thereof for the obtayning wherof he had vsed the intercession of the most Christian King of France of the Duke and Seigneury of Venise of the Duke of Florence and other great Princes as well Italians as Germains and euen of the Emperour himselfe but he could neuer obtaine this fauour although hee offred great summes of money equalling in a manner the value of the said Duchie wherewith he grew so discontented as dying he aduised his nephew the Bastard to seeke by al meanes to maintaine himselfe in the said Duchie by aâ—mes procuring him the fauour of Princes his Allyes Confederats Neighbours and Friends There was much expected from the Dukes of Guise and Mayenne of the house of Lorraine by reason of the famous Princesse their mother who was daughter to the Duke of Ferrara and to Madam Renée daughter to Lewis the 12. King of France but the pietie of the most Christian King and the modestie of thoâ—e Princes would not suffer them to attempt any thing against the Church Caesâ—r prepareâ— to armes Yet Caesar although hee were base takes vppon him the title of Duke hee fortifies himselfe leuies men and prepares for a braue defence Hereupon Pope Clement the eight holds a Conclaue and resolues with his Cardinals that the said Caesar should bee called to Rome to yeeld his obedience and in the meane time nothing should bee attempted but all should remaine in peace Caesar refuseth to obey and seekes the fauour of his vnckles friends So as many inclined in the beginning to giue him succours and there were great controuersies among the Doctors vpon this point of Law Qui filij sint legitimi Some affirming that bastards may succeed being once aduowed to be of the bloud Others sayd that they could in no sort inherit although they were aduowed In the end all inclyned to the Holy Sea considering the coÌ„ditions of the institution made to the fiâ—st of the familie by the Church Yet Caesar fainted not but scornes all that was â—â—tempted against him The Pope excommunicates him and all his adherents Neither doth that dismay him but he giues them battaile neere to Boulognia where many were â—â—aine but more of the Popes side then of his He seekes by offer of monâ—y to pacifie the Pope and Cardinalls but he preuailes nothing His friends by little and little grew cold and dealt no more but by secret Intelligences He sees the danger whereinto hee was readie to fall not onely to loose what hee demaunded but also his fathers inheritance which was not called into question So as in the end hee resolues to submit himselfe and to obteine as profitable a Peace as he could After much consultation in the end a conclusion was made at Faenza conteining sundrie articles Thus ended the warre of Ferrara whereuppon his Holines resolued to go thither After hee had visited the holy places of Rome hee departs accompanied with seuen and twentie Cardinals foure and thirtie Bishopps and fiue â—undred Knights and gentlemen hee fell sicke at Camerate whereuppon processions were made in Rome and the prisons set open Hee past by Lauretto and visited our Ladies Chappell The Duke of Vrbin receiued and conducted him through his Countrie where the Dukes Caesar and Alexander d' Esté with the Earle of Mirande came to kisse his feete The Popâ—s Entry into Ferrara After that the Cardinall Aldobrandin his nephew had â—eceiued the homage of the Cittie and Duchie of Ferrara his Holines made his entrie with great solemnitie whereas he continued all that Summer The King of Spaine before his death had concluded a marriage betwixt his Sonne and Margaret daughter to the Archduke of Austria of Gratze yongest sister to Marie who being promised him to wife died before the espousals Albert the Archduke had commaundement to go and receiue the said Margaret at Gratze to conduct her into Spaine but being readie to depart and hauing sent the Admirall of Arragon Captaine Generall of his armie into the Countrie of the Duke of Iuilliers and Cleues hee receiued newes of the death of the King of Spaine Notwithstanding hee went on his iourney The Archduke Alâ—ert meets with Margaret of Austria and met with the Princesse Margaret of Austria not farre from the same place whereas the Emperour Charles the fift and Ferdinand his brother would haue a memoriall left of their happie enteruiewe comming from diuers parts the which is represented in a table This Princesse was accompanied by her mother being of the house of Bauiere and fiue hundred gentâ—â—men of high Hungarie where the Archduke her father hath most commonly his cheeâ—e aboade The nine and twentith of October they came to Trent and so entring the territories of the Venetians two Senators were sent by the Seigneurie to receiue the sayd future Queene with great honour They pâ—sse throuâ—h the Veâ—etiâ—nâ— Countâ—y in a Village named Delce situated vpon the banke of the riuer of Athesis called by the Italians L' Adice whereas they passed by an artificial bridge newly made by commaundement of the Seigneurie There were in the future Queenes and the Archdukes traynes about 2000. horse and three thousand fiue hundred men all which were defrayed ten dayes togither by the State of Venice Being past Verona they entred into the Duke of Mantouas Countrie There is a small â—owne câ—llâ—d Ostia The Duke of Mantoua vppon the bankes of Po thither Vincentio Gonzague Dâ—ke of Mantoua came in post with ten Noblemen to salute the Qâ—eene There were boates prepared to passe the riuer being all very richly appointed among the rest there was one Nuptial barke into the which the future Queene with her mother the Archduke the Noblemen and Ladies entred it was diuided into Parlours Chambers and Cabinets hanged with cloth of siâ—uer Being entred the Qâ—eene found the table layd and furnished with all exquisite seruices of meate from thence they were carried doâ—ne the riuer to Ferrara where the Pope had remayned since the composition made at Faence with Caesar Duke of Estè The Pope and the Lâ—gats The Pope being assured of the sayd Queenes arriuall he presently sent the Cardinalls Aldobrandin and Saiâ—t Clement his Legats with a great number of Prelâ—ts and gentlemen to meet her They mâ—t the Qâ—eene three miles off euen as shee landed and receiâ—ed her very honorably in the name of the Holy Apostolike Sea and of the Holy â—ather presenting her a very rich Carrosâ—e the iâ—oÌ„ worke being al guilt drawne by â— white horses in the which she entred Ferrara with her Mother the Archduke Without the Cittie gate the Duke of Sessa Ambassador for the Catholike King attended her and presented vnto her in the name of the sayd King a litter couered with cloth of siluer guilt with two white Moyles with rich harnesses and the Muâ—etiers in the same liuerie The Duke of 〈◊〉 Ambassaâ—or oâ— Spâ—iâ—e and withall a Carrosse with sixe pied horses and two Coachmen in cloth of gold At
of the Realme being very carefull to entertaine their loues Richard Duke of Normandie was one of his most confident friends whom hee had gratified mainteining him in the possession of his estate Hee receiued requitall of this good turne with interest in the person of Hugh his sonne to seate him in the royall throne as our History shall declare But all these aduantages were not onely crowned with a goodly and great offspring but also with a sonne endowed with singular graces both of body and minde Hee had sixe Sonnes and two Daughters The offspring of Hugues the great but his eldest was the chieâ—e heire of his name vertue authority credit and happinesse with such successe as he made perfect the worke his father had begun Hee was named Hugues and by surname Capet eyther for that he had a great head He was called Capitosus or that being young hee was accustomed to catch at his companions cappes as a presage of that hee should do to Kings Othâ— and Henry two other sonnes of Hugues were Dukes of Bourgongne one after another his other sonnes were aduanced to Ecclesiasticall dignities the one Archbishop of Tholouse the other of Rouan and the third dyed young One of his Daughters was married to the Duke of Normandie the other to Frederike Earle of Metz. Hee had taken his first wife from England the Daughter of King Edward and sister to Queene Ogina the wife of Charles the Simple mother to Lewis the fourth and although he had no children by her yet did he carefully preserue the friendship of this allyance and before his death he chose a wife out of this great house for Hugh Capet his eldest sonne the which was Adelais the daughter of King Edward Thus he fortified his greatnesse by all meanes the which raised his posterity to the royall throne purchasing credit both within and without the Realme by all meanes fitte to establish a great family These were the ordinary proceedings which humaine pollicie being the gift of God and a branch of his wisdome in those that he will blesse leauing the wretched plonged in their wretchednesse by their owne indiscretion doth vsually prescribe to wise and carefull men But Hugues the great had another benefit which surmounted all these his great meanes or the force of his friendships and alliances hauing a sonne capable of iudgement for great attempts fit for the time brought vp and instructed by himselfe To conclude all things were so disposed in France as they must necessarily receiue him for King Necessity the generall consent both of great and small and a meanes to preserue the Crowne from ruine the which hee alone could effect But if the French were forward in seeking to him Hugues was so much the more incouraged to imbrace so great and famous a dignity And in the execution of this generous desseigne hee carried himselfe with so great wisdome moderation and dexteritye as wee may well say that God called him as it were from heauen There remayned nothing but an orderly proceding to that which reason presented vnto them Hugues beganne with the greatest who had a speciall interest to preserue what they held Hugh Capets proceeding to attaine the Crowne He treated mildly with them for the coÌ„mon necessitie The condition was To leaue them all that by inheritance which they held of the Crowne by title of office and they to do homage and acknowledge him for their lawfull King Thus was the accord made betwixt the Nobilitie of France Hugh Capet profitable for the great meÌ„ necessarie for the people honorable for Hugues beneficial for the realme for by this meane the realme was maintained in one bodie vnder the authoritie of one absolute Commaunder Hugues was well furnished hauing a sonne capable of the realme which was hereditarie The better sort had what they could desire for them or theirs A Parlement called at Noyon â—or the election of Hugh Capet and the people remayned in quiet after so many miseries Things being thus disposed on all sides the Parliament assembles at Noyon whither they runne from all parts and both necessitie and desire to winne his fauour to whome reason should assigne the Realme brought all the citties and made such hast thither as sought to settle their priuat estates by this publike authoritie Hugh failes not likewise to call all his friendes to reape the frute so long sought for with so great paine and trauaile both by himselfe and his father and now to imploy them as in a day of battaile The assembly was great by the concurse of all the Prouinces and Citties of the Realme which repaired thither It was the more famous for that in shew the French offâ—red the Realme to Capet as if hee had not affected it As things passe in this sort Charles Duke of Lorraine well aduertised of the Frenchmens intent the desseignes of Hugh labours to preuent him and being resolued to imploy all his forces hee begins first by admonitions but so ill seasoned as it made the way more easie for Capet for hee sends his Ambassadors to the assembly of the States not to intreat them to receiue him into their fauours Charles sends his Ambassadors to the Estates and and so to the Crowne according to his hereditarie right but to summon them That if they did not speedily obey hee would reduce them to obedience by force The French alreadie incensed against Charles and hauing placed their hopes in Hugh being present and soliciting for himselfe assisted with his best friends fell into so great a rage against Charles by his rough and importune speeches as hardly could the law of nations restraine them from doing some outrage vnto his Ambassadors for their indiscretion Then the Estates inact by a sollemne decree That for as much as Charles had shewed himselfe a friend to the enemies of France I reiâ—cted from the Crowne and a sworne enemie to the French so likewise did the French renounce his friendship declaring him incapable of the benefit of the Law both for that hee gaue the first cause as also not being bound to acknowledge him for King that is an enemie to the State their oth binding them to a King which is a father iust wise mild and temperate And therefore Betweene God and their consciences without any alteration of the fundamentall law they renounce him and declare that their intention is to choose a King which should prouide for the quiet of France They deliuer this declaration to Charles his Ambassadors commanding them to auoid the Realme presently Thus Charles his reiection was the raysing of Hugh Capet for presently the generall estates assembled in one bodie and representing all the Prouinces of the Realme declare by an autentike and sollemne decree That being necessarie to choose a King for the preseruation of the Crowne of France destitute as well by the death of Lewis the fift as by the apparent treacherie of Charles Duke of Lorraine That in
as are aduanced to these dignities our Kings hauing right to be soueraigne ouer-seers of the Church The King would not allow of Peter thus aduanced to this dignity The Pope king of France at 〈◊〉 although the Chapter of Bourges had giuen their consent to the Popes decree Peter being reiected had recourse to Thibaud Earle of Champagne to the Earle of Blois men discontented with the King and onely fit to be opposed But to this difficultie there was added a greater at the same instant Raoul Earle of Vermandois had put away his wife Gilibert the daughter of Roger Lord of Chasteau-briant vpon suspition that she had beene prodigall of her honour without any proofes to conuince her But iealousie made him to see that plainly which was concealed to others so as he put her away and tooke Peronnelle the Bastard Daughter of William Duke of Guienne in her place being aduowed sister to Queene Elenor and her deere friend Gilibert complaines to the Pope being reiected as shee pretended without cause and demands Iustice. The Pope commands Raoul to receiue his wife againe and to put away Peronelle as vnlawfull and for not obeying doth excommunicate him The King intreates the Pope for Peronelle but he preuailes not for hee sends Yues into France as his Legat to reuiue the first censure 1143. not onely against the Earle but also against the Bishops which had consented to the diuorce of Gilibert forbidding them any more to exercise their charges The Earle Thibaud had vndertaken to haue the Pope obeyed to the great dislike of the King as it were attempting it of purpose to offend him Lewis moued with this affront went against Thibaud And at the first takes Vitry and not onely sackes the Towne but in disdaine of the Pope caused the Churches to bee spoiled and many being fled out of the villages to saue themselues from the furie of the disordred troupes A horrible massacre committed by the soldiars of Lewis and by his consent had retired themselues into a Temple as to a place of safetie Lewis giues such libertie to his Souldiars as they set fire of the place and burne fifteene hundred persons men and women The horror of this Massacre offended all good men but especially Lewis who was so much grieued as hee could not bee comforted Misfortune is good for some thing Lewis loathing the voyage to the East for the foresayd occasions was easily confirmed by Saint Bernard who had perswaded him to yeeld all succours to the afflicted Christians for a reparation of so execrable a fact committed by his commandement vpon so many poore innocents And likewise he imbarked Conrad the Emperour and the Germaines These two great Princes carried with one zeale and vnited in one will to this worke make great preparations for the voyage Conrad armes three score thousand horse and an infinite number of foote and hee himselfe is chiefe of this goodly Armie taking the way of Hongarie to Constantinople through the Countrie of Alexis his brother in lawe Emperour of Greece The Emperor and Lewis go into the East hee arriued some moneths before Lewis for the Emperour parted in Februarie and Lewis went to field in Maye and takes the same course the Emperour had done The Kings Armie was nothing inferiour to the Emperours and so much the more remarkeable for that Queene Elenor desired to accompany her husband in the voyage so as after the King and Queenes example all France thought to flie into the East They sent a Distaffe and a Spindle to all those that were fit for Armes if they marched not with this tâ—oupe of braue Warriors Conrad arriued first at Constantinople And so he returned much sooner into Germanie Hauing passed into Asia by the Bosphorus of Thrace it was likely that all should yeeld to so mightie an Armie but it fell out otherwise then he had desseigned All the Cittie 's wonne at the fiâ—st voyage were almost lost and the Christians ill gouernment was so well knowne as the Turkes made head in all places The Emperour measuring his triumph by the number of his men contemned the enemie and was negligent in his proceedings Hauing referred the prouision to Alexis Emperour of the East The Emperors voyage to no profit his brother in lawe he found little Bread and store of enemies in all places So as what by Hunger and the Sword scarce the tenth part of his men come to his friends in the Holy Land where hee found them all amazed Lewis warned by Conrads example did somwhat better in the beginning for being refreshed at Constantinople and other Citties of Greece he passed the Chanell into Asia happily where hauing beaten the enemie hee came without losse to Athalia and hauing caused his Fleete which was at Rhodes to come to the friends Ports of Palestina he arriued by land safe with all his troupes at Antioche where hee was honourablie recâ—iued by â—aimond Earle of Saint Gilles his brother in lawe In the meane time the Emperour besiegeth Ascalon alone but preuailes not Lewis arriues at Ierusalem whether Conrad comes likewise After they had visited the places of deuotion they resolue to besiege Damas in Siria a Cittie very important for the commerce of Iudea but after a long and fâ—uitlesse siege all are dispersed The Emperor who came first The Emperor of Greece deales â—â—â—acherously with the Emperor King returnes first The King stayed not long after him There were foure yeares spent in this fruitlesse voyage with much paine and cost and not onely without fruite but it also tooke away the terror of Christian armies in these miscreants and left the affaires of Asia in farre worse estate then when they came There was yet another inconuenience The Emperor Alexis a friend at their entrie shewed himselfe an enemie to them both at their departure Conrad saued himselfe as well as he could more fearing the treacherie of the Greekes then the crueltie of the Turkes 1146. Lewis prouides in time to haue the Fleete of Sicile come for his conuoy else had he lost both himselfe and his treasure The Emperor and King of France make a shamefull returne from the East the which had beene a meanes for the Greekes to make their peace with the Turkes and open warre against the other Christians being better then themselues This shamefull and preiudiciall departure was hurtfull to the whole Christian Church But there was a greater losse for Lewis very troublesome to himselfe and preiudiciall to all France for Queene Elenor his wife who made profession to go visit the holy places suffered her eyes to be abused with an vnchaste and filthy lust which tainted her honour and the King her husbands heart with an outragious iealousie This woman accustomed to the liberties of Time and Place had so abandoned her selfe to the pleasures of the East as the stenche of her incontinencie was publike to the whole world before her husband had any notice thereof
〈◊〉 yeeld at the sight of the Kings armie Carlâ—â— Bergerac S. Seuere and in the end Rochell by siege and by the successe of these Citties reduced to the Kings obedience by force 〈◊〉 Aâ—gely Angoulesme Xaintes Fontenay Parthenay and many other Townes obey voluntarily The fortresses of Mortaigne Lusignan and Sâ—nzay are added to this conqâ—â—st aâ—d in the end Tours stretcheth forth her hands to the King and shakes off the 〈…〉 Whilest that the Kings armie performed these happy exploits in Guienne the Prâ—nce of Wales a hardie and generous warriour to turne aside this deluge the which he 〈…〉 vpon the countrie of Bourdeaux resolues to enter by another quarter The exploits of the Prinâ—e of Wales which 〈…〉 enâ—mie should be found without defence Hauâ—ng made a flying campe of 〈…〉 well armed he slips into Auuergne from thence into Bourâ—onois Berry wâ—â—re hauâ—ng refreshed his troupes some daies â—e passeth into Forest and gathering together the 〈◊〉 vpon the riuer of Loire he passeth ouer at Morsigny of Nunnes so crossing 〈◊〉 he comes into Bourgongne where finding all desert withâ—ut victualles all 〈…〉 into walled Townes by the care of Philip the Kings brother he marcheth into 〈◊〉 and from thence into Gastinois in the end he stayes before Espernan with an armie of twenty thousand men which terrifies the whole country and takes the Towne easily being not relieued Châ—rles recalles his armie out of Guienne giuing the Constable 〈◊〉 commission to 〈…〉 the which he executes so happily as all thâ—s cloud was presently 〈…〉 as the Prince of Wales could hardly retire himselfe to Bourdeaux not laden with 〈◊〉 as in former times but with shame and losse This was the successe of the first passage the English made through France But what is become of our Nâ—uarrois we haue obserued how he made his peace with K. Iohn The Nauarrâ—is doth practâ—se vnder hand against Charâ—es when as he returned from prison He thence retired himselfe quietly into his realme of Nauarre 〈◊〉 his iealousie and watching all opportunities to crosse the affaires of Charles 〈◊〉 spared him with so great respect The neernesse of Bourdeaux was a fit meanes for 〈…〉 continue his practises with the English vnder-hand although by meanes of the Queenes he entertained a shew of friendship with Charles his brother in law Castille ministred matter of imploiment for our warriours with a very notable successe Peter King of Castille The subiect of warre in Castile sonne to Alphonsus making great profession of loue to the French married Blanche the daughter of Peter duke of Bourbon and sister to Ioane the wife of our Charles the wise and so brother in law to the King Whilest the Castillian loued his wife the alliance and friendship of our King was his greatest honour but abandoning himselfe to a strumpet named Padille he forsooke all duty to his wife left France and linckt himselfe with the English Peter King of Castile murthers his own wife against his sworne faith to his allies To this treacherie he addes the murther of his wife and a cruell tyrannie against his subiects These execrable proceedings procured the wrath of God against him with the hatred both of great and small which drew him headlong to his ruine Alphonsus his father making him his heire and successor of his realme of Castille had bequeathed a legacie by testament to Henry his bastard sonne a vertuous man that is to say as lawfull by his vertue as Peter was growne degenerate by his vices and as greatly beloued of the people as Peter was hated in generall by reason of his abhominable life He spoiled Henry his brother of this legacie the which his father had left him but thinking to take from another he lost his owne for Henry thus ill intreated flies to Pope Vrban the 5. resident at Auignon besâ—â—ching him to vse his authoritie by admonitions to his brother aduising him to restore that which his father had giuen him Vrban inclining to his iust request cites them both to appeare before the consistorie Charles sends an armie into Castile against the King beeing a murtherer and a tyrant to draw them to their duties Peter not onely refuseth to obey the Pope but doth outrage to his Nuncio Henry thus repulsed repaires to Charles by the meanes of Peter of Bourbon brother to the Queene of Castille whom her husband Peter had murthered The indignitie of this fact procured Henry great succours from King Charles euen at such a time as he wanted worke for his men of warre The command of this armie was giuen to Peter of Bourbon a Prince of the bloud with the councell and direction of the Constable Guesâ—lin who also baâ—e the name as he tooke the greatest paines The armie is leuied in Languedoc by the kings command the exceeding care of the Duke of Berry The Castilians reuolt against Peter and expell him gouernour of that country to the incredible ioy of many voluntaries who went cheerefully to so iust a warre the successe was both happy speedy sodenly as the French armie appeared for the succour of Henry all the Castillians reuolt against Peter who with great difficultie saues himselfe with his concubine and three daughters he had by her and one onely seruant carrying nothing with him but a little ready money and the miseriâ— of a dispossessed Prince This his calamitie did first moue the Prince of Wales to compassion then his father Edward commanding his sonne to succour him with all his forces The King of England succors Peâ—er restores him the which he perfomed speedily with a goodly army meaning to crosse the deâ—â—eignes of our Charles But oh the patience of God which giues a sinner so long a time of repentance that in the end without any excuse he might pay both the principall and interest the successe of this English armie was such in fauour of Peter of Castille The French defeated in Castile by the English that hauing vanquished the French armie by a notable defeat of foure twenty thousand men taken Guâ—sâ—lin the Constable Arnoâ—l of Andreghen Marshall of France and many other great men prisoners Peter was restored to the possession of his realme and Henry dispossessed who escaped hardly in this great danger retires himselfe into Languedoc to Iohn duke of Berry the Kings brother and gouernour of that countrie But after this gracious assistance of Gods mercy his iustice must take place as it did against Peter by this meanes Henâ—y being courteously receiued by the Pope the duke of Berry and the Constable of Guâ—selin set at libertie with all his companions hauing paied their ransomes to the Prince of Wales he recouers a second aide by the bounty of our wise Charles and the diligence of the duke of Berry to attempt a new the recouerie of the realme of Castile The Constable Guesâ—lin was appointed to this charge to withstand the first check if it were possible The
to Peter of Bourbon Ioane the wife of Lewis Duke of Orleans after King of France the 12. of that name Charles his successor and Francis who died likewise in his infancy In the end Charles going to suppresse the practices of his sonne in Daulphiné and the neighbour Prouinces Lewis abandons the country and retyres to Philip Duke of Bourgongne at whose charge he was entertained six yeares Charles being deceased Philip of Bourgongne to perfect this good office ofhospitality to Lewis accompanied with Charles Earle of Charolois his sonne Iames of Bourgongne Earle of Estampes Adolfe Duke of Cleues the Lord of Rauestin his brother nephewes to the said Philip the Earles of Nassau and S. Pol and with many other Noblemen of the lowe countries conducted him into France with foure thousand horse well appointed chosen among a hundred thousand fighting men the which Philip had leauied vppon a brute that some Noblemen of the country would aduance Charles the younger brother of Lewis to the Crowne Iohn Duke of Bourbon the Duke of Orleans as well for his old age as for that he mourned for King Charles deceased came not from Paris Peter and Iames of Bourbon brethren the Earles of Armaignac Eu Vendosme Dunois GraÌ„dpré Philip of Sauoy with the greatest part of the Princes Noblemen and Officers of the Crowne go to meete him and conduct him to Rheims where he is solemnly annointed crowned by Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins Archbishop of that place assisted by the Cardinal of Constance the Patriarke of Antioch the Popes Legat 4. Archbishops 17. Bishops 6. Abots the 15. of August 1461. being about 38. yeares of age Two daies after Philip did him homage for his Duchy of Bourgongne as Peere and Deane of the Peeres of France for the Earledom of Flanders as a peere of France and for the county of Artois all other lands he held of the crowne TheÌ„ made he a sumptuous stately entry into Paris with very ioyfull acclamations of the people as you may see at large in the Originalls He lesome admonitions of Philip to Lâ—wiâ— After mâ—â—y sports tourneies publike feasts Philip taking leaue of the King exhorts him to lay aside all hatred and splene conceiued against some of his fathers ancient seruants from â—hom he should draw as many good seruices as they had giueÌ„ testimonies of their loialties to their lawfull Master to liue in loue and vnity with his brother Charles and to aduance him according to the degree he held within the realme Lewis was no sooner installed but the Inhabitants of Rheims minister an occasioÌ„ to imploy the first fruits of his forces About S. Remy the collectors of imposts were slaine their contracts burnt in open street The King sends thither many souldiars disguised like mâ—rchants laboreâ—s who entring secretly at diuers gates become the stroÌ„ger and aâ—e preâ—ently followed by some troupes led by the Lord of Mouy who seize vpon the towne takes 80. or a 100. of the most culpable puts theÌ„ to death suppresseth the mutinie About the end of the yeare Lewis made a progresse into Touraine where the Earle of Charolois comÌ„ing fâ—oÌ„ the pilgrimage of S. Claude did visit him the King in regard of the kindnes he had receiued froÌ„ Philip giueshim the gouernmeÌ„t of Normandy â—uery Franck iâ— worth two shilliâ—gs The Duke of Aâ—â—nson inlarged with 36000. frankes yearly pensioÌ„ for the non paiment wherof there wil soone grow great dissentioÌ„s ciuil wars In sooth the words of a prince shold be held for Oracles neyther shold he be lesse iudicious then coÌ„nstant in his promises The Duke of Alencon was set at liberty whoÌ„ Charles the 7. had restrained But oh the vanity of man we shall him hereafter a prisoner condemned vnder his authoritie 1462. who now giues him both life and libertie Then the King gaue to his brother the Dukedome of Berry for his portion and assigned the Queene his Mothers dowrie who shall not long enioy it but dies in the yeare 1463. in the Countie of Xaintonge with the towne and gouerment of Rochell Chinon Pezenas and other places Then he went in pilgrimage to S. Sauueur of Redon in Brittanie where the Duke did homage for this said Duchie the Countie of Monfort and other places he held of the Crowne But deuotion did not so much draw Lewis into Brittanie as a desire to discouer the Dukes affection his country and his forces whom he held in iealousie the which shall easily draw the Duke into the vnion of malcontents as we shall soone see which will fall out happily for him to disappoint the King of the prey he haunted after in Brittanie Lewis in the meane time carelesse of Philips aduise not able well to endure the sight of his fathers spies whom he accused as the motiues of his disgrace changeth the gouernours of Prouinces and most of the Officers both for Iustice and warre he placeth new being chosen out of those that had beene companions of his fortune the which to agrauate they called a banishment imputing it to them that were displaced Moreouer he prohibited all Princes Noblemen and Gentlemen the sport of Hawking and Hunting vnder great and odious punishments no further then he should permit a second fire-brand of the following combustions Now the King of Arragon seeking to reduce his rebellious subiects of Barzellone to their duties by force ingageth the Countie of Roussillon to Lewis for three hundred thousand Crownes whereof he receiued fiftie thousand presently being followed with a goodly and mighty armie Lewis purchaseth the Countie of Roussillon to succour the said King vnder the command of Iames of Armaignac Duke of Nemours Henry King of Castill complaines by his Ambassadors of these succours giuen to his aduersarie which was a breach of the League betwixt France and Castill The King as well to end this quarrell as that which Blande the onely daughter and heire of the King of Nauarre wife to the said King of Arragon had with the King of Castill by reason of some places in Nauarre he goes to Bourdeaux and there concludes the mariage of Magdaleine of France his sister with Gaston the eldest sonne to the Earle of Foix and presumptiue heire of Nauarre who lay hurt at Libourne with a Lance at a Tourney whereof he dyed leauing a sonne and a daughter Francis Phoebus his successour who raigned but one yeare and Katherine who succeeded him and was married to Iohn of Albret then he goes to Bayonne where the King of Castill comes vnto him and ends all controuersies A dangerous and fatall enteruiew for these two great Princes the most strictly allied of all Christendom of ancient from King to King from realme to realme and man to man bound by great curses to maintaine this necessarie league the which neuer yet had any breach and they now conceiued a contempt disdaine one of an other The â—rench of the Castillians sumptuousnesse and pride
into Rochell War in Guâ—â—nne they recouer all the forts and places which had beene taken from them since the suprise of Marans And the more to restraine the Rochelois they build a fort at Lucon vnder the command of Captaine Mascaron They hoped this fort should be a bait to drawe the Protestants to field but hauing built it without contradiction Puigaillâ—rd tries an other stratageme He retires his forces into high Poictou giues out That the Princes had gotten a great victory and that he must by the Dukes commandement leade away his troupes with all speed That by a strong ambush and turning head sodainely he might charge the Protestants defeate them at their first approch Notwithstanding La Noue his companions keepe themselues quiet giuing their troups amazed by their last fight time to take breath the which causeth Mascaron to slacke the gard of his fort La Noue being aduertised that the fort was to be forced The sort of Lâ—son bâ—â—eeged goes out off Rochelle with foure Cornets eleuen Enseignes of French and three hundred Lansquenets which remained Puigaillard gathers together speedily what troupes hee can which now began to leaue him and to shut vp la Noue betwixt Marans and Luson makes them to march two dayes a night to S. Gemme halfe a league from Luson but with one light repulse Here his second policie of war preuailes as little as the fiâ—st He faynes himselfe sicke giues out that a burning ague detained him in his bed then vnder colour of the deliuery of Roussiere a gentleman of Poictou others whom Puuiault had lately taken in an encounter he sends a trumpet to assure them of this pretended sicknes to discouer the strength of the beseegers But this spie was not cunning inougâ— he trips in his answers and by his faintnesse discouers his maisters practises Puuiault extorts the tâ—ueth by force then shewing them that they had to do with men that were toyled broken with their great march they dislodge from S. Gemme to ioyne with la Noue Puigaillard is aduertised that the enemy flies and retires in disorder to Marans He approcheth enters the Bourg and finding nothing but the nest some run to the victualls others to the spoyle But they haue a contrary aduice That the enemy is neere and in battaile La Noue had 〈◊〉 his men by the fauour of the ditches hedges and bushes which compasse in the 〈◊〉 of that Country where as Puigaillards horse could not passe but by small companies La Noue commanded the charge S. Esâ—ienne and Bruneliere begin it against a hundred and fifty maisters of the chiefe troupes of Puigaillard and makes them to stagger Puuiault forceth through them The battaile oâ— Luson kils some and amazeth the rest Puigaillard and those that were best mounted flye vnto Fontenay foure leagues from thence the footmen hemmed in on all sides and broken by the horse presently giue way and remaine at their mercy without mercy namely of the Lansquenets who reuenge vpon them the bloud of their countrymen shed neere to Montcontour Sixteene Enseignes and two Cornets were taken fiue hundred old souldiars slaine vpon the place and thirty men at armes with many Commanders and Officers of Regiments and Companies Sâ—uen or eight hundred prisoners were sent away with white wands in their hands The Fort being valiantly assailed and yeelded by Mascaron added foure companies to the victory The â—orte taken and this victory caused the conquest of Fontenay la Comte from whence the besieged retyred to Niort La Noue hauing lost his left arme in the siege Oleron Marennes Soubize and Brouage yeelded to the victors where as the death of Riuiere Puitaillé recompenced La Noues hurt So as by the recouery of all that which the King held about Rochell the Protestants coopt vp the Catholikes within the walles of Saint Iean d' Angely The Prince Daulphin came into Poictou to repayâ—e Puigaillards losses and to strengthen the forces of the Earle of Lude for the making of some new attempt when as a peace concluded betwixt the King and the Prince stayed the course of theyr triumphes The third Edict of peace the eleuenth of August and caused a suspension of armes to renue it againe two yeares after with a more vnworthy and horrible proceeding By this third Edict of peace they had foure Townes of safety Rocheâ—le Montauban Cognac and La Charité to be held two yeares in the Princes names and the Princes with the chiefe Commanders of the Protestants attending the full execution thereof retyred to Rochelle the armies were dismissed and the strangers conducted into Lorraine Soone after the Emperour Maximilian the second gaue his eldest daughter in marriage to Philip King of Spaine so the Vncle marryed his Neece but the house of Austria hath oft times obteyned such dispensation and so our Charles in the Towne of Meziers in the end of Nouember King Charles maâ—â—ies the â—mperours Daughter tooke to wife Elizabeth the yongeâ— sister a wise and vertuous Princesse There was a peace concluded but no full obseruation of the Edict wherevpon the princes sent Briquemault Teligny Beauuais la Nocle and Cauannes to Court. The King at their instance sent commissioners throughout all the prouinces of his realme But there were some amongst them who not many yeares before had condemned the Admirall to be hanged Amongst others the Marshall of Cossé and Proutiere maâ—ster of Requests were at Rochelle to consult with the Queene of Nauarre and the Admirall about the meanes in generall to mainteine the realme in peace particularly to treate of a marriage betwixt Henry of Bourbon Prince of Nauarre A Treaâ—â—â— of 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 of Vaâ—eâ—s and Marguerâ—te oâ— Valois the Kings sister and then to conferre with the Admirall touching the warre which his Maiestie seemed to pretend against the Spaniard in the Lowe countries to the protection whereof he was greatly sollicited The Kings good countenance and the gifts hee gaue to the Deputies namely to Telygny who seemed to be greatly in his Maiesties fauour likewise might do much to perswade â—is father in Lawe to come to Court makes them at their returne to Rochelle to extoll the Kings singular loue and affection to the Queene of Nauarre the Princes the Admirall and to all the rest of their party and to assure them by his commandement that he will not onely mainteine the peace but also confirme it by the allyance of his owne sister and that he desires to conferre by mouth with the Admirall touching this new expedition of the Lowe countries and therefore they should make haste to go vnto him And the better to confirme them in this beleefe 1571. the King sends Biron after them with the same charge The Kings disâ—ymulation with the Princes and Admirall and that hee would procure the Queene his mother and the Duke of Aniou his brother to moderate their splenes and discontents and would worke a reconciliation betwixt
condemned him to repaire the fault vpon payne of excomunication Clotaire for satisfaction ordeynes that from thenceforth the Lords of Yuetot should bee free from all homage seruice and obedience due to the King for the land of Yuetot in the Country of Normandy And so this small seigneury hath continued long with the title and prerogatiue of a Realme vntill that this title of a realme was chaunged into a Principality the which the house of Bellay doth now inioye This was the life and raigne of Clotaire the first of that name vitious and vnfortunate followed with a confused and horrible tragedy in his children whom we must marke distinctly in the front of this tumultuous reigne therby to tread more safely the blinde maze of these obscure gouernments Clotaire the first of that name had foure sonnes Cherebert King of France Chilperic King of Soissons Gontran King of Orleans or Bourgongne Sigebert King of Metz or Austrasie All which reigned togither fifteene yeares but in this eight raigne they giue the ranke and name of King to Cherebert as to the eldest although each of them called himselfe King of France and commanded absolutely ouer the Countries vnder their obedience CHEREBERT the eight King of France CHEREBERT KING OF FRANCE VIII WE haue seene the Strange gouernment of the foure sonnes of great Clouis let vs now view the rest of thiâ— table in the children of Cloâ—aâ—re who suruiuing his bâ—ethren their children obteined the realme alone but presently to be diuided into 4. parts Of 5. sons lawfully begotten 4. suruiued him Cherebert the eldest Chilperic Sâ—gebert Gontran His bodie was scarce interred when as the fire of diuision kindled among the brethren about the diuiding of the Realme Chilperic a craftie and proud man Dâ—uision of 〈…〉 finds meanes to seize on his fathers treasure and labours to become maister of the Cittie of Paris But not able to effect it he was forced by his brethren supported by the chief Noblemen of the Court to come to a diuision euery one according to hiâ— order Cherebert as the eldest of the house of France hath Paris for his part Gontran Orleans and Bourgongne Chilperic Soissons Sigibert Metz or Austrasia euery portion with his dependances After this diuision of parts their wills were so diuided as it is wonderfull the realme had not beene vtterly ruined amidst these horrible confusions in so feeble beginnings Prouence by consent of the brethren was giuen to Contran King of Orleans and Bourgongne But notwithstanding this accord Sigebert King of one part of Bourgongne and of Austrasia contends for it with his brother and sowes diuision amoâ—g the Prouensaâ—ls doubtfull to whome they should yeeld obedience in this contention Iâ— had beene woon and lost by Clouis as wee haue shewed but soone after the death of Clouis Thierri the Ostrogothe who had woon it looseth it againe through the inclination of the Prouensalls who willingly come to the antient obedience of the Crowne of France And the Emperour Iustin the second liking it better in the Frenchmens hands then in the Ostrogoths leaues them that which he cannot take for them In this respect he added his consent by his deed onely After the death of Cherebert his brethren contend for his spoyâ—e with irreconciliable hatred Gontran was the most temperate and tractable desiring that this discord â—or parts might bee determined by the French Clergie as iudges competent and without passion Horrible confusiâ—ns 〈◊〉 brethâ—en But his aduise was not allowed Chilperic and Sigebert ambitious and turbulent men would carrie it by force yet was it agreed by common consent that none of them should enter Paris before this Question were decided touching their portions But there fell out other accidents vppon this theater whereas cunning malice impudencie and furie haue caused both men and women to play a long and traâ—â—ke Scene being the Authors and enders of these miseries I tremble at those confusions By their wiues whereas Brunnehault and Fredegond two renowmed women in our France for their notable wickednesse shall appeare in diuerse scenes of this tragedie Brunehault was daughter to Anathagilde King of Visâ—goths the wiâ—e of Sigebert King of Metz or of Austrasia Fredegonde first was concubine and after wife to Chilperic King of Soissons By the pollicies and impudencie of these furious heads it cannot bee spoken how much miserie France suffered during their raignes But let 〈…〉 euery thing in order if any order may bee found in the most horrible Chaos of infernall confusions Sigebert was much troubled in his territories of Germanie to 〈◊〉 them against the Hunnes Chilperic embracing this occasion against â—is brother enters his countrie One brothâ—r makes wâ—rre 〈…〉 another with a great armie takes from him the Cittie of Rheims This surprise awakes Sigebert and for that he would not loose the principall to keepe the accessâ—â—ie he leaues Germanie and speeds into France wonderfulty greeued with the wrong he had receiâ—ed from his brother pursuing his reuenge with such vehemencie that hee takes Soissons the capitall cittie of his Realme with his sonne Theodebert forcing him to 〈◊〉 with Fredegond to Tournay being ashamed of his cowardly desseine Thus Sigebert comes a CoÌ„queror to Paris where he is receiued by common consent and so all the citties belonging vnto Cherebert yeeld him obedience But as he thought himselfe a peaceable King mounted to the toppe of his desires hauing nothing to crosse him but wallowing in his delights behold two yong souldiours suborned by â—redegonde came to his Court enter freely into the hall and approch so neere him and with such oportunity as eyther of them stabs him with his dagger 578. and he falles downe dead in the place These murtherers were sodenly torne in peeces Sigebert â—laine so as they could not be knowne nor declare by whose commandement they had committed this murther yet was it generally thought that this was the practise of Fredegonde to free her husband and to make the way more easie for her affaires by the death of this brother who crossed her most In truth the death of Sigebert changed the countenance of the Court euery one runnes after Chilpericks fortune who was receiued King of France in the place of his elder brother and he entertaines all those with sauour that offer him seruice CHILPERIC the first the ninth King of France CHILPERIC KING OF FRANCE IX THus Chilperic began to reigne in the yeare 578. and raigned 14. yeares at Paris and Soissons while that Childebert the sonne of Sigebert reigned in Austrasia 578. and Gontran at Orleans and Bourgongne He found Brunhault the widow of Sigebert at Paris a woman of a subtile and audacious spirit so as fearing least shee should animate his sonne against him hee confined her to Rouan whether he likewise sent his sonne Merouâ—e to take possession of the Citty but in steed of taking the Citty hee was surprized by the beauty of Brunehault who could
so cunningly gaine the loue of the inhabitants as the Bishop himselfe allowed of this marriage although she were his Aunt Chilperic moued with the same of this loue which proceeded vnto marriage came to Rouan and according to the Eccâ—esiasticall discipline degraded and banished this Bishop and by his absolute authority puts Merouee into a Cloyster But he stayed not long there for after the departure of Chilperic a certaine friend of his called Bosson drew him forth being set on by Fredegond hauing brought with him three hundred men too small a number to fight and too many to flie And so it happened to Merouee for being pursued and taken by his father Chilperic hee was slaine by his commandement And least Audouëre his mother a vertuous Princesse and Clouis her other sonne should seeke meanes of reuenge he reiects his wife and causeth Clouis his other sonne to be secretly slaine The father 〈◊〉 his sons by the practises of a woman being brother germaine to Merouce These disorders could not be done without the complaint of the Nobility against Fredegonde who held not yet the degree of a wife with Chilperic although she had free accesse both to his Court and bed from the which she had dispossessed his lawfull wife Chilperic to pacifie these complaints pretends some reasons for this diuorse and disguising the murthers cunningly he takes Galsonde to wife â—he daughter of Athanagilde king of Spaine But the impatiencie of Fredegonde The husband puts away one wiâ—e and kills another doth soone dissolue the bonds of this bashfull respect thrusting Chilperic into such a fury against this second wife as he strangles her and maâ—ies Fredegonde publikely who possessed her husband so absolutely as she commanded imperiously vnder the cloake of his authority He oppreseth his subiects â—rom these domesticall crimes insolency rageth against the poore people by taxes impositions and insupportable exactions and report imputes all to the deuises of the same workewoman Complaints sound out in all places but absolute authority had so preuailed as they could find no remedy the people being weake such as else might haue had means to countenance the ancient French liberty were either terrified or inchanted by this Proserpina The punishment of these crimes But Chilperic must beare the punishment of his execrable wickednesse by the malice of her who had made him an instrument to massacre brother children wife to consume by degrees his poore subiects Whilest that Chilperic loued her exceedingly she affected a nobleman in Court called Landri de la Tour who by her fauour had obtained two of the greatest offices of the Crowne of Duke of France and Maire of the Pallace to whom she most vildly afforded the best place in the Kings bed This villanous detestable loue was cunningly cloaked with the deuises of this strumpet who hauing a sonne by Chilperic as a new gage of loue she purchased daily more credit with him But this was a short comfort for Chilperic for foure moneths after the birth of this sonne whom he named Clotaire he was vnhapily slaine by her and Landri when he least expected death this was the occasion One morning as Chilperic ready to go to hunting came booted into his wiues chamber to salute her he found her combing of her head with her haire ouer her face drawing neere vnto her without speaking he toucheth her in iest with his riding wand on the hinder part of the head she supposing it to be her adulterer Landri accustomed to come secretly vnto her at all houres saith vnto him In my iudgment Landri a good Knight should alwaies strike before and not behind The King vnderstanding by halfe a word more then he desired to know departs amazed takes horse goes a hunting not with any intent to kill the beast but deuising how he might be freed of Fredegonde Landri But he had to do with a woman of too subtile wily a spirit who hauing passed her apprentiship in so many other murthers could soone resolue to depriue her husband of his life to saue her owne Without any further delay she sends for Landri reports to him the history concludes with him to kill the King her husband in his coming from hunting fiâ—des ministers to execute this desseigne the which succeeded as they had plotted against Chilperic suffering in the end by the same hand which he had caused to shed so much bloud the horrible paine of his miserable massacres for as he came melancholike froÌ„ the chase accompanied onely with one page he was sodenly set vpon by these murtherers who slew him with his page so commodiously as they returne vndescried to the troope as if they had neuer dreamed of it The King is found dead euery one cries out euery one runs vp and downe and those first of all that had done the deed But it was giuen out that the murtherers were fled into Lorraine from whence assuredly they were come by Childeberts command The Court is filled with teares especially Fredegonds chamber who continued in passions with her Landri and could not be comforted the one calling for her good husband the other for his good maister but the quick sighted held them for Crocodil es teares Thus liued and thus died Chilperic hated and detested euen then and of the pâ—steritie 588. for proofe that a wicâ—ed life will haue a wicked end and that God ruines the wicked by themselues euen when they promise themselues all impuâ—iâ—ie They adde impietie to his execrable wickednes for hee denied the truth of the three persons in one Deitie and the incarnation of the sonne of God Imâ—ietie the spring of euil wherein consists the hope of our saluation But admonished by the French Church hee protested to leaue his error A monstrous Râ—igne vnder a monstrous King where Potenâ—ates may see that misery is the true reward of sinne And that horrible crimes are punished with extraordinarie paines euen in this life This Tragicall end of Chilperic a wicked and vnfortunate Prince happened in the yeare 588. CLOTAIRE the second the tenth King of France A memorable raigne in confusion CLOTAIRE 2. KING OF FRANCE X THe beginning mâ—dest end of this reigne is remarkable for it is aâ— parent that God is the true gardian of this Realme without whome it must needs haue perished in these strange confusions Clotaire a yong child of foure moneths gouerned by his mother a most wicked woman being come to yeares hee finds himselfe incumbred with many warres yea ciuill warres against his owne kinsmen and bloud Who will not then confesse the issue of his reigne being peaceable and well gouerned to bee a singular testimonie of the prouidence of God towards this estate This yong child the sonne of bad parents was notwithstanding receiued for law full â—ing by the French by vertue of the â—undamentall law Efficacie of the law of state which had appointed this Realme to be hereditary Whereby is
sonnes Theodebert and Thierri Tragicall practises of â—wo women The first had for his portion the realme of Austrasia the second had Bourgongne Brunehault his mother suruiued him and kept at Metz with the eldest she presentenly styrred vp these two Princes ouer whome shee had great authority as their grandmother to pursue Clotaire for the shame and death of their father Behold sodenly an army of Austrasians and Bourguignons marcheth into France led by these two yong Princes Clotaire accustomed to these sports opposeth himselfe in person and gettes the victory with such successe as they say the course of the riuer of Aurance where the battaill was fought was stayed by the dead bodies of the conquered Fredegonde leapt for ioye of this second triumph Fredegonde dies with 〈◊〉 victory by reason of Brunehault who was her chiefe obiect but her ioye was presently conuerted into her owne funerall for shee died soone after to teach reuenging spirits that their hatreds which they would haue perpetuall are mortall and at the least wise ende with their deathes Thus Fredegonde died in her bed and was interred neare to Chilperic whom she had caused to be slaine so as in this peaceable death we may consider the patience of God which doth often attend those it reserues to his last iudgement But Brunehault who thought her selfe a conqueresse by the death of Fredegonde her capital enemy incenfeth Theodebert Thierri her grand-children anew against Clotaire They raise another army vnder the coÌ„duct of Beroald not willing any more to hazard their persons being taught by the successe of two great defeats Beroald is slaine in this battaile and yet the victory remaines to his men with great losse to the French so as it seemed the warre would grow more violent betwixt these Princes who nowe beganne to see a part of their reuenge against their Cousine Clotaire But the malice of Brunehault who had banded the Cousins must nowe diuide the brethren This old bitch euen in the fury of war fouÌ„d stil meanes to follow her beastly lechery then had she got a yong courtier called Protade for a stallion whom she entertained in vew and knowlege of the whole Court 599. and aduanced him beyond dutie or deâ—ert The dislike of this vnchast conuersation offensiue to the whole world doth in the end force Theodebert to find a meanes to withdrawe his mother from the view of the multitude who were eye witnesses of the filthinesse of this shamelesse old woman and of the ignominie of his house He supposed to send her away with pollicie perswading her she should doe best to retyre her selfe into some goodly monasterie there to lead a godly life and to seeke for rest be fitting her age This admonition caused her partly to leaue the Court and State of Theodebert but not to change her mind She retyres then from Metz Brunehault incenseth 〈◊〉 brother against the other and comes into Bourgongue to her other sonne full of choller and finding Thierri ill affected against his brother shee presently kindles the vnfortunate fire of dissention betwixt them which consumed them both and finally her selfe That posterities may note in this tragedie the examples of Gods iust iudgement who punisheth one sinne by another and the sinner by his owne sinne This lewd woman perswades Thierri that Theodebert was a bastard the sonne of a Gardiner and that he had lawfull cause to make warre against him as an vsurper of that which belonged vnto him by right Thierri being exceeding couetous embraceth this occasion prepares an armie against Theodebert and imployes this Protade in the principall charge who was a kindler of warre in the spirit of this yong Prince The cheefe Noblemen of Bourgongne infinitely grieued with these disorders not daring directly to charge Brunehault they set vpon her Minion kill him By this meanes they drawe Thierri to an accord with his brother Theodebert and so either of them sends backe his troupes Thus this fire seemed to be wholy quencht the which kindled soone after in an other place by the practises of the same woâ—k woman Thierri had remayned long vnmarried entertayning change of women by the counsell of this bitche who daily prouided him store of this stuffe but solicited by the continuall perswasions prayers of his Councel The husband against the 〈◊〉 he takes to wife Membergue the daughter of Dataric King of Spaine louing her with that honest affectioÌ„ that a man ought to loue his wife Brunehault iealous of this lawfull loue fearing to be dispossessed of her authoritie and credit if a lawfull wife possessed her husbands hart she workes by her charmes reducing Thierri to that extremitie that hee was not able to accompany with his wife and for a bait to his adulterie she furnisheth other women whome he might freely vse as shee loathed him of this poore Princesse causing him to send her home to her father Dataric as vnable to beare children who infinitly greeued with this disgrace done him in the person of his daughter resolues to reuenge Hee complaynes of this iniurie both to Clotaire and Theodebert whome he knew to be enemies to Thierri and all togither resolue to make warre against him Brunehault seeing this great storme ready to fall vpon Thierri she perswades him to compound with his brother Theodebert at what price soeuer whose humour she knew wel This accord was sold by Theodebert to Thierri at a deere rate for he had the CouÌ„tries of Champaigne Touraine Artois and many other places but it cost himselfe much dearer for by this composition all the armie was dispersed and euery one retyred home Thierri who by the aduise of his mother stood vpon his guard surpriseth his brother Theodebert with such aduantage that not onely he recouers all that he had giuen him but by the Councell of this Proserpina he embrewes his hands in his blood murthering him most barbarously The brother kills the brother Theodebert had but one onely daughter whome Thierri would take to wife to haue some honest pretext to seize vppon all his Estates But Brunehault who desired greatly to see him maister but not to haue a companion in this absolute authoritie disswades him from this marriage inferring to couer her hidden intent that it was not lawfull to marrie his neece Thierri blinded with passion who by a iust iudgement of God sought to die by poyson of this viper by whose meanes hee had done so much mischiefe replies that the daughter of Theodebert was none of his neece seeing that Theodebert was not his brother being begotten by another father reproching BruÌ„â—hault that he knew no more then she had taught him And that vpon this occasion shee had encouraged him to kill him And as they grew hot in wordes hee threatened to kill her Brunehault seeing her selfe taken by the â—ose 601 and measured by the same measure she had measured to others resolues to preuent Thierri and to murther him She herselâ—e
French lying vpon his countrie in garrison and spoiling it and so to deceiue both the Pope and Pepin but behold a strange accident befalls him Of an ill life an vnhappy end Being a hunting chasing more after his fantasies then the beast his horse casts him downe a rocke and breakes his neck Thus the subtill Lombard thinking to deceiue was deceiued he ended his subtiltie with his life and the warre begun by him without reason by a iust death The Pope recouers his places and Pepin returnes into France taking nothing in Italy but leauing the realme of Lombardie in the same estate he found it without any alteration This Kingdome ended not with Astolpho for Didier Duke of Hetruria his neere kinsman seizeth presently thereon by meanes of his intelligences but Rachise brother to Astolpho who was lately become a Monke leaues his frock to enioy his fathers kingdome yet for that he was the weaker in this iust title the Pope pacified this controuersie in fauour of Didier who remained King of Lombardie vpon condition that the Citties of Ferrara and Faenze should be yeelded to the Church But let vs returne to Pepin his absence with two yeares continuall warres had broken the vsuall custome to call a Parliament and bred many disorders within the realme Pepin confirmes his authoritie by a Parliament so as being returned into France he presently called a sollemne Parliament wherein he established lawes according to the inconueniences that were to be redrest as good lawes doe commonly proceed from bad manners In this assembly he gaue audience to the Ambassadors of the Emperour Constantin who demanded a confirmation of the amitie and alliance which the Emperour had with the house of France and receiues the new homage of Tassillon Duke of Bauiere So referring all matters of importance to the iudgement of the Estates honouring them that had honoured him he doubled his subiects deuotion and established good lawes within his realme But knowing the humour of the French impatient of rest he found how difficult it was to reteine them long in peace without some forraine imploiment and necessity presents him two occasions one in Guienne He makes a forreine wit to auoide a ciuill and the other in Saxonie Countries subiect to the Crowne of France but both impatient of the French command The Saxons began first with whom Tasillon Duke of Bauiere who as we said did homage to the King ioines contrary to his oth This warre seemed of some difficultie drawing to it all the other Germaines subiect to this Crowne but Pepin preuented it with such speed as hauing suppressed the Saxons he forced them to a new obedience charging them to bring him yearly three hundred good horses for an homage that they should vndergo the censure of the Estates be enemies to the enemies of the King and realme Hauing thus pacified Saxonie he makes a generall assembly at Wormes to settle the affaires of Austrasia from thence he marcheth with his victorious armie against Ieffroy Duke of Guienne according to the resolution of thâ— Estates being leuied for that occasion We haue said that Eudon father to Ieffroy had greatly disquieted France and left his children heires of his discontent but Martel withdrawne by new difficulties could not finish that which he had begun Ieffroy remaines sole Duke of Guienne by the death of his brother he growes daily more insolent bandies all his subiects of Guienne openly against France and afflicts the Clergie infinitly in their liues and liuings Pepin begins with admonitions and threats but Ieffroy grows more obstinate in contemning his Kings command so as they must come to open force and Ieffroy must pay the interests of his long delayes Pepin enters Guienne with an armie and Ieffroy seeing his resolution sends his deputies to auoide this storme Warre in Guienne beseeching him with all humilitie to pardon what was past promising obedience Pepin hauing comanded him to make restitution to the Clergie returnes into France and dismisseth his armie supposing Guienne to be quiet Ieffroy seeking his owne ruine by his furious rashnes goes to field with such forces as he could leuie among his subiects hauing pasâ—ed Loire he enters Bourgogne in hostile manner hoping to surprise Chaâ—lons The King held a Parliament at Orleaâ—s 764 when this intelligence came vnto him he sends them presently to Neuers assembleth his forces and marcheth against Ieffroy who sodenly repasseth the riuer and with great marches recouers Bourdeaux as the Citie of his greatest safetie being as much confuâ—ed in his defence as he was rash in his attempt Pepin pursues him and in his passage all the Townes of Guienne yeeld without any difficulty as to him whom they acknowledge for their lawfull King Ieffroy forsaken of all men pursued criminally by his Prince is slaine by one of his houshold seruants and is interred like a beast in a marish â—ere to Bourdeaux In detestation of his memory Ieffrâ—y pittifully slaine 〈◊〉 like a beast A foolish life a filthy end the place is called the Tombe of Caiphas vnto this day Thus was the vniust and rash rebellion of Ieffroy punished by his death the warre died in Guienne and the wise valour of Pepin was so much the more commended for that his iust pursute was accompanied with patience and mildnesse But Pepin was mortall the toile of so great warres the care of publike affaires had much broken him so as his old age might be more profitably imployed in the maintenance of Iustice and peace then in warre the burthen whereof he might without danger lay vpon his eldest sonne Charles Pepin resignes the Crowne to Charles a wise a valiant young Prince of whose modestie and obedience he was well assured Thus resoluing to passe the rest of his dayes in quiet but not idlely he retires to Paris but soone after he was surprised with a sicknesse whereof hee dyed and so went to heauen there to find rest which he could enioy on earth it was in the yeare 768. of his raigne the eighteenth By his wife Berthe with the great foote he left two sonnes Charles and Caroloman recommending them to the Estates to giue them portions at their pleasures So great was the assurance of this good Prince in the loue of his subiects whom as he had made the most assured gard of his person state so at his death he left his children to their faithfull discretion Pepins childreÌ„ He had seuen daughters Berthe the wife of Milon Earle of Mans mother to that great Roland Hiltrude wife to René Earle of Genes mother to that renowmed Oliuer Roâ—arde Adeline Idubergue Ode and Alix He had the happines to enioy his owne father vntill hee came to the age of man the like good hap continued in his children and for the perfecting of his happinesse hee had a sonne one of the greatest and most excellent Princes that euer ware crowne Thus Pepin the first of that race
good meaning he desires him to be pleased with his repaire to Rome there to confer with him in priuate The Pope who neuer flies to the French but in necessity was easily perswaded by Didier who came to Rome confers with the Pope and makes great protestation of his obedience But this good shew continued not long There was a gouernor at Rome for the Emperour called Paul Ephialte Didier corrupted this Grecian and as the execution of Iustice was in his hands hee makes vse of him so cunningly as in the preseÌ„ce of Pope Stephen he causeth him to seize vpon two of his chiefe Secretaries Christopher Sergius accused by him of supposed crimes and to hang them infamously Their greatest offence was to haue fauored the French This presumption proceeded farther The Lombards presumption hanging the Popes Secretarâ—es for he caused all the principall Cittizens to bee banished whome he noaâ—ed to bee of the French faction that hauing taken away all leâ—s he might be master of Rome in despight of the Pope Stephen discouering the Lombards practise to his preiudice flies to Charlemagne beseeching him to prepare an armie against his force that did ruine him by his apparent mildnes Charlemagne was fully resolued but Didier had prouided a remedy in France by the meanes of Caroloman to stop Charles his passage into Italie making worke for him in Guienne where there grew a perilous warre vpon this occasion Wee haue sayd before that although the Countrie of Guienne depended of the Crowne of France yet were there many tumults through the practises of some Noblemen of the Countrie Rebellion in Guienne by Hunauâ—t who stirred vp the people being mutinous of themselues to rebellion The cause of these reuolts was the abuse of the Kings bountie who suffered such people as they had conquered to inioy their priuileges and liberties intreating them with all fauour Eudon began first vnder Martel Ieffroy and Hunault his children and h eires of his discontent had continued it vnder Pepin Ieffroy being dead Hunault succeeds him with the like hatred the which Caroloman entertayned to imploy him against his brother Charles And as iealousie and ambition thrust him on to attempt against him so did he make his profit of the couetous ambition of Hunault feeding him with the hope of the reuenues of Guienne seing his humour was to bee a Duke supposing to haue credit inough with the people if hee were fauoured by one of the Kings of France against the other Guienne was a part of Charles his portion Hunault layes the foundation of his desseine to withdrawe himselfe wholy from the Crowne of France and to make open warre against Charlemagne in practising the people of Guienne to bee declared Duke by their consent according to the â—ight which he pretended The countenance of Caroloman could do much but the wisdome and courage of Charlemagne preuailed more for being aduerâ—ised of Hunaâ—lts practises and of his brothers secret desseignes hee armed with such speede as hee surprised the townes of Poitiers Xaintes and Angoulesme 774 and by that meanes all the Country adioyning Hunault who made his accouÌ„ without Charles finding himself preueÌ„â—ed fled to a Nobleman of the Country named Loup whome hee not onely held to bee very firme to his faction but also his trustie and affectionate friend Charlemagne sends preâ—ently to Loup hee summons him to deliuer Hunault into his hands as guilty of high treason and in the meane time hee builds a fort in the midest of the Country whereas the riâ—ers of Dordone and Lisle do ioyne the which he called â—ronsac as it were the front of the Sarrazns whom he had caused to feare if these desseins had succeeded Thus getting Hunault with all his family he doth punish him as a rebell he pardoned Loup and all that had obeyed him and so ends a dangerous warre without blowes but he graunts life and libeâ—ty to Hunault and the enioying of all his goods Instruction how Priâ—ces should carry themsâ—â—ues in ciuill warre leauing a memorable example to Princes howe they ought to carry themselues in ciuill warres preuenting a mischiefe by wisdome and dilligence and not to thrust their vanquished subiects into diâ—paire by rigour Caroloman seeing his practises against his brother to succeede ill vndertakes a voiage to Rome with an intent to cause some alteration there yet with a shew of deuotion His Mother Berthe who likewise went this voiage was honorably receiued in her iourney by Didier king of the Lombards treating a marriage betwixt her sonne Charlemagne and Theodora Sister or Daughter to this Didier one of the greatest enemies of her sonnes good fortune Yet Charlemagne to please his Mother receiued this wife but soone after hee put her away as vnfit for his humours and affaires and so that which seemed a cause of loue bred greater hate betwixt these two Princes Caroloman hauing effected nothing at Rome but only made shew of his foolish and malitious iealousie too apparent in this his fayned deuotion returnes into France and there dies soone after in the yeare 77. Now is Charlemagne alone by his Bothers decease Caroloman dies and leaues Charlemagne King alone who quietly takes possession of his Estates and reteineth such of his seruants as he knew to haue beene most trustie to his brother during their common iealousies expecting the like faithfullnes hauing entertayned them when there was least hope The deeds of Charlemagne King of France alone vntill he was Emperour CHarlemagne hauing put away his wife Theodâ—re for susâ—ect of incontinency â—ee married with Hildegrade or Ildegrade Daughter to the Duke of Sueue his vassall by whom he had Charles Pepin Lewis and three daughters â—otrude Berthe Gille the nurcery of his Noble family Carolomans iealousie died not with him but suruiâ—ed in Berthe his wife who impatient of her conditionâ— thrust head-long with 〈◊〉 oâ— reuenge against her brother in lawe Charles retires with her two sonnes to Diâ—â—er King of Lombardy as to the most bitter and irreconciliable enemy of Charlemagne Didier entertaynes her kindly with her children hoping to effect his desseine but this was the Leuaine of his owne ruine His practise togither with the widdowes was to procure the Pope Stephen being dead and Adrian a Romaine gentleman succeeding him to confirme and Crowne the sonnes of Caroloman for Kings of France The Lombard had two strings to his bowe meaning both to put the Pope in disgrace with Charlemagne the easier to suppresse him beeing destitute of French succors whereon hee chiefely relied and likewise to set France on fire by the establishment of newe Lords Didier besâ—echeth the Pope to graunt this confirmation to the children of Caroloman 〈◊〉 his sake But Adrian well acquanted with the Lombards humour was so resolute 〈◊〉 denying his request as they fell to open hatred Didier discontented with this repulse 〈◊〉 and enters the six gouernments with all his forces being a Seigneury vnder the Popes iurisdiction spoiles the Country and
her peeces other estates might be built Not long after the death of Charlemagne it began to decline The foolish lenity of Lewis his sonne was the beginning the which was continued by the disordred confusions of his successors who in spight one of an other hastened the ruine of their house making the way by their vices and misfortunes This is the substance of all the Kings remaining in this second race the which wee cannot represent but in noting faithfully the order of those confused times during the which this barke hath beene in a manner guided without a Pilot and without helme by the wisdome of God who hath miraculously preserued it amidest so many tempests And therefore without any tedious discourse being intricate enough of it selfe I will labour to shew as in a table both the continuance of this race and the diuers motiues of eâ—â—nts to bring Hugh Capet vpon the stage and carefully to shew the estate of his posâ—â—rity as the chiefe end of my desseigne Lewis was surnamed the meeke or gentle as well for his deuotion wherevnto he was more giuen then to gouerne his estate as also for his great facilitie which was the cause of many miseries both to himselfe and his subâ—ects He began to raigne the yeare 815. and ruled 26. yeares Emperour of the West and King of France His father had not greatly imployed him in affaires obseruing his disposition and had marryed him with Irmengrade the daughter of Ingram Duke of Anger 's an officer of the Crowne of France hauing giuen him the Dâ—chie of Guienne for his maintenance By this wife Lewis had three sonnes Lothaire Pepin and Lewis who acted strange tragedies against their father To his second wife hee married Iudâ—th the daughter of Guelphe Duke of Sueâ—e by whom he had Charles surnamed the Bald who succeeded him in the Crowne of France Bernard the sonne of Pepin was King of Italy as Charlemagne had decreed Lewis more fitte to be a Monke then a King was so giuen to deuotion and of so soft a spirit as he made his authority contemptible both within and without the realme This disposition vnfit for a great command made the nations subiect to the Crowne to fall from their obedience Base facility the Saxons Normans Danes and Brittons And although Lewis did his best to preuent it yet could hee not preuaile but made himselfe wholy contemptible in attempting that which he could not effect and after his vaine striuing compounding of great controuersies with vnreasonable conditions Bernard a young man and ambitious was perswaded by the Bishops of Orleans and Milan to attempt against his Vncle Lewis and to seize vpon the realme of France which belonged not vnto him So his ambition cost him deere and that sodenly for being in field to go into France against his Vncle with an imaginarie fauour of the French to be proclaimed King it fell out contrary for both he and all his Councellors were taken by Lewis his subiects Lewis wonderfully moued with the presumption of this springall as we often see milde natures fall into extremities of choller when they are moued hauing both his Nephew and Councellors in his power A furious 〈◊〉 he despoiles him of his realme of Italy declares him and his vnworthy confines him to perpetuall prison and puts out his eyes the like he doth to all the Bishops and Noblemen he could get and after some fewe dayes patience he chops off their heads This act was held very strange proceeding from Lewis and committed against such persons it began to breed a generall diâ—ike the which was aggrauated by a domesticall dissention all which together caused a horrible Tragedie Lewis had indiscreetly giuen portions to his children making them companions of his regall authority After the decease of Bernard hee gaue Italy to Lothaire and did associate him in the Empire Lewis his indiscâ—etion to Pepin hee gaue Aquitaine to Lewis Bauaria and would haue them all beare the name of Kings Lewis good to all was too good to his second wife Iudith an ambitious woman who hauing one sonne by him called Charles had no other care but to make this sonne great to the preiudice of the rest not foreseeing that they were of power and could not patiently endure the iealousies of a mother in lawe nor the words of an old man being too much affected to the one of his children against the rest at the suggestion of a Mother in lawe an ordinary leuaine of bitter dissention in families of the second bedde Moreouer this imperious Germaine abusing the facilitie of her good husband played the Empresse and Queene ouer all to the discontent of the greatest who had no fauour with Lewis but by the fauour of his wife they did hate and contemne him as beeing vnworthy to raigne suffering himselfe so slauishly to be gouerned by a woman This was the generall motiue of their discontent but there were many other particularities which grewe dayly vpon diuers and sundrie occasions The Bishops were most of all incensed against Lewis by reason of the death of those men of the Church whome hee had so cruelly caused to be slaine with Bernard So Lothaire Tragicall rebellion of childâ—â—n Pepin and Lewis by the aduise of these malecontents resolue to seize â—â—on their Father Mother and young Brother to dispossesse them of all authority and â—â—en to gouerne the State after their owne appetities wherein they must vse force and a publicke consent Lothaire as ring-leader of this desseigne leuies a great army and calls a Nationall Councell of the French Church at Lions 829. supposing sooner to suppresse Lewis by this meanes then by a Parliament Lewis appeerâ— he receiues all complaints against himselfe and yeelds to the Censure of the Prelate which was to retire himselfe into a Monastery there to attend his deuotion and to resigne the Empire and the realme to his Children This was put in execution Abâ—se in the Clergy Lewis was conueied to Soissons to the monastery of Saint Medard his wife and sonne were confined to other places and the whole gouernment committed to Lothaire and his brethren â—hus Lewis so much addicted to Church-men as he purchased the name of deuout was ill intreated by them receiued a poore recompence for his so humble submission The name of a Councell venerable of it selfe did at the first retayne men supposing that this ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction did not extend but to admonition but seeing this tragicall attempt of the Children against the father there was no good man but stoode amazed at this presumption and pittied their poore King beeing brought to such calamity But all power remayned in the hands of the rebellious Children and the greatest of the Church were guilty of this outrage secking to maintaine their decree Lewis impâ—iâ—â—ed by his Children Thus this poore Prince to the generall greefe of his subiects continued in prison fiue yeares for he entred in the yeare 829. and came
of the Church and state in breaking the sacred Lawes of God and nature hee dismembers himselfe by peece-meale loosing his goods honour and quiet for assuâ—ed gages of the horrible torments which attend him in the euerlasting prisons appointed to tame the vntamed and to make them suffer the infinit paines of their infiâ—it wickednesse Charles and Lewis were well satisfied to haue preuented their brothers desseins not making any further pursuite of their victory An â—accord betwâ—xt Câ—aâ—lâ—s and Lewis They seeke to confirme tâ—ue concord by the settling of their Estates Hauing stayed sometime vpon the place where the battaile was fought buried the dead released prisoners and proclaimed a generall pardon to all that would followe their armes they call the Bishops to take their aduice vpon ocurrents who beeing sollemnly assembled exhort them vnto concord laying plainely before them the iust iudgement of God against their brother Lothaire least they should drawe the people againe into these extremities by their dissentions The Brethren beleeuing their good aduice part good friends but when as Lothaire sought to renue the quarrell they met againe but this striuing was in vaine they assemble in the Citty of Strasbourg then belonging to this Crowne and there make a sollomne alliance for theÌ„ their subiects to liue togither in peace concord The forme is double one in the Romain tongue the other in Dutch that is to say the Germaine As for the Romaine it seemes to be that of Languedoc and Prouence by the Language although there bee some words which are not at this day in vse with vs as the reader curious of this antiquity may see in their proper places excusing my stile which suffers me not to dilate any further but onely to note what may be found in the originalls touching this subiect This allyance made they come to the diuiding of their parts and to this end they appoint twelue deputies whereof Nitard saies he was one who without respect of fertility or quantity regard that onely which was most conuenient for the nerenesse and commodity of their â—states I know this partition is diuersly set downe by many and who sees not in so obscure antiquity that it is impossible to make a true dessignation seeing that in small successions there is so great diuersity But in all this varietie of opinions it remaynes for certaine that Charles the onely sonne of the second bed who had beâ—ne so much persecuted by the Children of the first wife remayned sole King of France that the territories of the Empire were much decayed nothing remayning in effect but the name of those which lie on this side the Rhin especially in the dependances of the Realme of Bourgongne as Daulphiné and Prouence The portionâ— of Charles and Lewis Daulphiné doth yet carry the ancient name of the Empire in respect of the riuer of Rosne which doth seperate it from Viuaretz a Country opposite called by an expresse name the Realme as also for this cause Charles was called by expresse words in the designaâ—â—â—n of his portion King of France it confines at the one end with Lionnois at the oâ—â—er with Vzege which extends from Saint Esprit to Ville-neuue of Auignon along the Rosne all the sayd limits beeing of his portion bee called by a particular name the Realme vnto this day especially in their Leases which retayne more plainly the traces of the ancient tongue An obseruation which I ought vnto my Country for the which I keepe a ranke in the Theater whereon I meane to represent the Estate of our goodly Prouinces of Gaule Narbonoise in old time honored with the name of a second Italy and at this day so grosly vnknowne to strangers as in the Theater of the world they leaue a blanke for it like to the deserts of Affricke although it yeelds not to any Prouince of this great and goodly Kingdome whereof it is one of the cheefe parts and worthiest memâ—ers So Daulphiné and Prouence were left to Lewis in his partage for the comâ—odity of Italy the which was giuen him notwithstanding the pretensions of Bernards Children But Lewis enioyed not long these great possessions for the which he had so much troubled his poore father 829. his miserable subiects and himselfe for he die◠〈◊〉 â—â—ter Lewis dies without any issue male his great Estates 847. Behold the last rebellious sonne of the father and one of his scourges dead without any great memory the which was like-wise extinguished in his daughter anâ—â—n the diuers changes happened in these Estates Thus the Children impatient â—oâ—â—e their poore father liue died after many fruitlesse toyles the one in a monastery the other without heire to carry his name although the imagination of a famous race and of an extraordinary raigne had made them forget the holy Lawes of nature against their father Charles and Lewis had made profession of more then brotherly loue as their familiarities carefully obserued by Nitard in eating lying and playing togither do tesâ—ifie leauing to the wise reader to iudge howe vncertain the loue of brethren is when as Couetousnes and ambition creepes into their councells Charles married his Neece Hermingrade daughter to his brother Lewis to Boson Earle of Ardennes brother to his wife Richilde His colour was to match his Neece with a Prince of a good house Hermingrade daughter to Lewâ—s married to Boson King of Aâ—les and of more vertue and thereby to binde Boson vnto him but his intent was other as we shall hereafter see Boson tooke possession of the Countries belonging to his wife as her dowry calls himselfe King of Arles A point very remarkable to vnfold many difficulties that shall followe in the foresayd Countries and especially in Prouence where haue happened many changes the which wee will endeauour to represent in their proper places This was the Estate of the heires of great Charlemagne but his posterity did worse where the most famous memory of our Kings shal be noted by their vices eyther of body or minde one being called the stuttering an other the bald the simple the cruell the Barren and all mâ—sfortunes to shewe as it were in a goodly table that all the greatnes of this world is but meere vanity CHARLES surnamed the bald sonne to Lewis the gentle the 26. King and Emperour CHARLES .2 KING OF FRANCE XXVI · CHARLES called the bald King of France beganne to raigne the the yeare 841. and raigned thirty eight yeares 841 He caused himselfe to be proclaimed Emperour after the death of Lewis who suruiued Lothaire without contradiction The greatest part of his raigne passed in the confusions before mentioned or in the hatred and dissentions of brethren or in combustions and open warâ—es But why â—â—ould I encrease mine owne trouble and the readers with the report of these particularities vnworthy of brethren and worthy of eternall forgetfullnes A raigne of small fame but onely to note the confusion from whence
sprong the first occasion of the fall of this race a King of small merit A confused and vnhappy raigne hauing performed nothing praise worthy for in that wherein hee desired to winne the reputation of doing well hee did exceeding ill His greatest ambition was to seeme a good Vncle to the onely daughter of his brother Lewis with whome hee had made so strict a League of loue He married her to Boson as I haue sayd but the euents shew that he married her with an iâ—tent to goâ—erne her inheritance at his pleasure Being proclaymed Emperour hee leuies a great and mightie army and goes in person into Italie His pretext was to suppresse the Dukes of Spoletum and Beneuent who â—ought to free themselues from the subiection of the Empire and to become Soueraigâ—es but â—is intent was to seize vpon the strong places of Italie Charles seekes to deceiue hiâ— Neece and so â—y conseqâ—eâ—ce of that which belonged to his Neece Hermingrade But Bosâ—n her husband discouering her Vncles intent preuented him ioyning with the sayd Dukes and prouiding for the Citties of Italie with all expedition 879. as his wiues inheritance and then hee aduertised Charles entring into the Countrie that it was needlesse for him to passe any farther and to put Italie to vnnecessarie charges seeing that he himselfe could gard it sufficiently the foresaid Dukes did submit themselues to reason But being easie to iudge that Charles hauing an armie in field Charles diuerted from the warre of Italy and a resolute desseine would not retyre without constraint Boson makes factions in France in the heart of his Estate to diuert him An easie matter both for their discontents against him and the miserie of that age nourished in the libertie of vnciuill warres This occasion drew Charles from this vniust desseine for at the first brute of rebellion he turnes head towards France but there chanced more to him then he expected for he not onely left his Neeces patrimonie but his owne life in Italie with a notable instruction Not to loose this life for the desire of an other mans goods Thus died Charles the bald at Mantoua the yeare 879. leauing the Realme to his sonne Lewis Where he dies the which hee sought to augment with an others right LEVVIS the second called the stuttering 27. King and Emperour LVDOWICK .2 KING OF FRANCE XXVII HE raigned onely two yeares and succeeded his father likewise in the Empire but not without opposition for the Princes of Italie sought to be Soueraines and the Germaines bearing impatiently the confusions passed desired to restore the beauty of the Imperial dignity greatly decayed in Italie by such as possessed the â—aâ—ds of the Empire They spared not the Pope himselfe who by little and little vsurped the Imperiall rights in Italie These complaints being made to Lewis the Emperour Iohn the 3. Pope of Rome came into France to redresse that which conceâ—ned the Sea of Rome He was courteously receiued by the King 880. staied in France a whole yeare and there held a Councell at Troyes in Champagne The raigne of Lewis was very short The Pope was scarcegâ—ne but hee was lodged in the bed of death He had no lawfull children but two bastards Lewis and Caroloman both men growne whereof the one was already married to the daughter of Boson King of Arles His wife was with child In the doubtfulnesse of the fâ—â—ite which should be borne he must prouide a Regent to gouerne the realme if it were a sonne And although Lewis loued his two bastards deere'y yet would he not haue them Regents but made choise of Eudes or Odon Duke that is to say gouernour of Anger 's the sonne of Robert of the race of Widichind of Saxony of whom we haue before made mention to bee Regent of the Realme and experience taught Lewis leaues his wife with childe that his iudgement was good Thus Lewis dyed hauing left nothing memorable but a sonne wherein I obserue three notable things The efficacie of the Lawe of State preseruing the right of the lawfull heire not yet borne The minoritie of a King subiect to many confusions and miseries and the liberty of great men in the weakenesse of a young Prince who fiâ—he boldly in a troubled streame In this raigne happened the Eclipse of the Empire The first check giuen to this second race was by a League which dying in shew made the King to dye in effect and in the end carryed away the Crowne burying both the King and all his race in one tombe This History is very obsâ—ure by reason of the Regents which are numbred among the Kings during the minoritie of the lawfull heire and therefore good directions are needfull in so confused a laborinth of diuers raignes Behold therefore the simple and plaine truth Lewis the Stuttering being dead the Parliament assembled to resolue for the gouernment of the realme vntill that God should send the Queene a happy deliuery The estates honour the Queenes wombe and if it were a sonne appoint who should be Gouernour to the King and Regent of the Realme vntill he came to the age of gouernment There was no Prince that made any question to the Infants title that was to bee borne or that sought to take the adâ—antage of the time to aduance himselfe vnder colour of neerenesse of bloud but it was concluded by common consent they should carefully preserue the Qâ—eenes wombe vntill her deliuery The Kings will was plaine for he called Eudes as we haue said to be Gouernour to his child vnborne and Regent of the realme Regents crowned as Kings but Lewis and Caroloman bastards of France had so laboured for voyces as they preuailed against this Testamentary decree and were chosen Regents by the Estates who for confirmation of this authoritie decreed they should be crowned yet with a profitable exception for the pupils interest the lawfull heire of the Crowne A dangerous proceeding A dangerous course making seruants taste the sweetnesse of Soueraigne command which made the way to a horrible confusion and multiplying the authoritie of many masters did greatly preiudice the lawfull heire the which may not without extreame danger be imparted but to one onely The Queene was happily deliuered of a sonne the which was saluted King and was called Charles of whom wee shall speake hereafter The day of his birth was the 12. of December Charles borne after his â—athers death in the yeare 881. But we must now passe 22. yeares full of troubles before our pupill comes to age so as to marche safely in so obscure a laborinth wee must distinctly note the diuers parcels of this interreigne 882. The Minoritie of Charles called the Simple the which continued 22. yeares vnder 4. Regents whom they call Kings LEwis and Caroloman Brothers the bastards of Lewis the Stuttering chosen by the States raigned two yeares or there abouts to whom they adde Lewis the idle the sonne of
of gold pretious stones dedicated to his Crowne by a Holy humility and a religious acknowledgement of the victory which the Son of God hath gotten by his bloud to giue vs in Heauen the Crowne of immortall life This famous act chanced in the yeare 1099. in the moneth of March. Hauing put Godefroy and the Christians in possession of the Holy Land let vs returne into France to our Philip not without griefe to see the dissention betwixt the Emperour and Pope who were nothing reconciled by the voiage to the holy Land The increase of this newe power purchased in England to the Sonnes of William the Conquerour gaue him no small occasion to looke to his affaires and the rather for that this newe King of England had begonne to make a breach in his Estate taking Xaintonge and Poitou Countries very important being members of one of the principall Prouinces of his realme The sonnes of VVilliam King of England foreseeing also that Normandy would bandy it selfe against France without all respect William had leâ—t three sonnes of great hope William surnamed Rufus King of England Robert Duke of Normandie whome wee haue left in the holy Land and Henry Earle of Maine withall his treasure Philip therefore to secure his Estate following the example of his Ancestors caused Lewis his sonne whome hee had by Berthe daughter to Baldwin Earle oâ— Flanders to bee Crowned King Philip dies There was a scandalous breach in this marriage for Philip falling in loue with Bertrade the wife of Foâ—ques Earle of Aniou puts away Berthe and afterwards hauing reiected Bertrade hee receiued Berthe againe His disposition being mother to King Lewis to whome hauing resigned the crowne at Orleans hee died at Melun in the yeare of grace 1109. of his age 57. and of his raigne 49. hauing raigned long to settle his Estate but not without a leuaine of much trouble to come hauing degenerated from the vertues of his grand-fathers and father He was disloyall couetous louing nothing but his owne profit pittilesse ingrate and one who sowed dangerous seeds of much mischiefe which began to bud in the raigne ensuing LEWIS the 6. called the grose the 40. King LEWES .6 KING OF FRANCE XXXX AS wee foresee a storme by the clouds that rise 1110. by the darke mists of the thicke ayre The estate of this raigne pierced through with sparkles like the shining of a close fire and by the motiues of the water driuen with a violent and sudden wind euen so there be simtomes fits in an estate which foretell the alterations which shall insue the which fall not all at one instant but the subiect being gathered togither in processe of time breakes forth when it can no longer hold There is this difference betwixt naturall things and those which belong to man for that men can well discerne what the wether will be but he is blind in that which concerns himselfe and neuer beleeues vntil he feeles the blow falling into the danger which he flies by his owne fault neuer wise but after danger France had inioyed peace aboue a hundred yeares vnder these forepassed raignes shee now growes wearie This raigne is a preamble to a mornfull song which shal make them to weepe that reioyced in the fruition of so long rest The name of royall authoritie held all those great men backe which had any interest therein the wisedome of Capet Robert Henry and Philip had so bridled them as they willingly obeyed Now they are of an other humor The Duke of Normandie who since Capet had beene obedient and affectionate to the Crowne The French begin to fall from their obedience seeing himselfe strengthened with the Realme of England hee frames all his practises to ouerthrow this order by rebellions and tumults Lewis had scarce performed his fathers funeralls before the fire of rebellion kindled in diuers parts of the realme and as if the Kings youth had beene a blemish to his dignitie euery one will play the pettie King The places neere vnto Paris began these first reuolts by reason of the many great horses thereabouts Corbeil had an Earle 1109 Chartres an other Piseaux in Beause had one Crecy had his Lord Marle his Pompone his and so diuers other Seigneuries had euery one their particular Lord. But as a disease stirres vp all the humors in a weake bodie so all that were discontented with Lewis gather togither into one head to afflict him vnder the countenance of the King of England They were for a time suppressed yet this was but to open a vaine and not to cure the feuer Guy of Crecy the Lord Piseaux 〈◊〉 Earle of Dammartin Thibaud Earle of Champagne and Brye Pean of Louure in Parisi Milon of Montlehâ—ry and Philippe the bastard of King Philippe all ioyntly play the mutines and rise against their King At the same instant Henry King of England goes to field his priuate quarrell was for the Towne of Gisors seated vpon the riuer of Epre on the confines of Normandie Rebels suppressed and punished But this small processe was soone ended for Lewis hauing defeated the English neere vnto Gisors hee forced Henry to retyre and afterwards punished all these rebells increasing his reuenues by their confiscations But the quarâ—ell betwixt the Emperour and the Pope did hatch a more dangerous proces for France We haue sayd that Henry the 5. banded against his father Henry the 4. who had associated him to the Empire and had cast him into prison by the Popes Councell where this poore man died for greefe Henry the 5. wonderfully troubled in consciâ—nce and vexed with daily approches that hee had violated the Imperiall rights resolued to haue his reuenge of Pope Pascall the author of this cruell and vnkind Councell To conclude he aâ—mes and that with so great a resolution as in few dayes The Emperour 〈◊〉 for his 〈…〉 hee assembles threescore thousand foote and thirtie thousand horle with this army hee goes into Itâ—lie and hauing taken and spoyled Noâ—arre Pontremolo and Arezzo hee comes a Conqueror to the gates of Rome the which were opened without any resistance Being entred the Cittie and causing the Pope and Colledge to assemble he makes knowne vnto them the rights of the Empire as Pope Leo the eight had acknowledged them to Otho the second Emperour The Emperour comâ—s to Româ— and 〈◊〉 the â—oâ—e to take an oth and before him Adrian to Charlemagne according to the decâ—ee of the Councell at Rome conteined in the sixtie third distinction and to conclude he forced him to take the oath of fidelity as to the true and lawfull Emperour and then returnes with his army Pope Pascal extremely moued with this 〈◊〉 calls a Councell wherein he protests to haue beene forced by 〈◊〉 so by consequence pronounceth that whatsoeuer he had promised was of no force and after all these toyles he died Gelisais succeeded him both in place and hatred against the Emperour
these butchers attending their misery Lewis King of France punisheth the rebells shut themselues into the great Tower of S. Donas Lewis doth first bury the body of this good Earle honourably the which had lien without sepulchre and then doth punish the murtherers and their complices rigourously But this is not all He must prouide for the Earledome remayning without a Lord by the death of Count Charles deceassed without children Pretendants for the Earledome of Flanders There wanted no pretendants William of Ypre sonne to Philip of Flanders the second sonne of Robert the Frison King Henry of England who desired greatly to ioyne this goodly Country with his Normandy Stephen of Blois Earle of Montreuill and Bologne Baldwin Earle of Hainault and William the sonne of Robert called Court-house brother to the King of England but his sworne enemy hauing vsed his father ill and kept him prisoner Lewis was soueraigne Iudge of this controuersy Flanders depending on the crowne of France He assigned all the pretendants of the Citty of Arras signifiyng that his intent was to do him iustice but in effect he inclined to fauour adiudging the Earledome of Flanders to the last that is to William of Normandy to binde him with more strict bounds against his â—â—nsman On the other side the Flemings assemble at Ypre and chose William of Loâ— Lord of Ypre The King aduanceth with his forces to Ypre to preuent this popular election where he enters the stonger and forceth William to renownce it VVilliam of Normandy made Earle of Flanders From thence he goes to all other good Citties where by his authority he causeth William of Normandy to be receiued for lawfull Earle and puts him in solemne possession by a publike act But his fauour had ill bestowed this goodly inheritance of an vnworthy man whose fury depriued him presently Lewis hauing installed him He oppresseth his newe subiects returnes into France William insteed of winning his newe subiects by equity and mildnesse begins to oppresse them after a rigorous and imperious manner by infringing of their preuileges ostentations of his authority taxes subsidies newe impositions and by all other meanes which Princes that seeke to loose their Estates hold to torment their subiects He had so far exceeded as the Citties without any wauering resolue to prouide a better Earle and to this intent they seeke a head The memorie of their good Earle makes them to cast their eyes vpon him that hath most right to this inheritance as the neerest kinsman which is Thierri son to the Duke of Alsatia and of Gertrude daughter to Robert the Frison The Flemings intreat him to come into their country The Flemings chooâ—e them a new Earle promising him all assistance to conquer the State He comes and is receiued with an extraordinary ioy by all the people All the Citties assemble to acknowledge him by order and dismisse William of Normandy who seeing a flat repulse by this people thus freed repayres to Lewis for succour in this extremity Lewis fayles him not his army marcheth with great speed hee himselfe comes in person and is receiued into Arras from thence he adiornes Thierry to come and answer before him as his soueraigne by what warrant hee carries himselfe for Earle this sommons is made vnto him at Ypre whether he had retired himselfe Hauing condemned him by default Thierrithe new Earle of Flanders defeated he approcheth his army to Ypre to vexe the inhibâ—bitants Thierri sallies forth with a notable troupe of men they ioyne the fight is fierce but the check falles vpon Thierries forces who with much a doe saues himselfe in Alost William pursues him and approcheth the towne sommoning the Inhabitants to obey and to deliuer vp Thierri as an Vsurper VVilliam of Normandy stâ—â—â—e in Flanders But he was not aduised that one with a Crossebow shot an arrow at him and pierced him through the arme Behold hee is wounded and within two dayes he dies Thierri and the Flemings send presently to Lewis to beseech him to receiue them into fauour whereby he may be assured of theyr faithfull seruice Lewis consents and confirmes him and hauing caused him to take the oath of fidelity and receiued his homage after the manner of his Ancestors 1121. he returnes into France But Flanders continued not long in quiet as we shall see hereafter To these stirres of Flanders were added some garboyles in Bourbonois and Auuergne Archibauld Earle of Bourbon was deceassed leauing one sonne of the same name Troubles in Bourbonois but a young man and a brother called Haman who abusing the time in the weake minoritie of his Nephew would make himselfe Maister of Bourbonois pretending the Earledome to appertaine vnto him by the death of his elder brother to whom hee must succeed in order as the yongest of the house The mother and friends of Archibauld opposed against Hamon the right of representation inuiolable in France in great houses which is that the sonne of the eldest brother represeâ—ts the Father and without doubt succeeds in all his rights to enioy them as if he himselfe liued for that the Father reuiues in the Sonne Hamon building his chiefe interest vpon force would not admit any reason that made for his Nephew so as the matter was brought before the King who by the aduise of his Councell declares Archibauld the lawfull heire and puts Haman from his pretensions commanding him to leaue the possession of Bourbonois free to his Nephew 1123. This Archibauld did afterwards marrie his daughter Beatrix to Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauuoisis sonne to the King S. Lewis The stâ—â—ke of the house of Bourbon and of this marriage by the royall stemme is discended the most famous race of Bourbon the which at this day doth happily enioy the Crowne and realme of France But Haman who held some places in Burbonois would not leaue the possession refusing to obey the Kings commandement relying vpon the fauour of Eustache Earle of Auuergne who sought to free himselfe There was a priuate subiect of complaint against him hauing displaced the Bishop of Clermont against the Kings will These occasions drew the King into Bourbonois where hauing besieged Haman he ended this controuersie in fauour of Archibauld The affaires of Auuergne were more difficult by reason of William Duke of Guienne who imbraced the cause for the Earle of Auuergne pretending that he was his vassall This quarrell seemed to take a long course but it was pacified by this meanes Lewis had six sonnes Philip Lewis Henry another Philip Peter Robert and one Daughter Constance He had crowned his eldest sonne Philip who dyed by a strange accident going to take the aire on horseback Philip eldest sonne to Lewis died by a strange accident a Hog passed vnder the bellie of his horse the which being feared did shake this young King so violently as he threw him downe and so brused him as within few dayes after hee
her impudencie did so faâ—re exceed as shee would dishonourablie haue stayed in Antioche and left her husband presuming to cloake her shame with a shew of Religion saying without blushing that she could be no more the wife of Lewis to whom shee was Cousin in the fourth degree preferring the loue of a Iester named Saladin of the Sarrazin race Queene Elenoâ— vnchast before the greatnesse of a King of France her lawfull husband Lewis being much disquieted perswades this woman to returne a heauier burthen to his minde then to his ship being returned to his house hee frees himselfe with all the speed he can And whereas hee should haue cast this insatiate woman into the Riuer being no more his wife and retained her Dowrie iustly gotten she playing bankerout of her honour Lewis pretends a cause to be diuorsed from Elenor and restores her Guienne hee calles a Councell at Baugency to haue her diuorsed the which was granted vnder colour of this farre fetcht consangunitie But his desire was to bee freed from her So retaining two Daughters borne vnder the vale of their marriage hee restores vnto Elenor all her Countrie of Guienne that is he puts into the hands of his furious enemie a Torche to set his whole Realme on fire for so soone as shee sees her selfe freed from the subiection and feare of a husband shee stayed not long to acquaint her selfe with Henry King of England and Duâ—e of Normandie Elenor marries with Henry King of England the greatest and most capitall enemie that Lewis had So hee obtained Guienne by the voluntary cession which Lewis made to haue the better meanes to annoy him and his whole realme Moreouer Lewis payde deerely for so great a discomoditie for the Pope would not giue him a dispence to marrie againe without a great summe of money to be imployed in the warres of the Holy Land and to finish this worke hee tooke to Wife Constance the Daughter of Alphonso King of Galicia being a weake friend Lewis marries againe and farre off This marriage was not greatly conuenient neither for his owne quiet not the peace of his subiects This subiect of deadly rancor encreasing the hatred of these two neighbour Monaâ—kes of France and England burst forth soone by dangerous effects The benefit of the new purchase of Guienne was the cause of that perrilous warre the which had so long and so lamentable a continuance William Duke of Guienne Grand-father by the Father to Queene Elenor had marryed the onely Daughter of the first Raimond Earle of Tholouse who had ingaged the sayd Countie to Raimond Earle of Saint Gilles who since also called himselfe Earle of Tholouse being seized of the sayd Countie and enioyed it quietly vnder the Kings obedience Henry King of England offers the money to Raimond to redeeme it The first war betwixt France and England for the Earledome of Tholouse and demands the Earledome as his Wiues right Vpon his refusall he armes enters into Quercy takes Cahors spoiles the Countrie and besiegeth Tholouse Lewis intreated by Raimond runnes to quenche this fire Beeing arriued and the two Armies readie to ioyne a peace was made betwixt the two Kings by the marriage of Marguerite the Daughter of Lewis with Henry the eldest Sonne of Henry King of England The two kings reconciled by a marriage But for that shee was very young and not yet mariageable shee was deliuered into Henry the Fathers hands vntill shee were of fitte age to marry Lewis had now buryed his wife Constance who left him but two Daughters without any heyres male so as being desirous to haue a successor hee made no delay to matry and tooke to his third Wife Alix the Daughter of Thibaud Earle of Champagne his vassall 1151. and newly reconciled but not greatly affected vnto him vntill that time Hee had a Sonne presently by her whom hee called Dieu Donné or giuen of God as an acknowledgement that God had sent him at his and his subiects praiers This is hee that shall succeed him I should begin to describe his raigne but order commands me to relate what happened during the raigne of Lewis in the neighbour nations of England and Italy wherein Lewis had great crosses Henry King of England had two sonnes by Elenor Richard and Geoffrâ—y and by his first wife hee had Henry who was made sure to Marguerit of France of whom wee haue spoken The Father caused him to be crowned to settle him in his life time and tyed the English vnto him by homage A young Prince ambitious audatious ill aduised and rash who cannot long conteine himselfe with the taste of this new authoritie Notable troubles in England betwâ—â—â— the father and the sonne but will play the King with his Father And although his Fathers admonitions restrained him for awhile yet this ambitious humour still burst forth So as the Father from milde admonitions came to threats the insolencie of this young Prince increasing dayly Some yeares passed whilest this fire lay smothered very long for young Henry to whom the Fathers life seemed too tedious and the children of the second wife grew by the care of Elenor their Mother Henry the Father discontented with his Sonne and fearing that in consumating the mariage betwixt him and the Daughter of France the young Prince would grow proud augmenting his traine and State and through the fauour of King Lewis his Father in Lawe attempt something preiudiciall to his authoritie Hee delayed the accomplishment of this marriage although the Virgin werâ— of more then sufficient yeares to marrie To this mischiefe was added an other more shamefull for that Henry the Father caused this Princesse to bee carefully kept the which should bee his Daughter in Lawe fearing least his Sonne should violently take her away Prince Henry iealous of his owne father and marry her Elenor falles into iealousie as if Henry had abused her And it was easie to settle this conceit in her sonne in Lawe Henryes head who had the chiefe interest in this delay And to publish this scandolous report vnto the people to make the old man more odious vnto the whole world A malitious and importune woman borne for a great plague to both these Estates As men doe commonly adore the Sunne rising so there wanted no Sicophants in Court to flatteâ— the cares of this young King and likewise to incense the two Kings one against the other in flattering their passions Thus Henry transported by these occasions complaines to Lewis of the double wrong his Father did him both in the delay of his marriage and deniall of his authoritie And as Lewis at his request had giuen some admonitions vnto Henry in the end this passionate young Prince came to Paris where beeing well receiued hee enters League with Lewis to make warre against his Father and to disquiet him in diuers parts William King of Scotland is an associate vpon condition that Henry shall giue him
Venaâ—sin and in Prouence He besiegeth Auignon and takes it from thence he passeth into Prouence where as all yeelds to his will The Counties of Viuaret and Dié yeelds without blowes and many families were made desolate Dâ—sâ—lation of the Albigeois by Lewis by the rigour of these Edicts which did forfaite both bodies and goods The house of Montlor one of the greatest of Viuaret hauing followed the Albigeois partie being cursed makes his peace by meanes of the Towne of Argentiere giuen to the Bishp of Viuiers who enioyeth it vnto this day These poore miserable people were dispersed here and there and such as remained in the Countrie were forced to acknowledge the Pope as soueraigne pastor of the Church This heat was for a while restrained but the seeds were not rooted out as we shall see in the following raignes Lewis hauing thus subdued the Albigeois gaue order to suppresse them if they should rise againe appointing the Marshall Foy of the house of Myrâ—pois to command his forces and leauing the Lord of Beauieu for Gouernor and Lieutenant generall of Languedoc he tooke his way towards France But comming to Montpensier in Auuergne hee dyed in the yeare 1225. the 27. of October leauing foure sonnes by his Wife Blanche Lewis which succeeded him Robert Earle of Arthois who dyed in Morea Alphonso Earle of Poitiers and Charles Earle of Aniou who shall be Earle of Prouence and King of Sicilia and Ierusalem Lewis dyes In this yeare the Flemings were much disquieted by meanes of an Impostor who said he was their Prince but hee receiued condigne punishment for his rashnesse and by his death this error vanished wherewith many had beene bewitched Lewis the eldest sonne of France succeeding his father goes now to sit in the royall Throne LEWIS the 9. called Saint Lewis 1227. the 44. King of France LEWIS .9 KING OF FRANCE XXXXIIII THE piety and good disposition of this Prince consecrated to the happy memory of his posterity represented vnto France goodly first fruites but his age not yet capable to gouerne the helme of this Monarchie suffred him onely to take the first and most pretious gage of his lawfull and hereditarie right for being but twelue yeares old he was crowned at Rheims but his mother Blanche a wise and couragious Princesse tooke vpon her the gouernment of his person and Realme Blanche regent of the Kâ—nâ— and realmâ— according to the the decree of Lewis the 8. who knowing her capacitie had appointed her for Regent He began to raigne in the yeare 1227. Blanche had much honour in the education and instruction of her Sonne the which purchased her the free consent of the Estates assembled at Paris to be admitted Regent but this was not pleasing to the Princes of the bâ—oud who pretended this prerogatiue to appertaine vnto them and not to a woman and a stranger borne From these discontents sprung two warres in France in the beginning of this raigne the which were suppressed not onely by the discretion of Blanche but also by the wisdome and valour of young Lewis who then played his parte with so good successe as he purchased great credit in his youth The heads of this faction were Philip Earle of Bologne A Faction in France for the Regencâ—â— Vncle to the King by the Fathers side Robert Earle of Champagne Peter of Dreux Duke of Brittanie and Robert Earle of Dreux his Brother Princes of the bloud valiant and factious men who had imbarked many of the Nobility vnder a goodly pretext That it was not reasonable a Spanish woman abusing the Kings minoritie should gouerne the Realme at her pleasuâ—e and by the Councell of Spaniards whom she aduanced reiecting the Princes keepâ—ng back the Naturall French from all preferments But that which was most to be feared in this occurrent of affaires was that Raymond Earle of Tholouse who had so great a subiect of discontent against the King being spoiled of the greatest part of his estate should ioyne with that partie and drawe his cousin the Earle of Prouence into the same quarrell Men which were neither dull witted nor goutie handed and who were nothing altered in minde although they had made a good shew yeelding to necessitie the which Blanche preuented happily winning Count Raymond who now began to rise in Languedock by the mariage of Ioane his only Daughter with Alphonso the Kings brother Languedoc annexed to the Crowne by mariage and Earle of Poitiers vpon condition that Raymond should enioy it during his life and that after his death the said Alphonso should succeed in the right of his wife and if they had no issue the Earldome with all the dependances should returne to the Crowne as to his first beginning Thus Languedock shaken at the first by Armes as we haue said was honourablie vnited to the Crowne of France by this accord as the Historie will hereafter shew in the raigne of Philip sonne to our Lewis By the like meanes she drew Robert Earle of Champagne vnto her a very factious man and did not onely thereby weaken the party of these discontented Princes thus disioyned by withdrawing the most sufficient man they had but also shee imployed him against them There remained a Triumuirate Blanch supplanâ—s the discontented Princes the which she deuided They made a good shew but Blanche did cunningly countermine them discouering their actions euen within their Cabinets where she found accesse by money In the end their practise must breake forth The Earle of Bologne fortified Calais and the Duke of Brittaine with the Earle of Dreux did purposely demand some of the Crowne lands which they knew well that Blanche would not yeeld vnto as Inalienable whereby they might pretend some colour to rebell They now go to armes and at the first seize vpon Saint Iames of Beâ—ron and of Belesme Blanche flies to the Maiestie of the King and threatens these armed Princes to proclaime them rebels and guiltie of high treason if they obey not The confederate Princes answer That they most humblie beseeche his Maiestie to giue them free accesse to complaine of his Mother who abused both his name and his authoritie Blanche admits them being well aduertised by the Earle of Champagne that their intent was vnder colour of this parley to seize vpon the Kings person Their desire was to haue this meeting at Vendosme but they had layde their ambush neerer to surprise him by the way Lewis in danger to be surprised by his rebels They had aduanced their troupes to Corbeil when as the King parted from Paris being arriued at Mont-lehery newes came that the troupes marched to surprize him The King retires to the Castell then being of some strength and Blanche giues it out that the King is in a manner besieged The Parisians aâ—me speedily and goe in great troupes to fetch their King to make the Leaguers thereby more odious and to confirme the Queenes authoritie These Princes being thus discouered
depart from Corbeil and enter Champagne in hatred of the Earle who had forsaken them to follow the Kings partie But Lewis taking him into his protection and marching towards them with his men at armes all their desseignes came to nothing And yet they had imbarked the Duke of Lorraine and the King of England in this quarrell Lewis hauing expelled them Champagne followes his course takes Angiers without any contradiction belonging then vnto the Brittons and from thence hee marcheth into Brittanie Terror opens the Gates of all the Citties The Earle of Dreuz leaues his Brother who seeing himselfe abandoned of them all but first of iudgement confesseth his fault and doth homage to the King for Brittanie The League broken and by this rebellion he gets the name of Maâ—clerck hauing so ill imployed his time as to suffer himselfe to bee vanquished by a Child and a Woman These troubles thus pacified to the dishonor of the Authors the young King wonne great reputation and his Mothers wisdome was generally commended Lewis makes a progresse throughout 〈◊〉 realmâ— who thought it fitte that her Sonne should bee seene of all his subiects As hee went this progresse hee receiued homage from all his Nobilitie and ordained many things according to occurrents It chanced that hauing erected Poitou to an Earledome and giuen it to Alphonso his brother Hugh Earle of Marche which lyes within Poitou would not acknowledge Alphonso for his Lord His Wife Isabell Mother to King Henry of England who had beene first married to King Iohn was the motiue scorning to subiect her selfe to an Earle of Poitou This ambitious passion was the cause of great Warre First shee drewe in the Earle of Lusignan vnder the same pretext for that there had beene Kings of Ierusalem and Cipres issued out of this Noble house and afteâ—wards the King of England The first tumult not preuented had almost surprised Lewis within Saumur and this Woman transported with pride and hatred sought to make him away eyther by poison or sword kindling the Warre in England by hired Preachers In the end after the two armies had made great spoile in Poitou Xantonge and Angoulmois both of friend and enemie a peace was concluded with the English vpon condition that La Marche should remaine in France This was the end of that feminine rage ridiculous in the issue but lamentable for the poore people who alwayes pay for the folly and malice of Princes Prouence was gouerned by the Berengers as wee haue sayd since the ouerthrow of Lewis the Sonne of Boson and then in the hands of Raymond Berenger Prouence comes to Charles of Aniou a sonne of France a fierce and cruell man who had so incensed his subiects being impatient and turbulent of themselues as they had recourse to Raymond Earle of Tholouse his neerest Kinsman to install him in their Earles place with whom they would haue no more correspondencie Being ready to arme the felicitie of Lewis pacified all Raymond Earle of Prouence had foure Daughters Marguerite which was wife to our Lewis the ninth and Queene of France Elenor which was married to Henry King of England Sanchia to Richard his brother Duke of Cornwaile and Beatrix which was to marry Daughters of great hapines hauing had three Kings and a Royall Prince The Earle of Prouence would hardly haue beene comptrould by Lewis but GOD who meant to plant a generall peace in France by the hand of this good King buried Raymond with his rage in one Tombe taking him out of the world whome a whole world could not containe Lewis after the decease of Raymond pacified the Prouençals in marrying his brother Charles the Earle of Aniou with Beatrix the Daughter of their Earle to their great content adding in fauour of this marriage Maine to Aniou And since this Charles was King of Sicilia Robert the yonger brother was Earle of Arthois By this meanes his bretheren remained satisfied Alphonsus being Earle of Poitou and Tholouse by his portion and mariage Charles Earle of Prouence and Aniou and Robert Earle of Arthois and the Realme continued in happy peace These things thus happily performed by Lewis hee imployed his care in the reformation of the Realme beginning first with himselfe and his houshold Lewis his disposition then did he plant Religion and Iustice the principall Pillers of a State for the good and ease of the people Hee lead a life worthy of a King louing and honoring Religion with much zeale and respect taking delight in the reading of the holy Scripures the which hee cauâ—ed to be Translated into the French tongue which I haue seene in a Gentlemans custodie carrying this title He did greatlie honor Clergie men being worthy of their places and was a seuere censor of them that did abuse it whom hee charged to liue according to their Canons and to shew themselues patternes of good life to the people That they should bee preferred to Ecclesiasticall dignities according to order in all libertie and should enioy their reuenues without lett That the exactions and insupportable charges imposed by the Court of Rome these are the words of his Edict on the realme of France by the which it was mâ—ghtily impouerished and which hereafter might be leuied should not in any sort be leuied without apparent cause his expresse command and the approbation of the French Church He had a good soule being iust sober modest The Patterne of an excellent Princâ— temperate in his eating and drinking in his talke habits and conuersation neither melancholie nor exceedinglie merry circumspect of a good iudgement staied charitable moderate vigilant and seuere in the obseruation of that he had decreed And as the Prince is the rule of his house he either chose seruants of his owne humor or else his seruants framed themselues vnto his disposition so as his Court was like vnto a well ordred Church His traine was royall and stately according to the times but there was nothing superfluous not lost so as hee had his Treasurie replenished to giue to such as deserued He paied his seruants wel yet he gouerned his treasure in such â—ort as his officers could hardly steale from him and such as offended he punished with so exact a seueritie as the rest feared to commit the like The orders for his treasure are registred in his Ordinances where you may see them at large He loued learning and learned men and delighted to read and heare good workes fauouring his Vniuersitie of Paris and drawing the Parisians to lâ—ue Scholleâ—s so as in his time the Vniuersitie of Paris had great prerogatiueâ— as the eldest Daughter of our Kings The realme was corrupted with the iniustice extâ—â—sion of former raignes by the sale of offices being most certaine that what we buy in grosse we must sell by retaile He did therefore expresly prohibite these sales and supplied such places as were voide according to the merits of persons after due examination to draw good men and
all sutes among his subiects and happily hee might haue preuailed in reconciling that great deuision betwixt the Emperor and the Pope if zeale to releeue the afflicted Christians had not made him to abandon his owne quiet with all his good workes to transport his treasure and life into Affrick and there to leaue them among the Barbarians All declined in the East Mahomet preuailed so both there and in Affricke as Europe was threatned by their neighbor-hood Spaine as the neerest and Prouence and Languedoc by the easie aboard of the Mediterranian Sea Lewis not able to liue without seeking the aduancement of the Christian religion resolues a voyage into Barbarie Lewis goes into Barbèrie against the aduise of his estate and contrary to his owne experience A zeale which shall succeed ill for himselfe and his whole realme whom we cannot excuse of indiscretion Thus he inrouled himselfe the second time and his Sonne Philip likewise which shall succeed him with Peter Earle of Alanson and Iohn Earle of Neuers surnamed Tristan He left the Regencie to Simon of Neele and Mathew of Vendosme of whose fidelitie he relyed much Before his departure he made a league with the King of England to whom he had done many good offices in his great necessitie It was agreed A League wiâ—h Enâ—land 1269. â—hat the English should pretend no interest to Normandie nor to the Earledome of Aniou Maine Poitou and Touraine and as for Guienne hee should enioy the Countries of Quercy Limosin and Xainronge vnto the Riuer of Charenton all which Countries hee should hold by homage of the Crowne of France and in this regard he should be Vassall and Leege-man to the King of France For confirmation of this accord Edward his Sonne enters into societie of Armes with Lewis for the voyage of the Holy-land to maâ—che at the same time This accord was made in the yeare 1269. and their departure was the yeare after 1270. the first day of May. He paâ—ted from Aigues-mortes and not from Marseilles as some haue written for that there was no good port vpon the Mediterranian Sea hee caused the Cittie of Aigues-mortes in Languedoc to bee built and compassed it with goodly Walles which speake yet of him and with Chanels for the commoditie of the shoare the largest is calâ—ed The great Lewis by his name Edward takes his course for Asia and Lewis for Affrike the French armie consisting of forty thousand fighting men that of England is not specified The voyage was shott vnhappy for them both but especially for our good Prince Lewis had scarce lost the sight of shoare and discouered the Iland of Sardinia when as both he and his whole Fleete had almost perished in a storme Lewis in danger at Sea A presage of a mournfull successe In the end he lands in Affricke A Country worthy to loose that ancient name among vs and to be called Barbarie for the barbarous and vnfortunate successe it brought Lewis resolues to take Carthage a new Cittie built vpon the ancient name and held for a strong garrison of the Barbarians He takes it but with great paine and losse From thence heâ— goes to Thunis a strong and well garded Cittie resolute to haue it at what price soeuer But man purposeth and God disposeth For as Edward sonne to the King of England turned backe from his voyage of the East The Armie infected with the plague hauing passed but to Malta and Charles King of Sicilia going to ioyne with him to set vpon the Barbarians of Affricke altogether In a manner at the same time as they arriued all at Thunis the plague had deuoured a great part of the French armie and taken away many Noblemen And to encrease the mischiefe 1270. it enters the Kings pauiâ—â—on and strikes Lewis although some say it was a Flux But whatsoeuer it be our Lewis is extreamly sicke and feeling it deadly Lewis being sicke giues his sonne instruction hee calls for Philip his eldest sonne whose age and vertue preferred him to the Crowne Hauing giuen him goodly admonitions and exhorted him to serue God to liue verâ—uously and to gouerne his people â—atherly vnder the obedience of his lawes which hee himselfe must first obey hauing recommended vnto him the loue of his brethren Lewis dyes and intâ—eated all the Nobilitie about him to obey Philip he yeelded vp his soule to God to take his true rest in heauen leauing all his followers in great heauinesse being the most perfect patterne of a good King that euer was read off in Historie He only wanted the happinesse of a good writer although these small gleans which wee finde in the writings of the Lord of Ioinuille make his vertue admitable A Prince borne for a testimonie to that obscure age Lewis his vertues and for ours which is corrupted to be a President to all Kings and Princes of Religion Equitie Clemencie Wisdome Valour Magnanimitie Patiencie and Continencie to Loue Pietie Iustice Order and Peace to ioyne the loue of holy things and the modestie of manners with armes and State Hauing shewed that it is very fitting for a King To be a good Christian a good Warriour a good Husband a good Father a good Gouernour a good Iusticer and to know how to make Warre and Peace Verâ—ues required in a prince That it is very necessary to ioyne vnto the Maiestie royall Pietie Clemencie and Authoritie to gaine the Loue Respect and Obedience of all men And to conclude That the best gaâ—de and most assured reuenew of a Prince is the loue of his subiects worthy of that venerable name of Holy wherewith posteritie hath iustly honored him He was twelue yeares old when he began to raigne His raigne and gouerned 44. yeares So hee died in the 56. yeare of his age hauing receiued this mortall Crowne in the yeare 1226. and the immortall in the yeare 1270 the 25. of August Of Marguerite the Daughter of Raymond Earle of Proâ—ence His Children hee had foure Sonnes and foure Daughters A Princesse worthy of so great a husband the sole Wife of one husband and hee the onely Husband of one Wife His Sonnes were Philip surnamed the Hardie King of France Peter Earle of Alanson Robert also Earle of Alanson succeeding his brother Peter deceased without Children and he likewise died without any issue and Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauvoisin His Daughters were Blanche Queene of Castile Isabell Queene of Nauarre Marguerite Countesse of Brabant and Agnes Dâ—chesse of Bourgongne His posteritie in his two sonnes Philip and Robert So as of his foure Sonnes there suruiued but two Philip and Robert From Philip the 3. called the Hardie his eldest Sonne are issued successiuely eyther from Father to Sonne or from brother to brother or from the neerest kinsman to the next of bloud Philip the 4. called the Faire Lewis the 10. called Hutin Philip the 5. called the Long Charles the 4 called the Faire Philip
of Vallois Iohn Charles the 5. Charles the 6. Charles the 7. Lewis the 11. Charles the 8. who dying without Children the lawe calles the children of Lewis Duke of Orleans The house of Oâ—leâ—ns called to the crowne the sonne of Charles the 6. to raigne one after an other Charles Duke of Orleans and Iohn Duke of Angoulesme for Lewis the sonne of Charles raâ—gned vnder the name of Lewis the 12. who dying without issue male the lawe takes the other branche of Iohn of Angoulesme so as it sets the Crowne vpon the head of Francis the 1. his onely sonne and from Francis the 1. to Henry the 2. his sonne and so in order to Francis the 2. Charles the 9. Henry the 3. his children successiuely from brother to b other This direct line ending in Henry the 3. the last King of the house of Vallois the law calles the second sonne of S. Lewis named Robert who giues the royall branche to Bourbon Out of the which is issued Henry of Bourbon the fourth of that name King of France and of Nauarre now raigning but we will set downe his genealogie distinctly in the end of the royall race of Vallois It sufficeth to haue noted the order of the following raignes returning to the course of our Historie Thus S. Lewis the 9. liued and thus he dyed the honor of vertue in our Kings leauing Philip his eldest Sonne for his successor PHILIP the third called the Hardie the 45 King of France PHILIPPE .3 KING OF FRANCE XXXXV THE authoritie of Lewis was so great as neither his absence not his death could alter any thing in the estaâ—e of France 1270. Being dead Philip his eldest Sonne was procâ—aimed King in the Armie and as much as the time would permit was recâ—iued with a generall applause of all men as hee in whom the Fathers vertue and authoritie was yet liuing The Armie in the meane time is fortified with the Fleetes of England and of Sicilia so as the Barbarians seeing the whole Countrie in Armes and on fire they demand a truce and obtaine it vpon condition That they should suffer the Christians which were dispersed in diuers parts of Affricke to liue in peace But that which did most presse Philip was his returne into France Queene Isabel dyes So as hee gathers his troupes together the remainder of the plague and of the vnciuill vsage of that barbarous Countrie and parts from Affricke into Sicilia where his losses encrease for his Wife Isabell dyes there And his Vncle Alphonsus with his Wife the Countesse of Tholouse dye soone after at Bologne without any Children so as according to the contract of marriâ—â—e the Earledome of Tholouse should be incorporate to the Crowne Another sinister accident chanced to Richard the Sonne of Henry King of England to the end the English might likewise reckon their gaines in this voyage for being arriued at Viterbo a Ciâ—tie of the Popes walking in Saint Lawrence Church Richard sonne to Henry King of England slaine traiterouslie suspecting no enemie behold this Guy of Montford the Sonne of Simon of whom wee haue spoken kills him in the presence of all his followers and drawing his Sword hee makes his way to the Church doore where finding a Horse ready he flies into Tuscane whereat neither the Pope Philip nor Charles were any thing moued This murther thus neglected shall bleed hereafter But these were not all the occurrents which Philip had in his returne home Pope Clement the 4. borne in Langâ—edoc being dead the Cardinals loth to yeeld one vnto another disagree in the election of a new Pope and continued in this contention two yeares nine moneths and one day as Platina reporteth Great contention for the election of a new Pope Our Philip and Charles his Vncle intreate the Colledge of Cardinalls to make an end of so scandalous a discention The respect of their admonition was not frutelesse For the Cardinals resolue that not any one of the Colledge that had assisted at this tedious controuersie should be Pope Thibaud of Plaisance Archedeacon of Leege being absent in the voyage of the East was chosen and called Gregorie the tenth In the end Philip returnes into France to the great content of his Subiects Hauing interred the dead his Father Wife Vncle Ante and Cousine hee disposed of the affaires of Iustice according to the instructions and example of his Father Saint Lewis famous amongst all our Kings And then hee married with Mary the Daughter of Henry Duke of Brabant hauing three Sonnes by Isabell his first Wife Lewis eldest sonne to Philip poisoned Lewis Philip and Charles But here wee shall not finde the happinesse of our Saint Lewis for this second marriage was blemished with a sadde and foule suspect Lewis the eldest Sonne of King Philip dyed with apparent signes of poison This mischiefe encreaseth by the iealousie is had of Queene Marie his Mother in Lawe and Peter de la Broche chiefe Chamberlaine to the King and principall Intendant of his Treasure being the Queenes fauorite is accused for this fact and being prisoner he confesseth the crime and accuseth the Queene as hauing poisoned Lewis by her command Moreouer as one mischiefe commeth not alone La Broche is found guiltie of Treason by his owne Letters giuing intelligence to the King of Castile of the estate of France being then no friend to this Crowne This crime alone was sufficient for his death being hanged leauing Mary in trouble by his accusation and by the strange euent a notable example of the inconstancie of the Court and the vanitiâ— of the world Marie denies the fact by othe The King desirous to bee satisfied proceedes strangely For want of common proofe hee resolues to learne the trueth by a Sorceresse to whom hee sends a Bishop and an Abbot This Witche remained in Holland and was Subiect to the Duke of Brabant the Queenes Father The Bishop and Abbot at their returne faâ—e not to absolue the Queene by her report but they free her not from the generall iealousie of the French nor in the Kings conceit who after this accusation did neuer enioy any rest in his house These were the beginnings of the raigne of Philip whose progresse and end shall bee nothing better His Vncle Charles King of Sicilia shall crosse his life with many toyles and end it with perplexitie But let vs obserue euery thing in order As by the decease of Alphonsus and Ioane his Wife being dead without Children the Countie of Tholouse came to the Crowne The Countie of Tholouse annexed to the Crowne so Philip failed not to take possession thereof as one of the most important peeces of his Estate but hee found some alterations there through the priuate quarrels of his Subiects The Earle of Foix hauing a notable quarrell with Girard of Casebonne had taken his house from him by force Girard fled to the King for Iustice but the Earle trusting to his Fortes and the
Realme of Sicilia giuen him by authoritie of the holy Sea as a holy gage of the Church Peter answeares That Charles is the vniust vsurper hauing violently rauished the Lands of the Empire from Manfroy the lawfull heire That hee could not bee ignorant of his right hauing married Constance his daughter by whom hee had Sonnes to whome he could not denie the dutie of a Father without wronging of Nature Thus he opposeth the authoritie of Nature to the Popes power right to wrong and reason to passion Moreouer to this law of nature he ioynes faith the ground of humane societie being called and desired by a people vniustly wronged in their goods liues and honors Should hee then contemne their teares being bound to succour them He hath therefore done what he ought 1282. a lawfull heire against an vsurper and a tyrant for poore people oppressed resolute to continue so great a worke worthie of a Châ—istian King perswading himselfe that God who had giuen him a good beginning would send him a happy ending leauing Sicilia free and peaceable to his posteritie And thus one for an other The Pope supports Charles against Peter Hereunto Pope Martin the fourth did add his thundrings supporting Charles his cause with as great vehemencie as his Predecessor Nicholas had laboured to plot his practise against him He sends a Legat to the Sicilians to let them vnderstand that they were excommunicated and their goods confiscate The Legat deliuers his Commission freely and cites all the people to Rome with an expresse inhibition to all Preests not to communicate any Sacraments vnto them vnder great paines So all the Churches in Sicilia were shut vp by the Popes authority The same thunderboult is cast against Peter he is Excommunicated Degraded and his realme of Arragon accursed but from words they fell to blowes Charles resolute to hazard all intreats Philip his nephew to succour him with his best meanes in this his great necessitie And the better to ingage him he giues Catherin the daughter of his son Charles the lame in marriage to Charles the yongest sonne of Philip and in consideration of this marriage giues him the Duchie of Aniou Of this marriage shall issue Philip of Vallois who shall be King of France Philip succors his vncle Charles fortie three yeares after All France armes for this warre Philip imployes all his meanes Peter Earle of Alanson the Kings brother Robert Earle of Artois his nephew the Duke of Bourgongne the Earles of Bologne Dampmartin Ioygny with an infinite number of the Nobilitie repaire from all parts of the Realme Charles sending men expresly with priuate letters to all his friends to inuite them to this war And to keepe Paleologus in Constantinople hee workes with the Christians of Asia and with the Ilands of Cipres Malta Rhodes and others to make warre against him and likewise he fought to disquiet Arragon by meanes of the Nauarrois Philip remayning at Tolouse for that purpose Behold the Arragonots in great perplexitie charged on all sides both with spiritual and temporall armes but that which troubled him most the Sicilians excommunicated by the Pope and amazed at so great forces as came to Charles from all parts not not onely grew cold The Sicilians seeke to make their peâ—ce with Charles but also sought to make their peace with Charles To this end they goe to Rome to Pope Martin of whome they craue pardon with an extraordinarie humilitie for the Historie noates that their Deputies being on their knees cryed to the Pope Qui tollis peccata mundi miserere nostri A title belonging onely to Iesus Christ. This deuout respect had in a manner drawne the Sicilians to Charles his obedience wherein Doubtles he had preuailed if he would haue imbraced the occasion for Pope Martin had perswaded them to yeeld but without a French garrison Whereunto Charles would not coÌ„discend seeking to haue them at his discretion Peter was not quiet in mind amidst al these difficulties hauing the Pope in front the people readie to reuolt Philip watching ouer his Realme of Arragon and an armie in the Port of Naples redie to land Peter doth pollâ—tikly auoyd all dangers Hee findes an expedient for all these difficulties to stay all these forces to quiet this storme of Sicilia and to escape all dangers after a manner in shew worthy of commendation for the reputation valour and bountie of so great a Prince Hee giues Charles to vnderstand that hee lamented the common miserie of so much people whome he did see in danger for their priuat quarrels that it were much better to end it betwixt themselues by the sword That if hee were an honest man a souldiar and a King hee was redie to fight with him and Sicilia should remaine to the Conqueror They were both old and broken but both equall Peter had onely the aduantage in one thing he was more cunning then Charles and his intent was to circumuent him as indeed he did A Combat appointed betwixt two Kings Charles willingly accepts the combat The manner is determined by a common consent â—hat either King should take a hundred choise horse and that the conquering troupe should purchase Sicilia to his King Bourdeaux is chosen for the place of combat the day is appointed All Europe flies to this Theater to see an end of so notable a quarrel by such an extraordinary meanes Charles comes to the place at the prefixed day with his troupe chosen out of the brauest Gentlemen of the Armie Peter appeares not nor any one for him 1283. he is called he is summoned they protest against him but there is no newes of him So after all these soâ—lemne protestations euery one retires with laughter Peter fortifies himselfe in Sicilia but Peter was otherwise imployed he assured Sicilia by his wiues meanes whom he sent thether prouiding to fortifie the weaker places both of Sicilia and Naples equally threatned The heate of the French is cooled by this intermission of time by the hope of an accord and by the departure of so great a multitude disbanded to see this sight the Sicilians had taken breath and Peter stood firme to choose his best aduantage The French being out of hope to see this controuersie ended by combate returne to armes but with lesse courage To make warre in Sicilia they must approach and they must land Roger of Lore a banished man of Apulia Admirall of the Arragon Fleete had the garde of the landing Charles the Lame sonne to King Charles offers to land but his Fleete is defeated and he taken prisoner Charles wonderfully perplexed with this losse runnes from Cittie to Cittie in his Realme of Naples seeking to raise new forces when as death calls him to his rest Charles the Lame the sonne of Charles taken prisoner the which in his life time he would neuer enioy hauing giuen to many and receiued himselfe infinite troubles without any fruite In his youth his
enterprises were happy but in his age very vnfortunate Robert Earle of Artois by the decease of the Father and imprisonment of the Sonne remaines Tutor to the Children of his Father in Lawe Charles the Lame and Regent of the Realme of Naples Charles King of Naples â—yes but Peter of Arragon keepes Sicilia at that time lost for the French After the death of Charles of Aniou behold Peter of Arragon is assailed with a new partie Pope Martin the fourth doubled his excommunications against him as a capitall enemie of the Church and inuested Charles the youngest Sonne of Philip King of France in his Realme hee absolues the Arragonois from their othe of obedience and Proclaimes a holy Warre as against a sworne enemie of the Church For the execution of these threats Philip imployes all his meanes to raise a goodly Armie vowing to be no more circumuented by Peter of Arragon Iames King of Maiorica and Minorica ioynes with him an enemie to Peter Philip makes warre agâ—inst Peter of Aragon who had spoiled him of his Estate so as there were foure Kings in this Armie Philip King of France and his eldest Sonne Philip King of Nauarre Charles his Sonne inuested in the Realme of Arragon by the Pope and Iames King of Maiorica The Armie was faire and the Frenchmens courage great being very resolute to reuenge the massacre of the Sicilian Euen-song the ridiculous scorne of the combate and the imprisonment of Charles The Red scarfe the marke of the holy Warre Warre in Arragon against one excommunicated and their couragious resolution to bee reuenged of a cruell enemy who had shed bloud by treason appeares in these troupes brauely armed All this promised a great victorie to Philip who commanded his armie in person But the issue will shew that being a Conquerour he lost the fruites of his victorie and in the death of three great personages shall bee seene the vanitie of this world Philip enters the Countie of Rossillâ—n with a goodly Armie all obeyes him except the Cittie of Gennes neere to Perpignan the which hee besieged and it was well defended but in the end it was taken by the French Peter was come out of Sicilia to defend his Fathers inheritance hee fortifies all hee can against Philip and the difficultie of the passages seemed to fauour him but the resolution of the French surmounted the steepenesse of the Rockes The passages are forced Peters Armie is defeated and hee saues himselfe with difficultie by these inaccessible places The Armie enters the Countie of Emporias Peter of Arragon defeated Pierre 〈…〉 in one day Girone is besieged and as Peter comes to succour it the French incounter him and ouercomes him who hardly saues himselfe in Ville-franche extreamly amazed with this happy beginning of Philip. What followed hee that was accustomed to deceiue all the world by his inuentions and pollicies He dyes could not by any meanes deceiue Death transported with griefe sorrow impatiencie and dispaire hee dyes the fifteene of August in the same yeare with his enemie Charles The brute of Peters death makes Girone to yeeld presently 1286. being a very strong Citty and promiseth Philip an assured possession not onely of the realme of Arragon but also of Sicilia where in shew they could not resist when as behold other occurrents which mans reason could not preuent Philip assuring himselfe thus of the peaceable possession of the realme of Arragon minding to free himselfe of a needlesse charge he dismisseth the Galleys of Genoa and Pisa the which hee had hired and for that the plague was crept into his Campe he had dispersed his forces about the Citties of Giâ—onne and Perpignan whether he retired himselfe very sick with an intent to pacifie the whole Countrie hauing recouered his health and taken some breath Roger Admirall of Arragon of whom we haue spoken ignorant of Peters death was parted from Sicilia with an intent to bring him succours against the French Fleete Being arriued at Genoa a newter Cittie and of free accesse for both parties he is informed both of the death of his Maister and of the estate of Perpignan and being there of this new accidentâ— he takes a new aduise In steed of returning into Sicilia hee hiers the Galleys of Genoa and â—isa dismissed by Philip and resolues to enter the Port of Perpignan where he had intelligence that Philip remained without any great garde and the Port to bee without defence He arâ—iues so happily as without any opposition he giues a signall to the people of his arriuall Philip set vpon vnawares and 〈◊〉 danger who sodenly rise and kill the French in the houses streetes Philip lay sick in his bed and the French Souldiars had no thought of Roger. The King made a vertue of necessitie he incourageth his men with a sicke and feeble voice and they behaued themselues so valiantly as they expell Roger out of Perpignan and Philip held the Citty who was so distempred with this alarum as his sicknesse encreased dayly The death of Philip. and he died the 15. day of October hauing suruiued Peter but two moneths in the same yeare 1286. and in the same moneth dyed Pope Martin the 4. to shew vnto great Princes the incertaintie of their great desseignes Thus liued thus raigned and thus dyed Phillp the 3. surnamed the Hardie hauing raigned 15. yeares and liued fortie a great vndertaker leauing no memorable acte to his posteritie but a good example not to deale in other mens affaires Of his first wife Isabel he had Philip and Charles remaining His children Charles was Earle of Vallois of Alanson and of Perche Father to Philip of Vallois who in his course shall succeed to the crowne Philip his eldest Sonne was King of France of the same marriage he had one Daughter Marie who was Duchesse of Austria By his second wife Marie he had Lewis Earle of Eureux and Marguerite Queene of England The estate of the Empire after a long confusion of diuers Emperours and the interregne had some rest the Popes being busied in the warres of Sicilia Raoul of Auspourg a good and a wise Prince was chosen Emperour after these disorders imploying himselfe carefully to cure the wounds of Germanie and held the Empire from the yeare 1273. vnto 93. The estate of the Church appeares by that which hath beene spoken in this raigne This onely is particular That a Councell was held at Lions by Gregorie the 10. where it was Decreed That to auoide the tediousnesse of the Popes election the Cardinals should assemble at the Popes death and keepe the Conclaue neither going forth not conferring with any one vntill the Pope were chosen The which is practised at this day In those dayes dyed Thomas Aquinas a very subtill disputer Bonauenture Ihon Duns called Scott and Gabriel Biel famous men in those dayes suruiued him PHILIP the fourth called the Faire the 46 King of France PHILIPPE .4 KING OF
FRANCE XXXXVI HE found his authoritie respected within the Realme 1286. as well for his age The dâ—spâ—sition of Philip. as hauing gouerned the State with dignitie vnder his Father Philip. A good Prince Iudicious and of a noble minde and the which was not the least point of happinesse in this life he was well married with Ioane Queene of Nauarre whereof he tooke the name of King before the decease of his father His issue enioying her as a sweete companion of his complexions He had three sonnes by her goodly Princes of body and excellent spirits Lewis Philip and Charles which shall bee Kings successiuely one after another but all so ill matched Philip vnhappie in the marriage of his sonnes as it was his greefe to see his childrens houses infected with three Strumpets and put away without all hope of issue hauing seuerely punished the corrupters of his Daughters in lawe and confinâ—d these inâ—atiat mastiues into Monasteries He had also one Daughter of the same bed named Isabel who was married to Edward King of England leauing vnto France a heauie and dangerous Leuaine of horrible confusion by the meanes of her sonne a fatall scourge for this realme Philip after the decease of Ioane His second wife maried Constance the Daughter of Charles King of Sicilia a faire and a young Princesse whom he left great with a sonne the which was borne eight dayes after his decease and suruiued him but few dayes His raigne He began to raigne in the yeare 1286. and dyed in the yeare 1315. hauing raigned twenty and nine yeares The entrance of this raigne was goodly but Flanders Guienne and the Pope gaue him vpon diuers occasions and at diuers times many great and painfull crosses He loued Iustice and Learning wherin he was well instructed for that age so as he did consecrate the first fruits of his raigne to honor both the one the other as also the Muses did honour him with a goodly Oration which is read in the Originall of this Historie 1287. for a commendable memorie to posteritie of the vertues of this great Prince The Parliament was not tyed to any place but changed according to the necessitie of Prouinces Sutes were most commonly iudged definitiuely by the Bayliffs and Seneshals and the greatest causes were decided Soueraignly in the Kings Councell who gaue free audience to their Subiects Philip hauing obserued by the experience of former raignes that it was very necessarie to haue â—urisdictions distinctly limited The Parliament of Paris erected left a Soueraigne power to his Parliament at Paris a part of his royall authoritie in ciuill and criminall causes and the better to gouerne it he appointed a sufficient number of Presidents and Councellors with his Aduocate and â—roctor which number hath beene since augmented according to occasion and for the greater countenance of this dignitie hee placed it in his chiefe Cittie of Paris and to that end he caused that great Pallace one of the most admirable buildings vnder the coape of Heauen to be built by the meanes of Enguerand of Marigny Earle of Longueuille The Palace built Superintendant of the Treasurie of France Hee first oâ—dained but two sittings of the Parliament in the yeare the which necessitie hath made ordinâ—rie vnder Lewis Hutin his Sonne who also erected an Exchequer at Roan Other Prouinces had their Parliaments at diuers times and vpon diuers occasions With like affection he fauoured his Vniuersities of Paris with all maner of priuiledges hauing his Wife Ioane a companion of the same humour whom he suffered to build in her name that goodly Colledge of Nauarre where at this day in this Iron age Colledge of Nauâ—râ—â— wee may bâ—hold with admiration the great bountie of â—ur Kings in commendable and vertuous actions These goodly beginnings in shew the first fruites of a sound peace were crossed with many difficulties both within and without the realme Flanders gaue the fiâ—st subiect This Countrie is one of the chiefe Seignâ—uries of this Monarchie and in the yeare 1225. this lawfull subiection was acknowledged at Meluâ— by the Earle of Flanders Cause of the wâ—râ—e in Flanders In the beginning of this raigne Guy Earle of Flanders came to do his homage to Philip who required to haue the Citties of Flanders to ratifie this peace of Melun the which was performed but vnwillingly by this riche people who still complained vnto Philip that his Parliament at Paris did infringe their Priuiledges for the which hee wisely prouided but the great securitie of these rich Citties musâ— â—eeds be the cause of their own afflictions as it chanceth ofteÌ„ that a rich people being too faâ—r The cause of quâ—rrell in Guyenne seâ—ke wilfuâ—ly their owne ruine Guyenne did likewise much trouble Philip and these two quarrels were intricate one with another like vnto diseases which come together according to the times and occasions when they chance The King of England was Duke of Guienne since the marriage of Elenor as wee haue seene but many difficulties haue fallen out the accord made by the King S. Lewis specified by vs had limittâ—d the Seignâ—uries of Guienne to the English the which hee should hold by homage of our Crowne but he could not limit his desire being watchfull vpon all occasions to free himselfe from the subiection of France Let vs follow by degrees the actions and the orâ—er of times in the combersome report of these new stormes falling out diuersly and in diuers places like as in a time inclined to raine a Cloud dischargeth it selfe by Planets in diuers parts â—he force and neighbourhood of England increased the quarâ—ell and caused a continuance by diuers accidents Edward the first of that name Sonne to Henry the third liued then in England and Count Guy in Flanders Edward came likewise into France and did homage to the new King for the Duchie of Guienne and other lands which he held of the Crowne Occâ—sioâ—â— to râ—nue the war with the â—â—glish as Guy had done for his It chanced that certaine English Ships scouring along the coast of Normandie made a great spoile of the subiects of France Philip vpon their complaints intreates Edward to cause restiâ—â—â—ion to be made of that which had beene vniustly taken by his subiects Edward neglects it so as Philip causeth him to be adiourned to yeeld a reason of this attempt as vasâ—all to the Crowne He appeares not and so by sentence he is declared guiltie of fellonie and of high Treason and to haue forfeited his interest in all his Seigneuries of France For the execution of this decree Arnoul of Neele Constable of France is sent into Guienne with an armie 1293. in the yeare 1293. a notable date to coate the fiâ—st letter in this Inuentarie of a very long processe although with some inteâ—mission yet so violent as it had a most ruined France The Constable doth his exploit Pâ—ilip sends an armiâ— into
Realme Naples continued longer in the French mens power but in the end all was lost as we shall see hereafter so as the Arragonois retained to himselfe the possession of these goodly Estates and left vs in our voluntarie losses the gages of our accustomed rashnesse and an apparent testimonie that the Popes gifts to our Kings haue not greatly enriched the poore realme as appeares by infinite examples After that of Naples Hungarie was in no better estate being giuen by the Pope to Charles Martell Sonne to Charles the Lame thâ—se two quarrels hauing drawne all Europe into a strange confusion So there was euery where vanitie for truth brute without fruite and shewes without effect The originals are my warrant for this trueth the which I ought to the honor of the Historie without dissembling LEWIS the tenth called Hutin the 47. King of France LEWIS .10 KING OF FRANCE XXXVII 1315. THIS raigne is short and of small fame as the actions of this King are not greatly commendable He began to raigne in the yeare 1315. and dyed the yeare after the 16. of Iune and so hee scarce raigned a yeare and a halfe The mâ—nâ—rs o◠〈…〉 which time was full of tâ—ouble and confusion according to his turbulent and stirring disposition whereof he bare the name for a blemish to his posteritie fo◠〈◊〉 in old French signifies Mutine A Chollerick Prince Iâ—grate 〈…〉 Outragious defacing his royall Authoritie by the insolent abuse oâ— his power couâ—ring his mortall passions with the vale of his authoritie Hee first maâ—â—â—ed wiâ—h Marguerite the Daughter of Robert Duke of Bourgongne being detected o◠〈…〉 she was confined to Chasteau gaillard vpon Seine where she dyed in hâ—r ignominâ—e Afâ—er her death he married with Clemence the Daughter of Charles brother to Robert King of Sicilia Hâ—s Wiues pretended King of Hungarie Hee made a great preparation against Robert Earle of Flanders but could not passe with his Armie for Waters He discharged his choller vpon Enguerand of Marigny Earle of Longueuille Superintendant of the treasure whome Philip had imployed long and confidently Charles Earle oâ— Valois brother to Philip the Faire accused Enguerand of extortion and robbing the Tâ—easurie making him odious to the people for that he had long manageâ— the treasuâ—e of the Realme to his maisters good liking 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 put to 〈◊〉 but Lewis and Charles had hatched thâ—s hatred against him to the losse of his life Hee had caused the Pallace to bee built and he disposed of the publike treasure during the long warres of Flanders the which had wasted much to the peoples oppression and hinderance And therefore it was a pleasing spectacle to see Enguerand of Marigny hanged by a solemne sentence vpon the gallowes which he had caused to be made at Montfalcon beating downe his image in the Pallace where the place is yet to be seene with this inscription by it Let euery one rest content with that he hath For he that hath not sufficient hath not any thing This iudgement was very famous yet afterwards it was reuoked but the bodie was not taken out of the graue although he were fâ—eed from the ignominy of so shamefull a death The Earle of Valois was soone after taken with a languishing disease which consumed him by degrees and King Lewis Hutin died so sodenly as he scarce lay sick one day These were the workes of heauen which made the foolish people change their opinion of whom it was rightly spoken What the people sayes a foole speakes for euery one tooke these extraordinarie deaths as witnesses of Gods iustice who punisheth great Princes which abuse the ordinarie power which hee hath giuen them to serue their owne passions And it is to be obserued that this iustice of God continued in the posteritie of Lewis Hutin for he left his wife Clemence with Child who was deliuered of a Sonne an imaginarie King hauing liued but eight dayes and though he were royally interred with Kings yet is he not numbred among them Moreouer hee left one Daughter by his first Wife called Iane for whom Eudes of Bourgongâ—e her Vncle by the Mother caused great Tragedies against the fundamentall Law of State Iane the Daughter of Lewiâ— Hutin pretends the realme to haue her admitted Queene of France wrongfully and vniustly for that women are excluded by the law whereon the French Monarchie was grounded as we haue sayd So this miserable raigne was begun and ended by confusion and iniustice A notable example to obserue the vanitie of the Court in good seruants vniustly afflicted of the people in their false and passionate iudgements rendring euill for good and suffring themselues to bee transported with the ebbing and flowing of their passions speaking good and euill of the same action and the same man without rule without measure and without trueth And of the vanitie of great men which thinke it to bee the chiefe fruite of their greatnesse to abuse their power insolently to the ruine of their inferiours not remembring being blinded with their passions that they haue a superiour ouer them to make them yeeld an account of their vniust proceedings forcing them to make restitution with interest The Parliament made ordiâ—â—râ—â— All that Lewis Hutin did worthy of commendation was that he made the Parliament of Paris ordinary which had but two sittings in the yeare although this commoditie of pleading hath bred many sutes to the hindrance of the publike and priuate good He was called King of France and of Nauarre and left the two realmes to his successor who disposed thereof as we shall see PHILIP the 5. called the Long 48. King of France PHILIPPE .5 KING OF FRANCE XVIII THE controuersie touching the Crowne was easily decided by the euidence of reason and also for that Iane the Daughter of Lewis Hutin 1316. remained by the Will of Philip her Vncle Controuersâ—e for the Crowne of France Queene of Nauarre and Countesse Palatine of Briâ— and Champâ—gne and yâ—t for the discontentment of some Princes of the bloud Philip crowned Philip went to Rheims with a strong Armie to bee annointed there where he was installed the doores of the Church being shutte and well garded He began to raigne in the yeare 1316. and raigned sixe yeares Hee had foure Daughters by Iane the Daughter of Othelin Earle of Bourgongne and no Sonnes By meanes of his Daughters hee made his peace with his discontented Princes His children For hee gaue the eldest to Odon Duke of Bourgongne who had supported the Daughter of Lewis against him and gaue in dowrie the Countie of Bourgongne belonging vnto her by her Mother and to Lewis Earle of Eureux his other opposite hee gaue Iane with the Kingdome of Nauarre and the Counties of Brye and Champagne whereof he afterwards carried the title His dispositioÌ„ A Prince of a very tractable disposition and by consequence easie to bee corrupted rather inclining to ill then good There is
nothing memorable vnder his raigne but that through his facilitie all was tollerable to his bad seruants who vnder his name laid great exactions vpon the people the which caused them to mutine in many places neither did he being great of body and therefore called Long but little of witte vse his authoritie Vnder colour of a voyage to the East two seditious men a Priest and a Monke of the order of Saint Benedict 1322. assembled a multitude of mutinous people which committed a thousand insolencies where they passed Rebels calling themselues Shepherds calling themselueâ— Shepheards but in the end they were defeated in Languedoc The Iewes expelled before were now admitted to returne for money a wretched nation giuen to all kinde of wickednesse and therefore odious to the people An artificiall plague who exclaimed against the disorders growen vp by the facilitie of Philip. This generall hatred bred such a rage in the licentious mindes of the Iewes as they brought the plague into diuers parts of the realme vsing the helpe of Lepars Many were greeuously punished by Iustice and the rest banished out of the dominions of France Flanders seemed ready to fall into new troubles but in the end they were pacified by the marriage of Marguerite the Kings second Daughter with Lewis Earle of Flanders Flanders pacified Neuers and Rethel and the paiment of certaine summes due by the sayd accord These are the most famous acts of that raigne for to what end serues it to relate that priuate Iustice was done vpon a Prouost of Paris who was hanged for that he had put to death a poore innocent for a riche man that was guiltie and condemned to dye Or that Philip would make one waight and one measure throughout his Realme but he could not maintaine his authoritie by the rule of reason These things either too common or not effected are not worthy of a Historie Thus Philip the fift died with small fame the fift yeare of his raigne in the yeare 1322. CHARLES the 4. called the Faire the 49. King of France CHARLES .4 KING OF FRANCE XLIX 1322. AS Philip the Long had succeeded Lewis Hutin his brother with some dispute Charles crowned without opposition so Charles brother to Philip the last of the Sonnes of Philip the Faire succeeded without any dâ—fficultie the question being formerly decided He was Crowned King with great solemnitie the Princes of the bloud and Noblemeâ— assisting â—n the yeare 1322. and raigned six yeares A wise and a temperate Prince His dispositioÌ„ louing Iustice and yet vnfortunate in his familie He was thrice married His first wife Blaâ—che was acâ—uâ—ed and conuicted of Adulteâ—ie duâ—ing his fathers life and was confined to Chasâ—eaâ—-gaillâ—rd by Andely vpon Seine His second Wife was Mary the Daughter of Henry of Luxenbourgh Emperor by whom he had one Sonne whiâ—h dyed as he was borne and his Mother soone after at â—â—ssoudon in Bâ—rry His third Wife was Marguerite the Daughtâ—r of Lewis Earle of Eureux by whom he had Daughters onely His issue leauing â—er with Child as shall be said But let vs make a collection of his life which is not long The facilitie of Philip the Long the furie of Lewis Hutin and the long warres of Philip the Hâ—rdie had peâ—uerted all and giuen libertie to euery man to do what he pleased especially the Nobilitie who being armed committed many insolencies by this libertie and impunitie Charles being annointed he held a great Sessions in his chiefe Citty of Paris to heare all mens complaints and causeth many Gentlemen to be punished Câ—arles punisheth disorders without respect Among the rest Iourdain of Lâ—sâ—e a Gasâ—on who vnder colour of being Nephew to Pope Iohn the 22. then resident in Auignon hauing had his pardon for eighteene crimes whereof the least deserued death continued still in his wickednesse In the end he was taken and brought to Paris The remitting of what was past made him presume of Impunitie But the Iustice of God which comes in 〈◊〉 euen when the insolent and obstinate sinner dreames not of it preuented him 1324. 〈…〉 laying all respect aside caused him to be hanged as a memorable examâ—â—â—â—â—at respâ—ct is an enemy to Iustice which must bee executed without sparing of any oâ—â—â—hat is guâ—ltie of any notable crime 〈…〉 second King of Eâ—gland stood vpon termeâ— for his homage of Guienne 〈…〉 sâ—nt his wife Isabel the Daughter of Philip the Faâ—re and Sister to the King 〈…〉 pouâ—d with him Chaâ—lâ—s brought him to reason bâ— his authoritie and as Hugh 〈◊〉 Lord of Montpesat in Agenâ—is would haue fortified his house without his permisâ—â—â—â—â—e forced him to obey razing the Casteâ—l of Montpesat whence the quarrell 〈◊〉 and made him to giue hostages for the assurance oâ— that hee had promised 〈◊〉 lâ—st these generall quarrels Isabel complaines of her husband Edward King of England there chanced a iarre betwixt Edward and his wife Isabâ—â— dâ—â—contented with her husband for that both she and her Sonne had lost their 〈◊〉 wiâ—h him by the pernicious councell of Hugh Spencer Yet was he so supported by King â—harles as he sent her back into England without any countenance commandiâ—g her to apply her selfe to her husbands humors the which she endeuored to doe bâ—ing a wiâ—e and a couragious Princes yet being assisted as it is likely vnderhand by tâ—e meaâ—es of her Nephew Charles the Faire she preuailed in her desseignes causing Hâ—gh to be apprehended and punished as the Leuaine of all their breach and hauing bâ—ougâ—t heâ— Husband vnto reason she confirmed her Sonne Edward the third a Prince who shortly shall be the cause of much trouble to this Monaâ—chie Charles likewise râ—duced Lewis Earle of Flanders to obedience although he were husband to his Aunt 〈◊〉 hauing called and condemnâ—d him by Court of Parliament at Paris he restored hâ—m to his estates the which he had forfaited by fellonie shewing in one subiect both hâ—s seueritie to punish offences and his clemencie to remit the due punishment The same Eaâ—le being fallen in some dislike with his chiefe Townes seeking to reclaime them by force Charles aduised him to winne them by mildnesse The subiectâ— infirmities must be cured by mildnesse a true remedie to reconcile subiects which are accustomed to oppose themselues against rigour and in resistâ—ng to know their owne forces the which belongs to their Princes by obedience Thâ—s he pacified these discontents betwixt the Earle and the Citties of Flanders by a common reconciliation vpon condition That the Earle should bee acknowledged in his degree and the King as Soueraigne Tâ—is is all that chanced worthy of obseruation in the raigne of Charles the Faire A Prince worthy of the French Monarchie and to bee numbred among the greatest aâ—d most famous men of State His life was veâ—y short in regard of his great sufficienciâ—â— yet with more order and authoritie then his brother Philip the Long who left noâ—e but
Daughters whose names are buried in the confusion of times troubled by the pâ—etences of Males and Females and his wife with Child as wee haue sayd A wombe which shall breed many long and perilous controuersies Charles dyed in the yeare 1328. leauing the Crowne to the second royall branche of Capets wherevnto the order of the fundamentall law did lawfully call them THE SECOND PARCELL OF THE THIRD RACE OF CAPETS CONTAINING THIRTEENE KINGS in the second royall branche called of Valois from Philip of Valois to Henry the third THE NAMES OF THIRTEENE Kings of the second royall branch of Capets called of Valois Philip of Valois Iohn Charles the 5. Charles the 6. Charles the 7. Lewes the 11. Charles the 8. Lewis the 12. Francis the first Henry the 2. Francis the 2. Charles the 9. Henry the 3. the last of this royall branche From the yeare a thousand three hundred twentie eight vnto the yeare a thousand fiue hundred eightie eight PHILIP of VALOIS the 50. King of France PHILLIP KING OF FRANCE L. THe doubtfulnesse of the issue which was expected from the royall wombe of Iane 1328. widow to Charles the faire held the beginning of this raigne in great suspence and perplexitie Controuersie for the realme betwixt Edward the 3. King of England Pâ—iâ—iâ— of Valois euen for the regencie it selfe for Edward the 3. King of England the sonne of Edward the 2. and of Isabell of France the daughter of Philip the faire and sister to the three Kings last deceased pretended it as his right and in case the child died whatsoeuer it were the realme also by the title of royall consanguinitie according to the lawes of England 〈◊〉 Philip of Valois the first Prince of the bloud of France maintained that 〈…〉 of the male if any were borne as the realme if it were a daughter oâ— the sonne died belonged directly vnto him without all controuersie holding the first 〈…〉 among the Princes of the bloud after the decease of the three brethren who had bin 〈…〉 aâ—ter another For Philip the hardie had left two sonnes Philip the faire and 〈◊〉 Earle of Valâ—iâ—â— of whom it is said That he was the sonne of a King brother to a King 〈…〉 father to a King and yet no King 〈◊〉 Philip and Charles had succeeded to the Crowne one after another so as after 〈…〉 the right came to Charles and his children according to the fundamentall law oâ— State To decide this controuersie the generall Estates were called at Paris Philip of Valoâ—â— preferâ—ed to the â—â—owne with great solemâ—iâ—â—e where they decree That Philip of Valois should be Regent of the realme if Queene 〈◊〉 had a sonne and King if it were a daughter 〈◊〉 was delâ—uered of a daughter the first of Aprill at Bois de Vincennes the which was caâ—â—ed Blanche This quaâ—rell thus decided Philip installed King Philip of Valois was saluted and proclaimed King of France and within few daies after was annointed and crowned at Rheims accordiâ—â— to the vsuall custome And â—hen being well accompanied with his Princes Peeres Officers and an infinite number of his nobility he made his entry into his chiefe Citty of Paris with an incredible ioy and pompe this was in the yeare .1328 Being thus in possession of the Realme he studied to settle his estate much disordered by the ill gouernement of the forepassed Kings 〈◊〉 settles his 〈…〉 France and likewise to satisfie the daughter of Lewis Hutin in regard of the Counties of Brye and Champâ—gne lying too neere to his good Citty of Paris to be diuided from the crowne So he treated with her and held them by his prerogatiue giuing vnto her as much in exchange as the said Earledomes were worth lying farther off in the counties of la March Rouergue and Languedoc But Flanders troubled him much more the Earle and his subiects were greatly incensed one against an other by reason of some exactions of money made by the Earle for the payment of his old debtes due by the accord so as they made warre against their Earle and tooke him prisoner Beeing the stronger they controlled their Lord but soone after they payde for their folly for the Earle being deliuered had recourse vnto Philip as to their soueraigne Philip takes the Earles cause in hand He suppresseth the Flemings rayseth a great armie against the Flemings takes sacks and burnes Cassel where they had made the body of their army after the defeate of two and twenty thousand Flemings in a pitched field Hauing subdued this mutinous people hee aduised the Earle to vse that aduantage modestly to win theÌ„ by mildenes not to thrust them into errors by despight or dispaire the which are sooner preuented then repayred in popular tumults Beeing returned from this voyage Philip found newe worke at Paris The Courts of Parlement and all the Soueraigne Iudges assembled from all the Prouinces made a general complaint against the Clergy of France A notable sute of the Patlements against the cleargie they accuse them ofsundry abuses namely that against the due of their charges they intermedled with the politike iurisdiction The sute was vehement famous for the greatnes of the parties The King to reconcile this quarrel calles a general assembly of his whole realme at Paris The cause was pleaded before him with great liberty by Peter of Cugnere this is he who by derision they called M. Peter Cugnet whoÌ„ at this day they finde in the great Temple at Paris noted with a little Monkeys head placed betwixt two pillers to put out the candles being odious by reason of his pleading and as coldly defended by Peter Bertrand both famous Aduocates in those times The issue was doubtfull but Philip foreseeing the euent of so important a busines after that he had seriously exhorted the Prelates to reforme themselues in reforming the abuse to auoide these popular complaints he referred the matter to a further hearing But he had other worke in hand Edward the 3. King of England for that he was not receiued King of France practised great and new desseines against him studying onely vpon reuenge He had purposely refused to assist at his coronation makes no shew of any intent to do homage for Guienne whereunto Philip did cal him Edward hauing no colour to refuse so apparent a duty came to 〈◊〉 with so great and extraordinary a traine as it seemed plainly not to be done to honour the king but rather to strike some feare or admiration into the French of his great forces To check this bold brauâ—do Philip shewed himself a King at his first enteruew with Edward who euen then champt vppon the bit and smothered his choler Edward appeares at the place and time prefixt royallie attired with a long roabe of crimson veluet pouldred with Leopardes of gold a crowne vpon his head a sword by his side and golden spurres on his heeles He presents himselfe standing before Philip
in a common-weale who hauing power in the soueraigne authoritie abuse the people with a shew of the common good an ordinarie cloake for such as fish in troubled waters We shall see by the vnruly euents of the contempt of royall authoritie the King being eyther a prisoner or sick in iudgement what a body is without a head a realme without a King well obeyed and a multitude gouerned by it selfe A subiect susceptible of all impressions but of bad rather then good though alwaies couered with a shew of good an instrument of all mischiefes in an Estate when as transported by violent and disordred passions couered with a shew of common good it is not restrained with the reynes of a lawfull authoritie I meane a multitude a dangerous beast with many heads doing commonly more harme then good We shall see heere what councellours of State the ambition and couetousnesse of great men be especially when women entermedle armed with the sâ—ew of publike authoritie and to conclude we shall confesse by a sound iudgement of this discourse that all things done in our age were done before A briefe preface for the greatnesse of the subiect yet necessary for that which is represented in these raignes the which we will note according to thir occurrents The raigne of Iohn Iohn the eldest sonne of Philip of Valois succeeded his father in the yeare 1350. and raigned fourteene yeares He had made a long apprentiship in managing the affaires of the Realme vnder his father Philip but he neither ruled better nor more happily His manners shall be known by his actions He had for sonnes by Ioane Countesse of Boulogne His children and the most remarkable personages in this raigne Charles Lewis Iohn Philip and one Daughter named Ioane Charles his eldest sonne was Dauâ—phin of Viennois in his fathers life and Duke of Normandy and after him King of France Lewis Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry and Philip called the hardy first he was Earle of Toâ—raine and after through his brothers fauour Duke of Burgongne and Earle of Flanders in the right of his wife Ioane was married to Charles King of Nauarre and Earle of Eureux Princes which shall play their partes vppon this Theater in euery scene of the Tragedy that I am to represent and for this reason they are to be obserued in the beginning This Charles King of Nauarre was sonne to Lewis Earle of Eureux and of Ioane daughter to King Lewis Hutin who by the sufferance of Philip the long her vncle Charles King oâ— Nauarâ—e the scourge of thâ—◠〈…〉 The humors of Câ—arles of Nauaare succeding to the Crowne remayned Queene of Nauarre and by this right Charles her sonne carried bâ—th the title and effect of the Realme with many other great inheritances A Prince of the blood royall both by father and mother and sonne in lawe to King Iohn hauing married Ioane his onely Daughter A man of a subtill spirit eloquent actiue vigilant but 〈◊〉 vnfaithful malicious reuengefull armed with the prerogatiue of his blood and the great meane he inioyed to be a pernitious instrument to trouble the King his Realme beyond all measure but in the end he shall receiue a due reward for his actions by a death worthy of his life After Iohns coronation at Rheims with his wife Ioane being returned to Paris he began his raigne by a famous act of an vnfortunate presage for he caused Raoul Earle of Eu and of Guines to be beheaded in prison vpon light accusations A mournful beginning of his raigne as hauing intelligence with the English and that he betrayed his affaires for that he had passed and repassed into France vpon his faith giuen during his imprisonment He was Constable of France Iohn aduanced Charles of Spaine to his place grand child to the King of Castile and son in Law to the Earle of Blois and so allied to the King and exceedingly beloued of him amongst all his greatest fauourits He shal be the first fruites of many miseries when as this raigne promised some rest vnder a King of age and experience fit to gouerne a Realme Fâ—r as Iohn was busye to institute the order of the Knights of the Starre in the ende growne so common as it remaines a badge for the Knight of the watch and his Archeâ—s vnto this day there chanced a great misfortune to this Constable Charles of Nauarre complained that the King detayned froÌ„ him the Counties of Champaigne and â—rie belonging to his mother by the same title that the kingdome of Nauarre did This was true but by reason of their neerenesse vnto Paris Charles of Nauarre discontented the Kings counsell had â—â—â—ted these Earledomes vnto the Crowne and giuen in exchange the Townes of Mante and Meulan with a pension answerable to the reuenues of the said Earledomes without any preiudice to the Nauarrois But he sought an occasion for a cause smothering some mischâ—uâ—u pretence in his hart the which he discouered by many effects Not dating to complaine directly of the king he quarrelled with the Constable as the chiefe of the Councel Charles of Sâ—aine Constable of FraÌ„ce slaine in his bed by the King of Nauarre of whom he was exceeding iealous for the priuate fauour the King did beare him Hauing taken Councel with his passioÌ„ he caused the Constable to be slaine in his bed at Aigle in Normandie but with so great a presumption as he himselfe came vnto theplace accompanied with his brother Philip of Nauarre Iohn Earle of Harcourt and his brethren and with many Gentlemen his followers This murther thus audaciously committed he retires himselfe easily to Eureux whereof he was Earle from whence he writes to the good Citties of the Realme auouching this murther as done by his command and iustifying it as lawfull and reasonable King Iohn found himselfe much wronged but not able then to redresse it An imagined pardon he promised to remit the fact so as he would aske pardon with the reuerence due to his royall maiesty The which Charles is content to doe but vpon good gages holding the Kings word insuffâ—cient to secure his person So as Iohn giues him Lewis his second sonne for hostage The Nauarrois comes to Paâ—is he presents himselfe to the Kings Couâ—cell and seeks to giue some reason for this murther yet the Councell condemnes him as guilty of high Treason decrees that he should be commited to prison Iames of Boâ—rbon Earle of March newly aduanced to the office of Constable laie hold on him and puts him in gard but all this was but for a shewe to maintaine the publike respect for presently the three Queenes go to the King Ione daughteâ— to Lewis Hutin his mother in law Blâ—nche widow to Phillip of Valois and Ione daughter to King Iohn Queene of Nauarre his wife Charles likewise came himselfe and falls vpon his knees before the King both he and they seeme to weepe and to sue for mercy of
who was yet liuing The Inhabitants of Gand a mutinous people by nature who neuer want matter to mutine Troubles in Flanders pacified by Pâ—ilip had then a great discontent both against their Earle in generall by reason of some new impositions and against them of Bruges in particular iealous to see them in so great fauour with their Prince by reason of a Chanell which they had drawne from the riuer of Lis for the commodity of their country which Riuer crossing the riuer of Gand the Gantois supposed it was all theirs in proper so as none might vse it without their liking This iealousie grew so great that this great citty as big with their wayward and contenâ—ious humors as it was populous and rich being thus moued resolues to make shewe thereof and in this fury they make a League and choose a head bearing a marke or token of their faction and from words they go to blowes One called Leon a bold practiser of popular seditions was found fit to be the Ringleader of this tumult their marke was a white cap for all the troupe These Gaâ—tois gather together they hinder the worke of this chanell and the gathering of the custome beeing the cause of this quarrell they kill Collecters and receiuers and in the ende the gouernour of the cittie called Roger who being there for the Earle laboured to teach them their duties Their fury exceeded so farre as they spoyle the Earles Pallace fire it and in their rage pull it downe to the ground They run in great troupes to other townes to draw them to their league They beseege 〈◊〉 held by the Earles men crying in al places Liberty as hauing a meaning to change their Lord and then to seize vpon Flanders This cruell disorder amazed the Earle when as behold Philip Duke of Bourgogne his sonne in law flies vnto him to quench this fire and as men admire rather the Sunne rysing then sitting and that the name of the house of France and the greatnesse of his goodly portion gaue him great authority so it chanced that he pacified this rebellion to the content both of the Earle and cittyes taking a happy possession of this great inheritance by a famous and profitable occasion But Flanders alone was not subiect to these madde mutinies for those of Montpellier newly reduced to the obedience of our King Sedition at Montpelâ—ier grew into so great a fury as they slew Iames Pontel a Knight of the order and Chancellor to Iohn Duke of Berry Gouernour of the Country Guy of Scery Senâ—shal of Rouergue Arnauld of Montelaur Gouernour of the said citty and other officers of the Kings and Dukes to the number of fower score and cast their bodies into a well As the outrage was odious so the punishment was memorable The Duke of Berry comes with forces assisted by the whole Prouince detesting so â—oule an insolency so as the Inhabitants calling to minde their audacious phrensie resolue to submit themselues to punishment and not to stand desperately against force The Consuls of the Cittie hauing halters about their necks and torne cloaths The Duke of Berry comes to Montpellier to punish the seditions the keys of the citty in one hand and a red cap the marke of their office in the other met with the Duke their gouernour being followed by the Clergy carrying a crosse all crying for mercy and weeping with a lamentable noyse In this mournefull sort the Duke enters the citty gates being without any gard he finds the streets full of poore and desolate people vpon their knees men and women olde and yong crying for mercy and redoubling their pittiful cries as witnesses of their repentance Then the Duke commands they should presently bring all their armes into one place nere vnto his lodging placing a gard at the gates and vppon the walles The next day he caused a scaffold to be made in the market place where hauing sharply rebuked the people for their rebellion he pronounced a sentence in the Kings name whereby he declares That all their priuileges were taken from them their Consulship Towne house The sentence pronounced against them of Montpellier common Arches vniuersity their Bells Saltpannes and all Iurisdictions of the cittye eyther of soueraigne courts or of the commonalty six hundred Inhabitants to be chosen at aduenture condemned to die that is two hundred to loose their heads two hundred to be hanged two hundred burnt their children declared infamous and slaues for euer their goods confiscate The commonalty should pay six score thousand franks of gold and the charges of the Dukes voyage and his armies The Consuls with certaine Councellers that were named should drawe the bodies of such as had beene massacred out of the well and bury them A Chappell should be built for their obsequies With the same Bell which did sound the alarum The gates and citty walles should be beaten downe and their armes burnt publikely This was their doome but it was moderated at the intercession of Pope Clement The sentence moderated then resident in Auignon by the meanes of Cardinall de la Lune The same was qualified the priuileges restored the gates and walles preserued but the Aurhors of this sedition were put to death that the rest of the Inhabitants might liue in safety A notable president for subiects to suppresse their fury euen when they thinke to haue a iust cause of complaint feeling themselues surcharged or otherwise grieued considering the errours are sooner committed then repaired And for commanders that it is a dangerous resolution to let loose the raines to a mad multitude which augments the mischiefe supposing to cure it Queene Ioane wife to our wise Charles daughter to Peter of Bourbon dies about this time Queene Ioane dies to the great griefe of her husband to whom she left two sonnes Charles Lewis both very yong for Charles was borne the 3. of December 1371. and was carried to the Font by Charles of Montmorency and baptised by Dourmans Bishop of Beauuois and Chancellour of France Lewis was Duke of Orleans She leâ—t him also one daughter Isabell marryed afterwards to Richard King of England Necessary obseruations for the course of our history Her children This good Prince after his wiues death was nothing healthfull so as broken with poyson the which had much weakened him with the tedious toiles of his youth more then with age he decayed dayly and he himselfe perceiued it so as feeling the ende of his life to approach remembring what troubles he had past during the mournefull imprisonment of his Father by the contempt vsed of his yong age least the like should happen to his sonne Charles vnder colour of his minority gouerned by tutors he decreed in a general assemblie of the States by a lawe and an irreuocable Edict That after the decease of the king of France his eldest sonne should succeed him presently and at the age of 14. yeares should be
his sonne are contayned in this Empire for he died in the yeare 1â—78 Before his death hee prouided that Wenceslâ—s his sonne should succeed him in the Imperiall dignity At the first he married Blanche Countesse of Valois daughter to Charles Earle of Valois and sister to Philip of Valois King of France beeing very yong for she was but seauen yeares old when shee was betrothed vnto him hee had beene bred vp in the Court of France and learned the French humors he loued our crowne better then our Lawes A Prince wholy inclined to his owne particular making shewe to loue our Kings but vndâ—â—hand hee supported their enimies against them Thâ—s was the principall reason why his comming into France proued fruitelesse after so long a voyage and so great expences ministring a sufficient cause of iealousie to our Charles who gaue him the best entertainement he could to make him knowne that the sâ—ueraignty which he pretended to haue ouer France was but a dreame Yet hee suffered the Country of Daulphiné which they called the Empire as a member of the auncient Realme of Arles to bee wholy infranchised from that subiection to cut of all pretensions from his successors imbracing the commodity to settle his affaires euen by their meanes who he knew were not his friends This Emperour Charles the 4. did all he could both in Italy and Germany to apply vnto himselfe the â—ights of the Empire being wholy inclined to his owne profit The Emperours disposition for the which he vsed the name of Iustice good order being more learned in law then in doing right and hauing more knowledge then conscience It is he which made the Golden Bull both to rule the Election of the Emperour and the rights and dignity of the Empire The former confusions of the Empire had so dispensed all priuate gouernours of countries and citties as euery one played the Emperour in his gouernement These tyrannicall disorders were the cause of the Cantons in Suisserland Originall of the Cantons in Suisserland who since haue established a goodly commonweale consisting of thirteene Cantons who maintaine themselues with great order and force hauing the amity and alliance of the neighbour monarchs and an honourable place among the Estates of Christendome vnto this day Their particular history belongs not to our subiect it sufficeth to haue noted their beginning and the occasion of their common weale newly erected in the disorders of that age The church of Rome was in very poore estate first by the coÌ„tinual factions of the Guelphs â—helins and of it selfe by a distraction bred by an open schisme hauing two Popes Estate of the Church two chaâ—es two seas and a deadly hatred the which troubled al the Kings princes of chrisâ—endome some defending the Pope others the Antipope as his opposite We haue said that in the raigne of Philip of Valois the Pontificall Sea was translated from Rome to Auignon where it continued about 70. years Clement 6. hauing bought this citty for his successors being a pleasant and frutefull seate These quarrells continued with such violent passions had tyred mens minds like as a long processe doth weaâ—y the most obstinate pleaders The Popes beeing absent from Rome goueâ—ned the estate of Italy by three Cardinals their Legats but all went to ruine Gregorie 5. a Limosin being chosen Pope at Auignon went to Rome to redresse these confusions wherein there was small helpe Being receiued with an incredible ioy of the Romanes Diuision at Rome for the Election of a new Pope and of all Italy he returnes no more to Auignon but passeth the rest of his daies at Rome After his death the people with all vehemency require a Romane borne or an Italian for Pope but there was some difficulty in the election for the Colledge consisted for the most part of French Cardinalls who desired to haue one of their owne nation They were much diuided but the Cardinalls fearing the peoples fury armed with an intent to murther them if they did not choose one of their nation yeelded to the election of a Neapolitane named Bartholomew who was receiued and proclaymed by the name of Vâ—ban the sixt But within few dayes after the Malecontents retyred from Rome vnder colour to flie the plague to Fundy a towne in the Realme of Naples of the French faction by meanes of Queene Ioane An Antipope chosen when they did choose Clement the 7. a Limosin who retyred to Auignon and was opposite to Vrban the 6. with open deffyance one of an other which schisme continued vntill the Counsell of Coâ—stance each Pope with his faction Clement had for him the Kings of France Casâ—ile and Scotland Vrban had the Emperour the Kings of England and Hungary Clement held his seat at Auignon and Vrban at Rome In those dayes liued Bartholl Baldus Petrarch Boccatio Planudes a Greeke by nation Bonauenture and Iohn Wicliâ—e These hurliburlies touched the hearts opened the mouthes of many good men wonderfully grieued to see such diuision in the Church apparantly growne by the ambition of such as had greatest authority in the same Their writings lye open to their reasonable complaints which euery one may read without any further discourse CHARLES the sixt 53. King of France CHARLES VI. KINGE OF FRANCE .53 AS it is necessary to haue some direction to passe through a Laborinth so this crooked raigne hath need of some order to guide vs 1380. in the disorder of so many obscure confusions Necessarie obseruations for the vnderstanding of this raigne which we are to represent I will first obserue the most famous acts and worthiest personages of this raigne and then will I distinguish the subiect according to the occurrents This miserable raigne continued 42. yeares beginning in the yeare 1380. and ending in the yeare 1422. The seuerall dates Charles the 6. succeded hâ—â— father Charles the 5. at the age of 12. yeares being borne in the yeare 1368. he was crowned in the yeare 80. married in 84. dismissed his Tutors to raigne alone in 87. falles 〈◊〉 a phrensie in 93. and dyes in the yeare 1422. So being vnder age with his Tutors and of age in peâ—fect sense he raigned 13. yeares and liued in his phrensie 29. yeares Who sees noâ— then the iust calculation of 42. yeares in this raigne Châ—rles the 5. his father had three brethren Lewis Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry and Philip Duke of Bourgogne Queene Ioane daughter to Peter Duke of Bourbon The Kings Vncles wife to Câ—arles the fift and mother to Charles the sixt had one brother Iames Duke of Bourbon Thâ—se foure vncles shall plaie their parts vpon this stage in diuers occurrents but let vs adde â—he rest euery one shall haue his turne We haue said that Charles the wise left two sonnes this Charles the 6. whose raigne we now defer be and Lewis Duke of Orleance And our Charles had three sonnes Lewis Iohn and Charles and one
by Iohn Duke of Bourgongne and in the ende Iohn makes a counterfeit peace with the children of Lewis but it is the renuing of greater troubles IOhn of Bourgongne hauing resolued to kill Lewis of Orleans his cousin Germaine went to Paris with so good a shew as if he had no intent to breake the accord so solemnely made betwixt theÌ„ That which most troubled him was to see his enemies authority coÌ„firmed by this reconciliatioÌ„ hauing the absolute gouernement of the State respected as the kings brother and the first Prince of the bloud And to giue him greater authoritie and power the good King Charles had giuen him for a new years gift i◠〈◊〉 yeare 1407. the Duchie of Guienne for his poâ—tion whereof the Daulphin then carâ—ied the tâ—tle This newe fauour and great aduancement kindled the coale of iâ—alousie in the â—ourguignons braine being already much transporâ—ed and holding it for certaâ—ne â—hat he should neuer by any ordinary course pâ—euâ—â—le against so passionate powerfull an enimy who as his meanes did increase so would his desire augment to â—â—â—â—e him He â—hereâ—ore thinkes it conuenient to preuent him and drawes vnto him meÌ„ fâ—â—o◠〈◊〉 aâ—dâ—cious a murther Raoulet of Auâ—onuille a Norman an ancient seâ—uant of his hâ—use and discontenâ—ed with the Kings brother for that hee had taken from him the oâ—â—â—ce oâ— Geneâ—all of Normandy and a Souldiour of Guines called Wâ—lliam Corteheuze with others of the same huâ—or to the number of eighâ—eene This William had a brother called Sâ—as of Courteheuze a groome of the Kings chamber who should be the instrument to draw this poore prince into the pittfall The Queene laie then in childbed the Duke of Orleans goes to visit her after supper when as this Sâ—as of Corteheuze goes to the Queenes chamber to tell him that the King desired him to repaire presently vnto him for very important affaires The Murtheters were lodged secretly in a house by the which the Duke shold pasâ—e Being mounted vpon his moile accompanied only with 2. Squires vpon one horse and one that followed on foote his pages carrying torches both before behind him as the horse which carried the 2. Squiers came before the house where this ambuscadoe lay he began to snort to run The Murtherers issue forth instanâ—ly and charge the Duke at the first they cutte off his hand which held thereines of his horse He cries out I am the Duke of Orleans and they answer The Duke of Orleans murthered by thâ— â—ouâ—gâ—â—gnoâ— It is you wee seeke for They double their blowes with such violence as they beate him downe and cleaue his head so as the braynes lay scattered vpon the pauement The yong Squire that remained with him runs desperatly among their weapoÌ„s is presently slaine vpon his poore maister The pagâ—s had alreadie giuen the alarum at his lodging and many came running to succor their Lord whome they finde thus massacred There was nothing to bee heard but cryes and lamentations whilest the murtherers hauing fyred a house and cast Calthrops in the streets gette themselues into Bourgongnes house Thus the night passeth in miserable lamentations Valentine doubles the terror of this horrible accident with feareful outcries The Princes his Cousines runne thither to participate in this sorrow All weepe and lament all crie out in this mournful house When the day appeers they finde his hand on the one side and his braines scattered on the other The relicks of this head are gathered together with teares and all is kept for an honorable funerall O head howe many mischiefes attend the O murtherer thou shalt be murthered disloyall thou shalt be disloyally slaine I haue horror yea I tremble to shed this bloud againe by my report The very enemies of Lewis were amazed at this audacious murther foretelling the miseries that should follow The Queene wonderfully passionate causeth herselfe to be remooued to the Kings lodging and doubles the gards In the ende the King hath notice thereof and apprehends it according to the weakenesse of his braine but the Princes prouided presently for his safetie and their owne euery man fearing for himselfe in so strange an accident Such was the violent death of Lewis Duke of Orleans traiterously slaine at Paris by Iohn Duke of Bourgongne The sequele of this treacherous murther the 20. of Nouember in the yeare 1407. who thinking to kill his enemies slewe himselfe and left this bloud prodigiously shed as a mournfull Legacy to his posterity and hoping in his ouerweening spirit to vsurp France from the lawefull heires he lost Bourgongne from his posterity neyther could hee hinder his issue whome he had so trecherously murthered from the happy enioying of the whole realme for Lewis Duke of Orleans left three Sonnes by Valentine the heire of Milan Charles Philip and Iohn from Charles the eldest being Duke of Orleans is issued directly King Lewis 12. the father of the people of Iohn Earle of Angoulesme father to King Francis The iâ—â—ue of Lewâ—â— of Orleanâ— 1. the father of the muses who hath giuen fower Kings successiuely to ouâ— monarchie But of Iohn of Bourgongne we can reckon but two successors Philip and Charles Philip was his sonne who by the patience of God left Charles in his place but Charles suffered for his grandfathers errors and his owne for he died in blond hâ—s pride was interred in an vnknowne tombe and Bourgongne was pluckte from the â—ellonious hands of this murthering race and vnited to the Crowne Nowe Iohn of Bourgongne shall committe strange disorders during twelue yeares fâ—om the date of this massacre and it semes that blinde Fortune hath adorned his temples with baâ—es and triomph to guerdon these execrable crimes but hee is not freed that drawes his halter after him Hee shall soone pay both principall and interest to Gods iust iudgement which slackes not although it seeme slacke but comes in due season marching slowely to take all excuse from the obstinate and impudent sinner recompencing in the ende this apparent slacknesse of punishement by the greatnesse of eternall paine But les vs retune to this desolate house Valentine widowe to Lewis with her three sonnes and Isabell of France the Kings eldest daughter wife to Charles the eldest sonne of Lâ—wis nowe Duke of Orleans by the decease of his father come all to our poore King Charles Valâ—â—â—ine demands iustice for the death oâ— her husband being sicke to demande iustice All cast themselues at the Kings feeâ—e as much discomforted as themselues for the cruell death of his onely brother whome he had alwayes loued deerely both sound and sicke Lewis of Aniou King of Sicilâ— and Naples the Dukes of Berry and Bourbon with all the Princes of the bloud accompany them in this lamentable state wherein Charles promiseth to giue them satisfaction The Kings Councell beeing assembled they require an account of the Prouost what hee had done in search of these murtherers He answers that hauing done
wisely weighing the vanity of popular tumults resolues to husband this occasion and to make his peace with the King and the housâ— of Orleans hauing so great an aduantage ouer them to ratifie the abolition which he had obtained against at all euents He then sends his Ambassadors to King Charles to Tours William Duke of Bauiere the Lords of Saint George Croy Viefuille Dolehaing to treat a peace with him and the children of Orleans making great shewes of humiliâ—y and loue This new course mooued the King and Princes the which they expected not from the Duke of Bourgongne Valantine Duchesse of Oâ—leans dies for griefe being so late a Conqueror so as they easely yeeld to an agreement vpon conditions but stil to the preiudice of the poore widowe and afflicted orphans In this confusion Valentine Duchesse of Orleans seeing her paines lost in the pursuite of so iust a cause dies for thought within fewe dayes after leauing great trouble and fewe friends to her Children and great ioy to the Bourguignon seeing his cause wonne by the death of this couragious woman who onely might oppose her selfe The King comes to Chartres to solemnize this peace hee sends for Charles Duke of Orlâ—ans and his bretheren and for Iohn Duke of Bourgongne and al appeere at a prefixed day A counterfeit peace betwixt Ioâ—n and the Duke of Oâ—leans children A scaffold is made where the King sitts in his seate of Iustice enuironed with the Princes of his bloud in great state Iohn Duke of Bourgongne approching neere the King kneeles downe with Dolâ—haing his aduocate who speaketh thus Licge Lord behold the Duke of Bourgongne your seruant and Cousin is come vnto you for that he vnderstands you are much offended with him for the deed done and committed on the person of my Lord the Duke of Orleans your brother for the good of the realme and of your person as he is redie to let you vnderstand when soeuer it shall please you therefore my Lord he doth humbly beseech you that it would please you to forget the wrath and indignation you haue conceyued against him and receiue him into fauour After these wordes the King commanded the Duke to retyre himselfe which done the Queene the Daulphin the Kings of Sicile and Nauarre the Duke of Berry fall on their knees before the King the Queene sayed Dread Lord we beseech you to grant the request of your Cousin the Duke of Bourgongne The King answered Wee will and do grant it for your sakes The Duke of Bourgongne being callâ—d againe kneeles before the King who saies vnto him Faire Cousin we grant your request and pardon you all The Duke hauing thanked the King riseth Behind the Kings chaire stood Charles of Orlâ—â—ns with his Brethren weeping bitterly The Duke of Bourgongne goes vnto them accompanied with his Aduocate and hauing saluted them with a very humble counteâ—ance the Aduocate spake thus vnto them My Lords the Duke of Bourgongne â—ere presâ—nt intreats you to put out of your remâ—Ì„brance that hatred which you may haue against him for the outrage committed on the person of my Lord of Orleans your father The Dukes of Orâ—â—â—ns aâ—d 〈◊〉 reconciâ—ed and that here after you will remaine good Kinsmen and louing friends The Duke added And hereof I pray you But they answered nothing Then the King said vnto them My fayre Cousins I will hâ—ue it so And they answered Liâ—ge Lord seing it pleaseth you to command vs we yeeld thereto for we will not disobey your commandements in any thing The Duke accepted it thanking the king and his Cousins of Orleans Then the Cardinall of Bâ—rr brought â—he holy testament whereon boâ—h parties did sweare a peace neuer to remember what was past and â—o hold a pâ—rpâ—tuall League of friendship And the King saied We will that heareafter you liue likegood Kinsmen and friends together and we straightly charge you not to wrong one another nor any other person that hath fauored you neither shew any malice or hatred vnto them as you tender our displeasure excâ—pt such as committed the said murther whom we banish our â—ealme for euer Theâ—e are the very words faithfully out of the Originall of that age This happened the 9. of March .1409 Then followed nothing but marriages the Duke of Bourgongne married his two brethren Philippe Earle of Neuers with the heire of Coussy and Anthonie Duke of Brabant with the heire of Luxembourg He is greatly in credit both with the King and Queene his â—â—ayne semed greater then his masters The bounty of his Kitchin drawes men from all parts but he had not made his peace with God neither in his heart with thâ—â—e poore orphelins destitute both of friends and means at whose coste this peace was made the which was but counterfait and continued not long Iohn Duke of Bourgongne gouerning all in the Kings name and the Daulphines The faction of Orleans opposeth The ciuill watres reuiue ended with a peace and the newe authority of this Daulphin who dispossesâ—eth the Bourguignon and restores them of Orleans From the yeare 1409. to the yeare 1413. AFter this accord the Court takes a newe forme Queene Isabell thinkes no more of her poore Nephewes of Orleans shee is wholy the Duke of Bourgongnes The Duke of Berry followes the same traine For proofe of a cordial friendship Iohn gouerâ—â—â— the court The Daulphin marrieth the the duke of Bouringongneâ— daughter the Queene doth openly fauour the marriage so long promised of Lewis the Daulphin her eldest sonne with Katherine daughter to the Duke of Bourgongne which marriage was solemnised Nowe Iohn of Bourgongne is father-in-law to the Daulphin it is he which gouerns both his heart and house Moreouer Charles King of Nauarre Lewis duke of Bauierre the dukes of Lorraine Brittaine Bar Alenson Cleues Vaudemont and after their example the greatest Noblemen in Court are all on his side There is nothing but feasting in his house all ioy whilest the Orphans of Orleans weepe Paris honours him as their protector and trusts none but him and Iohn doth affect â—othing more carefully with the King and Daulphin then the loue of the people Hee doth all he can to please them The chiefe subiect of his discourse is to reforme the State to seeme thereby more affectionate to the common weale In a solemne feast where al the court was present he gaue to his friends in stead of a banket plomets of gold and siluer shewing by this figure that his desire was to rule the State â—ell and to shewe the effect of his words he procured this notable occasion All men cried out of the Treasorers as horseleeches of the common treasure the chiefe causes of bad husbandry whereby the King and people were so much impouerished We haue made mention before of one of the Kings chiefe mignons called Montagâ— who had too soone fled the storme beeing returned he growes in greater credit with the King then before who
discourse BY VVHAT MEANES AND DEGREES THE TOWNES SVBdued by the English returned to the obedience of this Crowne and how the English were chased out off this Realme From the yeare 1429. to 1454. after the ebbing and flowing of many actions and the accord of the Duke of Bourgongne with Charles long debated and in the ende obtained by the meanes of the Duke of Bourbon Paris yeeldes to the King The other Citties and Prouinces of this Realme one after another in diuers seasons and by diuers occasions returne to the King as to their head and expell the stranger who held the state TO THE REDVCTION OF PARIS ARE 7. YEARES TO THE FVLL RESTORING OF THE REALME 18. AND IN ALL 25. YEARES AFTER HIS CORONATION THis happy beginning of the Kings affaires seemed to bring with it a generall restoring of his whole Realme by the absolute obedience of all Townes and Prouinces But God which gouerns nature by seasons and giues not haruest when as they sâ—w the seede he doth likewise gouerne the society of mankind by degrees that the force of mans industry of it selfe may appeare vaine and nothing and not successefull but by his grace without whoÌ„ man can do nothing We haue hitherto seene into what distresse the preseruer of this estate hath drawne both the King and Realme but in the ende his prouidence shal appeare no lesse admirable in preseruing it The English seeke to crossâ— Câ—arles in his course The Duke of Bedford wonderfully discontented with his happy successe resolues to stop the course both by force and policie To this ende hee sends to Englâ—nd for succors both of men and money he leauies all he can in France and practiseth with the Duke of Bourgongne who was held of both parties to haue power to strike the lâ—st stroake in this equality of affaires So as finding himselfe sought vnto by them all he intertaines them all giuing Charles secretly to vnderstand that he was for him and yet he presently takes armes for the English The Bourguignons dispositioÌ„ A man wholy adicted to his affaires hauing â—â— other obiect but his owne greatnesse yet shall he effect no wonders beeing nowe so much sought vnto Charles parts from Rheims to obserue his enemies way he passeth by Soissons Chasteau Thierâ—y Prouins Coussy in Brye and comes to Crespy in Valois all these Townes shake off the English yoake to obey him Bedford was at Senlis with an armie of ten thousand men from thence he writes letters of defiance to Charles as to the vsurper of the realme He represents vnto him at large the compassion he had of the poore French people so long opprest with warres and doth challenge him to appoint a day and place to end this long miserie eyther by a peace or battaile A part ill acted by a Stranger for who could beleeue these protestations in the mouth of a Stranger against the heire of the Crowne Charles answers him by effects and offers himselfe to the combate the English armie was before Senlis being lodged in that renowmed Temple of victorie the antient monument of the valour of Philip Augustus The French armie was opposite against them without hedge or bush in a large Plaine The King called a Councell whether he should giue battaile Ioane the Virgin diswades King Charâ—es from fighting The Virgin held opinion they should not hazard these happy beginnings vpon a doubtfull combate being sufficient to staye the enemie in shewing him the Armie without striking So as these two Armies stood two dayes together in battaile looking one vpon another without mouing although many skirmishes seemed to offer occasion to drawe them to a generall fight In the end there was a confused charge of some fore-lorne hopes Picards and French but the battailes stood firme After this countenance Bedford takes his way to Paris to auoide the alterations which the Kings approche and prosperitie might breed Charles hauing receiued the obedience of Compeigne Senlis Creil Beauuois Pont Saint Maxence Choysi Gournay Remy Neufuille Mognay Chantely Sainctines and other places thereabouts with the homages of the Seigneuries of Mont-morency and Mouy he marcheth towards Paris The Bourguignon abuseth King Charles vpon promise made by the Bourguignon to be receiued by the Cittizens Being at Saint Denis he not onely findes Bedford in Armes without the Cittie but also the Cittie well garded by the Inhabitants Ioane the Virgin sore wounded and her men defeated so as the Virgin seeking to surprize Saint Honories ditche had like to haue beene taken being sore wounded and loosing a goodlie troope of her best and most resolute souldiars The inconsiderate desire which Charles had to winne the loue of the Duke of Bourgongne did much preiudice his affaires for all Picardy held him in great esteeme especially the great Townes of Amiens Abbeuille and S. Quintin but the respect he bare the Bouâ—guignon made him to neglect these occasions to his great hurt Hauing therefore found this passage to be very perilous he retires into Berry and the Duke of Bedford freed from the feare of his forces goes into Normandie where the Constable Richemont had surprised Eureux Aumâ—le Chasteau-gaillard and Audely places of importance in that Prouince But during these alterations the Duke of Bourgongne married with Isabell daughter to the King of Portugall adding this third wife to his two former deceased The Duchesse of Bedford was at this marriage not in regard of the feast but for her husbands affaires The Bourguignon conducts her to Paris with foure thousand armed men where he renewes the League more strongly somewhat shaken through the affaires of Iaqueline Duchesse of Hainault with his brother in lawe The Duke of Bourgongne makes the order of the Golden fleese There hee made the order of the Golden Fleese as if he had already conquered the Gardens of Hespâ—rides like a second Iason but hee determined to make violent warre against Charles the yeare following and returning into Picardie hee tooke Gournay and Choissy places lately subdued to the Crowne Melun Sens and Villeneufue le Roy gaue a happy beginning to this yeare yeelding to the Kings obedience but the losse of the Virgin Ioane and the taking of Pothon two of the greatest and most valiant heads of the Armie quailed all the ioye of these conquests The Tragedie was thus acted The Bourguignon hauing taken Choissy by force hee buies Soissons of the Captaine that commanded and so hee marcheth against Compiâ—gne with his armie 1430. with whom the Earles of Suffolke and Arondel ioyne with two thousand men The Virgin issues forth with a notable number of the best Souldiers to charge the besiegers Ioane the Virgin taken at Compeigne by the Bourguignon who being too farre ingaged in the fight alone was taken by the Bastard of Vendosme and presently brought to the Duke of Bourgongne Hee reioyced much at so notable a prize as hauing conquered all Charles his good fortunes and reserues
this yeare he shall shewe a strange alteration of humor to the great amazement of all the world for being in his Castell of Thonnon a Towne seated vpon the Lake Leman he retiers with a small traine to Ripaille where he had an Abbaie of Monkes of Saint Maurice and hauing imparted his desseine but to two of his most confident seruants hauing bound them to keepe him faithful company he takes vpon him the habit of these monkes that is A graye frocke a longe cloake a gray hood a short cornet and a red bonet vnder his hoode but vpon his gray frocke he ware a great girdle of gold vpon his cloake a crosse of gold Hauing thus changed his habit his meaning was not to change his degree nor to leaue the world but vnder the colour of this habit his intent was to aspire higher as the course of his life will shew Being now retired to Ripaille His â—â—ssimulation he calles a parliament and shewes them his intention in this newe manner of life That being weary of the world where there was nothing but toyle and trouble hee would sequester himselfe to dedicate his life wholy to the seruice of God But to the end he might prouide for the gouernment of his estate he declares his eldest sonne Prince of Piedmont and Claude his yongest Earle of Geneue and he himselfe remaynes Duke of Sauoie although he had vowed himselfe to the order of Saint Maurice and without altering of any thing he reserues to himselfe the sole and soueraigne authority of al his estats Hauing thus published his intent he retires with his monks to Ripaille into one quarter of the lodging the which he had built apart accompanied with twenty of his fauorits in Monks attire but not liuing like vnto that profession for leauing them their water rootes Death of great Princes he qualified this sollitarie life with the best cheere he could get from Chamberie or Turin This yeare is likewise memorable by the death of three great Princesses of Catherine Queene of England sister to Charles the 7. the mournfull leuanie of our long miseries of the old Queene daughter to the King of Nauarre Mother to the Princes of Brittaine the Duke Constable and of the old Countesse of Armaignac daughter to the Duke of Berry and Mother to the Duke of Sauoie the Earle of Armaignac and the Earle of March All died almost in one day hauing seene the strange tragedies of France acted during their liues and vpon their children and in their ends seeing no end of our miseries As the furie of fighting grew colde so the war was turned into trafficke There was no Towne but the gouernor kept it for him that would giue most Sale of places an vnworthy traffick and Charles held it more expedient to haue a Towne or place for money then to beseege it with great charge to the oppression of his subiects and with a doubtfull euent Montargis had cost eyther partie much money to take it and to recouer it againe Charles buies it of Francis of Surienne an Arragonois vnder the English pay for ten thousand Crownes He bought Dreux the which he could neuer yet obtayne for eighteene thousand Crownes of William Brouillart of Beause a filthy trafficke worthy of that confused time but vnworthy of all good order and all royall authority The which being layed open vnto Charles he resolues to vse an honorable force to spend more money to get more honor So he beseegeth Meaux and takes it victoriously these were the first fruits of this newe yeare In the moneth of May Charles the only son of Philip Duke of Bourgongne comes to Tours where King Charles was resident and takes Catherine of France his daughter to wife according to the treatie of Arras Charles son to Philip of Bourgongne marries Katherin of France Hauing conducted her through his fathers Countries to Saint Orem where the duke attended him hee solemnized the marriage with exceeding great pompe the which did nothing increase the loue of these Princes allied nor the happynesse of the marriage the which was of small continuance and lesse loue betwixt the parties as the course of the historie will shew In the meane time the Bourguignon hath still two strings to his bowe Although he had renounced the alliance of England yet had he not left all his intelligences the necessity of their neighbour-hood giuing them still occasions to confer togither And as he was alwayes watchefull of his profit so had he a good gage in England to settle his affaires inretyring Lewis Duke of Orleans out of prison being taken at the battaile of Azincourt He caused Charles to entertaine a treatie for a truce with the English the first grounds were layed by the Duchesse his wife a cunning Princesse and careful of her husbands good The Cardinall of Wincestre comes to Grauelin to that effect yet this was but to lay the first foundation of the worke which shal be finished in due season We haue made mention of Iohn of Luxembourg who would not bee comprehended in the treaty of Arras Philip made great shewe to be displeased with him and Luxembourg likeâ—wise to be his enemie causing his men to be slaine in great disorder Philip treats with him vpon complaint of them that were wronged and all is pacified The cleere sighted did easily finde that this was the Bourguignons policie who seemed to bee in choller against him to gratifie Charles being much displeased with Luxembourg who played the pettie King with his maister but he shall not carrie it long for he died soone after the Bourguignon lost the whip he held ready for al euents 1439. and the children of Luxembourg stood in need of the Kings fauour But nowe the Bourguignon flies to an other practise He desired infinitly to be maister of Calais A ridiculous practise to take Calais and seeing that force could not preuaile he meanes to trie policy Some of his subiects perswaded him that in breaking of a dike they should let in the sea and so drowne the Towne Countrie about whereby they should force them to obedience He beleeues this imagination and imployes much paine and cost to effect it But this fancie of a floud vanished away like vnto the flemish army at the first seege whereof we haue seene the fruitlesse issue So this fantasticall floud proued ridiculous But the Duke to shew that he had done something caused the bridge of Milay to be beaten downe and some small dikes which onely watered the Countrie The beginning of this yeare layed the foundation of great matters for the restoring of our estate the which doth drawe on daiely by meanes not foreseene and without the wisdome or care of Charles who was chiefely interessed After the reduction of Paris all the Townes in generall were resolued to free themselues by force if the King had beene so affected but finding his minde inclyning rather to peace they beseech
where Charles was resident whilest that his army afflicted these poore people He feasted conducted this Princesse as his own daughter euen with tears of ioy The King of England marrieth but this ioy was sodenly coÌ„uerted into heauines by the death of the Daulphins wife his daughter in Lawe whom he loued deerely for her vertues which made her amiable to all France She was one of the chiefest in this great solemnity from the which she went to the bed of death her death was the sepulchre of her Mother the widowe of Iames King of Scotts who was come to see her and whilest her funeralles were making her Sisters ariue from Scotland to attend on her nay rather to descend with her into the graue if the humainty of Charles had not reuiued them giuing them honest meanes to maintaine their estats in France Thus passeth the Ocean of this miserable life in the which there is more cause of mourning then of ioy The Daulphins wife dies both in great and small The marriage likewise of England wherein were so great shewes of ioy shall end with a lamentable Tragedie as we shall see hereafter The truce was so pleasing to both Realmes A truce prolonged for fiue yeares that before it was expired the Kings of France and England renue it for fiue yeares more in hope of a perfect peace promising by their seuerall writings published generally to meete togither within six monethes in some conuenient place to confirme this peace so generally desired of all their subiects 1445. 1446. 1447. 1448. And to confirme the assurance of their promises the English deliuers Mans to Charles with all thee held in the Countrie of Maine but all is put into the hands of King René his father in lawe Francis Duke of Brittain doth homage to the King for the Duchie of Brittain and the Earldome of Montfort This was at Chinon but some monethes after there chanced a tragicall desaster in that house Francis suspecting that Gyles his brother would deale treacherously with him by the too familiar correspondency he had with the Engâ—ish caused him to bee put in prison by the Councell and care of Charles who had sent him foure hundred lances vnder the comand of the Admirall Coitiuy But they dealt worse with him causing him to die in prison for hungar The history of Brittain describes this accident very plausibly The cruâ—lty of the Duke of Bâ—ittany against his brother but it is true that Gyles died beeing prisoner with his brother Peter who suruiued him not long after hauing a great remorse for this tragicke accident In the rest of this yeare and the three following there is nothing memorable but the pursuts which Charles made for the reunion of the Church But not to breake off the course of our history which is properly to treate of that which concernes our Estate we reserue it for a more conuenient place A worke in truth not onely worthy of a great Monarke but of a peaceable time that in the peace of the State we may see the peace of the Church The soldiars insolencie was nothing abated by this voiage of Germany They returne more flesht then before against the poore laborer Charles made new orders to restraine them causing them to bee duly obserued but the ouerwening violence of the English increased daylie not onely by the negligence but by the command of such as had the charge The Duke of Yorke being called home into England the duke of Somerset succeeded him a proud man who thinking to do better then the rest did absolutely ruine the English affaires in France Hee dispenced with his soldiars in all their villaines 1448 and kept them ready to breake the truce vpon any profitable occasion The English breake the truce In the meane time the Souldiers ordinarie practise was to stand in Sentinell to surprise some good house in the countrie being ill garded to robbe it spoile it and carry away the prisoners by vnknowne wayes To this end they had their spies their guides and their retreats The fields were full of robberies by men disguised in strange and fearfull habits being masked when they espied their pray and therefore they called them counterfeit faces But to draw men into danger they marched like passengers expecting the commoditie to surprize them There is heard nothing but complaints and repulses All the pursuites which were made to repaire the breaches of truce did but increase the paine and charges of the interessed But of these small disorders committed by the Souldiars there grew so great an inconuenience as in the end it filled vp the measure against the English being hated and detested of all the French for their pride and insolencie Fougeres surprized by the English during the truce Fougeres a Towne of Brittanie vpon the confines of Normandie then very riche and populous being without garde vnder the assurance of the truce was easily surprised by Francis of Surienne called the Arragonois a Knight of the order of the Garter and a great Captaine vpon the marches of France obeying the English The Towne being surprised by him being accompanied with six or seuen hundred souldiers suffered all the miseries that might be They kill spoile and sack rauish women robbe Churches take prisoners and from thence they runne into Brittanie and fill all full of feare and combustion The Britton appeales to the King and both complaine to Henry King of England and to the Duke of Somerset his Lieutenant in France they presse them to repaire so notable a breach else they would seeke a meanes of reuenge But they receiue nothing but words disauowed by mouth and aduowed in effect for Somerset causeth S. Iames of Beueron to be fortified contrary to the treatie Charles receiuing these bare answers from England sees which way the chance would fall and that the game would not passe without blowes yet he restrained his men with great modestie holding it for a maxime that he must vse no force But when as moderate remedies can take no place with men not capable of reason then to oppose force against the iniurious passion of his enemie I read with ioy in the Originall that Charles conteined himselfe and was forced to this last warre To haue God on his side and the wrong on his enemie To conclude this moderate proceeding did so iustifie the good cause of Charles as it was continued with a happy euent not onely to abate the pride of the English but to expell them out of the whole realme as the iust iudgement of God pursued their arrogancie in this attempt by the breach of publike faith the vndoubted ruine of humaine societie which hath no certaine foundation but in perfect faith Here endeth the yeare but the controuersie shall begin more hotly by iust armes accompanied with a victorious sentence the which the Iudge of the world shall pronounce against the pretender of this estate Normandie reduced to the Kings obedience THe
in doing well How farre better and more honourable had it beene for Charles to haue beene beloued and respected by his sonne Lewis who bâ—ing growne great and hauing giuen many testimonies of his iudgement and valour might well haue eased him in his greatest affaires as Robert did Hugh Capet being associate in the same raigne to be honoured and serued by the Princes of his bloud especially of this his trustie friend who had giuen him so many proofes of his loyaltie in his greatest affaires and receiued likewise from him such firme gages of his loue and to â—cape the fruites of this so much desired peace with his subiects the which he had 〈◊〉 for all his subiects But if â—e afflicts others he hath a good share himselfe He makes hâ—s Sonne to flie and to beg his bread in a strange countrie he causeth a poore Pâ—iâ—ce of hâ—s bloud to languish in prison and he himselfe feeles in his soule a continuall torment of greefe a fier of choller and a torture of iealousie trusting no man but liuing in continuall feare and was this man at rest A strange torment he hath brought peace to all men and cannot inioy it himselfe he hath bread and cannot eate it But what read I in the Originall of the manners of our Charles This King Charles saieth Monstrelet after his reconcilement with Philip Duke of Bourgongne His loues was of a good life and deuoute but when he had recouered his realme he changed his manners and polluted his life in maintaining dishonest women in his Court leauing the companie of a good and loyall wife suffring more honour and reuerence to be done to those women by the greatest of his Court then to the Queene they being more richly attired then the Queene her selfe the which was an ill president in such a person yet he gouerned his realme very nobly and wisely was indued with goodly vertues maintaining iustice throughout his whole realme Monstreleâ— and the historie of S. Denis excuse the loue of faire Agnes and here they accuse Charles My duâ—ie is to coate euery part faithfully in this my Inuentorie in the which there is nothing of mine owne but the bare report whereby it appeares that vertues are mixt with vices and that it is more easie to beare aduersitie then prosperitie Let the example of Dauid be confronted with this Wine causeth drunkennesse and water tempers Sometimes age is more weake and imperfect then youth to the end the whole honour of any good that is in man may be ascribed to God who is the Author thereof â—oy and griefe iealousie and loue be they not contrary affections and yet behold they are both in one subiect distracting him diuersly Inconstant nature of man who is a slaue to sinne by the meanes of sinne which receiues the motions of diuers windes from North South East and West both soure and sweete It will be now time after all this to shew the end of our Charles but we may not omit some notable things which chanced in this season during the ebbing and flowing of these seuen variable yeares Lewis the Daulphin was resident at Geneppe in Brabant and married with the daughter of Sauoy by whom he had a sonne The Duke of Sauoy with his wife who was daughter to the King of Cypres came to visit Charles and to pacifiâ— him with hope that he should soone see his sonne with this new gage of loue but all this did but ease and not cure Charles his infirmitie We haue said before Troubles in England that Henry the sixt King of England was put in prison by the Duke of Yorke who pretended the Crowne to appertaine vnto him by a iuster title then vnto Henry He makes an accord with the Duke of Yorke to free himselfe from this captiuitie That Henry should inioy the Crowne during his life but after his decease it should come to the Duke of Yorke and to his heires after him and so the Prince of Wales sonne to King Henry should be excluded from the succession of England By this accord Henry was released but Yoland his wife daughter to King René of Sicile shewes her selfe more resolute then her husband who hauing prouided for her affaires disauowes this accord as preiudiciall to her sonne and against the lawes which allow of no forced contract made by a prisoner and so she armes to maintaine her sonne the lawfull heire of the Crowne The Duke of Yorke likewise leuies an army to frustrate the Queenes desseines At that time the Queene did winne both the victorie and the heads of the Duke of Yorke of his second soone and of the Earle of Salisburie his chiefe partisan whom she tooke prisoners in the battaile and caused to be beheaded but she shall haue her turne In the meane time these troubles ministâ—ed an occasion vnto Charles to attempt against the English although transported with these home-bred discontents he had a troublesome enemie within himselfe without seeking one beyond the seas This was done by the councell and aduice of the Constable of Richmont who fearing the Kings humour and loth to deale in thâ—se discontents laboured to diuert him giuing him a better subiect to exercise his spirit It was also happy for the Constable that he was faâ—re off being likely that iealousie would haue brought him first in question whom Charles loued not much for the crosses he had receiued by him in the beginning The cause which had drawâ—e Richmont from Court was honourable for him for by â—he dâ—â—th of Peteâ— Duke of Brittanie his Nephew he was called to the Duchie Being Duke he would not leaue the office of Constable notwithstanding all the intreaties of his subiects being desirous to honour that charge in his age the which had honoured him in his youth although he inioyed the Dukedome but three yeaâ—es dying with the goâ—d opinion of all France hauing assisted it much both with his councell and valour This aduise to attempt against England giuen by the Constable Enterprise against England was executed by the Normans vnder the command of Peter of Brezay Seneshall of Normandie accompanied with a good number of the Nobilitie of Normandie and foure thousand fighting men these might do some great exploit in a countrie diuided and troubled but God hath appointed the limits of Kingdomes and that great ditch of the sea is sufficient to distinguish these two Monarchies who haue inough to content them without attempting against their neighbour To conclude this armie lands in England and takes Sandwich the which they presently spoile leaue and so returne to Honnefleu from whence they imbarked carrying away store of prisoners and spoile Their speedie returne was chieflie to saue their liues and goods which had beene in great danger if they had ingaged themselues farther for any rich spoile Charles was intreated by Ladislaus King of Hongarie sonne to that great Iohn Huniades one of the strongest Champions against the Turke â—o graunt him Magdalâ—ine his
daughter to wife the which he did As he prepared for this voyage and a stately traine for his daughter A strange death in the midest of â—oy which might equall or surmount the Ambassage sent from Ladislaus newes comes of the death of Ladislaus a young man of twenty yeares of age and of a generous hope who was poisoned at Prague Whose death was the cause of many miseries as we shall hereafter shew Their ioy in France was changed to mourning and the wedding to a funerall to the great griefe of Charles But to put him in minde of necessary causes amidest these voluntarie afflictions It chanced that the mother of Ioane the Virgin to purge the blot of infamie in the death of her daughtâ—r being condemned as a Sorceresse by the Bishop of â—eauuais to please the English obtaines a reuocation of this sentence from the Pope and Charles confirmes it causing it to be solemnlie published to the content of all Frenchmen to whom the remembrance of this generous spirit shall be for euer pleasing In the meane time this iealousie which was grauen in the heart of Charles is fed by the dayly whisperings of his household flattereâ—s And now behold a strange accident A Captaine in whom he had great confidence assures him that they ment to poison him he beleeues it and plants this apprehension so firmely in his heart as he resolues neither to eate nor drinke The tragicall death of Chaâ—les not knowing whom to trust He continued obstinately for seauen dayes in this strange resolution the which in the end brought him to his graue for being obstinate in this humour not to eate notwithstanding all the perswasions of his Physitians and seruants the passages were so shrunke as when he would haue eaten it was then too late and feeling his forces to decay he prouided for his last will and dyed the 22. of Iuly at Meun vpon Yeure in Bâ—rry in the yeare 1461. hauing liued 59. yeares and raigned 39. leauing two sonnes Lewis and Charles the first shall raigne after his father and the second shall be the causer of new troubles in France but not such as haue raigned vnder our Charles the 7. A Prince who hath as much aduanced the French Monarchie as any King that euer commanded for finding the realme ruined he hath restored it his Predecessors had planted the English in the bowels of the Estate he expelled them bringing in a gentle peace after an intestine warre of a hundred yeares A fâ—iend to Iustice good order and the people His dispositioÌ„ resolute in great affaiâ—es capable of councell wise couragious happy in the execution of good councels and happy in seruants that haue faâ—thfully serued him to the end of the worke of restauration wherevnto God had appointed him But these great and heroike vertues were blemished by some vices which were more visible in his prosperitie His 〈◊〉 then in his aduersitie for affliction restrained him but his happy successe puft him vp and gaue scope to his humours making him suspitious and amourous to the pâ—eiudice of his affaires and dishonour of his person On the one side vngouerned lâ—ue to strange women making him to forget the lawfull loue of his wife and to loose both time and iudgment whereby he blemished his reputation both with subiects and strangeâ—s On the other side presumption of his good successe made him vnpleasing to his best seruants yea euen to his owne bloud and this froward humour causing him to discontent such as hee should haue trusted setled so wilfuâ—l and peeuish a iealousie in his heart as hauing troubled all his house in the ende it brought him to his graue after a most fearefull and tragicke manner leauing in his vertues an example to bee followed and in his vices to bee auoided with a visible proofe in his happy successe That God vseth the weake instruments to the end that he might be knowne the Author of the good worke they haue in hand that his grace seeming strong in their weakenesse the homage and honour of all good might be giuen to him for whosoeuer glories let him glory in the Lord. Charles had no sooner closed his eyes but Poasts flie to Geneppe in Brabant vnto Lewis to aduertise him of his death The originall notes it for exceeding speed that through the diligence of Charles of Aniou father in law to Charles Lewis was aduertitised of the death of his father the very same day he dyed This Poast was speedy yet slowe in regarde of the desire Lewis had to returne into France and to take possession of this goodly Crowne which attended him LEWIS the eleuenth the 55. King of France LVDOVICVS .11 KING OF FRANCE .55 · WAs it not then likely that this so happy a Catastrophe of the latter raigne of Charles should haue purchased Lewis as happy and peacefull a Crowne as his fathers had beene painfull and full of crosses But the heires of worldly possessions which we call the goods of Fortune and of the body doe not alwayes inherit the same humors and complexions of their Predecessors Charles was of a curteous disposition affable a friend to Iustice and capable of councel he leaues Lewis his eldest sonne a Pâ—ince in truth humble in words and shew wise in aduersitie painfull The disposition of Lewis the 11. a free entertainer of men of merit curious to know all men of a good capacity perfect in iudgement and very continent But these vertues were blemished with many vices ill tongued reuengefull cruell full of fraud dissemblâ—ng distrustfull variable a friend to base people and an enemie to great persons yet willing to repaire the wrongs he had done to many But let vs impute this alteration to the multitude of his forraine homebred foes who â—ad greatly altered the good seeds which nature had planted in him That which plunged him in a labyrinth of troubles afflictions during all the course of his life was that at his first comming to the Crowne he discountenanced most of the Princes Noblemen whom Charles had fauoured preferring meane men to their places changed in a manner all the ancient officers of the crowne casierd discharged the old coÌ„panies of men at armes whereby such as hated him did taxe him as an enimy to al valour vertue Lewis the Daulphin at the age of eleuen yeares was rashly ingaged by some Noblemen others of the realme in the war called the Praguery against Charles his father His wiueâ— who speedily suppressed it by his resolution as we haue seene Beeing come to the age of man he married with Marguerit daughter to the King of Scots and as hee fell rashly in loue so he reaped nothing but repentance After her death not able to beare the vnpleasing waywardnes of his father he retires into Daulphiné and takes to his second wife Charlotte daughter to the Duke of Sauoy by whoÌ„ he had Ioachim who dyed young His children Anne marryed
came a new taske in hand To kepe them in practise he sends part of them vnder the command of the Admiral bastard of Bourbon for Montauban was dead and the Earle of Dammartin into Armagnac He had beene one of the common-welth and this enterprise did alwaies sticke in Lewis his stomack At the fiâ—st without any effution of bloud they make him peaceable possessor of the countrie whereof they invest his brother and so the yeare ended But let vs se the first frutes of the following yeare To be revenged of Charles of â—ourgongne A new pretext of reuenge he must haue some apparent colour Lewis doth vnderhand practâ—se the Townes lying vpon the riuer of Somme animates the Nobility of the Countrie to complaine in the Parlement at Paris of the difficulty they had to receyue iustice and therevpon to require the Kings assistance fauour Moreouer they charged the Bourguignon that he extended his limits farther then he ought by the treatie vsurped the Kings rights and prerogatiues forcing some Lords whose lands did hold directlie of the King to doe him homage and seruice against all men Vpon colour of these complaints Lewis assembles the Estats at Tours in the moneth of March and Aprill the which was all he euer held but he calls none but his most confident seruants who would not contradict him in any thing For a conclusion of the assemblie the Duke is summoned to appeere at the Parlement of Paris He retaines the officer many daies at Gand and in the end sends him back As all things were prepared to ruine the Duke of Bourgongne behold there falls out another matter of some moment in this action The Earle of Warwick hauing aboue all others supported the house of Yorke against that of Lancaster had besides his patrimonie inriched himselfe aboue 4000. Crownes a yeere reuenue in rewardes and offices by Edward King of England Competitor to Henry the 6 whom he kept prisoner at London which Henry had so long ruled our France This his great credit drawes iealousie after it too ordinary in soueraine Princes especiallie to theÌ„ whom they haue raiâ—ed vp Edward King of England the Earle of VVâ—â—wick diuided wherby the Earle falls into some disgrace with Edward The Duke of Bourgongne to whome the Earles great authoritie and the secret intelligences he had with our Lewis was wonderfull odious and suspect for the Duke had married the sister of Edward to fortifie himselfe against Lewis not for any affection he bare to the howse of Yorke being by his mother issued out of the house of Lacaster feeds this harted of Edward agaiâ—st Warwicke who finding himselfe forced to yeeld to the stronger resolues to retyre into France hee leads with him Marguerite the wife of Henry 1470. daughter to Rene King of Sicile the Prince of Wales son of the sayd Henry and Marguerite Warwike â—lies into Fâ—ance the Duke of Clarence son in lawe to Warwicke and brother to Edward the Earle of Oxâ—ord with their wiues and children and many followers In his passage he takes many ships from the Bourguignons subiects and sells the bootie in Normandie And â—or a requital Charles causeth all the French Marchants to be taken that were come to the faire at Antwerp hee complaines to the Court of Parliament at Paris The Duke of Bourgungnes arrogancy of the reception the King had made of the Earle of Warwick threatning to fetch him wheresoeuer But the arrogance of his words was but the leuaine of his splene Lewis giues such entertaynment to the Earle of Warwick as he might hope for he armes all the ships he can finde in his fauour by meanes wherof he returnes happily into England and gathers togither an infinite number of men which ioyne with him from al parts he marcheth against Edward and forceth him to fly to his brother in lawe into Holland being accompained only wih seauen or eight hundred men for his gard without mony and without apparell other then for war Hee drawes Henry out of prison where he himselfe had formerly lodged him and installes him againe in his royall state Edward notwithstanding the presence of the Dukes of Glocester and Somerset sent by Henry obtaynes of the Duke of Bourgongne but vnderhand and secretly The Earle of VVarwike slaine and his whole army defeated by Edward for that hee would by no meanes incense Henry whom al England now obeied succors of meÌ„ ships money he returnes into the realme is receiued into London he meets with the Earle of Warwicke fights with him and kills him with his brother the Marquis of Montagu cuts all his army in peeces The Duke of Clarence before the battaile goes to â—is brother Edward and with his owne hand slue as some write Henry whom Edward had taken in London and led to this battaile this was in the yeare 1471. on Easter day This happy victorie is seconded by an other no lesse famous The Prince of VValles sonne to Henry deâ—eated by Edward The Prince of Wales sonne to Henry followes after with whome the Dukes of Glocester and Somerset had already ioyned leading fortie thousaÌ„d men of his faction Edward pufte vp with the prosperous successe of his first victory marcheth towards him fights with him kills him takes the Earle of Somersâ—t prysoner and the next day cutts off his head To conclude Warwicke had conquered the realme of England in eleuen days and Edward recouered it in twentie and remayned in peaceable possession vnto his death If the Earle had patiently attended the great forces which Prince Edward brought vnto him who will not thinke but he had remayned a conquerour But he feared Somerset whose father and brother he had put to death and hee must feale the effects of the diuine Oracle Hee that hath shed mans bloud his bloud shal be shed for God hath made man after his owne image and Gen. 9.6 Math. 26.52 Apoc. 13 10. All those that haue taken the sword shall perish by the sword In the meane time whilest these stirres are in England Charles the 8. of that name afterwards King of France was borne vnto Lewis at the Castell of Amboise a happie proppe of an old decayed father This birth causeth the Princes hereafter to be lesse respected and the King more feared and honored who hauing now an heire to whome he might leaue the Crowne Charles the 8. borne bandies all his witts to weakeÌ„ his enemies as wel for his own priuate regard as to leaue therealme wholie peaceable to his sucâ—essor Charles of Guienne lyued for shew in good amity with the King Francis of Brittain although he had preferred the order of the golden fleece before that of Saint Michell the which Lewis had offred vnto him being loath to loose assured friends to accept the friendship of a Prince in whom he could repose no confidence yet he contayned himselfe Charles of Bourgongne woare the garter openly molested the Kings subiects
confusion of the Duke of Bourgongne Let vs generally confesse that it is not now alone that God doth shew his singular grace and fauour to this Monarchie The Britton was watchfull and ioyntly with the Bourguignon they practised crosses of dangerous consequence The English from a generall demand of the Crowne of France restraine himselfe to the Duchie of Normandie oâ— Guienne But a franke demander requires a bold denier Lewis protests that hee would doo any thing to send the King of England out of this realme but to yeeld him the possession of any lands hee will rather put all to hazard Hee had a goodly and mighty army which they esteemed saith the Originall a hundred thousand fighting men and in shew might doo much the English being in bad termes with the Bourguignon But the quietest course is the best and both being willing to agree an accorde is soone made In the end the King graunts the English three-score and twelue thousand Crownes present paiment Paris lent the money vpon promises of restâ—tution by the feast of All Saints next following Articles of agreemeÌ„t with the English the marâ—iage of Charles with the eldest daughter of King Edward both being yet very young neither shall it take effect and for the estate of her house the Duchie of Guienne or fiftie thousand Crownes yearely payable in the Tower of London for nine yeares following at the end whereof hee and his wife quietly to enioy the reuenues of the sayd Duchie and the King should remaine discharged of the payment of 50000 Crownes to King Edward Moreouer the King promised sixteene thousand Crownes pension to some of Edwards fauorites who had much assisted in this reconciliation to Hastings two thousand to Howard to Iohn Chene Maister of the Horse to Sellenger Montgommeri and some others the remainder and besides there was great store of Siluer and Plate distributed among King Edwards seruants so euery Saint had his candle These conditions performed Edward should repasse the Sea and leaue Howard and the Maister of his Horse in hostage vntill he had recouered England yet not without an enterview of both Kings This peace should continue nine yeares comprehending the the Dukes of Bourgongne and Brittanie if they pleased The Bourguignon hearing these newes hastes his returne to the English followed onely with sixteene hundred Horse The Duke of 〈◊〉 come to king Edward At his â—irst arriuall hee discouers his inward passions by his outward countenance But hee came too late to preuent it Edward tells him that hee hath made a truce for nine yeares and exhorts him to enter according to the reseruation he had made He reprocheth King Eâ—waâ—d for making a truce Charles replies by fitts and after a reprochfull manner That Edwards Predecessors Kiâ—gs of England had performed many high exploits in France and with much sweare and toyle had woâ—ne great reputation He checketh him that hee did not procure the English to passe for any neede he had but onely to giue them occasion to recouer their ancient inheritance And to make it manifest that hee had no neede of their comming hee would not accept of any truce with the King vntill that Edward had beeâ—e three monethes in his owne Country And hauing thus sayd heereturnes towards Luxembourg from whence hee came A brauadoe of ill digestion to the English and his Counsell but plausible to all the friendes of confusion But what is become of our Constable is there no speech of him during this treatie The Constaâ—â—â— perplexed Nowe is hee more incombred with feare then euer Hee knowes well that he hath displeased the King the English and the Bourguignon all alike and still hee apprehends the conclusion at Bouuines In the meane time hee seekes to please all and setts a good face on it Edward had freely made offer to the French Ambassadors to name some Noblemen that were Traitors sayd hee to the King and his Crowne and to proue it by their hand-writings The King holds a Counsell vpon this matter some maintayne Edward discouers the constables disseins that this accusation is fraudulent and that the English would make his demandes the greater with the wracke of an others honour as hauing good intelligence in France But Lewis his iudgement was more sharpe hee knewe the Bourguignons courses he considered the season that the English had not any one place in their hands and that the Bourguignon had deceyued them Moreouer he knewe well that the Constable would not giue them any entry and least he should bee farther imbarked in the league the King entertayned him with many letters and kept him in good humour and the Constable likewise sent often to the King yet alwayes swimmyng betwixt two streames vnderstanding that the treaty betwixt the two Kings grewe to some perfection he seemed well satisfied and sends Lewis of Creuille a gentleman of his house and Iohn Richer his Secretary aduising the King that to auoyde this threatning forraine tempest hee should procure a truce to satisfie the English it were good to graunt them one or two smal Townes to winter in Hee supposed in doing this the English should be beholding to him and to rest fully satisfied for the affront at Saint Quentin Note alwaies that Lewis was a wonderfull instrument of diuision when he pleased Lewis subtill industry Contâ—y a prisoner at the defeate of Arras went and came vpon his faith to the Duke of Bourgongne to treat a peace Hee was by chance in Court at the comming of these two persons The King hides him in his Chamber behinde the hangings to heare and report to his master the speeches the Constable and his people held of him Creuille by the Kings commandement with a loud voice sayd that the Constable had sent theÌ„ to the Duke of Bourgongne with many instructioÌ„s to diuide him from the English and that they had found the sayd Duke so farre incensed as by their perswasions he was not onely readie to abandon them but to charge them in their retreat Creuille in speaking this did counterfet the gesture of a passionate Prince stamping and sweaâ—ing S. George the oath of Charles of Bourgongne saying that he called the King of England Blanâ—borgne and the sonne of an Archer whose name he carried words accompained with all the indignities that might bee spoken This mooued laughter in the King who taking pleasure at the repetition thereof and seeming somewhat deaffe made him to straine his voice in the report Contay no lesse amazed then the King was pleased would neuer haue beleeued it if he had not heard it And although it grieued the King much to dissemble the Constables counsell to giue some places to the English yet would hee not discouer his discontent to these deputies but answered them gratiously I wil send to my Brother the Queene the Constables wife were Sisters and let him vnderstand my minde hauing cunningly drawen a promise from his Secretary to reueale
in the Kings name of the which Lewis Duke Orleans should be president Lewis discontented with this deuice seeks to hold his ranke hee pretends that being the chief Prince of the bloud the Regencie belonged vnto him assists at the Counsell in Parliament and in the assemblies in Towne and notwithstanding the last wiâ—l of King Lewis and the decree of the Estates yet will hee by force haue the name and effect of Regent But our Kings who may not to preiudice the elder or for want of issue their neerest kinsman being a male and legitimate dispose of their Crowne haue they not then power to comit the gard of their children being yet pupils the Regencie of the Realme to whome they please Moreouer was it reasonable that hee which was not yet fiue and twentie yeeres old who liued vnder his mothers wing who by right had yet need of a gouernor should bee declared capable for the gouernment of this Realme So want of yeares depriued his grandfather of the same dignitie during the phrenesie of Charles the 6. This discontent is nourished by a newe accident Lewis playing one day at Tenis where the Ladies were present there fell a blowe in controuersie the which Anne iudged for the aduerse part Lewis otherwise mooued casts out some word The Duke of Orleans discontented leaues the Court. The Duke of Loâ—â—aines pretension importing a lye Anne discontented herewith causeth it to bee decreed in Counsell that the Duke should bee committed prisoner hee is aduertised thereof by Iohn Louen or Louuaine a gentleman of his house and so retires to the Duke of Alançon The Duke of Lorraine was come to demand the Duchie of Barre the which Lewis the eleuenth had possessed and the Earldome of Prouence which hee pretended to be his as sonne to the daughter of René King of Sicile Duke of Aniou and Earle of Prouence and by consequence the neerest kinsman to Charles Duke of Aniou who by transaction and testament had made Lewis the eleuenth his heâ—re who was but nephewe to René and sonne to Charles of Aniou Earle of Maine his brother Bâ—rre was restored and the Loâ—raine had a hundred men at armes entertained with thirtie sixe thousand fâ—anks for foure yeares during the wâ—iâ—h tâ—ey should looke into the title of the said Earldome During this terme some well acquainted with the Estate of Prouence produce certaine testaments of Charles the first of that name brother to Saint Lewis and Earle of Prouence by his wife and of other Kiâ—gs of Sicile which had beene of the house of France by the which the house of Lorraine was not onely excluded from the succession of Prouence not lyable to the daughâ—er while there remained a sonne of the race but that also the Realme of Sicile and all other Seigneâ—ries possessed by the house of Aniou belonged to the King That King Râ—né hauing regard to the said testaments A League made by the Duke of Orleans had at his death preferred his nephew Charles before the â—aid Duke of Lorraine sonne to his daughter The Duke oâ— Orleans greeued to bee thus excluded from his pretensions and that Anne alone gouerned the King her Brother he practiseth the Dukes of Bourâ—on Alançon and Brittaine the cheefe support and refuge of the discontented French the Earle of Angoulesme â—ohn Vicount of Narbonne Francis Earle of Longueuille and maâ—y others Alain Lord of Albret hoping by the meanes of Lewis whome he found to haue great credit with the Duke of Brittaine to manie with Anne A foolish warre the eldest daughter of the said Duke hauing not duly examined the heart of Lewis enters easily into this faction Thus all things threaten a horrible and pernitious war but more in shew then effect Lewis with his allies assembles some troupes and thinking to put them into Orleance the Inhabitants giue him to vnderstand by the Lord of Ioyeuze deputed there on his behalfe that hee might wel enter with his houshold but not with his souâ—dâ—rs Boâ—sgencie was then his retiring place 1485. Anne the twelue Counsellors cause him to be besieged by Francis Earle of Vendosme Lewis his brother Earle of Roche-sur-Yon René Duke of Lorâ—aine whom the sayd Ladie had wholy woon vnto her knowing him to be resolute vehement of faction 〈◊〉 Peter of Rohan Lord of Gâ—é Marshall of France In the end this warre was pacified by this agrement That the Duke oâ— Orleans should come to Court An accord and inioy the place that belonged vnto him but Francis Earle of Dunois the Dukes right hand a busie-bodie the first author of the trouble should retire himselfe into the Countie of Ast belonging to the said Duke or to what other place he pleased without the realme Must Lewis then bring his confederats in disgrace with the king now abandon them Behold the Duke of Bourbon the Earle of Angoulesme leading .300 Lances To the preiudice of his Confederatâ— 8. thousand foote and about eighteene hundred gentlemen of Auuergne Bourbanois Forest Beauieulois and Angoulesmois Alain 8 or 9. thousand fighting men If Lewis had attended them in some place of strength how dangerously had he shaken the new Estate of Charles not well setled during his minoritie But hee had too good a mind to teare out his owne bowels in their persons whom the law in time should submit vnto him and dismember the Crowne which he should weare in his turne Anne disperâ—â— this storme causeth the Earle of Beauieu her husband to incounter their troupes force the Duke of Orleans to march in person against those that came to his seruice They were all Frenchmen as they were lightly armed so were they as lightly disarmed the Marshal of Gié and the Chamberlane of Grauille shall easiâ—y reconcile them Alain being stopt in his passage of Garonne at S. Basille by the Earles of Vendosme Roche-sur-Yon was admtted to the same accord vpon charge to furnish the King a huÌ„dred men at armes for his seruice the which he deliuered vnder the command of S. Cyr and Forcais They are all dispersed the King at Amboise Lewis at Orleans Alain in Bazadois and all the rest to their houses the Vicont of Foix and Peter his brother being Cardinal at Nantes vnder colour to visit their sister wife to the Duke of Brittaine They find their brother in law much incensed against his Nobilitie they resolue to defend theÌ„selues But as both armies were ready to ioyne Troubles in Brittaine an accord is made by some medâ—ators That considering the Dâ—kes age weakenes of iudgemeÌ„t the State should be gâ—uerned by the aduice of his neerest kinsmen and friends Landais is reiected They are reconciled to the ruine of Landays and stormes he drawes letters pattents in the Dukes name declares al those of the Dukes army that had entered into capitulation with the enimies troupes guilty of high treason forfeiting all their goods as traitors he carries
hauing not yet liued 44. yeares complet for his Country the which by his wisdome and iudgement flourished most happily in all the benefits which a long peace doth vsually bring forth and for Italy as well by reason of the affaires which he did wisely manage to the generall good of the whole Country as also for that he was a notable instrument to temper the diuers humors and iealousies which sprong vp dayly betwixt Ferdinand and Lodowike and to quench the flames which might easily cause a generall disorder This peace beeing well shaken by his death was presently quite broken not so much by the death of Innocent who by his sloth was growne vnprofitable as â—ell for himselfe his friends and the publicke after hee had retyred his armes the which hee had displayed at the instance of the Barons of Naples as by the succession of Roderike Borgia who was then called Alexander the sixt a Spaniard chosen vnder the factious discords of Ascanius Sforce brother vnto Lodowike Pope Alexanders disposition Iulian of S. Pierre buying the suffrages of many other Cardinalls partly with ready money and partly by promises of Offices and benefices He was subtill and quicke wiâ—teâ— excellent in counsell vehement to perswade and a great man of state But sayth the Originall his vertues were surpassed by his vices dishonest in manners no sincerity 〈◊〉 shame no truth no faith no religion in him but an insatiable couetousnes an immoderate ambitien The peace of Italy ruined by Peter of Medicis a cruelty more then barbarous and a violent desire to aduance by what meanes soeuer his children which were many in number Peter the eldest sonne of Laurence of Medicis was successor to his goodly honors but not to his fathers good humors Peter differed as much from Laurence as that Hector drawne dead at a chariots taile from Hector returning victorious honored with the spoiles of Achilles At his entrance to the gouernment following an aduice directly contrary to his father without any other counsell then of Virgilius Vrsâ—nus of whose humour Peter depended both their Mothers being of the family of Vrsins he made so strict a League with Ferdinand and Alphonso as Lodowike a vigilant and subtill man conceyued presently that the Florentin forces might easily bee drawne to preiudice him in fauour of the Arragonois This iealousie was layed open by this accident The confederatâ— according to their custome must send to congratulate and acknowledge the newe Pope Lodowike had wisely aduised that all the Ambassadors should enter Rome togither in company and likewise into the consistory before the Pope and that one should speake for them all for sayd he by this manner of proceeding we shall make knowne to Italy that there is not onely a singular loue and League betwixt vs but also so fâ—rme a coniunction as wee shall seeme to be but one body and one Principality Ferdinand approued this aduice Peter did not publickly gainsay it but in priuate hee could not digest it being one of the Ambassadors chosen for the common weale of Florence hauing resolued to beautifie his ambassage with a proud and staâ—ely traine He considered that entring into Rome and presenting himselfe to the Pope in troupe his traine would appeere far lesse stâ—tely in so great a company And therefore he caused the King of Naples to frustrate this desseine as not to be done without confusion But Ferdinand loath to displease one to please an other doth aduertise Lodowike that he did not recall his first consent but at the instant request of Peter of Medicis There was yet an other reason which made Lodowike to suspect some secret intellâ—gence betwixt Peter and the Arragonois Francisquin Cibo bastard sonne to Innocent after his fathers death had retired himselfe to Florence to Peter of Medicis brother to Magdalene his wife Being planted there Virgilius Vrsinus bought of him by Peters meanes Larguillare Ceruetre and some other places neere to Rome for fortie thousand duckets The money was in a manner all lent him by Ferdinand of purpose to the ende that Virgilius being his kinsman and entertayned soldiar growing great about Rome he might reape the more profit Ferdinand found no better foundation for his safety then to tye all or the greatest part of the Noblemen within the territories to suppresâ—e that Hidrâ—es head if it shold rise too high This he labored more carefully doubting that Lodowikes authority would proue great hereafter with the Pope by the meanes of Cardinall Ascanius his Brother The vanity of mans conceites must needes discouer the weakenesse of his iudgement Of two mischiefs Ferdinand did choose the greatest grounding vpon a light profit he did not foresee that he layed the way open to his owne ruine For the â—â—pe discouering the Arragonois intentioÌ„ pretending that by the alie nation of these 〈◊〉 places lying in his Iurisdiction done without his priuity they were by right forfaiâ—ed to the Apostolike sea He exclaimes and complaines against Ferdinand Peter Virgilius protesting to omit no meanes that may serue for the defence of his dignity and the rights of the Romaine sea Lodowike embraceth this occasion and seeing the Pope to study of some great reuenge against Ferdinand he feeds his passions by the loane of forty thousand ducats three hundred men at armes leuied vpon the coÌ„mon treasor Yet apprehending new troubles he aduiseth Ferdinand to perswade Virgilius to coÌ„tent the Pope by some honest composition to preueÌ„t the incoÌ„ueniences scandales this diuorce might breed and councelleth Peter to follow the domesticall example of his father and to be a mediator as he had beene betwixt Ferdinand and him rather then a fiâ—e brand to kindle diuision but he talked to a deaff man â—erdinand promiseth to do it but he ruined with one hand what hee raised with the other he secretly sollicits Virgilius to taâ—e possession of those Townes and not to yeeld the Pope any tâ—ing but some certaine summe of money by meanes whereof he should remaine peaceable Lord oâ— the sayd places promising to waâ—rant him from all troubles Lodowike findes hereby that it behoues him to fortifie himselfe with newe supports and newe alliances He hath a good oportunity the disdaine of Alexander against the King of Naples and the affection the Senat of Venice seemed to haue to the Dis-union of this League whereby their proiects had so long beene made frustrate But the Pope loued his children deerely and contrary to the custome of others who called them Nephewes as a more modest name he impudently called them Sonnes He hoped to obtaine one of the bastard Daughters of Alphonso for one of his bastards sonnes Grafte crabbe vpon crabbe and you shall neuer reape good fâ—uite and whilest this vaine hope possessed him he opened his eares rather then his heart to Lodowikes motion Ferdinand gaue his consent but Alphonso hated the ambition pride of Alexander The Pope being thus frustrate turnes all his thoughts to Lodowike mooued
maâ—â—resse King Charles dyed such as they could finde out by chance And before his eyes were shut vp with this last sleepe euery one forgets the course which this declining sunne had runne to follow the hope of the Easterne starre which came to lighten this realme Thus Charles the eight liued and thus he dyed an humble Prince liberall religious courteous His disposition familiar and of easie accesse of a good and tractable disposition small of statute but of an inuincible courage louing Iustice and his people capable of counsell commended for his great attempts hauing in his youth purchased so much glory and giuen so great hope both within and without Christendome that if God had granted him a longer life without doubt he had equalled the same of the most excellent and rarest Princes In him failed the direct line of the Kings of France descended from Philip of Valois and the crowne fell to the collaterall line of the which the neerest and most capable of the succession was Lewis Duke of Orleans and Valois LEWIS the twelfth the 57. King of France LEWES THE .12 KING OF FRANCE .57 · NOWE behold our France hauing 1498. vnder Charles the eight happily breathed after the troubles and confusions which had so long afflicted the state during the raignes of his Predecessors takes her rest vnder the protection of a Prince excellent in bounty of nature in sweetenesse of manners in temperance and moderation of minde and affection finally in the happines and felicity of his raigne Who hauing extended his Empire beyond the lymits of Gaule subdued vnder his obedâ—eâ—â—e two of the noblest and mightiest Citties of the world Milan with Lombardie and Genes with her two riuers East and West togither with the Ilands of Corseque 〈◊〉 reconquered and diuided the Realme of Naples with the Castillian but in the end lost it by his treachery and disloyalty vanquished the Venetians in that memorable 〈◊〉 the 15. of May 1509. suppressed the Popes insolency defeated the Venetians Againe before Bresse made a peace with the Spaniard and Venetian consequently allied â—â—â—selfe with the King of England He shall haue this honor and content to see â—is â—ubiects in so great prosperity that by the conference of things passed before his 〈◊〉 the Realme was neuer so mighty in armes and men The happines of his raigne neuer so plentifull in all 〈◊〉 of commodities neuer so fortified with such strong places and which imports 〈◊〉 neuer so blessed in concord neuer so voide of diuisions neuer so able to 〈◊〉 a great charge and to produce noble attempts A Godly King chast vpright courteous good to his seruants gratious to his eneâ—â—es mercifull to all men a friend to Iustice and sincerity an enemy to flatery libeâ—rall but without oppression of any loyall respected in all parts of the world who in regard of learning shall open a way which his thrice worthy successor should bring to a most happy perfection But to crowne him with titles of honour hee was called The father of his people A King commanding a nation most willing to obey A people multiplying by millions in Nobilitie Marchants tradesmen and the common sort A people replenishing the Townes before halfe desert To conclude a people testiâ—yâ—â—â— the excellencie and greatnesse of their Soueraigne For the greatnesse of a King sayeth Salomon is in the multitude of people but when his subiects decrease it is the fall of his Soueraigntie But let vs see by the relation of the Historie the course of this admirable prosperitie and first of all his rights of Succession as well to this Crowne and that of Naples being King of France as also to the estate of Milan by reason of Valentine his grand mother King Charles the 5. had two sonnes The eldest Charles the 6. his successor who was father to Charles the 7. of whom was borne Lewis the xi father to Charles the 8. who dyed without children The genealogie of Lewis the 12. The yongest Lewis Duke of Orleans who married Valentine daughter to Iohn Galeas Earle of Vertus first Duke of Milan by whom he had three sonnes Charles his successor Duke of Orleans Iohn Earle of Angoulesme Philip Earle of Vertus The said Charles freed from his long imprisonment in England had by Mary of Cleues his wife our Lewis the 12. heire for want of heires male in the direct line of this realme and of the dependencies thereof and so was annointed at Rhâ—ims the 27. of May 149â— assisted at this sollemnitie by Iohn Duke of Alanson seruing as a Peere in the place of the Duke of Bourgongne Peter Duke of Bourbon for the Duke of Normandie Anthonie Duke of â—orraine for the Duke of Guienne Philip Earle of Ranasâ—ein in place of the Earle of Flanders Gilbert of Cleues for the Earle of Champagne Gaston of â—oix for the Earle of â—holouse and for the Peeres of the Clergie the Bishops that were then resident Afâ—â—â—wards he receiued the royall Crowne in the Abby of Saint Denis in France the first of Iuly following and the day following made his triumphant entâ—ie into Paris We iudge of the inward beautie of a Pallace by the entrie thereof Who would not then by these happy first fruites of this raigne conceiue a constant hope of a heauenly blessing Lewis after he had worthily performed the funeralls of his Predecessor hee first purchased the loue of the Noblemen of his Court mainteining euery man in his dignitie and state and the Magistrates in their offices He applyed his minde to order and to cut off the tediousnesse of suites freed his subiects of the third part of the Subsidies which oppressed them yea euen the rights which they are accustomed to pay to their new King for the charges of his funerall that is deceased and for his coronation and for a second benefit to the countrie he put the men at armes into their garrisons reducing them to the ancient discipline of warre which the disordered liberty of troubles past had much corrupted This done by the aiding of his best States men he made many goodly lawes vpon the abusâ—ue charges in the pursute of Iustice neither did he euer publish an Edict before it was confirmed by the iudgement of Soueraigne courts His decrees conteined some limitâ—tion of the pâ—iuileges granted in old time to Vniuersities the which they abused to the oppâ—â—ssâ—on of the people The Vniuersitie of Paris opposeth against the publication thereof and were ready to make a sedition many publishing infamous libels both against the King and against the Chancellor of Rochefort The Schollers troupe together and â—esolue to abandon both study and the exercise of learning Iohn Caue being Recâ—or The Vniuersitie at Paris 〈◊〉 forbids the Regents to read any more and the Preachers to preach vntill the Vniuersitie had recouered her ancient priuileges The King aduertised of these mutinies drawes many men at armes into Paris and sitting in Parliament confirmes the
with his Presence And to make this gouernment more popular hee made Iohn Iaques of Triuulce a Milanois gouernour of Milan giuing vnto him Vigeuene and many other things in regard of his merits and loyall seruice As the French forces prospered thus in the Duchie of Milan and the Venetians buâ—â—â—d in the Country of Cremona the Florentins gaped after the restitution of Pisa to obtaine it they giue vnto Paul Vitelli their generall an army of ten thousand foote with â— great number of horse with the which hauing taking Cascine and other places that â—â—â—â—orted Pisa he incamped before the Cittie the last day of Iuly An enterprise of 〈◊〉 as well for the strength of the Towne as for the valour and resolution of the Cittizens who willingly would haue suffered any misery rather then to haue fallen vnâ—â—â— tâ—e Florentins command Hee batters the fort of Stampace and the wall of eyther 〈◊〉 20. peeces of artillery Vitelli giues an assault forceth it with so great a terâ—â— to the Pisans as abandoning the rampars euery man seekes to saue himselfe by 〈◊〉 And if the generall had pursued it vigorously that morning had crowned him 〈◊〉 or whereas it proued the beginning of his downefall Pisa beseeged by Vitelli. for seeing his soldiars 〈◊〉 of spoile run togither by heapes hee stayed their heat causing the most of â—is troâ—peâ— to retire and gaue the beseeged leysure seeing this first brunt past to 〈…〉 courage and returne to the gard of their â—ampers So as whilâ—st he labored to â—inne a victory with the least preiudice to the army that might be beeing lodged in a Country full of pooles marishes which lie betwixt the sea and the Towne and the season being subiect vnto pestilent windes a generall contagion infects so many of his men in few dayes as the healthy were not sufficient for a generall assault so as he raised the seege against the Florentins will who promised to renew his troupes â—â—th fresh supplies So as the bad opinion which the Florentin people had conceiued of him increased nowe in such sort that being called into Cascine by the Comâ—â—â—aries of the army vnder colour of lodging the Companies Vitelli beheaded they tooke him prisoâ—â—â— and from thence he was led by the Magistrats commandement to Florence there publikely beheaded An ordinary reward for generous minds that subiect themselues to the seruice of a multitude During Lewis his aboad at Milan all the Potentats of Italy except Frederike King of Naples eyther came or sent vnto him some to congratulate some to purge themselues from suspition to haue beene more affected to Lodowick then to him as also to assure their priuate estates The King receiuing them all gratiously compounded with them according to the qualities of their persons the benefit he might reape by theÌ„ The Marquis of Matoua and the Duke of Ferrare came in person The King gaue the Marquis a company of a hundred Lances and the order of S. Michel with an honourable pension The Ferrarois being in disgrace in Court since the time that he deliuered the Castle of Genes vnto Lodowick was glad to buy the Kings loue with ready money Iohn Bentiâ—â—le sent his sonne Hanniball the Florentins had some trouble to make their peace They had offended all the Court for that fearing to incense Lodowick Sforce touching the affaires of Pisa they had held themselues newters betwixt the King and Lodowick Moreouer the death of Paul Vitelli to whome the Crowne of France was beholding made the King strange vnto them and the credit of Triuulce did them harme who aspiring to the Seigneurie of Pisa was as much desired of the Pisans to warrant them from the Florentins oppressions Finally the King had need of money and the Florintins paying a fine as the rest did were receiued into grace vpon condition To aide on another for their common defence they of the Estates of Italie for the King and the King for them for the recouerie of Pisa and some places held by the Siennois and Luquois That being repossessed of Pisa they should furnish the King with fiue hundred men it armes and fiftie thousand Ducats paying also vnto the King six and thirtie thousand Ducats which Sforce had lent them abating that which they had disbursed for him The Pope also did not forget himselfe but vrging the performance of the treatie made with the King obtaines for the Duke of Valentinois who hauing married the Daughter of the Lord of Albret had repassed the Alpâ—s with his Maiestie three hundred Lances in the Kings pay and foure thousand Suisses to be payd by the Pope to ayde him to make warre in Romagna The King hauing setled such order as hee thought fit for his conquest and prolonged the truce he had with the Emperour vntill May following tooke the way to Lion leading with him the grand child of Iohn Galcas whom the mother had vnaduisedly deliuered him he made a Monke Then he receiued newes of a faire Daughter that was borne vnto him the which shall hereafter be wife to Francis the first of that name and Queene of France An other accident but fatall made that season famous The fall of our Ladyes Bridge at Paris drawing after it the ruine of threescore houses Our Ladyes â—ridge at Paâ—iâ— â—alls and a great number of persons swallowed vp in the riuer This yeare Italie besides forraine and home-bred decisions felt also the Turkes foâ—ces Baiazet Ottoman being expresly drawne by the perswasions of Lodowick Sforce The estate of the East hauing no other meanes to be reuenged of the Venetians assailing with a mighty armie by Sea such places as the Venetians held in Greece he sent six thousand horses by land to spoile Friuli who finding the Country without defence expecting no such guests did spoile sack and burne all euen vnto Liuence they chained together an infinite number of prisoners and being come to the riuer of Tagliamente they reserued such as they thought fit to carry with them The Duke of Valentinois exploits and murthered all the rest In the meane time the Duke of Valentinois hauing ioyned the forces of the Church with those troupes he receiued from the King tooke Imole with ease in the end of the yeare And in the beginning of the next famous for the celebration of the great Iubile at Rome Furli But as hee marched to other Townes the course of his conquests is stayed by vnexpected accidents bred by diuers motiues The most part of the Lombards could not fit with the French humour and all were discontented for that they had not tasted this great bounty of the Kings whereby they were promised a generall exemption of all impostes and tributes Moreouer the Gibelin faction very mightie in Milan was wonderfully grieued to see Triuulce chiefe of the Guelfe preferred to the gouernment and hee by nature factious proud and stâ—rring did much increase this bad disposition fauouring them of his partie beyond
the fiue no otherwise but for the defence of his owne estates As for the Castells of Lugan and Lugarne strong passages and of great importance for the surety of the Duchie of Milan they desyred rather to raze them then to take three hundred thousand Ducats for the restitution thereof Let vs nowe lay out all armes aside for a certaine space and giue our warriours time to take their breath and returne againe shortly to warre by the ambitious factions of two most great and mighty Princes This yeare in Febuary was borne Francis 1â—17 Daulphin and successor to this Crowne if his end had not beene violently forced The Daâ—â—pâ—in Francis borne Laurence of Medicis did present him at the Font for the Pope â—is Vncle. A Christening celebrated with iousts skirmishes incounters besieging and taking of places and other such stately shewes as the memory of man hath not obâ—erued greater And the King to make a more stricter league with the Pope he caused the said Laurence to marry with Magdaleine daughter to Iohn Earle of Auuergne and Auraguez and of Ioane sister to Francis of Bourbon Earle of Vendosme who died at Verceil when as King Charles the eight returned from Naples Of this marriage came Katherin of Medicis whom we shall see Queene of France and Mother to the three last Kings of the name of Valois At the same time the King sent Gaston of Breze Prince of Fonquarmont brother to the great Seneshall of Normandie with two thousand French foote to succour Christierne King of Denmarke against the rebels of Sueden who after they had wonne a battaile for the King being abandoned in the end by the Danes in a combate vpon the Ice where those Northerne Nations are more expert then ours were ouerthrowne and the most part slaine such as could escape the sword returned without pay without armes and without clothes 1518. The yeare following the last of March Henry the Kings second sonne was borne who by the death of the Daulphin his brother shall succeed his father Henry King of England was his God-father and gaue him his name During this surcease of armes among Christian Princes the Pope motioned but saith the Originall rather in sâ—ew then with any good intent Estate of the East a generall warre of all Christendome against Selim Prince of the Turkes Baiazet as we haue sayd in his latter age studied to install Acomath his eldest sonne in the throne of the Turkish Empire Selim the younger brother through fauour of the Ianisaries and Souldiers of his fathers gard forced him to yeeld the gouernement vnto him Selim was no sooner in possession but as they say hee poisoned his father and murthered his bretheren Acomath and Corcut and in the end all that discended from the line of the Ottomans Then passing from one warre to an other he vanquâ—shed the Aduliâ—ns ouerthrew the Sophi of Persia in battaile tooke â—â—om him Tauris the chiefe seate oâ— his Empire and the greatest part of Persia rooted out the Sultans of Egipt and the Mammelius tooke Caire and seized vpon all Egipt and Syria So as hauing in few yeares almost doubled his Empire and taken away the hinâ—â—rance of so mightie Princes who were iealous of his Monarchie Christian Princes did not without cause feare the happy course of his victories Hongarie was weake of men and in the hands of a Pupill King gouerned by Prelates and Barons of the realme diuided amongst themselues Italie dismembred by former warres â—eared least the part alities of these Princes should cause Selim to turne his eyes towards it The â—ope and all the Couâ—t of Rome making shew to preuent this imminent danger thought it expediâ—nt to make a great prouision of money by a voluntarie contribution of Princes and a generall taxe ouer all Christendome That the Emperour accompanied with the horse of Polonia and Hongarie and an armie of Reistres and Lâ—â—squenets fit for so great an enterprise should assaile Constantinople and the King of France with the forces of his Realme the Venetians Suisses and Potentates of Itaâ—ie should inuade Greece being full of Christians and ready to rebell vpon the first approach of forâ—aine â—oâ—ces The Kings of Spaine Portugall and England should passe the straight of Gallipoli with two hundred saile and hauing taken the Castell at the enâ—rie thereof they should approach neere to Constantinople That the Pope should follow the same course with a hundred great Galleys These were goodly plottes in conceit This counteâ—feit shewe to send an armie into Turkie was but a deuice to fill the Popes coffers which was made emptie by the former warres especially by that of Vrbin To treate of these propositions Leo published in the Consistorie a generall Truce for fiue yeares amongst all Christian Princes and vpon rigorous censures to them that should breake it Appointing for Legats the Cardinall of Saint Sixte to the Emperour the Cardinall of Saint Marie in Portico to the King the Cardinall Giles to the King of Spaine and the Cardinall Laurence Campege to the King of England hee proclaymed his Bulls of pardon to all such as should contribute a certaine summe for so woâ—thie an expedition All Princes accept of this truce and shewe themselues verie willing to so honorable in action But the meanes howe in so short a time to make a firme Vnion among so many Potentats who had beene long at deadly warre Euery one studies of his priuate interest and finding the danger to concerne one more then an other they care for themselues and manage these affaires carelesly more with shewe then deuotion This negligence of the publicke state and greedinesse of priuate men was the more confirmed by the death of Selim who leauing his Empire to his sonne Soliman young of age but of a milder spirit and not so enclyned to warre A peace concluded with the English then all things seemed to incline to peace and loue betwixt so many great warriors The Kings of France and England renued their friendship by a defensiue League betwixt them vppon promise of a marriage betwixt the Daulphin King Francis eldest sonne and the onely daughter of Henry King of England both very young which contract many accidents might hinder before they came to sufficiencie And Henry yeelded Tournay for foure hundred thousand Crownes the one halfe for the charge in buâ—â—ding the Citadell and for the artillery powder and munition which the King of England should leaue in the place the other halfe for the expenses in conquering thereof and for other pensions that were due vnto him Thus often times the looser paies the shott On the other side the Kings eldest daughter being dead And with 〈◊〉 Spaniards whome they had appointed to bee wife to the King of Spaine a peace betwixt these two Kings was reconfirmed according to the first Capitulation with promise of the yonger An alliance which eyther Prince did confirme with great outward shewes of friendshippe King Francis wearing the order
her Vncle who in the end of their parlee at the Kings request creaâ—ed foure Cardinals the Cardinall of Veneur Bishop of Lisieux and chiefe Almnâ—◠〈◊〉 King one borne of those three notable houses Chastillon Chambre and 〈◊〉 This done the Pope imbarked for Rome the 20. of Nouember and the King to 〈…〉 way to Auignon Here the King resolued in his priuie Counsell vpon a request made vnto him as well by Christopher sonne to the Duke of Wirtemberg both in â—is owne name and 〈◊〉 fathers spoiled of their estates seuenteene yeares since by the Emperour Charlâ—s aâ—d Ferdinand his brother as also by Lewis and William Dukes of Bauiere his Vncleâ— The mother of Christopher was Daughter of a sister to Maximilian Grand-fâ—ther to the sayd Emperour and King of Romaines and the consummation of the marrâ—â—ge of Eleonor their sister with his Maiestie gaue the Father and the sonne hope that tâ—e King in fauour of this alliance interposing his authoritie for them that were pâ—â—led should eyther procure restitution of Ferdinand for these Dukes or refusing Iustâ—ce to purchase him the hatred of all Germanie which in the end might by open foâ—ce dâ—sposesse him of the Duchie of Wirtemberg and of the name of King of the Romaines The King did greatly desire to see these Dukes restored to their estates and to that end would willingly haue opened his purse to weaken the Emperours and 〈◊〉 bâ—others forces and by the same meanes to confirme the amities which he had pâ—rchâ—sed in Germanie and to procure new requiting the Emperour who â—ought by aâ—l meanes to take from the King his ancient alliances But hee sought to 〈…〉 protection of these afflicted Princes in such sort as no man might iustly châ—â—â—eâ—ge him to haue broken the treatie of Cambray Hee therefore sent the Lord of 〈◊〉 with commission to do â—or these Dukes whatsoeuer were in his power not 〈◊〉 contradicting the conuentions and to conclude the consignation of a hundred 〈◊〉 Crownes into the hands of the Dukes of Bauiere with a sufficient bâ—â—d to his Maiestie reseruing notwithstanding this clause That his money should not be 〈◊〉 to the inuasion of any one but onely for the defence of the ancient customes and 〈…〉 the Empire The publike and priuate perswasions of Langey were of such efficacie as that ancient and great League of Sueue which had continued three score and ten yeares to the benefit of the house of Austria was disanulled But for that the â—eintegration of these Dukes could not bee made but by armes they couered iâ—â—ith this expedient That the Duke of Wirtemberg should sell the Countie of Montbeliard whereof he was Lord vnto the King for six score thousand Crownes vpon condition that he might redeeme it which money he might imploy to his vse either in peace or war without any â—reach on the Kings part to the articles of Cambray So the Landgraue of Hessen chiefe of this present League and the Dukes of Bauiere and Wirtemberg with their allies went sodenly to field with an armie before the Emperor or his brother could crosse their attempts restoring them that were spoiled to the possession of their Duchie and soone after 1534. they repayed the Kings money within thirtie or fortie thousand Crownes for the which the Dukes of Bauiere were answerable and the Countie of Montbelliard was restored vnto them Let vs now see what catastrophe the Popes rashe censure giuen against Henry King of Eâ—gland shall cause Henry was wonderfully incensed against the Apostolick Sea Estate of England by reason of the iniustice he said was done him in that they had refused to send him coÌ„mâ—ssioners to tâ—ke knowledge of his cause and of the contempt done to his authoritie in that they would disdainfully force him to abandon his realme and appeare personally at Rome Notwithstanding by the perswasions of Iohn du Bellay Bishop of Paris whom the King had sent vnto him presently after his enterview with the Pope hee granted that in case the Pope would surcease from the sayd sentence vntill he had sent Iudges to be heard that he would likewise surcease from his intention to withdraw himselfe wholy from the obedience of Rome The Bishop offers himselfe to go to Rome to that end Henry intreates him and assures him that hauing obtained his demand he will giue him authoritie presently to confirme what he had yeelded vnto The matter was not yet desperate but the Consistorie of Rome gaâ—e so short a time to haue an answer from the King of England as the Poste came short two dayes at his returne The terme expired they proceed hastily to the confiâ—mation of the curses and censures Troubles through the Popes rash hasty procâ—eding notwithstanding the Bâ—shops instance to obtaine six dayes delay seeing the King of England had wauered six yeares before he fell Two dayes were scarse past after the prefixed time but the poste arâ—iuing with authoritie and declarations from England did greatly amaze those hastie Cardinals who afterwards could finde no meanes to amend that which they had marred The matter saieth the Originall was so hasted as that which could not bee finished in three consistories was done in one This indignitie done to the King of England and the small respect they had to his Maiestie caused both him and his reaâ—me to shake off the yoake of the Romaine obedience declaring himselfe immediatly vnder God supreame head of the Church of England In the meane time the King not able to get by Iustice a reparation of the vnworthy death of his Ambassador at Milan hee studied to haue his reuenge by armes To this end following the example of the Romaines he erected in euery Prouince of his realme a Legion of sixe thousand foote vnder the command of six Gentlemen who for euery thousand should haue two Lieutenants and vnder euery Ensigne fiue hundred men who in time of peace should once a yeare make a generall muster and the Captaines should know their names and surnames with the dwellings of euery one to haue them ready at all commands Then he sent William Earle of Fustemberg into Germanie to make a leauie of twentie Ensignes of Lansquenets and demanded passage of the Duke of Sauoy through his Countrie to bee reuenged of the wrong done him by the Dâ—ke of Milan The Sauoisien refuseth it which causeth our Francis to demand the portion of Louyse of Sauoye his mother sister to the sayd Duke children to Philip Duke of Sauoy Philip had to his first wife a daughter of Bourbon New motiâ—â—â— of warre in Sauoy by whom he had Philibert Duke of Sauoy and Lowyse the Kings mother Then he had to his second wife a Daughter of Ponthieure by whom hee had Charles who is now in question and the Earle of Geneua afterwards Duke of Nemours Philibert was dead without children and therefore the King challenged a good portion in the succession of Sauoy his mother comming of the first venter and sole heire to the
the Duke of Guise and the Admirall This apparent meanes to confirme a publike concord did please the Admirall beleeuing this marriage should be the ground of a most happie peace and the Queene of Nauarre feares least delay should alter the Kings good meaning But the accomplishment of the marriage was hindred by some leâ—â—s The Pope made some dâ—fficulty to dispence therewith as well by-reason of the consanguinity of the parties the one being petie Nephewe the other grand-childe of Francis the 1. King of France as also for the difference of their religions The Qâ—eene of Nauarre likewise made some scruple of this disparity of religion of the ceremonies and of the place of the sollemnitie She would not haue the marriage celebrated after the manner of the Catholike Church and feared the Citty of Paris as most affected to their religion and of long time an enemie to the house of Nauarre Contrariewise the King would haue Paris to be the Theater Pretexts for the lowe Countrie warres where this notable act should be sollemnly celebrated in the vewe of the Capitall Cittie of his Realme without changing any thing in forme of royall mariages In the end the respect of ciuill reason preuayled As â—or the motiues of this warre pretended in the Lowe Country they were goodly in shâ—w for besids this hereditarie hatred of the French against the Spaniard beeing reuiued by the outrages and warres made in France by Charles and Phâ—â—ip his sonne the remembrance whereof was yet fresh they renued the ancient quarrells of many possessions in the Lowe Countries depending of this Crowne Moreouer they pretended newe causes which seemed lawfull to breake the allyance betwixt the two Kings That his Maiestie had most certaine intelligence of poyson giuen by Philip to his wife the Sister of our Charles vpon some discontents and filthie iealousies These reasons had a shewe of truth and the Admirall to the end the French who cannot liue long togither in mutuall concord and that by a long vse of warre breathed nothing but warre should not seeke some newe seeds of ciuill diuision held it good to diuert this vehement heate against some stranger and nation a faâ—â—e off Many necessarie considerations fortified this ciuill Councell The forces of the Prince of Orange and his bretheren who spoiled by the Spaniard of many rich possessions both in the Lowe Countries and in the Countrie of Bourgongne had long time sought to recouer it by armes The credit and fauour of the Lowe Countrie men in Germany by reasoÌ„ of the exceeding crueltie of the Duke of Alba Lodâ—wike of Nassau brother to the sayd Prince a man of great courage and resolution prest it forward and his presence was a spurre to the Admirall Moreouer to the end it should seeme this warre was managed with the Kings consent his Maiestie did suffer the Prince of Auranges fleete to ride about Rochelle annoying the Spaniards and Portugalls which sailed vpon that coast the trafficke of the Lowe Countries and for the Comte Lodowike to sell the bootie hee had taken from the enemie freely and publikely at Rochell So the Admirall a wydower by reason of Charlotte of Laual deceased in the second troubles after he had espoused the Contesse of Antremont in Sauoye at Rochelle The Admiral comes to Court and giuen his daughter Louyse to the Lord of Teligny to wife he comes to Court relying vpon the Kings assurances so often confirmed by messengers and especially by the Marshall of Cossé whome the King had sent to accompanie him presuming the Admirall would giue more credit to the Marshalls words by reason of their familiarity The King receiued him with all demonstrations of loue those of Guise leaue him the place not to yeeld any thing vnto him but to returne soone after with greater authoritie and to take from him all iealousies distrusts which were giuen him froÌ„ al parts the King at the first doth recoÌ„pence the losses which the Admiral had sustained during the former warres by the gift of a hundred thousand frankes and grauâ—ts him for one whole yeare the reuenues which his brother the Cardinall of Chasâ—â—â—ha enioyed being lately deceased in England He giues him a place in the priuy Councel doth ofte times conferre with him touching the warres of Flanders and mâ—kes shâ—we to be gouerned therein by his aduice and Councell he honours him with that plaâ—sible name of father and treats with him so familiarly as the Countries tooke this familiarity for a seale of his Masters affection to the Admirall and the people begâ—n nowe to murmure that Charles not onely fauoâ—ed the Huguenots but would shortly himselfe become a Huguenot A Cunning bayte to free the Admirall from suâ—pition by the aduertisments wich had beene giuen him to the Contrary Hee could nowe tast no admonitions his spirit was so transported with the Kings Countenance and words Doubtlesse the wisdome of man failes euen in the wisest when it pleaseth him that giues it to weaken the strongest spirits and by a iudgement incomprehensible to man to cast a vayle before his eyes and to make him vnable to conceiue the iustice and horror of the iudgement which hee meanes to display For the better aduancing the enterprise of the Lowe Countries the Admirall thought it fit the King should make a peace with Elizabeth Queene of England They might treate it with a very honest colour to the preiudice of the Spaniards Elizabeth was not married and Henry Duke of Aniou had no wife the dignitie of so high an alliance was honorable for the Duke and the qualitie of a Kings Brother was not to bee contemned by the Queene hauing also in his yong age purchased great glorie and reputation Peace â—â—th the English This charge is giuen to the Marshall of Montmorency Bâ—t the issue did shewe that besids this negotiation of peace their meaning was to abuse both the Admirall and all others whome it was expedient to â—buse for the execution of the Councell of Saint Cloud and by the same practise to send the Marshall farâ—e from Court least by his ordinary conueâ—sing with the King hauing a good iudgement and smelling out the complots of this pitifull Tragedie hee should discouer them to the Admirall his Cousin and by meanes of this newe peace the English in the midest oâ— this indignity should bee restrayned from attempting of any thing in fauour of the Protestants as it chanced During this time the Admirall retires to Chastillon and in the meane season they prepare a fleete at Bourdeaux and Brouage vnder the Commande of Strossy Landereau and the Bâ—ron of la Garde The pretext was the warre of Flanders yet had they expresse Commission to attempt vpon Rochell and by open or secret practises to get it in their owne powre The Admirall hauing sounded the fourd vpon his assurance to the Queene of Nâ—uarre of the Kings singular affection to her and to all her house The Queene of Nauarre comâ—s to Court in
with exceeding wealth sackt and torne France in peece 〈…〉 wars did then feele the lâ—st reward of his actions Doubtlesse such 〈…〉 the ende Whilest the King becomes a new brother of these tormentors of 〈…〉 wise called Penitents War in Languedoc and Daulphiné and the court was occupied some time in 〈…〉 ceremonies of this newe brotherhoode the Estates of Languedâ—c 〈…〉 of peace battered S. Giles neere to Auignon and became 〈…〉 making no shew to succour it Monibrun on the other 〈…〉 his horsemen did still catch vp some that were farthest 〈…〉 was a Churchyard for the most hardy of the assaylants 〈…〉 and his life men women and children all labour in the 〈…〉 enemies and vnder the commaund of la Hay a young genâ—lâ—man about 〈…〉 twenty yeares of age valiant and pleasing to the souldiars â—oâ—sses hauing beene 〈◊〉 at the breach with Fiancey and Bouuier Captaines to strewe the ruines of th◠〈◊〉 with carkasses to cast many into the trenches dead wounded and languishing and finally after many assaults and infinite Canonadoes fortified with fifty 〈…〉 they force the enemy to sound the retreat and to couer themselues from the shotte pikes swords stones and such armes as necessity could yeeld to the beseeged Thus those of Liuron withstood the fierce assaults of their enemies the army diminished and a certaine disease hauing wasted most part of the Piemontois crept in among the other nations when as the King iudging of the rest by this small Towne found that he must seeke out some other meanes to reduce his subiects to obediencâ— Who were so resolute to armes as a simple offer of liberty of conscience might soone make them fall away Many Conquests cause but sleight triumphes A more stately Crowne attended him his Coronation called him 1475 and the taking of Aiguesmortes a sea Towne and of great importance for the Protestants inuited him to stay the course of their prosperity by some negotiation of peace Henry therefore packing vp his baggage the thirteenth of Ianuarie and approcâ—ing neere to Liuron stayed some houres in the Campe. Here the soldiars cries and exclamations against him and especially against his mother gaue him to vnderstand Tâ—at the horrible diâ—orders and vnworthie gouernment of the latter yeares had withdrawne that loue and reuerence to their Kings for the which the French nation had beene so much commended and so altered the mindes of the greatest part as their iust griefe transported them beyond the bounds of reason and modestie Ah murtherers cryed they with open throate you shall not stab vs in our beddes as you haue done the Admirall and the rest Bring vs those Mignons with their ruffes and pâ—rfumes let them come to looke on our wiues they shall teach them whether it be a prey easie to carrie away A leasson for a Soueraigne Prince that if any diuersity of religion diuide his subiects yet is hee a Common Father to them all No reason doth alowe of the sonnes ingratitude to the â—ather so all Lawes do abhorâ—e the inhumanitie and impiety of a Father to his Children The Campe being dislodged the rest of the Piemontois repassed the mountaines The seege of Liuâ—on raised The Daulphinois ashamed of the disgrace they had receiued at Liuron disperse themselues heere and there some Cornets of Reâ—stres followe the Marshall of Rez into Prouence the rest with the Suisses are giuen to the Duâ—e of Vzez to make waâ—â—e iâ— Languedoc a gouernment wherâ—with the King had lately honoured him Strange alterations The Dâ—ke of Vzez is nowe armed against them for whose protection hee had often fought during the former warâ—es and the Marshall d' Anuilâ—e lately their capitall enemie nowe supports them Thus great men play with reâ—igion fitting them selues to that partie which they thinke may most availe them whatsoeuer it bee and the people is still the anuile whereon all sortes of hammers strike But the Marshall did little remember the obseruation of the articles sworne in the association And dissolutions creeping in among the Protestants Warre betwixt the Marshall d' Anuille the Duke of Vzez could not but presage a speedie ruine of one of the parties or of both togither Yet hee entertayned himselfe with them So likewise did the Duke of Vzez and protesting that hee would make no warre but against the Marshalls faction hee promised to reconcile all the Protestants to the King if they would sequester themselues from the Politikes their associates â—ut hee would haue beene glad that in ruining the one partie they should haâ—e ruined themselues During these contentions betwixt the Marshall and the Duke The Kings coronation the King was crowned at Rheims the fifteenth of February and soone after he sent home Elisabeth of Austria widowe to Charles the ninth to the Emperour Maximilian her father but with a lesse traine then her quality required Then hee married Louyse the daughter to Nicholaâ— Earle of Vaudemont in Lorraine who they supposed should haue beene the wife of Thoré the Constables youngest sonne Practises of the Queene Mother His marriage to mainetaine the authority shee had gotten in â—rance aboue a daughter in Lawe of meaner quality then her selfe and to fortifie her selfe with them of Guise against the houses of Bourbon and Montmorency This marriage should haue caused as chast and as vertuous a bedde on the Kings behalfe as shee was chast and vertuous whome hee had nowe espoused And it seemed the dissolutions and excesse of Court were come to their height in the raigne of Charles the ninth But heereafter both King and Court for the subiects doe frame themselues to the Princes humour plonge themselues into more horrible dissolutenesse then the best schoolemaister of corruption filthinesse could inuent The Court is drowned in delights and excesse but they are at blowes in Languedoc Viuaraiz Daulphiné Perigueux Auuergne Xaâ—ntonge and else where D' Anuill hath an enterprise vpon Besiers but hauing â—ayled hee imployed his forces 〈◊〉 fourescore and ten villages therabouts Hee takes Alais a Towne and Castelâ— and the Dâ—ke of Vzez Saint Ferreol a small Towne neere vnto Vzez to annoy â—is â—â—biects and to force them to acknowledge their Lord. The forces on eyther siâ—e incounter often fight and by their common defeates weaken one an other â—â—â—lest the Protestants keepe the stakes and vewe the sport Those of Viuaraiz surpâ—â—â—e the Towne of Beys and the Castell of Pousin and kill the Captaine and his gaâ—rison Montbrun runnes through Daulphiné and becomes master of many places The Vâ—cont of Turene addes to the victories of his party Perigueux Brioude la Gaillarde Vzerâ—â—e and some other places The Xaintongeâ—is and those that lay neere vnto Rochelle beganne to hold vâ— their heads and go to armes The Prince of Condé filled all his partie with great and speedie hopes All rise all dreame of newe forces They must therefore deuiâ—â—â—y some practise to quench this great flame which was like to set the whole Realâ—e on fire Katherin
erected to a Duchie in the yeare 1329. Lewis Duke of Bourbon and Mary the daughter of Iohn the 18. Earle of Hainault had Peter Duke of Bourbon and Iames Earle of Ponthieu Constable of France Peter had by Isabell the daughter of Charles Earle of Valois Peter Lewis Lewis and Iames. Lewis surnamed the good Duke of Bourbon had by Anne Countesse of Auuergne Lewis Earle of Clermont who died without children Iohn Iames. Iohn Duke of Bourbon had by Bonne Duchesse of Auuergne and Countesse of Montpensur Charles Iohn and Lewis Earle of Montpensier father to Gilbert of whome issued Charles the last Duke of Bourbon Câ—â—â—les Charles Duke of Bourbon had of Agnes the daughter of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne Iohn and Peter Iohn the second of that name married Ioane of France daughter to Charles the 7. and dying without lawfull heyres of his body the name and armes of Duke went to Peter his yonger brother Peter the second of that name Peter Duke of Bourbon had of Anne of France the daughter of Lewis the eleuenth one onely daughter Susanne the generall heire of Bourbon Châ—â—les the last Duke of Bourbon who was wife to the aboue named Charles the youngest sonne of Gilbert who likewise was the youngest sonne of Lewis aboue named Earle of Montpersur and brother to Charles Duke of Bourbon But no children growing from this marriage the branch of the eldest sonne of Lewis created Duke of Bourbon ended in this Charles Duke of Bourbon and Constable of France who died at the seege of Rome and the Duchie of Bourbonoâ—s beeing incorporate to the crowne Iames the yonâ—est son of Lewâ—s duke of Bourbon Iohn we must seeke the line of Iames of Pontieu they also giue him the titles of Earle of Charolois and la Marche Constable of France the yongest sonne of Lewis the first Duke of Bourbon Iames had by Ioue the daughter of the Earle of S. Paul Iohn his successor Earle of la Marche Iohn had of Katherine the onely daughter and heire of Iohn Earle of Vendosme issued from the Dukes of Normandy and Earles of Aniou Iames King of Naples who leauing none but daughters Lewis Earle of Vendosme transported his right of inheritance to Lewis his yongest brother Lewis had no children by Iane of Roussy his first wife the daughter of Ralfe Earle of Montfort and of Anne of Montmorency but of Iane the daughter of Guy Lord of Guare and of Anne heire of Lauall and Vitry in Brittany or of Mary the daughter of Engerard Lord of Coucy and of Isabel his wife the daughter of Edward King of England according to some opinions By his second marriage he had Iohn his successor and Earle of Vendâ—sme Iohn the second of that name Iohn the second had of Iane of Beauieu or of Isabel of Beauuais Frâ—nciâ— daughter to the Lord of Pressigni Francis his successor and Earle chiefe of the Nobility le ts them vnderstand the deceassed Kings will touching 〈◊〉 by a generall or nationall Councell whereof he protests to followe the instruction I giue leaue said he to all such as would leaue me so to doe Yet I am sorry they are no better Frenchmen for their owne good and safety I haue friends enough 〈◊〉 out them to mainteine my authority God hath neuer left mee and will not nowe abandon mee He hath not begun this so miraculous a worke to leaue it vnperfect 〈◊〉 for my sake alone but for his owne names sake and for so many soules affâ—â—cted in this Realme whome I desire and promise by the faith of a King to releeue so 〈◊〉 as God shall giue mee the meanes But how grieuous is this to mee that am your lawfull King and who leaue you in the liberty of your religion to see you go about to force mee to yours by vnlawfull meanes and without former instruction This declaration reteyned them that were least scrupulous in their duties and his promise not to alter any thing in religion might haue shaken many of the League To crosse him the Duke of Mayenne publisheth an Edict of the 5. of August iâ—â—is name and the Councells of the holy vnion established at Paris attending a generall Assembly of the Estates of the Realme to vnite said he all Frenchmen that were good Christians for the defence and preseruation of the Catholike Apostolike Romish Church and the mainteynance of the royall Estaâ—e in the absence of their lawfull King Charles the 10. of that name For whose liberty he inuited them all to armes But he desired no more the liberty of his pretended King then our Henry did to force religâ—on the support whereof serues them for a goodly cloake Some Parlements growe iealous of these sodaine changes in the State and seeme to entertaine the people in doubt and feare of the subuersion of their religion Violent decrees That of Bourdeaux commaunds all men vnder their Iurisdiction by a decree of the 19. of August to obserue inuiolablie the Edict of vnion to the Catholike Apostolike and Romish Church and declarations were thereupon made That of Tholouse is more violent They decree that yeerely the first day of August they should make processions and publike prayers for the benefits they had receiued that day in the miraculous and fearefull death of Henry the third whereby Paris was deliuered and other Townes oâ— the Realme forbidding all persons to acknowledge Henry of Bourbon the pretended King of Nauarre for King declaring him incapable euer to succeede to the Crowne of France by reason said the decree of the notorious and manifest crimes conteyned at large in the bull of excommunicatioÌ„ of Pope Sxtus the 5. Without doubt the authority of the Soueraigne court is much blemished in pronouncing a decree which they must reuoake by a contrary sentence Thus the League kindled anewe the fires which the seege of Paris had somewhat quenched The King raiseth hiâ—â—eâ—ge from Paris the Kings troupes decreased hourely sicknesse diminished their numbers and the Duke of Mayennes increased The King therefore diuides his armye into three one vnder the commaund of the Duke of Longueuille into Picardy the other into Champagne vnder the Marshall d' Aumont and he is aduised to passe himselfe into Normaâ—dy with twelue hundred horse three thousand French foote and two regiments of Suisses as well to receiue succours out off England as to assure some places passages fit for his desseines but with direction to ioyne at neede In his passage he causeth the Kings body to bee conducted and left at Compiegne and reduceth to his obedience His conquests Meulan Gisors and Clermont he receiues from Captaine Roulet both the place and the hearts of the inhabitants of Pont de l' Arche foure leagues from Rouan a passage very commodious for the trafficke betwixt Rouan and Paris He visits Deepe confirmes the towne of Caen forceth Neufâ—hastel to yeeld hauing by Hallot and Guitry his Lieutenants ouercome the
nation but pleading the cause of the King of Spaine and the rights of Lorraine The Duke of Feria and Mendosa Ambassador of Spaine had their Agents and aduocates by whome they gaue them to vnderstand that the King of Spaines intention was only to haue a King chosen that might pacifie the troubles of the realme deliuer them from their enemies defend them against all assaylants and restore the Crowne to her first beauty And representing the voluntary bounty of the Catholike King and the great effects of the succors giuen by him vnto France wherein hee had imployed aboue sixe millions of gold he would inferre that now but he was capable of this election or else in regard of him the Infant Donna Isabella to whome the sayd Ambassador durst mayntaine that by the Lawes of nature of God and of the realme it did belong The desseinâ— of Spaine Doubtlesse from the insolent proceedings and proud desseins of strangers the soueraigne author and gardien of Estates caused the preseruation of this monarchie to growe They commended this Ambassage and receiued it with honour But the pretensions of this Infanta were reiected at the first as a proposition contrary to the fundamentall lawes of the realme His Agents seeing themselues frustrate of this first demand they frame a second vpon the election of the Arch-duke Ernest Cross by somâ— men of honour fiâ—st brotâ—er to the Emperour to whome the King of Spaine promised to giue his daughter to wife when as the assemblie had declared her Qâ—eene of France But what should become of so many Competitors growne vp in France So this proposiâ—ion finding no man willing to entertaine it remayned frutelesse Nowe some thinking to giue the last mate to the Kings good fortune 〈◊〉 a third expedient Thaâ— if they giue this Crowne vnto the Noble Infanta and to him of the Princes of France comprehending the house of Lorraine whome the King of Spaine should choose they would cause this election to bee seconded with an army of eight thousand foote and two thousand horse and within fewe monethes to be fortified with the like numbers which soone should redâ—ce â—rance wholy and peaceably to these newe Kings that they would giue a hundred thousand Crownes monethly so long as the warre should last to entertayne ten thousand foote three thousand horse within the realme Was not this to â—eed mens mindes with fancies dreames and imaginations But no man giues his voice to this last proposition Doubtlesse there was no proportion to recompence the succors sent by Philip to the reuolted townes with the Crowne of France Contrariwise many hauing their mindes merely French knew wel that this proposition was to make matters irreconciliable and to bring an immortal warre into France and therefore with a feruent zeale and great affection they opposed themâ—elues against the reception thereof hoping the eternall prouidence who had so often raysed France from most greeuous falls of warre and from greater infirmities would now preuent these latter dangers otherwise then by the subuersion of the lawes which were made to support it The declaration which his Maiesty opposed to that of the Duke of Mayenne The Kings declaration against the Leaguâ—râ— did much preuaile to fortifie those good mindes in their commendable resolution and prepared their hearts generally to conceiue a great hope of a speedy peace For the King discouering the practises of his rebellious subiects namely of their heads the Dukes treachery presuming to assemble the Estates of the realme which may not be called but by royall authority and for matter of religion hee protesteth that besides the Couocation of a Councell if there may be round any better or more speedie meanes to come to the instruction which they â—retend to giue him 1553. to diuert him from the exercise of his religion to that of the Catholike and Romish he will willingly embrace it with all his heart giuing leaue to the Princes Officers of the Crowne and other Noblemen that did assist him to â—end their Deputies to the Pope to deale in this instruction and to be pleased therewith and blaming the Leaguars who had hindred the effects hee layed a good foundation of the obedience which his subiects prepared for him Declaring moreouer this pretended assemblie at Paris to be attempted against the Lawes against the good and quiet of the realme and all that should be treated or concluded therein abusiue and of no force Terming the Duke and his adherents in that case guiltie of high treason shewing that he could maintaine his authoritie against all vsurpers But offering pardon to all Townes Comonalties and persons seduced by the cheefe of the League and exhorting them to remember themselues hee made his subiects begin to tast that great and admirable clemencie whereby he hath won the hearts and brought the affections of the French to a perfect and most voluntarie obedience To this declaration of his Maiestie the Princes and Noblemen Catholikes that were about him added an other which they sent to these pretended Estates and required that some should be deputed on either part to resolue of the fittest expedients to pacifie these troubles for the preseruation of the Catholike religion and the Estate The Duke of Mayenne and his partie accept of this conference so as it may be done by Catholikes only The conference at Surene and it began the 29. of April at Surene neere Paris Whilest the good Cardinall of Bourbon liued he was an instrument for the League now he is dead religion is their onely pretext And the more the King giues them hope of his conuersion to the Romish Church the more violent they are to draw the people from this beleefe Crost by the court of Rome The Legat seekes to crosse it and by a publike exhortation full of iniuries against his Maiestie hee labours to perswade the French that the King long since dismembred from the bodie of the Church was most iustly pronounced incapable of the Crowne Then opposing himselfe against the decrees of the Parliaments of Tours and â—â—â—alons made against the monitories of Landriano he extols his masters praises condemnes the Parliament which had condemned his Bulls magnifies the Estates of the League who reiected an obstinate heretike and relaps with a resolution neuer to yeeld vnto him for said hee such is the Popes will and pleasure But why a relaps and obstinate considering the due submission which our Henry makes to yeeld to better instruction The Pope himselfe will harken soone vnto him and all the Consistorie will blesse his resolution Both the Duke and Legat preuaile little in their deuises Those which held the first place in this assembly had no other care but to preserue this Monarchie found this expedient The answere of the â—stâ—tes to the 〈◊〉 oâ— Spa ne That to frustrat the former propositions they should say to the Duke of Feria and other ministers of Spaine that it would bee now out of
was read signed sealed and written in the French tongue By this march he did institute these two future spouses their heires males or females Soueraigne Lords of all the Prouinces of the Low CouÌ„tries of the Franche-Conte of Bourgundie of the County of Charolois vpon condition that the said Countries should returne vnto the King of Spaine The conditioâ—s if they had no children of the said marriage 2. That the Princesse of the Low Countries which should be were it either maide or widow should be bound to marry with the King of Spaine or the Prince his Sonne hauing obtained a lawfull dispensation from his Holinesse Or if that might not be the Princesse wanting will or power to accomplish this marriage then should it not be lawful for her to take any other husband but with the consent of the Kings of Spaine 3. That it should not be lawfull for the Infanta nor any other called to the said succession to ingage nor alienate any part of the said CouÌ„tries without the consent of the heires successors of the King of Spaine 4. That they their successors not subiects might not in any sort traffick to the East West Indies vpon paine of confiscation 5. That the Archduke should enioy the said Countries during his life if he suruiued the Infanta and if he had children they should haue portions assigned to maintaine them honorably and to the eldest were it sonne or daughter should be giuen the Duchie of Luxembourg in the County of Cheuy with the dependances who after the Archdukes decease should enter into the possession of the said Countries The chiefe conditions was for the maintenance of the Catholike Apostolick and Romish Religion in the said Countries And in case of contrauention especially for the Nauigation and Religion the future Spouses and their descendants should forfait all their interest to the said Countries The last of the condition was that the Donataries should bee bound to pay all the debts and obligations contracted by the Emperour Charles the 5. the King of Spaine vpon the Patrimony reuenues of the Low Countries The Pattent of this donation was sealed at Madril the 6. of May 1598. The Prince ratifies the dâ—naâ—ion The Prince of Spaine to ratifie the said donation declared his consent by other letters Pattents seeing it was the good will and pleasure of the King his Father hoping it should redound to the good of all Christendome and to the content of his good sister Isabella Clara Eugenia And it is said that for a greater approbation he did sweare vpoÌ„ the holy Euangelist neuer to oppose himselfe against it setting his hand and seale to the said declaration The Infanâ—aes accâ—ption in the presence of the aboue named witnesses The Infanta Isabella did in like sort by her letters pattents accept of the said Donation and Grant of the said Low Countries withall she shews how much she doth esteeme the gift that her intention was to keepe all the conditions annexed to the said donation taking the like oth vpon the holy Euangelist signing and sealing it as the Prince had done This being performed and that the Archdukes Mother who was also Aunt vnto the Infanta Proâ—uration from the Infanta to the Aâ—chdâ—ke to take possession of the Lowe Countries the last oâ—â—une 1598. had kissed her as her Daughter in law they resolued to aduertise the Archduke that to that end she should write vnto him as a wife vnto her husband And in this quality she declares her selfe Lady of the Low Countries in generall Duchesse of Bourgundie Lotiers Brabant Lembourg Luxembourg Gueldres Countesse of Flanders Artois Bourgundie Palatine of Hainault Holland Zeland of Namur and of Zutphen Marquis of the holy Empire Lady of Frize of Salins Malines of the Towne of Vtrecht of Transsillanie and Groninghe for that desiring to obey the King her father she had accepted of the said Seigneuries she sent a full and ample procuration vnto Albert the Archduke her future Spouse 1595. to take possession of all the sayd Seigneuries in the name of the sayd Infanta giuing him full authoritie in the name of a Prince and vpon her reputation to make a generall assemblie of the Estates of the sayd Prouinces for the effecting of her intention promising not to contradict it neither directly nor indirectly in any sort whatsoeuer The Estates of the Lowe Countries were assembled at Bruxelles the 15. of August for the publication of the sayd Donation An assembly at Bruxellâ—s vpon the dâ—natioâ— made vnto the Infanta where were many disputes about the receiuing of the said Infanta by a deputie and to sweare vnto her considering the Priuileges of the Country especially of the Duchiâ— of Brabant which doth not receiue any Prince but in their owne persons But in the end the said Cardinall Archduke was receiued in the name of the said Lady by vertue of his procuration Hee swearing to obserue all the Râ—ghts Priuileges Liberties Immunities and Customes of those Countries and the Estates did sweare all fidelitie and obedience vnto her This done the sayd Cardinall Archduke The Archduke leaues his Cardinâ—lâ— habit at Haulâ— in Brabant being sufficiently knowne and accepted for their future Prince according to the promises of marriage betwixt him and the Infanta to enter into the consumation thereof and according to the Popes grant he went to Halle a little Towne in Brabant three leagues from Bruxelles commonly called Our Lady of Halle a place of pilgrimage very famous where he left his Cardinals Hat habâ—t vpon the high Altar Then he began to giue order for his voiage and the gouernment of the Lowe Countries where during his absence hee named his cousin Andrew Cardinall of Austria sonne to Ferdinand the Archduke His order in the Lowe Countries during his voyage into Spaine who was brother to Maximilian the Emperour and with him the Councell of State appointing Francisco de Mendoza Admirall of Arragon Captaine generall of his Armie and Herman Earle of Berghe Marshall of the Campe with other Commanders and Officers to put in execution that which had beene resolued vpon at Bruxelles touching the frontiers of Germanie There were deputed to accompanie the Archduke Philip of Nassau Prince of Orange c. the Earles of Barlamont and of Sores Noblemen of the Country with many Ladies and Gentlewomen among the rest â—he Countesse of Mansfield Widow to the Earle and Dowager to the Earles of Hemin and Hoochstrate with many other young Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Lowe Countries being desirous to see Spaine and the triumphes and magnificence of the Prince of Spaine and of the sayd Archduke and Infanta All things being thus prepared the Archduke parted from Bruxelles about the midest of September taking his way as he said towards Prague to see the Emperour his Brother to conferre with him touching the affaires of the Lowe Countries and so to passe to Gretz or Gratzen to
Escurial which hee had built the wâ—ich is one of the richest and most sumptuous buiâ—dings in Christendome he would needs bee carried thither although the Phâ—sitâ—ans did disswade hâ—m being so full of painâ— yet hee was remooued thither in sixe dayes being aboâ—t seuen Leagues from Madâ—il Being there his gout increased his paine with a feuer so as being out of hope to recouer hee began to prepare himselfe â—or death and receiued the holy Sacrament Then he desired to haue D. Garcias of Loiola sollemnly consecrated Archbishop of Toledo by the Popes Legat Others write him 〈◊〉 by the resignation which Albert the Archduke of Austria had made vnto him Afterwards he had an Aposteme in his leg and foure more vppon his brest whereat his ordinary Physitions were muâ—h amâ—zed calling Olias a Phisition from Madril All theâ—e togâ—â—her with the aduice of Vergaias an other practitioner applyed plasters to ripen theâ—e Aâ—ostâ—mes beâ—ng ripe and broken they cast forth much filth and a great number oâ— Liâ—e so as they could â—ardly dresse him being also so weake as foure men weâ—e faine to râ—mooue â—im in a sheet to make his bed and to keepe him cleane These lice as the Physitians sayd did ingender of this putrified stâ—nking matter In the beginning of September as his feuer began to increase hee called for the Prince his Sonne and the Princesse his daughter the Archbishop of Toledo and others assisting and shewing his bodie to his sonne he sayd Behold Prince what the greatnes of this world is see this miserable bodie whereas all humaine helpe is vaine He cauâ—ed his câ—â—fin being of brasse to bee brought and a deaths head to bee set â—ppon a cubpord with a Crowne of gold by it Then hee Commaunded Don Lewis de Velâ—sco one of his Chamberlaines to fetch a little Casket in the which hee had put a precious Iewell the which he gaue vnto his daughter in the presence of the Prince saying This Iewell was your mothers keepe it in remembrance of her Hee also drew forth a written paper which he gaue vnto the Prince saying That it was an instruction how hee should gouerne his Kingdome and Countrie Then hee tooke forth a whip at the end whereof appeaâ—ed some markes of bloud saying lifting it vp That it was bloud of his bloud although it were not his owne bloud but the Emperour his fatheâ—s who was accustomed to chastiâ—e his bodie with this whippe and therefore hee had kept it and shewed it vnto them This done hee disposed particularly of the order and pompe of his fuâ—erals Then in the presence of the Popes Nuncio he recommended the holy Sea the Pope and the Catholike Apostolike and Romish religion vnto his câ—ildren desiring the Nuncio to giue him absoluâ—ion of hiâ— sinnes and to blesse his children recomâ—ending the Infanta his daughter vnto the Prince his sonne and to mainteâ—ne her Countries in peace appointing good Gouernours rewarding the good and punishing the bad Then he commanded they should set the Marquis of Monteiar at libertie vpon condition hee should come no mâ—re to Court and that tâ—e wife of Antonio Perez sometimes his Secretarie should bee freed from prison vpon condition that she should retire herselfe into some Monasterie Then he comcomanded them to leaue his Sonne alone with him to whome hee said these words My Son I desired â—ou should be present at this last act The Kingâ— last speech to his sonne to the end you should not liue in ignorance as I haue done how they giue this Sacrament of the last vnction and that you may see the end of Kings and of â—heir Crownes and Scepters Death is readie to take my Crowne from my head to set it vpon yours Herein I recommend two things vnto you the one is that you conâ—inue obedient to the Church the other is that you administer Iustice to your subiects The time will come when this Crowne shall fall from your head as it doth now from mine you are yong I haue beene so My dayes were numbred and are ended· God keepes an account of yours and they shall likewise end They say that he did with passion inioyne him to make ware against Heretikes and to retaine peace with France The Prince thinking there was no more hope of life in him and desiring to aduance the Marquis of Denia his fauorite demanded the golden key of the Cabinet from D. Christopher de Mora the which he refused desiring his Highnes to pardon him for that he might not deliuer it without the Kings expresse commaundement wherewith the Prince went away discontented D. Christopher complained hereof to the King who neither liked of the Princes demaund being made â—oo hastilie nor allowed of his refusall commaunding him to carrie the key vnto the Prince and to craue pardon The Prince returning to visit his father D. Christopher de Mora kneeling downe kissed the key and deliuered it vnto him the which the Prince tooke and gaue to the Marquis of Denia And as the Prince and the Infanta his sister stood before the Kings bed he sayd vnto them I recommend vnto you Don Christopher de Mora the best seruant I euer had with all my other seruants And â—o giuing them his last farwell and imbracing them his speech failed him continuing in that estate two dayes vntill his death The King of Spaines birth and statute He was borne in the yeare 1526. on Saint Markes day in Aprill and died the yeare 1598. the 13. of September He was but little of statute but otherwise of a pleasing aspect yet he had no beautifull countenance by reason of his great nether lippe the which is hereditarie to the house of Austria else hee was faire of complection rather resembling a Fleming then a Spaniard of such a constitution of bodie as hee was neuer sicke in all his life but of the disease whereof he died and was sometimes troubled with faintings He did neuer eate any fish He was of a constâ—nt resolution and of a high spirit His courage and Spirit apprehending presently the ends of things and foreseing them with an admiâ—able wisedome and iudgâ—ment Hee was neuer amazed for any accident At his first comming into Flanders by the grant of the Emperour Charles the 5. his father hee woon two great battailes against the French that of Saint Laurence at Saint Quintin and afterwards that of Grauelines and both by his Lieutenants being himselfe of no warlike disposition He was very deuout in his religion and had opposed himâ—elfe against all called heritikes of his time taking this occasion as many haue writâ—en to aduance his affaires in Christendome Hee was infortunate in his fiâ—st marriage with Mary Princesse of Portugal D Caâ—lo conspirâ—s agâ—inst his fâ—â—her Diuerâ— report that he was vniustly puâ— to death by the malice of the inquisitâ—on Comiâ—ted to pâ—ison by whome he had one sonne called Charles whose life was short miserable hauing a violent end vpon certaine imputations which were layd
incountred by the States and beaten neere vnto Dunkerke The King aâ— Males-herbes with the Marquis of Verâ—nucil Nothing did hinder the Kings exercises and sports at Blots and Males-herbes where hee spent his time with the Marquise of Vernucil in the meane time his good seruants watched both within and without the Realme for the good of his affaires all laboured in diuers actions but with one will and to one end to make the State as flourâ—shing as it had beene and the Maiestie of the Prince to be respected as it is Sacred and Holy Out of this number of good Seruants Officers of the Crowne death tooke away Phillippe de Hurault Earle of Chiuerny and Chancellor of France The death of the Chancelloâ— Chiuerny He had beene at the first Controuler of King Henry the 3. house being Duke of Aniou and King of Poland and by him made keeper of the Seales in the life of the Cardinall of â—iraque and after his death Chancellor and by him dismissed to his house at the States of Blois when as the Seales were giuen to Montheleu Aduocate in the Court of Parliament In this change he made triall that Princes Officers are in his hands as Counters be in an Auditors who raiseth them to the greatest and highest number and sodenly brings them downe to the lowest And although it be not spoken why the King commanded him to retire yet assoone as they saw him disgraced the friends of his fortune and the seruants of his fauours abandoned him He continued a while like an old cast ship which lyes in the harbrough and serues to no vse Hee returned to his charge and serued the King stoutly in the most troublesome and dangerous time of his affaires Complaints against the Chancellor Afterwards he had many crosses There were so great complaints exhibited against him in the Assembly at Roan as he was in danger to haue lost the keeping of the Seales or not to haue a Cardinals Hat demanded of the Pope for him Hee did not affect the second and the first hee preuented considering that they could not take away any thing nor diminish his great Dignities but with Shame and Disgrace Pompone de Belieure Chancellor of France Pompone de Belieure succeeded him after his death he restored the Seales the sacred instruments of Soueraigne Iustice to their honour All corrupt practises which made friends to the preiudice of the Common-weale were banished There is no other fauour then that of Iustice no other expedition but in publike and by order Nothing is setled extraordinarily but by the Kings expresse commandement or for the good of his seruice which may not bee deferred vnto the Sealing day and that in the view of all the Officers of the Chancerie Nothing is presented which hath not beene examined and held iust by the Maisters of Requests that were present The King hauing receiued newes of the Chancellors death he commanded Villâ—roy to dispatch his Letters before he demanded the place which done he presented himselfe to take his oth betwixt his Maiesties hands kneeling vpon a Cushion of Vehâ—eti the which the Chancellor and Constable onely doe and no other Officers of the Crowne His Maiestie would not binde him but to doe what hee had alwayes done for the good of his seruice and of his Crowne To conclude hee was not preferred to this high dignitie before any one that exceeded him in ranke of seruice or in merit and experience hauing vndergone the chiefe charges within the realme and happily performed abroad important and weighty Ambassages for the King About this time Iohn de Schomberg Archbishop and Elector of Treues dyed and in his place was chosen Lothaire Death of Iohn de Schomberg of the noble family of the Meternits a man of great experience and singular learning and aboue all a great louer of peace and quietnesse a worthie vertue in Princes and Prelats Death of the yong Princesse of Conâ—é This yeare also tooke away some Princesses in France amongst others Madamoiselle the onely daughter of the Prince of Condé the which hee had by his first Wife the Princesse of Neuers and Marquis of Lisle Her obsequies were made at Saint Germain des Prez with great shew as it was fit for a Princesse of the bloud Loâ—se de Budos the Constables wife died also a little before the Duchesse of Beaufort hauing left one Sonne and one Daughter whereby the famous house of Montmorency is renued the which was like to fall to the Distaffe The Marquise of Belle-Ile widow to the Maâ—quis the eldest Son to the Duke Marshall of Raiz The Marquise of Belle Ile becomâ—s a Feuâ—llantine at Tâ—oloâ—se a yonger daughter of the house of Longueuille hauing passed fiue yeares of her widowhood brought vp her Son in al vertue and pietie departed secretly out of Brittanie not aduertising any one of her kindred and went to professe her selfe a Nunne in the Monasterie of the Feuillantines at Tholouse Her Brother and her Husbands brethren posted after to diuert her but she was already in the Couent and resolued to end her dayes there A generous resolution of a Ladie issued from that noble house of Longueuille which holds one of the first places in France It is Soueraigne of the Countie of Neufchastel in Suisse and allyed to the house of Bourbon in diuers branches Execution of the Edict of Pacification The Commissioners which were imployed for the execution of the Edict of pacification found some difficulties in those places whereas the Bishops and Pastors of the Catholike Church had neither Temple nor place of retreat yet the Masse was restored to those places where it had beene banished fifteene or twentie yeares and the Preaching appointed onely in those places that were allowed by the Edict They found in all places rough and violent Spirits very hard to be dealt withall which inuented vaine quarrels when as they wanted iust cause of complaint The Commissioners exhort either partie as well to Concord as to Pietie and alwayes to containe their wills within the bounds of Obedience and not of Rebellion and to forget the factious names of Papists and Huguenots the which haue beene no lesse fatall to France then those of Guelphes and Gibellins in Italie They aduised the Preachers to take heed that their discourses were not streames of sedition as they are sometimes of Eloquence for they that make profession to teach the word of God may do as much harme in fauouring a Sedition as they shall gather profit of his Ministerie when hee shall preach Peace The Commissioners did admonish the Magistrates and cheefe of Iustice to preuent the first motiues of sedition which getting credit with the simple is the cause of great disorders So the Edict was executed throughout the realme and the most sauage began to liue louingly togither burying the remembrance of things past Things done cannot be recalled We must grow wise hereafter by the consideration of