place they desired that Sigismund the King 's eldest Son should be bred in the Protestant Religion because that young Prince began to give some Umbrage Queen Catherine Jagellon his Mother had so strongly tinctured him with the Principles of the Church of Rome that the Senators of the Kingdom having one day threatned him that he should lose the Right of Succession to the Crown if he did not soon renounce the Religion he had imbibed and embrace the Ausburgh Confession I prefer replied he boldly the Kingdom of Heaven to all the Crowns in the World No other Answer could be got from him On some Occasions the States of Sweden had more Complaisance for the King All seem'd dispos'd to receive the new Liturgy and the Accommodations he had invented Charles of Sudermannia the Clergy of his Provinces and some great Lords were the only People who defended the Reformation but the Interest of the Duke and the effectual Remonstrances of the rest brought back several whose Hopes and Fears had abated their Warmth and Zeal The King himself had lost much of that Ardor the Jesuit Possevin had inspired into him Whether he could not accommodate himself to the haughty Humour of Sixtus V. Successor to Gregory XIII or his Doubts were not sufficiently cleared or the great Power of his Brother kept him in awe John humbled the Catholicks who thought themselves now Masters of all things He drove out the Jesuits and demolished their College Gennila Bielke whom the King married after the Death of Catherine Jagellon cooled the Fervour her Husband had before shewed for the Roman Religion Kings often think they do that of their own Heads which a dextrous and insinuating Woman inspires into them John King of Sweden thought he had solid Reasons to doubt of the Truth of the Protestant Religion But his principal Motive though he scarce knew it himself was his great Complaisance for Catherine Jagellon The Queen Gennila might have brought him back to his first Religion in the same manner as the other had seduced him from it Sigismond Prince of Sweden is chosen King of Poland After the Death of Stephen Battori King of Poland Ann Jagellon his Widow and Aunt of Sigismond Prince of Sweden managed the Polish Nobility so well that the greatest part declared for him The contrary Faction chose the Arch-Duke Maximilian Brother to the Emperor Rodolphus But Sigismond's Friends carried it He was received in Poland beat the Arch-Duke and Maximilian being taken Prisoner redeemed his Liberty by renouncing all his Pretensions to the Crown of Poland The Swedes made their Conditions before the Prince left that Kingdom as the Poles made theirs before they received him The Principal thing which the Senate of Sweden stipulated with Sigismond was the preserving the Priviledges and Religion of their Country They added this Clause in the Treaty that if the King of Poland becoming King of Sweden after the Death of his Father should contravene any of the Articles agreed on that then the Swedes should be discharged from the Oath of Allegiance they had taken It is very probable that Sigismond before his departure from Sweden urged the King his Father to pursue his Design of causing his new Liturgy to be received together with the ancient Ceremonies which he had establish'd a little after his coming to the Crown When Princes have begun a Work that makes a great Figure they are loth to quit it and soon resume it when they see the least Prospect of Success Sigismond hoped his late Advancement would make it easie for him to accomplish the Work which his Father had drawn a rough Draught of And the King of Sweden strengthned by the new Alliance of Poland flatter'd himself that Charles of Sudermannia would not dare to oppose him He was deceived in his Conjectures The Churchmen of the Dutchy agreeing perfectly well with the Prince refused to receive his Liturgy This disturbed the King so much who was now at greater variance with his Brother than ever that he thought of recalling Sigismond in earnest The new King himself was tempted to return into his Country He would willingly have done it if the Poles had not briskly opposed it A Foreign Prince is easily dazled with the glittering Title of King of Poland But he soon takes distaste at the false Lustre of a Crown which only appears fair at a distance Those who have left their Hereditary Countries to go into Poland have repented This is the way to hazard the loss of an Effective Sovereignty for a Title which has more Pomp than Reality Sigismond knew by Experience the Truth of this Maxim The King his Father finding so great opposition from the Swedes who were more upon their Guard since the Election of Sigismond had nothing else to have Recourse to but to reconcile himself speedily to the Duke of Sudermannia and admit him to a Share in the Administration of Affairs The Apprehensions of John were something lessened by Charles's losing his Wife She left no Issue behind her and John pretended his Brother promised him never to think of a second Marriage If it were so the Duke in his turn broke his Word He soon after married Christina Daughter of Adolphus Duke of Holstein It is reported Sigismond courted this Lady before he went into Poland But a Sister of King John diverted the Prince her Nephew from the Match He after married Constance of Austria Daughter of Charles and Sister of Ferdinand Arch-Duke of Gratz in Stiria Christina enraged at this Contempt conceived so great a Hatred against Sigismond that after she was married to Charles of Sudermmannia she incessantly urged him to force the Crown of Sweden from Sigismond King John was not well satisfied with this second Marriage of Charles But his ill Humour did not last long He died soon after at Stockholm The Duke of Sudermannia was active as soon as he heard this News He set at liberty the Senators and Clergymen Sigismond King of Poland succeeds in the Kingdom of Sweden whom the late King had confined for opposing his Designs Sigismond very much distrusted his Uncle To prevent his enterprizing any thing to his Prejudice the new King writes that he was making all Preparations to come speedily into his Hereditary Countries In the mean time the Duke of Sudermannia takes the Administration as next of Kin to the King Puffendorf Introduction à Histoire Tom. IV. p. 11. Rhap 1. 2. John left another Son by his second Wife but he was yet a Minor The Senators without prejudice to their Oath taken to Sigismond promised to obey Charles in every thing he should order with their Consent for the Glory of God the Preservation of the Protestant Religion and the maintaining the just Rights and Priviledges of the Nation The Duke promised of his Part not to transact any thing of weight without the Advice and Consent of the Senate A Council is thereupon assembled at Vpsal to regulate Matters of
of Savoy who with great earnestness challenged that the promise made to him by the late King of giving the Eldest Daughter of France in Marriage to the Prince of Piedmont might be now made good But Spain would also hinder any such strict Alliance and good Correspondency betwixt this Duke Charles Emanuel and the Crown of France So many different Views that Spain had render'd the New Negotiation very difficult The Council of Spain out of a desire to defend the Dukes designs Siri Memorie recondite Tom II paâ—… 359 447 448. choose rather to give the Eldest Daughter to the King of France than that the Prince of Piedmont should go away with the Eldest Daughter of France So that they came to this Agreement about the latter end of 1610. that Lewis and Prince Philip should each of them Marry the Eldest Daughter of the two Houses of France and Spain on condition that the Infant Ann that was design'd for the King of France should renounce all the Pretensions that she or her Children might ever have on any of the Estates belonging to the Monarchy of Spain This was the only Expedient that was found to prevent that the King of France's condition in the case might not be better than those of Philip. Both Kings Authorised the Duke of Tuscany to demand in Marriage the two Princesses in their Names Mary of Medicis had now obtain'd what she had a great while longed for But she knew not how to bring about that this double Marriage might be liked of in France Villeroy did Negotiate this Treaty Being always suspected to be a Pensionary of Spain he used all the Intrigues possible to compass this Business The Duke of Sulli before he was put out of Favour did vigorously oppose the Matter I 'll hinder you well enough said he one day in the presence of the Queen Regent from perswading her Majesty to suffer her self to be led by all the Figaries of the Popes and of the King of Spain The Friendship of the Protestant Potentates is more useful to this State than that of Paul and of Philip The Queen heard all this without saying a word But such bold Expressions and so becoming a true Frenchman did not a little contribute to hasten the Dukes Disgrace It was hoped that this Project of the double Marriage would be carried on very easily when Sully was removed from the Ministry The Mareschal of Bouillon as less stiff was looked upon as a fit Person to get this Undertaking to be liked off by the Protestants both abroad and at home The double Marriage is concluded between the two Kings At the end of the Month of April 1611. all points were agreed upon The Treaty of the double Match was Signed and both Kings promised one to the other Reciprocally in Writing to accomplish it The Pope and Great Duke of Florence were to be the Mediators of it Siri Memorie recondite Tom. II. pag. 524 525 526 c. The Treaty of the particular Match between the King of France and the Infanta was to be drawn up and published at Paris that of the Prince of Spain at Madrid Another Treaty was likewise made of a League Defensive between the two Crowns Lewis and Philip engaged themselves to give mutually each other certain Succors in case either of them should be Attacked from Abroad or any Insurrection was to be supprest within either of their States The Spaniards had demanded an Offensive League to be made but the Queen Regent would not consent to it This was sufficient to convince her that Philip sought after nothing more than to make France lose the Amity and Confidence she had in the Protestant Princes and States Mary content to Stipulate that the two Treaties should remain secret for some time had not the prudence to break off a Negotiation wherein the Enemies of young Lewis his Prosperity might serve themselves with an Opportunity of laying Snares for him on all sides The Approaching Assembly of the Reformed Protestants at Saumur was the cause why the Queen demanded this Delay It was feared that this News would too much alarm them and they should take Measures to oppose a design so Contrary to the Repose and Common Security of all Protestants Intrigues at the French Court as soon as the Treaty about the double Marriage came to be known The Queen and her Confidents employ'd all their Wit and Industry to gain to their side the Princes of the Blood and the Grandees to the end the Affair of the double Match might pass without any Contradiction The Union of the Prince of Conde and Count Soissons was one of the greatest Obstacles to get over Intrigues were laid to Disunite them and when t' was perceived they were too stedfast one to t'other it was endeavour'd to gain them separately by promises of granting them some new Gratifications Memoites de lâ—… Regence de Marie de triâ—…dicis Both these retired from Court discontented that a Treaty had been made with Spain without their Knowledge though express Couriers were dispatcht to give Cardinal de Joyeuse and the Duke of Epernon notice of it The Count of Soissons had a design in his Head to remove from Court the present Ministers of State and chiefly the Chancellor Sileri whom he hated more than the rest Soissons accused this prime Magistrate of shameful and insatiable Covetousness in selling Justice publickly to the dishonour of the Government and damage of particular Persons who had any business to Sollicite with him Though the Count de Soissons was extreamly angry with Conchini since the rupture of a Marriage between the Son of the one and the Daughter of the other yet he kept still some measures with the Marquess of Ancre They agree'd very well together for displacing Ministers of State The new favourite believed he should find some Obstacles to the encrease of his Power as long as they held any Office After some Negotiations both the Princes returned to the Court. The Constable de Montmorency was lured in by a Marriage of his Son Siri Memorie recondite Tom. II. pag 599 600 601 609 612. with a Princess of the House of Mantua the Queens Niece The Mareschal Bouillon said sometimes well in Counsel that too strict a League with Spain would be prejudicial to the State But at the bottom he had made his Market Lesdiguieres longed excessively to be Duke and Peer in all Forms The hopes which were given him of making the Letters which he obtain'd to be approv'd in Parlement made him pliable and complaisant to every thing the Court would have The Duke de Guise to whom Mary had recourse in all her perplexities which the Princes of the Blood had given her assured her of the Service of his whole Family and all their Friends I have only one Favour to ask of you Madam said he to the Queen which is that after this Important Service your Majesty will not abandon us
Plot might be discover'd the Conspirators took a Resolution to set up the Duke of Parma in an Abby whither he had been retir'd to take the Air and be devout with the Capuchins and Assassinate him in this place They were to come after this was done to Parma in the Night-time to kill the Dukes Children and those of his House to sack the Palace and City and possess themselves of the Cittadel Another Party of the Complices were order'd to make themselves Masters by means of some Intelligence of the City and Castle of Placentia which they were to deliver up to the Duke of Mantua In all Conspiracies which require long time for Execution and a great number of Complices there 's almost always some one found who upon consideration reflects seriously on the Enterprize The fear of Punishment the hopes of being well rewarded the Horrour likewise of the Crime and Remorse of Conscience bring them to discover the Contrivance The Duke of Parma happen'd upon some Persons of this Humour who gave him notice of the Danger he was threatned withal After an exact Information of all the particulars of the Conspiracy Ranutius caused a Manifesto to be fixt up in all publick Places which contain'd the Story of the plotted Enterprise and the Names of the principal Complices whom the Duke summon'd to come and justifie themselves It appear'd that the Names of some Persons who were considerable for their Degree and Quality were suppress't Vincent Duke of Mantua some days agoe Deceased was so well describ'd as ev'ry one presently knew him by the Name of Chief Conspirator which was given him The Captain of his Guards was the second Man amongst the Plotters Francis his Successor complain'd aloud of the injury done to the Memory of his Father For this he demanded Reparation This Affair was so much nois'd in Italy insomuch that they fear'd an open breach betwixt the Duke of Parma and the Duke of Mantua The former had his Recourse to the King of Spain for Protection for whom the Famous Alexander of Parma had done Signal Services And the other the Queen Regent of France's Nephew implored the Succors of that Crown Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy would intervene for an Accommodation betwixt the two Princes But t' was strait known that this Disquieted Spirit sought to embroil them further and rather raise a War from whence he hop'd for an Advantage than any ways to make an end of the Differences The Parties agreed to refer themselves to the Arbitration of the Duke of Vrbin as to one part of the Contest The Governor of Milan stifled the rest of this Affair in the Name of the King of Spain and so the Princes dismiss't the Troops which they had raised A Proposal of Marriage between Christiana the 2d Daughter of France and Henry Prince of Wales To stop the continual Complaints of the Duke of Savoy the Regent sometimes offer'd to give Christina her second Daughter to the Prince of Piedmont yet this did not hinder the talk of Marrying her to Henry Prince of Wales the Eldest Son of James the I. King of great Britain Whether it was that Mary de Medicis had an Ambition to make all her Daughters Queens or that she wou'd break off the Negotiation already much advanc'd betwixt his Britannick Majesty and the Duke of Savoy for Marrying the Prince of Wales with the Princess of Savoy James had demanded the Eldest Daughter of France but seeing that the Regent was so far engag'd with Spain he gave ear to the Duke of Savoy's Proposition which he had made him As his Majesty had got in the World a great Name for loving Money very well so Cosmus Great Duke of Florence a more Monyed Prince than Charles Emanuel thwarted the Design He offer'd one of his Sisters for the Prince of Wales with a more considerable Fortune But the Pope perhaps at the Instigation of the Regent who pretended to make the Duke of Savoy amends by bringing about a Match for the Prince of Piedmont with the Princess of Florence the Pope I say wrote forceably to the Great Duke for to persuade him from any Alliance which the Holy Chair could not approve of Notwithstanding the Pope's Letter which seem'd to be Precarious Cosmus thought always to Marry his Sister into England he press't the Queen to assist him with her good Offices at Rome to obtain a Dispensation but Mary de Medicis who had other things in her Head flatly denied him The Duke of Savoy wrote to his Ambassadors in France to tell the King of England's Ambassador that his Highness knowing well the Difference there is betwixt a Daughter of France and a Princess of Savoy Charles Emanuel might not think it strange that a Daughter of Henry the IV should be preferr'd before his but he thought he should receive a sensible Affront if his Britannick Majesty should Reject a Princess of Savoy for to Marry his Son into the House of the Medicis The Regent shew'd so much eagerness for the Marriage of Christina with the Prince of Wales as Edmonds Knight and Ambassador from England believ'd that after the way Villeroy had spoke to him it might be King James's fault if this Affair was not concluded and that Mary de Medicis would with much willingness yield to him all the Conditions he could ask of her When the King had heard this News he order'd Robert Carr Viscount of Rochester his Favourite to write to Prince Henry who was then at Richmond and pray him to speak freely if he like'd of the Match Henry had notice that Christina was not yet nine years of Age and that her Eldest Sister's Portion was but 500000 Crowns in Gold But France said Rochester seems to have so great a desire for this Marriage as no one doubts but she may give more to the Second Daughter in case the Augmentation of her Fortune be insisted upon The Prince of Wales with great Prudence answer'd the King his Father upon all the Articles of the Letter of the Chevalier Edmonds which he had sent him at the same time As for the time said he ' they 'l bring the Princess of France into England I believe the sooner it is the better and that your Majesty ought not to demur hereupon As long as the Princess shall be in France the Queen her Mother will be Mistress either to forward the Marriage or to stave it off and to oblige her Daughter to give her Consent or hinder her from it The younger she is the more time we shall have and easiness to instruct her in our Religion and Convert her Since they ask of your Majesty to Explain your self as to the Liberty the Princess shall have in the exercise of her Religion I desire you Sir to answer your Ambassador positively that you will not agree to any other Conditions with France than what the Duke of Savoy had demanded when he offer'd you his Daughter That is to say that the Princess shall
Poland He succeeds to the Kingdom of Sweden Differences between King Sigismund and Charles Duke of Sudermannia The States of Sweden give the Regency of the Kingdom in the absence of King Sigismund to the Duke of Sudermannia The Duke of Sudermannia and the Senate of Sweden are divided King Sigismund Attempts in vain to reduce the Duke of Sudermannia by Force The States of Sweden depose King Sigismund Charles Duke of Sudermannia is chosen King of Sweden The King of Sweden sends the Challenge to the King of Denmark The Death of Charles King of Sweden BOOK III. THE State of France since the Regency of Mary de Medicis The Treaty of the double Marriage between France and Spain The double Marriage is concluded between the two Kings Intrigues in the Court of France when the Treaty of the double Marriage was known there The double Marriage at last passes in the Council of France The Popes Nuncio complains of the Sentence of Parlement on the Process of the Vniversity of Paris against the Jesuits The Nuncio's Invectives against the Advocate-General Servin The Nuncio's Advances to the Parlement to procure a Modification of the Sentence The Nuncio's Intrigues with the Clergy The Difficulties of the Jesuits to keep even in their Conduct to the Court of Rome and Parlement of Paris A Book of Doctor Richer Syndic of the Faculty of Paris makes a great Noise there The Cardinal du Perron and the Bishops of the Province of Sens assembled together to Condemn Richers Book Richer has the Syndicat of the Faculty of Paris taken from him Publick Rejoycings for the double Marriage New Disturbances in the Court of France The Duke of Mayenne is sent into Spain to demand the Infanta for the King Matthias King of Hungary and Bohemia is Elected Emperor after the Death of Rodolphus II. Antonio Memmi is chosen Doge of Venice after the Death of Leonard Donato The Embassy of the Mareschal of Bouillon into England The Discontent of the Mareschal Lesdiguieres Mary de Medicis depresses â—…e Factions of the Duke of Guise and Epernon The Count of Soissons undertakes to ruine the Ministers and engages outragiously to Attack the Chancellor de Sillery The Marquess de Coeuvres diverts the Count of Soissons from this Enterprize The Impostures of the Marquess of Ancres Some Persons suborned to accuse him of Magick The Affair of the Duke of Rohan at St. John of Angeli The Reconciliation of the French Protestant Lords The Protestation of the National Synod of Privas in the Name of all the Reformed Churches of France against the King's New Declaration The Entry of the Duke of Pastrane into Paris The Signing of the Marriage Articles between the Prince of Spain and the Eldest Daughter of France The Duke of Mayenne's Entry into Madrid The Signing the Marriage Articles between Lewis XIII and the Infanta of Spain A Conspiracy against the Duke of Parma A Discourse of Marrying Christina second Daughter of France to Henry Prince of Wales The Death of Henry Prince of Wales The Fortunes of Robert Carr in England The Death of the Count of Soissons A New Face of the Court of France The Condemnation of a Book of the Jesuit Becanus The Sentence of the Parlement of Paris against a Book of Schioppius Peace between the Crowns of Sweden and Denmark Revolutions in Muscovy A False Demetrius in Poland Demetrius enters Muscovy and causes himself to be Crowned there Demetrius and a great number of Poles are Massacred at Moscow Susky is made Czar of Muscovy and after lays down Ladislaus Prince of Poland is proclaimed Czar of Muscovy The Polanders are driven out of Muscovy and Michael Federovitz is elected Czar BOOK IV. THE Baron de Luz is killed by the Chevalier of Guise The Regents Anger against the Guises The Duke of Guise desires to combine with the Prince of Conde The Queen becomes jealous of the Prince of Conde The Violence and Mercenary Temper of the Duke of Guise The generous Sense of the Duke of Epernon The Regent is Reconciled to the Dukes of Guise and Epernon The Ancient Ministers are recalled The Confusion and Perplexity of the Prince of Conde The young Baron de Luz is killed again by the Chevalier of Guise The Death of Francis Duke of Mantua New Projects of the Duke of Savoy upon this occasion Artifices of the Duke of Savoy The Governor of Milan demands the Dutchess Dowager of Mantua and her Daughter The Regent of France opposes the Duke of Savoy's designs The Pope's Conduct in the Affair of Mantua The Republick of Venice supports the Cardinal of Mantua Ferdinand Cardinal de Gonzaga takes the Character of Duke of Mantua New Efforts of the Duke of Savoy to fetch away from Mantua the Princess Mary his Grand-daughter Ambitious Projects of the Duke of Savoy The Duke of Savoy carries Montserrat This Enterprize is the cause of New Metions in Italy Manifesto's of the Duke of Savoy and the Cardinal Duke of Mantua Artifices and Bravades of the Duke of Savoy His Intrigues at the Court of France are discovered The Marquess of Ancre being found Intriguing with the Duke of Savoy is exceedingly Embarassed The Ministers are reconciled to the Marquess of Ancre The Court resolves to send a powerful Aid to the House of Mantua The Queen is diverted from sending Aid so soon to the Cardinal Duke The King of Spain declares against the Duke of Savoy The Emperor requires the Duke of Savoy to desist from his Enterprize on Montferrat The Governor of Milan constrains the Duke of Savoy to submit to the King of Spain's pleasure A difference between the Duke of Nevers and the Governour of Milan The Marriage of the Elector Palatin to a Daughter of the King of England A Discourse concerning the Marriage of Charles Prince of Wales with Christina of France The Emperor Matthias comes to the Diet at Ratisbon The Catholicks and Protestants reciprocally complain of each other The ill success of the Diet at Ratisbon The Fortune of Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania A difference between the Houses of Brandenburgh and Neuburgh about the Government of Cleves and Juliers Prince Wolfgang of Neuburgh Marries the Sister of the Duke of Bavaria and changes his Religion Difficulties to make the Peace concluded between the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua lasting The Governor of Milan presses the Duke of Savoy to Disarm The Dukes Evasion The Governor of Milan demands the Princess of Mantua on the King of Spains part The King of Spains Views in this demand The Republick of Venice traverses the King of Spain's Designs The Perplexity of Mary de Medicis in the Business of Mantua A Proposition made to the Council of France to cause Troops to march into Italy The Regent sends the Marquiss de Coeuvres into Italy to treat an Accommodation between the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua The vast Ambition of Conchini made a Mareschal of France and Galigai his Wife A Continuation of the Disputes about Grace
take to a contrary Interest possibly underhand countenanced the discontented Party and the Papists in England formed that Horrible Attempt which has since been call'd the Gunpowder Plot. Since that time James ever dreaded the Spaniards And they were so Skillful to improve this weakness of his and Avarice of his Ministers that far from opposing the Enterprizes of the House of Austria you will find he will patiently suffer her to dispossess the Elector Palatine who married a Daughter of England Henry IV. prepares for War In this posture were the Affairs of Europe when Henry Troops and bring them to to raise Troops and bring them to the Frontiers of Champagne John William Duke of Cleves Bergh and Juliers dying without Children lest a contended Succession His four Sisters or their Children had each different Pretenstions some Imperial Constitutions contrary to each other embroil'd the Affair more Some of these determined the Fees of the Contested Countries to be the right of the Heirs Male and others supposed Daughters capable of the Succession Among all the Princes who were pretenders the Right of John Sigismund Elector of Brandenburgh and that of Philip Lewis Palatin of Newburgh were the most plausible The first had married the Daughter of the Eldest Sister of the last Duke and the other was Husband of the second Sister who maintained that the Succession was devolved on her to the prejudice of the Children of her Eldest Sister Deceased before Duke John William These two Princes each took possession of a part of those Estates they pretended did entirely belong to them But it was to be feared a third stronger than both of them would make himself Master of the best places while they made War to drive each other out Therefore the Landgrave of Hess their common Friend made them consent to a Provisional Treaty In this they promised to terminate their Differences Amicably and by Arbitration and to joyn their Forces against any who should Attempt to usurp the Countries of Cleves and Juliers Till this should be decided it was agreed they should govern Individually and in common and without prejudice to the right of the Emperor or the other Princes pretenders The States of the Country Assembled at Dusseldorp took this Affair into their Cognizance at the Intreaty of the King of France who already declared for the two Princes They were both Protestants and the Vnited Provinces supported them as far as they were able This gave Umbrage to the Arch-Dukes of the low Countries whose Estates bordered on one side on those of Juliers A certain Prince of their House in Germany would have been glad to have made his Advantage in this Litigious Title The pretence of Religion is never wanting upon occasion and here it would have been very seasonable The Governour of Juliers then is won over and Leopold of Austria Bishop of Strasbourg and Passaw passes secretly into the place He brought with him a Commission from the Emperour who pretended to be the Natural and Soveraign Judge of a Difference arising about the Fiefs of the Empire and in the mean time he gave to his Cousin Leopold the Administration of the contested places This Sequestration seem'd to tend to an Usurpation By the Addition of the Dutchies of Cleves and Juliers to its other Hereditary Countries the House of Austria was in a condition to oppress the German Liberties with more ease The Neighbourhood of the low Countries gave the King of Spain an opportunity to send his best Troops to the Assistance of his Kinsmen This Enterprize ought to have alarmed equally all the Princes of Germany but the Jealousie caused by difference of Religion made the Duke of Bavaria the Electours of Mentz Triers and some others fear the Protestant Party would be too strong if the disputed Countries should fall to a Prince of that Religion See then the Catholicks assemble at Wirtsbourg and form there a League of which the Duke of Bavaria was Chief and send a Deputation to Rome and Madrid to demand Aid of Pope Paul the V. and Philip King of Spain On the other hand the Protestants come in great numbers to Hall in Swabia The Electour and Princes of Saxony do not appear there Those of the branch of Weymar and Koburg had their particular Pretensions to the Dutchies of Cleves and Juliers and hoped the House of Austria would espouse their right sooner than that of other Princes more jealous of her growing Greatness The Elector of Saxony contented himself to send to Hall in conjunction with the King of Denmark to exhort all the Pretenders to put their Interests into the Emperours hand The Resolutions taken in that Assembly were kept private The Prince of Anhalt whom those of Brandenburgh and Newburg had desired to go on a Negotiation to the Court of France returned to Hall accompanied with Boissise Ambassadour from the King This Minister declared publickly his Master would Assist them with all his Strength and would march himself at the Head of a powerful Army to oppose the Designs of the House of Austria The Vnited Provinces too promised to joyn their Troops with those of Henry The Neighbourhood of the Contested Countries made it unsafe for them to suffer them to fall into the hands of a Kinsman or Friend of Spain The mortal Displeasure the King of France had to see the Arch-Dukes of the low Countries and the King of Spain receive the Prince of Conde with open Arms who had secretly withdrawn himself to Brussels with the Princess his Wife and promise him all sort of Assistance against the Injustice done him by Henry This Accident I say hapning at the same time with the Affair of Cleves and Julieâ—…s urged him more to a War than the Noble desire to assist his Allies Being Resolved to revenge the many Affronts he had received from Philip the II. and his Son and to have the Princess of Conde back what ever it cost him Henry again sent Troops towards the Alps. Lesdiguieres who from a mean Birth and Fortune had raised himself by degrees during the Wars in Dauphiny and Provence and had obtained the staff of Mareschal of France This Man was sent to conduct to the Duke of Savoy the Troops designed against Italy and to Attack the Milanese in Conjunction with him Vast Preparations were made These at first were covered with the ordinary pretence of the Publick Safety the preserving the Râ—…pose of Europe and the maintaining the Kings Allies in their rightful Possession but a Vile and Criminal Passion made them to encrease and march with the greatest Expedition Henry it was said had reason to fear that his ancient Enemies abusing the easiness and resentment of the first Prince of the Blood should excite an Ambition in him and put it into his Head to contest the Validity of the Marriage of the King with Mary de Medicis after a Divorce founded on very frivolous Reasons and the I egitimacy of his Children by this second Wife
the Memory of his Father by the Love you ought to have for your selves and your Zeal for your Country I will instruct him to follow your Advice in all the concerns of State It is your part to see this be wholsom and good When she had done she came down within the Bar as if she would still give them a liberty to agree in their Opinions concerning the Regency The Princes Lords and Magistrates convinced there was more Ceremony than Reality in this begg'd her to take her place again Mary skill'd in the Art of Dissimulation suffer'd her self to be prest for a long time till the Instances she required seem'd to be a force on her Modesty and Grief Young Lewis rehearsed well enough the Discourse prepared for him It was not omitted here to insert the young King would follow the Advice of his Parliament This is a Language which ancient Custom has made usual in the beginning of a Minority but is never remembred by Princes when their Authority is once Established Ann of Austria and her Son said the same thing Nevertheless we have seen with our own Eyes in the present Reign and we shall see in that whose History I now write that Lewis XIII and his Successor have too much given ear to vile Flatterers who have prompted them to annul the Authority of a Body of Men on which the Preservation of France does depend Reisel Hist de Louis XII dans son livre de la Monarchie de France 1. part chap. VIII X. and which was Established to curb the Absolute power of the King Thus Men talked in the time of Lewis XIII And this Discourse is Seditious under the Reign of Lewis XIV The Chancellour assured them the late King had more than once signified his Intention according to divers preceding Examples that the Queen his Wife should have the Administration of Affairs in case he died before his Son was a Major After the Chancellor's Harangue was over the first President began He exhorted the young Prince to strive to deserve the Title of Father of his People as the good King Lewis XII had done on whose Throne he sat and to follow the Instructions which St. Lewis left to Posterity Servin Advocate-General did the same and all was concluded by the King's Decree sitting in his Seat of Justice and confirming that made the preceding Day and by sending it to other Parliaments and publishing it throughout the Kingdom The Speeches of these Two great Magistrates would have been worthy of their Gravity and Reputation if they had given less excessive Praises to a Princess who never deserved the most moderate ones The New Decree being given out the King returned with mighty Shouts and Acclamations of the Multitude who admire whatever strikes their Senses All People wished a long Prosperity to the Son of the Great Henry crying for Justice on the Authours of his Father's Death Happy had it been if the Prayers and Wishes of his Subjects could have obtained for him the Qualities of Mind and Inclinations necessary to tread in the Steps of the good Kings who preceded him the number of whom is very small But he had not Genius enough to acquire the one and his Mother would not permit him to have a Governour to form him for the other The Count of Soissons was extremely surprized to find all done in his Absence He made haste to Paris Intrigues and Cabals at Court in the beginning of the Regency of Mary de Medicis accompanied with Three Hundred Gentlemen on Horseback To lessen his Discontent which began to discover it self he had the Government of Normandy given him The Regent next rewarded those who had servâ—…d her well The Pensions of the Princes of the House of Lorrain were very moderate in the preceding Reign But Sully who strove to support the greatest Enemies of his Religion raised them to a Hundred thousand Livres The Duke of Guise obtained Two Hundred Thousand Crowns to pay his Debts and the Queen promised to favour him in the Design he had to marry the Heiress of Joyeuse Widow of the Duke of Montpensier by whom she had only One Daughter Epernon was so wealthy and had such Places he seem'd above the Gratifications of the Court He was rewarded according to his own Humour He had great Honours done him and all the Marks of a particular Distinction The Queen lodg'd him in the Louvre I do not said she Vie de Duc d' Epernon L. IV. think my self safe there wihtout him The Secretaries of State communicated all Dispatches to him In a word he seemed on the Point to render himself as formidable now as he had been under the Reign of the weak Henry III. The Count of Soissons sought his Friendship with great earnestness He He aimed by this to strengthen himself against the Prince of Conde who was invited to return and take his Rank at Court The Princess of Montpensier was Daughter to a Niece of the Duke of Epernon and the Count hoped to bring the Wealth of that rich Family into his House by marrying his Son to that Heiress This Match could not be concluded without the Consent of the Uncle Soissons hated Sully mortally He flatter'd himself that Epernon exasperated against that Minister who had done very ill Offices to the One and the Other with the late King would join with him to rid themselves of their common Enemy The Duke did not refuse the Friendship of a Prince of the Blood but would not engage to serve him in all his Projects The Edge of the Count was not taken off by this He proposes to his new Friend to stab the Duke of Sully in the Louvre A base and cowardly Action unworthy I will not say of a Prince but of the meanest Man in the World It struck with Horror one who valu'd himself on his Virtue and Probity Epernon reply'd as civilly as he could his Trust would not permit him to suffer a Violence of that kind in the King's House The Count took this Denyal ill However the secret Desire he had to raise himself above the Prince of Conde who fill'd a Place that Soissons thought belonged of Right to him made him dissemble his ill Humour Could Epernon after this maintain a Friendship with a Man who had discover'd so villainous a Heart However great a Prince is by his Birth or Interest he can deserve nothing but Hatred and Contempt when he once becomes guilty of so black a Crime Jealousies broke out and Intrigues grew numerous State of Affairs in the beginning of the Regency when the Debates began about forming the Regents Council The Princes of the Blood justly pretended to have a place there by Right of their Birth The Constable of Montmorency and the Duke of Joyeuse thought they ought not to be excluded Those of the House of Guise assured of the good Intentions of the Queen towards them hoped to raise themselves They were too weak
Assistance of the Pope and Governor of Milan did not desist for all this The Count of Soissons sent him privately word to be very reserved to Berrault a Creature of Villeroy who aimed to surprize and daunt the Duke Siri Memorie recondite Tom. II. pag. 463 464. The Pope's Nuncio in France declared his Master knew nothing of the Designs of Charles Emanuel but this Italian Minister maintained them as well as he could and strove to prove the Justice of them to the Queen All this gave Umbrage This was the reason she earnestly recommended to the Cardinal of Joieuse to Discourse with the Pope upon this Subject and to Represent the Reasons which France had to oppose the Enterprize which the Duke of Savoy seemed to design The Duke of Savoy is forced to Disarm The World could not comprehend the Intrigues of this Prince perhaps he himself did not very well know what he would have Charles Emanuel undertakes to make a War on the Protestants and his chief Prospect is to raise the Hugonots of France in case he were left alone to act against Geneva At the same time he proposes to the King of England a double Marriage of the Prince of Wales with the Princess of Savoy and of the Prince of Piemont with a Daughter of England It was very difficult at first to make King James hear the Envoy from Savoy and yet the Duke pushed the Matter so far that the Court of Rome was alarmed at it Paul V. took Measures to break the Treaty which the King of England and the Duke of Savoy had no great mind to conclude A Capucin had Orders to go to Turin with an Instruction from Cardinal Borghese to divert Charles Emanuel from thinking on an Alliance with England All that could ever be guessed of so capricious a Movement was that the Duke thought to create a Jealousie in France and bring her by this means to finish the Treaty or the Marriage of the Eldest Daughter of that Kingdom with the Prince of Piemont He hoped too the Pope would break the Treaty of the Double Marriage between France and Spain and Assist the Prince of Piemont to Marry the Eldest Daughter of either of those two Crowns rather than suffer the Duke to bring a Protestant Princess to Turin The poor Duke spoil'd all his Affairs by aiming too much to be crafty His Intrigue with England did not succeed better than any of the rest The Regent determined too on the double Marriage between France and Spain thought no more on the Prince of Piemont except for Madam Christina second Daughter to the late King For his designs on Geneva and the Country of Vaux these he must quit too Mary de Medicis had acted her part so well with the Pope and King of Spain that they joyned with her to compel the Duke of Savoy to lay down his Arms. La Varenne was sent from the Court of France to Turin to conclude this Matter Charles Emanuel still flattered with some Hopes the Regent would be his Friend had a mind to do this with a good Grace He thought at least to make this Advantage that Mary de Medicis should take in good part the Deference which he feigned to have for her Majesty A Civil Meeting of the Protestants of France The Queen was the more Solicitous to put a stop to the Commotions in Savoy because the Court feared the Protestants met at Saumur might take Umbrage at it When the Reformed of France saw there was a necessity for them to defend themselves against those who attacked them with open force they began to form set Meetings in different Provinces of the Kingdom to agree on Measures for their Safety and the free Exercise of their Religion One or more Provinces joined together first held their Provincial Assembly Out of these they deputed a certain number of Gentlemen of those they called Elders or Ministers to form the General Assembly who were to take Resolutions for the common Good of the whole Body Reason and Natural Equity allow of these sort of Confederacies The Primitive Christians united and had their Meetings for the Regulation of their Discipline and preserving the Purity of the Gospel After their Example the Reformed had their Synods to draw up their Confession of Faith and form the Government of their Churches These being born in a Christian State where Subjects have Privileges and Liberties had not only their Religion to take care of but were under an Indispensable Obligation to defend their Right as far as the Rules of Natural Equity and Christianity admit against their King and a Faction of their Countrymen who strove to oppress them The Sovereign Power ought to hinder as far as may be all Associations and Meetings which may cause Disorder and Confusion in a State but this must be by a due Execution of the Fundamental Laws and maintaining those Rights and Privileges which Subjects cannot without Injustice be deprived of It is reasonable to alledge Men ought not to form a State within a State None would think of this if they were left peaceably to enjoy their Birthright But for Princes to pretend to prevent Disorders which would never happen if they were disposed to do Justice and to use these plausible Maxims to oppress with more ease those whom they have Sworn to protect is a Tyranny which it is lawful to oppose This is ever most dangerous when it is covered with the fair Colours of the publick Good The King of Navarre liked these Principles very well and thought them solid and conducing to the Welfare and Repose of Civil Society whilst he was struggling to defend himself against the power of the League but when he once saw himself Master of a fair Kingdom he soon abandon'd those Sentiments which Interest more than Reason had led him to embrace Princes never consult this Oracle they are only entertained with Discourses of Reason when they are not in a condition capable of understanding it In the following part of their Lives they are flattered and Transported with Passion for their own Greatness Whatever makes them absolute and Independent ever seems most Just and Reasonable to them After the Verification of the Edict of Nants Henry did not without great difficulty grant the Protestants leave to hold a General Meeting He was afraid the Lords that resorted to it or had their Creatures there should attempt any thing to his prejudice Are not the Synods said the King sufficient to determine Matters of Discipline and Religion As for Civil Affairs and the keeping the Edict of Pacification the two Deputies General which I allow the Protestants to have in my Court can represent to me the Griefs and Complaints of the Provinces I will take care to do them Justice This manner of Reasoning had been good if Henry had had the Knowledge and Integrity not to be Surprized by the Popes Nuncio and other crafty Men who were ever near him to Extort
in Appearance When the Mareschal had Reproached the Duke that in the late Kings time he had drawn the Canon out of the Arsenal to destroy the Town and Church of Sedan Let us forget what is past says he I will become your Friend and Servant If you aâ—â— attacked in Sully upon account of Religion I will as readily bring down the Canon of Sedan to defend you as you drew out that of the Arsenal to destroy me at Sedan Let us agree for the benefit of our Religion Conscience and our Common Interest require it We cannot subsist without an Union The Party we follow cannot procure us great Advantages but it is capable of supporting a moderate Fortune That which is commonly called Greatness of Soul is most commonly Vanity and Ostentation The Mareschal would appear generous by feigning to Sacrifice a private Injury to the publick Good And perhaps he was sincere in what he did The Sense of Religion and Probity sometimes awakes in Noble Minds but Passion in its turn rising again stifles every thing that opposes it Bouillon sought an Advantage from the Reformed he gave Proofs of it in this Meeting He discovered Vigour in some weighty Affairs in others blinded by his Hatred and Ambition he could not see that by serving the Court he scattered the Seeds of fatal Division amongst his Brethren The Protestants renew their Oath of Vnion To prevent the ill effects of Differences amongst them the Protestants thought fit to renew the Oath of Union they had formerly taken on divers Occasions This Oath was first used amongst them when they had a Prince of the Blood and the late King at their Head Mercure Francois 1611. After he had changed his Religion he did not shew his Dislike of his Protestant Subjects renewing their Union at Mante under his Eyes and swearing publickly before the Catholicks of his Party that they would die in defence of their Confession of Faith A Just Prince should never complain of an Oath made under his Obedience In it they protested they would ever continue Loyal to the King But Henry being now in peaceable Possession of France he was much offended at an Act which the King of Navarr had approved off The Renewing this at Chatelleraut put him into an ill Humour He resented it highly that Lesdiguieres had Signed what himself had done under preceding Kings Sully gave him good Reasons for this proceeding The Reformed would not be afraid of any thing that could happen Sir said he to him if the Crown could make you Immortal But the Memory of St. Bartholomew will strike a Terror into them We are not ignorant the Catholicks press you only to give a Toleration for a Time See then what Reasons the Protestants have to take care for Futurity When the Reformed had so many just Grounds to distrust the Regent and her Council could it seem strange they should renew their Union at Saumur but the cry was against them They were ever Reproached with this Oath in the Reign whose History I am now writing To make a thing which was Innocent and Necessary in the Opinion of Henry Criminal was not this plainly to declare to the poor People their Ruine was absolutely resolved on The Affairs of the Duke of Sully proposeâ—… in the Meeling at Saumur Boissise and Bullion Counsellors of State and Commissioners sent by the King to the Assembly at Saumur having brought with them hopes of the Favour of the Court there was a serious design to draw up the Complaints and Requests of the Reformed Party Whilst this was managing by Persons appointed for that purpose there arose a Debate about the Duke of Sully's Concerns He feared the Consequences of the Threats made him to appoint Commissioners to enquire into his past Actions and proceed against him if he persisted to refuse to lay down his place of Great Master of the Artillery and his Government of Poitou To bring him to do this with the better Grace the Court offered him the choice of two sorts of Recompences a Dignity as that of Mareschal of France or a considerable Sum of Money The Duke desired to keep his Places and Government and convey both to the Marquess of Rony his Son He could find no way besides to baffle the Potent Enemies he had at Court but by engaging all the Hugonot Party to support him and declare loudly their cause was concerned in his Preservation He took Measures to succeed in this Project and the Mareschal was no less busie in Traversing it reckoning the Government of Poitou his own by Virtue of the Regents Promise when Sully should be deprived of it The Duke of Sully's Remonstrance to the Meeting Sully made a Remonstrance to the Meeting Under Colour of desiring their Advice he dextrously insinuated that his Religion was the only cause of Disgrace and the Association Oath which he had just now taken would expose him still farther to the Displeasure of the Court This was at least true in part Mercure Francois 1611. the Deputies were convinced it was so and the most Disinterested amongst them declared for Sully The Consideration all Men had for the Duke of Rohan a Lord already very Eminent for his great Courage his rare Probity A Discourse between the Mareschal of Bouillon and the Duke of Rohan concerning the Duke of Sully's Affair his Discernment and capacity still encreased the Friends of Sully whose Daughter he had Married This was an Invincible Obstacle to Bouillon's designs and embarassed him exceedingly He thought to surmount this by perswading Rohan to abandon his Father-in-Law pretending his Cause was desperate However Vpright and Careful a Man be who has the Administration of the Finances and Artillery says the Mareschal to the Duke of Rohan in a Visit he made him when he was ill It is hard for him to avoid committing some fault which deserves to be punished if it be enquired rigorously into A Superintendent of the Finances and a Great Master of the Artillery are not only answerable for what they do themselves but for the Management of their Commissioners and Inferior Officers If the Court should appoint Commissioners to enquire into the Duke of Sully's Administration do you think they would not find some plausible Pretence to take away his Places The Assembly and the Reformed will have no colour of Complaint nay though wrong be done to the Duke of Sully The Matter will be Determined in the usual Forms of Law For you My Lord you make such a Profession of exact Probity You are so great a Lover of good Order in a Word you have so Loyal a French Heart you will not be able to stir when the Matter shall be determined Judicially The Duke of Rohan took this Complement very ill What replyed he with some Disturbance after the Great Services the Duke of Sully has done to the late King shall he become a Prey to those who were always doing Mischief to the State His
him The Death of Boris while these things were doing arriv'd and chang'd the face of Affairs Tho' the Muscovite Army had sworn fealty to his Son division got into it in a little time after All follow'd the Example of some Lords who declared aloud for the pretended Demetrius The Son and Widow of Boris were Apprehended and Stifled At length the New Czar is receiv'd and Crown'd at Mosco the last day of July French Mercury 1600. in 1605. The Palatine Sandomir's Daughter whom Demetrius afterwards Marryed by a Proxy at Cracovia was conducted in great Pomp the following year to Mosco Her Father and her nearest Relations were present at the Ceremony of her Marriage and Coronation Demetrius and many Polish Lords are Massacred at Mosco The New Princess did not long enjoy her good Fortune Susky a Moscovite to whom Demetrius had pardon'd his Life against the Advice of many Persons who Counsell'd him to let the Sentence of Death be executed which had pass't against a Man of a restless and ambitious Spirit and of whose Fidelity no one could be assured Susky I say and a great number of Muscovite Nobles had now laid a Plot against Demetrius They render'd him odious to the Clergy and People by spreading abroad a Rumour that he design'd to alter Religion to bring Muscovy into subjection under the Pope and cause Jesuits and Roman Priests to come in And because the People thought Heaven would not have so much declared in favour of the New Czar if he had been an Impostor t' was endeavour'd to make it be believ'd that he had not goâ—… so great advantage against Boris and hiâ—… Son but by the help of Magick This Discourse made so great an Impression as the People could hardly suffer that Demetrius should have two or three Companies of Foreigners to guard his Palace and Person The natural Aversion which the Muscovites have for the Poles made the People yet more apt to receive what they took care to insinuate into them to wit that the Treasure of the Czars was to be Transported into Poland and that the State should be govern'd for the future by a Polish Princess and other Confidents of the same Nation Susky and the principal Heads of this Conspiracy having taken their Measures by the favour of the Malecontents to make an Insurrection of the People in Mosco the 27th of May 1606. came to the Palace at the Head of a great number of armed Men broke it open with violence slew the pretended Demetrius betray'd by his best Friends and did a thousand Indignities to his dead Body The People afterwards put all the Polanders to the Sword 't is reported that there died of 'em more than seventeen Hundred The Palatine of Sendomir was only saved his Daughter his Son and some Lords who were ev'ry one of them put into private Houses Susky is made Czar of Muscovy and after lays down his Dignity Susky caus'd himself to be chosen and Crown'd in the room of Demetrius whether he was the right or Counterfeit one for at last many pretended that he spoke truth But the Circumstance of the Monk who conducted him into Poland and that of his being put into Service in two different Houses this I say makes the History to be very much suspected It seems to me that a Child of this Importance shou'd have been first carried to the King of Poland What had he there to fear from him Whatever this Affair was yet to confirm further the People in their Opinion that this was a Cheat Susky was willing they shou'd dig up the dead Body of him whom Boris had caus'd to be Slain The Bones were carried to Mosco and the Patriarch order'd that he should be Reverenced as a Martyr Susky not doubting but that the Poles would wage a War against him enter'd into a Negotiation with Charles of Sudermania the New King of Sweden who sent him Succors under the Conduct of de la Gardie The Divisions of Sigismond with the Palatines of his Realm did not permit him to attack the Muscovites so soon In the year 1609. he resolved to take the City of Smolensko which the Muscovites had taken from the Poles The Siege or Blockade of this place lasted two years and more than two Hundred Thousand Inhabitants died before it was surrender'd He sought several times to cause the Siege to be raised Susky troubled at the ill success of his Arms retired into a Monastery after having laid down the Scepter and Crown Muscovy was then divided into three Parties A New Demetrius was put up Ladislaus Prince of Poland proclaimed Czar of Muscovy and a great many declared for him others to remedy the ill condition Muscovy was in would have Ladislaus King Sigismond's Eldest Son and a hopeful Prince set upon the Throne At last a third Party would have a great Lord of the Country these being united to Ladislau's Party he was chosen Czar in his absence in the year 1610. and the most considerable of the Clergy and Nobility took an Oath of Fidelity to him The false Demetrius strove to make himself Master of Mosco but the Poles having twice beaten him he was obliged to Retreat beyond the River Volga This put the Poles into a condition of undertaking ev'ry thing They made themselves Masters of the Castles of Mosco and made it known to King Sigismond who daily Besieg'd Smolensko that his Son was Proclaimed Czar The Inhabitants offer'd to yield themselves to Ladislaus Elected Sovereign of Moscovy But Sigismond was willing to get the place for Poland The Inhabitants resolved not to separate themselves from the interest of Moscovy held still the Siege out till the Month of June 1611. So that Sigismond had got but a City almost quite Dispeopled and reduc'd to Ashes The King of Poland who did not think so much of Establishing his Son in the Throne of Moscovy as to make advantage of the Country's Divisions and bring it into Subjection deferr'd too long to carry Ladislaus into Mosco He had put off this Affair to the year 1612. but the continual Contentions he had with the Palatines did not suffer him to execute his Project The Poles are driven out of Muscovy and Michael Federovits is chosen Czar So long a delay gave time to the Relations of the Deceased Czar Boris to get together a strong Party Michel Federovits put himself at the Head of 'em and march't towards Mosco The Polish General came out of the City gather'd Troops together and gave Battle to the Moscovites revolted from Ladislaus The Polandâ—…rs were Defeated and their General Retreated towards Smolensko with the broken Remnant of his Army After this t' was easie to drive the Poles out of the Castle of Mosco The Moscovites thus deliver'd from a Foreign Power chose a New Czar in the year 1612. This was Michel Federovits the nearest Kinsman of the Deceased Czar Boris A New Party united in favour of Charles Philip Brother to
Yoland his Daughter and of Edmund of Savoy whom she had married should inherit Montferrat preferrably to the Daughters of the Family of the Paleologues who might only pretend to a Portion suitable to their Quality Charles Emanuel had other Pretensions to a part of Montferrat by Virtue of the Will of Blanche Paleologus married into the House of Savoy She made Duke Charles II. Heir of a part of Montferrat which she laid claim to and of what was besides due to her for her Jointure The Sum was but Fourscore Thousand Crowns but the Interest for a long time added to the Principal made it amount almost to a Million of Livres This occasioned a very long Sute between the Houses of Savoy and Gonzaga Instead of ending the Process by a Definitive Sentence the Emperor Charles V. made the Affair more perplex'd He to content both Parties awarded the Possession of Montferrat to the House of Mantua and left as they were the Pretensions of Savoy by Virtue of a Testamentary Donation of Blanche Paleologus The Marriage of the last deceased Duke Francis with Margaret of Savoy was at last concluded with design to put an end to all the Differences of both Houses In favour of this Alliance Charles Emanuel gave up all his Pretensions to his Daughter and the Children begotten of her if she should have any 'T was agreed likewise on both sides that a Line should be drawn to divide as equally as possible could be the two Princes Estates which ran into one another But this Division being made the Duke of Savoy was minded to renew his ancient Rights insomuch as he was not so ready to maintain the Pretensions of Mary his Grandchild for Montferrat as his own Cartifices of the Duke of Savoy As soon as he had heard of the Duke of Mantua's Death he sent two Persons whom he chiefly rely'd upon not so much to comfort his Daughter as to instruct her in what she was to do in this present Conjuncture The first counselled her to say she was with Child to hinder Cardinal Gonzaga who came in haste from Rome to put himself into Possession of the deceas'd Duke's Estate his Brother Margaret was extreamly fix'd on the Interest of her House and Charles Emanuel had taken care to breed up his Children upon an entire dependance on their Father so that the young Widow was easily brought over to counterfeit her self big with Child Victor Amedaeus Prince of Piedmont went in Person to Mantua under pretence of visiting his afflicted Sister but he had secret Orders from his Father to take her out of Mantua with her Daughter to Turin or Milan or lastly to Montferrat of which Place the Princess Mary was Heiress It is not convenient said Victor Amedaeus to the Court of Mantua for a disconsolate Widow to live in a Place where she constantly finds Objects to renew her Sorrow and Decency will no more permit her to be with the Cardinal her Brother-in-Law who is not much older than she and hath so great Interest for the Succession of Mantua He besides ought to wish it so for his own Reputation Would he make himself responsible for all the Accidents â—…hich might happen to the Mother or the Daughter My Sister continued he ought â—…lso to take along with her the young Prinâ—…ess she can't be in better Hands Natuâ—…al Right gives to Mothers the Education of â—…heir Children They can take more care of them and be more tender of them than any other Person The Cardinal Ferdinand understood very well that the Savoyards thought of nothing more than making sure to themselves Montferrat under the Name of the Pupil who was in their Hands or at least at the disposal of John Mendoza Marquess of Inojosa Governor of the Milanese their good Friend Therefore the Cardinal alledg'd several Reasons to hinder his Sister-in-Law and his Niece from going out of the States of Mantua Is it Reasonable answer'd Ferdinand that we should suffer the Princess to go away who perhaps may quickly bring an Heir capable to make this Country happy The Princes of the House of Gonzaga are ordinarily born where they are to Govern and is it not more convenient for my Niece to be brought up in a Country where we shall endeavour to make her some time a Sovereign Mistress by Marrying her to the Heir of the House of Mantua If the sight of my Deceased Brother's Palace troubles too much his Widow we have other places whither she may retire for her Pleasure with all imaginable Liberty Charles Emanuel Negotiated at Milan with as much Zeal and Artifice He persuaded that they would not consent to entrust with him the Heiress of Montferrat caused it to be reported at Inojosa that she was the King of Spain's Grandchild that his Catholick Majesty was interess't to get her out of her Uncles Hands by the Father side that they should before-hand beware of the Cardinal from whom she carried away with her the Succession of a rich Marquisate that Philip III. was to take so much the more care of the Princess Mary that it was of great concern to his Majesty that Montferrat should be in the possession of a House which might be the best agreeable to him Lastly that it was to be feared lest the Gonzagues should marry their Niece into France with the Son of the Duke of Nevers their near Relation The Governor of Milan demands the Widow Dutchess of Mantua and her Daughter These Reasons t' was said backt with some Presents which Charles Emanuel had sent to the Marquess Inojosa engaged this Governor to send the Prince d'Ascoli to Mantua with a great Retinue to demand of the Cardinal the Widow Dutchess and her Daughter Such a Proposal at first surprised him but recovering himself a little he found an Expedient which broke the Measures of the Prince of Piedmont and the Envoy of the Governor of Milan T' is true answer'd Ferdinand that the Princess Mary hath the Honour to be related to the King of Spain but she hath this likewise of being the Emperor's and Queen of France's Niece I can't disdispose of her without the consent of their Majesties Besides the Dutchess my Sister-in-Law and I are at difference about the Tutelage of her Children It belongs to the Emperor on whom our Estates depend to judge which of our two Rights are best grounded The Prince of Piedmont and d'Ascoli departed after this Answer whether it was that the respect they had for so greaâ—… a Name stopt their Mouths or that they had not taken necessary Measures for speaking more resolutely The Regent of France opposeth the designs of the Duke of Savoy The Marquess Trenel was at Turin iâ—… the behalf of Mary de Medicis when the News was receiv'd there of the Death oâ—… the Duke of Mantua Amongst the Complements of Condolence to Charles Emanuel upon this troublesom Accident which happen'd in his Family Trenel as from himself insinuated into the dissembling Savoyard
who fain'd to talk of the Count of Spain that his most Christian Majesty had so good Intentions for the House of Mantua as he would never fail to take it into his Protection and Oppose with the force of his Arms those who should undertake to offer violence to his near Relations Charles Emanuel well understood this Discourse concern'd him more than it regarded the Spaniards He then laying aside his ordinary Dissimulation answer'd frankly that he hop't from the Equity of the King and his Mother Queen their Majesties wou'd not take it â—…l if he maintain'd in case he was forc't â—…'t the Right of his Children to the Estates of the House of Mantua My Daughter is big with Child proceeded he â—…nd don't we know but that she may be â—…rought to bed of a Son Be it what it will â—…he Princess Mary is the undoubted Heiress â—…f Montferrat If the House of Gonzaga â—…ill do any Injustice to the Mother or Daughter am not I in a necessity to take their Inâ—…rests I can't be perswaded that his most â—…hristian Majesty whom I have always â—…erv'd the best t' was possible for me would â—…rotect upon this occasion Persons who would â—â—ke away Mine and my Childrens Rights Whatever comes on 't if Men fail to do Juâ—â—ice we shall have Recourse to the Soveâ—â—ign Judge of the World and we trust he â—…ill be favourable to us Such is the Lanâ—…uage of Princes when they are going â—â—on unjustifiable Actions Geffier Resiâ—…ent from France at the Court of Savoy â—â—d Orders to speak more positively to â—â—e Duke and declare to him that the â—â—areschal Lesdiguieres should have an â—…rmy ready to march forward into Italy as soon as there should be any Attempt against the House of Mantua which the Crown of France took under its Protection The French being gone to Mantua to make his Complements of Condolence in behalf of the King of France and the Queen his Mother to the Cardinal upon the Death of the late Duke gave the same Assurance by the Queen's Order This did not a little serve to secure Ferdinand whom these Affairs had put into great perplexity The Popes Conduct in the Affairs of Mantua He was to expect some Succours from the Pope whose chief Interest is to maintain peace in Italy but the fearful and interessed old Man acted but weakly in this matter However urgent Breves the French Ambassador at the Court of Rome was with Paul V. for to stir him up to prevent the Troubles which this Controversie might raise in Italy Siri Memorie recondite To. III. pag. 16 17 c. no other answer could be got from him than that the Queen of France ought to press thâ—… Catholick King to send a precise Order to the Governor of Milan not to bacâ—… the Pretensions of the Duke of Savoy The Pope secretly gain'd over by the Spaniards to whom he was wholly devoted and who at first flatter'd themselves oâ—… making an Advantage of the Ambition 〈◊〉 Charles Emanuel had Counsell'd the Cardinal of Mantua to send the Mother and Daughter to Milan And when it was propos'd to him to take them both to Boulogne under the Care and Protection of the Holy Chair he excus'd himself of this for that Charles Emanuel had no confidence in him At length Breves having told Paul that it was however expected from his love for the common good of Italy that he should oppose his Spiritual and Temporal Arms against the Duke of Savoy in case he attempted to attack with open Force the Cardinal of Mantua the Pope answer'd in General Terms that he would follow the Dictates of his own Conscience and do as God should inspire him an usual Evasion of these Gentlemen who hearken to their Interests and Passions more than to the Voice of the Holy Spirit Pope Paul spoke with more Sincerity when in Reference to this same Affair of Mantua he said that he would not meddle with the concern of Princes who had no regard for his Authority and such indeed are the Sentiments of the great Personages who are of the Popes Communion They all of 'em know that this is but Usurpation Deceit and Pageantry yet in the Interim I cannot understand by what politick Interest all these Princes who are under the Popes Obedience keep still in with him These imagine whether it be good or bad that his Authority is necessary to them upon certain occasions and the Court of Rome crafty to make an Advantage of their so beneficial prejudicate Opinions think that they are quit with 'em if from time to time they wipe off and connive at some disdainful Aspersions whilst they can preserve their Revenues and a Spiritual Power over the Ignorant and Superstitious People without which the Pontifical Chair could have no long continuance or Duration The States of Venice stand by the Cardinal of Mantua The Venetians upon this Occurrency were less Fearful and more Wise than the Pope for these able States-men foresaw too well the Consequences of the Affair of Mantua and easily discover'd where the Artifices of the Duke of Savoy drove at The Senate therefore took particular care to encourage Cardinal Ferdinand and gave him the best Advice for not to suffer himself to be surpris'd unawares Nani Hist Veneta Lib. I. 1613. The Republick did moreover Negotiate very effectually both at Vienna and at the Court of France to persuade those Princes to oppose the secret Designs of the Spaniards and the undertakings of Charles Emanuel Matthias the Emperor did as much instruct his Kinsman the King of Spain as any other Prince in Europe and the Cardinal de Clessel kept him in this Jealousie Being both perswaded that the Spaniards design'd rather to Ruine than to Support the Authority of the Emperor in Italy Upon this account Matthias did not make any difficulty to chuse the Cardinal of Mantua for the Guardian of the Children of the late Duke and to dispense with his Age he not being old enough according to the Common Laws to be their Guardian Ferdinand Cardinal of Gonzague takes upon him the Title of Duke of Mantua At length after Three months pretence the Dutchess Margarita declared she was not with Child and Ferdinand de Gonzague took the Quality of Duke of Mantua The Prince of Piedmont came to fetch his Sister and Conduct her to Turin Isabella of Savoy another Daughter of Charles Emanuel Married to Caesar d'Este Duke of Medena came also to Mantua that so she night have a meeting with the Prince of Piedmont her Brother and the Dutchess Margarita her Sister This was a new â—…ontrivance of Charles Emanuel The Marriage of the Cardinal Nani Historia Veneta Lib. I 1613. Siri Memorierecondite Tom. III. p. 52 53 54. c. Duke of Manâ—…ua was thought a proper expedient to â—…ompose all Differences 'T was proposed â—…nd Ferdinand did not seem very averse to 〈◊〉 Margarita thought by shedding a few Tears 't would be easie
to work upon her â—…over and to obtain leave of him to â—…arry away the Princess Maria but tho â—…he Cardinal might have some inclinatiâ—…ns for Margarita yet his love was not so â—…olent as to overcome all those Reasons which engaged him not to part with his Niece The Prince of Piedmont seeing him resolute in this point thought fit to try another method which was this that the Dutchess Dowager should retire to Modena with her Daughter till the proposed Marriage should be Consummated but in case it should be broke off she should go alone to Turin and that Caesar de Este should be obliged by promise to send back the Princess Mary to Mantua if the Emperor or Cardinal Duke should re-demand her New efforts of the D. of Savoy to fetch the Princess Mary his Grandaughter from Mantua Ferdinand was caught in the Snare Whether it was that his Ministers were bribed or that he had not quickness of apprehension enough to receive it the Cardinal imprudently accepted the proposal which his Enemies made him When the Ministers of France had notice of it they admonisht Ferdinand that if his Niece should once go out of his hands 't would be impossible for him to get her again and that the Duke of Modena would be so confined by the artifices of Charles Emanuel and the Marquis d'Inojosa that he would not be able to restore her thô he should be willing to do it They added farther if you should marry any one but Margarita and it should please God you have any Children what perpetual disputes will there be between them and the Heiress of one part of the Estates of your Family Have you duly weighed all these inconveniencies This Remonstrance opened the Cardinal Dukes Eyes but he had given his Word and he could not tell how to go back The Ministers of France and the Venetians helpt him out by perswading the Duke of Modena not to charge himself with a Trust which was like to enâ—…angle him in a great deal of trouble and vexation So that the Prince of Piedmont set out for Turin with his Sister Margarita â—…he being very much grieved to leave her Daughter behind her They came to Milan in the holy Week The Governor â—…nvited them to spend those days of Devotion there But Victor Amadeus and â—…nojosa had something else to mind than Holy-days The latter sent immediately â—…o Modena to engage Este to charge himself with the Dutchess and Princess of Mantua which according to Agreement were to be committed to his Care And when they were sure of the Duke of Modena the Captain of the Governor's Guards was sent to Mantua in Inojosa's Name to desire the Cardinal Duke to be â—…s good as his Word Ferdinand who â—…id not expect thus to be importuned aâ—…resh had no other way to come off but â—…o retract what he had said He alâ—…edged for his excuse that he could not â—…eliver up his Niece without the consent of the Emperor who had committed her â—…o his Guardianship The Titular Bishop of Diocesarea was sent to Milan to make up the business with the Governor Ferdinand ordered this Prelate to go likewise as far as Verceil whither Charles Emanuel was advanced under a pretence of coming to meet his Daughter Margarita but really with a design to execute a Project which he had in his Head The ambitious Projects of the D. of Savoy The Bishop of Diocesarea had power to Negotiate the Marriage proposed between the Cardinal Duke and his Sister in Law The Dissembling Savoiard sometimes seemed to listen to this Expedient but he had no desire to bring the matter to a conclusion The opportunity which he had of seizing on Monferrat was too good to be neglected Charles Emanuel plainly told the Bishop of Diocesarea that he would not give up the pretensions of the House of Savoy to Monferrat in favour of the Match he demanded back again not only the Jewels which his daughter had carried into the Family of Gonzague but also those which her Husband had presented her with The Cardinal Duke refused to restore the latter and Charles Emanuel full of great expectations designed nothing but to satisfie his Ambition He pleased himself with the thoughtâ—… of having time to effect his Enterprize before the Princes of Italy would be awakened out of that Sleep which â—…long and profound Peace had brought upon them The watchful Eye which the Republick of Venice had upon every thing that was doing in their Neighbourhood gave him some Disturbance But he imagined that if they did not approve of his Invasion yet they would stand by and look on rather than engage in a War As for the Emperor he did not much concern himself about it The Authority of the Empire in Italy is but a vain Title without Power The two Crowns were more to be feared But the Duke thought Maria de Medicis having her hands full by reason of the Factions of the Princes and great Men at home could not send any mighty Assistance to the House of Mantua And then he hoped to curry favour at the Court of Madrid by means of the Governour of Milan his Friend Besides there were at that time no Troops in those parts and it would require time to bring them thither However he thought the fear of bringing the French into Italy would make the Court of Madrid backward to declare it self either one way or the other And this in the very thing which would have checkt Charles Emanuel if he had not been blinded by his Ambition For indeed his Catholick Majesty fearing nothing more than that the French should have any pretence to carry their Arms into Italy his business was to take care that the Duke of Savoy should not tacque the House of Mantua which France would not fail to take under its Protection The Duke of Savoy invades Monferrat Charles Emanuel assembles his Troops as secretly as he can and parts from Verceil the 22th of April 1613. to enter Monferrat with his Army He presently surprizes several places others being not prepared to make any Resistance Surrender so that within a few days he was Master of all the Province except Casal He had also took this important Town and the rest of the Marquisat if Charles of Gonzague Duke of Nevers in France had not happily been in Italy at the time of his Invasion whether it was upon the account of assisting the Cardinal Duke with his Advice and with his Sword if there should be occasion or whether he pretended to Negotiate at Rome and at Venice about an imaginary descent into the Morea which he had designed he undertook to Conduct to Florence his Sister in Law Daughter of the late Duke of Maienne married to the Count of Saintfiore Son of the Duke of Sforce When Nevers was arrived on the Coasts of Genoa he received Letters which invited him in the Name of the Nobility of Monferrat to come immediately to their
Nevertheless Condi Duc de Rets joined Vendome they gathered together some Troops and set about Fortifying Bâ—…avet of which they had made themselves Masters as also of some other Places of the Dutchy of Ponthievre which belonged to the House of Mercoeur whose Heiress Coesar had married He writ to the King to Complain of the unjust Treatment that he found Instead of Answering this Duke who was never feared nor valued they sent Orders to the Comte de Vertus and to the Parliament of Britagne to hinder him from Levying or Assembling any Troops not excepting his Company of Guards unless he shewed express Orders from her Majesty Caesar wrote a Second Letter to the King he Complains there of the Affront which was offerd him in degrading him from his Government and justifies himself as well as he can with respect to the Fortifications of Blavet The Court as little regarded this Letter as the First Being more concerned about her Negociations in Champagne the Regent slighted the Duke of Vendome and Concluded a Treaty with the Prince of Conde The death of the Connetable de Mont morenci Henry Duc de Montmorenci Pair and Connetable of France died in his Government of Languedoc during these Troubles The late King had invested him with the First military Dignity which had not been filled since the death of Anne de Montmorenci his Father History gives us no great Character of this Connetable he was a Man of moderate Merits The judicious President de Thou is far from giving us so fine a Description of him as of his Eldest Brother the Mareschal de Montmorenci Henry his Son had married some time ago the Daughter of the Duke de Bracciano of the Family of the Vrsins in Italy He left Three Daughters Two by a First Wife one of which married the Duke de Ventadour and the other the Comte d'Auvergne afterwards Duke d'Angouleme The Third by his Second Wife was married to the Prince of Conde Whilest the Duke de Ventadour the President of Thou and Jeannin Boissise and Bullion Counsellers of State were in a Conference at Soissons for Mary de Medicis with the Prince de Conde and the Lords of his Party the Marquiss de Coeuvres Ambassador Extraordinary from France in Italy was there finishing his Negociation concerning the Affair of Mantua The Duke of Savoy The D. of Savoy avoids meeting the Marquiss de Coeuvres the Fr. Ambassador in Italy Memoires de lo Regence de Marie de Medicis Siri Memo. recondite Tom. III. p. 109. 191. who was not Ignorant that this New Minister of France was to join with the Ambassador who was sent from Spain at the same time to press his Highness to Disarm and to Conclude the marriage of his Daughter the Widow of Duke Francis of Mantua with the Cardinal Ferdinand de Gonzagua his Brother and Successor Charles Emanuel I say went out of Turin as soon as he heard of the Arrival of Coeuvres under a pretence of going to settle some Disorders which had happen'd in his County of Nice in Provence He could not digest the loftiness of the Court of Spain towards him Two of his Sons were Hostages as it were Victor Amadaeus Prince of Piedmont the Eldest which his Father had sent into Spain very imprudently upon the occasion of his Quarrel with the House of Mantua and Philibert whom the Spaniards had the precaution to hold in Custody ever since Charles Emanuel had sent him to make Satisfaction to his Catholick Majesty as we said before Indeed they had given Prince Philibert the Command of the Spanish Gallies but this Important Charge was properly spèaking but an Honourable prison The Guards and Officers which were about his Person had an Eye upon all his Steps and Actions Althô Two Hostages so Dear to their Father might have Secured the King of Spain that Charles Emanuel had no ill Design upon the Country of Milan yet his Majesty Ordered him to Disarm presently and Acting upon this occasion in Concert with the Regent of France his Orders were the more positive and pressing The Jealousie of the Princes of Italy by reason of the Correspondence between the two Crowns with relation to the Affairs of Italy The Republick of Venice and the Secular Princes of Italy saw with excreme Concern that the Alliance made between the Two Crowns by the Treaty of the Double Marriage tended only to Enslave Italy and that they must be contented for the future with whatsoever Spain should resolve upon in Conjunction with the Regent of France who willingly sacrificed the Interest and Authority of her Son to a prejudice which she had taken up that the surest way to be absolute in France was to hold a good Correspondence with the Court of Madrid The Cardinal Duke of Mantua whom the Two Crowns pretended to Protect Complained that the Catholick King endeavoured to marry him to a Woman he did not care for and to take away the young Princess his Neice from him Charles Emanuel made a greater noise because they would have the absolute disposal of his Daughter and compell him to lie at the Discretion of the Spaniards when he was Disarmed What now said he to the Ministers of the Princes of Italy which were about him Are we become the Subjects of the King of Spain Where we shall do the least thing that displeaseth him must we humbly beg his Majesty's Pardon and undergo the penance that he shall impose upon us Shall we bear the Caprices and the Haughtiness of his Ministers and Governors who upon any pretence will wage War against us and we be not in a Condition to oppose them Althô several Princes of Italy were not sorry to see the Duke of Savoy humbled yet they murmured Every one was afraid that upon the first occasion the Court of Madrid would Treat them in the same Imperious manner The Prince of Piedmont gave his Father notice that the Duke of Lerma an Enemy to their Family threatned to humble the Pride of the Duke of Savoy and to punish him for his Attempts We must submit said Victor Amadeus or prepare to feel the Effects of an angry and imperious Favourite against us All these Remonstrances did not shake the Duke of Savoy being resolved to do nothing unworthy of his Quality He protested he would rather abandon his Two Sons to the Discretion of the Spaniards and die with his Sword in his Hand than be anothers Slave And this is the reason why he left Turin when he understood that the Ambassadors of France and Spain were come to speak with him He would not stay to have Terms imposed upon him by these Two Ministers who had before agreed together to make the same Proposals Charles Emanuel had yet some hopes that the Face of Affairs in France would be changed by the motions of the Prince of Conde and that he should then find some way of coming off with Honour The Spaniards privatly traverses the Negociations
to represent to you further Madam that they put you to needless Expences to gain certain Persons of our Religion We know who those mercenary Souls are They deceive your Majesty who tell you that they can he Serviceable to you I can tell you a far less Chargeable way to have all the Reformed at your Devotion That is to give Orders that all Promises made to us be performed our Griâ—…vances be redressed some ambiguous Expressions in the Edicts be more favourably Interpreted and some things be granted us which may secure the Peace of our Churches and do no great Injury to the Roman Catholicks The ardent and sincere Zeal which I have for your Majesty makes me speak against my self Pursue the Method which I take the liberty to propose you may take away when you please our Offices and Pensions Our Churches living peaceably under his Majesty's Protection will never concern themselves in my favour or for any of the Lords of the Kingdom This Advice was generous and worthy of a truly Christian Gentleman It might have had some good Effect upon such as had no other design but to preserve Peace in the Kingdom by doing Justice and perhaps some small gratification to the Reformed But they were resolved to Ruine them and to effect a design long since contrived and pursued For almost an Age together the Court could not take more convenient Measures than the corrupting of those who had any Credit or Authority in the Reformed Church The ambition and avarice of the Lords and a great number of Hugonot Gentlemen has done more mischief to the Religion than the haâ—…red of the Pope and his Clergy or the Zeal of the blind and superstitious Kings and Queens of France If the Dukes and Peers the Mareschals of France the Lords and Gentlemen of Note had had as much Religion and Probity as du Plessis Mornai I question whether the Son of him whose History I write would ever have ventured to attempt the overthrow of the Reformed Churches of his Kingdom The Posterity of a corrupted Gentry who had no great Concern for their Religion does at this day bewail the fatal Consequences of the Baseness of their Ancestors The Regent received at Tours The K. and Q. his Mother go to Poitiers Letters from the Duke of Maienne He informed her that the Prince de Conde was retired to Chateauroux and that he defired at the present no Reparation of the Injury Mercure Francois 1614. which he had complained had been done him at Poitiers It was wisely done to seem to neglect an Offence for which the Court would never have granted him the Satisfaction which he expected The Bishop was too much favoured by the Queen He went boldly to Tours with Two hundred of the Inhabitants to pray their Majesty 's to come to Poitiers That day when Chataigner made appear that he understood the Office of a Captain better than that of a Bishop was in his Opinion the day of the preservation of Poitiers Their Majesties went thither They were Received with all imaginable Expressions of Joy They Elected a Mayor Mazurier had Orders to remain there as Intendant Rochfort Lieutenant General for the King in that Province a-little after resigned his Office The Count de la Rochefoucaut of the Party of the Guises succeeded him They had a mind to have Poitou in their Power that they might go and Receive the Infanta of Spain when the time should come Memoires de Duc de Rohan The Duke de Rohan being admonished by Velleroi that the Queen was surprized that he did not appear at Court since she was so near to St. Jean d' Angeli came to pay his Respect to their Majesty's They received him kindly and the Regent taking all oportunities to get him near her self made him promise to be present at the meeting of the States of Bretagne which was to be held at Nantes their Majestys being present and to go afterwards to the States General which were already appointed to Meet Mary de Medicis The Q. goes to hold a meeting of the States of Bretagne at Nantes Vie de M. du Plessis Mornai Liv. III. pleas'd that every thing went according to her mind took the Road of Anger 's to go to Nantes Her Majesty had a mind to give a Proof of her Confidence in du Plessis Mornai as she passed through Saumur He went to meet the King being followed by an Hundred Gentlemen As soon as the Young Lewis had enter'd the Castle du Plessis Offer'd to make the Garrison march out But his Majesty would not permit him It is not against our Kings said the Governor that we have strong Places in our Possession they have been willing to grant them us that we may be secured against the hatred of our sworn Enemies If at any time his Majesty does the Honour to be present there Mercure Francoise 1614. we desire no other Security but his Presence The Duke de Vendome seeing their Majesties came in good Earnest towards him submitted himself They gave him New Letters of Re-establishment Memoires de Bassompierre which were Registred in the Parliament of Rennes But he had the Mortification of see that in the meeting of the States of the Province of which he was Governor they made Invectives against him and took Resolutions injurious to his Person and utterly contrary to his Interest So bad a Beginning was no good Omen for the rest of the Life of Coesar de Vendome He could never after recover his Reputation or Respect Henry IV. his Father had Married him to the Heiress of the House of Mercoeur and one of the greatest Fortunes of a Subject in Europe He wasted the great Estate which she brought him The death of the Prince de Conti. Maâ—…y de Mâ—…dicis Returned triumphantly to Paris She found there a Court deprived of a Prince of the Blood The loss was not very great Francis de Bourbon Prince de Conti who died the 13th of August made no great Figure in the World His Widow was soon Comforted after the loss of a weak Husband She was desperately in Love with Bassompierre There had passed between them that which they call Marriage before God Entragues the famous Marchioness de Vernueil's Sister and Daughter to Mary Touchet Charles IX his Mistress had commenced a Suit against Bassompierre upon the account of a Promise of Marriage which he had made her This happy Spark had Two Wives at the same time The First out of a Family more Renowned for the fine Ladies which were Married into the Family or were of it than for any of its Military Exploits the Second being the Daughter of the Duke of Guise and the Widow of a Prince of the Blood might have done Bassompierre great Honour But by an odd Accident Bassompierre would never own the one for his Lawful Wife the other never dared to make her Marraige Publick New Contests between the Princes of
Lieutenacy-General of Provence and the Queen caus'd all Processes to cease which were commenc'd against him The Princess of Conti obtain'd the Reversion of the Abbey of St. Germain At last Bassompierre was promis'd the Office of Chief Gentleman of the King's Bed-Chamber Confusion and Troubles of the Prince of Conde The Prince of Conde went next Morning to Court But what was his Amazement when he found the Queen shut up in her Closet with the Ministers of State without suffering any one to open the Door to him After a great many Reflections upon this sudden Accident the crafty Bassompierre insinuated That the Marshal dâ—… Bouillon might have put a Trick upon his Highness in this Occasion and have made his Peace with the Queen and the Ministers of State leaving the Prince in the Lurch This Suspicion seem'd likely enough to poor Condé who went strait away to the Marquiss d' Ancres for to consider together upon this Conjuncture and found him no less cast down than himself was at the good Understanding that waâ—… between the Queen and her Ministers oâ—… State and the new Favour of the Duke oâ—… Guise and d' Epernon The Death of the young Baron de Luzâ—… slain in a Duel by the Chevalier de Guise did not make a less noise in the World though the Court did not so much bestir it self about it The young Baron de Luz kill'd in a Duel by the Chevalier de Guise as about the Murder of his Father The Guises were at that time in Favour with the Regent Luz the Son of him whom I but now spoke of instructed in the false Maxims of the French Nobility thought himself to be bound in Honour to require Satisfaction for his Father's Death A Month after he sent a Challenge to the Chevalier de Guise by a Gentleman named du Riol Sir Mercure Francois 1613. imported the Challenge you ought to be the only and trusty Witness of my just Grief Pardon then I pray you if I require you by this Note to see you with Sword in Hand for to have an Account from you of my Father's Death The good Opinion I have of your Bravery and Courage makes me hope you will make no use of your Quality for an Excuse to grant me a Request which Honour exacts from you This Gentleman will shew you the Place where I shall be with a good Horse I have Two Swords you shall have the choice of them If you won't come hither I 'll go where-e'er you shall command me The Chevalier de Guise was in Bed when du Riol gave him the Challenge He quickly dress'd himself and taking the Chevalier Grignan to be his Second they went all Three to the Place where the young Baron expected them After the usual Formalities in premeditated Duels the Four fought with their Swords on Horseback Guise was wounded at the first Pass but at the third he run Luz quite through who fell from his Horse in a little time after Grignan could not make his Part so good with du Riol who had given him Two great Thrusts with his Rapier The Chevalier de Guise ran speedily to help him and du Riol seeing Luz at Death's Door made the best of his Way 'T was said that the Court Bravo's went to congratulate the Chevalier de Guise upon this Atchievement which in the Sense of all reasonable Men he ought to be rather ashamed of He had barbarously kill'd the Father to rid his House of a Man who was a Thorn in their side Though the Rule of false Honour did not allow him to deny the Son the Satisfaction he required yet this second Homicide was not less Criminal than the former before God and Men who have a right and sound Apprehension of things One should be so far from applauding this wretched Murtherer as he ought to be look'd upon with Horror who after having unjustly kill'd the Father was drawn on into the unfortunate Necessity of killing the Son blinded by his just Resentment and hurried on by the Evil Custom of the Times That which is more astonishing is that Mary de Medicis sent to visit the Chevalier de Guise after this second Duel and ask how he did after his Wound Memoires de Bassompierre she who but few Weeks before had commanded the Parlement to prosecute him in less than eight Days for the first Duel Behold how this weak and imprudent Queen executed the Declarations publish'd by her Son and under her Directions at the beginning of the Year against Duels The precedent Kings had tried to abolish this pernicious and abominable Custom without ever being able to compass their Design Lewis XIII was more vigorous in the matter in the last Years of his Reign Let us not deny his Son the just Praise he deserves in this Case His Severity has almost compleated what his Predecessors undertook but could never bring about This is the best and perhaps the only good Action he has done in fifty six Years of his Reign If the Justice of Men let the Chevalier de Guise go unpunished Mercure Francois 1514. yet this false Brave can't escape God's Judgment The following Year being at the Castle de Baux five Leagues from Arles in Provence he would needs himself fire a Cannon which burst asunder He receiv'd such a Wound from a Splinter of it as he died in two Hours after Time God wot short enough for Preparation to appear before the terrible Revenger of Blood unjustly spilt His Name was Francis Paris d e Lorraine The Death of the Duke of Mantua New Designs of the Duke of Savoy upon this Accident Affairs abroad disquieted the Regent as well as the Commotions at home Francis Duke of Mantua her Nephew died the latter end of the precedent Year He left behind him by Margaret his Wife of the House of Savoy and Daughter of Charles Emanuel but one Daughter about four Years of Age. Ferdinand Cardinal de Gonzagua Brother to Francis succeeded without any Contest to the Dutchy of Mantua But Montferrat not being a Fief Male it was to descend to the young Princess of Mantua This Marquisate formerly given by the Emperor Otho to a Saxon Lord had fallen since into the Possession of two different Houses The Paleologues first got into it by the Marriage of Yoland an Heiress of the Line of Saxony with Andronicus Paleologus Emperor of Constantinople Theodorus their second Son having had Montferrat for his Share his Issue Male were in Possession of this Fee of the Western Empire till for want of such Heirs the House of Gonzagua came to inherit it by Vertue of a Marriage of Margaret Poleologus with Frederick Duke of Mantua The Duke of Savoy disputed the Succession with the Family of the Gonzagua's There is said they an ancient Agreement made between Theodorus Paleologus and Edmund Comte de Savoy That when the Line Male of the Paleologues should be at an end the Issue Male of