedome therefore forsooke him in the day of calamitie and so his table was made an occasion of fall vnto him so that his familiar friends with whom hee tooke sweet counsell together in the temple of their Gods haue lifted vp their heeles agaynst him This second iudgement of God is also to be considered with feare and trembling The famous Gaspar Coligny Admiral of France with a great number of the chiefest Nobilitie of the Realme were most vniustly and cruelly murthered in the yeare 1572. the 24. of August This King being then King Charles the 9. his brother and Duke of Anjou who issued out of noble rase not regarding his degree debased himselfe so farre as to become the chiefest Captayne of an accursed sedition and procurer of such a murther as hated both of God and man the fame thereof shall be execrable and stinking in the eares of men for euer And after the murther most cruell indignities were shewed vpon the dead bodies of the sayd Admirall and his fellowes who after were carried to bee hanged at the place where men executed for exemplarie iustice are hanged in chaynes called Monâ—faucon which lieth right against the place where the King was murthered on the North side of the riuer Seyne so that euen as Pompey after the poluting of the Temple of Ierusalem did neuer prosper but after many calamities suffered came to Alexandria where in the hauen as a man should say in the sight of the Temple he was villanously murthered by them whom he trusted Euen so this King after that murther thereby hauing poluted the Temple of iustice neuer prospered and from the Lord deliuered into the hands of vile and base men whom he trusted was brought to receaue the punishment for that murther nigh to that place where they had executed the vttermost poynt of infamie vppon the bodies of the sayd Admirall and other noble men Thirdly whereas S. Peter in his second Epistle and second Chapter doth forwarne the Saints both of false Prophets and errors which they shall bring foorth with them among others maketh mention that they shal not onely contemne but also shall speake euill of authorities Behold thou Christian reader hast seene in the former bookes of this historie all the prankes which this holy League hath played for the space of these twelue yeares all the horrible villanies poysonings and murthers by them committed and hauing in their mouthes nothing els but holy League holy Vnion holy Church holy Catholike faith euen holy murthers and all that is prophane wicked and damnable is holy with them so that it be for holy Church God through iustice and mercie in this peruerse age dangerous times when men will not discerne the trueth from lying by the word but by their affection according to the doctrine of S. Paul 1. Tim. 4. hath marked by these their abominations as with a hot burning yron their idolatries hypocrisie and false religion that men looking vppon the fruites may iudge of the goodnes of the tree which beareth them So in his grace and fauour he hath preserued his Saints professors of his word from such abominable déedes that his trueth being iustified may be louing and amiable vnto men carying the stampe and grauen image of the sonne of God which is innocencie mildnes and perfect Christian loue Herein also is noted the mercifulnes of God who will loose none of his children This king dyed not presently of that wound but God prolonged his life both to giue him time of repentance and to lay the foundation of the restablishing of that afflicted estate For first as concerning his repentance it doth appeare that hée entered déepely into he consideration of his sinnes and by that foundation of faith which remayned in him confessed in the symbole touching the death of Christ the forgiuenes of sinnes through him made him as if it were forget the most part of the idolatrous fantasies and tromperies in the which he had béen brought vp and delighted all the daies of his life and necessitie and feeling of his sinnes enforced him to repose himselfe on the onely sacrifice of
the Sonne of God So the Lord knoweth who are his Herein also appeareth euidently the mercifulnes of God who worketh all things to the best and comfort of his children For when as the Rebels and murtherers supposed that by the Kings death they might easily make an alteration of the state and transferre the Crowne vpon the head of the Duke de Mayne and so disappoynt the Princes of Bourbon of their right of succession the Lord turned al their counsels vpside downe For the Lord mooued the King lying on his death bed when he was in perfect memorie and farthest as the manner in such a case from all manner of affection and parciality to pronounce his sentence and decrée or rather supplying the person of God to proclayme the King of Nauarre right heire and successor of the crowne and by the inuocation of the glorious name of GOD bâ—und the Princes péeres Nobles Captaines and Souldiours to yéeld him dutifull obedience so that God himselfe hath béene the iudge of his cause giuing sentence on his side by him whome he appoynted his officer in that behalfe It will stand Thus much of the vnworthy death of so great a King in whom ended the issue of the noble house of Engolesme according vnto the fatall period of great Noble and mighty families which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherein we haue to note the whole family excepted onely Francis the first as Henry the second Francis the second Charles the ninth Francis Duke of Aniou and this last King Henry the third 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per sanguinem ruit and haue died of an vntimely or violent death because they were polluted with that accursed woman Catherine Medicis Pope Clement his sisters brothers daughter And so making an end of the Epitasis of this vnnaturalltragedie played by leaguers we will make an end likewise of this 6. Booke Here endeth the 6. Booke THE SEVENTH BOOKE NOw we will follow the Catastrophe and last act which although it be full of Calamities yet it is like to bee ended with a ioyfull and happie successe The King beeing dead great heauines and sorrowe seazed vppon men of all degrees the Campe was full of sorrow and lamentation the wise saw this to be new seeds of a world of euils which wil worke the vtter subuersion of France On the other side great reioysing was seene among the rebels and traitors authors and procurers of the murther their ioye they shewed diuers waies but speciallie with contumelies and sarcasmes demaunding one of another whether the Friers knife was sharpe enough or not The rebels in Paris certified of the assured death of the King and supposing that the army had béen greatly dismayed replenished with teares and lamentation conceaued a good hope to do some great and notable exploit and imagining that it were easie in this mourning of all men to defeat the Kings forces all that night the Duke de Mayne did muster and prepare a mighty army and early in the morning issuing out of the Suburbs was so receaued by the Kings forces that he was enforced to retire within the Citie with blowes and dishonor That morning being the third of August but by the right calender the 23. of Iuly the King of Nauarre who was appointed the Kings Generall lieutenant by the King after that hee had receaued the wound assembled the Princes Lords Nobility and Captaines to deliberat how to remedy those great euils and to put out that combustion which the rebels had kindled in all partes of the realme First there was a capitulation made and concluded betweene theKing and the said Princes and Nobles Lords gentlemen and souldiers that there should be no innouation made in the Romish religion but the same should stand and be exercised peaceably without any interruption And that the reformed religion should be contained with all liberty in the exercise thereof within the places where it was then at that present time established prouided that the Romish religion should bee there exercised also without any disturbance And that men professing these two religions liuing peaceably like good subiects should be protected by the Kings authoritie in their liues goods liberties and franchizes vntill that by a nationall Councell some good and peaceable order should bee taken for some reconsiliation or vniformitie touching religion Which thing the King promised by the faith of a Prince to kéepe inuiolably and with as much speede as might be to prouide that a Councell and méeting of the learned might be assembled This order being concluded and the obseruation thereof promised by the King all his Princes Nobles Lords Gentlemen and Captaines promised vpon their othes all duetifull fidelitie and obedience vnto the K. and to assist him with their liues goods and meanes as well in the defence of his royall authoritie agaynst all traytors rebels and Leaguers which goe about to vsurpe the state as in the execution of the exemplary punishment vpon them who haue procured or committed that haynous disloyaltie felony and treason vpon the Kings person last deceased and all others who shall be knowne consenting knowing or accessarie to the same This order being taken as the readiest and most expedient to vnite the subiects with the King being promised and sworne the King of Nauarre was saluted declared proclaymed and crowned King of France and Nauarre by the name of King Henry the 4. And whereas in this historie hée had béen discerned from the King of France by the title of King of Nauarre now in the course of this historie following he shall be simply named King without any other addition or title This noble King being proclaymed King is crowned and put in the possession of the Crowne of France due vnto him by right not with triffling childish and Monkish cerimonies with holy oyle holy water holy toyes and holy trashes but after the ancient manner of the Emperours of the Romanes in the Camp by the whole army Princes Péeres Nobles and Captaines of the kingdome Here Christian Reader is to be noted Gods most gracious fauour toward France and prouidence toward this great King for except the Lord had prepared this heroicall Prince to restablish this decayed state which was cast downe headlong into such a depth of miseries by the Leaguers as in mans iudgement it was impossible that it could euer haue been vnited againe but rather reduced into a lamentable desolation But the Lord in his mercie beholding from heauen his holy habitation with his lightfull countenance after so many tempests hath raised vp lead by the hand and placed by his own authoritie and power this great Prince on the Throan of that state whom hee hath endued with wisedome prudence fortitude moderatnes modestie iustice and pietie to bee able to heale the deadly wounds of that sickly state to pacifie the controuersies of religion to lodge therein iustice and iudgement so long exiled out of that common wealth and to restore peace so long wished and desired Againe
we may with admiration celebrate the prouidence of God that cleane contrary vnto the expectation of all men the Lord hath giuen him to France for her good For first the Leaguers in the beginning of their insurrection made him a party Then they vsed for the space of foure yeares all the power of France to oppresse him when force would not serue they procured poysoners to try what might bee done that way But that taking no place they degraded debarred him from his right of succession by a fundamental law of the realme which they sweared sealed and decréed that it should be vnchangeable and should remayne for euer they made him hatefull and abhorred of the common people throughout all France After they had missed of their purpose intended against the King they so vrged their attempts that the King was enforced to yéeld himselfe into the King of Nauarre his hands for his safety at length they murdered the King Then I will aske them what haue you gotten by it They answered that they haue gotten the Crowne either part or the whole Why Because there is no successor Demaunde What are the Bourbons then Answer They are excluded by a fundamentall lawe of the realme sworne by the vnion at Bloys Dem. What saith God to that Ans Beholde the Lord saith that hee will haue the King of Nauarre head of the house of Bourbon to succeede because it is his right for it is not reason that a confederacie of conspirators should make a law contrarie vnto the fundamentall lawe of the realme confirmed by the consent and custome of so many nations by the space of twelue hundred yeares not contrarie vnto Gods word Dem. But where dooth God speake it Ans By the mouth of a Soueraigne Magistrate ordained by him to bée the interpreter of all iudiciall lawes Therefore beholde the meanes which the rebels haue sought to exclude the King of Nauarre from his right of succession the Lord hath vsed to the stablishing of the said King and hath vnited the Princes Péeres and chiefest Lords Gentlemen Captaines and Souldiours of the realme to assist place and defend him in that roome so the arme of fleshe shall not preuaile against the power of God and the hand of the Lord shall be vpon him The Prince Montpencier gouernour and Generall for the King in Normandie then being at Audely a towne vpon the riuer of Seyne aboue Pont de Carche caused all his army to take that oath exhorting them to defend constantly the Kings will according to their oath About the 26. day of Iuly there was an assembly holden at Caen in Normandie of the court of Parliament whereto the late deceased King had transported the said court from the Cittie of Roen after the rebellion thereof of the Nobilitie and Gentlemen of the countrey and of the bodie of the towne and Vniuersitie and of the Citizens and inhabitants of the said towne where the Lord Lizores Lord President of the saide court did sit as head of the saide méeting in whose presence the saide President hauing declared the haynous déede committed vpon the person of the King late deceased and shewed the equitie of the Kings testament and last will on his owne behalfe protested perfect loyaltie to the King right and lawfull successor of the Crowne of France after the publication of the Kings and of y e Prince Montpencier his letters all vniformally with one consent did sweare their acknowledgement and fidelitie vnto the lawfull successor of the Crowne of France and to maintaine al things contained in the will of Henry d'Valoys lately deceased The like declarations and promises were made and othes of fidelitie and loyalty taken publikely in many townes and cities in France euen on the North side of Loyre to the same effect The rebels vnderstanding in Paris what the late deceased King had done and how the King of Nauarre was proclaymed King of France contrarie to their expectation that they were worse hampered now then before like to haue him to be their master whome they had refused and disdained thought good to trie what might be done by treachery vpon the person of the King And because that a Friers coate could not beguile this King as it did the other by reason of the little acquaintance and credit which hée giueth them they suborned a murtherer who vnder the colour of a Gentleman should shoote him through with a Piece but the Lord watching for his annointed brought the murtherer to confusion All thinges falling out so confusedly in France by the death of the last King and the newes thereof fleeing abroad into forreine countries replenished mens harts with admiration of Gods secret iudgements with a maze indignation and feare The King taking counsell what was best to be done in these extremities for to saue the remnant of the realme from vtter subuertion did resolue vpon these three pointes which will follow this miserable murther First the King considering how his enemies long time aforehand had rendered him by slaunderous libels and seditious sermons of Iesuits and Friers by these meanes to make him abhorred of the commonaltie and thereby to make them vnwilling to acknowledge him for their King and to render him fidelity loyaltie and obedience which long practised malice of his enemies would procure him much labour and long continuance of warre betweene him and his subiects Secondly he knew that in the Campe vnder the banner of his predecessor and also in his counsell were many deuoted sworne to the League whom he durst not trust and knowing that they would not do him faithful seruice no more then they did to his predecessor hee determined to licence them to depart so many as would and to liue peaceablie in their houses vnder his obedience whereupon many disbanded themselues and retired some home and some to the enemie Last of all the K. foreseeing that the heads of the League vpon this prosperous exploit done vpon the person of the King lately murthered will double their rage and with great forces which they could quickly set vp in such a mighty and populous cittie would set vpon him and with multitude might greatly distresse him determined to send part of his forces into Picardy vnder the conduct of the duke of Longueuile the Lord la Nouë there to minister play to the enemy and with the greatest part of his army to retire into Normandy there to gather greater forces and if need should require to be nigh and ready vpon the coast there to receaue supply of forces from the mightie Princesse the Queene of England which might bee done vpon short warning considering the small distance which is from Coast to Coast As for the Swissers and other Germans who serued the King his predecessor hee sent their Heads and Captaines vnto their Princes and Signories to vnderstand their pleasure whether they would call their men home or giue them leaue to serue him The said Germans Swissers according to
the Kings will and promise made vnto him proffered vnto him their faithfull seruice Thus the present estate and summe of affairs being managed he retired into Normandy hauing not with him aboue eight thousand men of all sortes and stayed there a while beholding what the enemy would enterprise Now we wil leaue the King about the Sea coast in Normandy where we haue brought him with eight thousand men of all sorts and will goe to see what is done in other places what preparations the Leaguers do and after we will passe ouer the Alpes to see how doth Frier Sixtus and what iolly diuinity is with him and his Chaplains About the 31. of Iuly which to the Papistes is the 21. of August the D. of Lorreine thought good to blow the fire of rebellion to make it burne more furiously There is Langres a noble City in that part of Bourgondy which commonly is called Bassigny the citizens had euer remayned faithfull to the King and could neuer bee brought to associat themselues to the League smelling the breath of the Lorreins as nigh Neighbours to Nancie This noble Citie the Duke of Lorreine desired greatly to bee of the association of the rebellion knowing the importance of that place by reason of the strong situation thereof to make much for the affayres of the rebellion First he sheweth his sorrow for the Kings death to be so great that hee cannot keepe himselfe from weeping This weeping and teares are to be supposed to proceede from ioy he himselfe beeing one of the procurers of the murther Secondly he fayneth a great feare least the Gospell which he calleth heresie entring into their City should breake the necke of Popery and so rid their Citie of that deceitfull guest which by all meanes possible hee would haue courteously entertained Thirdly he exhorteth them to admit none of the Kings fauorers within their walles and in so doing promiseth them all ayde and fauour The noble Citie of Langres after curteous thanks geuen him for an answere the third of August doth first protest of their zeale goodwill and constancie in the Catholike faith Secondly doth protest of their great sorrow conceaued for the death of their late King of blessed memorie proffering themselues their liues their goods and whatsoeuer is deare vnto them for the iust and due reuengement of that most vilanous and execrable deede Last of all doth protest of their dutifull obedience to their King promising all assistance with all their meanes todefend him and nobility ioyned with him both in the defence of the Crowne and State and also in pursuing the authors of that murther vntill that a sufficient reuengement be taken of them The Citizens of the Noble Citie of Langres perceauing by these letters of the Duke of Lorreine that further matters might be attempted to procure a rebellion within their Citie to preuent all that might happen the third day of August and in their Popish calender The twelfth they assembled al the Magistrates Officers Citizens and Inhabitants of their Citie in the Towne-house after ripe consideration of the euils procured by the Leaguers and rebels and of their duties of their lawfull obedience did all with accord and minde promise and sweare First the keeping of the Catholike faith Secondly they do sweare neuer to admit any confederacy society faction or conspiracie neither with the Lorreyne nor any other forreine nor within the Realme without the expresse commandement of their King Thirdly doo acknowledge Henry of Bourbon the 4. to bee their lawfull King and naturall heire and successour to the Crowne of France and sweare neuer to depart from his obedience but to obey him and to defend him and the fundamentall lawes of the right succession of the Crowne proffering all their liues goods and meanes to preserue his person his state Crowne and kingdome and not to admit any sedition or conspiracie against him Last of all doo sweare to assist him with all their power and meanes to reuenge the vnworthie death of Henry de Valoys lately deceased Many other Townes on the North side of Loyre as in Gastinoys Hurepoys Auxerroys Bourgundie Bassigny and Champaigne being wauering encouraged with the example of the noble Citie of Langres did resolue themselues in reiecting the entising perswasions of Rebels to remayne in the Kings obedience and tooke the like oath voluntarily as the sayd Citie of Langres had done As the Rebels in the rest of Townes and Cities tooke occasion by the proclayming of the King to stirre the people to their societie of vnion that is to rebellion crying still the Catholike the Catholike religion heresie heresie heretikes heretikes so in like manner the heads of the rebellion doo prepare all the forces that euer they can for the Duke of Lorreyne gathered a great power of horsemen and footmen which he sent to the Duke de Mayne to Paris conducted by his eldest sonne the Marquesse du Pont. The Duke de Mayne also sent to the Duke of Parma for succour supposing that with the great forces which he was able to make within Paris the succour which was expected from Lorreyne and some companies of horsemen of Wallons and Germanes he would easily make an end of the warre The Duke of Parma therefore sent lustie companies of horsemen and Wallons vnder the conduct of the Duke of Brounswicke and Countie Egmond who did arriue about the beginning of September Now let vs leape ouer the Alpes to see Frier Sixtus and pray to God that the pockes may neuer depart from him nor from that holy sea seeing that his predecessor Iulius the great warriour being either the first or one of the first in all Italy which was infected with it if Ihuigo doth not lye and of a speciall grace and Apostolicall fauour left it to all the legions of Friers and Massemongers for a token of their honest and chast life The Rebels hauing committed that sauage murther vpon the person of their Soueraigne King and Prince whom God commaunded them to obey serue and reuerence and such as in Catholicisme did surpasse the best Catholike in the world and to bee short with one blowe hauing executed the secret counsell of Rome for the rooting out the rase of Valoys and put out the Lamp of France as for the Bourbons they had made their account to haue destroyed them all ere now they sent in post to Rome to congratulate Frier Sixtus for their good successe and also to haue his Frierlike counsell to bring their worke to perfection according to the sacred counsell of Rome as is aforesayd In this message as it appeared in Frier Sixtus oration they had certified him how miraculously the Frier went out of Paris in great daunger to be searched out and afterward miraculously passed through the Campe of the heretikes and through the Kings gardes not perceiued of any man but as if the diuell should conuey him inuisible in a clowde vntill he came into the Kings presence so that no man had no power
King I say aduertised of these things sent from Deepe to the Quéene of England for some succour who as her Maiesty neuer fayleth to helpe them who are vniustly distressed sent him forces according to his request All the Kings forces at Deepe were not about nine thousand men before the Englishmen arriued to him The Duke d'Mayne hauing a mighty army of fiue and twenty thousand men set foorth out of Paris about the beginning of September giuing foorth that he went to a certaine victory and vaunting that he would briâ—g to Paris the King dead or a liue or else he would driue him into the Sea approached toward Deepe But the God of battels turned as easily with few as with multitude all these bragges to vanitie and shame For the King hearing that the enemy approached very fast encamped himselfe at Arques about two myles from the towne of Deepe by the prudent counsell of the Marshall of Byron The King viewing the place iudged by and by what the enemy was able to doo against him whereupon hée caused trenches to bée made on the top of the hill in most substanciall manner as farre from Arques as a Canon can shoote so that all the army for a néede might bée couered therewith out of all danger Vpon the same trenches hée caused foure pieces of ordinance to bée placed right against a great plaine where hée supposed the enemy would come to fight whether also he might come without any danger the kings companies were quartered in the Villagâ—s round about Whilest these things are a dooing at Arques the enemy approached more and more very fast and on the 15. of September lodged his vauntgarde within three miles of Deepe The King that morning perceaued that they intended to spoyle the subburb Paulet before he enterprised vpon any thing at Arques Therefore with spéed he fortified the said Suburb but specially the milles which steed most open to the enemy This thing being done the King determined as nere as could bee and with small company to view how the enemy was lodged and perceauing by occasion of some that they were too forward commaunded fiue or sixe of his company to giue them the charge in the which seauen of the enemy remained vpon the place which thing being done the king returned to lodge at Arques The 16. before day many issued out of Deepe who made hot skirmishes vpon the enemy where the Lord Chastilion commaunding ouer the footemen shewed himselfe a most skilfull warriour The King had placed certaine horsemen betweene his footemen and the enemy to represse the Leaguers of the Souldiours least rashly they might haue bred some confusion The skirmish was such that the Harquebusiers did neuer discharge a bullet that day in vaine That day the King permitted certayne English gentlemen to skirmish with the enemie who imployed themselues so valiantly and with such a noble courage that in lesse then the turning of one hand they ouerthrew slew or tooke prisoners all that encountred them The same day about 25. of the enemies had passed the brooke which did runne betweene the Kings armie and the enemie and were already in the medow to haue assaulted a Village named Boteille where the Kings Cornet was lodged great troups of horsemen came downe the hill to passe in like maner the brooke to haue assisted them but there came out of the Village sixe gentlemen well armed to meete the enemy among whom were the Lords Saint Marke and Slurbe with two Harquebuziers on foot charged the enemy so hard that they were faine to retire with swift flight feare and sorrowfull countenance All this day there continued hot skirmishes at the milles which are at the end of the Suburbe named Paulet and whereas the King aduaunced still to view the enemies doings an Harquebuze shot strooke his horse in the thigh The same day the King sent the company of the Prince County conducted by the Lorde Armilie his Lieftenant to the Marshall Biron who was at Arques which immediatly commaunded them to goe and spie the lodgings of the enemy who did lye in a Village called Martinglize where were the Dukes Aumale Nemours and the Lord Sagonne this company of light horses comming to the place and forgetting to bring word to the sayd Lord Biron of that which they had seene ran so fiercely vppon the enemy that they killed aboue an hundred and fifty and among them the Marques of Meneiay they tooke many Captains and other prisoners and ouerthrew their rampiers and Barricadoes being still on horsebacke The rest being foure regiments of footmen fled with great terrour Aumale Nemours and Sagonne shewing to these companies the way to flee and striuing among themselues who should flee y e swiftest The Lord Armilie was dangerously wounded through the body with a sword The King from Diepe vnderstanding the skirmish made hast thither with three hundered horses but the enemy was already chased before he came The 17. of September the King caused a Canon to bee discharged against the enemie on the side of Arques whilest the Lord Chastilion did valiantly skirmish with the enemie at the ende of the Suburbe Paulet where he slewe many of the enemies and tooke many prisoners without the losse of any one man saue onely fewe of his were wounded Another company of the Kings Campe at the same time went to view another Village on another side where they surprised the enemies slewe thirtie of them and put the rest to flight During these skirmishes a great number of Gentlemen and Souldiers came to the King and of their owne voluntary motion and goodwill yéelded themselues and their seruice They were part of the troupes of the Lord Rabempré who a little before was taken by the enemie at Gournay a Towne situated in Beauuoysin betwéene the Cities of Beauuoys Roen who had followed the enemies for their safegard The enemie trusting in his great multitude determined to passe ouer the little riuer which ran betwéene them and the King and hauing made certaine bridges of wood to bee cast ouer the 19. day of September about fiue of the clock in the morning the enemie marched from Martinglize in battell aray well ordered strong and thicke Their footmen well placed at their wings their faces set toward Arques the quarter of the Swissers The Lord Billing with two thousand shot was appoynted to giue the onset The Duke de Mayne stood behind with great strength in battell aray readie to giue succour where néede should be The King had watched all night before on horsebacke to giue order in euery place which hee did so diligently and circumspectly that the enemie could doo him no hurt without great disaduantage and losse to themselues But in the morning hauing seene the order of their battell aray incontinently he sent foorth his light horsemen and the company of the Prince County lead by the Lord Montater he sent also his Cornet wherein were the Lords graund Prior the great Squier the Countie
Captaines of the said regiments to continue in dooing his Maiesty good and faithfull seruice but also that they did offer him all such other succour as they shall be able to make and as he shall néed holding from that houre the same aliâ—unce and good friendship confirmed with his Maiesty as they haue had with his predecessors The Lord Malbenehard some dayes before vnderstanding of the kings comming into Beausse had called vnto him certaine Gentlemen beeing his friends and with them had foure hundred Souldiours in Garison there beside the inhabitants which came to eyght hundred able men and knowing that there hee should bée besieged whilest the King was yet at Chausteaudune desired to parly with the Lord Richlieu great prouost of France with whome hee was familiarly acquainted and when the saide Prouost came to him he desired of him that without yéelding of the place the army might retyre The 16. of Nouember the King departed from Chausteaudune hauing sent part of his army before who the same day inuironed the Towne of Vendosme The same day the King arriuing at Mâ—lay before he lighted went to view the towne and castell which are both of a good reasonable strength The Towne is compassed with a great ditch well watered and a strong wall well flanked and in many places rampered within the Castell is much stronger being situated vpon an hill inuironed with a déepe ditch toward the field and it is of a great height ouer the towne it is defended with a strong wall with many Towers The same day the King caused the Suburbs to bee won and parted the Lordes Marshalls of Byron and Aumont the one of the one side of the riuer Loyre the other on the other side and hauing well considered of the forme of the siege hee determined first to deale with the Castell which being wonne the Towne could not hold long which thing would haue happened if hee had begon with the Towne The Towne of Vendosme being besieged the Lord Malbeuehard sent againe for the Lorde Richlieu who had no wiser answer then the first wherein appeared that God would make him féele the recompence of his deserts not permitting him to helpe himselfe with resolution but GOD left him in the dampe of his rebellious coÌ„science as a man troubled with giddines of the head not knowing what he did The seauentéene and eighteene dayes the King bestowed in viewing where he should place his battery putting all things in readines and being present at the workes all day long and part of the night And the night following the eighteenth day hee passed in a manner in conducting and placing the ordinance to the battery The 19. of Nouember at the dawning of the day hee began to beat two towers of the Castell and to take away the defences of the breach which he purposed to make and after the bestowing of sixe score Canon shot hauing made a hole in one of the said towers where onely 2. men could passe in front certaine Souldiers were commaunded to sée if they could lodge in the said tower they gate vp and in a furie entred the retrenchment and being followed by some conducted by the Baron of Biron and others and others by the Lord Chastilion they made those within so dismaied that after they had offered to fight they fled and abandoning the Castell ran into the towne where they were followed so néerly that part of the Kinges souldiers entered confusedly with them and made themselues within lesse then halfe an houre masters both of the towne and castell The said Malbeuehard and his souldiers being retyred into an house did yeeld incontinently vnto the Baron of Biron none otherwise then at the Kings mercie In this assault there was none of the Kings side slaine and very few of the towne All the inhabitants were pardoned saue the Lord Benehard and a seditious Franciscan Frier whom the Inhabitants accused to haue béene the Author of the mischiefs happened among them they two were executed he gaue the towne to the pillage causing the Churches carefully to be kept The 20. day he commaunded all his army to depart out of the Towne permitting no man any longer to bee pillaged or raunsomed Hee restored the ecclesiasticall persons vnto their seuerall charges much more peaceably then they were when the towne was in the occupying of the League The King beeing at Vendosme finding himselfe so neere Tours purposed to make a iourney thether to determine with the Lords of his Parliament there of certaine speciall businesse leauing in the meane time the army to be conducted by the Marshall Biron The 21. of Nouember hee departed from Melay by Vendosme and arriued at Tours the same day two houres within night where he was attended with so great ioy and gladnes of all the people of the Citie that such store of lights there was prepared in the Stréets at his arriuall that it was as light as the noone day That night the Prince Cardinall of Vendosme came to the King to doo him reuerence who receaued entertainment and countenance agreeable vnto his neerenes of bloud with the King The 22. of Nouember all the chambers of the Parliament came personally to salute and acknowledge the King the first president making the relation with such substance and eloquence as caused a great contentation to the King After them came the Maior and Iurats of the Citie who were most eurteously accepted by the King Last of all came the ecclesiasticall persons of the Towne all with great shew of ioy and hope of an happie and quiet gouernment therin they were confirmed by the answers which they receaued of the King in most excellent tearmes and Princelike eloquence The same day the Ambassador also of the state of Venice had audience where first he presented the letters of the seignory vnto the King and afterward declared the ioy they had of his happy succession vnto the Crown beseeching him to accept the offer of the friendship of the said feignory vnto his Maiestie and to promise and assure them of his and to maintaine the good entercourse betweene his crowne and the said signorie whereunto the King answered to their contentation The King was determined to haue stayed at Tours but one day but the people were so desyrous to see him that hee was faine to stay there foure dayes During which time of his aboade there the terror of his armes the loue of his clemencie which he shewed wheresoeuer he came the opinion of his iustice and the admiration of his wisedome and modestie did so mooue the people that the Townes of Lauerdine Chasteaudeloyre Montouert situated vppon the riuer Loyre and Montrichard situated vppon the riuer Chere in Toureyne voluntarily yeelded themselues So the 25. of Nouember the King departed from Tours and with one iourney went vnto his army at Chasteaudeloyre ten leagues of The King hauing great desire to besiege the Towne of Mans from Chandeloir sent to the Lord Farges to compasse the saide Towne
batteries whereof two from sundry parts should batter at one breath of the Castell The third being placed vpon a rock should scoure certaine waies along behinde the breach of the side of the Castell Therefore the fift day of Ianuary at eight of the clock in the morning his Ordinance began to beate two great towers which flanked from the one to the other whereof the one serued for a defence to the breach which he supposed to make And after the bestowing of foure hundered Canon shot the top of one Tower being fallen and a hole being made in the other Tower that defended the creach the King caused it to be battered spéedily for there néeded but the beating of a little piece of a Wall This done the King commaunded certaine companies of Souldiours to goe and view if they could lodge in the said Tower at whose commaundement certaine of them entring the hole which was made through went into the Castell and finding no resistance called their fellowes who entring one after another in a shortspace they became Masters of the Castell and Towne They within being sore dismayed without any fight retyred into the dâ—ngeon out of the which they sent thrée Gentlemen to beséech the King to receaue them vpon any composition The King answered that he would not receaue them but at his pleasure and that they should proue his clemency without binding him else vnto any condition The sixt of Ianuary the King suffered the Lord Brissak to come and submit himselfe vnto him and being ouercome with pitty which hée had vpon the young Gentlemâ—n graunted their â—iues in choosing fifteene of the best sort of them whome hée would keepe prisoners as warlike enemies and fifteene more such as hee should thinke good should bée at his Maiesties disposition Thus God did so beate downe these proud and insolent rebels roaring and breathing a little before nothing but fire and bloud that none of them did proffer or séemed to make head otherwise then by words The Towne being taken by assault could not be preserued from pillaging and sackaging that there might be a difference betweene them that fled to the Kings clemency and those who obstinatly did proue the force of his army the one being wholy desolat the other reioysing in a full quietnes and perfect peace The 15. whom the King tooke for warlike Enemies were put to their ransom the town was geuen to the Souldiours of the other fifteene who were at the Kings disposition the Lord Brissak as consenting and accessary to the Kings death was condeÌ„ned to die But wheras after the Kings death and when the townes of Picardie did reuolt the rebels had taken the Duchesse of Longeuille mother to the Duke now liuing prisoner for abhorring their rebellion and detained her in captiuitie in the Citie of Amiens The Duke of LoÌ„gueuille greatly desirous to deliuer his mother begged the said Brissak to set his mother at liberty and in place of safetie by exchange with the said Brissak which thing the king granted supposing that it would not bee long afore he would come againe into his hands to receaue the reward of his rebellion and parracide Hetherto Christian Reader thou hast seen into what miserable and wofull state the whole Realm was throwen in by the Leaguers by their Friers Monkes and desperat Iesuits and by their venimous seditions and vngodly sermons preached to the people to stirre them to all manner of damnable license And how that kingdome sunke and drowned in a most confused rebellion was left by the king Henry the third and last of the noble familie of Valoys and deliuered to Henry the 4. now king of France and Nauarre named declared and inthronised by his predecessor approued accepted and proclaimed lawfull and natural heire and king of y e crowne of France after the maner of the Emperours of the Romans by the Princes Nobilitie Officers of the Crowne not among few Priests Bishops and Monks with a trash of ceremonies but in the middle of an armie by y e Marshals Colonels captaines Souldiers acknowledged obedience sworn vnto by the best and soundest part of the realm towns cities Commonalties people as well ecclesiasticall as temporall resisted onely by few rebels and robbers who hauing surprised some Townes and Cities do exercise an intollerable and more then Turkish tyranny ouer the Citizens otherwise well disposed Thou hast séene also how God hath guided his hands to battell and his fingers to fight hath blessed his armes before and now in the beginning of his raigne with prosperous successe of victories and reduced Townes Cities and whole Prouinces seduced by the Leaguers to their duetifull obedience and hath so restored to them which will be quiet vnder his gouernement peace iustice and iudgement that they may say that the Lord after a long continual stormy tempest hath geuen them as a calme weather to restore in that afflicted state saturnia regna wherein godlinesse and iustice ought to raigne Now before we make an end of this yeare and this seuenth booke together wee will lay downe other exploits of warre done in other partes of France but specially in the Prouince of Daulphine and hauing no ample informations nor obseruation of time and other circumstances necessary to the perspicuity of the history we will put downe onely the euents bare and naked as it were priuate memories in such sort as they were sent to the noble Princesse of Orenge out of her soueraignty of Orenge by some of her seruantâ— there desyrous onely to aduertize her excellency simply of the accidents which had passed there It said before how the Guizes head of the League tooke for party the king of Nauarre and with him the professors of the reformed religion as onely hinderers of their driftes And afterwardes they proclaimed open warre against the Lords Espernon and Valete his brother who with their faithfull seruice and wise counsel were stumbling blockes in the way of the said Guizes and Leaguers disappointing them of their purposes The L. Valete beeing in Prouance and Daulphine and vnderstanding of the execution done at Bloys vppon the persons of the Duke of Guyze and the Cardinall his brother by a prudent wisedome foresaw how some new tumults would ryse thereupon and how the king would turne his forces against the Leaguers vpon that occasion would reconcile the king of Nauarre to him and vse his seruice and of them of the reformed Religion And thereupon to auoyde all inconueniences which might ensue this strange and vnexpected accident thought good to make peace with the Lord des Diguieres a noble man of great valour who had constantly and valiantly defended the cause of the religion and brought many Townes Cities and Fortresses from the tyranny and slauery of the Leaguers to the Kings obedience And when after the death of the Duke of Guize many Townes and holds had rebelled partly induced by the outâ—ries of y e Leaguers and partly surprized by them but
specially in Prouance Peace vpon these occasions was made betwéene them that their forces being ioyned together they might the better be able to preuent the traiterous attempts and resist the practizes of the saide Leaguers After which agréement the said Lordes des Diguieres and Valete came together and oftentimes sat in counsel to take aduise for the safe kéeping of the countrey of Daulphine and Prouance in the Kings obedience they together entred Valence Romans Tullet and other places After these two Noble men by this newe reconsiliation had been some dayes together they determined to separate themselues and their forces the Lord des Diguieres remayned in Daulphine and the Lord Valette went with his forces into Prouance there to stop the attempts of the Rebels After the separation of these two Noble men the Lord des Diguieres first layed the siege before the fortresse of Auxonne right agaynst Montlimart which had been surprised by the Rebels and tooke it by assault the fift day of Ianuary the Captayne of the sayd Fort and all his men were put to the sword Shortly after the taking of Auxonne the Lord Eschambault who had constantly defended the reformed religion in Viuaretes ioyned his forces with the Lord des Diguieres which thing before he could not well doo From Auxonne the Lord des Diguieres strengthened with the forces of the Lord Eschambault layd the siege before the Hold of Colonseles in the countie of Griguan which he tooke by assault The Gouernour of that Hold was hanged and all his companie put to the sword one onely saued vpon condition that he should pay all the expenses that the whole armie had béen at that siege The sayd Lord des Diguieres departing from Colonseles tooke his way straight to the County of Veyascin and assoone as he was entred the countrey the Holds of Bauuyes Taussie le Bouschâ—l Racheringes and Rochegardes yéelded vnto him neuer expecting the Canon These Forts being surrendred he went to lay the siege before Camaret a place well fortified distant from Orenge about two miles The sayd towne yeelded at the sight of the Canon with safetie of liues as well of Souldiers as inhabitants From Camaret he went to the siege of Vacquiras he tooke also by composition Aubiguan where he rested the whole armie to refresh his Souldiers ten dayes Thether came the Deputies of the countrey to demaund a truce From Aubiguan the Lord des Diguieres went to besiege an Hold called Cayranne which was taken by assault the gouernour thereof being an Italian was hanged in the worship of Nuestra donna de Loretta and all his Souldiers for company with him or els put to the sword After this execution done the Gouernours of all places and Townes thereaboutes as Rakesell S. Romans Villedieu Boysson Mirebel Paymerat S. Romanet and others came to him and offered him their keyes From Cayranne the Lord des Diguieres went foorth to besiege Molans a place well fortified where are Castles very strong There he bestowed three hundred shot of canon and at length a breach being made the assault was giuen and after two hundred and fiftie men of the enemies had béen stayne the Towne was taken The Lord of the sayd place had his life saued in paying ten thousand Crownes for his raunsome and besides his house sacked There was during the time that these affaires did so passe in Daulphine a certayne méeting of Deputies of Grenoble and other Townes Cities of that Prouince making suite for to haue a truce for foure yeares vppon whose suite the Lord des Diguieres drewe néere to Grenoble and lodged his armie thereabout in the Countrey but hee himselfe went to Nions There the Deputies meâ— and requested to haue truces and ceasing from warre during the space of foure yeares But when as they could not agree vpon the conditions the Lord des Diguieres appoynted another méeting at Bogency within two miles of Grenoble and at length a truce was concluded betweene them about the latter end of March which was signed sealed and confirmed with great solemnitie in the Suburbs of Grenoble It was agréed that the principalitie of Orenge should be comprised in it and that they of the League who wâ—re returned to the Kings obedience should pay to the Lord des Diguieres for the intertainement of his companies eyghtéene thousand Crownes and the one halfe of all tolles which was thought to amount to fifty Crownes a day Moreouer they agréed to pay him eyght thousand Crownes for the intertaining of certaine Ministers and workes of pietie in Daulphine Also that the Fort of Bogencie and diuers other holdes kept by the Leaguers should be beaten downe and rased to the geound This truce was proclaymed in Grenoble on Easter day About the same time there was an assembly of the Prouince of Languedock holden in Nismes and Lunel about the like truce It is said before how the Lord des Diguieres and la Valete had ioyned themselues in amity for the Kings seruice and how the Lord Valete after hauing soiorned with the said des Diguieres to take counsell â—ogâ—ther about the Kings affayres in Daulphine and Prouance the Lord Valete with his forces went into his gouernement of Prouance where finding that Countrey full of confusions and factions by the meanes of the Court of Parliament at Aix and the Lord of Vins which not onely were rebels but also had solicited the Countrey to the like rebellion the said Lord Velete had caused an assembly of the states of Prouance to be holden after his arriuing there and being very strong and hauing the greatest part of the holdes in the Countrey they agreed in the saide assembly to make warre against the said court of Parliament and Lorde of Vins and for that purpose the States there deliuered him ten thousand Crownes The Lord Monbrune ioyned himselfe with the Lord Valete and surprised some strong places in that Prouince The King had called the Lord Mommorency from the gouernement of Languedock and had giuen that charge to the Lord Ioyeuse but at length the King perceauing that the said Ioyeuse by the perswasions of his mother inclined to the rebellion of the Leaguers he tooke that gouernement againe from him restored the Lord Mommorencie to that charge with commaundement to remoue the Parlâ—ament of Tholouze to the Citie of Narbonne because that Tholouze had rebelled against the King as is aforesaid The Citie of Narbonne vnderstanding of the restablishment of the Lord Mommorencie by the King shut vp their gates against Ioyeuse sent for the said Mommorency being then in Auignon proffering to receaue him saeing that it was the kings pleasure to haue restablished him in that gouernemeÌ„t The said Mommorency departed from Orenge the 28. of March to Narbonne ward The Townes of Languedock which were in the power of them of the Religion refused to haue his authoritie published among them without the expresse commaundement of the King of Nauarre The Lord des Diguieres hauing
thousand Duckets On the contrary he shewed vnto them how the King was destitute of men and meanes there were a great number against few their furniture and munition was farre passing that of the King they had the countrey fauorable and enemy vnto him They were strong â—usty rested long but the K. with his forces was wearie weather beaten and weake by reason of his long toyling and moyling all the déepe of winter They had Frier Sixtus blessings but the king had the accurle therefore he concluded that they should make no difficulty of the victory it was too sure on their side and in a manner if GOD himselfe would fight for him for the Friers former spéeches emported but little lesse he could not preuaile He shewed also that there were already in the way forces out of Flanders comming to them by the procurement of Bernardino Mendoza and Frier Cardinall Damnj the King therefore was to be set on before he had any leasure to employ forten Princes to assist him and to shewe the great good affection which Frier Sixtus had to this worke of mercie hée had sent them fiftie thousand Duckets The Duke d' Mayne with the heads of the League receaued this holy money with as great deuotion as the Iubile and pardons or rather greater And if Frier Sixtus had sent all Saint Peters treasures it had been yet more deuoutly accepted and spent as merrily in Paris inter bonas socias as in Rome but they were content to receaue that in hoping for more Now wée sée the state of the Leaguers and rebels very strong and rich for they had set and gathered an excessiue impost and somme of money vpon Paris they had made aboue a million of Gold of the robbing and confiscations and ransoms of the Royalls in the Citie They had receaued three hundred thousand crownes of the Spaniard They receiued fiftie thousand Crownes from Rome nowe they are very lusty they deck themselues all with gold and iewels and perswaded by Frier Henryque they prepare themselues to goe forth out of Paris soone after the holy dayes and to goe to séeke the King vntill they had found a mishap Here endeth the 7. Booke THE EIGHT BOOKE WE haue séene what the Legacie of Frier Henrique hath done in Paris how he hath heated the rebels set them on horseback and sent them packing to séeke ventures Now in this eight booke we will see how they haue sped after their departing from Paris Kind Henry the third intending to besiege Paris sent Captaine Saint Martin with a strong Garison to seaze vpon and kéepe the Castell Vicennes nigh Paris which the rebels had forsaken after their losse at Seulis from whence hée did so molest the Parisiens with continuall roades and courses that no man could venture that way The Duke d' Mayne to pluck that thorne out of the héele of the Parisiens and to set them at liberty that way had practized by all meanes the said Captaine to render the place and to ioyne himselfe with the Leaguers which he would neuer doo therefore about the beginning of Ianuary after they had made their * This is a dronken baÌ„quet vpon Twelf tide as wassellis in England Roy boy in Paris he went forth to besiege that Castell and battered it with foure péeces of Ordinance The said Saint Martin séeing that the King was farre of and he not able to defend the place yéelded it with condition for him and his to goe foorth with bag and bagage and to be suffered safely to repayre to Seulis which was performed It is said also how the said King Henry the third in his way to the siege of Paris had taken Pontoyse and set a strong garison there to intercept all manner of victuals prouisions or marchandize which were carried vp by the riuer Seyne to Paris which did greatly annoy and distresse the Citie The Duke d'Mayne hauing taken Vicennes mustered all his forces and found them all lustie and more glistering with gold then valiant in courage and found his forces to arise to thrée thousand horses and thirtéene thousand footemen with whome whilest his succour of Flanders should draw néere about the latter end of Ianuarie hee lead his forces against Pontoyse which hee besieged in hope to ease the Parisians of that heauie burthen and when he had battered the same they within considering that they were not able to defend it yéelded the place vpon the same conditions that the Leaguers had yéelded it to the King not long before to wit with their armies whereof part went to the King to continue in the Kings seruice and part ioyned with the Leaguers The Duke d'Mayne hauing taken Pontoyse more full of money and hope then courage determined to descend into Normandie And in his iourney with his great army was stayed at Meulan a Towne situated vpon Seyne betweene Mante and Pontoyse distant from Paris ten leagues and from Homfleur where the king was thirtie leagues There he boasted and threatned that he would goe to make the king to raise the siege or else fetch him out of Homfleur but he protracted so the time that the king had time both to seaze vpon the said Towne of Homfleur and to rest and refresh his army there some dayes The causes of the Dukes delay were two First the mistrust of his cause which did still abate his courage which otherwise was neuer great Secondly for that he expected great forces out of Flanders who were already comming vnto him vnder the conduct of the County Egmond and the Lord la Mote gouernour of Graueling Whereupon he tooke occasion to excuse the basenes of his heart who durst neuer see the king face to face except they were three to one or very nigh yet to ease his stomack hee casteth forth these vaine boastings and threatnings aboue said but he durst not come nigh the king afore he had ioyned with this new supply for feare of the bastonado The king on the other side hauing taken the Towne of Homfleur and rested there his forces for certaine dayes said nothing but about the middest of February tooke his iourney to high Normandie to cause the Duke to raise the siege from before Meulan and hauing trauailed thréescore miles in the déepe of winter proffered battell to the enemy But the Dukes heart fayling him and hauing aduertisement that the forces of the Low Countrey were entred into France after that hee had battered Meulan diuers dayes hee went to méete the Flemmings and to muster them The Duke de Mayne receaued in Picardie betweene foure and fiue thousand Wallons conducted by the Lord Mot Gouernour of Graueling and a little after arriued the horsemen conducted by the County Egmond with thirtéene companies of souldiers taken out of the garrisons of Flâ—nders three companies of Launces of Spanyards conducted by Don Iuan Moreo Don Pedro Moreo his brother Don Iuan de Cordoua and a great company of Harquebusiers on horsebacke led by Captaine Colin rising all
to two thousand men all old Souldiers The Duke being flided away and the King seeing the opportunitie of battaile gone with him determined to do his businesse and to take Dreux garded by Captaine Falande with a strong garrison that if he had it in his obedience he might ouerlooke and bridle the Citie of Chartres vntill that conueniently he might haue opportunitie to enterprise vpon it The King in going to the siege of Dreux tooke Noueyncourt and being at Dreux and the breach being readie to giue the assault the King vnderstoode that the Duke was returning toward Seyne for to passe ouer the bridge at the Towne of Nante which then did hold for the Leaguers full of confidence and trust in that proude and mightie army which consisted of thrée and twentie thousand men of all sorts The King considered wel that the Dukes forces were but borrowed and that now out of hand hee must hazard or els his companies in a small time would disband themselues and retyre home and that with delaying with him he might dissipate his forces He knewe well also that they who doo proffer iniurie are commonly more desperat then they who doo withstand it He weighed well his small number in comparison of the great multitude and that there were forces comming to him out of Champaigne as good as these which his enemie had receaued out of the Low Countrey which he might in protracting the time receaue shortly He sawe well that the countrey was fauourable to the enemie which reasons might haue perswaded a great warriour by policie to haue weakened the enemie as Fabius did Hannibal But the King had more sufficient and substanciall reasons which did bid him to encounter the enemie as the assured confidence whereby he reposed himselfe in Gods goodnesse and protection and casted himselfe in his armes the equitie of his cause his lawful vocation agaynst mutinous traytors and parricides so that each of these reasons was stronger to him then so many hundred thousand men which made him to conclude that considering these causes God could and would dissipate his enemies notwithstanding their great forces as well with fewe as with many Being also confirmed by the experience which he had at Arques and in the Suburbs of Paris In the meane time while the King was at Dreux the Duke de Mayne hauing receaued the forces which came out of the low Countrey thought himselfe sure of a prosperous successe and promising an assured victory to his partakers passed his forces ouer the bridge of Manie and marched toward Dammartin which was but four miles off The King vppon the reasons aforesayd resolute to encounter with few that huge multitude on a sudden from before the breach raysed vp the siege from Dreux and departed the second day of March the besieged with great reioysing beholding and wondering at the cause of such a sudden departing The same day the King went backe the way that he was come and lodged in the Towne of Noueyncourt to cut the passage to the enemy of a little riuer which runneth by Assoone as he came thether hee caused warning to be giuen that on the next morning euery man should bee in a readines The night following that day the King set in order the manner of the battaile which in the morning early the third day of March he shewed to the Prince Montpensier to the Marshals Biron and Aumont to the Baron Biron Marshall of the field and to other Princes and Captains of the army who with one voice hauing considered of it according to the skill of warre they approoued and would change nothing of it That day hee gaue charge to the Baron of Biron to set euery man in his place and order and did choose that morning the Lord Vieques sargeant Maior of the battell who was one of the ancient masters of the footmen in France This thing beeing done the King willing to begin this great worke with prayer with great vehemency and confidence hee made his prayers vnto God in the hearing of all men wherein hee called God to witnes that hee knew the purpose of his hart and well vnderstood whether it were for desire of glory or for ambition or for desire of blood or longing for reuenge which made him resolute to this battaile that hee was his iudge and witnes vnreproueable that nothing mooued him thereto but the tender loue that hee did beare to his poore people whose peaceable and quiet estate hee esteemed more then the safety of his owne life he besought God so to direct his will as hee should best see to be good for the benefite of Christendome And as for himselfe he prayed God to saue and helpe him as he knew to be good and profitable to the weale and quiet of the state and not otherwise This prayer eloquent in words but more passing pure and deuout in sense did so rauish all those that were nigh that euery man after his example did the like And after that all that after noone was seene in Noneyncourt the Churches full of Princes Lords Gentlemen and Souldiers of all Nations hearing Masse communicating and playing the good Catholikes They of the reformed religion made their humble prayers and supplications to God The court of Parliament at Tours being aduertised of the things which were like to passe betweene the King and his enemies commaunded generall processions and prayers to be made the third and fourth of March for the King and for his good and prosperous successe Lyke commaundement was sent vnto the reformed Churches about to do the like in their congregations though not in the like forme so that at Tours the Catholikes did almost nothing else these two daies men women and children but pray after their maner This deuotion beeing done at the Campe the whole army did shew such countenances as though euery man had receaued a seuerall answer◠of God concerning the happie successe which each of them should obtaine The King had caused sommons to bee giuen to the Towne of Saint Andrew beeing from Noueincourt eight miles in the way going to Iury where he supposed the enemy and his army had béen lodged The Kings companies came to a great plaine nigh the towne Saint Andrew About the same plaine there are certaine villages and a litle wood called la haye de Pres that is the medowes border or hedge There the King with the Marshals Biron Aumont and the Baron of Birō marshal of the field began to set the battaile in order following the plot agreed vpon before The King hauing tryed in battels and skirmishes before that it is more aduantage to make horsemen fight in squadrons then in rings specially his that haue no launces deuided all his horsemen in seauen squadrons and all the footmen placed at the flankes of the said squadrons and euery squadron had a company of forlorne footmen The front of the battel was in a right line bending somewhat at the 2. endes The first Squadron on the
Lords Clermont Antragues one of the Captaynes of the Kings gards who deceased nigh the Kings person The Lord Tischombert who had borne great charges in warre and now would needes serue as a souldier in the Kings Cornet The Lord of Longauluay in Normandy of fourescore yeares of age the Lord of Creuay Cornet bearer to the Prince Montpencier the Lord Vienne Lieftenant to the Lord Benuron the Lords of Manuille Fequers Valoys and twentie Gentlemen more at the most There were hurt the Marquesse of Neste the Earle of Choysy the Lord d'O the Earle Lude the Lords Montluet Lauergne and Rosny and about twentie Gentlemen more without any danger of death The King going to chase the enemie and hauing deuided his companies as is aforesayd left the Marshall Byron with the rest of his forces to conduct them and followe after him Here good Christian Reader thou hast to note certaine fatall periods of things to wit the circumstances of the persons time and place in the execution of Gods iustice vpon his enemies The 23. day of December 1559. Claude Duke of Guize and Charles Cardinall of Lorreyne his brother in the raigne of Francis the second procured Annas du Borg one of the chiefest Senators of the Court of Parliament of Paris to be burned for the Gospell at Saint Ihan in Greues in Paris The 23. of December as their Calender is now which was the day of the natiuitie of Henry of Bourbon which now raigneth in the yeare 1588. the last Duke and Cardinall of Guize were slayne at Bloys when they had concluded to murther the King the next morning following that day The fourth day of March 1561. Claude of Guize father to this last tooke armes agaynst the edict of Ianuary and committed the cruell murther of Vassie by the which breach of the peace were ciuill warres raised vp in France and euer since haue béen entertayned and nourished by his posteritie which warre was his vndoing The same day of the same moneth in the yeare 1585. the last Duke of Guize sonne to the sayd Claude tooke armes against the King which was the beginning of these last ciuill warres of the League by the which they haue procured their owne vndoing and of many others The same day of the moneth the Duke de Mayne brother to the sayd last Duke of Guize and heire of the Captainship of the rebellion made a shipwracke of all his forces at Saynt Andrewes plaine without hope euer to recouer the like forces Claude Duke of Guyze in December in the year 1561. fought the first battell that was giuen in all these ciuill Warres with Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Condie Prince of famous and blessed memory in the plaine of Dreux with an vncertaiue issue but in equall losses so that to this day it is vniudged who had y e victory but well knowen that the Duke of Guyze had the greatest losse The Duke de Maine fought agaynst Henry of Bourbon the fourth of that name now King of France and Nauarre at the plaine of Saint Andrew next adioyning to the other and the places not distant passing a mile a sunder with a reparable losse The Lord Rendan a rebellious Leaguer in Auuergne with such power as he could make in the sayd countrey but specially in the Townes of Rions and Brion rebelled and holden in the same rebellion by the Iesuits besieged Isoire a great and populous towne in the said Auuergne because it continued in the Kings obedience The Lords Chasseran and Rochemayne willing to do some honorable seruice to the King and good to their countrey gathered such power as they could of the Kings subiectes to rescue the sayd towne of Isoire from falling into the handes of the rebels and with a meane power trusting in GOD the defender of his Ordinance and wayghing the right of the cause marched towards Isoire The sayd Lord Rendan vnderstanding of their approach raysed vp the siege and went intending to meete the sayd Lordes Chasseran and Rochemayne and at the same day and time of the battell at Saint Andrewes playne meeting in a playne field not farre from Jsoire tried the quarell by the sword There the sayd Rendan was ouerthrowen and aboue fourescore Gentlemen of his were slayne on the place all his footmen cut to pieces the artillery bagge and bagage with many prisoners taken so the Towne of Isoyre was deliuered from the danger of the enemie retayned and confirmed in the Kings dutifull obedience It is said how after the victory the King deuided his army into foure parts three of them were appointed their quarters to follow the chase and the Marshall Biron to follow after the King with the residue of the army The King hauing taken this order followed after the Duke de Mayne but finding the bridg broaken was faine to go thrée miles about to passe the riuer afoord and in that way he found many straglers whom he tooke prisoners which was a good turne for them or else they had béen slaine by others he came so fast after the Duke d' Mayne that hee did misse him but a little but vnderstanding how he was receaued in Mant the king lodged that night at Rosni as is said very simple The fift day the Duke d'Mayne very early fearing to be besieged there retyred from Mante to Pontoyse where he soiourned few dayes to take some sure order for the safety of the Towne and after went to Saint Denis The same day the King sent to sommon the Towne of Mante which deliuered the keyes of their towne to his Maiesty receaued and acknowledged him their king and prince and continued there vntill the twentie day of March to refresh his army wearied with so many labours and hardnes of winter to take counsel of the course which he was to take hereafter and to expect certaine munition of warre which was comming to him from Diepe The Citie of Paris first author of this warre had conceaued an assured confidence of all prosperous successe by the vaine bragges which the Duke d'Mayne did cast foorth afore hee went out with the army The Friers Iesuites increased this vain confidence in their pulpets by assuring them either of a certaine victory or else of recoyling of the King as farre as beyond Loyre so that euery day they looked for the King dead or aliue and all his spoyles to be brought for a spectacle and to bee solde and bought among them or else to heare of his flight as farre as the riuer of Loyre This great confidence made them to liue very secure and carelesse in prouiding for the Citie besides that they rested much vpon the great multitude which is within the sayd Citie there beeing great bablers and boasters for the Parisien is as Epimenides speaketh of the Cretayns a lyer euill beast and slothfull belly The towns also which then did hold round about their Citie as Pontoyse beneath vpon the same riuer Charonton Meaux Laguye Corbeil Melun Montereau aboue vpon the riuer
and a ship of pure siluer of the waight of three hundred markes which should be sent by some of the chiefest of the Citie The second idâ—latrous fantasie wherewith they deluded that besotted people was that they made them runne to and fro in procession bare footed and bare legged from Church to Church from Idoll to Idoll carrying their God in the streetes which their Priest had made with fiue words All the streetes did sound with weake Ora pro nobis The third was a Pageant which they played in this wise they had made vppon the great Altar of their Churches a graue like a monument there they buried their God who be like was dead with famine and let him lye for the space of 8. daies and in the same space the Churches were full night and day with Candles smoake idolatries and starued people Who had required these things at your hands It is submitting themselues vnto Gods ordinance that would quickly remedie this distresse and not these idolatries The Oates being spent the famine preuailed more and more the haruest time also was come The King did winke at many sallies which they did to steale away some sheaues of corne hoping by that meanes to intercept some of the heads of the rebellion so there were daily skirmishes about the haruest and they also carried away with them somewhat which although dearely bought did relieue somewhat the extremitie of their hunger Whilest these sallies were adoing about the fifteene day of Iuly the Lord Chastilion arriued vnto the King with one thousand horsemen and two thousand footmen Gascoynes The King perceauing the wilfull obstinacie of that people or rather the hard bondage that they were in vnder fewe rebels set all his forces in order and set vpon all the Suburbs of Paris all at once which seazed vppon without any losse the 18. of Iuly supposing that his neighborhead would cause them enter in consideration of their miseries and daungers This narrow siege debarring them wholy from the fields made the famine yet to preuaile more so that now in few dayes the people dyed by heapes in the houses within and in the streates without Now the common people wisheth for peace and imputeth all their miseries vnto blind Bernardine many did threaten openly in the streates that it were a good déede to hang that Spanish Moore and all his company of Sarrazins broode Blinde Bernardine hearing of these newes wished himselfe to haue béen in Spayne a dauncing naked with the Sarrazen Moores of Spayne yet to pacifie the people hee did bestow of his Spanish potage made of Oates vpon them so much as he could spare for hée was fallen to his olde dyet of Spayne and withall hee gaue them old starued horses which were like to dye for to kill and to eâ—te yet all this poore liberality which then was great consiâ—ering the time could not pacifie the people for as the Prouâ—rb is Ventur non habet aures Therefore many tooke counsell together in the night to haue seazed vppon a gate and to haue let in the Kings forces but this counsel being detected this enterprise could not be effected The morrow after being the 19. day of Iuly a great multitude assembled themselues in the palace and requirâ—d of the Pseudosenat that they might haue peace with the King otherwise there was no remedy but they were like to perish miserably they were intreated to quiet themselues and to haue pacience for ten dayes so they departed like to dye in the meane time with hunger The 27. of Iuly they assembled themselues againe into the palace with strong hand and required of the Pseudesenat either bread or peace and whereas a Marchant of the City named Goys did reproue them by them he was hurt so that within few dayes he yeelded his rebellious soule the matter tending to sedition the Duke of Aumale came to the palace shut vp the doores and tooke some prisoners whereof two of them were hanged Then the mutiny of the people encreasing they went to the Bishops house willing him to goe about the matter that they might haue either bread or peace whereupon some of the counselers of the Pseudosenat pittying their owne and the misery of the people with the Bishop of Lions the Duke of Nemours and others of the chiefest of the rebellion entred in counsell whether they ought to admit the King vpon reasonable conditions specially hauing their autonomy The matter being discoursed and some altogether inclining to peace withstanding that counsell the Duke of Nemours gouernour of the city said in great anger that he had rather see the City consumed then lost meaning that if it were yéelded vnto the King he estéemed it lost and going foorth in great anger would not be present any longer in such deliberation notwithstanding they agréed all to send Ambassadors to the King to entreate of an vniuersall peace The messengers were the Bishops of Paris and Lions and certaine others deputed for the City who went to the King lodged them in Saint Antonies Abbey nigh the City whome he receaued more courteously then they thought he would haue done They propounded to the King two things an vniuersall peace and that he should become a Catholick and so the City of Paris would set open their gates acknowledge and Crowne him King of France The King answered that he would receaue them to mercy without binding himselfe to any thing it appertained vnto Kings to pardon his subiects but not to subiects to prescribe peace and to deuide peares with their King as for his religion hee commaunded them not to mooue any talke thereof for hee was resolued in his faith which he did not meane to change and willed them with this resolution to returne to Paris The Duke d'Mayne vnderstanding that the Kings forces were lodged at the gates of Paris and that the City within was full of vprores of the people perishing for hunger perceauing also the long delayes of the Duke of Parma and fearing greatly that the City would fall into the Kings hands one way or another he sent Vileroy to the King and writeth a letter to the Parisiens to send the Bishops of Paris and Lions to shew how desirous they were to make peace The King gaue them license to come in his presence and also to repaire to the Duke d'Mayne with this answer that hée had not any delight in their misery and vndooing The intent of this Ambassage was but to delay the time least the K. should force the City while he posted to Bruxels there to solicit the Duke of Parma For he wrote a letter vnto the Parisiens by a secretary of the Bishop by the which he willed them to hold out and to make no peace for there was a rescue comming great forces and great store of victuals Now we will leaue the King in the Suburbs and walke to Bruxels in Brabant to see how the Leaguers affaires doo speede there It is saide before how the Leaguers sent foure
Ambassadors into Spayne at one clap and there the causes were shewed which moued the King of Spayne to hearken vnto their petition how he sent to the Duke of Parma to goe into France with such power as he could conueniently make to relieue and rescue Paris Now wée will shew the intent which the King of Spayne kept vncommunicable to himselfe The King of Spayne hauing placed the Duke of Parma as regent in the Low Countries and perceauing that he being setled in the Country and hauing purchased friends and partakers there began to suspect him as that hée should not bée able to haue him out without some wrangling and wrestling 〈◊〉 that the Duke would keepe that countrey in recompence of the Kingdome of Portingal whereof he thought himselfe vniustly defrauded This suspition made the King oftentimes to play the Phisition with the Duke and to minister him spanish phisick afore he was sick as boles pills and potions But the said Duke being skilfull in Italian Phisick prouided such counter phisick that by boles pills and potions he preuented the druggs of Spayne The Spanish King therefore séeing that his Phisick would not work tooke occasion by this Ambassage to rid his hands of him either by some blow y t he might receaue or else by preuention therefore he commaunded him to take such regiments of Wallons Italians as he knew well to fauour the said Duke such Lords as had any amity with him to go with all spéed to ayde the Leaguers y t by these meanes the Spaniards remaining in the countrey while another gouernour should be sent might seaze vpon the holds and forts of the land so to shut him out and exclude him from that gouernement to be sent into Italy from whence he came there to be a petty Duke and to busie his head about the prouiding of a Galey if the Turke should chance to inuade Italy But the Duke of Parma hauing learned this Latine in his youth fraudeÌ„ fraude fullere laus est thought good to obey his masters commaundement though little to his aduauntage for beside his commission hée purposed to take with him the two regiments of Spanyards that were appoynted to remayne in the Countrey and to haue shut him out of the doores The Duke of Parma had béene long sicke of the purre the pockes the murre the cough and the glaunders and yet his teeth were scarse fast in his head And beeing most resolued en his iourney then seemed hee coldest and most vncertayne The Spaniards hauing already through a brain sike imagination conquered France did vrge the iourney the Dukes friends did excuse the delay by his weaknes There was dayly quarrels betweene Spaniards and Italians some Spaniardes were so bold to call him Viliago tradidore The Duke did dilay his iourney to terrify the Duke de Mayne and to driue him of necessity to come in his owne person to begge his helpe The Duke de Mayne as is before sayd hauing taken some order to stay the Kings power from forcing the citie of Paris posted to Bruxels in Brabant there the Duke of Parma entertained him as a gentleman would entertaine a lackay There the D. de Mayne afore he might be admitted to come in the presence of that great Potentate was put to learne so many Italian abassios so many duckinges and Spanish ceremonies by crouching to euery rascall Spaniard that at length when hâ— had learned well to make a legge afâ—â—r the Italian or Spanish maner he was let into basiare las manos There he vrged and prayed very deuoutly for speedy helpe she wing the extremity that Paris stood in if it were not with speed relieued farewell all the League Leaguers and Leagued and Catholike fayth Vppon this extremity the Duke of Parma who had all things in a readines sent the D. de Mayne before him to put such forces in a readines as he could make vp against his comming that entring on the frontiers they might ioyne their forces together The Duke de Mayne returned into France put all the Leaguers in great hope of good successe reuiued y e hungry Parisiens with fair words sent to the Duke de Aumale and Vidsame d' Amiens who were gone into Picardy to relye such forces there as they could and to repaire into Champaigne to him Now hauing brought the Duke de Mayne from Bruxeles into Champaigne againe there we will leaue him to prepare for the comming of the Duke of Parma and returne to the siege of Paris Now in the latter end of Iulye the famin did so preuaile in the Citie of Paris and encreased more and more daily that they dyed by heaps euery where sinking downe in the Streetes starke dead They who were able to buy oaten bread were allowed no more but sixe ounces a day By the end of Iuly they had eaten in the Citie aboue two thousand horses and eight hundred Asses or Moyles great warre was denounced in the Citie agaynst Dogges Whelps Catteâ— Kitlings Rats Mice and other such thingâ—s which the bellie could deuise There was no wine in the Citie nor graine to brue beare They who had money did drinke Tisen made with water and liquorice which was to be sold in wine Tauerns in stead of Wine They who had no money did drinke with the Cow out of the riuer Sein which for the space of thirty yeares they had defiled and coloured red with the bloud of the Saints and now of late with the bloud of the royals In the beginning of August they sought all hearbs and weedes which could bee had and sed them in water without salt which they did sell for a Spanish Royall a pound to them which had money A bushell of wheat was sold for 70. crownes and more Blind Bernardine Ambassador of Spayne one of the chiefest workers of all these mischiefs hapned to tell in a company how he had heard say that in a certain fort of the Turke besieged by y e Persians in like case they did grind bones of dead men and made bread thereof Some who heard this tale told tooke that for a counsell tooke bones whereof is great store in Paris specially in the Churchyard of the Innocents ground them and made bread of that kind of stuffe Some did take the small dust of worm eaten posts mingled with a small deale of Oaten meale wherewith they made bread From the latter ende of Iuly vntill the time that the King raised the siege this miserable people did shift with that kind of poore fare About the 29. of Iuly the asses of Sorboun Monks Friers and Iesuits considering now that asse flesh could not be had any more or that they had no money to buy any and also that it would not bee had neither vpon credit nor for begging Considering also that the 50. thousand duckets which the Pope had sent which they thought to haue had either wholly or in part was bestowed vppon men and Souldiers not vppon Asses and
that they had no part thereof and seeing that contrarie to promise they were out of 〈◊〉 to receaue any but rather that they were like to die for hunger and were alreaâ—â— starued they fell into a â—elting chafe and in that anger wrote vnto Frier Sixtus a letter wherein they reproch vnto him the great good turnes which the Vickars of Rome had receaued of their auncestors whereof he shewed himselfe very vnthankefull They quarell with him how they hauing encouraged the people in their Sermons to withstand their King and to set the realme in a combustion to the catholike faith vpon promises of his aid and succour but now when they haue need nothing is perfourmed the people doo take them as they may well for abusers and the Pope for a cogging Fryer a deceauer a giuer of good morrows and faire wordes They say when they haue shewed their néed and gréefs vnto his Nuncio they had faire words how the Pope is very wise knoweth well what hee hath to doe hee will do his promise when he seeth his tyme. Maister Frier Sixtus and his Nuncio you doe not vnderstand well Note perhaps the nature of Sorboun they haue a rage in the belly which will not be asswaged by words I thinke no people in this world is so troubled with that sicknes as these bee but specially now when Asse flesh faileth them They accuse Frier Sixtus that he playeth Iack of both sides he holdeth with the hounde and runneth with the hare hee holdeth with the Catholikes and secretly fauoureth the King that they prooue by two Arguments First by the good entertainment which was giuen to the Lord Luxenbourg who first with dissimulation was excluded and afterward vsed very frendly The second argument is that Fryer Sixtus had beene greatly desired by the holy vnion and also had promised to pronounce excommunication against the King and the Royals which he would neuer doo They pray him instantly to send forth that excommunication and let them alone with that And whereas these Magistrinostri dare not beg openly yet they say that letters haue béene written from Italy by many great men to bee but folly to expect any money from Rome The reason I can giue you for they haue little enough to serue their turne At length they fall out with him openly with this praier that God so help him as he dooth help them But to returne to the purpose the staruing and eating of such vncleane things did bring generally to all the disease 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a dropsie so that betwéene the famine and these diseases there was most commonly two hundred and more in a morning found dead at the doores of the rich where they came to get somewhat and were not able to depart from thence beside numbers which did dye euery where by heapes Al the musick that was in the streates was mourning wéeping lamentations and weake voyces of begging people and none able to relieue them The pompe of the City was turned into funerals leanenes pitifull sights and euident tokens of Gods wrath powred vpon a people which lead by seducers haue resisted Gods power and Ordinance The state of that people being so lamentable Frier Henrico Frier Sixtus Nuncio who was come himselfe to sixe ounces of â—aten bread and halfe a pound of asse flesh if he could get it supposing to be in antro Trophoni where the Poets doo faine the people to liue by shadowes went abut to relieue this people with idolatrous faÌ„tasies to wit with pardoÌ„s indulgences whereupon processions doo runne but softly vp and down they set their Idoll which their Priests did make with fiue words in his graue againe which they made for hâ—m vpon the great altar to see whether they might awake him out of his swound with smoak or candels or thumping on the breast or with weake misericordia or a faintie ora pronobis the more the famine did encrease the more Idolatries did multiply The Friers and Iesuites would sometime step vp in the puspit there they did looke like their woody and smoaky Idols which are by heapes in their temples differing nothing from them but in apparell and speaâ—h They had lacked their bread of chapter and vinum capitulare so long that they could no more rumble and thunder their sermons beate and shake their pulpets but with a mourning voyce prayed them whom they had cast headlong into that heape of miserâ—es to bée patient if they dye they shall be made confessors within ten dayes they shall haue victuals and succour enough But when they heard for a truth of the Duke of Parma his marching there they did with their weake voyces extoll him as the only Captaine of the world the deliuerer of France and of the holy Church What was he not Thus this miserable people kept downe by the tyrrany of the Leaguers hardned by seditious sermons of starued Friers and Iesuites fed with vanities of the Popes Nuncio blinded with ignoraÌ„ce and Idolatry of ignorant and Idolatrous leaders was not suffered to goe foâ—th and to submit themselues to their King to whom nothing was more deare then their preseruation neither could they be prouided But the tirranous rebels hauing yet somewhat to kéepe soule and body together had delight to behold with their cruell eyes that wretched people to pyne away by hunger The famine goeth worse one day then another in somuch that if the King had continued his siege any tyme longer that desperat rabble of rebellious Idolaters would haue done as the Saguntines Lampsarcens which destroyed themselues In the beginning of August the rebels did issue foorth conducted by the Duke of Nemours to charge the Kings forces but they were so receaued by the Kings Captaines that they who returned home said they would do so no more The King perceauing that the message of Vileroy was nothing else but to delude him and vnderstanding that the Duke d'Mayne was gone into Brabant to hast the Duke of Parma his iourney placed thirtéene pieces of Ordinance to batter the gate of S. Germaine on the south side of the City But hearing that for a certainty the Duke of Parma was ready to march with fiftéene thousand men Spanyards Italians Wallons and Flemmings all of the old bands garisons of the Countrey he thought good not to giue any assault but knowing that they were extreamely distressed with famine thought to vrge them with the same more narrowly then euer he did and so to enforce them to come to some reasonable composition and so to reserue his nobility and braue Souldiours to the enemies comming The famine did so preuaile that nothing being left to eate but themselues they began to fall to mans flesh Pedro Corneio a Spanyard who was in that siege dooth report that one of the Pseudopresidents there told him for a truth which hee knew very well that there were of his knowledge two and twenty Children eaten in that siege The King vnderstanding of the greatnes
of the famine the wilâ—ull obstinacy of that damned people who will rather perish like the heathenish Saguntines then to try his clemenâ—y and fauour whom they knew to be therewith indued more then euer had béen any King in France before him hearing also of this sauage and barbarous act of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by some that fled vnto him out of the City was greatly moued so that lifting vp his hands to Heauen before his nobility protested vnto the Lord as Titus did in like case at the siege of Ierusalem that hee was not guilty of those abominations which were there committed neither of the bloud of them that so desperatly perished That hee was their lawfull King ordayned of God to gouerne them that he had proffered vnto them contrary to their deserts mercy that he might haue forced them but to spare their bloud he had delayed it to his great hinderance hoping that néed would haue caused them to consider their duty But contrary vnto duty and nature they had obstinated themselues and committed more abominations then any City euer did among the heathens This good King his eyes full of teares retyred into his Chamber full of compassion admiration and loue of iustice Compassion was not in him only as it was in Scipio at the burning of Carthage an affection procéeding of a milde nature but a true Christian mercy by the which he did féele the griefes euen of his mortall enemies and therefore gaue certaine passeports vnto many to haue dayly out of his campe a certaine alowance of victuals and liberty to his souldiours to sell some victuals vnto the besieged for necessary thinges as shooes hose apparell and other such things which did somewhat relieue them and stopped the barbarous eating one another The admirations of this strange hardnes of hart of that people brought him to consider Gods iust and secret iudgements who in his wrath hath sent euill spirits of Idolomany in the mouthes of their false prophets that as through blindnes of Idolatrie this fiftie yeres past and more they had replenished their streates with burnings murthers and massacres of the Saints and had stopped their eares vnto the voyce of Christ so they should bee replenished with error and idolatrous hardnes by the wicked Friers and Iesuites possessed with lying spirites to bring them to that thraldome and obloquie neither will that Citie euer be restored to peace and iustice vntill that the streetes thereof be washed with the bloud of that damned generation The King considering his office and charge annexed and inseparably ioyned to his Crowne to minister iustice that is to punish the offenders and transgressors and that there began the rebellion there was by the consent of most wrought the death of the King and that by the reioycing and approbation of the sayd death they had rendred themselues accessarie and guiltie of the same euen their walles houses temples all whatsoeuer they had Therefore he considering correlatiuely his office their offence could not giue ouer the siege and seeing that they refused lawfull try all by their rebellion hee would followe that which in such a case God hath ordained that is force violence and warre yet hee determined to trye fashioning himselfe after Gods Image who is long suffering whether they might be prouoked to take pitie vpon their afflicted estate Here we will leaue the King for a time and will passe into other places to see what preparations of warre be made We haue sayd how the Duke de Mayne returned from Bruxels where hee was royally receaued as a poore simple lackie as is sayd into Champaigne thence he sent to the Duke Aumale and the Vidasme d'Amiens into Picardie to gather such forces as they could and to repayre vnto him with as much speede as they might to ioyne with the Duke of Parma who was comming with great forces Wherevpon about the middest of August the Lord Iumeges vnderstanding that the sayd Duke Aumale and Vidasme had gathered forces were going toward the Duke de Mayne to ioyne with the Spanyards comming out of the Lowe Countrey met with them nigh Amiens discomfited them and slewe thrée thousand of them as the common report is among whom was the Vidasme of Amiens The Duke Aumale by flight saued himselfe within Amiens The Duke of Parma in the meane time commanded the two regiments of Spanyards appoynted by the King of Spayne to keepe home and to doo their feate as they should vnderstand when the opportunitie should serue to march forward before him For although leauing the countrey vnprouided of sufficient forces the States would take occasion to do their busines and to surprise places yet according to the prouerbe he consented to some losse for feare of loosing all The Spaniards were very vnwilling to goe to that iourney but hee put them in hope of doing some great and waightie exployts which were not for euery man to knowe and which could not be effected without their counsell and helpe making them beléeue that they were the onely Souldiers of the world At length the Spanyards as a restie horse which striueth with the rider and goeth backward afore hee will take his way forward Vpon their departure hee sent foorth euery where to shewe his iourney into France hee setteth foorth a description of his armie how many thousand footmen how many thousand horsemen how many Princes Dukes and Earles what Caesars and Alexanders there was in that armie And when all came to all there were three which are by him called Princes euen such as he is himselfe such as may be a Knight here in England which do hold some small Dukedomes of small townes in Italy either of y e Pope or els of King Philip such as are holden in flauerie as the Bassas by the Turke to wit the Princes for so hee tearmeth them of Ascoly Castel Bertran and Symay two Princes as obscure as the name of their principalities There were y e Marquesse of Renty the Earle Berlamount There were also Dons of Spayne as Sanctio Layeua Iuan Baptista Tasis Alonso Idiaques Antonio de Zuniga Pedro Gaetano and Capechuca Romano All these Dons were such as might be twentie groates in the bookes of Subsidie so great noble men they were men that could haue shewed great prowesse vpon the naked Iudiens To be short there were three great Lords Pride Vanitie and Folly who were masters of the Campe. There were also fewe Carrowssers out of Flanders Henault and Brabant hee gaue them terrible names as Amutinados that is angry men Mansferidos and other such I wot not what as would make the poore heathnish women in Italy and Spayne crosse their foreheads thinking to heare some names of diuels He setteth foorth his furniture his stable his pages the couerings of his coffers and moyles and why not the belles of his moyles But a great ouersight was committed by him that made no mention of his Curtizans that was not for lacke of good will but
now his age doth great iniurie to his memorie O man too much pride hath put thee out of thy wittes or els hath blowne thy wisedome into thy cap. When hee entred into France hee began to enquire how many dayes marching there was to Rochâ—l for he would take it by the way Man looke well to the would of thy cap. He imagined that the king at the first hearing of his comming would haue runne away and he would haue pursued him as far as the playns of Bourdeaux where he would haue fought with him sent his head in a charger to his master as Herode did of Iohn Baptist The Friers and Iesuits lacked no monkish Rhetorick to encrease nor winde to blowe vp these bladders Wheresoeuer he passed there he left tokens of his progenie to wit tokens of the most vilanous â—â—lthines and most barbarous crueltie that euer was vsed by any wilde people except it were by the Popes adulterous broode But whilest these things were a dooing there fel out such a chance as almost marred all Frier Sixtus a little before he went to render a count of the treasons murthers which he had caused to his power to be committed fearing by the threatning of the Lord Luxembourg who was sent to Rome by the Catholick nobility to doo a message in their name least the King would séeke for reuengement of the presumptuous iniuries receaued at his hands sent a flattering mandamus by the which hée dischargeth the King from excommunication and willed all his subiects nobles and others to obey him and pray for him whose subuersion hee himselfe desired Here ChristiaÌ„ reader thou maist sée what piety iustice or godlines is in this sinke of lewd Friers for aduantage this Frier Sixtus was the chiefest instrument countenance of the Leaguers to raise vp that most cruel warre and confused rebellion that euer was heard of â—n any realme by his excommunication by his aduise practises counsell and money Now when he seeth the whip in the Kings hands fearing to be handled as his countrey men did handle their flaues or as one of the Kings predecessors handled Boniface the eight whom he hanged at his owne window in the Citie Perugia now he sent his Curriero with his mandamus with his praiers he commeth as the Demoniâ—cles came vnto Christ Let therefore Christian Princes take héede not to trust these false dissembling Friers who do carry two faces vnder a hoode for there is nothing so wicked but for aduantage they dare doo there is nothing so vile but for aduantage they will debase themselues thereto But Frier Sixtus his mandamus his Curriero his commaundement was as much regarded of the Catholicks and Leaguers as of them of the reformed religion for the Leaguers will follow their deuotions that is their rebellion though all the Popes that haue béen euer since the diuel layed downe the foundation of that seate should say nay and therefore they tooke that mandamus abusiue for assentamur The Catholick Nobles who were with the King tooke that for a thing which is neither here nor there which could neither hinder nor further the cause wishing that Frier Sixtus would sit at home and make some new almanack or some new calender because yet we lack one or two to furnish the table and that by his Apostolicall authority hée would commaund the Sunne not to goe any more out of the way but to kéepe â—is course as some of his predecessors was so bold as to commaund the Angels They of the reformed religion laughed at the impudency and variablenes of the Friers wit who had breath both to warme his fingers and to coole his potage The K. did make account of all this Frierlike flattering rather to redound to his hindrance and dishonor then to any futtherance of his cause for he knoweth well that the praiets of Iâ—olaters would not be accepted of God and that all the godly minded would without the Popes bidding make their humble praiers and supplications to God for him not onely in France but in all Christendome Neither will he accept that obedience which is done by the Popes câ—â—maundement rather then in consideration of Gods ordinance And to receaue any goodnes of him or depend of him the King dooth knowe well that euery good gift commeth from aboue euen from the father of lighâ—s and that hee is his aboundant reward But the Pope is equus Seianus vnto as many as do meddle with him Whilest the Duke of Parma marched toward France the Duke de Mayne returned home to gather forces as is said before some were cut off by the waies as Aumale and the Vidasme of Amiens but certaine forces he receaned of Balagny gouernour of Cambray and the Lord Saint Paul with whom he made toward Paris The King vnderstanding of this went from his armie with a troupe of horsemen without any baggage and marched 17. Leagues without bayte to meete with the said Duke de Mayne to bid him welcome out of Brabant but the K. came too short by an hower For the Duke de Maine vsed with long experience to flee away from the Kings presence had saued himselfe in the towne of Laon in Champaygne but the King seeing that he had escaped out of the net he returned to his army Shortly after the D. de Mayne hauing gathered all his forces came to Meaux in Brie to ease his stomack geuing out that he came to giue battell to the King whereupon the King departing againe went almost to Meaux but seeing that the Duke had enclosed himselfe betweene the riuers of Marne and that which commeth from Crecy the King returned to his army once more In the latter end of August the Duke of Parma that great Soltan Solymon Mussulman Siech with his dronken Belerbeyes Bassas and Ianissaries entred into France The Duke de Mayne to requite his curtesy shewed him at Bruxels sent the Lord Saint Paul who the other day was a lackay and afterward houshold seruant to the Lord Beauuayes Nangy then he rose a step higher to wit hee was made one of the bawdes of the Duke de Mayne and now one of the chiefest of the League When the Duke of Parma came to Meaux vpon Marne about the 27. of August he thought himselfe to shew yet once an Italian proud tricke to the D. de Mayne for his so basely receauing of him in the land then he began to looke with a sower Italian brow and as the saying is Fronte caperata neither would he goe further except hee had an absolute power to commaund ouer all the forces as well French as Suanish which thing when he had obtayned he began to esteeme lesse the Duke de Mayne and his Captaines then the Duke de Mayne had esteemed him in sending a lackay in a Noble mans apparell to receaue him Now the Duke of Parma beeing on Cockhorse beginneth to triumph and disdayne all he altered the Duke de Mayne his resolution and the course of this voiage
yet necessitie which hath no law made the Duke de Mayne to take all these Italian insolencies pranks in good part néede which maketh the old woman trot enforced him to put in vre all the reuerences and ceremonies which he learned at Bruxels among the Spaniars wherein he had profited very wel for his time The Duke of Parma in taking his iourney beeing troubled with the humor that Monarcho his countrey man who was here in England the gasing pastime of children in London was troubled with had imagination in his conceit that by that time he should enter France the King would be fled from Paris halfe the way out of France But when he came to Meaux whilest they played these mery parts betweene them he heard that the K. was still at the â—iege of Paris whereat he maruailed greatly musing why the King should stay there and perceauing that the King stood not in any feare they eased their harts and couered their dread by publishing abroad euery where how they wil giue battell to the King of him and all his there is not a breakefast And thereupon in great earnest he called for the Cards and thinking himselfe far wiser then the Duke de Mayne who now was but a poore Souldier vnder him and hauing appointed to lodge at Chelles began to march forth out â—â— Meaux to take his lodging wher the King had appointed The King hauing intelligences of the Duke of Parma his marching out of Meaux the 30. of August raised his armie from before Paris leauing y e citie and the Suburbs at liberty The King with part of his armie went before with commaundement to the rest to follow after Pedro Corneio a Spaniard who was in the Citie during that siege reporteth that if the King had staied two daies more it was impossible for that Citie to haue holden any longer but that the gates had beene opened to him The Paristens seeing that when they had come to an extreame period of danger which in truth had béen an easie and an inestimable benefite to haue fallen into the Kings hands were filled with great ioy The Duke de Nemours Frier Henrico Fryer Sixtus his Nuncio blind Bernardino and all other rabble of Rebels went in procession to the great church called our Lady with a great number of people drawing their drie and starued bodies after them with much adoo and there they song merily te Deum laudamus The last wheat that had béene sold there was sold aboue two hundred Crownes and within three daies after it was there for foure or fiue Crownes The Duke of Parma at his first marching from Meaux hauing passed the brooke which runneth by the Towne of Clay lodged at the Castell Fresme The King departed from the Village Chaliot neere to Paris and appointed a generall meeting of his whole army in the plaine of Boundie making his reckoning the next day to haue battell Therefore hee mustered his army there all that day and there he staied two daies expecting the enemies comming but hearing no newes of the enemy all that time hee resolued to draw neere to them and for that intent sent the Lords Lauerdine and Chastilion to seaze vppon Chelles where he intended to lodge The said Lords there arriued found the enemies Harbingers who had begun to take lodgings whom they put to flight The King comming after them deseried some 7. or eight hundred horses of the enemie whom he charged so violently with farre lesser number that he conducted beating them euen vnto their lodgings The Duke of Parma vnderstanding that his Harbingers had béene beaten out of Chelles and that the King lodged there did double his feare and disappointed of his lodging would néeds goe accompanied with the D. de Mayne to view the plaine where the King stood in battel aray but perceauing the King comming with a good troup directly toward them was contented for that time to take no neerer sight The fifth day the Duke of Parma placed his army inclosed betweene two brookes and on the one side vpon one of the brookes there is a wood and a Castell called Brow and a little aboue the Castell a hill All that day the King stood in battell array in the plaine by Chelles The Kinges power of ten thousand foot Frenchmen foure thousand Swissers four thousand horsemen whereof three thousand were gentlemen of the chiefest families of Nobility in all France eight hundred Rutters In that army were sixe Princes two Marshals of France and a great number of noble men and Captains who were able to leade as great an army as that was About 11. a clocke that day the Duke of Parma with the Duke de Maine went vp on the top of the hill to view the army and the situation of the plaine which when hee had descried hee gaue a deepe sigh and fell into a chilling cold and after in a pelting Italian chafe after the maner of Italy and the custume of his predecessors the Popes of Rome swore and blasphemed God most horribly and reproched vnto the Duke de Mayne that he had brought him to the slaughter and that he descried before his eies not ten thousand men as he made him beleeue but twenty thousand men the brauest and best ordered that euer hee had seene This great Caesar that heretofore would kill the Deuill hethertoo had couered the fear which did lurk in his hart with swearings blasphemings braggings and boastings now not able to keepe it any longer hidden doth lay it open for he maketh hast to his campe biddeth his men to lay downe their weapons and to take in hand pickaxes shouels and mattocks The Macedonians were neuer so busie in building Alexandria as these men were in trenching themselues in their Moore for feare to bee set on by the King The King continued thrée dayes more in shewing himselfe in battaile aray vpon the said plaine and prouoked them continually by skirmishes alwaies some remayning behinde vppon the place or carried away prisoners The 6. day the King assaulted them and did beate them from one of the brookes the wood and the Castell and driue them all into the moore where they in great hast as is aforesaid had entrenched themselues very strongly Some prisoners being demaunded wherefore the Duke of Parma would not make a way through the Kings campe to goe to Paris and hazard the lot of the battaile They answered that after they had descryed the Kings power they had lost all stomacke to fight The Duke d'Mayne had left behinde him the Towne of Lagny which is vpon the riuer of Marne right against Corbeil which he thought could work him some displeasure he therefore did send the seauenth day of September certaine companies of Spanyards and Italians with ordinance to take the said Lagny which was but a weake Towne The Captaine named Laphin otherwise determined to leaue the Towne as not defensible when he sawe the enemies approach with such disorder as they did
wicked desires and to deliuer them into the hands of barbarous tyrants as it fell out after more heauy and intollerable vnto them then the extremity of the famine it selfe that God might take vengeance of that sinke of accursed idolatrous rebels first by a long calamity like vnto a consuming and pining disease And to giue space vnto them there whome hee knew to bee his to goe out of that Babilon and cage of all abominations and vncleane fowles that in great wrath that blasphemous and rebellious City may be swallowed down in destruction It is said before how the King hauing missed to take Paris by Escalade gaue it ouer perceauing that God had a further and a heauier iudgement to execute vpon that City then he was determined to shew if it had come into his hands and therefore resting himselfe vppon Gods good will which will turne all things to the good and comfort of them that bee his returned to his army which had remoued from Chelles to Boundy The enemies notwithstanding the King Campe had remoued remayned still in their myre fearing still to be drawne where they were not resolued to goe The Nobility who vpon the newes and rumour of the battayle had resorted vnto the King without any prouision of necessary things and by the obstinacie of the enemies perceauing that they were not determined to come to handy blowes brged their departure The King in like manner being out of hope to come to hand with the enemie otherwise then leasure might afoord from Boundy tooke vp his lodging to goe to Gonesse The 12. day of September at Gonesse the King assembled the Princes officers of the Crowne and the expert and valiant Captaynes of the Armie which altogether made a noble and famous counsell There he discoursed how it was playne that the Prince of Parma cannot or dared not fight But that there was some hope that by coasting him still he might be hereafter had at aduantage To returne to Paris he shewed that he had not purposed and was not willing to take it by force And whereas the enemie would not warre after his maner he thought conuenient to apply himselfe vnto his And sith he would not haue the honour to fight with so many honourable personages as were assembled for that purpose it would be expedient to distresse him with other discommodities as want of victuals and surprises He shewed also that in furnishing the Townes round about Paris with strong garrisons and victuals the Citie would remayne still distressed as well as with an armie Also that a meane power was sufficient to coast the enemie and to bée at his heeles whatsoeuer he would attempt and that the rest of the forces might returne to the Prouinces whence they came which would be a great reliefe for them and by relieuing themselues might haue opportunitie still to get somewhat Lastly by these meanes in bridling the enemie from doing any exployt when forces of straungers should chaunce to enter into the Realme they might easily assemble together agayne thus refreshed be twise as strong as they are now These things being propounded by the King he required their good aduise and faithful counsell which things being debated by that noble counsell at length were approoued by the consent of all and followed And first the King did begin with the Towne of S. Denis which after great suit of diuers noble men it fell to the lot of the Lord Lauerdine who thankfully accepted it The King also prouided garrisons to fortifie the Townes of Melune Corbeil Sanlis Meulan Mante and sundrie others which did hold Paris distressed on euery side The King sent the Prince Countie into Toureyne Anjou and Mayne He sent the Prince Montpensier into Normandie The Duke of Longueuille into Picardie The Duke of Neuers into Champaigne The Marshall Aumont into Bourgondie Euery one hauing sufficient forces to keepe their Prouinces in peace The King himselfe with a companie of eight thousand and the Marshall Byron crossing the countrey lying betweene Marne and Oyse determined neither to goe farre from the enemie neither to spend his time in idlenes and therefore went to lay the siege before the town of Clâ—rmont in Beauuoysin where he stayed about ten dayes which he tooke partly by assault and partly by composition The Duke of Parma durst neuer come foorth out of the myre where hée had wallowed himselfe abouâ— 14. dayes vntill he heard the King was very nigh twentie leagues from him At length hearing the King to bee farre enough and that he had passed the riner Oyse towsing bunselfe out of the dyrt tooke his way to Paris in hast as one that is carried with a fearefull imagination At that time as many noble men who had repayred to the King vpon the rumour of a battaile which should haue been fought out betweene the King the Duke of Parma were returning to their home among others the Lord Guiche Ragny and Ciper returning into Normandy met with the Vicount Tauanes with fiue hundred horses néere to Meulay whome they charged and left aboue fiftie on the place and tooke as many prisoners with their baggage The King being at the siege of Clermont the Duke of Parma was receaued in Paris with great ioy and triumph For they supposed to haue receaued some of the petie Idols of the Heathens called Dij tutelares To be short he was welcome but his victuals which he brought with him yet better Hauing soiourned there fewe dayes the pride and vilanie of the Spanyards was so rife that no man was any longer master of his house wife children and goods all was exposed to the appetite and lust of fewe Gotes and Sarrazins confusedly heaped in Spayne as into the sinke of all Europe The triall of fewe dayes gaue the Parisiens a proofe of their folly who had reiected a lawfull King and had admitted most sauage monsters to oppresse them with barbarous tyrannie In these extremities they being not able to rid their hands of them if by any meanes they might be shifted off requested the sayd Duke of Parma that hee would open the riuer for the traffique without the which thing that mightie Citie could not be prouided of necessaries wishing that their neighbours might bee combred with them rather then they themselues The Duke of Parma to please the people made them beleeue that out of hand he would goe to take the Townes situated on the vpper part of the riuer then hee would goe to rescue Clermont then will hee take all the Townes betweene Paris and Roan At length with much adoo he vndertooke to assault Corbeil as next neighbour This is a small town seauen leagues from Paris vpon the selfesame riuer that Paris is famous onely in Paris by reason of the great aboundance of Peaches which growe in their vineyards which they sent to the markets of Paris otherwise it is nothing neither in greatnes nor in strength by nature nor by art This great Tamberlaine made such a preparation
great dayes iourney as far as Lusack was giuen to vnderstand that the sayd Vicount had withdrawn his siege and with his horsemen had betaken himselfe to Chauigny a towne in Toureine leauing his Canon and footmen at Montmorillon The Prince séeing that he had missed the sayd Vicount determined to besiege the town of Montmorillon which the same day he caused to be summoned but they within being not willing to giue any answere the Prince commanded to giue certaine volleys of Canon after which he caused them to be summoned agayn but they still continued iâ— their resolution to keepe aloofe The sixt day of Iune at fiue a clock in the morning his excellencie changed the battery which continued very furious till ten a clock in the forenoone at which time a breach being made the Prince commaunded to giue the assault which was done very couragiously on al sides of the town and continued the space of three long houres together But in the end the Princes forces seazed vpon the high town compelled the enemy to retire into the low towne which is separated from the high by the riuer Vndre which floweth through the middest of it where they hid themselues within a Chappell from whence they greatly endomaged and molested the Princes Souldiers who were in the high towne which thing when the Prince perceiued he commaunded six or seauen voâ—leys of the Canon â—â— be discharged against the gate of the Chappell which being immediatly broken the enemie was compelled to forsake it whome the Princes power pursued and possessed the whole towne of Montmorillon There was slayne in the towne more than fiue hundred fooâ—men and thrée score Cuirasses two masters of the field and all the captaines slayne wounded or taken prisoners The Prince caused many of these rebells to be hanged to requite that which the Leaguers had done not long before at Saint Sauin There were in that towne foure Canons taken from the enemie and good store of other munition seauen Ensignes also were taken there The Prince lost in that exployt but one souldier of his guardes and a Gentleman named S. Martin The Marshall of men at armes was hurt with an Harquebush shot and very few Souldiers beside wounded The towne of Montmorillon being taken the seauenth day the townes of Chauigny Saint Sauin and Blank en Berry were voluntarily yeelded to the Kings pleasure also the Castells Bourg Archambault Plaisance Belarbre Auailles Belawne Angles Bisse did voluntaryly submit themselues to the Kings obedience Hauing layd downe the prosperous exployts done in Lymosin and Toureyne by the noble Prince County we will also represent to the reader the attempts and vnluckie successes of the rebells of Britaine The great and famous Quéene of England among other prince like vertues of a true Christian Princesse desirous to restablish the afflicted state of France sent vnto the King a new supply of forces to assist him in repressing of the rebellion of Britaine vnder the conduct of that noble and valiant Captaine Sir Iohn Norris Knight Generall of her Maiesties forces there The rumour of english forces flying in Britaine had caused noblemen and Gentlemen about fiue hundred in number with their wiues and children and all their chiefest and most precious wealth to retyre into the Citie of S. Guingcamp strong by Nature and Arte. There were within that citie besides the sayd nobilitie three hundred good french Souldiers with a great number of the inhabitants able men and experienced The renowmed Prince D'ombees generall of the Kings forces in Britaine accompanied with to the terror of the rebells the honourable Sir Iohn Norris determined to lay siege before Guingcamp there to take all these vnâ—aithfull vnnaturall and bastarde Frenchmen there heaped as if it were in a cubbe They arriued before the towne the third day of Iune and about three a clock in the after noone the sayd valiant Norris hauing obtayned to geue the first assauâ—t after certaine companies of French men had refused it did so presse the enemie for the space of three howers vntill the night did seperat them that after that day they determined not to come any more to such a feast The enemies within defended themselues most valiantly yet feeling so many woundes as they had and seeing so many dead of theirs as they saw determined the night following to talke of composition the next day In this assault Sir Iohn Norris lost nine worthy souldiers three valiane Captaynes to wit Denis Herne and Wolfe and about fortie souldiers hurt The fourth day of Iune in the morning the Lord Norris gaue a fresh assault with that courage that when the enemies had sustayned it with much a doo lesse then halfe an hower the remembrance of the losse past put them in fear of that which was present before their eies fearing to repent too late they made a token of parley determined to yeelde themselues if they might find any reasonable composition The Generall making signe to his people willingly harkened vnto them and promised to vse them well if they would freely yeeld themselues That seemed vnto them somewhat hard therefore they couenauted that the citie should not be sacked and that the souldiers within should depart with their weapons and other furniture and that they would bee content to pay any reasonable summe of money The assault being stayed and the agreement concluded vpon the promise of the sayd Generall the nobilitie most willingly and of their owne accord did yeeld themselues and swore obedience to the King promising to withdraw themselues presently euery man to his own house to be ready to serue the King in any his busines and payed fifteene thousand crowns and the Citie 25. thousand which was farre lesse then they did think they should haue payed The souldiers were permitted freely to depart according to the agreement and the gates of the Citie ioyfully were set open The Generall did not suffer any kind of iniuries to bee done to any maner of persons All these things beeing doue hee caused thanks to be geuen to God for his gracious and fauourable protection After the taking of Guingcampe the purpose of the Prince was to haue assaulted the towne of Morlaix to the end to reduce it the base Britayne withall to the Kings obedience But Merceur Captaine of theeues robbers and rebels vnderstanding the losse of the towne of Guingcamp and of the reuolting of so many noble men and gentlemen as had sworne to obay and serue the King fel in a pelting Lorreine chafe and swore by Saint Francis holy briech that he would be reuenged and presently remooued from Pontignie where hee ioyned with foure thousand Spaniards vnder the leading of Don Iuan de Lagula whom he hath sent for vppon the rumor of the losse of the sayd Guyngcamp and from thence began to march towards Morlaix by the way to Corlay The Prince vnderstanding of that and discouering the enemies forces to be of seauen hundred horses foure thousand Spaniards and
strong not so much with the outward force as with plurality of suffrages which in all places they had secretly suborued by premises and corruptions And so it came to passe that there came but few to that assembly but they which were of the Leaguers faction Here Christian Reader wee may see Gods iudgements calling this great King as it were by steps to a miserable and shameful fall for his vnthankfulnes He hath forsaken one part of his subiectes and that the best part though not the greatest in number holdeth them for enemyes and wil haue none of their counsell and by the selfe same means hath opened a dore to weaken himselfe in his Parliament and committed his person into the hands of them that were assembled to dispossesse him out of his kingdome either by murther or by captiaitie making the way plaine before his enemies to rule the matter as they would without controulement Now we will leaue the King with all his courtand traine with his Leaguers to goe soft and fayre for feare of sweating too much to â—loys there to take order for their Processions Massing and other solemnities And vsed by men of that religion and there to stay for the arriuing of the deputies while we do see what things had happened in other places While and after the Edict of reunion was a casting in Iuly and the States appoynted all meanes were sought out to vndoe the King of Nauarre and with him them of the Religion The sayd king of Nauarre of his part did make himselfe ready vppon the defensiue grounded vpon all his reasons propounded often times by his declarations and vpon the grieues and iniuries proffered vnto him and vnto them of the religion It is said before how the Lord Colombieres had brought certaine companies out of Normandy vnto the King of Nauarre and in Iune before had seazed vpon the towne of Montagne This was a towne belonging to the Prince of Conde which had beene miserablie defaced in the former ciuill warres The wall and the castell being one of the strongest places in all that countrey had beene beaten downe But the ruine of the towne was not so great but within few dayes it was reasonablie repayred and made defensible by the said Lord Colombieres and other Captaynes with him The companies of the said Lord Colombieres out of that towne made dayly long roades and courses toward Nantes and against other places holden by the papists whereby dayly they greatly molested them After the Edict of reunion Duke Mercure gouernour of Britaine and others of the countrie who did holde with the League but specially they of Nants who could not away with such neighbours gathered certaine regiments of the Leaguers to make certaine roades into the lowe Poytow as well to let the enterprizes of the king of Nauarre there as to prepare the way to that armie which should folow shortly after vnder the conduct of the Duke of Neuers but specially intending to lay the siege before Montagne to gett that place out of the hand of them of the religion The Duke Mercure therefore with as great forces as hee was able to make went in person to lay siege before the said Montagne abouâ— the eight of August and lodged the regiment of Gersay at Saint George And sending from thence to view the towne a hot skirmish was begonne against them of the towne in the presence of the sayd Mercure who stood in battle aray with two hundred horses on the side of Barrillery so called because there they make barrels tubbes and such like stuffe They within the towne at the discouering of the enemie issued so furiously and did so beat them back that many men and horses remained slaine vpoÌ„ the place among whom were some of the guards of Mercure who seing that it was so hard for him to lodge his men of war in y e suburb of Saint Jamets as he had determined to doe sent them againe to their lodgings at Saint George As for himselfe in the euening hee retyred to Elison hauing sent downe the riuer Loyre from Nantes three double cannons to pont Rosseau which is a towne situated on the fall of the riuer Seuie into Loyre The King of Nauarre aduertized of Mercures inuasion into Poytow gathered such forces as he could and vpon some other occasions also departed out of Rochel the ninth of August accompanied with a hundred horses onely and the harquebusiers of his gardes and taking his iorney toward Loyre went that day to lodge at Lusson The Duke Mercure being lodged at Clisson the tenth day of August vnderstoode that the King of Nauarre was gone foorth out of Rochel and vpon the shadow of his owne feare he perswaded himself that it is to raise vp the siege of Montagne so that hauing represented vnto himselfe the accustomed diligence of the King of Nauarre in his exployts of warre he imagineth to see him alreadie whereupon he determined to retyre before he had planted his siege and returned to Nantes the 11. of August two daies before the comming of the King of Nauarre he left the regiment of Gersay to make the retyre and lodged the 12. day at Mounieres a towne situated vpon the riuer Seure The King of Nauarre at his departure from Lusson went to lodge at Bourneueau where the Lord Boulay with his companie of armed men well appoynted and a companie of harquebusiers on horseback commanded by Captaine Nede ioyned to him From Bourneueau the King went to lodge at Essars where he was aduertised that the Duke Mercure was departed and retyred to Nantes and that the regiment of Gersay was lodged at Mounieres These newes did cause him to dislodge the day following very earely least he should lose the occasion to ouertake that regimeÌ„t he went through the Towne of Montagne with much toyle and there tooke the garrison commanded by Luzerne eldest sonne to the Lord Colombieres and with extreame diligence in a little space of time came to the riuer Seure which he passed ouer speedily on foord there he found that the regiment was parted from Mounieres purposing to retyre to Pilmil Suburbe of Nantes The garrison of Montagne being forerunners to the sayd King followed with diligence and ouertooke them in a way hollowe and couered very aduantagious for the enemie by reason of three little houses wherein they had put men to flancke them There the skirmish did continue about halfe an houre vntill the sayd King of Nauarre had arriued with all his companies at whose comming the enemie was discouraged begaÌ„ to faint and flée away in disaray and there was wholly ouerthrowne The King of Nauarre tooke to mercie as many as were taken prisoners to the number of foure hundred and fiftie and suffered none to be killed but such as were slaine in the battell The master of the Camp Gersay saued himselfe by flight by the meanes of a fayre Ienet of Spayne yet hurt with a shot There were eight Ensignes taken great number of carts
to examine him nor to aske him Domine quo vadis The newes of this exploit so happily brought to passe arriuing at Rome filled the Citie with Gaudeamus the Churches with Te Deum and the court of Rome with Curtizans Thereuppon that Fryer Sixtus may fill the measure of iniquity and that he may leaue a testimony to the world to be knowen whose Vicar hee is he called together all his Chaplains into the Consistory and telleth them the happiest newes that euer came to Rome since the day that it was taken and ransaked by Charles of Bourbon to wit that Henry the third K. of France was slayne by the hands of a Frier and that hee may giue some ground to his oration flourished with Monkish eloquence he taketh a text out of A bacuck I haue wrought a worke in your dayes and no man would beleeue it though it be told them Vppon these wordes the lewde lying Frier taketh vppon him to make the articles of our Faith as touâ—â—ing the incarnation and resurrection of Christ and the execrable parricide of this accursed murdering Fryer to bee equally miraculous and wrought by the will counsell finger and power of God and by the inspiration of the selfe same Spirit which guyded the Prophets and Apostles and wrought in them the measure of all wisedome righteousnes and holines conducted this Fryer through all the difficulties of the way and directed him and his hand in committing such a damnable Parâ—icide The Lord reproue the lying spirit of blasphemie Thus may we see the hellish diuinity which Frier Sixtus which sitting in his Consistory in his Pontificalibus cannot erre spueth out by the inspiration of Sathan This impudent Frier the other day being Sonne to a Swineheard lying in Ouens for lacke of better lodging though he be neither Prophet a spudevp-prophet let him be nor the sonne of a Prophet yet telleth to his Chaplayns that hee prophecied to the red-cap Priestes called the Caroinals Joyeuse Leuencourt and Paris how the King should be the last of his name and should die an infortunate and violent death By this prophecie euery man may see how deeply this murthering Fryer Sixtus had his fingers in the conspiracy of the Kings death Thirdly because the King would not yeeld himselfe to be slayne by the Leaguers according to the secret counsell of Rome Also by reason that he suffered the execrable murtherer to bee slayne and willed the King of Nauarre and the Princes with him to make exemplary iustice vppon the authors and accessaries of his death Frier Swineheard otherwise Sixtus sweareth by his cornerd cap that as when it is vppon his head there lyeth vnder it the foure quarters of a false Frier so the King shall haue no Masse of Requiem of him but shall souse burne and broile in purgatory vntill he be as cold as a Frogge So Fryer Sixtus hauing taken so great paines for the holy Church as he did that day his belly began to call him to another worke And all the red cap Priestes making their abashio vpon their knées began to whistle with his mouth and with his two forfingers and his thumb hunting flies ouer their heads blessed them voto milesorum nemo vestrum frugi esto get you to dinner edite bibite cras moriemini Not long after at the solicitation of the rebels who had promised in case Fryer Clement should bée slaine in such good seruice to the holy Church to make him a Saint Fryer Sixtus for why should not a Fryer doo for a Fryer euen a greater thing then that made him a holy martyr who suffered for the Catholick faith and Deum tutelarem of the Citie of Paris Then his Image was set vp in euery Church Massing sensing offring kissing kneeling and ducking is dayly done to the Idoll there was neuer so much a doo about the Idoll of Molok there was neuer so much crying about the Altar of Baal as there is ora pro nobis about this new Saint there was neuer so many flyes about Beelzebub as there is Idolaters in Paris about this new Idoll Now before we do enter into the narration of King Henry the fourth we will represent an image of the miserable confusions which are in the realme by a comparison Henry the fourth Emperour of the Romains by the mothers side was of the royall bloud of France a man of great wisdome and integrity The holy Empyre was set on a fier of sedition by the Bishops Priests and Monkes by the procurement of the Popes which then liued seditious rebellions and commotions were raysed vp by the Shauelings throughout all Germanie about the bestowing of Bishoprikes and Benefices First they stirred vp Saxonie after Suobland they set vp an vsurper to wit Radolph but to his great harme Then they set vp his owne Sonne against him to wit Henry the fift Last of all the Bishops Priests and Monkes by treason oppressed him this noble Emperour could neuer be ouercome by force but had alwaies the victorie against the Shauelings and their partakers his age was blinded with grosse ignorance and a vaine feare of the Popes vayne craking excommunication Henry of Bourbon the fourth all one in name in number in vertue and force and prosperous successe is all one with that noble Emperour issued out if we should well consider the histories of the same famely as the other was by the mothers side his Kingdome is all set on a fire of rebellion the Priestes and Fryers haue blowne and kindled it religion is pretended but in very déede ambition is the procurer of all these euills This age is not so blinde if they would but men are more malicious they vse now the old rusty sword of the Popes excommunication as they did then not that they doo passe for it but to serue their owne turne to bée the trumpet of all rebellion he hath sustayned the fury of the Priests and Fryers and of their partakers for the space of these 14. yeares and had neuer any foyle but hath had alwaies the victory on his side The Emperour Henry the fourth was oppressed by the treasons of popelings this I hope will beware of such Chaplaines Popery then did preuaile but now the Gospell shall florish mauger all the religions of idolatrous Fryers and all the route of Antichrist We haue left the King on the sea coast of Normandie there to view the preparations and attempts of the Leaguers where vnderstanding that the Leaguers did insult by the good successe which they had in executing their traiterous felony vpon the Kings person and that they had prepared a mighty army of such rablement of rebels as Paris could afoord them and had receaued certaine swart Rutâ—ers vnder the conduct of the Duke of Brunswick He was aduertised also that the Duke of Lorreyne had sent his sonne the Marquis d'Pont with certaine companies of Horsemen and that they had receaued certaine Wallons out of the Low Countrey conducted by the County Egmond The