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
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
about them the place was deliver'd up without the least resistance and the Enemy at the same instant there fortified themselves It is not to be believ'd what a terror the entry of the Spaniards and the taking of Socoa it being but three Leagues distant from their City strook into the Inhabitants of Bayonne and as all the Passions of the Populacy are extreme they in a moment converted the absolute assurance wherewith they had hitherto flatter'd themselves into a most infamous and immoderate Fear insomuch that had not the Duke been present in the City it had doubtless been in very great danger to be lost wherein nevertheless if the Kingdom of France stood highly indebted to him for working by by his presence so good an effect they stood little less oblig'd to the Spanish Gravity and Circumspection whose deliberate way of proceeding made them run into an error usually committed by such as perswade themselves their Enemies are provided against all sorts of Accidents For his cautious Enemy forbearing out of this belief to present themselves before Bayonne unfurnish'd of all things necessary for its defence gave the Duke time by that means to make the Inhabitants reassume their former courage and that to such a degree as from the despair of being able to defend themselves being grown to a confidence of doing it with honour and advantage they were soon in a condition to repel any thing the Enemy could attempt against them The Duke seeing them in this good disposition caus'd a Review to be made of all such as were able to bear Arms which upon examination were found to be nine hundred only and which notwithstanding he so encourag'd what by the consideration of their Duty and their own Interest an Argument as prevalent at least as any whatever in the minds of men that they all unanimously swore to him to live and dye in the defence of their City Such as were not capable of bearing Arms were employ'd at the Fortifications which were yet imperfect a labour wherein the more delicate Sex would no more be spar'd than the men by which means the work was follow'd on all hands with so unwearied a Diligence that what remain'd to be done was perfected in fewer days than months would have been requir'd before the Enemies approach This being thus provided for they proceeded in the next place to examine what Grain was in the City of which search Vertamont Intendant de la Iustice had the charge committed to his care and in this they found the greatest defect which was such that in three days the place must infallibly have been lost had the Enemy presently clap'd down before it for there was very little Corn to be found and no Flower at all all the Mills were without the City and the nearest of them a League distant This defect was therefore of all things to be supply'd which alone renders all sorts of Provision how great soever the Store altogether useless that therefore in a few days was accordingly done and being the City which is divided from the rest of the Kingdom by the Doux a great and deep River was not to be reliev'd but on that side The Duke was especially solicitous to secure the wodden Bridge that affords the City communication with the Suburb du St. Esprit and from thence with the rest of France by the County of Lannes To that end therefore he caus'd two good Forts to be trac'd out in his own presence upon two Eminences that commanded that Bridge and made the Work to be so diligently follow'd that they were in a few days put into a condition of defence They also by his order hastened the Leavies for some Recruits that were raising in Guienne that they might be put into those two Forts by which means they were sufficiently man'd He moreover put three months Provision into the City gave order for the perfecting of the Fortifications wholly reassur'd the Inhabitants and put the place into so good a condition that nothing for the future but by a regular Siege was to be effected against it After having thus provided for the safety of this City he prepar'd himself to go take order for the defence of the other Cities that were upon this Frontier which were also in no little danger yet was it not before he had further supply'd the necessities of the Inhabitants of Bayonne who complaining to him that their Corporation was reduc'd to so great poverty that it would be impossible for them to provide against a thousand little Accidents that might happen to them mov'd at their entreaties he left with them all the money he had left of the Expence of his House arising to four and twenty thousand Livers which was owing to him at his Death and was the only money he ever lent upon Security and at Interest in the whole time of his Life The Spaniards knew nothing of the ill condition of this place till after it was fortifi'd and supply'd in such manner as you have heard and then theâ— saw the error they had committed but it was then too late They declar'd however to the Duke's Glory and in their own Vindication That they did not repent them of their wary manner of proceeding but that if it were to do again they should do the same and that they could never think a place ill Fortified that had a Duke of Espernon to defend it The Duke what testimonies soever they so highly and publickly gave of the esteem they had of his Vertue was not notwithstanding so to be charm'd with the Harmony of their Praises but that being inform'd the Enemy despairing for the future of being able to effect any thing upon Bayonne by force was determin'd to pass the River Doux to fall upon Dacqs by that means to cut off all Relief that could be put into Bayonne to the end that of it self and without the expence of a Siege it might fall into their hands he departed thence with the Duke de la Valette his Son his faithful Companion in all the cares and troubles of this Expedition to take order for the defence of this little place which they also in six days that they made their abode there what by their Vivacity and good Conduct and partly at their own expence put into so good a posture of safety that it was out of all danger of Surprize Having thus provided for the security of the most Important Places they dispatch'd away a Gentleman to the King to give his Majesty an Account of what they had done for his Service and to receive his Commands what they were to do for the time to come From Dacqs they went to Mont de Marsan where they yet made some stay as well in reference to the securing that place as also to be better satisfied concerning an intimation had been given them that the Spanish Army was resolv'd to pass the River in order to some notable Attempt
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
would have discover'd how highly he had resented had he not been prevented by Death the Arbiter of all Humane Controversies All he could at that time do to let them see he understood them to be no friends of his was to forbid his Sons to see them or to be presented by either of them to the Duke of Anjou desiring rather they should receive that favour from the Duke of Guise a Prince with whom he had acquir'd a great interest as having oftern serv'd under his Command but most signally at the Battel of Dreux where he fought at the head of the Reserve with which when all other hopes were lâ—st the Duke won that day and wholly routed the Enemies victorious Army To him therefore he commanded his Sons to address themselves for their access to the Duke an occasion the Duke of Guise embrac'd with so much fervour and presented them after that obliging manner with that honourable mention of the Fathers great Merit and the great hope of his Sons that they could not possibly have chosen out a man that could more handsomly more obligingly or with greater integrity have perform'd so important an Office The infinite civility of the Duke of Guise together with the singular and natural art he had to acquire men to him gain'd Caumont so absolutely to his service that it was with no little reluctancy that he afterwards withdrew himself from him which nevertheless he was shortly after enforc't to do the divers interests that sway'd the one and the other looking so several wayes that it was not possible longer to continue their intelligence Their friendship began to grow cold before it came to an open Rupture Caumont not having receiv'd from the Duke that support and assistance he promis'd to himself from so powerful and so sincere a frined as he took him to be But that which strook the main blow was this The death of Mounfieur de la Valette immediately following the Siege of Rochelle his several Employments lay vacant by his decease which made Caumont repair to Court in hopes by the Dukes favour at least to obtain the charge of Camp-Master to the Light Horse for his elder Brother neither of them yet presuming by reason of their youth to pretend to the Lieutenancy of Guienne which the Duke of Guise not only peremptorily refus'd to intermeddle in but withal carried on the interest of some other pretenders with so much vigour and efficacy that in fine he excluded both the Brothers from all their Fathers employments Upon which unexpected unkindness Caumont retir'd so much dissatisfied with the Duke that since that time neither his Brother nor he ever had any complacency for the house of Guise The Brothers after this repulse spent some time at home in order to a settlement of their own private affairs which the quietness of that time a general Peace being before concluded gave them leisure enough to do But Caumont was impatient of this Countrey life and seeing there was now no more employment for his Armes he put himself into an equipage to go to Court to try if he could by his own endeavours obtain that for himself which the memory of his Fathers great services had not power to retain to his forgotten Family It was about the end of the Year 1574. that he undertook this journey King Henry the Third being then newly return'd from Poland a Prince inâ—â—â—nitely enclin'd to Peace and to that Catharine de Medicis his Mother being also wearied out with the former troubles they bent their â—oynt endeavours to the continuing of Affairs in the same quiet posture they then were to the extinguishing of all old discontents and to the avoiding all possible occasions of new They knew very well that none had power to beget new mischiefs or to disturb the present Peace of the Kingdom except the Duke of Alanson or the King of Navarre both which they politickly made as it were prisoners to the Court by the vigilancy of Spies though without Guards or other visible marks of restraint The King of Navarre as he whose Courage and great Qualities were more to be suspected had the stricter eye upon him and although he profest himself a Catholick yet his Fortune and Confederates obliging him to the contrary Religion they were in a perpetual jealousie lest he should at one time or another embrace the Profession and Party of those with whom his nearest concerns and chiefest interests lay The Queen Mother one of the most experienc'd Princesses of her time and a Woman whose Prudence and subtlety extended to all the Arts of Government knowing as well how upon occasion to order the allurements of Peace as to guide and govern the more important Affairs in the Tumults of War being no stranger to the amorous inclinations of the King of Navarre by daily invitations to Playes Masques Revels and other entertainments made the Court continually to shine in all the lustre and temptation of Beauty if possible to divert the designs and to soften the Martial humour of this Prince in the more delicate delights of vacancy and peace which kind of life it may easily be imagin'd could not be unpleasant to a man so young and so enclin'd as the King then was The Court being now nothing but jollity the whole Nobility of France had nothing else to do but to divide themselves according to their several inclinations into the Parties and Factions of these two young Princes amongst which Caumonts particular liking and Affection to his person and great vertues having enclin'd him to the King of Navarres side he was by him receiv'd with so infinite respect and kindness that in a very short time he stood equal to the best in the highest degree of Favour and trust Of which the King could not give him a greater testimony than by discovering to him his intended escape from Court and by commending thereby so important a secret to his fidelity and assistance Our Histories have glanc'd at the grounds upon which the King took this resolution which he shortly after executed with great secresie and a very slender train For pretending to go hunt in the Parks of Saint Germains he thence with only four or five of his greatest confidents of which number Caumont was one made his escape I have often heard him say that he thought himself so oblig'd by that favour that he had never separated himself from that Prince had not he first separated himself from his obedience to the Church He accompanied him in his retirement as far as Alenson whither the King was no sooner come but that his Physician invited him to be God-father to one of his Children The Ceremony was performed in the Hugonot Congregation and after their Directory as it may be presum'd it was beforehand determined it should be Whereupon Caumont taking the usual liberty the King had ever till that time freely allow'd him converted all the passages of that Ceremony into Mirth
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
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
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
haughty and fierce there was much of fire and ambition in both their natures and little would have serv'd to have kindled a fewd betwixt them but perhaps knowing one another to be so Subject to Heat they would not interfere foreseeing that whoever should begin would doubtless in his adversary meet with a vigorous Opposition This Cardinal had formerly had great Disputes both with the Parliament and the Governours of the Province which Disputes had begot him much trouble so that his more mature and more temperate Age having cool'd the violent Ardours of his more ungovern'd and inconsiderate Youth he began to relish the conveniency of Peace choosing rather to busie himself about the well ordering of his Diocess which he did equally with any Prelate of the Church about laying Foundations of Monasteries Hospitals and other Actions of great Lustre and Example than to spend his Spirits and consume his time in fruitless and unprofitable Quarrels The Duke also on the other side who had his share of Contention with the Parliament found himself sufficiently perplex'd with them without drawing new inconveniencies upon him by forcing a man of the Cardinal's condition to his Adversaries side so that as to any thing else these two Lords observing a great Correspondency in their Complements Visits and all other Punctilio's of mutual respect this former consideration serv'd not a little to the continuance of this good Intelligence betwixt them In fine whether it were their Interests or the sole respect of their common Vertue that begot this friendship they had for one another it could hardly have been greater but after the death of this Cardinal his Brother having as has been said been promoted to that See the Duke did not pay him the same Honour he had done his elder Brother who on the other side impatient of that distinction joyn'd himself with the Parliament at this time high in contest with the Duke and supporting the interests of that Assembly with the Credit he had with the Cardinal which was very great procur'd some determinations in their favour concerning the things so highly controverted betwixt the Duke and them In acknowledgment of these Obligations the Parliament augmented in his Person the Honours that had usually been paid to his Predecessors and the Duke on the contrary cut off some of those he had formerly paid even to him himself an usage which the Archbishop publickly resenting oblig'd the Duke who never engag'd in a quarrel but to push it home to be more obstinately bent not to give him the least satisfaction in any of his complaints So that he still persisted not only to use him as he had begun but to this abatement of Ceremony added moreover some disobliging effects All this had preceded the Accommodation made at Cardinal Richelieu's being at Montauban but this Reconciliation having satisfied neither the interested persons nor him who had interpos'd to reconcile them they rather remain'd in a disposition to do one another a Spight upon the first occasion that should present it self than to live in the good Intelligence could have been wish'd for their common repose Since that time the Duke had been advertis'd that it was principally the Archbishop of Bordeaux who had exasperated the Cardinal against him and who had rendred his Visit at Bordeaux when he went to see him attended by his Guards suspected to him A thing that had offended him to the last degree and he had publickly complain'd of that proceeding for his Passions were never conceal'd which was also reported to the Archbishop who was at this time oblig'd to come into his Diocess to make some Residence there He departed therefore from Court and took the way of Guienne Some have believ'd that it was by the express Order of Cardinal Richelieu that he undertook this Journey who having upon the late distastes he had taken at the Duke summon'd all his old animosities to his remembrance had sent the Archbishop of Bordeaux whom he knew the Duke did not love to brave him his spirit being the better known to him as he had made tryal of it upon other occasions and found it bold and capable of the highest resolutions I shall not however take upon me here to interpose my judgment in any of these Transactions I shall only report things true and as they were without disguise hatred or envy any of which it would certainly very much mis-become me to retain after the Duke's death whose desire it was they might be buried with him that being one of the most express commands he gave his Family at the last hour of his Life The Archbishop being upon his way towards Bordeaux turn'd a little out of the ordinary Road to go into a Territory belonging to his Bishoprick call'd Monravel where being arriv'd he was inform'd that one of the Duke's Guards had been assisting in the execution of some Acts of Justice wherein he was himself immediately conceâ—n'd and which would otherwise perhaps have met with some opposition He would therefore take this occasion to send a Gentleman to the Duke to return his thanks for so opportune a kindness who having found the Duke at Berdeaux told him from the Archbishop his Master That he took the assistance one of his Guards had given some of his people to the support of his interests and in the time of his absence for a singular favour and obligation and that he had therefore commanded him to come kiss his hands and to return him his hearty thanks Some have drawn a consequence from this way of proceeding that the Archbishop did not come with any design to offend the Duke it being unlikely that had he had any such intention he would have sent to him to have sought his friendship by the acknowledgment of an obligation receiv'd others and perhaps too critically have believ'd that it was only artifice to make the Duke appear more in fault and that the Archbishop knowing the Duke's humour had made no difficulty in making this dissembled Application to the end that it being rejected as he expected it should be the Duke might be more universally condemn'd even when being provok'd he should break out into just and necessary resentments Whatever the design of this Complement might be it was very ill receiv'd and so ill that if the Archbishop had therein any clandestine end to extract from it some new cause of offense he could hardly better have succeeded The Duke made answer to the Gentleman who came from the Archbishop That thanks were neither necessary nor due to a person who had no design to oblige That if any thing by his orders had been perform'd to his Masters advantage it had been done upon no other account than the meer consideration of Justice without any respect to his Friendship and so dismiss'd him The Duke observing all his people surpriz'd at so slight and so crude an answer to satisfie them in some measure told them That they ought not to wonder
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
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
have procur'd the Equipages necessary for my departure From the time that I have been in a condition to move I have been in motion having never had the least repugnancy to your Majesâ—ies command I shall ever have the same inclimation to obey them and in the last moments of my Life make it my glory to manifest to your Majesty that I have never swerv'd from the absolute Obedience that was vow'd to you from your birth by Sir Your c. And being he conceiv'd it not enough to give the King this account only unless at the same time the Cardinal was also satisfied with his Conduct he wrote to him in like manner and almost in the same words he had done to the King Whilst these Letters were posting to Court he by very short Journeys was still advancing towards Loches where notwithstanding all the delays he could make having the hazard of his Liberty ever present to his imagination he thought he should but too soon arrive With these melancholy thoughts going on to Poictiâ—rs the compassion which the principal Officers and the people of that City manifested for his present Adversity did much augment his Grief and suspicion of some future mischief He there receiv'd from all the Orders of the City the same Honours and Respect as if he had still stood in the highest degree of his Prosperity and Favour and every one making the same reflections upon his present condition that he himself did the people ran from all parts to see so great an example of the Injustice Viciâ—â—itude and Extravagancy of Fortune which occasion'd so great a crow'd even in his own Lodgins as put him upon a resolution to go out on foot into the Market-place of the City which was also near to his Inne to satisfie the curiosity they had to behold him but he was thereby in so great danger to be stifled by the multitude that he had no way to free himself but by the favour of his Coach that he was of necessity constrain'd to send for to disingage him From Poictiers he continued his way to lâ— Tricherie but he had made so little haste withal as had given his Courrier time to go to Court and to return whilst he had been advancing twelve or fifteen Leagues of his Journey only so that he found him still upon his way when he brought him this Dispatch from the King Cousin I was very well pleas'd to find by your Letter that you had put your self upon your way to Loches so soon as your health would permit neither did I doubt but you would upon this occasion conform your self unto my desires and I do moreover assure my self you will ever do the same whereby you will oblige me to continue to you the testimonies of my Affection upon which assurance I pray God c. From Rhemes the 21. of Iuly 1641. That of the Cardinal was couch'd in these terms Monsieur The King is very well satisfied with your Obedience to his Commands which he also has laid upon you in order to your own particular good and I for my part have receiv'd a very high contentment in understanding by this Gentleman the good disposition wherein you now are a continuation whereof I heartily wish you as being c. To add yet something more to the satisfaction the Duke had receiv'd by these two kind Letters the Gentleman that brought them moreover assur'd him that he had observ'd at Court no other than Serene and Auspicious Countenances and that there was nothing which for the future threatned any worse usage than what he had already receiv'd Insomuch that even his best Friends there and those who were most solicitous of him did believe that had he not already receiv'd a Command to depart from Plassac they would not now have enjoyn'd him that trouble the Cardinal being reassur'd by the Death of the Count de Soissons but seeing that Order had been already sent him they would rather choose to have it executed contrary to all reason than to revoke it with any kind of Justice These Dispatches and this news from Court being so much better than the Duke had expected did a little quiet his mind so that in the end he arriv'd at Loches with much less apprehension and far greater chearfulness than he had parted from Plassac This satisfaction was improv'd to him by the extraordinary Acclamations wherewith all the people receiv'd him at his arrival there which was upon the third of August there being no kind of Honours nor any evidences of Publick Joy omitted at his Reception All the Persons of Quality of which there are a very great number thereabouts came to visit him The City of Tourâ—s paid him the same Respect and the Archbishop having given the example to the rest of the City the Chapter and President also sent to Complement him besides which Civilities from the Body in general and the several Societies and Fraternities in particular almost all the Magistrates and Officers at least the most considerable of them came in their own persons to wait upon him insomuch that it seem'd whilst Courted and Complemented at this unexpected rate he was nothing fall'n from his former Prosperity and Greatness All these Honours of which he was as sensible as any having reviv'd his Spirits and consequently quickned and rais'd his Wit and Fancy he made himself to be highly admir'd by an infinite number of the Curious who being continually asking him a thousand Questions concerning the State Secret of past Transactions he clear'd them of several important Doubts which few men living could unriddle and explain'd to them many passages in d' Avila's History which at this time was so new in France that it was in the hands of very few He had a complacency for all sorts of people far above what till now he had ever had and a gracious and winning sweetness for his own Servants they had never known before by which obliging and free fashion together with the antient esteem annext to his Person and Vertue he in an instant won the Love and Applause of all the world In this publick and universal Favour and Reputation and in the assurance had been given him from Court that nothing â—inister was to be apprehended thence the memory of his antient Authority began again to revive in his mind and that put him upon a desire to exercise it in this little Government which that he might the better do he particularly inform'd himself of all the Affairs of the City and Country about it he caus'd all the Courriers that pass'd that way to come immediately to himself and suffer'd nothing of Publick Business to be determin'd without first giving him an account so that in a place where it seem'd he had nothing at all to do he was ingenious enough to find himself employment and to create himself some diversion and delight Who is it but must be astonish'd in this condition of the Duke's and after
so many and so great Severities exercis'd upon him to see the Cardinal who was the Authour of all make no difficulty to address to him and to request favours at his hands In the height of all his Persecutions they had still retainâ—d for him some shadow of his Office of Colonel and about this time one of his Officers Aide Major to the Regiment of Guards call'd Ocamp having been slain at the Siege of Aire Montant his Brother address'd himself to the Cardinal by his Intercession to be invested with his Brothers Command The Duke would never descend so low towards the Cardinal though he had met with several occasions wherein he might with much more reason have done it not so much as after the death of the Cardinal his Son he being as has been already said never to be prevail'd upon to ask him any one of his Benefices but Cardinal Richelieu without being mov'd at the generosity of this Example writ this Letter to the Duke Monsieur The Sieur de Montant who is coming to wait upon you to make suit for the Office of Aide Major to the Regiment of Guards formerly possess'd by his Brother slain at the Siege of Aire having intreated me to fortifie his Request by my Recommendation I write this to satisfie his desire and to tell you that in my opinion you cannot make choice of any one that will either be more acceptable to the Regiment or that in his own person will more worthily discharge it For what concerns my own particular I shall think my self highly oblig'd if you manifest to him upon this occasion that my Intercession has been useful to him and that you have a consideration for the Request of Monsieur Your c. From Rethel this 28 th of Iuly 1641. There was not any about the Duke who was not astonish'd at this Request and he himself to that degree that he had much ado to perswade himself the Letter was not supposititious and forg'd having nevertheless consider'd how unlikely it was that in so publick a thing any person whatever durst be so bold as to counterfeit the Seal of so powerful and so fear'd a Minister he began to suspect it might be some Artifice to extract from him a denial from thence to derive a pertext for the future to dispose of all Offices that should become vacant in the French Infantry without having any more recourse to him for his Consent Knowing therefore very well that he who only intreated had Power to take and that he would doubtless do it did he not presently grant his request he rather quitted to him than gave him the Command and thereupon sent him a Letter of which this is the Copy Monsieur The Sieur de Montant being come to me with a Letter from you wherein you desire of me in his Favour the Office of Aide Major to the Regiment of Guards become vacant by the Death of his Brother I was no less pleas'd than amaz'd to see that in the Condition I now am I have any thing left that may be acceptable to you This is it has oblig'd me to dispatch away this Gentleman on purpose to bring you a Blank Commission of the Office you desire that you may fill it up with any you have a mind to gratifie with that Command reserving to my self herein nothing save the sole satisfaction of letting you see how much I am Monsieur c. From Loches this 12 th of August 1641. The Cardinal would by no means comprehend the terms of this Letter though they were not so obscure but that the true sense was very easie to be understood he accepted the Office however very well without considering nevertheless how few occasions of that kind remain'd to the Duke wherein to oblige his own Servants and to add yet more to our wonder return'd him thanks in these words Monsieur The obliging fashion wherewith you have been pleas'd to gratifie me concerning the Office of Aide Major to the Regiment of Guards for which I writ to you in the behalf of the Sieur de Montant has given me so high a sense of the Favour that I can never sufficiently thank you nor express how infinitely kindly I take it I beseech you to believe that my gratitude is such as thereto nothing can be added no more than to the desire I have to meet with occasions wherein by my Services I may manifest to you That I am c. From Blerancour this 16 th of August 1641. Was it any other than a meer mockery to accompany these smooth words with the severest usage wherewith an honest man could possibly be persecuted Yet was not all the Favour of that time absolutely contrary to the Duke and his Interests and if he was by the Cardinal persecuted to the degree we have already seen Cinq-Mars Grand Escuyer of France and the King 's true Favourite had at least as great an inclination to serve as the other had manifested a desire to hurt him This young Gentleman one of the most accomplish'd and unhappy that Nature ever produc'd in his time either jealous of the Cardinal's Power or prompted by more vertuous and laudable Motives openly labour'd to overthrow his Credit with the King He had for his principal Confidents de Thou and Fontrailles both the one and the other a particular Friend and Servant to the Duke of Espernon by whose good Offices Cinq-Mars had been wrought into so great a kindness for the Duke that he often receiv'd very respective Complements from him I do not believe notwithstanding that the Duke had any hand in his Designs if not so far as they might be conducing to the Service of the Queen for in truth he had so wholly devoted himself to the Service of this Princess every day threatned with the loss of the King by his continual Sicknesses that he was resolv'd upon occasion to expose all things for her Service and that of the Princes her Children a disposition in him the Queen was very well assur'd of Neither did she a little rely upon the Credit and Fidelity of so considerable a Servant As to the other disorders of the Court I very well know he did by no means approve them but on the other side fearing left Fontrailles whom he entirely lov'd should engage himself too far in those Factions he never writ to him though he did it very often without adding in a Postscript under his own hand Sur tout gardez vous de la Bastille an advice he as discreetly follow'd and in good time But for de Thou being come to see him at Loches soon after his arrival there I know very well as having been a Witness to it that he exhorted and conjur'd him by all the Ties betwixt them to forsake the frequentations and engagements he had at Court and to settle himself to some moderate condition in the Long Robe which he had taken upon him He had acquir'd so many
rare and eminent qualities proper for that calling as might have rendred him one of the greatest men of the Profession and besides that the Duke was induc'd to give him these prudent Exhortations by the consideration of their Alliance and the Affection and Esteem he had for his person he did moreover herein not a little gratifie the desire of his Relations and Friends who knowing what a Power the Duke had with him never ceas'd importuning him to use his utmost interest and endeavour to withdraw him from that unquiet kind of life he had for some time lead But his Destiny carried it above their Prudence and Foresight and he must in the end add to the number of the Illustrious unhappy of his time The Duke had not the grief of seeing his deplorable end his own Death sometime preceding as we shall shortly see and of which this in my opinion was the cause From the time that the Duke of Espernon had been establish'd in the Government of Guienne he having conceiv'd that to add greater weight to his Authority it would not be inconvenient to inflict some exemplary punishment upon some notable Offenders a Gentleman of that Province but one the most unworthy of that Quality of any that ever wore that Character called Madaillan fell within the danger of his Justice The Duke therefore being solicited and importun'd on a thousand hands to cause Justice to be executed upon this man for an infinite number of Crimes whereof he stood Convict he at last attempted to seize him that he might be brought to condigne Punishment but this wretch as Distrustful and Cunning as Villanous and Wicked still found means to escape the hands of the Serjeants who had order from the Duke to apprehend him and lay a long time conceal'd in the Province In the end notwithstanding he was constrain'd to fly which he did and put himself into the Enemies Armies not to Fight for he was never guilty of any handsome Action but to Plunder and to Betray insomuch that in a very little space he had to his other Crimes added that of a Fugitive from all Parties He was in Pay with the Imperialists the Swedes the Spaniards and the States of Holland after which famous Exploits he return'd home to his own house hoping that time had worn out of the Duke's mind the memory of his former Offences but he soon perceiv'd there was no abiding in the Duke's Government for men of his known and detected manners He there liv'd therefore in so perpetual fear as made him to keep a kind of Garrison in his House which the Duke having notice of he resolv'd to cause some of his Souldiery to beset the House and by fine force to take him This Deliberation which could not be executed without some noise gave Madaillan leisure to make his escape he took therefore at this time the way of Italy and went to Genoa where he presented Prince Auria with some counterfeit Letters from the Duke of Montmorency under favour of which he gull'd this Prince of some very considerable Summes of Money From thence he went to Rome where he insinuated himself into the Family of the Count de Brassac Ambassadour there for the King of France of whom by virtue of other Counterfeit Letters he was favourably receiv'd But it is not to be believ'd how many Cheats Insolencies and other abominable Crimes he committed under our Ambassadours Protection till in the end the Count tir'd out with the Complaints he daily receiv'd of his lewd Behaviour was upon the point to have deliver'd him into the hands of Justice if he had not fairly ran away After this manner Madaillan returns back into France neither could he possibly have arriv'd in a more favourable conjuncture for such men as he it being precisely at the time of the great Revolts of Guienne and wherein he also had the share that was his due The King being willing to communicate his Grace at the Duke's instance towards such as had been guilty of those Disorders the said Duke had nevertheless a care to cause such to be excepted from the general Indemnity as were tax'd with other hainous and notorious Crimes conceiving it neither just nor of good Example that by new Crimes men should pretend to Pardon for the old and that by great Offences they should obtain an impunity for others of less importance The King maturely weighing these good Reasons of the Duke proceeded according to his Advice by which means Madaillan found himself in much more danger after the Pardon of the other Delinquents than at any time before he had ever been His Conscience besides the Crimes already mention'd did moreove accuse him of several others of a horrid and unheard of nature For the incest he had committed with his own Daughter had in his Process been prov'd against him the Parricide having moreover caus'd three Children he had by her to be murther'd before his own eyes He had been Convict of having four Wives at one and the same time and of all the other abominable Actions can be imagin'd what was there then that ought to be suspected from an Enemy arm'd with so much wickedness and so many horrid and detested Crimes This desperate Villain seeing himself and his Affairs in so lost and irrecoverable a condition and knowing the persecution the Duke of Espernon and all his Family suffer'd under at that time took a resolution to fall upon him to his final Ruine and to assault him with so hateful a Calumny as that the sole Accusation should of it self and of course put the party accus'd out of all manner of defence Big therefore with this accurs'd design he goes to Paris where not finding the King he addresses himself to the Dutchess of Eguillon to whom concealing his Name as being too well known in a studied Discourse of which he was capable enough he delivers in great secresie That there was a Conspiracy on foot against the proper Person of the King himself and also against that of the Cardinal her Uncle Neither was he content to make a bare discovery of the pretended Treason and proceeded moreover to undertake to justifie what he had said by literal proofs provided he might have three months Protection granted him in Guienne where his Enemies he said had invented false Crimes against him on purpose to destroy him It is to be presum'd he did not forget the Duke of Espernon's name in this first Accusation though it was afterwards deny'd at Court when the business came to be discover'd The Dutchess however interested as she was in the Person of the Cardinal and startled as she ought to be with the horror of so prodigious a Treason writ in all haste to the Court which was then at Amiens from whence without any difficulty at all she obtain'd the safe Conduct Madaillan had desir'd in order to the producing his Proofs He must needs have some money also which was
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
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