this return of the King to Paris the Duke of Guise was made General of the Army which had hitherto serv'd under the Mareschal de Bois-Dauphin and the Duke of Espernon had also the absolute Authority of their Majesties Conduct conferr'd upon him who for fear of distasting the Duke of Guise would never till then pretend to any command an undertaking wherein he so acquitted himself as might give him reasonable expectation of a grateful return But who can promise to himself any fruits of his services especially at Court where the best are usually rewarded with hatred or envy nor had the Duke 's a better acknowledgment when having perform'd all that could be expected from a Loyal Subject and a brave Gentleman and that their Majesties by his vigilancy and valour were once settled in safety there was nothing more thought of than how to revenge the Mareschal d' Encre even at the price of so good and so faithful a Servant The first evidence the Duke met withal of any manifest disgrace was upon the occasion of a vacancy that hapned in the Company of la Courbe one of the Captains in the Regiment of Guards a Gentleman that having serv'd long and with great Reputation in that Command and hapning to die in this Journey and his Son a young and hopeful Cavalier having before his Fathers death been admitted Ensign to that Company the Duke who had been a great lover of the Father whose brave and late Services seem'd likewise to plead in behalf of the Son had mov'd their Majesties in his Favour that that Command might be conferr'd upon him Since the death of the late King nor of long before had the Duke ever appear'd zealous in any request he had not without any great difficulty obtain'd neither had he less but more reason now than ever to expect the same favour his recent Services having been of that importance to the Kings Affairs all which nevertheless being either not regarded or forgot and the design had before been concluded to disoblige him prevailing above the merits of the Father the pretenders Right and the Duke's Interest who interceded for him la Besne Lieutenant to the same Company was preferr'd before young la Courbe how displeas'd soever the Duke seem'd to be at that Election Yet did he not resent this ill usage so high as to leave the Court satisfying himself at present with manifesting his discontents bymany and publick complaints though in vain the Court now no more caring to offend him but on the contrary taking this occasion to exclude him from the Council where his candid and unbyass'd opinions did nothing relish with such as would have all things give way to their own private interests and doubtless had he at this time in the least bandied with his enemies they would immediately have attempted upon his person that the Mareschal d' Encre and his Wife might by so powerful an opposes be no longer travers'd in their designs The Duke's Affairs were in this posture when their Majesties having first recover'd Poictiers and afterwards Chastellerant where the Peace concluded at Loudun was sign'd arriv'd in the end at Tours neither did the Duke there fail how ill soever he saw himself entertain'd continually to pay all due reverence to the Queen when coming one day into her Chamber with a great many other Lords and Gentlemen one of the beams that supported the floor suddenly broke insomuch that all that side of the Room fell down with a sudden ruine overwhelming all those that stood upon it to their exceeding great peril Many persons of very eminent quality were engag'd in the danger of this fall amongst whom the Count de Soissons then very young was one as also the Duke Bassompierre Villeroy and some others The Duke being always very well attended his Servants suddenly leap'd into the midst of the ruines to relieve him where though himself was dangerously engag'd and very much hurt in several places especially in one shoulder he nevertheless call'd out to his Friends to run and save the Count himself also assisting as much as in him â—ay to disingage him from the rubbish and to put him out of danger by the Window of a low Parlour being much more solicitous of this Prince's safety than his own who being by his own and his Servants diligence secur'd he afterwards disingag'd himself from the ruines and wounded as has been said was convey'd to his own Lodgings The Queen Mother who by good fortune had escap'd the danger that part of the Chamber where she sate being supported by the more faithful strength of the other Beam that remain'd entire sent very graciously to visit all the persons of Quality who had receiv'd any hurt by this accident the Duke only who was design'd for the worst usage excepted It is not to be doubted but that the Duke must needs highly resent so manifest a preterition by which he evidently perceiv'd they intended to make him sensible of his disgrace so that fearing should he continue at Court after so clear a testimony of disfavour something of a ruder nature might be put upon him he forthwith resolv'd to retire himself as he did but with high and publick complaints of the injustice was done him and of the unworthy recompense he received for all his Service He spent two days before his departure in visiting and taking leave of his friends forbearing nevertheless that Ceremony to all he conceiv'd not to be such in what degree of favour soever they might be at Court he either having never understood or having never been willing to learn those mean Court Maxims that oblige men to dissemble their resentments and to give thanks for injuries receiv'd declaring on the contrary to all the world that he went away with the dissatisfaction an honest man ought to have for the loss of his time and service Notwithstanding at last taking his leave of their Majesties he was by the King and Queen very civilly dismist though the Queen Mother receiv'd his last complements with the usual coldness she had already begun to discover upon several occasions After this manner the Duke retir'd back to Angoulesme his old and ordinary refuge in all his disgraces whilst their Majesties continued their Journey to Paris where they arriv'd in Iune and whither the Prince of Condé also imagining he had by the Treaty of Loudon establish'd his Affairs in so sure a condition that it was not in the power of event to work any alteration to his disadvantage came presently after but he soon found that nothing is more unstable than a power how great soever that depends meerly upon its own strength the sole name of a King though a Child and the publick administration managed by a man hateful to all being sufficient to arrest him in the very arms of all his Confederates and even in the City of Paris where he believ'd his person through the affections of the people in greater
calms the Sedition The Boorâ— Mâ—tiny The Duke of Espernoâ—â— goes onâ— againâ—t them And disperses them From whence a calm ensues The Duke â—soers'd after all his brave Service The honesty of one of the Mutineers Cardinal Richelieu's civil Letter to the Duke of Espernon The Duke receives some satisfaction But not full The Cardinal de la Valette sent at the head of a great Army into Germany A brave Retreat of the Cardinal de la Valette The Duke dissatisfied that the Cardinal de la Valette his Son should follow the profession of Arms. The Duke of Espernon falls dangerously sick Anno 1636. The Spaniard mâ—kes preparation to invade Guienne The Coâ—rt neglects the Duke's Intelligence And provides very slenderly â—or the defence of the Frontiers * A Statute of Augmentation * Taxes or Imposts A rare example of the Duke's love to the people The Duke for all the injuries he had receiv'd of Briet would take no other revenge but only to put him into a fright The Parliament of Bordeaux interest themselves in the affront offer'd to Briâ—t The great Employments of the Duke of Espernon's Family The 〈…〉 Guienne The Duke of Espernon falls â—ick at Bayonne The Spanish Army enters into Biscay The Duke de la Valette comes to his Father to Bayonne The Spaniards make themselves Masters of the Country of Labourt and take the Fort of Socâ—a without resistance A panick fear in the City of Bayonne They are encourag'd by the Duke of Espernon The order taken by the Duke of Espernon for the conservation of the pâ—ace A remarkable oversight in the Spaniard The Duke of Espernon goes from Bayonne to Dacqs And from thence sends a Dispatch to the King An exemplary Fidelity in the Inhabitants of Biscay Anno 1637. The Duke of Espernon raises Forces with his own money The fiâ—st cause of the Dâ—ke de la Vaâ—ette's Disgrace The manner of the Duke de la Valett's Conduct after he entred into Cardinal Richelieu's Aâ—liance Discontents arise betwixt them The Monsieur and the Count de Soissons retire from Court And send to the Duke of Espernon to engage him in their Quarrel Who exeâ—ses himseâ—â— The Cardinal dissembles his dissatisfaction with the Dukes of Espernon and de la Valette And puts them joyntly in Commission for the Affairs of Guienne A formidabâ—e Rebell on breaks out in several Provinces of France The number of the Rebels And their progress The Rebels suppress'd by the Duke de la Valette * Des Prevosts The Court 〈◊〉 the news of tâ—e 〈◊〉 de 〈◊〉 Valett's Victory very coldly The Duke of Espernon refuses to 〈◊〉 money by Impositions upon the people The Duke de la Valette defeats the Spanish Army without Fighting Which nevertheless is but coldly receiv'd at Court The Duke de Candale and the Cardinal de la Valette command the Army in Picardy Annâ— 1638. The Duke asks leave to retire himself to Plassac * Secretaire de Commandemens ou d'Estat The four Principal Secretaries who in the Court of France sign Letters Patents and Dispatches of State Anno 1637. The Duke de la Valette is constrained to make a journey to Court But with infinite danger The Frince of Condé arrives in Guienne The Royal Army baffled before Fontarabie For which the Duke de la Valette is unjâ—stly blâ—m'd Reasons for his Justification The Duke of Espernon returns without Order from the King inhis Government of Guienne The Duke of Espernon receiveâ— news of the Bâ—rth of the Dolphin The Duke receives news of the Defeat of Fontarabie The Duke of Espernon returns to Plassâ—c A very extraordinary accident by Lâ—gâ—â—ning Passionate expressions of the Cardinal agaiâ—st the Duke de la Valette By which he is diverted from going to Courâ— The Duke of Espernon's Dâ—sgraces Hâ— is depos'd of his Government The Dâ—ke of Espernon calumniateâ— Anno 1639. The Duke of Espernon falls dangerously sick The Death of the Duke de Candale The Duke de la Valette sentenc'd to Death with Confiscarion of Offices Honors and Estate The Duke de la Valette solemnly justified The Duke of Espernâ—n still persecuted by the privation of a good part of his Estate The Death of the Cardinal de la Valette The Duke of Espeâ—non's constancy The Duke of Espernon receives many Consolatory Letters both from the King Queen the Monsieur Cardinal and most of the Eminent persons of the Kingdom The Queens Letter to the Duke of Espernon The Cardinal's Letter to the Duke of Espernon The Duke of Espernon's Letter to Cardinal Richelieu Anno 1640. The Prince of Condé offers his Service to the Duke of Espernon upon some Conditions Which are rejected by the Duke New persecutions for the Duke of Espernon The Duke of Espernon's noble constancy Three remarkable stories of the Duke of Espernon's good Fortune whereof this is the first * A piece of money to the value of xviii pence sterling * The second Story The third Sâ—ory Anno 1641. The Duke of Espernon falls dangâ—rously sick The estate of the Affairs of the Kingdom from whence the Cardinal took occasion to send the Duke of Espernon to Loches A malicious Contrivance against the Duke of Espernon The King's Letter to the Duke of Espernon The Duke of Espernon's Letter to the King The generous proceeding of the Mareschal de Scomberg The Duke of Espernon's irresolution concerning the Journey of Loches * One whereof I find in Davila when the Duke of Elbeauf was sent thither Prisoner presently after the Death of the Duke of Guise at Blois The Count de Soissons makes great preparation for War News brought to the Duke of Espernon of the Death of the Count de Soâ—ssons slain at the Battel of Sedan The Duke of Espâ—rnâ—n's Letter to the King His Majesties Letter to the Duke The Cardinals Letter to the Duke The Dâ—ke of Espâ—rnon 〈◊〉 at Leches and is there receiv'd with great Honour The Cardinals Letter to the Duke of Espâ—rnon The Duke's answer The Cardinal's Return to the Duke's answer Commotions at Court stir'd up by the Favourite Cinq-Mars * Above all things take heed of the Baâ—â—ille Monsieur de Thou involv'd in the Grand Esâ—uyer's ruine The Calumny of Madaillan against the Duke the cause of his Death Madaillan's Character His Resolution to ruine the Dâ—ke of Espernon His Artifice herein He proposes his Design to his Complices The Duke 〈…〉 And dispatches his Secretary to Court to justifie himself His Secretary is favourably receiv'd by the Cardinal And an Order granted to apprehend Madaillan and his Complices The King's Letter to the Duke of Espernon The Cardinal's Letter to the Dâ—ke of Espernon * Oâ— Prison The Dâ—ke of Espernon sends a Letter of thanks to Cardinal Richelieu Anno 1642. The Sickness and Death of the Duke of Espernon The Dâ—ke's good dispoâ—â—tions to dye The Duke's last reqâ—est to the King concerning his Children * Amende honorable signifies something more but what cannot be inteâ—ded by the Author in this place His Death
excellent Lady in the six and twentieth Year of her Age after having manifested an indifferency for life becoming her masculine Courage and Resignation unto Death worthy her great Piety and Vertue The Sieur du-Masses Lieutenant for the King under the Duke in that Government dispatch'd a Courier to the Duke to acquaint him with his loss as also with the Dutchess her dying request unto him who after having given publick testimonies of his affliction than which nothing could be greater he vow'd to observe what she expected from his fidelity to the last hour of his Life A promise that he as faithfully observ'd though in the space of fifty years that he surviv'd this excellent Lady he was offer'd many and great advantageous matches which he still refus'd ever professing that the respect he bore to his dead Ladies last request did and should with-hold him from embracing a new Wife and fâ—om embarquing in a new Fortune Fortune had hitherto so favour'd the Duke in almost all his Enterprizes that his Affairs had been carried on with great prosperity and success and the Provisions he had drawn from the Province or bought with his own mony had kept his Army in so good Discipline and Obedience that the Provencials had tasted very little of the incommodities of War Yet wanted there not some unquiet Spirits who enemies to the peoples peace as envious of the Duke 's good Fortune endeavour'd by all imaginable ways to debauch from him the respect and good will he had by his noble carriage acquir'd from the greater part of the Country and from the better sort of men perswading them that his severe and hasty humour proceeded from a purpose he had to usurp an absolute Authority over them and rendring his best intentions so suspected to the people as made them at last refuse to pay their accustomed Taxes It was by so much the easier to corrupt these undiscerning spirits by how much a certain emulation has ever been observ'd to be betwixt the Provencials and Gascons as seems to have been hereditary if not natural to those two people So that the Provencials not being able to endure the dominion of those with whom they had ever disputed the prize of Glory and Valour were easily tempted to shake off the yoke that either was or was pretended to be impos'd upon them After therefore as has been said they had denied the Duke those Contributions which until then they had willingly paid most of the Souldiers of the Country who were in his Army retir'd themselves and some of the chief Nobility pretended to favour at Court by accusing him of inordinate Ambition though all his endeavour to make himself considerable in Provence was only in order to his Majesties Service The Duke seeing things in this ill condition would by force have reduc'd them to their former posture but this remedy which was by no means proper for the constitution of that people ripping up the memory of the severe punishments he had in such cases inflicted upon several men in divers places serv'd only to make them desperate in their disobedience and to incenâ—e them to the last degree Thus did all those who had manifested an animosity against the Duke begin to apprehend falling into his power amongst which the Leaguers were in the greatest fear who as their obstinate Rebellion had made their fault much greater than theirs who like Souldiers had defended Montauron so did they fear a worse punishment if worse could be than had been inflicted upon them They saw their City of Aix reduc'd to the last extremity neither would those within stay till they could come to their Relief The Count de Carces a particular Enemy to the Duke besides the hatred that diversity of interest does usually beget above all things dreaded to fall into his hands so that Friends and Enemies those who pretended to be Royallists and Leaguers conspiring together to hinder the Duke's further advancement he saw almost in a moment all Provence in Mutiny and Insurrection The King had already publickly embrac'd the Catholick Religion of which he had made open profession at St. Dennis the five and twentieth day of Iuly this same year whose Conversion having taken away all manner of pretense from such as had declar'd they forsook his Majesties Service upon no other accompt than the Interest of Religion the Inhabitants of Aix conceiv'd they could now no longer continue in their Rebellion without manifesting to all the world that they were sway'd by other considerations than those they had already declar'd to which the Count de Carces making use of this time and occasion adding his perswasions one while representing to them their Duty to their Prince and another the severity they were to expect from the Duke of Espernon animated as he must of necessity be by the hatred they had in this Siege express'd against his Person he at last prevail'd with them to send away speedily to the King to assure his Majesty of their Fidelity and Obedience This was the first thing that discover'd a disunion in the League of which though the Duke of Mayenne highly complain'd to the Count de Carces reproaching him with weakness and charging him with all the miscarriages that should after happen to their Faction yet was he deaf to his reproaches and the fear of falling into the Duke's hands as he was upon the point to do the City of Aix not being able longer to hold out being more prevalent upon him than the respect of his Alliance he resolutely persisted in his first Design But the Count de Carces was not satisfied with hindering the Duke from making himself Master of the City of Aix only the hatred he implacably bore him proceeding yet further and to contrivances of more dangerous consequence against him There was none who did not believe the King had a jealousie of the Duke's Designs amongst whom the Count de Carces who understood it better than the rest easily perswaded himself that his Majesty would not suffer the Duke to encrease his Reputation and Power in Provence by the taking of Aix one of the most important places of that Province And he further knew the Duke would as hardly consent to have his Conquest so near effected forestall'd and the prey snatch'd out of his hands So that in this diversity of pretensions he doubted not but that the King's aversion to the Duke as also his mistrust of him would be infinitely encreas'd which in the end succeeded as he had foreseen and projected The Estates of the Country assembled at Aix appointed Deputies to go make a tender to the King of the obedience of their City provided his Majesty would please to protect them against the Duke of Espernon whose power they said was grown formidable and his insolence not to be endur'd 'T is true he had acted vigorously against them but they would not say That had he proceeded with greater moderation they would ever
he had receiv'd from the King conceiving this business what gloss soever might be put upon it would be interpreted to his disgrace and would pass in the opinions of men at honour for a Bravado and an affront to him in his Government could by no means perswade himself to digest it which made him very important with the King that his Majesty would please to absolve him from so injurious a condition a thing the King who had him in great esteem would as willingly have done But his Royal Word being already pass'd to the Duke whom he knew to be as obstinate as the other in things wherein his Honour was concern'd and not knowing how at once to satisfie two so different humours matters were in all apparence going into as ill terms as at first when an accident fell out that soon took the Duke off all thoughts of that Solemnity The Dutchess of Bar the King 's only Sister hapned to dye at this time which gave the King occasion to write to the Duke of Espernon that he assur'd himself all such good Subjects and Servants as he was would rather lament with him for the loss of so dear a Relation than to think of Mirth and publick Solemnities of Joy at so unseasonable a time a command so much the easier for the Duke to obey by how much he himself had particular reason to be really afflicted at the death of that excellent Lady So that by this accident the Mareschal d' Ornano saw himself disingag'd from one of the greatest extremities he had ever found himself involv'd in it having been otherwise necessary for him either absolutely to disobey the King which he could not have done without incurring his disgrace or patiently to submit to an affront he himself had declar'd to be the greatest he could possibly receive and that 't is said he was resolv'd to have avoided by laying down his Commission such as were most perfect in his passionate nature being confident had it come to the push he would certainly have ransom'd himself from that submission at the price of his Fortune The Duke continued some time after this in Guienne and from thence returned into Angoumois where he spent the remainder of the year without being call'd thence upon any publick occasion All things as has been said were quiet and the King seem'd to be wholly taken up with the care of husbanding and filling his Exchequer wherein though some believ'd him to be meerly carried on by a natural inclination to the love of mony yet his designs which a few years after disclos'd themselves gave the world an accompt that there was more of design than avarice in the exact care he took to moderate the excessive expense had by his predecessor been introduc'd into the Kingdom The Duke of Espernon nevertheless could have wish'd his Majesty had been more open handed to the Garrisons in his Government those of Angoulesme and Xaintes being so ill paid that they could hardly subsist which putting him into an apprehension that those places become now as it were Frontier Towns since those of the Reformed Religion had made a kind of separation in the State of which Rochelle seem'd to be the Metropolitan City might be lost in his hands he continually represented to the King the danger those Cities were in but without being regarded at all which made him in the beginning of the ensuing year resolve upon a Journey to Court to try if in person and by word of mouth he could not prevail more than by continual importunities in writing he had hitherto done where being arriv'd and presenting himself before the King his Majesty as'd him in what condition he had left his Governments to whom the Duke reply'd That they could not possibly be in a worse the necessity of the Souldiery in Garrison being so great that he durst not undertake for the security of those places committed to his charge To which the King having made answer That they were us'd as others were The Duke who very well knew the difference his Majesty made betwixt his Catholick Garrisons and the neighbouring places possess'd by those of the Reform'd Religion took the liberty to tell him that those who had so inform'd his Majesty had given him a very ill accompt of his Affairs the Garrisons of those of the Religion who perhaps were arm'd to the prejudice of his Service being nothing in Arrear whilst the Catholicks who were firm in their obedience were ready to perish for want of pay The King nettled at so tart a reply and angry that the Duke should give him so publick a reproach in the discovery of a truth he had a mind for many reasons should have been conceal'd suffer'd himself to be so far transported by his passion that he could not forbear to tell the Duke He was perverse and importunate That he sought all occasions to displease him That he would have done him a greater kindness to have kept still at the distance he was at than to come into his presence only to offend him and for the close of all that he had long observ'd he did not love him To which the Duke without being thunder-struck at the King's anger which might perhaps have surpriz'd another man less confident of his Fidelity than he insisting upon the last words answered coldly but after a serious manner Sir your Majesty has not a more faithful Subject than my self in your Kingdom and I had rather die than do any thing contrary to the least particle of my duty But Sir for what concerns friendship your Majesty knows very well that is a thing not to be acquir'd but by Friendship At so bold and generous an answer there was none who was not astonish'd at the Duke's freedom and that was not ready to condemn his rashness though the King himself who knew how to put a just value upon great actions and how to interpret language of this nature was of a more favourable opinion and gave no reply but on the contrary reflecting upon what the Duke had said converted his indignation into esteem and interpreting what others thought temerity for an effect of honest liberty proceeding from a good conscience resolv'd to make himself belov'd by the way the Duke had laid him down and from that time forward began to use him much better than he had ever done Neither was the Duke wanting on his part but perceiving his Majesties good disposition towards him and adding the spur of affection to what he had formerly perform'd upon the meer accompt of duty he at last obtain'd so great a share in his Majesties favour and good opinion that before his death he receiv'd as many testimonies of his Royal good Will and Confidence as any other person of his condition whatsoever in the Kingdom This confidence began soon after to appear by the command the King was pleas'd to give the Duke over the Horse and Foot he sent into Limousin when tir'd
Authority though with some trouble re-establish'd in Metz which from the time of Sobole's dereliction until now he had altogether lost Fromigieres being receiv'd into the Cittadel was still more and more fortified by new Souldiers which the Duke's friends continually slipt in from the City so that Arquien seeing himself in a lost condition and also stung with the conscience of his own fault he return'd in all haste back to Paris at once to beg the Duke of Espernon's pardon and to implore the Queen Regents Justice Where being come and finding the Duke inflexible to his submissions and positively resolute to hold what he had seeing he was to expect no good accompt from him he thought fit as his last refuge to appeal to the Queen Neither did he want interest at Court to support and countenance his cause where besides de Montigny his Brother a man of great merit and esteem and afterwards Mareschal of France he had many Relations and Friends together with the Duke's Enemies who could not without great heart-burning see him re-settled in so considerable a command Of this number were the Lords of the House of Guise and their Family who made up a great part of the Court and who being all averse to the Duke's greatness endeavour'd by possessing the Queen that the action of Metz was an intolerable affront to her Authority to make her restore Arquien to his Command They represented to her that this was an Affair by the late King conceiv'd to be of such importance to the State that his Majesty had made no difficulty to make a Journey thither in person and on purpose to retrive this place out of the Duke of Espernon's hands That his Fidelity ought at this time to be much the rather suspected by how much his Ambition was more inordinate and less easie to be cur'd That having under pretense of some trivial Services to her Majesty in the beginning of her Administration committed a violence of this high nature he made it plain that his sole aim was in this new face of Affairs to establish his own particular greatness and that instead of endeavouring to continue Subjects in their Duty by the example of a Subjects Obedience he had himself committed the greatest insolence imaginable against the Sovereign Power by dispossessing one of the most ancient and faithful Servants of the Crown from a place wherein he had serv'd without the least blemish or reproach It is certain that the Queen how well satisfied soever with the Duke of Espernon was notwithstanding something stagger'd in her resolution at this Remonstrance but the Duke having also given his reasons and represented to her of what importance it was to have his Majesties Authority in the City and Cittadel of Metz conjoyn'd in one man that the emulation of two Governours might not produce mutiny such as would endanger the introducing of Forein Power into the place with how long and with what Fidelity he had serv'd his Kings in that Government the Authority being united in his Person he found the Queen so well dispos'd to accept of his justification that she was absolutely satisfied so that from that time forward nothing was more thought of in that business save only how to content Arquien in finding out for him some other command that might hold proportion with that Employment In the transaction of this Affair Fortune as upon other occasions would needs interest her self to appear in the Duke's Favour De Vic Governour of Calice was one of the principal Mediators in this difference who on the one side making profession of great respect to the Duke's Service and on the other of a strict friendship with Arquien labour'd with extraordinary passion and diligence to satisfie both parties in their pretense and had brought matters to so good an issue that nothing remain'd to their mutual satisfaction save only to find out a Government for Arquien equal to that whereof he was now divested but there was none at this time vacant of equal value which was the only knot in the Affair At last this poor Gentleman prov'd both the Mediator and the price of their Accommodation who had acted so vigorously in the Treaty that with posting to and again in the most violent heats of Summer he was surpriz'd with a Pleurisie whereof in six days he dy'd With his Government Arquien was recompens'd who after that quit claim to the Cittadel of Metz leaving the Duke absolute Master of it as before a possession he afterwards kept till that a few years before his death he demised it in favour of Cardinal de la Valette his Son Amidst these many important Affairs the Duke was not unmindful of his particular Duties whereof one and to which he conceiv'd himself most particularly oblig'd was to manifest his gratitude to Henry the III. his Master and Benefactor He had formerly after his death attended his Body to Compiegne where the misfortunes of War and the confusion of Affairs not permitting at that time a performance of his Funeral Rites and the Queen now resolving to begin the Regency with those of the late King he humbly begg'd of her to give him leave to make use of that opportunity for the interment of Henry the III. wherein her Majesty doing an Act worthy her Piety would add little or nothing to the expense she was already resolv'd to make The Queen readily consented to his request so that the Duke accompanied with a great number of Lords and Gentlemen went to fetch the Body from Compiegne from whence he convey'd it to St. Denis where it was deposited in the ancient Sepulchre of the Kings of France Neither was this the sole testimony the Duke gave of his gratitude to his old Master the Records of his Bounty and Favour being so impress'd in his memory that they perish'd not but in his Grave where all things are buried in Oblivion A little before his death causing a Marble Pillar one of the most celebrated pieces of Architecture of these late times to be carried and set up in the Church of St. Clou wherein he was so curious as to make it be wrought in his own House and almost in his own sight his design being to found a Revenue of a thousand Livers yearly for the Service of the Chappel where it was erected which was also adorn'd with Pictures and pav'd with Marble at his own charge but some difficulties arising about the settlement of that Foundation which could not be clear'd before his death the thing to his great grief remain'd imperfect The Ceremony of these Obsequies perform'd in the end of Iune was immediately follow'd by the return of the Prince of Condé to Court where he arriv'd in Iuly and where all the men of condition contended who should give him the greatest testimonies of joy for his return Amongst whom although the Duke of Espernon was none of the latest yet was he not the best receiv'd The Duke of Sully who had great need
King The Duke of Espernoâ— stands out The Duke obstinate to leave the Army The Kâ—ng perswaded to cause the Duke to be stab'd The Duke goes to take his leave of the King The King 's angry Speech to the Duke The Remonstrances of the Duke's Friends to perswade him to stay The Duke fortifies the Castle of Angoulesme and the Cittadel of Xaintes The Dâ—ke rescues Limoges out of the hands of the League The Duâ—e 〈◊〉 St. Germâ—n which surrenâ—ers The Dâ—ke call'd back into Angoumois to suppress the Leaguers there The Dâ—ke relieves Bâ—urg Anno 1591. The birth of Henry de Foix and de la Valette the Duke of Espernon's eldest Son The birth of Bernard de Fâ—ix and de la Valetâ—e the Duke's second Son The Birth of Lewis Cardinal de la Valette the Duke's youngest Son Passages at Coâ—rt in the Duke's absence The King importun'd to hasten his Conversion The Dâ—ke of Espernon returns to Court D'Avila The Siege of Chartres The Duke goes into Picardy An attempt â—pon the Duke of Espernon by the Duke of Aumale Minieux routed by by the Duke and taken prisoner The Duke 's ill usage at Corbie The Duke shot into the mouth at Pierre Fonds The Duke returns to the King Chartres after an obstinate Siege surrendred to the King and soon after Noyon The Duke of Espernon retires into his own Government Anno 1592. The Duke prepares to return to the King Is hindred by the death of Mounsieur de la Valette hiâ— Brother Mounsieur de la Valette 's exploitâ— in Provence and 〈◊〉 Mounsiâ—ur de 〈◊〉 The Office of Admiral conferr'd upon St. Blancart The Duke demands of the King the Government of Provence The Forces the Duke carried with him into Provence And what he found there The Duke enforc'd to borrow mony The Duke departs from Angoulâ—sme The Duke relieves Villemuâ—â— The Dâ—ke relieves Mantaubon by the taking in several Castles from the League The Siege of Montauâ—on The Duke of Espâ—rnon's severâ—ty The Siege of Arles Arles surrendred The Sâ—ege of Aâ—tibe Aâ—bigné Antiâ—e taken by Assault The Surrender of Cannes Mounsieur de Thoâ— Anno 1593. The Duke reduces several revolted Towns The Dâ—ke makes an attempt first upon Aix aâ—d after upon Marseâ—â—es Forts built against Aix The Enâ—my endeavours by frequent sallies to hinder the Duke's Works A great sally made by the besieged An attempt upon Marselles The Dâ—ke returns to Aix The Duke 's miraculous escape The Inhabitants of Aix imagining the Duke slain make another sally The Duke in a new danger The Death of the Dutchess of Espernon Anno 1594. The Provencials Revolt from the Duke King Henry the IIII. turns Roman Catholick Mounsieur de Thou Designs oâ— the Count de Carces against the Duke Anno 1595. The King sends secret Orders to l' Esdiguieres and Colonel Alphonso d' Ornano The Duke is resolute to maintain himself in his Government The King resolves to remove the Dâ—ke from the Government of Provence Mounsieur de l' Esdiguieres enâ—ers with an Army into Provence against the Duke The Duke goes out to meet Mounsieur de l' Esdiguieres A true accompt of the Action The Duke'â— Victory fatal to Bezaudun The Duke at last is necessitated to an Accommodation The Duke goes over to Languedoc A remarkable Duel betwixt two of the Duke's Captains The Fort of Aix surpriz'd by Mounsieur l' Esdiguieres The Fort of Aix demolish'd Many other places revolt from the Duke The Duke returns into Provence The Duke of Guise made Governour of Provence The Duke of Guise and Mounsieur l' Esdiguieres go against the Dâ—ke of Espernon The Duke resolute to stand upon his deâ—ence The Duke abandoned by most of his friends The Duke of Espernon enters into a general mistrust of all his followers A Skirmish betwixt the Duke of Guise and the Duke of Espernon All things averse to the Duke in Provence A Plot against the Duke of Espernon's life A Quintal is an hundred weight The Duke 's wonderfâ—l escape Reflections upon the several dangers of the Duke of Espernon's life Anno 1596. The Duke of Espernon traduc'd by the Cardinal d' Ossâ—t Other Calumnies against the Duke The Duke of Espernon rejecting all offers from Savoy Spain and the Duke of Mayenne submits himself to the King The Duke of Espernon receiv'd into Favour A digression upon a remarkable passage * The man without fear The posture of Affairs at the Duke of Espernon's arrival at Court A design upon Calice A remarkable action of Campagâ—â—â— * Or younger Brother * Cardinal Bentivâ—gâ—â—o De Thou Anno 1597. The Pope sends his Legat into France An Assembly at Roan * He is call'd by Iean de Serres Heâ—nâ—nl 〈◊〉 The Duke of Espernon comes to the King at Amiens A surprize design'd upon Arras 〈◊〉 Anno 1598. The peace concluded 〈◊〉 Vervins The Marriage of the Duke of Montpensur with Katharine de Ioyeuse now Dutchess of Guise and Niece to the Duke of Espernon Anno 1599. The Duke of Savoy begins to practice with the Mareschal de Biron The Cardinal Aldobrandino sent by the Pope into France The Peace with Savoy concluded The Duke of Espernon leaves the Court to go into Angoumois and goes into Guienne Anno 1600. A dispute betwixt the the Duke and the Mareschald ' Ornane Anno 1601. The King reconciles the Duke and the Mareschal The birth of the Dolphin afterwards Lewis the XIII Anno 1602. The Conspiracy of Mâ—reschal Biron and the Duke's carriage in that business Birâ—n in this Journey betwixt Dijon and Montbelliâ—rd was for four hours together in private Conference with Wattevile the Duke of Savoy's Ageâ—t D Serres page 978. Mounsieur Crequy made Camp-Master to the Regiment of Guards Anno 1603. The state of Affairs at Court during the Peace The story of Pimentel The advancement of Philip Cospean Bishop of Lizieux by the Duke of Espernon's means Anno 1604. A neâ— qâ—arrel like to rise betwixt the Duke oâ— Espernon and the Mareschal d' Ornano A bold answer from the Duke to the King well receiv'd and turn'd to his advantage Anno 1605. The Duke's expedition into Limousin A dispute betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Duke of Guise Another quarrel betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Priâ—ce of Ioinville Anno 1606. The King makes anâ— expedition to Seâ—n wherein the command of tâ—e Vâ—nt-Guard is commitâ—ed to the Duke of Espernon Anno 1607. The deâ—th of the Duke of Montpâ—nsier Anno 1608. The death of Pere Ange de Ioyeuse the Duke's Brother-in-law Anno 1609. The Truce betwixt Spain and Holland concluded by the King's mediation Anno 1610. The King makes great preparation for War * De Serres says the King intended to leave the Constable and the Chancellor in thaâ— trust The Death of Henry the IIII. * Who were the Mareschal de Roquelaure the Mâ—rquis de la Force the Sieur de Liencourt and the Marquis de Mireâ—eau * De Sâ—rres says by a mistake
the Duke his Father After having preserv'd Metz by disarming the Inhabitants The Duke of Mayenne refuses to accept the Peace and endeavours to engage the Duke of Espernon in his discontents Who refuses to stir The King goes into Guienne and Bearne The Duke of Espernon presents himself to the King and asks his pardon And is very well receiv'd The Duke receives a promise of his Majesties coming to his house at Cadillas Where he is maâ—nificently entertain'â— The King departs from Cadillac to go into Bearne And reduces that Province to their obedience Which nevertheless continueâ— but a short space Anno 1621. The Archbishop of Tholouzâ— made Cardinal The Duke's expedition into Bearâ—â— The Duke receives his Commission The Duke begins his Journey A great number of Gentlemen come in to follow the Duke of Espâ—rnon in this expedition The Maâ—quis de la Force sends to â—â—vert the Duke â—â—om comâ—ing into Bearne The sudden terror of the Bearnois As also of the Souldiery The Duke quiets Bearne in a very short time And at very little expense A generous act of the Dâ—ke of Espernâ—n The Duke of Espernon returns out of Bearne to the Siege of St. Ieâ—n de Angely The King 's great favour and justice to the Duke of Espernon at his return from his expedition of Bearne The Duke of Espernon applyeâ— himself to the Sâ—ege The Marquis de la Valette receives a Musquet-shot before St. Iean dâ— Aâ—gely St. Iean de Angely surrendred The Duke of Espâ—rnon preserves the Town of St. Iean de Angely from being sack'd by the Souldier The Duke of Espernon's employment before Râ—châ—â—le The Duke receives the command of the Army at Cognac He obtains of the King Monsieur d' Aâ—try now Chancellor of France for Intâ—ndant de Iustice in this expedition The Duke of Espernon takes up his Quarters before Rochelle Several actions before Rochelle betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the besieged The first propositions that were made to the Duke for the blocking up the Harbour of Râ—chelle The surprizal of the Isle of Maron by the Duke of Espernon The King's exploits in Guienne The death of the Duke de Luines Anno 1622. The Duke of Espernon goes to the King at Poictiers The Duke of Espernon sent to lay Sieâ—e to Râ—yan Royan taken to the Duke of Espernon's great â—onour Strange Wounds The march of the Kings Army into Guienne and their progress there The Duke of Espernon receives his Patent for the Government of Guienne A comparison betwixt the Dukes of Espernon and l' Esdiguieres with some reflections upon the different ways of their advancement The Duke resolves to attend the King's person in his expeditions The Duke of Espernon takes a Journy into Catalognia The Duke's reception in all the Cities through which he pass'd The Dâ—ke of Espernon returns out of Catalognia The Siege of Montpelliâ—r A prudent counsel of the Duke of Espernon which not being follow'd cost the lives of a great many very brave men Another prudent advice of the Duke of Espernon's rejected The Peace concluded before Montpelliâ—r The King returns towards Paris The King comes to Lyons where the Marriage is celebrated betwixt the Duke de la Valette and Mâ—dâ—moiselle de Verneüil Anno 1623. The Dâ—ke of Espernon goes â—owards Guienne The begiâ—ning of the ill intelligence betwixt the Duke and the first President de Goâ—rgues Which begets that betwixt the Duke and the Parliament The Duke arrives in Guienne The Duke's reception at Bordeaâ—x * Iuraâ—s de Bordeaux are the same with the Sheriffâ— in other Câ—ties A difference betwixt the Duke and the Mareschal de Themines the Kings Lieutenant in Guienne * Or chief Jurisdiction An Accommodation betwixt the Duke and the Mareschal Themines The Duke coâ—es to aâ— open rupâ—â—re with the first President Who engages the company in â—is quarrel The Duke settles his Domestick Affairs The Duke of Espâ—rnon goes to Court Arrives at Paris Anno 1624. A generous act of the Duke of Espernon The Duke goes from Paris Cardinal Richelieu created chief Minister of State New differences betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Parliament of Bordeaux The Cardâ—nal Richelieu opposite to the Duke Anno 1625. A new War The Revolt of Montauban The Duke's Forces The Countrey about Montauban laid waste Those of the Religion make a vigorous resistance Soubizâ— endeavoâ—rs to divert the Duke The Peace concluded Anno 1626. A new breach betwixt the Duke and the Parliament of Bordeaux Which grows to a very great height Leon Brâ—lart sent to Bordeaux to labour an Accommodatâ—on Wherein he does not sâ—â—ceed The business is referr'd to the Council who make an Award prejudicial to both parties A disorder at Court The Marriage betwixt the Monsiâ—ur and the Dutchâ—ss of Montpâ—nsiâ—r 〈◊〉 Letter to the Dâ—ke of Espernonâ—â— â—er great Uâ—cle Anno 1627. The Duke appoâ—nts a Tilting at Bordeâ—ux The Shipwrack of the Portugal Carricks The Duke de Candâ—le the Duke of Espernon's eldest Son comes to tâ—e Solemnity The Birth of the Duke of Candale the Duke of Espernon's Gâ—andchild The death of the Dâ—tchess de la Vaâ—ette 〈…〉 New occaâ—â—ons of misunderstanding betwixt the Duke and Cardinal Richeliâ—u about the wrack of the Câ—rrick The Cardinals pretensions The Duke's Title The Duke offers â—o 〈◊〉 to a reference which is refus'd by the Cardinal Monsieur Servient employ'd in the business who reconcâ—les the difference * Sous a peny the Sous de Paris or Sol Marque is peny â—arthing English * 〈◊〉 my Aâ—thour calâ—'d the Duke de 〈◊〉 Our English Authors that as they must needs be better inform'd of the motives of this War are likely better to inform us give a far different accompt Vide Bakers Chronicle The English land in the Isle of Ré * Six thousand our Historians say The Cardinals Orders to oppose the English Le Plessis the Duke of Espernon's Domestick Servant has the command of a Regiment â—onâ—err'd upon him upon this occasion Anno 1628. The Duke of Espernon's Letter of advice to the Duke of Angoulesme The Duke of Angoulesme's answer The Commotion of the whole Hugonot Paâ—ty And of Montauban * Chambre de l' Edict and Chambre Me-partie is all one it being as has been said elsewhere a Court erected in favour of those of the Religion consisting the one half of Catholicks and the other of those of their own party The Prince of Condé made the Lieutenant General in Guienne and some other adjoyning Provinceâ— The Duke of Espernon opposes himself to the Duke of Rohan who was moving with an Army to the relief of Rochelle The Prince of Condé lays Siege to St. Afrique With ill success The Duke sent Monsieur Fabert to Court The Duke of Espernon falls â—â—ck The Duke recovers Rochelle surrendred to the King Anno 1629. The death of 〈◊〉 Chief President de Gourgues Spain and Savoy invade Mantua The King goes into Italy The Duke de la Valette forces le pas de
to the Duke of Eguillon 283 Challenge from the Prince of Joinville to the Duke of Espernon 244 Chartres surrendred to the King 114 135 Chasteau-Neuf Garde des Sceaux in disgrace 507 Chastillon slain before Chartres 135 Church Lands in Bearn restor'd 306 Cicutat taken by the Duke of Espernon 150 Cinque-Mars Grand Escuyer of France 634 Cisteron taken by the Duke of Espernon 150 Cittadel of Xaintes demolish'd 362 Civil War breaks out 431 Commotion of the Princes of the Blood to hinder the Match with Spain 291 Comparison betwixt the Duke of Espernon and â—'Esdiguieres 405 Conspiracy of Angoulesme 87 sequentibus Conspiracy against the Queen Mother at Angoulesme 363 Conspiracy against the Duke of Espernon 180 181 Council of sixteen and their practices 68 69 Count de Brenne 344 Count de Candalle slain at the storming of Sommieres 60 Count de Bethune sent to treat with the Queen Mother 354 Count de Moret slain 496 Count de Soissons retires from Court 572 Count de Soissons furiously exasperated against the Duke of Espernon 273 Crequi made Camp-Master to the Regiment of Guards 228 La Croix sent by the Duke de Luines to the Duke of Espernon 369 D. DEath of the Cardinal of Guise 106 Death of the Dutchess of Espernon 158 Death of Pere Ange de Joyeuse 248 Death of the Duke of Cleves 250 Death of the Duke de Luines 395 Death of the Count de Soissoâ—s slain at the Battel of Sedan 628 Death of the Dutchess de la Valette 444 Death of the Dutchess of Orleans 445 Defagues Massacred at Bordeaux 538 Description of the City of Metz 39 Difference betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Parliament of Paris 207 sequentibus Difference betwixt the Duke of Espernon and Villeroy Secretary of State 42 52 Difference betwixt Pope Paul the Fifth and the Republick of Venice compos'd by the King of France 246 Difference betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Archbishop of Bordeaux 507 Disorders of the Kingdom 284 Dispute betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Mareschal d' Ornano 210 211 Another 238 Dispute betwixt the Dukes of Espernon and Guise 243 Dispute betwixt the Prince of Joinville and the Duke of Espernon 244 Dispute betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Baron de la Chastagneraye 274 Dispute betwixt the Duke of Espernon and Cardinal Richelieu about the Portugal Carricks 446 Disputes betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Parliament of Bordeaux 424 429 Continued 436 Duel betwixt two Captains 170 Duel betwixt two Souldiers 286 Duke de Candalle discontented at his Partage given him by his Father 278 He is Married to the Dutchess of Haluin 278 His Voyage into the Levant 280 He misdemeans himself in Xaintonge 294 He comes to his Father to Bordeaux 443 444 His Death 600 E. EDict de Crue erected 557 Edict of the Vnion with the League published at Roan 80 Education of the Duke of Espernon 's Children 275 English Land in the Isle of Rhe 448 Are Defeated 455 Engagement betwixt the Duke of Espernon and I'Esdiguieres 165 Enterview betwixt the King and the Queen Mother at Cousieres 366 L' Esdiguieres Created Constable of France 405 Esgarrebaques Governour of Toulon 172 Espernon Duke offer'd by the King his Majesties Sister-in-Law in Marriage which he modestly refuses 25 He is sent to Treat with the King of Navarre 31 By whom he is offer'd the Princess Katharine the King 's only Sister in Marriage 33 His dangerous fall near to Lyons 34 35 He is offer'd the Duke of Guises Daughter since Princess of Conty in Marriage which he refuses 36 He is sent with an Army into Provence 50 His Exploits there 51 Espernon Duke Married to Margaret de Foix and de Candalle 59 sequ Espernon Duke beats up a Quarter of German Horse 63 Espernon Duke invested with the Offices vacant by the Death of the Duke of Joyeuse slain at the Battel of Coutras as also with those vacant by the Duke de Bellegarde slain at the same Battel 65 He exposes himself to very great danger 69 He retires from Court 80 He returns to Court and is well receiv'd 111 He refuses to follow Henry the Fourth and leaves the Army 119 121 He is shot into the mouth at Pierre Fonds 134 He is sent Governour and Captain General of all the Kings Forces into Provence 141 142 His miraculous escape before Aix 156 He is forsaken by his Friends in Provence 176 He is traduc'd by the Cardinal d' Ossat 183 He comes to the King to Amiens 200 His expedition into Limousin 240 Espernon Duke goes to the Hostel de Ville at Paris upon the Death of Henry the Fourth 258 And to the Augustins 259 His Harangue there ibid. Espernon Duke re-establish'd in Metz 267 Espernon Duke generously refuses to consent to the Murther of the Duke of Sully though his Enemy 265 He divides his Estate amongst his three Sons 277 He rejects the proferr'd Alliance of the Mareschal d' Encre 282 He falls sick at Angoulesme 295 Espernon Duke in Disgrace 297 Espernon Duke in great danger 298 He retires from Court 299 He presents himself before Rochelle 303 Espernon Duke's preparation in order to the Queen Mothers escape from Blois 332 His Magnificence 364 His Letter to the King 365 Espernon Duke his Expedition into Bearne 380 His successes there 383 His Generosity 384 Espernon Duke his Expedition against Rochelle 389 His Actions there 392 Espernon Duke goes to lay Siege to Royan 398 Espernon Duke created Governour of Guienne 403 He takes possession of his Government 420 He falls sick 456 He entertains the Queen at Cadillac 503 Espernon Duke stops the Progress of Rebellion in Guienne 486 And thereupon is confiâ—'d to his House Plassac 528 He is Excommunicated 505 Absolv'd 532 He falls sick 536 Espernon Duke goes against the Mutineers of Bordeaux 541 And suppresses them 550 Espernon Duke aspers'd ibid. He receives some reparation 553 He again falls sick 555 And again at Bayonne 563 Espernon Duke in the greatest Disgrace 598 He is depos'd from his Government and calâ—mniated 599 Whereupon he again falls sick 600 And again at Plassac 618 Espernon Duke commanded to retire to Loches and upon what occasion 619 sequ His arrival there 631 Espernon Duke falls mortally sick 644 His good disposition to dye 646 His Death 650 Estampes taken by Assault 114 D'Estampes barbarously slain 168 F. FAmine in Guienne 480 Father Arnoux a Iesuite 320 Favier sent to Metz as a spy upon the Duke of Espernon 314 Faure a common Souldier receives a Cannon-shot in the Belly of which he miraculously escapes 402 La Fere surpriz'd by the Prince of Condé 22 Surrendred to the King 169 Fewd betwixt the Princes of the Blood and the Duke of Espernon 273 Wherein the Queen Regent is favourable to the Duke 274 Fontarabie besieg'd by the Prince of Condé 563 The Prince defeated there 596 Fontrailles 634 Fort of Aix demolish'd 172 Fort at Arras taken by
Assault by the Duke of Espernon 201 Frejus taken by the Duke of Espernon 150 G. GArde des Sceaux du Vair 310 Gergeau taken by the King 114 De Gourgues first President of the Parliament of Bordeaux 418 His Letter to the Duke of Espernon 419 Which begets an open Rupture betwixt them 423 His Death and Character 459 Grillon 189 190 Guines surrender'd to the Arch-Duke of Austria 196 Guise Duke retires from Court and breaks into Rebellion 29 He approaches with his Army to Paris 42 Comes to Court 81 His Death 106 Guise Duke Son to the late Duke of Guise created Governour of Provence 174 He goes into Provence with an Army against the Duke of Espernon 175 H. HAM surrendred to the Arch-Duke of Austria 196 Harangue of the Duke of Espernon in the Hostel de Ville of Paris 259 Henry the third Proclaims War with the Hugonots 49 He forbids the Duke of Guise from coming to Paris 70 Who notwithstanding comes 71 He resolves to put the Duke of Guise to Death 105 Henry the Third retires to Chartres 72 Henry the Third together with the King of Navarre escape narrowly of being both taken at Tours 110 Henry the Third slâ—in at St. Clou 116 117 Henry the â—ourth turns Roman Catholick 160 Henry the Fourth comes to the Leaguer before Amiens 200 Henry the Fourths Expedition to Sedan 245 Henry the Fourth raises a mighty Army 250 Henry the Fourths Speech to the Queen in the Duke of Espernon 's Favour 251 Henry the Fourth slain by Ravillac 253 I. JAne Albret Queen of Navarre deny'd entrance into Lietoure by Monsieur de la Valette 3 4 La Iliere Governour of Loches 341 Joyeuse rises in favour 15 He is shot in the Face at the Siege of la Fere 23 Advanc'd to the Dignity of Duke and Peer of France 26 He is slain at the Battel of Coutras 65 Isle of Maran surpriz'd by the Duke of Espernon 394 K. KAtharine of Bourbon only Sister to Henry the Fourth Married to the Duke of Bar 203 King of Navarre advances to the relief of the D. of Espernon at Angoulesme 100 King of Sweeden wins the Battel of Lipsick 490 King of Navarre makes his escape from St. Germanes 9 He joyns Forces with Henry the Third of France 110 His First aversion to the Duke of Espernon augmented at the Siege of Estampes 114 115 L. LAfin's Character 206 Laon Besieg'd 230 League take up Arms 38 Their Exploits 41 They publish a Manifesto against the Duke of Espernon and his Brother 75 Lendrecis taken by the Duke de Candalle 583 Letter from the Queen Mother to the Duke of Espernon 323 Another 329 Another 330 Another 352 Letter from the King to the Q Mother ibid. Letter from the King to the Duke of Espernon 521 Letter from the Queen to the Duke of Espernon and from the Cardinal 608 Answer to the Cardinal 's 609 Letter from Lewis the Thirteenth to the Queen Mother after her escape from Blois 354 Letter from Lewis the Thirteenth to the Duke of Espernon 622 The Answer 623 Lewis the Thirteenth resolves to arrest the Duke of Espernon 311 Lewis the Thirteenth his Expedition into Italy 461 He falls sick at Lyons 478 Recovers 480 Limoges Rescu'd by the Duke of Espernon out of the hands of the League 125 Lorme 's Treachery 334 sequ Lorrain Duke makes War upon France 471 Luines the great Favourite 308 His Quarrel to the Duke of Espernon 310 His design to 〈◊〉 him 311 Prevented by the Duke's retiring 312 M. MAdaillan calumniates the Duke of Espernon 635 Madam the Kings Sister falls sick of the Small Pox at Poictiers 292 Marcelles attempted by the Duke of Esper non but in vain 153 Mareschal Byron sent Ambassadour into England 217 And into Switzerland 218 Mareschal Byron arrives at Fountain Bleau 222 He is beheaded 223 Mareschal d' Encre takes Arms against the Prince of Condé and his Faction 300 His Death 307 Mareschal de Themines his difference with the Duke of Espernon 421 They are reconcil'd 423 Marquis de la Valette Marries Madamoiselle de Vernevil Marquis de la Force revolts in Bearne 379 Marquis de la Valette like to be slain by a Mine 401 Marsillac slain at the Siege of Privas 284 Mascaron slain before Chartres 135 Match with the Infanta of Spain concluded 282 Matelet defeated attempting to relieve Callis 195 Maubeuge taken by the Duke de Candalle 583 Mauzac surrender'd to the D. of Esp. 144 Mayenne Duke goes with a great Army against the Queen Mother 356 He is slain by a Musket-shâ—t before Montauban 395 Minieux defeated and taken Prisoner by the Duke of Espernon 133 Miraculous escape 182 Mirebeau taken by the Spaniard 562 Moissac surrendred to the Duke of Espernon 144 Moncassin wounded at Tours 110 Monserrat describ'd 409 Monsieur de la Valette defeats part of the Forcin Army at Lizere 66 Monsieur Marries the Dutchess of Montpensier 439 Monsieur retires in discontent from Court 471 He returns 472 He retires again from Court 572 Monsieur retires into Flanders 484 He invades the Kingdom 〈◊〉 France 492 Monsieur de la Valette Brother to the Duke of Espernon slain at the Siege of Roquebrune 138 Montauban reliev'd by the Duke of Espernon 144 Surrendred 464 Montauron surrendred to Mercy to the D. of Espernon 145 Montereau Faut-Yonne taken by Petarr 115 Montmelian surrendred to the King's Army 208 Montmorency D. declares in favour of the Monsieur 492 He is taken Prisoner 497 He is brought to Tholouze in order to his Trial 498 The Duke of Espernon intercedes for him but in vain 499 He is beheaded 502 Montpellier besieg'd 410 Surrendred 414 Montpensier Duke Marries Katharine de Joyeuse 203 His Death 247 Money sent by the Queen Mother to the Duke of Espernon in order to her escape from the Castle of Blois 330 N. NEgrepolisse taken by assault 403 Nevers D. presents himself with a great Army before Metz 358 359 La Noue his attempt and Character 392 Noyon surrendred to the King 135 O. OAth Administred to the Queen Mother 320 Obeliske erected by the Duke of Espernon in the Church of St. Clou to the Memory of his Master Henry the third of France 269 Obsequies of the two Kings Henry the Third and Fourth of France perform'd at one and the same time 269 Office of Colonel General of France erected in Favour of the Duke of Espernon 37 P. PAris besieg'd 116 Parliament of Bordeaux draw up an Information against the Duke of Espernon 519 Peace with the Hugonots concluded 436 Peace betwixt the King and the Queen Mother concluded at Angoulesme 358 Peace concluded with the Prince of Condé 286 Peace between the Crowns of France and Spain concluded at Vervins 202 203 Peace concluded with Savoy 209 Pedro Medici wounded at the storming of Aglimant in Caramania 280 Perigueux Revolts but the Mutiny is appeas'd by Verthamont Intendant de la Justice 548 Peyroles deserts the Duke of Espernon 177 Philip Cospean his beginning
that the King of Navarre who designing to continue the same honour to him intended to have met him a good way out of Town was advised to expect him on foot at the Gates of the City his own Friends and Retinue being too few to make up a number that might hold any proportion with that the Duke brought along with him In these two Conferences the Duke deliver'd what he had in Commission fortifying the propositions he had to make with so many and so powerful Arguments that the King of Navarre clearly satisfied of his own good discover'd at last a great inclination to perform what the King desir'd of him viz. his Conversion to the Roman Catholick Religion He evidently saw the eminent danger whereinto this great conspiracy of the League was likely to precipitate him with the advantages he might have by running the same fortune with the King of defending himself and his Interest by his Majesties Authority and Power Requelaure and many other persons of good quality about him fortifi'd him in this good deliberation but he was disswaded from it by a far greater number of the other opinion who represented to him the hard usage he had receiv'd at Court the hazards he had run in his own person and the persecution those of the Reform'd Religion who were his Servants and Friends had suffer'd from thence They did not stick further absolutely to impute all the hard measure the Hugonot Party had receiv'd to this King although the greatest violencies had been exercised upon them in the Reign of Charles the Ninth expressing as passionate a hatred against him as the League so impudently manifested in their Rebellious Actions And certainly the Misfortune of this Prince is never too much to be lamented nor the unsteddiness of his condition too much to be wondered at having his Kingdom divided by two Factions so directly opposite to one another that he could never serve himself by the one to defend himself from the other and both sides though implacable enemies betwixt themselves concurr'd nevertheless always in this that they both equally desired his Ruine At last after many Conferences the King of Navarre gave the Duke his final Answer at Pau whither he had invited him to come to this effect That he was the Kings most humble Servant that he would justifie himself to be so upon all occasions and that he would never separate himself from his Service and Interests if his Majesty did not constrain him to it by condescending too much to his Enemies Counsels but that he could not for any consideration of Honour Riches or any other advantages that could be propos'd to him depart from the Religion he had embrac'd and was so firmly establish'd in It was in this pleasant Palace of Pau and amongst the magnificences and delights that place then abounded in that the Duke had first the honour to see the Lady Catharine the King of Navarre's only Sister since Dutchess of Bar in whom the Duke's Merit who was then in the flower of his youth and the meridian of his favour made such an impression that she began from that time to honour him with her favour which she continued to him to her death And it is certain that the King her Brother who perhaps did not think himself so near that height of fortune to which he soon after arriv'd and who doubtless would have been glad to have engag'd the Duke absolutely to his Interests made him some propositions of Marriage with this Princess but the condition of the time and intervening accidents permitting that Treaty to pass no further the Duke was forc'd to content himself with the advantage of so glorious a friendship which was ever after dear and precious to him the whole remainder of his life The King of Navarre to multiply still more entertainments and favours upon the Duke would needs have him yet to give him the satisfaction of another visit at Nerac which the Duke could not handsomely deny though the Kings commands were something pressing for his return to Court and as it is likely the King of Navarre spun out the time that he might more maturely deliberate upon an Affair of so great importance so was it the Duke's interest to give him that leisure he desired if possible to make his negotiation succeed according to the King his Masters desire But in the end finding he could not overcome those traverses and difficulties that his Majesties enemies still strew'd in his way he prepar'd himself for his departure and then it was that opening the last and most secret part of his Commission he told the King of Navarre That though he had denied his Majesty the satisfaction he desired of him yet that the King nevertheless considering him as his Kinsman and next Heir to the Crown if God should please to dispose of him without Issue had given him in charge to let him know that he would be well pleas'd he should use his best endeauour to preserve himself in a condition to oppose the League that was confederated to the ruine of the Royal House and Line That since they could not unite their Arms to resist their common Enemies he should at least assure himself of the places already in his possession which his Majesty took to be much safer and much more at his devotion in his hands than those that should hereafter be possest by the League And that although in the present state of Affairs he could not openly favour his designs by reason of their difference in Religion nor avoid being instant for the restitution of those cautionary places that had been granted to him yet that he should nevertheless be very well satisfied with whatever he should do to his own advantage After this Declaration which was receiv'd by the King of Navarre with infinite demonstrations of Obligation and Respect the Duke took post for the Court at Lions where the King impatiently expected his return He was now arriv'd within view of the City and all the Court were mounted to honour his arrival the King himself having much ado to forbear going out to meet him when a strange and unexpected Accident was like to have turn'd all the Honours prepar'd for his welcome into the Funeral Pomp of his Obsequies For one of the Gentlemen who came out to meet him having accidentally intangled the Chape of his Sword in the Duke's Bridle the Horse took such a fright at it that he immediately ran away with his Master nor could the Duke stop him with all the art and force he had from throwing himself and his Rider headlong into a dreadful precipice the place very remarkable by the greatness of the fall and the wonderful escape is to this day call'd Espernons Leap neither was there any man present who did not confidently believe the Duke certainly bruis'd to pieces an opinion so firmly grounded in every one that the report of his Death was immediately carried to Lions which made as
many several impressions in mens minds as their inclinations were different towards him But the King was afflicted beyond imagination though his Majesty was not long in that error For some of the company having immediately descended the precipice found the Horse who by good fortune fell plum upon his feet and bore the whole weight of the fall kill'd stone dead but the Duke miraculously escap'd with only a slight hurt in the Shoulder This accident set all the Court Wits on work neither was there any who did not write something upon this occasion but that which most pleas'd the Duke was an Emblem that was presented to him The body of the Emblem was a figure of the Duke himself hanging upon the brow of a precipice so as that he seem'd to be irrecoverably falling from that prodigious height when Fortune running to his succour withdrew him from the danger with this Motto in Italian the first words thereof expressing his name Eper non lasciarti mai A Motto the Duke at first took for a good Omen which time and his own good conduct after turn'd into a kind of Prophesie and causing it to be grav'd in a Cornelian and set in a Ring he wore it many years upon his Finger as a mark of his gratitude to Fortune or rather Providence which is effectually that we call Fortune to which he ever attributed all the successes of his life rather than to his own conduct By this accident the Kings affection to the Duke seem'd to be augmented at least it made a greater shew of tenderness than in former occasions his Majesty never almost departing his Chamber during the time he was constrain'd to keep his Bed and it was in this condition that he gave the King a full account of his Journey and Negotiation a thing that furnish'd the League with a sufficient pretense to decry the Kings actions neither did the Chiefs of that Faction fail to cause it proclaim'd in the Pulpits as it is usual to make Holy Places and Religious men the Scenes and Instruments to blemish the Actions of Princes that his Majesty was strictly united with Hereticks and that this slander might the better be believ'd the Duke of Espernon's Voyage whom they endeavour'd to render odious to the people by calling him the Abetter of that Party was first brought upon the stage they publish'd that Negotiation to be a conspiracy against the Catholick Religion which was no way to be oppos'd but with their Swords in their hands So that this was the first Pretense they made use of to colour their Rebellion But before they would proceed to the effects of so violent a Rupture the Duke of Guise who would have been glad to have won the Duke of Espernon to his Party by that means to remove those Obstacles which the Dukes Vigour and Fidelity ever had and were still likely to oppose to his Designs caus'd him to be treated with about a match with his Daughter since Princess of Conty a Princess that for the beauty of her person the vigour of her mind and many other endowments and excellent qualities had few rivals in the Kingdom neither was the Duke of Espernon so blind as not to see the honour he should receive by this alliance had it been propos'd in a more quiet time or had the Duke her Father been upon better terms with the King but knowing he must by such a match abandon his duty or at least be oblig'd to favour designs he could by no means approve the last consideration so absolutely prevail'd above the other that he scarce deliberated upon a thing that was likely to stagger his fidelity and how dangerous soever it were to declare himself an open enemy to the Duke of Guise which he must of necessity do by refusing his alliance he rather chose to run that hazard than to faulter in the least in the duty he ow'd to his Prince and Benefactor It is hard to judge what passions of grief and despite the Duke of Guise was possest withal to see his designs so frustrated and his offer so despis'd by this refusal which was in it self no light offense neither did he afterwards meditate any thing more than his revenge and how to destroy him he could neither by civilities nor by threats acquire unto him but his fury was rais'd to the height by a new Honour the Duke and conferr'd upon him which was the second Pretense the League took hold of to justifie their proceedings The King had some time before this bought the Duke of Mayenne out of his charge of Admiral of France which the Duke had the rather laid down in favour of the Duke of Ioyeuse and his Majesty desirous to conferre upon the Duke of Espernon also some Office of the Crown to continue the same equality he had ever observ'd in their Fortunes propos'd to the Duke of Guise a very advantageous recompense in lieu of his Office of Grand-Maistre to the Kings Houshold and it seem'd probable he would follow the example of his Brother the Duke of Mayenne who doubtless had not quitted so important a charge without his elder Brother's advice but the Duke of Guise notwithstanding would never comply with his Majesties desire and though the King would never permit him to exercise any function of his charge thereby to make him weary of it yet was he still more obstinately bent to keep it nor would ever consent as he said That his Enemy should possess any of those charges he had exerciz'd and been invested withal The King seeing him so obstinate and perhaps not more solicitous to advance the Fortune of his Favourite than willing to spite the Duke of Guise resolv'd with himself to erect purposely for the Duke of Espernon an Office so honourable and so great as should by its authority and power infinitely surpass all other the highest and most important employments both of the State and Crown and this was that of Colonel General of France an Office formerly divided into two on this side and on that side the Mountains of which Andelot had possest the one and Strozzi the other and after Andelot's death they were united in Strozzi who remain'd sole Colonel After Strozzi's decease the King having by an Edict re-united these two Offices into one made it an Office of the Crown under the Title of Colonel General of France caus'd that Edict to be ratified in Parliament attributing to it the absolute power to name in general Officers for all the vacant places in the French Militia without so much as excepting from this nomination that of Camp-Master to the Regiment of Guards He establish'd for the Colonel a Sovereign Court of Justice or Council of War to determine of the Lives and Honours of Military men without calling any other to it than his own Officers adding to it besides several Graunts Priviledges and Pensions and finally to sum up all his bounty his Majesty delivering the Commission
So that the two Factions that of the League and that of the Religion being equally weakned by his Valour and Conduct he then so establish'd those two Provinces in their duty that it was afterwards no hard matter for him to continue them in that posture of Obedience until the death of the King Whilst Mounsieur de la Valette was employ'd about these brave Services for the Crown Mounsieur de Villeroy a declar'd Enemy to the Duke his Brother was no less busie with all the ill Offices he could contrive to ruine both their Credits with the King Which though the Duke had long observ'd and as long forborn to take notice of yet could he at last no longer restrain himself from breaking out to a high and publick Rupture with him It was at St Aignan that it happened at the time the Army of Reiters were preparing to enter the Kingdom and that the King was consulting of the means to hinder their passage I have already given an account of the Animosities betwixt these two great Ministers and the Causes that produc'd them which perhaps I should not so punctually have done neither should I now do it had not D'Avila an Authour of great Repute for the History of that time enlarg'd himself more thatn ordinary upon this Difference as upon an accident very considerable and of great importance to the general Affairs that were then in agitation The Duke then and Villeroy being upon these ill terms the King at the especial instance of the Duke had assigned a summe of 20000 Crowns only for the entertainment of Mounsieur de la Valette's Army a proportion very inconsiderable for the great end to which it was design'd but very great considering the necessities the State was then in which mony Villeroy notwithstanding his Majesties Order having diverted to the Payment of the Grand Provost and his Archers the Duke discover'd it to the King in open Council complaining that a summe so disproportionable to the utility of his Brothers Services should be diverted to another use To which Complaint Villeroy who was present reply'd aloud in his Majesties Presence That what the Duke had said was not true It is easie to judge whether the Duke who was then rais'd to the highest degree of Favour were surpriz'd with so tart and so unexpected an Injury I have heard him say That in his whole life he was never so sensibly offended nevertheless he had so much power over himself as to forbear all kind of violence in the Kings Presence so much as from any extravagancy of words neither made he other reply to Mounsieur de Villeroy but this That the Presence of the King which had encourag'd him to give that Language oblig'd him to be Silent but that he should repent it The King both disquieted and displeas'd at this Quarrel and willing to interrupt them from proceeding further went immediately out of the Closet expecting the Duke should follow him but he staying behind and being now no longer aw'd by the Reverence due to his Majesties Person fell very severely upon Mounsieur de Villeroy for the words past some say he proceeded to high threats that he had his hand up to have strook him and that he gave him some very unhandsome language though I never heard the Duke confess so much in the many times he has discours'd of that business But Mounsieur de Villeroy immediately went and complain'd to the King of the Duke's Threats demanding Assurance and Protection from him where receiving no very satisfactory answer he waited time and opportunity by working his own revenge to procure his own Safety which happened not long after when we shall see the Duke's Valour frustrate all his Enemies Designs But let us in the mean time return to the general Business We have already observ'd that from the first insurrection of the League the King of Navarre not doubting but that all their preparations were chiefly intended against him had earnestly solicited all the Confederates of his Religion not only at home but in Foreign Parts to his aid but when he understood that by the mediation of the Queen Mother the Treaty of Nemours had been sign'd by the King himself at St. Maur he then foreseeing the storm that was ready to break upon him very well knew that he should infallibly be overwhelm'd without a speedy succour He therefore again press'd his Allies immediately to send their Forces if they desir'd to find him in a condition to receive the effects of their Assistance his Enemies so passionately precipitating his Ruine The German Princes spurr'd on by this new Solicitation and having yet been ancient Allies to the Crown of France would it should seem proceed with some shew of respect and thereupon concluded amongst themselves to send first an honourable Embassy to the King before they would engage in so important a Quarrel In this occurrence all the Court expected some Civil Remonstrance on the German Princes part but they soon found themselves deceiv'd for the Ambassadours either prevail'd upon by their Confederates in France or transported with their own Zeal to Religion and the passion they had for those of that Party having publickly reproach'd the King with his breach of Faith towards his Protestant Subjects it evidently appear'd that their design was not to mediate an Accommodation but to push things on to the decision of Arms by giving the King a premeditated Affront I have heard the Duke say that he was present at the delivery of this Oration and that the King justly nettled at so saucy an Embassy after having in the heat and apprehension of so great an injury spoken with greater eloquence than ever till that time he had heard him do he positively and for a final answer return'd the lye to whoever should reproach him with the breach of his Faith The Ambassadors dismiss'd after this manner fail'd not at their return home to exasperate their several Princes to the last degree who being before resolv'd upon a War made speedy and great Leavies and soon set such an Army on foot as they thought joyn'd to that the King of Novarre had already of his dependants should be able absolutely to subdue the Catholick Party in France The King as he very well foresaw what inconvenience the entry of such a multitude of strangers must of necessity bring upon his Kingdom so did he by all imaginable ways try to prevent their coming and seeing that nothing but satisfying the King of Navarre could possibly divert that mischief he once more try'd by the means of the Queen his Mother if possible to win him to a timely accommodation Which being by her undertaken after many delayes scruples and jealousies on both sides a Conference was at last concluded on at St. Brix a private house seated upon the Banks of Charente near Coynack but this Conference nevertheless being able to produce no good effect by reason of that invincible difficulty the difference of
He says that the King at the Duke's dismission to go to the Army his Majesty had given him in command gave him this reproach Che la Corte lo teneua in concetto di poltrone é chegli era bene di levarsi questo fregio dal viso which is to say That the Court look'd upon him as a Poltron and that he should do well to wipe off that blemish Towards the Dukes latter end I read this History to him which was then newly publish'd in France and the Duke had very highly commended the Author though in many particulars he had not spoken very favourably of him above all he infinitely commended the exact care he had taken to inform himself of the secret motives by which the several interests of that time were carried on of which he does in truth for the most part render a very precise and very often a very true accompt But when he heard these words which were so highly injurious to the Duke of Ioyeuse he could not forbear crying out â— hat D'Avila was a lyar that he himself was present when the Duke of Joyeuse took his leave of the King that his Majesty could never have had so great a kindness for a man of whom he had once entertain'd so mean an opinion that on the contrary be esteem'd him to be as valiant and as brave a Gentleman as any was in his Kingdom And where D'Avila continues to say that he was become burthensome to the King that the King could no longer bear it and that he therefore sent him upon this expedition purposely to be cut off the Duke of Espernon bore witness That he saw the King weep at the Duke of Joyeuse his departure than which there could not be a greater evidence of his tenderness and affection to him That had the King had a mind to have been rid of him and to have expos'd him to the King of Navarre's Forces he would never have set him out with an Army almost twice as strong as that he was employ'd against and made up of as good Souldiers as any were in the Kingdom so that if he lost the Battel of Coutras it was rather through the chance of War or through the Valour and good fortune of the King of Navarre than by any default of his Army And to answer yet further to what has been writ concerning his Favour of which D'Aubigné only speaks by hear-say making stories as it is his custom at the random of his own passion and fancy The Duke has told me that the King was indeed grown colder towards the Duke of Ioyeuse than he had formerly observ'd him but that he only attributed that to the Alliance the Duke had contracted with the House of Lorain and that it was only a diminution of â—avour and never grew to a disgrace and indeed had his Majesty conceiv'd a positive aversion to him would he have given such publick evidences of sorrow for his Death as he did would he have honour'd his dead Body with that excessive Pomp and those unusual Obsequies which were such as gave all the Nobility occasion to murmur having never before been allow'd to any save to the Princes of the Blood and to the Constables of France exclusively to all other great men of the Kingdom The Historians of that time have further discours'd of the jealousie betwixt the two Favourites to which I can answer on the Duke of Espernon's behalf that I could never find by any thing I could ever gather from him that he had been in the least touch'd with that passion neither is it very likely considering the advantage the Duke visibly had in the Kings Opinion there could be any jealousie on his part but if there had formerly been any such thing betwixt them as it is hardly possible but there must have been some emulation betwixt two concurrents in so high a pretense as that of a Kings Favour the Death of the Duke of Ioyeuse and a long series of time having worn out those impressions there now remain'd nothing more in the Duke of Espernon's memory than the remembrance of their near Relation and former Friendship Some time before the Duke of Ioyeuse his Death the knot of that Alliance had been broken by the death of Catherine de Nogaret and dela Valettâ— the Duke of Espernon's Sister who having at the King's motion and to the common satisfaction of both the Favourites been married to the Count de Bouchage younger Brother to the Duke of Ioyeuse after they had for four or five years only liv'd together in a most perfect harmony this Vertuous Lady died leaving one Daughter only behind her namely Catheâ—ine de Ioyeuse the same who having formerly been Dutchess of Montpensier is now Dutchess of Guise a Princess of undisputed Vertue and such as has ever shone equally bright throughout the prosperities and afflictions that have divided her life The Câ—mpte de Bouchage after having lost his Wife finding nothing in the world either to allure him or to comfort him retyr'd himself from it amongst the Father Capuchins where he took upon him the Habit of that Order and there continued some years under the name of Father Ange de Ioyeuse 'T is true the Pope having since enjoyn'd his Superiours to perswade him abroad again to the end he might be Head of the League in Languedoc that he obey'd his command but it was to return afterwards into the same order again as soon as Affairs would give him leave where he continued to his death and died in great opinion of Sanctity And since upon occasion I have been drawn aside to mention this Marriage out of its due order it is reasonable that I now speak of that of the Duke which happened at this time The Duke therefore having been offer'd a match with the Sister-in-law of his King and having been esteem'd not unworthy to marry with the King of Navarre's Sister her Brother being at that time immediate Heir to the Crown It is to be presum'd he might reasonably pretend to the greatest Fortune whatsoever in France but amongst the many were propos'd to him he preferr'd that with Marguerite de Foix and de Candelle Daughter and Heir to Henry de Foix and de Candelle and to Mary de Montmorency before all the rest The Father and Mother of this Lady died both young her Mother of Sickness and her Father at the Siege of Sommieres For the Duke de Anville his Brother in law having undertaken that Siege the Compte do Candelle rais'd two thousand men amongst his Tenants in Gascony to favour his Design a very considerable supply in the weak condition the Duke de Anville's Army then was where being come and finding the breach already made and the assault ready to be given he intreated the Honour of the first Assault might be conferr'd upon his men who he desir'd might give immediate proof of their Valour A fatal request which having been granted to him
qualities in high esteem after his death And indeed he had so often and so generously employ'd those rare Endowments for the safety and honour of the Kingdom that his Vertue could never have been too highly commended could he have added the qualities of a good Subject to those other excellencies which rendred him one of the greatest men of his time A little before the Duke of Guise's death the King had dismist from Court the High Chancellor Chiverny and the â—ieures de Believre and de Villeroy Secretaries of State upon considerations that were then variously interpreted though the King would have the Duke of Espernon believe that the chief cause of Mounsieur de Villeroy's disgrace was the business of Angoulesme which his Majesty wholly laid to his charge and that the Duke might the better be confirm'd in this opinion the Sieur de Révol a particular creature of the Dukes one that was under him Comptroller of the Exchequer of Provence and that had no interest at Court saving his Protection was receiv'd into his Place His Majesty had no sooner absolutely determin'd the Duke of Guise's Ruine than that foreseeing the consequences so bloody an execution was likely to draw after it he dispatch'd away Colonel Alphonso Corso afterwards Mareschal d'Ornano to seize upon the Duke of Mayenâ—e at Lyons where he then resided which if it could have been in time effected his Majesty had in all apparence been secur'd from the greatest part of those mischiefs which this action afterwards produc'd but the Duke having receiv'd the news of his Brothers Deaths some hours before Alphonso's arrival was already in great diligence got to Horse and fled out at one Gate of the City as Ornano entred at another to surprize him and by that means first recovered Dijon and afterwards Paris without any impediment Where he was no sooner arriv'd than that laying aside that moderation he had euer manifested during his Brother's Life he declar'd himself Head of that Party he had ever till then to his great Reputation seem'd to condemn and drawing together all the Forces of the League that lay scatter'd up and down in several places he of them without stirring from Paris made a very considerable Army His Majesty easily judg'd that this storm would suddenly break upon him and fail'd not out of that foresight to call all his principal Servants about him which nevertheless made up but an inconsiderable Body and such as could no ways secure him from any attempt of the Enemy So that he was advis'd to send once more to the King of Navarre to intreat him to advance with his Troops to his succour which notwithstanding the King not being able to perswade himself to do his regard to Religion and the 〈◊〉 he bore to the Pope opposing that Council he only at that time sent Orders to the Duke of Espernon who had then a considerable Force on Foot to come over to him though afterwards and after many deliberations being also dispos'd to call in the King of Navarâ—e he sent to the Duke that before he put himself upon his march he should first go to this Prince to make the first overtures of this business to him The Sieur de Beaujeu was purposely dispatch'd to the Duke with these Orders which were no sooner receiv'd by him than he departed from Angoulesme to go to St Iean d' Angely where the King of Navarre then was and where having found him well dispos'd and very ready to do his Majesty the Service he desired of his Person and Faction he immediately made himself ready to go to the King who seeing his Enemies now ready to fall upon him had sent a new and instant Express to the Duke in all haste to come and joyn with him which express Order to satisfie with the greatest diligence he rather chose to leave the Negotiation he had already so successfully begun with the King of Navarre to the Dutchess of Angoulesme who soon after brought it to effect than one moment to defer his attendance on his Master in so critical a time and on so urgent an occasion All these great transactions hapned at Court after the Duke of Espernon had retir'd himself from thence into his Governments Neither was he in his retirement or in his choice of the place he retir'd unto either unactive in himself or in a Scene improper for his Majesties Service for he was no sooner disingag'd from the enterprize of Angoulesme but that he put himself immediately into a condition to awe many of his ill Neighbours in the adjoyning Provinces so as either to continue them in or to make them return unto their duty For which purpose having increas'd his Forces the first occasion he had to employ them was against those of the Religion who having beâ—ieg'd Periguex and upon the point to make themselves Masters of the place at the Duke's approach rais'd the Siege in great disorder and retir'd not without some considerable loss The Duke was after this preparing himself for greater enterprizes when Beaujeu brought him those foremention'd Orders from the King by whom having understood the great preparations the Duke of Mayenne made to come first to Blois and from thence to Touâ—s whither the King had then retir'd himself and knowing his Majesty almost naked of all defense and as it were expos'd to the violence of his Enemies he thought it necessary upon the instant to move with all his Forces that way and at the same time by a Gentleman to give his Majesty notice of his motion that he might receive his Majesties Commands upon the way By which Gentleman the King sent him presently word that the most important service he could then do him was to put himself into Blois For the Duke of Mayenne having resolv'd to make his first attempt upon that place either by the ruine of the Castle to revenge in part the death of his two Brothers who there last their lives or to make that City which by its vicinity to Tours was very proper to watch all advantages against the King his seat of War his Majesty conceiv'd there would be little security for him in Tours should his Enemy possess himself of that Post and had therefore bent all his care and endeavour to preserve it out of the power of the League His Majesty would have put the Mareschal de Biron into that place and afterwards he having excus'd himself the Mareschal d' Aumont but both the one and the other having refus'd the danger of defending and with unequal Forces a place that being in it self open on all sides was not well to be defended and that was to expect the first fury of the League to be bent against it his Majesty turn'd his thoughts towards the Duke of Espernon and knowing that the difficulty of the undertaking would be no little motive to make the Duke embrace it his Majesty sent him word that the Mareschals de Biron and d'
the Duke The King of Navarre says he being gone to visit the Duke of Espernon's Trenches the Duke shewing him-what he had done leads him through the middle of the space betwixt the Trenches and the Town in his Doublet only and that so unconcern'd and so open to the Enemies view that Houeilles the Duke's Cousin and Camp-Master as also another of his people fell dead at their feet when having gain'd a Guard commanded by Belangreuille they came out on the back side of that and pass'd within forty paces of the Courtine which play'd upon them all the while and laid two men more dead upon the place The King of Navarre and the Duke having at last gain'd the blind of a Garden Door Frontenack and another which other must be D' Aubigné himself who was Gentleman of the Horse to the King of Navarre earnestly solicited the Duke to retire which he was about to do by a way perhaps likely to engage them in more danger than before when the King of Navarre staid him by the Collar of his Doublet This is that he says but he adds after a thing wherein he is not so good a testimony as of the first and which is not so true viz. that the King being enform'd of this Action spoke highly against the Duke and in terms that nothing tasted of Favour and that so soon as he saw him he severely reprehended him and reproach'd him that he would have destroy'd his Brother 'T is true that his Majesty chid the Duke for his rashness telling him That he ought to reserve his Valour for better occasions and not so lightly to expose the Person of the King of Navarre his Brother and his own which were rather words of tenderness than distaste and it is likewise very true that the King of Navarre's Servants murmur'd highly at it endeavouring to possess the King that the Duke had not engag'd him in this danger without Design nay himself manifested something at his coming out of the Trenches for it was told the Duke that he should say to some of his people I think this man would be content to lose an Arm to have my Brains beaten out which was never the Duke's intention he being only spurr'd on by the inconsiderate heat of Youth and Bravery without any other Design From Gergeau the Army advanc'd towyrds Piviers which immediately open'd its Gates as also the City of Chartres surrendred at the first summon but Estampes stood out a Siege which being foon after taken by Assault some of the King of Navarre's Souldiers ran on in their prevailing Fury even to the Church of that Town there committing all sorts of insolence which the Duke being advertis'd of by the Guards he had plac'd at the Dooâ—s of this Church wisely foreseeing that the King of Navarre's people who for the greater part were men of the Reform'd Religion would not abstain from violation even of Holy things he ran thither himself to prevent further disorder where being come and seeing the Chalices and other Sacred Ornaments of the Altars in the hands of the rude Souldier not being able to endure that things dedicated to so Sacred Use should be profan'd after that manner he furiously drew his Sword and ran the first Offender in his way quite through the Body which by chance hapning to be one of the Dragoons of the King of Navarre's own Guard and in his own Livery the Complaint was immediately carried to him and by him as soon to the King of which the Duke having also notice he presently repair'd to his Majesties Quarter to make his defense There being come and his Majesty having demanded of him the reason for what he had done he gave him a particular accompt of the whole business Whereupon the King of Navarre told him with some bitterness That he had no Authority over his Souldiers and less over his Domesticks to which the Duke made answer with a respective but a manly boldness That the trust wherewith the King was pleas'd to honour him and the command he had given him in the Army invested him with sufficient Authority to chastise Impious and Sacrilegious Persons and that moreover every good man ought to assume that Authority in Offenses of so high a Nature Their Dispute was like to grow into hotter terms when the King impos'd silence both upon the one and the other not condemning the Duke's action nevertheless but desiring the King of Navarre to take care for the future that there might be no more offenses committed of that kind Thus by little and little secret discontents against the Duke crept into the King of Navarre's bosom which many envious of the Duke's greatness endeavour'd to augment neither was the Duke blind on that side nor was it without some affliction that he saw himself so ill requited for the sincere and uninteressed affection he had ever manifested for this Princes Service in his greatest adversity but having found by sufficient experience that the best Offices are not always the best recorded he contented himself with the conscience of his own integrity and ever paying the respect due to the Birth and Vertues of this excellent Prince in all other concerns of his command he exercis'd his Duty to the utmost height of Authority he had ever done The Army advancing daily towards Paris the Duke had order to make an attempt upon Montereau faut-Yonne which he carried by Petard neither was it a service of light importance for in the sequel of Affairs that which the Duke won in a few hours cost the King's Enemies many months and many good men to recover it From thence the Army being come to Pontoise the Duke had there the storming of a Suburb which was very well fortified committed to him and which notwithstanding he carried though with as much hazard as ever he tempted in any action of his life He was himself the first that leap'd upon the Rampire and though in this assault he had above a hundred men laid dead at his feet amongst which were many Persons of Quality and Command he nevertheless resolutely persisted in the Enterprize and forc'd the Enemy at the Swords point even to the Gates of the City whither he compell'd theâ— to retire and where having block'd them up he press'd on the Siege with that vigour and conduct that the place soon after surrendred upon composition Thus did the King find all things give place to his Arms as if Destiny had smooth'd and levell'd for him all the paths that lead to Death and Ruine and in this prosperity of his Affairs his Majesty resolv'd upon the Siege of Paris Already were the Swisse and new rais'd Reiters come up and joyn'd with the Body of the Army the Officers were dispos'd into their several Quarters and the King had taken up his own at St Clou and given the Guard of them to the Duke in order to a formal Siege His Majesties Lodging in this narrow Quarter
was at the Hostel de Gondy as that which was most capable to receive him and it was in this House of Gondy that whilst this great Prince was forming the designs of restoring his despis'd Authority of chastising the temerity and disobedience of his evil dispos'd Subjects of rendring his name venerable to all his Neighbours and of establishing the Peace of his Kingdom having already almost extinguish'd all the sparks of Division that had enflam'd it that I say an accursed Paâ—ricide in the Meridian of all his Glory and in the Crisis of all his Designs plung'd a murthering Knife into his Entrails Every one has heard who Iaques Clement was and the black story of his Bloody Assassinate but no one could ever yet penetrate so far as to discover by whom he was prompted on to this execrable Act. The King feeling himself wounded drew the Knife immediately from the Wound and strook it up to the haft in the Villains Face at which bustle betwixt them one of the Grooms of the Wardrobe who guarded the Closet Door into which his Majesty was withdrawn to give this wicked wretch a more private audience ran in to them as also did several Gentlemen who waited in the outer Room who all of them drawing their Swords by an imprudence in it self criminal if not excus'd by the violence of their Affections gave the Caitiffe an hundred Wounds whereby in a moment he vomited out a life that ought not to have been dismist till after the horror of a thousand torments The King feeling himself Wounded commanded the Duke of Espernon to be immediately sent for who was then at the Post nearest to the City putting some Troops in order which were to fall into the Suburbs of Paris but at this sad and unexpected news he ran in great confusion to the King's Lodging whom he yet found in the same posture wherein he had receiv'd his hurt with his hand still upon the Wound At which sight the Duke bursting out in tears as fearing a sinister event his Majesty gave him comfort by telling him he hop'd the Wound would not prove Mortal and saying to him further these very words Thou seest here my Friend the effects of my Enemies Treachery and Malice but I hope God will shortly enable me to bring them to condigne punishment To which the Duke returning no other answer than his tears they laid his Majesty upon a bed and search'd his Wound which the Chirurgeons at the first dressing apprehended not to be so dangerous as it was so that all that day was past over in this error but that night and the morning following the dolours of his Wound encreasing and at last growing to be extreme it was then judg'd that his bowels were pierced and that Death must necessarily and in a few hours ensue The King of Navarre had hasted with all diligence at the first bruit of this accident and being come to his bedside his Majesty said to him almost the same things he had said before to the Duke and talk'd of nothing the first day save of the exemplary punishment he would inflict upon his Enemies but his Wound being at last judg'd to be mortal and feeling in himself that he drew near his end all his discourse of Punishment and Revenge was turn'd into that of Pardon and Oblivion and certainly no Prince ever made a more Christian or a more constant end He declar'd upon his death-bed the King of Navarre nearest of his Blood and and consequently right Heir to the Crown provided he were a Catholick exhorting him at the same time to abjure his own Religion and to reconcile himself to the Holy Church commanding likewise the Duke of Espernon whom he held by the hand to serve him upon that condition after which and a Pious Resignation of himself he gave up his last breath in the middle of his victorious Army We are now entring upon a new Reign and one the Duke found very different from that wherein he had hitherto liv'd for he now not only saw himself stript of all kind of Favour but he further saw the envy and hatred of the whole Court directed against him He was now no more call'd to Council nor any longer entrusted with his Princes secrets but on the contrary every one labour'd to diminish that greatness to which his own Vertue and his Masters Royal bounty had already rais'd him But we shall see how he overcame all these difficulties and the Justice of this new Prince at last giving the Merits and Services of this vertuous man their due we shall see him not only support him in his own present Fortune but also encrease it by his daily bounty and so establish it in him as to empower him to settle it in his own Posterity So soon as the King was dead all the Roman Catholicks of quality in the Army assembled themselves together to advise what in this occurrence was to be done for the maintenance of the Catholick Religion in the Service of this new King And here their opinions were split into three several Councils for some there were who thought it fit absolutely to acknowledge the King without condition or reservation but those were very few Others there were who would absolutely abandon his Service and joyn with the League and those were fewer than the first But the third proposition and that which was concluded on by the most principal and prudent Lords of the Army amongst which were the Dukes of Longueville of Nevers of Espernon and of Luxembourg the Mareschals de Biron and d' Aumont the Marquis of Ramboâ—illet and many others was to serve the King and to tye themselves wholly to his Fortune provided his Majesty would please to give them some gracious assurance of his speedy Conversion Which being deliver'd to his Majesty as their determinate Resolution and the condition prescrib'd as it were by the King his Predecessor he wisely chose such a mean as seem'd necessary to him in this occasion for the establishment of the uncertain state of his Affairs and would by all means preserve that moderation and indifferency betwixt both parties as should by an equal hope in them both keep both his Catholick and Hugonot Subjects within the bounds of their duty His Answer therefore was That it would appear to all the world very easie and unhandsome in him to change his Religion only to satisfie his Subjects humour and to receive a Law from them in a thing which in its self of all other ought to be most free That he desir'd to be instructed and satisfied in his Conscience before he proceeded so far as to change his Religion That to this purpose he promis'd within six months to call an Assembly of men of known Piety and Learning and if occasion were a National Synod to whose final Decree he would absolutely submit and that in the mean time he would be careful to protect and maintain the Catholick Religion After divers
Messages of Treaty sent to and fro on either part it at last ended in this that many of the Catholick Lords submitting to his Majesties first Proposition what he had then promis'd by word of mouth was now only more formally drawn into a writing interchangeably deliver'd betwixt the King and his Catholick Subjects and Sign'd by the greatest part of Men of Quality that were then in the Army But the Duke of Espernon believing this delay of six months propos'd by the King to be no delay intended only to win longer time and that at last their hopes and expectations would be deluded demanded some further assurance than he yet saw of his Majesties conversion neither could he notwithstanding the importunities of all the Friends he had be drawn upon other terms to seal to that Writing And this was the true and only reason of his refusal and not what both Mounsieur de Thou and D'Avila have reported of it They say that the thing which made him refuse to seal to that Instrument was a contest which hapned betwixt him and the Mareschals de Biron and d' Aumont who should sign first these as Mareschals of France and in immediate command in the Army pretending a priority and he claiming a precedence as Duke and Peer a difficulty that might easily have been overcome had that been all But the cause proceeded from a principle of greater moment than the trivial contest of a â—light Ceremony The King however caus'd him by several hands to be over and over again solicited and importun'd to satisfie himself as other good Catholicks had done and as the Dukes were the best and the fullest Regiments of the Army and as his person and his example which were likely to be follow'd as they afterwards were not only by those under his own command but by many others of good quality in the Army altogether render'd him very considerable So did his Majesty by all sorts of perswasions and promises endeavour to detain him but all to no purpose 'T is true he acknowledg'd the King for lawful Successour to the Crown as he had sufficiently declar'd in a time when the greatest persecutions were practis'd against him and when he was only King of Navarre by which he had in part drawn the hatred of the Duke of Guise upon him And it is also true that he had all the reason in the world to desire that Prince should now become his Master whom he had all his life labour'd to raise to that Dignity to which he was now arriv'd But he thought the Ruine of the Catholick Religion inevitable should things continue in the posture they were now in which made him rather choose to expose himself to all those disgraces he knew his Enemies were preparing for him than to serve his own interests whose advancement he likewise saw infallible in so favourable a juncture to the reproach and prejudice of his own Conscience Fortified therefore still more and more in this resolution he caus'd his Troops to be made ready for his departure these at his first coming to the King consisted of six thousand Foot and twelve hundred Horse which though they were now much diminish'd in the Service yet were they notwithstanding in such a condition as that there were hardly so many more French in the whole Army as he had under his sole command The Marquis de Rocquelaure and other of his intimate friends labour'd by all imaginable means to disswade him from his ill taken up resolution but not being able to prevail his Enemies would have perswaded the King to have met his obstinacy with a Stab a Counsel the Duke was as soon enform'd of But whether it was that he thought this generous Prince not to be perswaded into so foul an action or that he thought it at that time a thing not easie to be executed he had the assurance notwithstanding the caution had been given him to go take his leave of the King before he left the Army and to excuse his departure A Ceremony that was pass'd over in few words and I have often heard him repeat the manner of it to be thus The Duke took along with him thirty Gentlemen of his Train in whom he repos'd the greatest confidence and of these he left some at the Doors of the King's Lodgings and others upon the Stairs to facilitate his retirement if any foul play should be offer'd to him and himself with only two more in his company enter'd the Gallery The last Journey he made to Paris he hapned to lie in the same house and shew'd ús the place where he took his leave of the King This house did at that time belong to Mademoiselle du Tillet his old and intimate Friend a Lady illustrious for her courage and constancy and passionate for the Duke's Interests to that degree that he has had few friends who have justified their affection by so great and so continued a fidelity The King was at the one end of the Gallery when the Duke appear'd entring at the other whom the King no sooner perceiv'd but that coming up to him with an angry countenance and striking his stick with some vehemence upon the floor he said What Mounsieur d' Espernon it seems you have refus'd to Sign the Writing which has been Sign'd without difficulty by most persons of Quality in my Army as good Catholicks as your self do not you as well as they acknowledge me for your King To which the Duke made answer That he was his Majesties most humble Subject and Servant That there was not a person in his Kingdom who had more ardently desir'd to see him in the place where he now was should the King his Master die than himself had done That he would never do anything contrary to his Service that he had rather die than once to entertain so dishonest a thought but that he did humbly beseech his Majesty to excuse him if being of a Religion differing from that his Majesty profess'd he could not attend his person that being a thing he could not do without offering the greatest violence to his own Conscience The Duke had scarce made an end of speaking when he heard a noise of armed men behind him in the Gallery and then it was that he certainly believ'd these were the men appointed to kill him as he had been pre-advis'd but he was soon deliver'd out of that fear when he saw the King move forward with a smiling countenance to embrace them These were two Captains of the King 's Light Horse the one call'd le Baron de Sainte Marie du Mont a Norman the others name I have forgot who having upon their Guard which was at a good distance receiv'd intelligence of the Death of Henry III. were come in all haste to congratulate the King with his new Advancement and lighted at the Door of his Lodging were come up in the same posture the news had surpriz'd them in upon
uncertain Fight where he had promis'd to himself a certain Victory he retyr'd without once daring to attempt any thing upon the Duke highly condemning and complaining of Minieux who by his rashness and impatience had ruin'd so hopeful a Design The Duke having thus rid his hands of his Enemies went to put himself into the danger of his Friends at least those who ought to have been so being engag'd in the same Service but I dare not here publish all I know of this business lest I should revive the memory of an Action that was then condemnâ—d by the King himself and that cannot be approved of now I shall only tell you that the Duke having carried his Prisoners into Corbie they were there peremptorily demanded of him and upon his refusal violently taken and detained from him A dispute that was on both sides carried on with such heat as brought the Duke's Person who could not with any thought of patience endure so great an affront into very great danger and the odds against him was so great that nothing could have been expected but certain death had not the Sieur de Humierres the King's Lieutenant in the place and the Sieur de la Boissiere his Brother-in-law interposing hinder'd the violence was preparing against him and mediated an Accommodation which though it could not obliterate the memory of the offense kept matters notwithstanding from proceeding to the last Extreams Neither was this the last danger the Duke escap'd in his return for as he proceeded on his way to Chartres where the Siege still continued he heard the Marquis d' O his old friend was very busie at the Siege of Pierre Fonds which he had undertaken whom the Duke going to visit he was by him entreated to stay there a few days and by his Authority and those Forces he had then with him to help him to bring his Enterprize to an honourable issue which the Duke as franckly consented to and went immediately into the Trenches to take a view of the order of the Siege where presenting himself with his usual bravery to open view of the Enemy and without other Arms than his Corsset only he receiv'd a Harquebuss-shot in his mouth that passing through one of his cheeks shatter'd his right jaw and coming out at his chin flatted upon his Gorget A shot that every one believ'd had certainly dispatch'd him But being carried to his Lodging and his Wound search'd it was found to be nothing dangerous and in a few days he was in a condition to mount on horse-back After all these good and evil adventures the Duke being at last arriv'd at Chartres he went presently to give the King an accompt of his Voyage not forgetting to make his complaint of the injury done him at Corbie withal humbly entreating his Majesty would be pleas'd to do him Justice which the King had in part already done having order'd his prisoners immediately to be restor'd but their Wounds were such that they all dy'd of them soon after they were left at Corbie so that they who had committed the injury not long surviving the Duke's Quarrel was at an end and all thoughts of revenge were soon extinct and for ever buried in oblivion The Siege of Chartres continued yet some time after the Duke's return which la Bourdaisiere Governour there for the League had so bravely defended as often made the King to repent that undertaking having lost before it the Sieur de Chastillon eighteen Camp-Masters and as may well be imagin'd from thence a great number of common Souldiers Neither did those Forces the Duke of Espernon had left with the King scape better than the rest the King willing to husband the lives of his own Servants in whom he yet repos'd a greater trust than in the Duke continually exposing them to the greatest danger Of these Beaujeu Mascaron and Blumet three Colonels were there slain and also many other Officers by whose valour amongst the rest who perhaps had better fortune the place was at last notwithstanding their notable resistance reduc'd to the necessity of a surrender From thence his Majesty pass'd over into Picardy where he besieg'd and took Noyon and secur'd many other considerable Cities of that Province to his obedience when having after all made a little digression into Champagne the year and that Champagne ended together it being necessary to dispose the Army into several Garrisons to refresh them So that the Duke seeing the time of the year for further Service was now past ask'd leave of the King to retire into his own Government to recruit his Troops that they might be in a better condition to serve his Majesty the year to come to which his Majesty willingly consented dismissing the Duke with great testimonies of an entire satisfaction in his service and an absolute oblivion of all past unkindness The end of the Third Book THE HISTORY Of the LIFE of the Duke of Espernon The Fourth Book THE Duke solicitous by his Services to dispossess the King of those evil impressions his Majesty had through the ill Offices of some conceiv'd against him to the prejudice of his Loyalty and affection did now resolve to raise far greater Forces than before for the Summer to come Neither had his Majesty on his part conceal'd his most secret Designs from the Duke's knowledge but on the contrary had invited him again into action and had reserv'd an Employment of great trust and Reputation for him in his Army The Duke also was prepar'd to go and expected with great impatience his Majesties Order for his setting out when he receiv'd the sad news of the death of Mounsieur de la Valette his Brother This Lord after he had beaten the Duke of Savoy out of Provence and made him sustain such losses as had forc'd him to retire into his own Dukedom after he had settled Provence and Dauphiné in his Majesties Obedience and almost rooted out all the seeds of the League in those two Provinces after having by Treaties carried on with infinite Conduct and Prudence interested the Republick of Venice the Dukes of Florence and Mantua in his Majesties Quarrel and obtain'd from these Princes security for thirty thousand Crowns a month to transport the War into the Dutchy of Savoy it self of which also he was to have the management by so powerful a diversion to oblige this Ambitious Prince to defend his own Territories instead of invading his Neighbours Being I say upon the point to execute a design so honourable in it self and so important to the Crown he would yet first absolutely cleanse Provence from the contagion of the League that he might leave no Enemy behind to beget new mischiefs when he should not be near to suppress them To this end therefore he drâ—w his Arâ—y into the Field in the beginning of Ianuary and went to besiege Roquebrune that stood for the League A place which though little was nevertheless so
strong that Mounsieur de la Valette's Battery having plaid upon that side which was best fortified and not working that speedy effect he desir'd he would remove 〈…〉 other side and in 〈◊〉 impatience to put an end to an enterprize so much inferiour to his greater designs would himself help to remove the Cannon to a more advantageous place where being expos'd to the Enemies view open and in his Doublet only 〈…〉 lost many of our best Captains he receiv'd a Musquet shot in the head the eleventh day of Ianuary of which within thirteen hours after he died All the Historians of his time celebrated the Vertues of this 〈…〉 highest 〈◊〉 of Honour the King himself appear'd infinâ—â—ely concern'd aâ— his death by which he was depriv'd of a valiant Captain and a faithful Subject Nay even 〈◊〉 Enemies lamented his loss so great an interest has Vertue in generous minds but the Duke hiâ— Brother was afflicted to the last degree He had ever lov'd him to an example of Fraternal Affection had never made any distinction betwixt the interests of so good a Brother and his own he had invested him in a very considerable share of his own fortune he had bestow'd upon him the Government of Provence with the Office of Admiral of France he had been continually assisting to him with his Purse and Credit and had ever made him a partaker in all the advantages of his Master's Favour benefits of which Mounsieur de la Valette had on his part made so modest and so vertuous an use that he thought himself oblig'd having no posterity to provide for to husband them for the Duke his Brother's Service Which gratiâ—â—de to hâ—s Benefactor was rewarded by a good fortune to himself for having little frequented the Court the discontents and disgraces which sometimes perplext the Duke could neverâ— reach or reflect upon him who had continually been abroad in action and that with so good success that his merit made him by every one thought worthy of that greatness he possess'd so that he was favour'd and esteem'd by all good men without the least mixrure of hatred or envy Neither was he on his part wanting to his own Reputation and Interest but ever behav'd himself in all his Employments with infinite moderation sweetness liberality and noble Courage Vertues that establish'd him in his Government with such Authority and that rendred him so considerable to the Princes bordering upon Provence that their respect to him begot in them a singular regard towards the Duke his Brother whom no man was willing upon a light occasion to offend left this whom all the world knew to be so kind a Brother and so good a Friend by an injury offer'd to so dear a Relation might be tempted into extremities that usually are the effects of so just a resentment It appears therefore by this how great a support he was to his Family but this unfortunate blow depriv'd the Duke at once of so considerable a Fortune of so powerful an Assistant of so honourable Employments and of the person of all others most dearly beloved by him The Office of Admiral of France was presently and that by the Duke's consent conferr'd upon St. Blancart since Duke and Mareschal de Biron his Kinsman and intimate Friend who as we have already observ'd put himself into the Duke's Service in the beginning of his Favour but who afterwards by his good Services had advanc'd himself very high in his Majesties esteem Some have said that the King to whom the Duke's greatness was become suspected had a good mind at the same time to have dispos'd of the Government of Provence also but that having consider'd most of the principal Cities of that Province were in the custody of the Duke's Friends or their Substitutes who had serv'd Volunteers under Mounsieur de la Valette that the Forces there residing were made up of their Creatures such as only serv'd upon the two Brothers account it was to be fear'd the Duke's Discontents would be humour'd by his Friends who might interest themselves in his Disgrace So that his Majesty thinking it neither convenient nor safe as Affairs then stood directly to disoblige the Duke was forc'd to comply with the necessity of the time and to consent to what he could not well hinder without endangering the Affairs of that Province Mounsieur de la Valette was no sooner dead but that all his Officers assembled themselves together to advise what upon this accident they were best to do where without much debate it was concluded that to express the affection they had ever born their dead General and the respect they had for the Duke his Brother to whom they would that affection should now descend it was fit to send to the King humbly to entreat his Majesty that he would send the Duke of Espernon to command them in the place of Mounsieur de la Valette declaring freely withal that under the command of any other they should not so chearfully continue those services they had for the time past so successfully perform'd and accordingly with this Message they dispatch'd away the â—ieurs d' Esgarrebacques and de Mesplâ—s two of the most eminent amongst them both in Valour and Condition to the Court The Duke of Espernon being advertis'd of the deputation of these two Gentlemen to the King by the Sieur de Peyroles dispatch'd to him at the same time by the Chief Officers of Provence sent himself also to solicite his Majesty for that they had so favourably pursu'd in his behalf Representing to him That the Government of Provence could not be reputed vacant whilst he was living who had put it into his Brothers hands upon no other account than to preserve it in his Majesties Obedience whilst himself with such as depended upon him expos'd his Life and Fortune elsewhere for his Service That the first and true title to that Government remain'd in him and that since he was so unfortunate as to survive his Brother he had that confidence in his Majesties Justice that he would not add to his affliction by depriving him of an Employment he had only transferr'd to another that he might himself be at more liberty to do him more and better service And as if the Duke had been already assur'd of his Majesties Favour to him or that he would not seem in the least to suspect it he publish'd his resolution of going into Provence and made great preparations in order to that expedition The King foreseeing that the Duke would of all others be the most acceptably receiv'd by that people and knowing also that in the confusion the Kingdom then was the Government of Provence wherein the Duke of Savoy and the League had made a dangerous progress since the death of Mounsieur de la Valette could not be maintain'd as it ought otherwise than by the Duke's â—nterest there thought fit not to contradict his claim and consequently about the end of
from the beginning and had retir'd themselves from Aix the seat of Parliament from the time the City had revolted to the Duke of Savoy in some place of safety For this purpose he could find no place so fit for strength and conveniency as Manosque where he seated them in great security and honour And that the time might not pass away without some shew of Action whilst the season would not give him leave smartly to follow the War he in this dead time of the year with a strong party of Horse scour'd the Country all over the whole Province Neither was this an unnecessary or an unprofitable diligence by which he confirm'd those Cities already declar'd for the King in their duty and also frighted those inclining to a Revolt into better Resolutions But the greatest advantage he reap'd by it was that by this means he inform'd himself upon the particular places themselves of the general estate of the whole Province and moreover kept his men in action like a Captain that very well understood Order and Discipline to be the only things that establish and support an Army and the pest of great Bodies to be sloath and liberty which debauch Souldiers from their Duty and have often been observ'd to dissolve and disperse the greatest Armies when the Souldier has been suffer'd to enrich himself by idleness and license upon the plunder of his Quarters He therefore provided for the subsistence of his men by imposing Contributions upon the Province which nevertheless was not done without the advice and consent of the Officers of Parliament by whose Authority as well as his own he order'd a certain rate of all things in the Markets and that at so indifferent a price that the Commons found a greater convenience in the Quartering of Souldiers than in being without so quick a return they had for their Corn and other Provisions and so certain was their pay To this the Assessments design'd to defray these Provisions were so equally laid upon the whole Country that no man could complain he was opprest nor was there any who did not find his advantage in this necessary evil In fine all things were settled so much to the general conveniency and satisfaction of all that I have an hundred times heard the Duke wish for such an establishment in Guienne but the contagion was there already spread too far and had taken too deep root to admit so happy a reformation By this prudent disposition of things the Souldier found himself provided of his share of all things necessary where ever he came according to the order prescrib'd Neither was he to exact more upon pain of death a penalty that without mercy follow'd the offense by which severe Discipline the King's Party in those parts were in a short time observ'd to be very much encreas'd The Duke solicitous to maintain this Reputation of the Royal Arms by some notable enterprize resolv'd to make an attempt upon the City of Arles neither did he herein make an ill choice it being one of the most considerable places of Provence seated upon the Banks of Rosne and inhabited by above three hundred Families of very good quality who here made their ordinary residence besides a vast number of Citizens and inferiour people This City like all others which are situated upon Navigable Rivers and daily expect to be supply'd with fresh Provisions kept very little before-hand in store which the Duke being well enform'd of contented himself with shutting up the River only above and below and cutting off the Succours of the adjacent Countrey by Quartering several Troops on both sides the River by which means without much trouble or any considerable loss in a month or five weeks time this strong City was reduc'd to a necessity of surrender and to shake hands with the League for whom they had hitherto been zealous to the highest degree They came therefore to a Capitulation in which the Duke was content to accept of thirty Hostages for their future good behaviour and with that caution to ease them of the burthen of a Garrison which in truth at that time before he was well settled in his Government he could not well have spar'd nor without manifest prejudice to his Majesties and his own private Affairs Nevertheless what good security soever the Duke thought he had taken to bind them to their Duty the Inhabitants made no scruple afterwards in the Revolt of the Cities of Provence by their Rebellion to expose the lives of so many men of Quality who had generously stak'd their persons for the good of their fellow Citizens to the Duke 's just indignation though he by a clemency much more extraordinary than the severity he had shew'd at Montauron dismiss'd the Hostages to their own houses without so much as putting them to ransome which in an occasion of this nature is no usual Favour After this success the Duke yet undertook the Siege of Antibe a place wonderfully well fortifi'd seated upon the Sea shore and favour'd with a very good Port which the Duke of Savoy since his last taking of it to assure his possession had so fortified and mann'd that he thought it impossible to be taken The Duke of Espernon notwithstanding presented himself before it where having summon'd the Governour to a surrender and his Trumpet being sent back with a scornful answer he proceeded to a formal Siege advancing by Tâ—enches raising of Batteries and duly observing whatever the Method and Discipline of War prescribe in the most difficult attempts The Town was defended for a while but the Governour in the end retir'd into his Foâ—t where he thought he should be in a condition to make the Duke spend his time and consume his Army unprofitably and to no purpose This place had besides its own strength and advantageous situation this further convenience that every night by the Duke of Savoy's order a Gally set out from Nice that brought all the refrâ—shments to the besieg'd they could desire carried away their Sick and Wounded brought them in fresh Souldiers and provided all things necessary for them which so continual Succour and seasonable Supplies swell'd the Governour with an opinion that the Duke could never force him Neither was the Duke displeas'd at his confidence hoping that this security of his would at one time or another contribute to the success of his Design He therefore continued his approaches and try'd all ways imaginable to effect his enterprize when at last his Cannon having batterd the Curtain in a place not much frequented he perceiv'd that those within kept no guard there by which he believ'd they had not observ'd that breach and immediately resolv'd to make his advantage of that negligence To this purpose therefore he sent a Serjeant to discover the breach who accordingly having gone in and return'd by a hole big enough for a man to pass at his â—ase he made his report to the Duke that there was
out with the continual disorders the excess of his clemency begat every day in his Kingdom he was resolv'd to take order once for all and by a severe and exemplary punishment to quiet the Rebellion some of Mounsieur de Boüillons Servants openly maintain'd after his departure out of the Kingdom in Perigord Quercy and Limousin The Mareschal de Boüillon was seiz'd of many very fair possessions and had many Friends and Servants in those Provinces where the Nobility Gentry and Commons being also naturally inclin'd to Arms it was no hard matter to perswade them into commotion The King had been given to understand that under the pretense of seeking protection only from the Protestant Princes of Germany and the Swisse Cantons the Mareschal endeavour'd to interest them in the Quarrel of those of the Religion in France by possessing them as it was said that since the King's Conversion their usage was far different from what it had formerly been and the liberty of Conscience far more restrain'd than it us'd to be Neither did his Majesty doubt but that all of his opinion in his Kingdom would easily be induc'd to follow the Duke of Boüillon's discontent who had acquir'd an absolute reputation among them He farther saw that many Catholicks made no scruple to joyn with him to the end they might re-enjoy the licence of War which would by no means be allow'd them in the better times of Peace He knew that great summes of mony were distributed for the raising of men which mony was suspected to come from Spain from whence all the intestine broils of his Kingdom had ever been countenanc'd and promoted Evil dispositions that being all joyn'd together were sufficient to produce great disorders in the State and to reduce the King in spite of his heart to the necessity of a Civil War His Majesty therefore thinking it very convenient to prevent all these disorders and to suffocate them in their Birth resolv'd to go in person to Limousin either by his Presence to appease or by his Authority to suppress the begun Commotions but to dispose them to their obedience if possible before his arrival to chastise some Offenders without drawing the Odium immediately upon himself and to reduce every one to his Duty he order'd the Duke of Espernon to go before with six Companies only of his Regiment of Guards and four Troops of Horse not doubting but with this little Body together with the Duke's Interest which was very considerable in those parts of which some places were under his own Government he would be able to give a better accompt of his Expedition than another perhaps could do with greater Forces And to the end that his Justice might accompany his Arms he joyn'd to the Duke Iean Iaques de Mesmes Segnieur de Roissy Master of Requests with Commission of Oyer and Terminer to sit upon the Life and Death of the Offenders This was he so famous for his Integrity and Valour that was afterwards Doyen to the Council of State where though the esteem every one had of his Vertue was very great yet was it no more than was due to his merit although afterwards in the progress of a long life he had this honour added to the rest he enjoy'd to see his name illustrated by a noble Posterity not any man scarce of his condition in the Kingdom having supply'd the State with so great and able Ministers The Duke having taken his leave of the King advanc'd into Limousin where he would have Crequy Camp-Master to the Regiment of Guards to command in person the Forces he took along with him and where the most turbulent spirits at his unexpected arrival which by his diligence had almost got the start of any intelligence of his coming mediâ—ated nothing less than their defense some of the most advis'd fearing to have to do with the Duke or de Roissy appeal'd to his Majesties mercy and by the acknowledgement of their offense obtain'd their Pardon others retir'd themselves to the Duke de Boüillon to Sedan the most imprudent or the most unfortunate only falling into the hands of Justice Of which five or six suffer'd death though many others were punish'd by more moderate ways so that before the King's arrival at Limoges all those Countries that before breath'd nothing but Sedition and Disorder were now so calm and still that his Majesty had nothing to do but by his Clemency to settle Rebels newly reclaim'd from their Disobedience in their Duty and to reward his faithful Subjects by the demonstrations of his Grace and Favour The end of the Fifth Book THE HISTORY Of the LIFE of the Duke of Espernon The Sixth Book THE Affairs of Limousin that had taken up the Duke of Espernon the whole year having been compos'd with the facility you have heard the King return'd again to Paris attended by the Duke who had now nothing left to do behind The antiquated enmity that so many years had been nourish'd betwixt the House of Guise and him continued still which was ready to discover it self upon every light occasion and almost as oft as they met to come to a bustle betwixt them In all which disputes the Duke notwithstanding that that Illustrious Family by the greatness of their Birth and by their Offices in the State by their vast possessions in the Kingdom and above all by the great number of generous Princes of which it was compos'd as also by the potency of their Alliances made up a great part of the Court would never give them the least ground but ever sustein'd their power with great Spirit and Vigour neither did he want such a number of Relations and Servants as might secure him from the apprehension of the greatness of any He had sometime before this had a brisk dispute with the Duke of Guise the King being at Lyons which proceeded so far that the Duke of Espernon by the hands of la Pierre one of the Duke's Gentlemen receiv'd a Challenge from him though the Quarrel had been so publick and the Duke of Guise was so narrowly watch'd by his Friends that he could not get out into the Field wherein the Duke of Espernon was better serv'd by his who permitted him to go out of the City with Gohas whom he took with him for his second but being call'd back by the King's Command who would himself compose their difference that Quarrel was soon at an end There hapned at this time another betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Prince of Ioinville now Duke of Chevreuse and Brother to the Duke of Guise for this Prince having staid the Coach of a Woman of Quality at the outer Gate of the Louvre one night that the King had appointed a great Dancing at Court and the Duke coming out with the Duke of Montensier to go home the Ladies Coach so stopt the Gate that the Duke's could not possibly pass wherefore he commanded the Coachman to make way But the Duke of
come up to them and that in all probability there would be sudden action yet durst no one venture positively to determine whither that preparation was directed or who was to feel the first edge of his Arms neither shall I presume to deliver these conjectures for truth nor suffer my curiosity to transgress the bounds this mighty Prince in his wisdom prescrib'd even to the most faithful Ministers of his Kingdom This brave and laudable ambition having long possess'd his generous heart he had from the first Idea of his design wisely laid up for the means to effect it that it might succeed to his glory and to that end from the time peace was first settled in his Kingdom had been gathering and had now got together a prodigious Treasure His Artillery and Ammunitions were all ready and in equipage fit to execute his vast designs France was able to furnish him with an infinite number of old Souldiers neither in the fair weather he had been so solicitous to maintain at home had he forgot to take a particular care of breeding so many brave Captains and good Souldiers in the Low-Country-Wars as were sufficient in a very short time to bring such raw men as should be rais'd into very good discipline Besides the Forces of his own Kingdom he had made a League with all the neighbouring Princes The Duke of Savoy the Republick of Venice the Duke of Florence and almost all the Princes of Italy the Prince of Orange and most of the Princes of Germany with the Hanse-Towns of the Empire were engag'd to joyn with him And the King of England had made great preparation in favour of his designs so that in all apparence what and how great soever these designs might be they were very likely to succeed Nothing then being wanting but a pretense to give colour to his action the death of the Dukes of Cléves soon supply'd him with one as good as he could desire for after his death the succession to his Dukedom being pretended to by all his Brothers-in-law who were five the Marquis of Brandebourg the Duke of Nâ—whourg the Count Palatine the Duke of Deux Ponts and the Marquis of Burgau all these Princes agreed to appeal to the King and to stand to his Arbitration but whilst they were pleading their titles in the Court of France the Emperour pretending all vacant Jurisdictions to be Fiefs of the Empire and that for want of Heirs Males he had right to seize them in trust had there establish'd the Arch-Duke Leopold his Cousin as his Deputy and Governour for and under him in order to which delegation the Arch-Duke had already by the assistance of the Austrian Forces possess'd himself of the best part of the Dutchy by the taking of Iuliers notwithstanding that the King had publickly declar'd he desir'd things might remain suspended till every man's Title was examin'd and the true Heir could be known And this was in effect all the reason could be given for this mighty preparation though an Army consisting of forty thousand French Foot ten thousand Swisse ten thousand Horse and fifty pieces of Cannon with their Equipage together with the Leavies the confederate Princes were still on all hands preparing to joyn with him giving all the world to understand that so great Forces were design'd for some other end than only for the Accommodation of a particular Quarrel all men were in suspense and in great expectation of what the event would be The Army then being in the Field and the King ready to depart from Paris his Majesty would yet first take so good order to secure the interior Peace of his Kingdom that he might not when at a great distance and in the heat of his Enterprizes be call'd back by Domestick troubles A consideration that made him determine to devolve his Royal Power to the Queen and to cause her to be declar'd Regent in his absence and knowing that how good soever her intentions were and how sincere soever her administration might be yet that the sovereign Authority he left her invested withal would require the Fidelity Courage and Prudence of some great and experienc'd Minister to support it he cast his eye upon the Duke of Espernon to confer upon him that great Trust and Honour In this resolution therefore having one day call'd for the Duke and causing him to come into his Closet where he was then with the Queen alone the Duke was not a little surpriz'd at the favourable and obliging Character his Majesty was then pleas'd to give of him to the Queen on so unexpected an occasion He told her That being upon the point to go out of the Kingdom the Government whereof he had during his absence committed to her care he had consider'd how necessary it would be for her to have a faithful Servant about her person upon all occurrences that might happen and in occasions where the modesty of her Sex would not permit her to act in her own person to be assisting to her with his Wisâ—om and Valour That having to that end severally weigh'd the abilities of all the chief Officers of his Crown he had found none in whom the qualities necessary for so great an employment were more eminent than in the person of the Duke of Espernon there present That having had a long experience of his Fidelity Wisdom and Valour he had determin'd to deprive himself of his Service though infinitely necessary to him in the prosecution of his designs and to send him back to her upon the first sally of his Arms. That she might repose an entire and perfect confidence in him as he himself also did who knew him to be a man of approv'd Fidelity and Honour That he was going to execute designs wherein he was likely to meet with many difficulties and perhaps some danger but that whatever should happen he desir'd her to rest secure in the Duke's vigilancy and care for which he would undertake both to himself and to her After which turning to the Duke he told him That he did not require from him any confirmation by new promises of those things whereof he had assur'd the Queen in his behalf That he had had so many proofs of his Vertue in the integrity of his former Actions it was not now to be suspected that he conjur'd him by the esteem and affection he had for him to justifie his expectation to serve the Queen and the Princes his Children with the same Fidelity he had serv'd him and to promise to himself for his reward all the acknowledgement he could reasonably expect from a grateful Prince and a good Master The Duke a little out of countenance at what the King had said in his favour made answer in few words That he did humbly acknowledge his obligation to his Majesty for so high a Character and for the unexpected Honour he was pleas'd to confer upon him which in the nature of it was far above all others he had
was busie about the preparation for these solemnities the Prince of Condé and the Count de Soissons suddenly withdrew from Court whose retirement together with some discontent those of the Religion made shew of at the same time gave great apprehension that matters were likely to come to a speedy rupture but the wisdom of the Queens Council having apply'd seasonable remedies to this disorder if they did not absolutely take away the effect of what they fear'd they at least deferr'd deferr'd it so that the publick Peace was for this time secur'd The Queen caus'd the Princes to be treated with who were at last content to return to Court and to sign the conditions of the Marriage and those of the Religion having by this little disorder procur'd some inconsiderable concessions referr'd to a fitter opportunity the design they had to interrupt the main work which they conceiv'd would be infinitely prejudicial to their Interest and Safety I cannot in this place forbear another digression from my Subject to speak of the acquisition the Duke made at this time of one of the principal Servants he ever had in his Family and one whose merit made him afterwards very eminent at Court where he obtain'd no little Favour and Esteem with the King himself and this was the Sieur de Marsillac a Gentleman of as great valour and as graceful a presence as any whatsoever of his time This man had formerly had a dependence upon Balagny call'd the Brave of the Court whom Balagny had taken out of the Regiment of Guards where he trail'd a Pike to put him upon one of the boldest and most honourable Actions a Gentleman of his condition could possibly undertake and that was to carry a Challenge to the Duke of Eguillon since Duke of Mayenne This business hapned in the Reign of Henry the great who did not condemn him for it and though it was the first of this nature that perhaps had ever been known in France gave notwithstanding the Duke of Mayenne his Father no satisfaction therein what complaints soever he could make I have heard Marsillac himself tell the story He adventur'd a poor younger Brother as he was to go execute his Commission even in the Duke d' Eguillon's own Bed-Chamber whose generosity and freedom he could never sufficiently commend he doing him the honour to go out with him alone to give his friend satisfaction without other caution than his own bare word though he could by no means prevail with him to let him be further concern'd in the Quarrel being resolute to end the dispute without a Second the only thing whereof he could complain in the Duke's behaviour towards him though he gave him at the same time as much reason to magnifie the extraordinary and noble care he took to conceal the action from the Duke of Mayenne his Fathers knowledge He was in the house when the Challenge was brought and has often been heard to say that had he known his temerity he would have caus'd Marsillac to have been tost out of the Windows to have taught him what it was to bring a Message of that nature to a Prince from a private Gentleman and doubtless he would have been as good as his word he was so highly incens'd at the affront which perhaps serv'd for an example shortly after to the Baron of Luz in his challenge to the Chevalier de Guise As for Marsillac after the death of Balagny who was kill'd in a Quarrel being entertain'd into the Duke of Espernon's Service he obtain'd under him in the command of his Guard which he bestowed upon him so high a reputation and esteem that he was at last desir'd by the King where his Majesty gave him a Company in his own Guards and his deserts were infallibly raising him to a much higher fortune if at the same time the King express'd the greatest esteem and affection for him he had not at the Siege of Privas receiv'd a Musquetâ—shot in his head which as it determin'd his hopes was also the reward of all his Service We here with a new year enter upon a new disorder of which the immoderate greatness of Conchini was either the effectual or at least the pretended cause and doubtless his favour and insolence were rais'd to that excess as rendred him intolerable either of which are sufficiently odious in whomsoever they happen to befound but being united in him pull'd upon him the hatred or â—nvy of all sorts of men The most part of the great ones seeing themselves excluded from all knowledge of Affairs neither is it possible to satisfie all who will pretend to that priviledge cast their eyes upon the Prince of Condé to interest him in their discontents and the Hugonot Faction not being able without great jealousie to see the Marriage accomplish'd was no less ready than those Grandees to break into open arms The one and the other then being in such a disposition had joyntly by the negotiation of the Duke of Boüillon recourse to the Prince of Condé perswading him to oppose himself to Conchini's greatness to demand punishment for those evils of which he had been the cause and a Reformation in the State the old and common pretense of all such as would infest the publick peace The Prince had ever since the death of the Count de Soissons been in high consideration not only by reason of his quality as first but also as it were sole Prince of the Blood to which his admirable endowments rendred him no less conspicuous than did the preeminence of his Birth He was knowing dexterous and intelligent in all sorts of business beyond what could be expected from his age notwithstanding all which great qualities something yet being wanting that some conceiv'd was requir'd in a person of his eminent condition they had not allow'd him that share in the management of Affairs he either merited or at least desir'd an injury that he very much resneting and moreover animated by the perswasions not of the Duke de Boüillon only but also by the Dukes of Longueville Mayenne Nevers and Luxeâ—bourg who had every one a particular pretext for his defection made him suddenly depart from Court and retire himself to Mezieres in Champagne from whence should he be smartly laid to he might conveniently retreat to Sedan To this place he was follow'd by all the other discontented Lords as for the Duke of Vendosme who had likewise promis'd to do the same not being able to get clear of the Court so soon as he intended having been detain'd prisoner in a Chamber of the Louvre he nevertheless finding means to deceive his Guards escap'd soon after to his Government of Bretagne where he did what he could to fortifie the Faction by the interest he had in that Province This great number of discontents put the Court into strange disorder the old Ministers of State who had seen nothing of a Civil War for many years apprehending this would
they were able to make up a Body of 8000. Foot and 1200. Horse The extremity he knew the Duke of Mayenne to be reduc'd unto in Soissons and the Duke of Nevers in the places whereunto he had retyr'd made him very well see that the Torrent would suddenly break in upon himself notwithstanding how reasonable soever his apprehensions were and how necessary soever to put himself with the soonest into a posture of defense it might be he could not however forbear to prefer the last Duty he ow'd to a good and vertuhus Mother before his own particular preseruation This Lady having been dead from the year 1610. in an exceeding old age and lamented by the Duke as if she had been more immaturely ravish'd from him he had ever had a great desire to pay her memory the last office of her Obsequies But the great and important Affairs which had detain'd him at Court having hitherto frustrated that pious design he no sooner now found himself in this little interval of repose but that he resolv'd without further delay to satisfie that Obligation Assembling therefore together at his paternal House of Caumont above 300. Gentlemen of Quality of his Relations and Friends he there by a magnificent expense manifested his gratitude to a person so near and dear unto him The Ceremony of this Funeral was no sooner perform'd but that the Duke departed from Caumont to Bordeaux and from thence was also upon the point to return into Angoumois there to draw all his Forces together with a resolution to defend himself to the last and rather to die with his Sword in his hand than to suffer himself tamely to be oppress'd when by le Chalart Secretary to the Mareschal de Roquelaure his intimate friend he receiv'd intelligence of the death of the Mareschal d' Encre This Mareschal's death hapned the 24. of April 1617. and the news by an extraordinary diligence came the 27. to the Duke which how welcome it was to a man who saw himself deliver'd from so powerful and so implacable an Enemy may easily be imagin'd He had very well foreseen that with the assistance of all his Confederates and friends he could not long be able to resist the Power and Authority of the King with both which his enemy would have been arm'd against him and on the other side the King himself being by this execution become as it were the revenger of his particular wrongs all his past actions would be justified in the exemplary punishment his Majesty had inflicted upon the person of Conchini In this excess of joy he departed from Bordeaux to Angoulesme and from thence soon after to Court there to make a new tender of his Fidelity and Obedience to the King and to try in this new face of Affairs what foundation he could lay to his own future peace He was in this Journey attended by his two younger Sons his own misfortune and miscarriages having banish'd the eldest from his favour and presence ever since his Majesties Voyage to Angoulesme and at his arrival receiv'd by the King with all the demonstration of favour and affection he could possibly expect or desire to which Luines the new Favourite willing to be supported in his rising greatness by so powerful a friend highly sought and importun'd his friendship which also by some good Offices he endeavour'd to acquire One of the things the Duke was most earnest with him for and that Luines did most faithfully promise was a Cardinal's Hat for the Archbishop of Tholouse his youngest Son at the first promotion as for himself he was at the very first restor'd to the full and absolute Function of all his employments having satisfaction given for all the retrenchments had been made upon his offices and commands or any of their perquisits and rights and in fine stood in a very good degree of favour Yet did not this continue long and whether it were the too prodigious favour of Luines grown up on a sudden to a greater height than that of the Mareschal d' Encre had ever been that stir'd up the Duke 's old aversion he had ever had for Court Mignions or that his own private emulators by their ill Offices had render'd his humour suspected to Luines but the Duke soon perceiv'd him to be quite another man from what he had been at first At which causless alteration being highly nettled and preferring according to his custom a free and profess'd enmity before a faint and dissembled friendship he inveigh'd publickly and highly against the new Favourite by which means and by cohering with other persons of condition no better satisfied than himself with Luine's promotion he drew upon himself alone the hatred and jealousie that ought to have been common to them all The first thing the Duke de Luines did to disoblige him was the breaking his word who contrary to what he had promis'd and made him expect concerning the Cardinal's Hat in favour of his Son had preferr'd Mounsieur de Retts Bishop of Paris and openly assisted him in the pursuit of that dignity To which was added that they began afresh to intrench upon his command of Colonel some Foot employments having been dispos'd without the Duke's consent by which being further exasperated he highly complain'd to some of the chief Ministers amongst whom Mounsieur du Vair Garde des Sceaux one of the greatest Authority having given him no satisfaction but on the contrary new matter of discontent he was not long before he took an occasion to let him see how sensible he was of the offense It was upon Easter-day in the year 1618. and in the Church of St. Germain de l' Auxerrois that the Duke took occasion to quarrel with him The Dukes and Peers who were then at Court offended at the place the Garde des Sceaux du Vair not only in the Council but also in all other both publick and private Assemblies would assume above them had generally address'd themselves to the Duke of Espernon as to the eldest of their Order to interest him in their discontent It was also suspected that the Chancellor Syllery ill digesting that a man so inferiour to him in Dignity should usurp upon him in State was willing enough to promote a business of this nature against him and that being upon very good terms as he had ever been with the Duke of Espernon he had also help'd to blow the fire However it was or by whose suggestion soever it first came into the Dukes head little perswasion would serve turn to make him passionately undertake a business wherein he conceiv'd his own Honour and Dignity to be so much concern'd It was therefore resolv'd betwixt the Duke of Moutmorency of all others the most incens'd against du Vair the Dukes de Monbazon de Retz d' Vsez and some others of the same quality that he should be affronted upon the first occasion should he again offer to take place
where after having been sufficiently abus'd hiss'd and hooted at he was by four Souldiers of the Garrison conducted to his Inn who it may be imagin'd were not commanded to use him with overmuch respect But if this first part of his entertainment surpriz'd him he was much more when his Host coming to him at night demanded his Name Surname Country Quality and Age with many other interrogatories as if he had been upon the Selette From all or most of these questions he for some time defended himself till being threatned if he would not answer to be proceeded against as a Spy he was at last constrain'd to do it when as his answers came from him he saw them recorded in a great Book order'd for that purpose amongst other ancient rules establish'd for the defense of the place though he conceiv'd that under the protection of the Royal Name which he had ready to produce he ought to have been dispens'd from that Ceremony He was scarce recover'd from his first astonishment when he saw four of the Duke's Guards at that time call'd les Simons a name very famous at Court entring his Chamber Their first Complements it may be suppos'd were none of the most obliging neither did they long forbear to tell the new come Gallant That they were order'd by the Duke their Master to have an eye upon his actions That the Duke very well knew upon what pretense he came to Metz but that the true cause of his coming was to him much better known which was to do a diâ—â—ervice to the King to observe the weaknesses of the place and to give intelligence thereof to his Majesties enemies That therefore they were not to leave him and that they very well knew how to prevent him from executing his malicious designs That in the mean time it would concern him to have a care how he behav'd himself since no mercy was to be expected if the least thing was discover'd in him contrary to his Majesties Service At this declaration the poor man was put into a most terrible fear he knew the Dukes Authority to be absolute in Metz and that whatever he should determine though it should reach to his life and under what pretense soever it might be would infallibly be executed upon him Whereupon he ask'd his Guards if there were no possibility of safety for him to which they reply'd that doubtless yes provided he attempted nothing against the Crown After which they entertain'd him with stories of how many they had Bastinado'd at Paris and after what manner the Duke us'd to chastise several fool-hardy fellows who had imprudently attempted upon his Honour If he went out of one Chamber into another they were continually at his heels and if â—e went to sleep they lay down by him never ceasing day nor night to afflict him insomuch that after having two days endur'd this usage such a terror seiz'd him at last that he fell down at his Guards feet weeping praying and conjuring them to assure the Duke that he was his most humble Servant that he acknowledg'd his fault begg'd his pardon and did humbly intreat he would give him leave to depart the City At which though his Guards seem'd to comfort and assure him advising him not to fear and protesting that the interest of his Majesties Service only excepted they were there to no other end than to do him Service yet were all their consolations vain so invincible a fear had possess'd him and so wholly was he taken up with the desire to escape from the danger whereinto he saw he had so precipitously engag'd himself The Duke after he had a few days made himself merry with mortifying his Gull let him at last depart who as he had been before at Metz became afterwards the Fable of the Court. Yet did not the Duke spend his time altogether in diversion having serious business enough to take up his thoughts with something of more concern and those were the Affairs of the Queen Mother This Princess after the death of the Mareschal d' Encre having been constrain'd to leave the Court where Luines could not suffer a person of her Authority and offended to the degree she had been to reside had the Castle of Blois appointed by the King for her retreat To which place accordingly the Queen in this change of her Fortune being allow'd to keep very few of her Servants about her departed with a very slender Train The Bishop of Luçon since Cardinal of Richelieu who had been Secretary of State during the favour of the Mareschal d' Encre was one of those who follow'd her in her disgrace as Chanteloube also was another but the Abbot Rucellary and Italian and very affectionate to her Service was as a person altogether unnecessary about her Majesty sent back into one of his Abbies neither did the Bishop of Luçon remain long without another Order of the same kind by which he was first oblig'd to reside in his own Diocess and soon after to retire into Avignon The Queen Mother from the time of her departure from Court had meditated nothing so much as how to recover her lost Authority and to overthrow that of the new Favourites wherein though she had communicated something to Messieurs de Luçon de Rucellay and de Câ—anteloube men of the greatest Fidelity and Conduct about her and though they had taken some pains for her satisfaction yet could they discover no possibility of effecting her Designs Neither were they permitted long to consider of the means the entire confidence the Queen was discover'd to repose in them being suspected at Court having soon procur'd the banishment of the two first as has been said before of which that of Luçon had rendred him utterly uncapable of all manner of correspondence with her But Rucellay a man of great courage vivacity and ambition having for some time conceal'd himself about Blois and having from time to time in disguise taken opportunity to consult with the Queen was after having rejected several propositions at last of opinion that she should address her self to the Duke of Boüillon to try if with the party of those of the Religion who were absolutely at his dispose he might be induc'd to declare himself of her side and to attempt something in her favour The Queen being very well pleas'd with this proposition Rucellay as chearfully undertook to make the first overture of it to the Duke of Boüillon at Sedan I have often heard this Abbot during five or six weeks that I was continually with him in order to the Queen Mothers dispatches which all pass'd through his hands after her escape tell the whole story of this negotiation so that I am able to say something of my own knowledge botâ— as to the qualities of his person and the circumstances of that Treaty which perhaps will not be altogether unpleasant to my Reader Rucellay then was a Gentleman of Florence descended from a Father
well us'd by the Governour many Decrees by reason of the dissention betwixt the two parties remain'd unexecuted for not being justified by Power which gives life to Justice Such as were the most moderate and best dispos'd of the Company could not without great grief behold these confusions but those were not the prevailing part so that things being every day more and more exasperated it was infinitely to be fear'd they would in the end shoot up to the last extreme though they were already grown to a sufficient height The King inform'd of this strange confusion dispatch'd away Leon Brulart one of the Council of State and a man who having manifested his prudence in many great employments had acquir'd himself a great reputation both within and without the Kingdom to oppose his Royal Authority to the Torrent of these disorders This man arriv'd at Bordeaux in the month of Iune and labour'd with great sincerity and diligence betwixt the parties till September following but all in vain his dexterity that had unravell'd many great intricacies and overcome the greatest difficulties in his former employments could not be so successful here the Animosities were too great and the parties too stiff to admit of any Reconciliation yet did he well enough discover that the greatest aversions to it were not in the Duke as he satisfied the Court at his return to which both parties at last were forc'd to appeal and to submit unto a severe and definitive Determination after they had rejected all rational and moderate ways This Quarrel was on both sides carried on with extraordinary heat the first President himself was deputed by the Parliament to maintain their cause before the Council to whom President du Bernett a man of great esteem and approved wisdom and then thought very worthy one day to possess the first place in that Company as he afterwards did was also joyn'd The Duke also on his part dispatch'd away first le Plessis and after him Magnac his Kinsman a Gentleman of great Courage of an excellent Wit and very great Learning All these Deputies were several times heard in open Council where after having long and with great reverence pour'd out themselves in eloquent Orations a Regulation ensu'd at which both parties were equally displeas'd And then it was that all the world plainly saw and chiefly those who were immediately concern'd that they were not sorry at Court at the continuation of these dissentions and that the design being already laid to diminish all the Authorities of the Kingdom to unite them in one single person they were glad to see them insensibly put their own hands to their own destruction These little disorders were not yet fully compos'd when another of much greater importance began to disclose it self at Court which occasion'd the death of Chalais and the imprisonment of the Duke and the Grand Prior of Vandosme They would also have involv'd the Duke de la Valette who at this time retir'd to Metz in this Affair and to that end tempted him by la Louviere the Confident of Chalais to receive the Duke of Orleans into that City but they had to do with a man so well fortified in his Duty to his Prince that all la Louviere could obtain of the Duke was only a civil repulse in these terms That the place was none of his That he was only a substitute to the Duke his Father That he was therefore to apply himself to him and that for his part he should do whatever his Father would please to command him He could not have serv'd the King more faithfully than by retaining this respect to the Duke his Father whose principles he knew to be perfectly Loyal and himself inseparably ty'd to his Majesties Service yet was not the Court satisfied with this proceeding but the Duke who had also been tamper'd withal from the same part through the Negotiation of the Abbot d' Aubazine by the candour of his deportment so clearly justified their common intentions that both the one and the other had all the satisfaction they could themselves desire Yet was this satisfaction in words only and the Duke was notwithstanding very ill us'd in several occasions of which ill usage he could not forbear highly to complain neither in his complaints were the Queen Mother as powerful as she was nor the Cardinal himself excepted The hard measure he receiv'd under their Administration being so much the more sensible to him by how much he had infinite reasons as may be gather'd out of the former passages to expect they should have been altogether partial to his Interests but though his great and advantageous services had been so lately perform'd the memory of them was notwithstanding totally worn out and the Cardinal was already exasperated though by occasions of so little moment as scarce ought to have been taken notice of Neither doubtless would they have been had he been in another condition but as great Authorities are usually very tender in the great height of State and Power he then stood they carried in his opinion the quality of most high injuries which thenceforward dispos'd his heart to those strange Animosities which we shall see in time break out After the death of Chalais and the removal of such of the Monsieur 's Creatures as were suspected by their evil Counsels to debauch his good Nature and to alienate the affection he had to the King and the prosperity of the Kingdom it was no hard matter to dispose him to a Marriage with Madamoiselle Marie de Bourbon Dutchess of Montpensier This match had been thought worthy of him by Henry the Great his Father and the Duke of Espernon who had the honour to be great Uncle to this Princess prepossess'd with the hopes of so great a Fortune for his Niece and so great an honour both to himself and his whole Family had made no difficulty to expose himself to the hatred of the late Count de Soissons in refusing him as you may have observ'd before this Lady in Marriage for Lewis his Son And truly what rubs soever had hapned in the way of this Match the Duke notwithstanding never lost the hope nor the ambition to see it one day brought to effect It is not therefore to be doubted but that the accomplishment of a thing by him so ardently coveted must be highly pleasing to him The first news he heard of the consummation of these Nuptials was by a Gentleman dispatch'd away purposely to him by Madame the day after her Marriage wherein the high Dignity to which she was arriv'd nothing hindred her from paying the Duke the respect that decency and proximity exacted from her she writ to him therefore with her own hand and the express words of the Letter were these Uncle I doubt not but you will receive as much joy and satisfaction as any person at the happy accomplishment of my Marriage the news whereof I would no longer
the narrow bounds of a particular Life wherein the Duke of Espernon having also had no share I should not have waded so far as I have done into these secret Affairs of Court had they not at last proceeded to involve him further therein than he had himself intended to engage Before the King's departure from Paris the Duke especially solicitous of his Service within the Precincts of his own Government intreated his Majesty to appoint him an Intendant de la Iustice he having at his coming out of Guienne left there neither Lieutenant nor Intendant in his absence to look after his Majesties Affairs in that Province a request that the King being very willing to grant as it principally concern'd himself he gave the Duke liberty to choose whom he should think fit out of his Council The Employment being one of the greatest honour was covered by several persons of very great desert but the Duke preferring above all those who made suit for it one of the Council that perhaps least dream'd of any such thing entreated Monsieur de Verthamont Master of Requests to accept it This person of approved honesty and equal capacity had in several Employments of very great importance given very good proofs both of the one and the other but these qualities how eminent soever were yet accompanied with another that serv'd no less to recommend him to the Duke's Election and that was the great friendship betwixt him and Monsieur d' Autry at that time President Seguier and since Gard des Sceaux and Chancellor of France with whose good conduct in the same Commission the Duke had been so highly satisfied that he desir'd nothing more than one that would imitate his Vertue to succeed him and he hop'd to find in this Gentleman what he had already prov'd in his Predecessor neither was he deceiv'd in his Judgment he found his expectation answer'd to the full And for ten years together that Verthamont serv'd the King in the Duke's Government he gave the Duke so many testimonies of his integrity and vertue and in return receiv'd from the Duke so high and so just applause that I dare be bold to affirm there was never observ'd the least dissent or contrariety betwixt them The end of the Ninth Book THE HISTORY Of the LIFE of the Duke of Espernon The Tenth Book AT the same time that Verthamont departed for Guienne the Duke of Espernon was preparing to go to Metz there to expose his person for the defense of so important a place A Journey to which he was continually press'd by the constant intelligence he receiv'd from thence that the Emperours Forces every day increas'd that he was fortifying Moyenvic a very considerable place near that City and that the Duke of Lorain notwithstanding all his fair pretenses was certainly confederated with the House of Austria to the prejudice of the Kingdom of France The Duke de la Valette his Son had by his Majesties Command been sent away befoe upon the first jealousie the Court had conceiv'd of the Emperours and the Duke of Lorains designs but the Duke prudently considering that a Frontier of so great importance could not be too carefully provided for went with some of his friends to put himself into it having moreover engag'd several other persons of condition who had staid behind at Paris after the King's departure if occasion were to come and joyn themselves with him for the defense of the place So that had it ever come to a Siege the respect that several worthy men bore to the Duke's person would without all doubt have invited a great many persons of great quality and approv'd valour to serve in so honourable an occasion But there hapned to be no need of any such thing and perhaps the presence of the Duke and the prudent care he together with the Duke his Son took for the preservation of that City made the Emperour alter his design by putting him out of all hopes to effect it The Duke arriv'd at Metz the first of May where he was receiv'd with manifestations of an universal joy in the people becoming their gratitude and his own desert In his way thither he had call'd to see the Mareschal de Marillac who as he was at this time at least in outward appearance in greatest repute with the Cardinal so had he the principal charge of the Affairs of that Countrey committed to his care wherein doubtlesâ— this unfortunate Gentleman labour'd to his own ruine and to the Sentence of Death that not long after pass'd upon him for the Duke found him busie fortifying the Cittadel of Verdun preparing provisions and other necessaries for the Army of Champagne and performing several other Services which after pass'd for Crimes that were judg'd worthy of no less than Death The Duke was by him receiv'd with all sorts of honour and noble entertainment to which the Mareschal soon after added a visit at Metz where they consulted long together of what was best to be done for the King's Service upon that Frontier continuing ever after in a more strict correspondence than before The Duke was no sooner arriv'd at Metz but that he forthwith fell to work about the repair of the old Fortifications of the City and to the designing of new he sent moreover to solicit the Duke of Orleans left Regent during the King's absence for a supply of some Ammunitions of War but he had first sent a dispatch to the King to acquaint him with his motion towards the Frontier with which his Majesty in his answer of the 23. of May declar'd himself to be highly satisfied sending him word That his being in those parts would secure his fears for what concern'd the safety of the whole Frontier of Lorain exhorting him to continue his vigilancy and care for the conservation of so importanct a place assuring him withal of his good will and affection and of the esteem he had of his person justly grounded upon his merit and old Services for the Crown Which were in part the express words of that Dispatch In the mean time the rumor daily increasing that Wallestâ—in was advancing with his Army to waste the Countrey about Metz and afterwards to block it up by Forts and the Duke conceiving that the King would be so taken up in Savoy that he could not come to relieve him should he chance to be reduc'd to any great straight he saw it was necessary for him to make use of his own Credit Money and Friends therewithal to serve his Majesty upon this occasion He writ therefore to the Cardinal de la Valette his Son who was then with the King to tell his Majesty the Queen Mother and the Cardinal That foreseeing how hard a thing it would be for his Majesty in the heat of his Enterprizes to provide for the necessities of the place and Frontier where he had the honour to serve him he franckly offer'd if his Majesty would give
Majesties Justice That if he should be so fortunate as to obtain a second life for his friend he would with all his heart become his Security that for the future it should never be employ'd but in his Majesties Service and that his Blood should serve for no other use than to wash away the Stain and for ever to obliterate the memory of his Offense The King with great patience and without once offering to interrupt him gave the Duke free liberty to continue his discourse to the end seeming moreover to hearken to him with some kind of hopeful attention but that favourable audience was also the only fruit of his address for his Majesty having from the beginning of the Duke's Speech fix'd his eyes upon the ground never lifted them from thence so much as once to look upon the Duke who was speaking to him neither when he had concluded did he answer him one word by which silence the Duke perceiving the ruine of his friend to be absolutely decreed he spoke again and said Sir since I am so unhappy as not to hope to obtain your Majesties Pardon for Monsieur de Montmorency I humbly beg leave that I may retire When though the King had been dumb to the first he found words to make answer to this last request by telling him Yes you have free leave neither do I intend my self to stay long in this City Whereupon the Duke afflicted to the last degree that he had been able to obtain nothing more though indeed he had not expected much better success presently withdrew himself to go wait upon the Princess of Condé in the Suburbs of Tholouze to which place she was retir'd there to condole with her their common misfortune He found at his coming thither that Cardinal Richelieu was but newly parted thence whose visit by giving her no satisfaction having put her into the last despair the Duke 's hapned to be exceeding seasonable for the composing of her mind agitated with so violent a Passion Though the Duke from that very day prepar'd himself for his departure yet had he time enough before he went totally to reject a proposition made to him on the Cardinal's behalf presently after the King's arrival at Tholouze He had caus'd the Duke to be treated withal to quit the Government of Metz in his favour offering him in exchange the survivancy of that of Guienne for the Duke de la Valette his Son who was already seiz'd of that of Metz in reverson Bullion newly created Sur-Intendant des Finances was chosen by the Cardinal as a person most acceptable to the Duke to make to him this Overture a proposition at which the Duke having serv'd the King so well as he had done in the last occasion was not a little surpriz'd and the rather because his Services having been of great â—â—portance to the Cardinal's Fortune which was much more strook at in the late Rebellion than any thing that concern'd either the King or the Kingdom he had reason besides the satisfaction the King had been pleas'd to manifest of his performance to expect also a very grateful return from the Cardinal himself It was the belief of many at that time that the Cardinal's design was to accommodate himself with the Bishoprick of Metz together with five or six great Abbeys in that City of above an hundred thousand Livers a year Revenue besides the Bishoprick which was worth twice as much and to add thereunto the Government of the City and Countrey with those of the Cities and Cittadels of I houl and Verdun to the end that by providing for himself so certain and secure a retreat he might in time be arm'd against all disgrace to which others have added an opinion that he had a project to reunite all the Provinces that had formerly been members of the Kingdom of Austratia in his own person to hold them in the quality of a Sovereign Prince whereof Lorain and Alsatia which were in his Majesties possession together with the three forenamed Bishopricks of Metz Toul and Verdun made up the greatest part it had been a matter of no great difficulty for the Cardinal to have possess'd himself of this Estate by any title he would have desir'd of the King So that if he ever had this thought it is not to be wondred at if he was sensibly offended that the Duke refus'd to treat and to comply with him in a thing he had set his heart upon for the establishment of his Fortune However it was it is concluded by all that this Affair made the Cardinal take up a resolution absolutely to break with the Duke of Espernon whom he saw to be too stiff to stoop to his Authority and look'd upon as the only person of the Kingdom who had either the power or the spirit to mate his greatness Wherein nevertheless though the Duke appear'd to be very averse yet did he not absolutely reject the Cardinal's proposal but conceiving he did not offer enough demanded moreover a Mareschal's Staff for the Duke de Candale his eldest Son This was a Dignity that could not indeed be deny'd to his merit though it had never been laid in the balance against the Government of Metz but if the Duke had a kindness for this Son the Cardinal had no less aversion who it was said having been wounded to the quick with some smart touches of the Duke de Candale's Wit as pleasant a one indeed as any of his time but withal as tart as pleasant he could by no means forget it but would rather choose to leave a thing of so great importance to the establishment of his Fortune imperfect than to be instrumental to the advancement of a person by whom he conceiv'd himself so highly offended Having therefore broke off with the Duke upon these terms it is to be presum'd he only for the future waited an occasion or at least a pretense wherewithal to colour his revenge Wherein though the Duke's haughty humour was likely enough to furnish him with as good as he could desire it appear'd nevertheless that fortune who will ever have a hand in all humane Affairs seconding the Cardinal's passion produc'd him one much sooner than he expected It was in truth at this time contrary to the Duke's intention who although he would not discover a weakness in condescending below his own Dignity had no desire notwithstanding to provoke the Cardinal's Almighty power by insisting upon any thing he might irreproachably do After that by the death of the Duke of Montmorency the King thought he had absolutely appeas'd the storm in Languedoc his Majesty thought of nothing more than by the nearest way and with a very slender train of returning back to Paris The Queen who was attended by the Council and all the Court two days after the King's departure began her Journey towards Bordeaux at greater conveniency to send away her equipage down the River Garonne where being arriv'd her Majesty was pleas'd to
this was not the last he start out of his Bed at the first noise of it to put himself again in the head of his Comrades which second agitation having put him into a continued Fever he dy'd a few days after The Duke having scour'd this great quarter of the City and forc'd above three thousand persons to lay down their Arms who had taken them up in this Commotion carrying off with him his dead and wounded return'd back to the Hostel de Ville to give his men a little breath who were almost tired out and spent with the heat and continuation of the Fight But it was only to take a very short repose for he was scarce alighted from his Horse when he was advertis'd that near to the Port de Saint Iulien which is one of the principal Gates of the City eight or nine hundred men were intrench'd within five great Barricades that shut up all the Avenues by which there was any way to come to them These Mutineers had a design to make themselves Masters of this Gate which had been no hard matter for them to do by that means to have let in the Country people thereabouts to their assistance which they from without the Walls mainly cry'd out for that they might share in the Plunder of the City which they had already swallow'd in their imagination and look'd upon it as a certain and infallible Prey The Duke was a little surpriz'd to find he was to enter into new engagements before he was well clear of the former he knew very well that the small number of men he had left would be too few to undertake this second Enterprize yet would he not leave an action imperfect which unless it was carried on to an absolute and total Victory he must of necessity lose the fruits of what he had already perform'd with so much Bravery and success He resolv'd therefore to draw fifty men out of the Garrison of Chasteau-Trompette all that could possibly be spar'd from thence and some small Field-pieces to force those Entrenchments with less danger than he had done the other Barricado's before He had no sooner made his preparation and was ready to go against these people when either a pannick terror or the consideration of their Duty or the Respect to their Governours person whom they saw so freely to expose himself for the publick Safety touch'd the hearts of some honest Burgers of that part of the City who had it should seem so much credit with the Seditious as to make them capable of Reason and sensible of their Duty so far as to prevail with them without staying to be compell'd unto it to send the Duke a Protestation that they would return to their Obedience which they accordingly did at the same time falling to work to open their Barricado's So that the Duke presently advancing to see what condition they were in caus'd them to be totally beaten down in his own presence Whilst on this side of the Town the Duke went on at this prosperous rate there was new work cutting out for him in the other part of the City had he been less successful here For although that Quarter call'd du Chapeau Rouge was inhabited with a great many persons of very good quality who were heartily concern'd at these disorders there were also very many who had been so prepossess'd with false opinions that they were much more enclin'd to joyn with the Seditious than any ways to help to suppress them These were doubtless the greater party and these had been put into Arms under the Captains of the City if occasion had been to have gone to the Duke's succour but by good fortune he stood in no need of so dangerous a Relief it being almost certain that they would have turn'd to the other side and had never so little misfortune befall'n him their Captains would have had very much ado to have with-held them but his success prevented their evil purpose So that seeing him return Victorious with so few Forces their Fury was turn'd into admiration and they for that time satisfied themselves with muttering some discontent at their Companions defeat without farther manifesting their malevolent designs by any considerable effects Though this Action that had had so violent a beginning and so miraculous a conclusion had made the Duke's generosity and good conduct admir'd by all it had nevertheless withal made the people sensible of his weakness by the few that came into his defence in a time of so great and manifest danger The Seditious therefore taking from thence a â—â—uer measure of their own Forces and comparing their numbers with his doubted not should they come to a second Tryal to do their work with greater facility So that prepossess'd with the hope of their cursed advantages they highly and publickly threatned what they would do and doubtless had not the sole respect to the Duke's person with-held them they had again betaken themselves to Arms and he would have been in very great danger to have perish'd by the hands of the people and to have suffer'd the most unfortunate death could possibly have arriv'd to any person of his condition Press'd therefore by the hourly intelligence he receiv'd of the evil disposition that still continued in the minds of the people he resolv'd to dispatch away Magnas in all speed to Court to let the King understand the estate of the City and Province and to beseech his Majesty to provide for the present â—vils and against those that were reasonably to be fear'd for the time to come In this Dispatch he above all things was importunate that the Duke de la Valette his Son might be sent away to him that he might be assisted by a second self in occasions where the whole burthen of Affairs were to depend upon his Fidelity and care In the mean time he writ to some Gentlemen of the Country to come speedily in to him and moreover gave order for the raising some Forces in such of his own Territories as lay nearest to the City He had from thence often drawn out to the number of above two thousand good men by which he had been exceedingly well serv'd upon several important occasions but at this time which will appear very strange and at which I observ'd him to be more aftonish'd than at any thing that had hapned during the whole disorder he could not get so much as one man so great was either their terror or their correspondence with the Mutineers There came in indeed some Gentlemen but with much ado and with very great danger occasion'd by the new disorder which we shall now see for Magnas was no sooner departed from him but that most of the most considerable Cities of the Province by the example of their Metropolis revolted insomuch that there was scarce any save Montauban only that contain'd it self within the limits of its Duty the rest breaking out into open Arms
noise a thing of little or no moment and that notwithstanding had like to have turn'd very much to his own prejudice After therefore the Duke had rejected the proposal of one of his own Souldiers who offer'd to stab Briet and to do it after such a manner that he could never be suspected for the Murther he commanded four of his Footâ— men to kill his Coach-Horses in the open Street This Command was executed one day that Briet was returning out of the City to his own House when his Coach-man being assaulted by these four Foot-men they first pull'd him out of his Coach-box and afterwards thrust their Swords into the Flancks of the Horses whereupon the poor Beasts enrag'd with the smart of their Wounds ran away full speed hurrying the Coach and their Master in it three or four hundred paces along the Streets till at last at one and the same instant upon the pavement they fell down and dy'd Briet who had at first been terribly frighted with the sight of the Swords was not much less afraid of his Horses precipitous Career which was also all the harm he receiv'd the Coach stop'd and overturn'd at the death of the Horses giving him time to come out half dead with Fear and to retire to his own House The Relation of this business was immediately carried to the Duke which shadow of Revenge was to him matter of entertainment and laughter for an hour after But the Parliament took it after a quite contrary manner who offended to the height at the Injury done to one of their Robe the next day assembled their several Chambers to enquire into the Fact There was none of them who were not very well satisfied with the Justice of the Duke's resentment and who would not have approv'd of his Revenge had it proceeded a great deal further but there was also hardly any one of them who did not interest himself in the offence offer'd after so publick a manner to the Dignity and Honour of the Assembly Without doubt the business would have gone very ill with the Duke had matters continued upon these terms and those of the Parliament after having declar'd themselves Parties remaining still Judges would neither have spar'd the Duke's Footmen nor any other could have been prov'd concern'd in the Action they had already prepossess'd the Cardinal by representing to him that neither the King's Autâ—ority nor that of his Eminency had been sufficient to protect an Officer in the Execution of his Duty in the most honourable Body of the Province but besides that the Cardinal ever very ill satisfied with the Duke who on his part also did not much study to please him was of himself sufficiently dispos'd to do him a mischief had not the occurrences of the time involv'd the Court in the greatest disorder wherein perhaps it had ever been The Enemy after having long threatned the Kingdom was in the end with a powerful Army entred into Picardy and at their first coming had carried la Capelle and le Catelet assaulted Corbie which they also took and alarm'd Paris it self to such a degree as is sufficiently known to all They were likewise enter'd into Burgundy and were preparing for the like attempt upon Languedoc and Guienne was not to be spar'd neither was it a little while after So that the great Minister wholly taken up with concerns of so high importance had no leisure to look after the Duke's Affairs neither did he think it convenient to nettle him in a time when his services were so necessary to the Kingdom and the Chancellor who still retain'd his old affection to the Duke's Interests seeing himself absolute Master of this business concealing it from the Parliaments knowledge referr'd it to the ordinary Justice where being animated with very little passion it soon fell of it self At this time of all others the Greatness of the Duke of Espernon seems especially to appear by the important Employments and Commands wherewith his whole Family were invested The Duke de Candale his eldest Son was Generalissimo to the Armies of the Republick of Venice an Ally to this Crown The Duke de la Valette his second Son was in the Army of Picardy wherein though he had not in truth the Principal Command the Count de Soissons being General there yet had he the honour to be chosen out by the King to infuse life and vigour into that Army the Souldiers whereof by some ill successes had befall'n them being exceedingly dejected which were the express terms wherewith his Majesty allur'd him to that Service The Cardinal de la Valette was also employ'd against Galas in Burgundy into which Province the Enemy being entred with a formidable Army had already made some Conquests before his arrival there Mirebeau had been taken Saint Iean de Laonne was besieg'd and the best Cities of the Country were highly threatned the fear there was exceeding great and the danger had been no less if the Cardinal de la Valette by opposing himself to their designs had not stop'd the progress of their Arms. He fought them with advantage in five or six several Engagements and without ever being able to tempt them to a Battel with all the provocation he could use forc'd them in the end to retire with the ruine and dissolution of their whole Army that unprofitably mouldred away to nothing As for the Father his business lay in Guienne a Province that as it made up a principal part of the Kingdom of how great utility must the Service necessarily be that preserv'd it from disorder in so critical a time A thing nevertheless fortunately effected by his Wisdom so moderating the discontents of the people as to keep them in so dangerous a Juncture of Affairs from lashing into those extremes whereinto by their former behaviour it might reasonably be apprehended should they find an opportunity of this nature they would precipitously run This was indeed one of the most important but not the only Service he did the King upon this occasion The Spanish Council having as has been said determin'd to invade the Kingdom in several places at once principally hasted to enter into Guienne to come to which Province they were to pass through the Country of Labourt which is that of Biscaye and by the way highly threatned the City of Bayonne They knew very well the Duke of Espernon had no Forces to send into that Country neither had he had them durst he indeed have done it without the consent of the Inhabitants lest being a cholerick and impatient people as they naturally are any thing he should do of that kind out of care to preserve them should put them upon desperate resolutions and make them wilfully lose themselves They had before they came so despis'd the Enemies Forces that they would not endure any one should think of contributing to their preservation a security that did nor a little afflict the Duke who had been of old
himself to his House Plassac of which Request though the pretence was to enter into a course of Physick for the recovery of his Health yet the true reason was that he might be out of the way of having any Disputes with the Prince about the Affairs of his Government which he could not without great grief have seen afflicted with those miseries wherewith it was threatned nor perhaps without expressing such a dislike of that harsh way of proceeding as might have given him Offence A thing which all the Friends and Servants he had at Court having foreseen they had advis'd him to this course his Sons who were best acquainted with his tickle and impatient humour were of this advice but there is great apparence that the first thoughts of retiring were inspir'd by the Prince himself who having in other Employments where the Duke and he had serv'd together had tryal enough of his difficult humour would no more be subject to those contrarieties he had formerly endur'd and had therefore doubtless prompted him with that resolution The Duke's Request therefore being so conformable to the Princes desires and to the sence of the Court it was no hard matter for him to obtain that in the quality of a favour which had doubtless been enjoyn'd him as a punishment had he not by speaking first prevented a Command from the King to the same effect for it had been from that time forward as it has been evident since been resolv'd upon to withdraw him from his Government and to suspend him from all the Functions of his Command Nevertheless having lighted so pat upon the humour of the great Ministers by the advice of his Friends he was very civilly treated in his Majesties Answer which was couch'd in these terms Cousin Having found by your Letter of the eigteenth instant and moreover understood by the mouth of the Sieur de Lavrilliere the Secretary of my Dispatches that in order to your Health by the change of Air and the use of some Remedies have been prescrib'd you by your Physicians you desire for some time to retire your self to your House of Plassac I send you this to let you know that any thing which may either concern your health or satisfaction being very pleasing to me I do willingly grant you the liberty you desire to go to your said House assuring my self that even from thence you will have a vigilant eye to whatsoever may concern the good of my Service within the precincts of your Government In the mean time I shall pray to God Cousin to have you in his Holy Protection From St. Germains en Laye the 28 th day of March 1638. The Duke very well satisfied with this answer began to make himself ready to begin his Journey so soon as the Prince should be arriv'd in Guienne where whilst he waited in expectation of his coming he pass'd away the time with the Duke de Candalé his eldest Son entertaining him with greater familiarity and freedom than till that time he had ever done whose complacency and fine Behaviour made at this time so great an impression upon the Duke his Father that certainly this Son had never been so dear to him as when he was upon the point to lose him in somuch that his present joy was no little disposition to augment the approaching grief soon after occasion'd by his unexpected Death The Duke de la Valette had in the interim of these Dispatches from the King and the Prince of Condé been oblig'd to make a Journey to Court to which he had been engag'd contrary both to his Majesties express Order and also his own resolution He knew very well the ill Offices had been done him to the Cardinal since the business of Corbie glanc'd at in the preceding Discourse he was moreover very well acquainted with the implacable nature of the person who conceiv'd himself so highly offended by him to which his power was no less known to him than his malice considerations that altogether had made him positively determine not to put himself into his hands that he might not add to the number of those who had already tasted the utmost effects of his Indignation choosing rather to live in his Government in safety though in disgrace than to expose himself to the almost inevitable dangers he was to wade through to a faint and dissembled Reconciliation But how determinate soever he had been in that resolution it was impossible for him to keep it for those who had imprudently engag'd his Majesty in a War with Spain as maliciously made the Cardinal some overtures of Accommodation as a thing solicited by the Duke de la Valette himself who desir'd nothing less exposing him by that means to the greatest hazard he perhaps ever ran in the whole time of his Life The Treaty however being thus set on Foot the Duke seeing himself reduc'd to a necessity either of breaking openly with the Cardinal or of going immediately to him chose in truth the most dangerous course but withal that by which he could at that time alone secure the Fortune of his Family and the repose of the Duke his Father which he ever preferr'd before his own particular safety This last consideration therefore prevail'd with him to undertake this Journey so that he went to Court and had some Conference with the Cardinal who because he would make all the use of him he could before he would destroy him thinking fit to spare him at that time with a dissimulation peculiar to himself receiv'd him at the greatest rate of kindness and feeedom could possibly be put on protesting an absolute Oblivion of all former discontents and making the King to give him the same assurance which being done he dismiss'd him much more satisfied that he had escap'd the present danger than any ways secure of his good intention for the time to come At his return from this Voyage he found the Prince of Condé already arriv'd in Guienne The Duke his Father had receiv'd him at Bordeaux with all imaginable Honours wherein though doubtless there was a great deal due to his Quality as being a Prince of the Blood yet it is most certain that in this unusual complacency the Duke had an equal regard to his Person His respect proceeded so far that not content to pay him all the deference and submission he was capable of in his own person he would moreover extend his civility further by employing his Authority and interest with the Parliament of that City for his full satisfaction The Prince would that at their coming to visit him they should Complement him by the title of Monseigneur and the Company insisted upon the contrary as a term at that time not in use but the Duke interposing thereupon the Interest he had in the Deputies of that Assembly prevail'd with them so far that the Ceremony pass'd in the end according to the Princes desire All these Civilities paid by way
him to relapse into his former disposition from which also he was yet but upon the mending hand At last his Servants apprehending it might by some or other be indiscreetly and unseasonably blurted out they conceiv'd it better with some preparatory arguments to sweeten the bitterness of his loss to make him acquainted with it than to detain him still in ignorance of a thing which could not always nor very long be conceal'd from him The Duke had kept about him during all the time of his last Sickness a Father Capuchin in whom he repos'd a singular Confidence This good Father therefore as he was one day talking with him having fall'n into a Discourse of the inconstancy of Humane Life and the necessity of dying and therein slip'd in some mention of the Duke de Candale's Sickness the Duke presently understood the rest and thereupon spar'd the good man the pains of any further preparation When his countenance wherein before this part of their Discourse something of chearfulness had appear'd suddenly changing into a more severe Gravity though only so as to compose it to his constancy he said Father I have ever been dispos'd to submit my self and all my concerns to the good pleasure of God and I beseech him of his goodness to give me Fortitude enough to conform my self also to it upon this occasion My Son is dead I am certain of it and if he died in the fear of God he is happier than we at least out of the reach of those persecutions Fortune is preparing for us who are left behind After which they presented him the Letters that contain'd the Relation of his Death by which the Duke being satisfied it had been very constant and Christian he said again That he praised God from the bottom of his heart that in depriving him of one of his chiefest comforts he had yet left him the hope in a short time to see his â—on in a better Life He afterwards entertain'd himself some time in pious Discourse with that Holy Man after which being again laid in bed that he yet quitted not but by intervals he was heard in that privacy a great while to weep those tears and vent those sighs which with extraordinary violence upon himself he had suppress'd whilst there was any witness by But after having paid what was due to the impulse of Nature he summon'd his wonted constancy to encounter this Accident the bitterness whereof though he could by no art banish from his remembrance yet did he ever keep himself upright from manifesting his sorrow with the least weakness There were very few persons of condition in the Kingdom who did not signifie to him by very civil Messages and kind Letters the part they shar'd with him in his grief upon this occasion amongst whom Cardinal Richelieu himself was one who made shift to find out some consolatory Complements for a man he at the same instant persecuted with the most bloody effects he could possibly inflict upon him he at the same time prosecuting the Duke de la Valette to the last extreme For the information that had been drawn up against him having been laid open in the presence of his Majesty the 25 th day of May the greater part of the Judges had concluded him worthy of Death the forfeiture of his Offices and the confiscation of his Estate yet were they not all of that opinion President Believre amongst the rest taking upon him the honest boldness to defend the innocence of the accus'd and by an Oration no less Judicious and Eloquent than hardy and equitable acquitting his own Conscience and confirming himself in the high esteem already conceiv'd of the great Worth and Integrity which for so many happy years have been eminent in his Name and Race It would not become me in this place to inlarge my self upon the words of this Sentence it having been pronounc'd by persons to whom too great a respect is due for any one to dare to complain neither in truth is it to them that the severity of it ought to be imputed for in criminal matters the Evidence are the chief Judges and consequently they at whose doors all that was extraordinary or severe in his proceeding ought of right to be laid It has since appear'd by the high and publick justification of the party accus'd and that in the face of the most August Tribunal of Justice in all Europe what has been thought of the Depositions that were preferr'd against him the Parliament of Paris having restor'd him to his Honour Life Offices and Estate which had been all taken from him by the Arrest of the Council And he has this Obligation to his Enemies not only by their means to have had an occasion wherein to vindicate his Innocency and Honour but moreover to have receiv'd the Eulogies for his brave Services which his modesty would not have permitted him to have endur'd had his Vertue never been disputed But this last good not arriving in time to serve for any consolation to the Duke of Espernon and that all his misfortunes succeeded in the neck of one another without any the least shadow of Prosperity intervening to sweeten his Affliction is not the stability of his mind and the constancy of his Courage highly to be commended and admir'd that could continue so firm in all the shocks of Fortune A Fortitude that will discover it self much better to our observation if we separately consider the various occasions he had at this time wherein to exercise that Heroick Vertue Disgrace knock'd at his Door from the first arrival of the Prince in Guienne as you may have already observ'd and his Afflictions began to unveil themselves in the ill usage he at that time receiv'd by Order from the Court very much contrary to what he had all the reason in the world to hope for and expect they were continued to him by the Command he receiv'd to withdraw himself out of his Government which seem'd to blast him with some kind of Ignominy and reproach But what an overplus of vexation must it needs be when by the ill success of Fontarabie he saw all the miscarriage of that Expedition cast upon his Son what a grief to see him prosecuted for a Criminal and himself at the same time look'd upon as a guilty man They were both of them divested of their Offices and Commands and those transferr'd into the hands of their mortal and most implacable Enemies So that the Duke de la Valette was constrain'd to give way to their Power and through infinite dangers to fly for Sanctuary into England a Kingdom at that time agitated with Mutinous Factions and Civil Discords of their own whilst the Father in a Country House expos'd to their discretion saw himself strip'd of all his Employments and his venerable old Age so highly reverenc'd and esteem'd throughout the whole Kingdom become an Object of Scorn to such as a few days before had truckled
under his Authority and trembled at his Name If he was touch'd to the quick by these Afflictions he was no less sensible of the privation of all his Priviledges Appointments Pensions and other Emoluments that were the lawful Perquisits of his several Offices and Commands whereby they cut him off at one blow above fifty thousand Crowns of yearly Revenne and by which means he found himself reduc'd to the bare Revenue of his own Estate wherein he also suffer'd a very considerable diminution These Affronts and injuries were succeeded by long and painful Diseases and those by the death of his eldest Son together with the Condemnation of the second by which Sentence he also was dead in Law Yet was not this all and Almighty God who upon so great and illustrious a Subject would please to manifâ—st the strength of his Arm left him nothing entire upon which He did not evidently make it appear There remain'd to him in all these mishaps one refuge that might still afford some stay and support to his Affairs and cherish him with some hope one day to restore them to their primitive condition The Cardinal de la Valette his Son was in a great Employment he had formerly oblig'd Cardinal Richelieu to the highest degree he was believ'd to be in great favour and consideration with him he had at least obtain'd a promise from him that the old Age of the Duke his Father should not be molested this Son was also ravish'd from him with the rest and nothing left him to which he could in his greatest extremities have any visible recourse We have often heard mention of the several afflictions and chastisements wherewith Almighty God hath sometimes been pleas'd to visit sinful men but let us consider whether amongst all the examples of his Justice there be many more eminent than these in the case of the duke of Espernon It had now been threescore and two years since the Duke first tasted the sweets of Favour from which time Fortune together with his own Vertue had rais'd him to all the degrees of Greatness that render men considerable upon earth There had scarce a year pass'd over his head which had not added something to his Prosperity he had acquir'd as great Riches as many Offices and Titles as much Respect Reputation and Authority as any other whoever of his time but above all his Greatness seem'd to be establish'd and secure in the support of his three Sons any of which by his merit was sufficient alone to sustain the Burthen who all three in less than six months space were ravish'd from him and himself reduc'd to the most deplorable soliâ—ude was possibly to be seen or conceiv'd He acknowledg'd the Finger of God to be in all this he submitted to his Justice and was never observ'd more to reverence his unresisted Power than when his hand lay most heavy upon him But would it not be too light a preterition to pass over the Death of the Cardinal de la Valette with so little Ceremony and to take no further notice of it than by what has been already said Yes doubtless and it was of too great importance to the interests of the Duke his Father to be slipt over with so slight a mention I shall therefore tell you that this Cardinal after the Death of the Duke de Candale his Brother had alone sustain'd the King's declining Affairs in Italy and with a very inconsiderably Army had at once withstood the power of our Enemies and the infidelity of our Allies but in the end either worn out with the continual toil of so many Affairs or wounded with the ill usage he saw his Family daily receive he fell into a Melancholy that put him at last into a desperate Disease The beginning of this Distemper was as light as it had been in that of the Duke de Candale and the issue of it as fatal At the first news the Duke of Espernon receiv'd of his indisposition though he had an account withal that it was without any symptome of danger he could not nevertheless forbear crying out aloud to those who were about him That his Son was a dead man A saying which though at first spoke in passion only in a few days turn'd into a Prophesie the intelligence that came in from time to time of his condition still signified an encrease of his Diâ—temper till after having seventeen days strugled with a Disease that at the fifth had been concluded mortal he ended a glorious Life by a very constant and Christian Death The Prince of Ioinville eldest Son to the Duke of Guise exercis'd at that time his first Arms under the Discipline of so dear and so generous a Kinsman the Mareschal de Turenne had also an Employment of Maresâ—hal de Camp in his Army both which writ the Duke of Espernon the sad news of his Death But de Thou who never parted almost from his Bed-side in all the time of his Sickness and who had his entire Confidence in all things writ a long Relation of it to be presented to the Duke so soon as he should be in a condition to endure the reading Here it was that his Servants were in the greatest strait they doubted not but that this loss which apparently gave the last blow to all his hopes would afflict him to the last degree and although Nature and the Vertues of this Son should have taken a less impression upon him than all the world knew they had done they yet fear'd his Constancy being exhausted by preceding misfortunes he had not a sufficient stock left wherewithal to sustain the assault of this new affliction In this perplexity they had recourse to d' Espruets Bishop of Saint Papoul a Prelate whom the Duke as well for his profound Learning as his exemplary Piety and Goodness had in great Reverence and particular Esteem The Bishop at the first word very readily put himself into his Coach and in all diligence came to Plassac where presenting himself before the Duke after he had some time entertain'd him with indifferent things falling at last into discourse of his Sons Sickness he told him that all his Friends and Servants were in great suspence at some uncertain rumours that were spread abroad in the Country At that word the Duke was no more in doubt but that he was dead yet would he not upon the instant extract the utmost truth of his unfortunate loss but changing his Discourse entertain'd the Bishop with Affairs of another nature till they were both call'd to Dinner as they soon after were It may easily be judg'd what a Dinner this was for the Duke who could feed on nothing save his own sad Imaginations his restlessness all the while he sate at meat sufficiently maniâ—esting the anguish of his Soul he notwithstanding contain'd himself in this violent agitation of mind and continued at Table so long as was necessary to satisfie what was due to Decency and Respect without suffering
all his resentments and mistrusts and arming himself with a generous resolution determin'd in the end to do what must either speedily be done or he must inevitably lose himself for ever But forasmuch as he discover'd some little beam of hope in the Count de Soisson's undertaking whose party was tacitly favour'd by all the Male-contents and with greater reason by him than all the rest he observ'd such an Order in his departure from Plassac and throughout the whole progress of his Journey as on the one side to avoid the imputation of Disobedience should the Count's Affairs meet with any ill success and on the other to be in a condition suddenly to return into his Government to favour his Cause should there be the least apparence as there was a great deal that this Prince could receive any advantage by his joyning with him The better then to fit all things for his propos'd design he was near a month in preparing his Equipage the most necessary things must by all means be bought at places a great way off though they might have been had much nearer at hand and when all things were got ready he was advis'd to feign some incommodities in his Health as the remains of his late Sickness an advice he for a few days put in practice though in the end he must of necessity set out and it was the 12 th day of Iuly He had been sometime in suspence whether he should take the Dutchess de la Valette and her little Children along with him this Journey or no he could not in the great apprehensions had been infus'd into him of the loss of his own Liberty consent that persons so dear unto him should bear a part in so great a Disgrace who as they were in other things the greatest Consolation he had so were they in this none of the least causes of his Affliction but their Piety soon cut off all deliberation and they carried that by the violence of their importunity which they could not otherwise obtain of so good a Father and were at last admitted to the Voyage During these delays in the Duke 's slender Preparation the Count de Soissons and the Duke de Boüillon had made so mighty ones wherewith to oppose the Power of the King that they were apparently the stronger Party and in a condition to bring over the Victory to their own side The Armies of the one and the other party were so near and both so animated against one another that it was hardly possible they should avoid coming immediately to Blows every one in his wishes favour'd the Count's Designs and all the people the Cities and generally all France open'd their Arms to receive him neither was the Duke of Espernon ignorant of these good dispositions towards him with whom he went along in his Heart and Judgment so that hoping much on the one side and fearing something nevertheless on the other he began his Journey From Plassac his first days Journey was to Pons a League and a half only distant from his own House which although a very little one and that he perform'd it in his Litter he nothwithstanding went to Bed presently after his arrival and all the next day rested there The day following he went to Cognac to visit the Count de Ionzac in which little Town which had formerly been a member of his Government of Angoumois he found a great number of Gentlemen and Ladies of very good Quality whom the compassion of his finister Fortune had assembled there to pay him their last Visit as they believ'd and as indeed it prov'd to be He could not upon this occasion so govern his own humour as to be perswaded to feign himself indispos'd that being a part he could only play when there was none by to see him but in the great world his Prudence could never obtain so great an Authority over his haughty Spirit but that he must ever make a shew of more Health and vigour than he really had A thing his Servants were very much afflicted at as very much out of season some of which having represented to him the example of the Duke of Rhetz who a long time preserv'd his Life and kept his Offices by having with great art and industry given hopes that the latter would soon become vacant by the loss of the other he despis'd that sort of Prudence telling them that the malignity of old Age would soon enough and to his great grief render him altogether useless without that he needed to antedate that unhappy time by artifice and dissimulation That which I conceive made him so resolute to despise all Counsels that carried with them any similitude of fear was the frequent intelligence he receiv'd from a very good hand of the good posture the Count's Affairs were in full of which good news he departed from Cognac to go to Neuvy a House belonging to the Baron of Auton his Nephew where he intended to counterfeit the sick man till he should have certain intelligence of the success of the Count's Arms but he had no time to make a long dissimulation of it for two days after his arrival at this place the Countess de Brienne passing that way to go into Angoumois came to give him a Visit and brought him the first news of the winning of the Battel of Sedan but withal of the Count 's unhappy Death The truth of this disaster soon cur'd the Duke of his pretended Indisposition he very well knew that the loss of this Prince did not only take away the fruits of his Victory but would moreover infallibly transfer it to the contrary side And then it was that he saw how much he stood oblig'd to his own Wisdom and how great an error he had run into had he yielded more to the tenderness of his Friends than to his own maâ—urer Counsels for had this news found him yet at Plassac with what probable excuses could he have palliaâ—ed the Intelligence he was believ'd to maintain with the Count or what more specious pretence could his Enemies have desir'd to have added to the ill usage they had so long made him undergo Even his own delays and some too free expressions had escap'd from him in the almost certain expectation he had been possess'd withal of a hopeful issue did not a little afflict him wherefore the better to conceal all that had pass'd he immediately resolv'd upon sending away a Gentleman to Court with a Letter antedated some few days before to the end it might not be imagin'd he had writ since the Death of the Count which Letter contain'd these words SIR I send this Gentleman to acquaint your Majesty with the Obedience I have paid to the command you was pleas'd to send me to go to Loches 't is now six days since I set out to begin this Journey which I should also Sir have done much sooner would my health have permitted or could I with less trouble
his Disease he dy'd environ'd by three of his Children several Divines and all his Domestick Servants the last whereof having with unparallel'd Care and Diligence attended him all the time of his Sickness continued still the same Services and Respect till they brought him to his Grave He was entred into the fourscore and eighth year of his Age by which long series of time he had had the advantage of seeing himself the most Ancient Duke and Peer of France the most Ancient Officer of the Crown the most Ancient General of an Army the most Ancient Governour of a Province the most Ancient Knight of the Order the most Ancient Counsellor of State and the Oldest Man of Condition almost of his Time The End of the Twelfth and Last Book of the Life of the Duke of Espernon FINIS Some Books Printed for Henry Brome at the Gun at the West End of St. Pauls Mr. Simpson's Division Viol in three Parts in Folio His Compendium of Musick in five Parts Octavo Bishop Saundersons Five Cases of Conscience Octavo Sir Kenelme Digby's Receipts in Physick and Chyrurgery Also his Cabinet opened for making Metheglin Sydar Cherry-Wine with Directions for Cookery Preserving Conserving and Candying Octavo The Complete Body of the Art Military both for Horse and Foot with the Art of Gunnery By Richard Elton L. C. and Thomas Rudd Chief Engineer to King Charles the First Folio Scarronnides or Virgil Travestié a Mock Poem Octavo Mr. A. Bromes Poems and Songs Octavo Dr. Browns Vulgar Errors and Urne Burial Quarto The Dukes Extraction * D' Avila * Mr. De Thoâ— D' Aâ—bignâ— Remarkable exploits of Iohn de la Valette the Dâ—â—e's Father Anno 157â— The first Exploit of Iean Louis called Caumont Anno 1573. Anno 1574. Caumonts first Jâ—urney to Court Anno 1575. 1576. The memoires of Queen Mar. Aubigné Caumont withdraws himself from the King of Navarre Câ—umont's second journey to Court and the beginning of his Favour Anno 1577. The King 's first Bounty to Caumont Caumont follows the Duke of Alenson in the War He goes to the Siege of Brouage His return from the Siege of Brouage to Court Anno 1578. Anno 1579. Caumont's Embassy to Savoy St. Luc's disgrace Anno 1580. Auâ—igâ—é Aubigné Câ—umont's high Favoâ—r Anno 1581. A proposition of Marriage for the Duke of Espernon The journal of Henry the third Anno 1582. The two Favourites made Dukes and Peers of 〈◊〉 Anno 1583. The state of Affairs at Court and the Kings condâ—ct The Duke advances his own Relations Anno 1584. The first commotion of the League Anno 1585. The King sends the Duke of Espernon to treat with the King of Navarre D' Aâ—â—igné The League makes the Duke of Espâ—rnon's Voyage a Pretense to stir up the people The Duke of Guise attempts to win the Duke of Espernon to his side by giving him his Daughter The second pretense of the League The Office of Colonel General of France erected The Duke of Guise's complaints The League takes up Arms. The description of the City of Metz and iâ—s importance * 〈…〉 Sheriff The Progress of the League The Rupture betwixt the Duke of Espernon and Villeroy The Duke of Guise approaches with his Army near Paris The Queen Mother sent to Treat of a Peace The Treaty concluded at Nemours The War begun by the King against the Hugonots Chambres Mi-parties were Courts of Justice establish'd in divers Cities of France in favour of the Hugonots of which Religâ—on the one half were and the other half Catholicks The Duke of Espernon sent with an Army into Provence Anno 1586. New discontents betwâ—xt the Duke Mounsieur de Villâ—râ—y The entry of the Reiters into France and the Kings prudent conduct in this War * Arrierebans which upon examination I find to be in effect the same thing with our Train-bands Mâ—smoires de la Ligue Anno 1587. The Marriage betwixt the Duke of Espernon and Marguerite de Foix and de Candalle Aâ—â—igné Thoâ— Bemâ—â— The Dâ—ke's Estate at hâ—s Marriâ—ge The Reiters enter into France The Duke Beats up a Qâ—arter of the German Horse De 〈◊〉 de Liguâ— The Reiters come to Composition and retire The loss of the Battel of Coutras The Duke of Espernon gratified with all the Offices vacant by the Death of the Duke of Ioyeuse As also those of Bellegarde kill'd at that Battel Des Memoires de la Ligue Mounsieur de la Valette Defâ—â—â—â— part of the Foreâ—gn Army De â—hou * The same who in D' Avila is called Alphonso Corso Anno 1588. D' Avila A Conspiracy of the sixteen upon the Kings Person Du journal de Henry III. * D' Avila says but seven De Sâ—rres says eight The Barricades The King retires to Chartres The Duke of Espernon's arrival at Chartrâ—s Contradictions amongst the Historians about the Duke's Reception at Court The League Print a Manifest against the Duke of Espernon and his Brother The Duke resolves to give way to the time and to retire Several opinions upon the Dukes retirement The Dâ—ke reâ—â—â—â— into his Governments The Dâ—ke of Guise comes to Court * De Guez was Balâ—â—c's Father The Duke publishes an Answer to the Manifest of the League The Duke arrives at Angouâ—esme The King commands the Inhaâ—itants of the City not to receive the Duke But too late Anno 1558. The Conspiracy of Aâ—goulesâ—â—e against the Duke of Espernon * In whâ—ch Lâ—bel the Duke of Espernon was compared to Pierce Gaveston as Iâ—an de Serres reports * An Alâ—rm Bell which it is the custom in France to ring upon any Tâ—mult or Insurrection The end of the Action The King of Nâ—varre endeavours to draw the Duke over to his Party The Duke excuses himself The King of Navarre tries again to perswade the Duke but in vain The Affairs of the Court during the Duke's absence The Duke of Guise in suspense whether or no he should pursue his Designs The Duke of Guise confirm'd â—n his first resolutions The King resolves upon his death New Ministers chosen after the Duke of Guise's Death The Duke call'd back to Court Anno 1589. Some actions of the Duke during his retirement The Dâ—ke's Forces A generous act of the Duke D' Avilaâ— Mâ—â—â—sieur 〈◊〉 Thoâ— The Duke re-inforc'd by new Supplies The Command of the Rear-guard reserv'd for the Dâ—ke of Espernon The Duke's arrival at the Army and his favourable reception Mâ—unsiâ—â—â— de 〈◊〉 He enters into higher favour than ever The King 's generous Resolution The King marches from Tours to Paris The King of Navarre's first aversion for the Duke of Espernon Encrease at the Siege of Estampes The taking of Montâ—reaâ— faut-yonne The Surrender of Pontoise The Siege of Paris and the death of Henry the Third Several Propositions about the new King amongst the Chiefs of the Army The Lords Catholick send his Majesty their Resolution His Majesties Answer The major part of the Catholick Lords submit to the
the Duke of Monbazon â—eceiv'd the â—â—ab in the right sleeve of his Doâ—blet The Duke of Espernon's signal services to the State after the Death of the King What ways the Duke proceeded in to cause the Queen Mother to be declâ—r'd Regent * Oâ— Lord Mayor of Paris * Sheriffs * 〈…〉 The Duke goes to the Hostel de Ville The Duke goes to the Augustins where he advises the Parliament to declare the Qâ—een Regent The reasons that mov'd the Duke to press the Queen Mother should be declared Regent The return of the Count de Soissons to Court The Duke of Espernon's Authority re-establish'd in Metz. The Prince of Condé returns to Court where he appears displeas'd at the Duke of Espernon The state of Affairs at Court during the Queens Regency Anno 1611. The beginning of the Princes discontent Anno 1612. The favours the Duke receiv'd from the Queen upon the feuds betwixt him and tâ—e Princes The Education of the Dukes three Sons * Meaâ—â—ng that 〈◊〉 Coloneâ— The Marriage of the Count d◠〈◊〉 the Dukâ—â—eldest Son The Count de Candale's Voyage into the Levant The Mareschal d' Encre seeks the Duke of Espernon's Alliance and is rejected Anno 1613. A Challenge carried by Marsillac from Balagni to the Duke of Eguillon Anno 1614. New disorders in the Kingdom The Duke 〈…〉 Not followed to the great disadvantage of the Royal Affairs Anno 1615. The Commotion of the Princes to hinder the Marriage with Spain The Duâ—e of Espernon's Service upon this occasion The Duke of Espernon falls desperately sick Queen Anne of Austria arrives at Bordeaux The beginning of the Duke of Espernon's disgrace The Duâ—e in great danger The Duke of Espernon retires from Court The Prince of Condé confin'd The Mâ—reschal d' Encre takes arms against the Prince of Condé's Parâ—â—zâ—ns Anno 1616. Anno 1617. The Duke of Espernon's pretense for the taking of Arms. What advantage accru'd to the King by the Duke of Espernon's Enterprize upon Rochâ—le The Du makes a great Funeral for his Mother The death of the Mareschal d' Encre slain by a shot in the Lâ—uvrâ—â— The Duke of Espernon goes to Court Anno 1618. A Rupture betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Duke de Lâ—â—nes * Or Lord Keeper The King resolves to Arreâ—â— the Dâ—ke of Espernon The Dâ—ke of Espernon leaves the Court. The Duke takes his way towards Metz. The Treatyâ— for the Queen Mothers escape from Bloiâ— set on fooâ— at this time A pleasant Story * Selette that for which we have no word because no such thing it signifying a low stool on which Criminals in France are plac'd to be examin'd The Queen Mother attempts to recover her liberty The Qâ—een 〈◊〉 her 〈◊〉 to the Dâ—ke of 〈◊〉 A Character of Rucellay * Clerc de Id Chamâ—re a kind of Secretary The extraordinary precaution of the Duke de Luines to make himself sure of the Queen Mother fruitless Râ—cellary arrives at Sedan and treats with the Duke of Boüillon who refuses to engage in the business The Duke of Boüillon advises the Queen Mother to treat with the Duke of Espernon Rucellay sends Vincentio Ludâ—vici to the Duke of Espernâ—n The Duke of Espernon receives a Letter from the Queen Mother by Vincentio Ludâ—vici And hearkens to the Proposition Bâ—t without engaging himself at this time Rucellay takes himself the Treaty in hand Rucellay with much difficulty admitted into the Treaty Resolutions taken betwixt the Dâ—ke of Espernon and Rucellay Mony sent to Metz by the Queen The Duke resolves to go serve the Queen A second Letter from the Queen in the same style with the first Some difficulties arise about the execution of the design The Dâ—ke of Espernon's preparation and the policy he made use of to cover his design Anno 1619. The Archbishop of Tholouze afterwards Cardinal de la Valette departs from Metz before the Duke his 〈◊〉 The whole design in great danger to be ruin'd through the infidelity of one of Rucâ—llay's Servants The Dâ—ke's prudent conduct in the manner of his departure from Metz. Memoires de Monsieur de Rohan The Duke goes out of Metz. The news of the Duke of Espernon's motion carried to Court An Encounter by the way Another Encounter with the Duke of Guise miss'd bâ—t a few hoâ—rs The Duke and his party in a great confusion * Or Cuirassiers Le Plessis takes a journey to discover how Affairs stood An unexpected and important Encounter upon the way Lâ— Plessis câ—ming to Blois is secretly admitted into the Queens Chamber Preparation for the Qâ—eens escape The Duke of 〈◊〉 hears from the Queen The Queen prepares for her escape * Exempts des Gardes are old Souldiers of the Royal Guards who as a recompense for their long Services are priviledg'd and exempt from Duty Taxes and Imposts common to the rest of the people The Queen goes out of the window of her Cabâ—â—et The Queen Mother is receiv'd by the Duke of Espernon The Queen Mother arrives at Lâ—ches The Queen begins to fall to her business and in the first place endeavours to justifie her escape The Queen Mothers Letter to King The King's answer to the Queen Mother The Count de Bethune sent to the Queen to treâ—t with her The Qâ—een prepares for a War The whole burden whereof falls upon the Duke of â—spernon The Favourites powerfully arm themselves * A fire Engine cover'd with Leather like unto but much bigger than a The Duke of Mayenne enters with his Army into Angoumâ—is The Duke of Nevers with a great Army against the Mâ—rquis de la Valette at Metz. The Marquis de la Valette defends Metz And by that preserves the whole Party The Peace concluded The Qâ—een Mothers generous proceeding as also the Count de Bethune's A breach betwixt the Duke and Rucellay The Bishop of Lucon since Cardinal de Richelieâ— comes to Angâ—ulesme The reason of Rucellay's retiring from Aâ—goulesme Several â—â—orders in the Queen Mothers Court Richelieu slain by the Marquis de Themines The conditions of the Peace A conspiracy against the Queen Mother at Angoulesme discover'd * viz. The Wrack The Queen Mother complemenâ—ed from Court And the Duke of Espernon The Duke of Espernon's magnificence The Duke of Espernon sends a dispatch to the King by the Archbishop of Tholouze The Queen Mother departs from Angoulesme to go towards the King The Queens parting with the Duke her complements and Present The King and Queen Mother come to an enterview From whence she departs dissatisfied The Queen Mother dispos'd to a new War The Queen Mother reengages the Duke of Espernon in her quarrel Anno 1620. The Duke de Luinâ—s endeavours to gain him first by la Croix le Bleré And afterwards by Tâ—iras But in vain The Qâ—een Mothers second War The Qâ—eens affairs have ill succeâ—s The Qâ—een accepts a Peace without condiâ—ion The Duke of Espernon laâ—s down his Arms. And the Marquis de la Valette by the command of
Suze The Duke of 〈◊〉 takes Arms whilst the King is in Italy The Cardinal come to Montâ—ubâ—n The Dâ—ke gives the Cardinal a visâ—â— at Montauâ—an 〈◊〉 and is very well receiv'd by him The Duke of Espernon gives Cardinal Richelieu new cause of oftense Which is nevertheless dissembled by the Cardâ—nal The Duke acquaints the Prince of Condé with his resolution of going to Court * A Countrey in Languâ—dâ—â— The Duke of Espernon arrives at Court and is very well receiv'd Anno 1630. Extraordinary civilities of the Cardinal to the Duke of Espernon A smart râ—ply of the Duke of Espernon to the Cardinaâ— New stirs at Court occasion'd by the discontents of the Queen Mother and the Monsiâ—â—r The Queen Mother professes an open hatred to the Cardinal The War with Savâ—y The Monsiâ—ur discontented The Duke of Lorâ—in takes Arms The Cardinalâ— dexterity in compoâ—ing these Affairs The Cardinals expedition into Italy The King resolves upon a Voyage into Italy Upon the bruit that the Imperialists design'd an attempt upon Metz the Duke of Espernon puts himself inâ—o the place The Duke of Espernon comes to Metz. He visits the Marâ—schal de Marillac The Duke's orders for the defense of Meâ—z The Dâ—ke offers the King to raise an Army upon his own interest Which is accepted The Duke of Espernon returns to Paris The King falls sick at Lyons A sudden answer of the Duke of Espersion to a very nice qâ—est on A Famine in Gâ—ienne Cardinal Richâ—lieu in disgrace Cardinal Richeliâ—u restores himself with the King by the advice of the Cardinal de la Valette The two Cardinals go together to the King to Versaille where whilst the Queen Mother remains at Paris they overthrow all her designs An alteration in Affairs at Court All people address themseâ—ves to the Cardinal Except the Duke of Espernon Anno 1631. The Cardinal falls foul upon his enemies noâ— sparing the Monsieur nor the Queen Mother The Duke of Espernon retires into his Government of Guienne which he finds in a most deplorable condition The Duke goes into the higher Gascony The Duke of Espernon stops the progress of a new Rebellion by dismanteling several strong Cities of the Hugonot party The Inhabitants of Montauban behave themselves very well upon this occasion The Duke goes to the Baths of Banieres The Marquis de la Valette takes his Oath for Duke and Peer of France The Cardâ—nal de la Valâ—tte made Governour of Anjou The death of le Plessis Baussonniere the Duke's principal Servant Anno 1632. Troubles arise upon the retirement of the Queen Mother and the Monsieur The Emperour the King of Spain and the Duke of Lorain engage in their quarrel The Monsieur enters the Kingdom The Duke of Montmorâ—ncy declareâ— in favour of the Monsieur The Duke of Espernon aâ—vâ—nces towarâ—s Languedoc The Court in 〈◊〉 of the Dâ—â—e of Espâ—rnon's resolutions The King writes very graciously and the Cardinal very kindly to the Duke of Espernon in acknowledgment of his good Service The Engagement of Castelnaudary wherein the Caunt de Moret was slain and the Duke of Montmorency taken prisoner from which disaster the ruine of the Monsieur 's party ensues The Duke of Espernon sends a Complement to the Duke of Montmorency in Prison * Not otherwise to be rendred without spoiling the sense The Duke advances to Tholouze The Duke of Montmorency brought to Tholouze and his Tryal begun The Duke of Espernon intercedes for the Duke of Montmorency The Duke of Espernon not being able to prevail with the Kiâ—g in the behalf of he Duke of Mâ—ntmorency begs leave to retire and obtains it Cordinal Richeliâ—u's amoitioâ—s deâ—â—gns The Queen goes to Cadillâ—c The Cardinal comes to Cadillâ—â— where he takes new offense at the Duke of Espernon The Câ—rdinal's first complaint The Cardinal 's second complaint The Cardinal's animosity against the Duke of Espernon fomented by the Archbishop of Bordeaux The Cardinal arrives at Broüage Anno 1633. The disgrace of Chasteau-Neuf Garde des Sceaux President Seguier made Garde des Sceaux The difference betwixt the Dâ—ke of Espernon and the Archbishop of Bordeaux The Archbishop of Bordeaux sends to complement the Duke of Espernon * Siquis suadente Diabolo c. * The Prosnes are the Publilications of the Feasts and Fasts of the Church Banes of Mâ—trâ—mony Excommunications c. Thâ— Archbâ—shop pronounces a Sentence of Excommunâ—cation against the Lieutenâ—nt of the Dâ—ke of Espernon's Gâ—ard and tacâ—tly against the Dâ—ke himself Cardinal Richeliâ—u endeavourâ— an Accommodâ—t on betwixt them Bâ—t in vain The Sentence of Excommunication pronounced against the Dâ—ke of Espernon The Court 〈◊〉 with the Archbishop And the Parlâ—ament oâ— Bordeaux also who draw 〈◊〉 Inâ—ormaâ—â—â—n against him The Duke Signs his Answer wherein he gives a true Relation of â—he whole business The Dâ—ke receives a Command from the King to depart out of his Government The Duâ—e comes to Plassac where he observes his Excommunication And submits to the Church The Dâ—ke sends a Dâ—spatch to the King The Archbishop of Bordeaux goes to Paris Anno 1634. A Sentence against the Duke of Espernon The Duke sends a Dispatch to Rome to procure his Absolution The Duke's Affairs begin to discover a better face An Alliance with the 〈…〉 The Alliance concluded with the Duke de la Valette The Duke's Absolâ—tion resâ—lved upon The Absolution The Duke of Espernâ—â— returns into Guienne Anno 1635. The Seditions of Guienne their birth and progresâ—â— The Dâ—ke of 〈◊〉 falls 〈◊〉 An account of the Forces oâ— Guâ—enne The Excâ—se noon the Victuallers begets a Sedition in Bordeaux The first effects of the Popâ—lar 〈◊〉 * Prâ—vost de Hostel an Offiâ—er belonging to the King's Houshold that set rates upon Victuallerâ— the same I suppose with one of our Officers of the Green-cloth A Clerk of the Market The Progress of the Sedition The Parliament sends to the Duke to quicken his haste The Duke's presence appeases the tumult The people run into open Armâ— The Dâ—ke aâ—most alone goes out against them The Duke though stoutly opposed forces the first Bâ—rricade And breaks through with his Horse The Dâ—ke forces tâ—ree other 〈◊〉 wherein several of his men are slain and wounded The Duke goes into another quarter of the City which was also in mutiny and Barricado'd The Duke's danger The Duke's Clemency The Dâ—ke prepares to go to a new occasion which he effects without fighting The whole City upon the point to run into Sedition But are with-held by the Duke's success The Dâ—ke 〈◊〉 the Kâ—ng an Account of the latâ— Insurrection The whole Province of Guienne except Montauban break into Sedition * A Sovereâ—gn Court wherein all caâ—â—es that concern the Aidâ— or Taâ—les that is Tâ—xâ—s or 〈◊〉 are â—ear'd and determâ—n'd * Eleus Aâ—sessors or Collectorâ— of the Kings Sâ—bsidies President du Bernet opposes the Sedition of Agen. Aud Monsieur de Vertâ—mont that of Perigueux The Duke sends his Orders into all parts of the Province Which a little
flew from such an Engine This Cannoneer under the protection of some little Truce of which there happen many in such Sieges either for the carrying off their Dead or some other occasion had unknown crept into the Fort and had there diligently observ'd every part of the Duke's Quarter He had also discover'd that the Duke every afternoon us'd to play at Cards in the Parlour of his Tent and had observ'd so much as the place where his Chair was constantly set Having thus inform'd himself of all these circumstances he return'd to the City where after he had levell'd his two Guns to his own desire he was so confident of his skill as to offer odds that in one of two shots he was about to make he would either kill the Duke of Espernon or very much endanger his life when immediately giving fire he prov'd in part as good as his word the shot lighting directly into the place to which it had been by his eye before directed The Duke was at this time playing at Primero and set betwixt two Gentlemen one called le Poâ—y the others name I could not learn who were both of them beaten to pieces one over and the other under the Duke who by an incredible vigilancy of Fortune being at that instant bow'd down upon the Table to draw the money he had newly won upon a rest escap'd that fatal blow yet though he escap'd death it was not without two great wounds one by a piece of one of the poor Gentlemen's Bones that pierc'd deep into his Belly and the other by another piece of a Bone in his hip of both which he carried the marks along with him to his Grave Those of the Town who were soon aware of the lucky hit their Cannoneer had made believing the effect of it to be greater than indeed it was would not let slip an opportunity wherein they conceiv'd something might be executed to their own advantage wherefore they immediately sent out St. Romans one of their Mareschals de Camp with an hundred and fifty Light Horse at one Gate and Bezaudun with the like number at another to try if in the confusion they heard in the Fort something might not be attempted with success who had they found a fit advantage were to have been seconded by the entire Forces of the City but the Duke notwithstanding the pain of his Wounds omitting nothing of his usual care was no sooner taken up from the ground where the shoâ— had beaten him down than he commanded every one to stand to his Arms by which means the Enemy whose design it was to have come upon the Surprize seeing the Duke's Forces ready to receive them retir'd without fighting being soon undeceiv'd in their false hopes both of the Duke's death and of the Defeat of his Army The Duke's Wounds which every one at first judg'd to be mortal made his Chirurgeons resolve upon removing him out of the noise and tumult of the Fort into a Farm hard by a place which to them seem'd to be very secure from any practice of the Enemy But this opinion instead of giving him that quiet and repose they kindly intended had once more like to have cost him his life for the besieg'd who watch'd all opportunities of making continual attempts upon the Duke's person having observ'd that the place to which he was retir'd although covered by the Fort was nevertheless at a good distance from his Camp and only guarded by a small party of Horse resolv'd to try either to take him alive or at least to kill him in his Quarters To this purpose therefore sallying out of the Town with 400 of their best Horse they furiously set upon the Duke's Horse-Guard who were all presently cut to pieces and Camseque who commanded them laid dead upon the place D' Ars whose duty it was to relieve them coming fortunately in upon their Defeat renew'd the Fight where he so bravely withstood the Enemies fury that after his Brother Ceré had been wounded and maim'd with infinite Blows and himself beaten from his Horse and remounted by one of his Compagnions he gave du Passage one of the Duke 's Mareschals de Camp time to come in to his succour by whose assistance the Enemy was at last forc'd to retire leaving many of their men dead upon the place as the Baron d' Ars in this conflict lost the most part of his Troop This Cannon-shot which at the little distance of 200 paces had only wounded the Duke was not so favourable to the Dutchess his Wife whom it kill'd out-right at the distance of 200 Leagues This Lady had been brought to bed as has been said before this same year 1593 of Lewis since Cardinal de la Valette whom the grief for her Husbands absence which was nothing diminished by the course of time had still so far kept back from the recovery of her former strength after her lying in that what was only a little indisposition at first being much encreas'd by her melancholy grew to such a distemper as made her Friends at last begin to apprehend a mortal consequence from her disconsolate life To divert this ill humour therefore they often perswaded her to go abroad sometimes to Church sometimes on Visits when being gone out one day to hear Mass at her return she espied one of the Duke's Foot-men who unknown to him had been by some of his Officers dispatch'd away to Angoulesme on purpose to prevent any false rumors that might there be spread concerning the Duke's accident and so discreetly to acquaint the Dutchess with what had hapned that she might not unseasonably be surpriz'd with the news of his mischance an honest and a prudent care in them though her destiny rendred all these precautions fruitless and vain for she had no sooner cast her eye on the fellow who being but newly arriv'd had as yet spoke to none but that she call'd him to her suddenly demanding of him her Letters from the Duke to whom the poor Lacquy surpriz'd and daâ—nted at her demand innocently related that the Duke was wounded and by a Cannon-shot But as if that word had been the shot it self the Dutchess sunk down in a swoon as one that apprehending a Cannon shot could be no less than mortal would not survive him she concluded to be dead and who was far dearer to her than her own life In which condition she was presently taken up by her people and carried home where all possible means was us'd to bring her to her self as at last she was though it was only to make her more sensible of death which followed the ninth day after she had heard the unhappy news Before her Death she made a Will wherein she bequeath'd whatever was in her gift to the Duke her Husband to whom recommending her Children as the common pledges of their mutual affection she conjur'd him for their sakes never to marry again Thus died this young and
unpleasing Treaty but the Prince who as it was said having cast his eye upon Languedoc and openly discovered a desire to be invested in that Government had perhaps a design to make that of Guienne the Price of the other It was moreover believ'd he had a mind to translate the Office of Colonel into the hands of a Favourite thereby to promote his own pretence For one or both of these reasons therefore he would not be repuls'd at the Duke's first tacit denial but not long after having left Bordeaux to return to Court his way through Xaintonge gave him opportunity as he pass'd by to see the Count de Ionzac the King's Lieutenant in that Province and one of the most intimate Friends the Duke at that time had in the Kingdom To him therefore he gave express charge to go to the Duke and to go through with that Negotiation he had not only occasionally committed to Geneste to which he also requir'd a precise and positive answer The Count de Ionzac could do no other than obey the Prince in this particular though he was already very well assur'd he should bring him no satisfactory return from the Duke concerning this Affair This Gentleman was without all doubt the depositary of the Duke's most secret thoughts and intentions and I am certain in several very important occasions had prov'd exceeding faithful to him So that there being scarce any thing reserv'd which he did not freely commit to his Secresie and Trust it is to be presum'd the Duke had not conceal'd from him this Proposition from the Prince together with the fix'd and determinate Resolution he had put on as to that business He therefore only confirm'd to him anew what he had already sufficiently assur'd him of desiring him withal since the Prince would have a positive answer to tell him on his behalf That he could have wish'd having ever honour'd him as he had done he had sooner had those considerations for him he was pleas'd at present to profess That his compassion was now out of season That he was content alone to undergo all his misfortunes the remaining part of his life and that he had much rather never more see the Duke de la Valette his Son than to see him reduc'd to the condition of a private person That he would accept no Recompence for his Offices and Commands forasmuch as he was resolved never to part with them and that he had enough remaining through the favour and liberality of the Kings his Masters to spare those profits and emoluments he had formerly receiv'd And to the end that for the time to come he might secure himself from being any more importun'd with such distasteful proposols he declar'd aloud that should any of his Friends ever entertain him with the like discourse he should never take that man for his Friend again but in case any over whom he had an Authority should presume once to open his mouth to such a purpose he would handle him so as should manifest to all the world how highly he was offended at the motion The Duke soon perceiv'd that the Court was by no means pleas'd with this answer the ill usage he had hitherto receiv'd being after this refusal evidently doubled upon him insomuch that he had news brought the Cardinal had been importun'd by the Enemies of his Family to remove him from Plassac that being as they pretended too near to Bordeaux where by the convenience of so dangerous a vicinity he might still maintain a Correspondence there and set what practices he pleas'd on foot to the prejudice of the Publick Peace Thus even when confin'd to a Country House disarm'd and naked as he then was and as it were buried under his own ruines his sole Name and Authority was formidable to his Enemies even in so low a condition Such as were most violent against him advis'd to have him shut up in Prison and the more moderate sort would only have him confin'd to some remote places which they had already pointed out for him iâ— Auvergâ—e Yet did all these ill-sounding rumours at this time produce no evil effects and it was said the Cardinal would keep his word he had given to the Cardinal de la Valette not to add to the persecution of the Duke his Father but if he did not openly do it and so as to own his own act he at least gave the Duke's most implacable Enemies leave to do what he himself was either asham'd of or had no mind to own men who abusing that liberty committed out-rages against him unworthy both of their own and his condition and such as the Prince who at this time was no ways favourable to him could not himself endure and therefore did him a noble right but I rather choose to omit the recital of it than to revive the resentment of things almost if not altogether extinguish'd and forgot by a relation that would otherwise perhaps he pertinent enough to my story In this violent persecution the Duke's Servants humbly advis'd him to slacken the stiffness he had hitherto ever maintain'd and especially towards the Cardinal in hopes that by a little soothing his vain humour immeasurably greedy of Glory with something above what he had formerly us'd to do he might obtain some satisfaction from him Whereupon they represented to him the examples of the Princes of the Blood who by having a little warp'd from their degree and parted with some small advantages in his consideration had by so doing given the other Great Ones of the Kingdom an honourable colour and pretext to go something less in their Quality also in the Cardinal's Favour but these Arguments could by no means prevail upon his invincible Spirit He made answer That could he ever deliberate to submit to civilities beyond what he had usually done he should however much less do it in the time of his Disgrace than at any other That he ought no more to consider the condition to which Fortune had now reduc'd him than that from which he was fall'n That what at another time would pass only for Complement would now be interpreted an act of Fear That if he must perish he had much rather have the injustice of his Enemies whereof to complain than to stand oblig'd to his own weakness for his preservation That the example of the Princes of the Blood signified nothing to him That their Quality was inseparably annex'd to their Birth That therefore it could never by any demission of theirs be alienated from them That what would be call'd Prudence in persons of that condition to accommodate themselves to the time would be interpreted an inexcusable meanness in him and that they should never see him do any thing either by example or perswasion that should in the least prejudice or reflect upon his Honour Before this and soon after the Death of the Cardinal de la Valette some there were who endeavour'd to perswade him to
ask of the King and the Cardinal some of the Benefices which were become vacant by his Decease but he with the same constancy refus'd to do that also telling those who urg'd him so to do That he would not augment the grief of his loss by the dishonor of a repulse That being depriv'd of the person of his Son his Estate was to him of very little consideration and that if his Enemies had had the pleasure of making him unhappy they should never have that of reproaching him that they had made him do any mean or unhandsome thing So long before this also as from the Duke's first arrival at Plassac some of his Servants thinking thereby to flatter his thrifty humour had propos'd to him in the great diminution of his Revenue some retrenchment in his Expences also a proposition in truth by the Duke well enough receiv'd considering that in a private Country House neither his Table nor his Stables requir'd the same Splendour as when he resided in his Government so that he moreover gave way an account should be stated to see what they could reduce his Expences to but when it came to the push he rejected all saying That he had for above threescore years together maintain'd himself in the same Port and Lustre and that those who were his persecuters should never have that advantage over him as to make him abate in the least of his ordinary way of living and that finally in the same Splendor he had liv'd he was resolv'd he would dye 'T is methinks a very strange thing and very well worthy our observation that amongst all the Alarms were daily given him in all the adversities he was made to undergo and with all the ill news which either to afflict or forewarn him he hourly receiv'd he never lost as he himself did profess so much as one nights sleep A thing no one can impute to his insensibility who was but too tender that way and over-sensible of the least touch of Offence Who is it then but must admire the stability and unshaken constancy of that noble Soul which in the fury of all these Tempests sufficient to disorder the greatest resolution remain'd as calm and undisturb'd as in the most tranquil estate of his most prosperous Fortune Neither was he content to maintain this serenity and Stoical contempt of injuries in his own person he would moreover that his Servants should be inspir'd with the same Courage and generous Principles of which I have seen some incur his disgrace for having only wept before him He thought men of such mean Spirits unworthy of his Dependence and would above all things that without disguise or reservation they should acquaint him with the true state of his Affairs how foul soever it might be being accustomed to say That it was a kind of Consolation to know the worst of things and to what a degree a man was unhappy since Doubts and Fears rendring an evil infinite to the imagination it was in that incertitude utterly impossible for any one to take a true measure or to form right resolutions from things that were boundless and unlimited But withal he whose Office it was to acquaint him with any thing of that nature was also to have a care so to compose his countenance that he might not therein discover either sorrow or apprehension Nay he would himself oftentimes antedate his own Affliction by asking such as were oblig'd to discourse his Affairs to him if they had heard no ill news that day occasionally comforting those in whom he repos'd the greatest confidence and appearing himself in all outward shew the least concern'd at the misfortunes befel him In the greatest Confusion of things and the most violent heat of his Persecution he was with nothing so much delighted as to hear what a fear his Enemies were in and how much they apprehended his Power Unhappy as he was he yet retain'd so much vanity as to suffer himself to be transported with that kind of adulation a frailty which as it soonest and with great facility insinuates it self into the most generous minds was also the last thing almost that forsook him He was never heard in the greatest height of Adversity to complain of Fortune but on the contrary when some of his Friends have sometimes put him upon that Discourse would say That he should be very ungrateful for the benefits of Fortune who had for the space of threescore years been continually favourable to him should he murmur or repine that she should forsake him for the small remainder of time he had now to live That he had rarely observ'd a whole life to be fortunate even of those had been much shorter than his and that in the inconstancy and instability of Humane Affairs it was no little advantage to have been reserv'd for the Trial of Disgrace till a time when he was hardly any more capable of tasting the sweets of a more prosperous Fortune That which ought yet further to make us admire the Constancy and Vigour he ever kept entire in all his Words and Actions is that he was neither with-held by a morose Gravity in the one nor hurried on by an impetuous Fury in the other He very well understood that his way of living was utterly contrary to the constitution of the time and in speaking of his own Conduct would sometimes confess to his particular Friends that having often reflected upon his own Carriage long before it had pull'd upon him those Disgraces which now lay so heavy upon him should he have discover'd his Sons inclin'd to follow the same Maxims he would have disswaded them from it but that having himself kept up something of a steady humour throughout the past Reigns he thought it now unfit to deprave and give the lye to threescore years of life to preserve what yet remain'd with imbecillity and shame and that if he must fall he would perish altogether But though he obstinately maintain'd this sullen and wilful humour in matters wherein he conceiv'd his Honour to be concern'd he wanted not nevertheless complacency and respect enough in things that only respected his Duty This year therefore having produc'd the King two brave Conquests namely that of Arras and that of Turin he would not upon this occasion fail to manifest the interest that as a good Frenchman he pretended to in the prosperity of his Majesties Arms. A Complement that was further directed to the Cardinal who doubtless had a very great share in all the successes of his Majesties Affairs The Count de Maillé was the Envoy of this Dispatch by whom this Affair and some other of the Duke's concerns were so discreetly managed that he brought back a very favourable Letter from the Cardinal together with several expressions by word of mouth of far greater kindness but the effects were very different as we shall see in the revolution of the ensuing year But before we take our leaves of this I must present you