my part truly do thinke that I could not haue better occasion offered to expresse my loue and duty towards the kinge and to get vnto my selfe true honour and prayse than by this meanes and fully I am perswa ded that my King and Prince will consider my dutifull seruice which I now shew vnto him when he commeth to that age that he is able to iudge hereof and to weigh the sayth and truth of my good wil shewed in such time of néede For these causes duly considered and weyed I which haue sought al meanes and wayes to paceâ—…y these troubles which are like to bring destruction to the realme which haue offered and do offer still al reasonable coÌ„ditions to be takeÌ„ for the laying aside of armour on both parts only vpon consideratioÌ„ of the king and Quéene of the coÌ„mon welth do protest again before the king quéene before al the states of the realme that the whole fault and blame of all those calamities and mischéeues which are like to ensue by the meanes of these warres is to be attributed to those alone whom I haue declared to be the causes of these perturbations troubles who refuse in the presente peryll of the destruction of the Realme to departe from the Courte and the kinges Counsell which their armor layd apart would bring peace and concord I do earnestly pray and beséech all the kings Courts and Parliaments and all estates and degrées to weigh and consider all thinges in due time and to be diligent in doing of their duties for the preseruation of the kinges dignity and the authority gouernement of the Quéene that one day they may geue an accouÌ„t of their doings as I trust to do of mine to the king when he cometh to his lawful age that they may rather haue praise reward for their doings than reproch ignominy And not to forslow themselues either for to satisfy their own desires or for fear or fauor of those which seeke to colour their faultes And to conclude I hartely pray and beséeth all the Kynges faythfull subiectes to helpe ayde and assiste me in this so good and iust a cause callinge God to witnesse that I onely for the aduancement of Gods glory for the setting of the Kynge and Quéene at theyr former liberty whom I sée beséeged and inclosed about with theyr subiectes for the mainteyninge of the Quéene in her authoritie for the defendinge of the common wealth and for the putting away of those iniuries offered to the Kinges subiectes for these causes I say I haue bene prouoked to put my selfe in armour and to resist theyr violence The which euen at this day I iudge and sée to bée so profitable to bridle the outragious madnesse that I trust hereafter God will blesse my labours and will bringe the woorke which he hath put into my handes to so good effecte and to so prosperous an ende that his name shal be glorified our Kynges dignitie and Royal seate defended and peace and tranquilitie main tayned This was the whole summe of this Protestation which the Prynce of Conde sente to the Kinge and Quéene by certayne Messengers to whom he gaue commaundement to declare howe earnestly he deuÌ„red peace for the which he woulde refuse no indifferente conditions He wrote also to dyuers Princes that were his fréendes in the kingedome of Fraunce and specially to the Princes of Germany whom he prayed to be meanes to make peace amonge them He wrote also letters to the Emperour the fower and twenty day of May to this effect In consideration of the singuler clemency humanity and wonderfull wisedome which for diuers causes I haue thought to be in you I thought it my dutye although to my great gréefe to make you acquaynted with the state of Fraunce Know you therfore that the matter is come to this that the Guises conspiring with the Constable and the Martiall of S. Andrew haue gotten the king into their hands insomuch that they haue taken away from him and froÌ„ the Quéene their liberty and setting at naught the kinges Edictes they do euen what they list themselues And they haue already so begoon their Practises and Counsailes that if they may bring them to effect ther is no doubt but that the kings dignitie and the liberty of the kingdome of Fraunce wil quight be ouer throwne But to the ende you may vnderstand the whole matter I sende here vnto you the trew and plain explication of al things whych both the Guises and I my selfe haue done in this businesse By which it may euidently appeare that the Guises are the conspiratours and the breakers of the kings lawes and dignitie But I to stay these troubles for the defence of my kinge to whom I am bound both by duty and also by the bonde of nature also for the Realme my natiue contrey will spend all that I am able and my life it selfe And I alone will not do this but a great manye more of the same mind Wherfore I huÌ„bly beséech you to waigh and consider the reasons of all my doings the which if they seme iuste and good be an ayde I pray you in these perillous times to the king and Quene and to al the family of Valesia and set to your helping hand for peace and concorde In so doing your maiestie shall do a most godly acte He sent letters also to the Countie Palatine called Frederike all most to the same effect with both his writings also in the which he declared the maner of his doinges and because he had alwaies wished al his actions to be knowen to all men and to be iudged of those that will vprightly consider of the same he sayde he greatly desired that the truth of all thinges might be faithfully and truly knowen to all men to the end all those slaunders might be takeÌ„ away which his aduersaries the authours of al the trouble to his infamy euery where colourably spred abrode Although therefore the truth nedeth no defence and although he had both the testimony of a good conscience and also a sure testimony of many men for all his doinges to maintaine his cause yit notwithstanding he said he thought good to signifi vnto him with how great care labour he had sought as it became a faithful subiecte to do to make peace and quietnesse Where by hée trusted that he should sée both his faithfulnes towardes the king in the which he would alwaies abide and also should marualle at the peruerse obstinacy of his enemies which intend rather to coÌ„fouÌ„d peruert al things than to forsake their ambitiouse desire to rule Therefore hée sayd that hee wold write vnto him those things which he had great cause to lament beséeching him that for the loue and friendship which he bare to the King the realm he would helpe to further his purpose which only tended to the working of peace and tranquillitie To the same effect also he wrote two
confesse that I was not the first that toke the sweard in hand and when I did take it after them whych put them selues in Armor againste the King and Quéenes willes I had good occasion so to do For by the Lawe of Nature being a Prince and one of the Kings kinsmen I ought and am bound of duety to defend and maintain the dignity of the King and the peace and tranquillitye of the Realme So soone as I put on Armoure I protested that I woulde put of the same againe vppon suche reasonable conditions as shoulde appertaine to the libertye of the King and Quéene and to the peace and concorde of the Realme Whervpon it must néedes follow that they are the causes authours of troubles which haue refused those conditions and which when they could not abyde the peaceable gouernement of the Quéene and that shée should be the head ouer the Kings subiectes and disdayning at her for that shée looked so straytly vnto theÌ„ least they should defraude the kings creditors of any of their debt put themselues in armour came with a bande of soldiours to the King and beset him about with armed men that hauing the king and Quéene in their owne power they might gouerne the Realme as thei list theÌ„selues they committed horrible murthers vppon the kings subiectes liuing peaceably according to the kings lawes and thus haue brought vpon the whole Realme of France these stormy tempestes of trouble beginning euen a litle before to enioy peace and tranquillitie both partes being contented to liue peaceably so that they might enioye their Religion But and if leauing the present state of things wée will call to mind and consider euery mans actes in time past in good sooth wée shall finde these same men which at this day stirre vp these troubles haue ben also aforetyme the causes of great inconueniences to the Crown and dignitie séeking by the perturbation of this realme to enrich themselues whereas by peace and tranquility they decay And to omit that which king Fraunces a maÌ„ of excellent wisdome and Iudgement sayd of them and to omit also many of their bold and presumptuouse enterprises who knoweth not that they hating publique peace concord were the onely causes and authours of the truce and league breaking betwene king Henry and king Philip of Spaynâ—… to the great dammage and hurte of Fraunce In so much that they brought the same by warres in great perilles and all to haue their will and pleasure by one meanes or other Beside this after S. Laurence slaughter when thei had gotten vnto them the Treasurers office which thei had before gréedily gayed for what detriment or hurt did they not bring vnto the kingdome What did they also to King Henâ—…y who disâ—…king being weary of their violent and cruel dispositioÌ„ mynded to haue sent them away froÌ„ the Court to their howse had he not ben preuented by death But afterward in the dayes of king Fraunces the second being but yong these Straungers and violent Carters agaynstâ—… law and equitie and against the auncient constitutious of the realme of Fraunce vsurped the mere impery and gouernement of the kingdome during which time was the realme voyd of troubles Did they not in the sighte of all men go about to set that yong king being by nature very gentle and full of clemency agaynst his subiects and to haue made him infamouse with the note of cruelty for euer Did they not cause him to be a mortall enemie against his subiectes euen in the middest of his raigne in so much that except GOD in his mercy haâ—… turned away so great calamities and miseries lyke too haue ensewed we all should haue rued the same to remember â—…he which it would cause any Christian harte to tremble And to make an end of so lamentable a Tragedie When kinge Fraunces was dead these boysterouse stormes were blowen ouer the sky was more cleare the gouernement of the Realm being committed to the Quéene and to the king of Nauar vntill such tyme as their ambition hating peace and tranquillitie styred them vp and their fellowes to set heauen and earth togyther and to cause the state to be troublesome as to my great gréefe is to be séene Therefore I leaue the Iudgement of these to all indifferent men to discerne who are the authours of troubles whether they which haue sought peace and concord by all meanes possible or they which haue so mayntayned dissensions always that thei dare at this time to the great hurt of the whole Realme proclayme open warres Besides this there is so little cause for any man to marueile why I should be so busie to deale and so ware and circumspecte in the matter that I shuld be in great falte if I did otherwise For their actes in time paste againste me haue taught me sufficiently to beware how I put my selfe into their handes And it is playne enough to be séene that their purpose is to destroy the greatest part of the Nobilitie and of all estates of men which imbrace the truth of the gospell specially those that attende vpoÌ„ mée The which their meaning may easely be gathered by the talk which the Duke of Guise and the Constable had togyther of late in the Senate of Paris before a great assembly But what obedience they shewe towardes the Quéene it may appeare hereby that contrary to the Quéenes wil which she oftentimes declared they dyd frustrate the kings Edict of Ianuary adding this new exception Let not the Religion be vsed at Paris Who seeth not that they intend nothing else but euen to banish the Gospell out of all partes of the Realme when as also of late proclamation was made at Paris to banish al the new Christians To what purpose shoulde I say that by no other meanes the Inhabitants of Paris can be kept in quiet For we haue séene that the Prince of Rochesuryon and Martial Momorentius hauing about them only twelue soldiers haue kept the people of Paris in quiet without any maner of tumult the space of thrée monethes togyther The which continewed euen vntill that daye on the which the Duke of Guise entred into Paris But this is worthy the remembrance that when the same Martiall Memorency had somewhat increased the number of soldiers to kéepe the ordinary watch wherby the confederacies of certeyne factious persons might be preueÌ„ ted the Marchant maister and certeyne of the Citizens sayd that the people might be kept in peace and quyet with lesse ado a great deale Notwithstanding after the comming of the Guises into the Citie the mindes of the people were so altered that to kéepe them in quiet they were fayne to haue a band of men which they appointed without the knowledge and wil of the Quéene But I knowe it came to passe by the singular prouidence of God that the Duke of Guise and the Constable should disclose the secrets of their harts before so great a multitude that their toong
threatnings did nothing at all therein when it came to the pinch Neither would Pope Paule the fourth his successor wheÌ„ he was yet but Cardinal establish that which he thought to be mete necessary I omit that which Bernard other learned fathers haue said only this I say except we aply our minds put our haÌ„ds to the tearing vp of this roote of al euil Jesus Christ will descend from heauen with a whip in his hand to expel vs as buiers sellers out of the temple The third remedie shal be to confesse our faults the which in dede is the first step to helth to make the same manifest by publike generall fastings the which maner was alwayes obserued in the olde Church whensoeuer any great perill or daunger was like to come vpon the Church as plague famine or warre the which thrée euils in these our dayes inuade the realme togither For what greater plague can there be thaÌ„ that which slayeth mens soules What greater famine can therebe than the famine of Gods word Or what warre caÌ„ be more mortall or cruell than the corruption of pure doctrine By which we being drawn froÌ„ God are depriued of the eternal kingdom which Christ by his bloud hath purchased for vs Let vs therfore turn vs vnto those old accustomed remedies as to Câ—…mmon praier to fasting and to wéeping and first of all we must take into our handes the sworde of God that is to say his word the scahard wherof we scarsly retaine neither must we thinke that Myters Croziers Cappes Garments and other ornaments the which in old time were outwardly worne to shewe that which was inwarde that is to say that godly doctrine ought to be ioyned with a godly life can deliuer vs froÌ„ the coÌ„tempt of the people seeing that which is eternall is wanting there onely remaineth an outward shew feined sight Let vs set before our eies this horrible sentence which John the Baptist pronounced against the Jewes saying Nowe is the axe put to the roote of the trees euery tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruite is â—…ew â—…e downe and cast into the fire The fourth remedie shall be while the Councel is a preparing gathering togither to stay seditious persons so to restraine theÌ„ that they break not by any meanes the coÌ„mon peace tranquilitie let this be kept as a law ratified and inuiolable that it is not lawful for any subiect vpoÌ„ any occasioÌ„ or for any cause to take armes to lift vp the sword without the coÌ„mandement or leaue of the Prince the only moderator gouernor of warres This I speak for the sorowful exaÌ„ples sake which hapned are like to happeÌ„ except we take heds Of the one part we saw the tumult of Ambaxia on y other part there were certain Preachers which stirred vp the people to tumult violently to set theÌ„selues to destroy banish those protestaÌ„ts vnder a pretence of godly seditioÌ„ as though that Religion coulde or ought to be established by sedition And thus there was greate offence committed on both parts insomuch that many were slaine which were thought to be Protestants Moreouer those protestants did greatly offend enterprising many things rashly to put away these iniuries offred vnto theÌ„ taking armes therby violating the law of the magistrate which beloÌ„geth to no priuate persoÌ„ For the end of the law is to liue according vnto Gods wil to hurt no man and to obey the lawe of Armes Therfore the king is the maintainer of Gods law and the moderator of wars the which he may and ought to vse to the authoritie of the lawe and to the punishing of rebelles and traitours To be shorte he counteth him selfe a king who although he be not ordained of God yet of his owne will and authoritie moueth warre And truely herevpon it followeth that he ought to be counted of all men as an enimy and to be punished as a breaker of Gods ordinance and publique power For this cause I thinke it good that commaundement be giuen to inferior Magistrates that they diligently attend vpon their charge and offices least some newe thing happen by their carelesse negligence Hereby therefore it euidently appéereth that the first bonde to preserue the kings estate is so to establishe Religion that no man may abuse y same at his owne pleasure against the authoritie of the law and the ende thereof which is that both God and the king maye be obeyed But now to come to the seconde principall point as concerning the ordering and kéeping of the people in due obedience we thinke this to be the waye namely to heare the complaintes of the subiectes and to vse conuenient remedies for the same Notwithstanding there is great differeÌ„ce betwéene priuate open complaintes for if the complaints be made of priuate persons to priuate persons the diligence of the Judges which are appointed to ordinary gouernemeÌ„t is a spéedie way to remedie and helpe them But when there are generall complaints or when eyther the confirmation or alteration of things commeth in question we must straight way haue recourse to those auncient constitutions and orders by whiche the safetie of the kingdome standeth the which are nothing else than those thrée orders which we call the states That is to saye that those things being made manifest and opened which maye bring any confusioÌ„ and the remedies which were prouided to put away the same being diligently sought for the king for the loues sake that he beareth to his people maye determine and appoint that which is iustly required to the honor of God and the coÌ„mon profyte of all men Of the which thing the good will of the people wholy dependeth that hauing done that duetie which he oweth vnto God he may in lyke maner satisfie the mindes and willes of his subiectes And so he shall not onely kéepe the name of a king the gifts of nature appertaining to a kingly name but also may rule and gouerne by peace seing that gentlenesse may allure them of their owne good wils to do more than force or violence can extorte from them And to the ende it may euidentlye appéere that the complaintes are such that they ought to be heard and examined of the assembly of the States I will shewe vnto you a generall reason namely this The extraordinarie taxes tallages tributes haue so increased that now the subiectes not onely are not able to beare this great burthen but also not able to satisfie discharge those old duties which were before time accustomed to be payde Is not this a complaint to be considered talked of in the assembly of States Seing the greatest part of the people complaineth of the same and are by no maner of meanes any thing disburthened but specially seing that to heare the afflicted oppressed is the beginning of consolation to declare a readinesse and good will to ease theÌ„ is
more sure accomplishment wherof after we had made our faithfull prayers vnto God and had duely and rightly wayed and considered all things wyth one heart minde and free will haue entered into league by solemne oth of the name of the liuing God the which we haue sworne and before God and his Angelles haue promised to performe and kepe by the assistance of hys grace and mercy inuiolable vpon these conditions First of al we protest that in this League we haue no manner of consideration or regard either of our priuate persons or of our goods but do only set before our eyes the honor of God and the deliuerance of the King and Queenes Maiesties the obseruation of the Edicts which they haue commaunded and a perfecte good will to punish Rebels and such as contemne the King Queenes Maiesties And for these causes only we sweare and promise that we and euery one of vs will spend and bestowe all that euer we haue euen to the last drop of our bloude And this League shall abide inuiolable vntill the Kings Maiority that is to say vntill the King come to his lawfull age and doe take vpon him selfe the gouernment of the kingdome that then we may obey him in all things with voluntary obedience At which time we trust we shall geue so good an accounte of this our League the which also we wil do to the Quene she being at her own libertie whensoeuer she wil that it shal be manifest that this was no conspiracy but our duety of true obedience to preserue their Maiesties in these perillous times Secondly to the end all men maye vnderstand and know that we haue entered into this league with a pure conscience and in the feare of God vppon whom wee call as vppon the vpholder and protector of our society VVe declare and promise by our othe That wee will not suffer any man among vs to commit any thing against the honour of God and against the Kings Edicts as Idolatry Supersticion Blasphemy VVhoredome Theft Sacriledge and all suche otherlike forbidden by the lawe of God and by the last Edict of Ianuary the which if any do commit we will seuerely punish And to the end all thinges may be done according to the prescript rule of Gods word we will haue in all our assemblies faythfull ministers of Gods word which may teach vs the wil of God and whom as it is meete we may heare that we may obey the will of God. Thirdly we elect and nominate the Prince of Conde to be our Captaine generall being the Kinges neere kinsman and therfore one of his Counsel and the lawful protector and mayntayner of the Crowne of Fraunce VVhom we promise to helpe ayd and assist with al our might and to giue to him all obedience in all those thinges which appertayne to this League and if we neglect to do our dutie in any thing we submit our selues to such punishment as it shall please him to lay vppon vs. And if it shall so happen that the Prince of Conde shall not be able to go forward with this enterprise being let with sicknes or with any other reasonable cause we promise to serue and obey him whom he shall nominate to be his Vicar or Deputie And the Prince of Conde for the glory of Gods sake and for the obedience sake which he oweth to the King byndeth him selfe to these conditions promising to all that are of this confederacy by his othe that hee will with all diligence and courage by the helpe of God according to couenant constantly do the dutie of a true Capitayne Fourthly we comprehend in this League all the Kings Counsellers except those which contrary to their office beare armour to make the King and Queene fulfill their mindes The which armoure except they put of againe and do giue an account of their doinges with all subiection and obedience to the Queene and King whensoeâ—…er it shall please her to call them VVe giue them to vnderstand that for these iust and reasonable causes we wil accompt them giltie of treason and troublers of the coÌ„mon wealth And to come to the ende of this our league the which we protest againe wee haue made only for the glory of God for the dignitie and libertie of the King and for the peace and tranquillitie of this Realme which is to be mayntayned vnder the aucthoritie of the Queene mother wee affirme and promise euery one of vs and do confirme the same by solemne othe before God and his Angelles that we will prepare and prouide out of hand all that wee are able as money armoure horses and all other thinges necessary for the warre that wee may be in a readines so soone as we shall be called by the Prince of Conde and that we may followe him whither soeuer it shall please him to commaund vs and also that we may obey him in all thinges that appertayne to this league euen to the vtmost perill of our liues And if it shall happen that any of our companions and fellowes in this seague shall sustayne any hurt or detrement for this leagues sake we promise that we will helpe ayde and assist him all that wee can at the commaundement of the Prince of Conde But if it shall happen as God forbid it should that any one among vs forgetting his dutie and othe should conspire with our enemies and should violate this league by horrible treason and should not stand to these conditions and couenaunts VVe sweare and protest with all constantnes of faith that we wil bring such an offender to the Prince of Conde and will accompt him for an enemy and handle him as a traytor And thus be it ratefied and established betweene vs with free consent and irreuocable This league being made and the causes thereof being declared in maner and fourme as ye sée then euery where published abrode the Prince of Conde sent letters diuers times to the Queene Mother and to the King of Nauar his brother tending still to this effect That they should consider and haue regard to the state and that they should set before their eyes the manifolde perilles and troubles at hand except they according to their office and dutie did better prouide for the same that they should looke to the obseruation of the Edictes made by the act of Parliament specially now in the time of the Kings minority Protesting herewith for himselfe and the rest that they would be subiect and obedient to all thinges reasonable and lawsull but if the matter should come to triall by sword he sayd that then they feared no maner of perilles but would for the mayntayning of the glory of God the Kinges aucthoritie and the libertie of their consciences spend and bestowe all that they had The Queene Mother tooke the matter very gréeuously and signified to the Prince of Conde by her letters that as her person was a Captiue so also she was resâ—…rayned of her will and could not do
moleâ—…eth or troubleth them in their Religion or that doth hinder their Clergie by any maner of meanes And if there were any of vs that would so do or that would behaue our selues otherwise than we ought there are lawes and punishments to punish vs But truely vnder the coullor and pretence of Religion they séeke another thing We denie not but that they hate the truth of the Gospell as they haue of late declared by fyer and sword but this is the speciall thing they séeke for to trap and snare those that before tyme miraculously haue escaped their handes to be reuenged of others whome they haue alwayes hated and to enrich themselues by the spole of others The whicâ—… to bring to passe they care for no Religion And such as go about to resist their practises by which they séeke both the pâ—…rill of our kyng and the destruction of his subiecteâ—… by Ciuill warre they call open enemies to the kyng THese and many other things which time will reueale being wayâ—…d and considered the Prince of Conde testified before the kyng and Quéen these things also following and wished all kyngs Princes Nobles and all others of the Realme of Fraunce and all Christi an Nations â–ª truely to vnderstand these thinges First of all therfore he testifieth that he is not moued by desire of his owne profite but only with loue of the glory of God and of the profite of the whole common wealth to séeke the which he thought him selfe specially bound vnder the Quéenes auethoritie So that for conscience sake to do his dutie and for the loue hée beareth to his Countrey he sayth he is constrayned compelled to séeke all lawfull meanes to set the Quéen and the kinges Sonnes at libertie and to mayntaine and defend the kyngs Edictes and the Edict of Ianuary which was made for the ordering of Religion And he prayeth and beseecheth all the kynges true lawfull subiects waying and considering the matter as is before sayd that they would ayd and assist him in so good and godly a cause And because the king in the beginning of his raigne found him selfe oppressed with a great burthen of debt and hauing but little any maner of waye to discharge the same many of his faithfull subiects gaue vnto him a great summe of money both to discharge the same also to recouer his patrimony but there is no doubt but that they which are the auethors of this Ciuill warre will now laye holde and catch vnto them that sum of money which was giuen to the kyng for those causes and will spend and bestowe the same to oâ—…her vses Whereby both the people shall receiue great hurt and losse and also the hope which the Quéene and the kyng of Nauar had for the paiment and discharge of all the kynges debtes that the people might be brought into the same state in the which they were in the time of kyng Lodowiâ—… the xij that hope I saye by the wasting and consuming of that money should be 〈◊〉 and quight taken awaye For these causes the Prince of Conde affirmeth that they which shall get vn to them that money shal be bound to restore the same againe and at the length shall giue an accompt for the bestowing therof But he testifieth that he and all those that fight vnder his banner shall mayntayne furnish themselues with their owne proper costes and charges And God sayth he will heare from heauen the â—…rie of his poore oppressed people against those which begin warres and refuse all reasonable order which séeke trouble and constrayne vs to defend our selues wyth force of Armes And because all men do vnderstand and knowe that the kyng and Quéene being beset on euery side wyth souldiours and captiued and ruled and that the greater part of the Counsell are so quayled wyth feare that they dare not resist the auâ—…thors of this warre The Prince of Conde would haue all men certefied that hée myndeth and will shew towards the kyng and Quéene all obedience in the which he will giue place to none and that he will not suffer him selfe to be so deceiued mocked vnder the pretence of rescriptes of commaundements and of Letters vnder the kinges name and seale but will warre against them vntill the Kyng and Quéene do recouer their former libertie and authoritie and may declare their willes by their owne méere gouernement Concerninge the kyng of Nauar his brother the Prince of Conde beside the naturall bond of brotherly loue the particuler cause of obedience which he ought and will giue vnto him he testifieth that he doth consider of him according to his worthines and will giue vnto him next vnto the King and Quéene al obâ—…dience And hâ—… trusteth that he wil giue an accompt of his dealing whensoeuer it shal be required at his handes To be short the Prince of Conde and a great multitude of Earles Lordes and Nobles and other estates to declare that they speake simply and in good earnest and that they séeke for nothing more than the glory of God and the excellency and dignitie of their kyng Do earnestly pray and beséech the Queene Mother with all reuerence that setting the feare of men aside whych gard her after a straunge fashion with force of Armes as if she were a captiue that she would according to hir iudgement and mind fréely declare whether part were to be blanted and that she would goe vnto that Citie whererevnto she had most mind that from thence shée might coÌ„maund both parts by the meanest seruant she hath to put of their Armour so they would shew that dew obedience which shoulde become loyall subiectes to shew vnto their soueraigne Lord and would also mo destly answere to their doings according to the lawe The Prince promiseth that he will obey her lawâ—…ull commaundements vppon the condition that others would shew themselues ready to do their duties But if they refuse he testifieth that he with fiftie thousand men more which are of the same mynd will spend their liues And if it please not the Quéene to go to another place to do these thinges then let her first of all seeke that they by whom she is garded and captiued may goe to another place puâ—…tting of their Armour namely the Duke of Guise and his bretherne the Constable and the Marshiall of S. Andrew And although he being a Prince and the kynges néere kinsmen were their superior yet notwithstanding to the inteÌ„t it might apéere that he is in no poynt the cause of trouble and vnquietnâ—…s he promiseth that he and his whole armie will depart euery man home to his owne house vppon those conditions before spoken of Also hee sayth that hee hath a speciall care for this that the Kynges Counsellers may haue their accustomed libertie and that the kyngs lawes and the Edict of January may be obserued and kept vntill the kyng comming vnto his Maioritie may iudge of the matter him selfe and may punish
according to the prescript of the kings Edicts At Orleans they of both Religions liued peaceably and according to the Edict of January the priests openly in their churches vsed their superstitiouse rytes and ceremonies and the faithfull on the contrary part went out of the Citie to heare sermons The which notwithstāding continewed but a short time as shal be declared anon when occasion is offered to speake of the same The Prince of Conde had sent the causes in writing that moued him to warre of the which we haue spoken before to the King and Quéene and to the king of Nauar his brother praying and beséeching them that vpon the conditions which he propounded vnto them the whole matter might be peaceably ended and concerning the same matter also he wrote to the Senate of Paris that his writings and letters might be kept in the publique Commentaries and Register of the Senat for a remēbrance whatsoeuer might chaunce afterward After the which letters the Quéen answered the Prince of Conde the second of May by hir letters agayne In the which shée sayd she was glad that the Prince of Conde shewed himselfe to be desirouse of peace and concorde whereas otherwyse ther was cause why shée should greatly sorrow and lament for that shée being a woman to whom by the common consent of the States the gouernment of the king and realme was committed was nowe in the middest of so great troubles to be ryd out of which shée trusting to the Prince doubted not but that hée would do all that hée could for the good will and obediēce sake which hée did owe vnto the King and for the profite and quietnesse of the whole Realme and would not refuse any reasonable condicion for the establishing of peace and concord Therefore shée sayd that hée should do very well if so be he would come vnto the King and to her out of hand putting of his armour and trusting to the promises of her fayth which should be as sure vn to him as any obligation if so be hée would remember the friendship and loue which shée alwais bare towards him who loueth him as tenderly as the mother loueth her childe Therefore shée sayeth that hée shall doe very well if so be hée come boldly to the Court that hée may ende all matters at once before the King and hir The Senate of Paris also sent letters of aunswer to the Prince of Conde the fiueth day of May to this effect following Wée haue receyued your letters with the forme of your declaration the which we could not reade without our great sorrow and grief Séeing that wée know you to be a Prince and the Kings neere kinsmā of one of the most noble stockes of the kings kynred neyther do wée doubt but that your nature and disposition is agréeable to your offspringe as it is commonly séene in the best Princes if it be not alienated and drawne away wyth euill counsells And although it be our office onely to deale in the principal poyntes of the law yet neuerthelesse seeing you haue made special complaints vnto vs wée thought it not good to let you want all that wée are able to do in that point but fréely and truly to set before you our opinion and iudgemēt wherby you may know how reuerētly according to our duty we estéeme of you We haue considered and do perceyue that your complaintes do consist in two principall poynts The first principall is that it hath bene told you that the kyng Quéene were captiued in the custodie of certaine of the Nobles which attended vpon them and that many of his Connsellers were with threatninges made afeard Wee beséeche you that you would not any more beléeue these reportes séeing it is so manifest and euidently knowne to all men that it cannot be doubted of how that the King of Nauar your Brother a man of great wisedome and such a one as is very carefull for the preseruation of the king and his dignity is with the King and Queene who will not without all doubt suffer any maner of violence or iniury to be offered to the King being both of kyn to the Kyng as well as you also charged with the king by his office Beside this the Cardinall of Borbon is with them who hath no lesse care for the safetie of the king and the Realme than you haue Moreouer there are with him other Princes his kinsmen men of wisedome which are bound both by their office and also by the bond of loue to defende the kyng with a great sort of his Counsell also which if the kyng were so shamefully misused would lay their heades together to remedy the same because if in this poynt they should fayle to do their dutie they might be sure to be euill spoken of among all men In that therfore they do so diligently séeke with one consent the pre seruation of the state and would haue you to be ioyned with them you may thereby certainely perceiue how false those reports haue bene the which reports would greatly haue offended and gréeued the mindes of your bretherne if that they had not here tofore declared their fayth and great good will for if they should so behaue themselues towards the king it wold greatly redownd to their reproch and shame If you will wey and consider these things you shall find that those reporters do vnto you and to them also great iniury séeing that ye are bretherne This also we woulde haue you to vnderstand that we haue none otherwise confirmed letters concerning the libertie of the King and Quéen then the very truth thereof hath caused vs least you should thinke that we had done any thing rashly or through feare We feare no man in the executing of our office in doing whereof we haue only a consideration of the kyng specially in those thinges which do belong to the obediēce of the kyng and to the profite of the Realme being ready for these causes to spend our life and goods Know you also for suertie that all dew reuerence obedience is shewed here to the King and Quéene And because we vnderstand by your declaratiō that you find fault with certaine of vs as though we forsaking the Kinges lawfull Counsell were present at certaine secret Counselles Know you also this for a certaine that none of vs were present at that counsell which was kept here extraordinarily by the aucthoritie of the king of Nauar your brother but only by the slat commaundement of the Cardinal of Borbō your brother also and the kéeper of the Citie neyther did we heare sée or perceyue that anything was done there which did not appertaine to the obedience of the King. The other principall poynt of your complaints concerneth Religion The which truely is no lesse straung and wonderfull vnto vs Of the which we perceyuing that you haue ben otherwise infourmed than it is haue thought good to certifie you of the trueth You knowe that
cause which was not perticuler but generally belonging to all men and that I should resist open force and tyrāny and restore libertie of conscience to the men of the reformed Churches by the benefite of the kings Edicte after so great and so longe affliction whereby they sayd I should preserue the authoritie and dignitie of the king and the Estates For these causes the greatest part of Noble men and Gentlemen vppon conscience of their dutie knowing that they were bound hereunto both by diuine and also by mans lawe haue followed me and with these the greatest part of the kings subiectes and his most noble Cities haue voluntarily ioyned themselues with me and rather by diuine than humane reason haue elected and created mée with one voyce and consent for this cause to be their Captayne The which office I being of the kings bloud and naturally bound to the Crowne of Fraunce haue taken vpon mée and haue sworne to maintayne the glory of God the dignity and conseruation of the king the Realme hauing also entered into league with them in respecte whereof I haue bound my selfe vnto them and cannot be discharged of my othe againe without the solemne consent of my fellowes to whom I haue giuē my faith And whereas I offered to the Quéene to become a banished man vpon this condicion If by the departing of vs fewe the common peace and libertie of Religion might bee obtayned it is manifest that my departure shall open a gap to more miserable destruction and therefore there is no cause why I should be bound by that my promise If I should departe the realme I should leaue the King in this his nonage in perill of the ambition and violēce of straungers and the Crowne of the which I am by nature a defender and protector in hasard of lying in the dust Agayne it cannot be that the Kinges subiectes should be in the more securitie through my departure whē this one thing is manifest that the Shepeheard beeing away ▪ the Woulfe maye the more easely destroye the flocke Can I thinke that so great a multitude can be sent out of the realm without their great hurt and without the great destruction of the whole realme Therefore for my duties sake to do the which I am bound both by nature and also by my othe I cannot neyther ought I to depart out of the Realme specially in these perillouse tymes vnlesse I would incurre the faulte of a fugitiue and startaway For as touching the reasons which my aduersaries bring to couer their wickednesse and to diswade me from the defence of so iust a cause they are so weake of so small waight that no man will estéeme them but those which are affectionate vnto them For whereas they say that from that time hitherto the Quéene hath altered her purpose disalowed the Edicte and allowed their bearing of armour and had giuen hir authoritie to the King of Nauarre to rule and order the whole matter it is nothing First bycause it is more probable and agreable to reason that whatsoeuer the King the Quéene and the viceroy determined and decréed when they had full libertie and when the kingdome was in peace is more firme and sure than that which they approue and confirme in these troublesome tymes when they are after a sort constrayned by force of Armes Secondly the Quéene cannot alow the gathering togyther of domesticall and forein Armyes of men and the beginning of warre contrary to the auncient custome of the lawes of Fraunce and the late decrée of the states and that for so euil an end purpose as to breake the Kinges Edicte the decrée aforesaid made solemly by the Quenes cōmandement but she must also ouerthrow the foundation vppon which her authoritie standeth which by that meanes should be of no force Neyther can she of her selfe put ouer to another her authority and power to gouerne bycause it commeth not vnto her by natural right but is giuen vnto her by the benefite and consent of another Moreouer touchinge the king of Nauarre whether hée be Viceroy or Legat he hath no such authority that he may commaund the Guises or any other to gather togyther armies of men and that without the commaundement of the Quene or the kings lawfull Counsaile chosen by the states The which was not obserued when the Quéene gaue them commaundement to put of their armour Neyther is it of greater waight or force that the Quéene since that tyme hath approued the bearing of armour and the musteringe of souldiers bycause in those matters it cānot be sufficient to haue only a bare allowing or approuing in the which a sure and expresse commaundement is required To conclude admit the Kinges Counsaile were such as it ought to be by the decrée of the States and that there were ioyned therwith the authoritie of the Quéene and of the Kinge of Nauar God forbid that any man how great soeuer his authority be in the tyme of the Kinges nonage might gather an army proclayme warre and put the power of the King and the Realme into the hands of a subiect be he neuer so faithfull without the wil and consent of the States first had and specially when the purpose is so euill and that the Kinges ▪ Edict should be broken These thinges of me considered I haue determined not to forsake my king in his young age and my Countrey and Religion all which requyre my helpe Therefore I haue brought my army more neare my enemies my souldiers being very willing and couragious to set vppon the enemy and to ioyne battaile But our enemies which haue so often triumphed ouer vs scorned vs haue found no better way than to packe and steale away secretly in the night Therefore forsaking to ioyn battail with vs thei came to Blais a town without any Garrison vnlooked for besieged the same and when they had won it they shewed al maner of cruelty and since that tyme they haue spoyled as yet do spoile cruelly many of the Cities of this Realme And as for the Quéene though she know the goodnes of our cause and that I haue done nothing but by her commaundement yet neuerthelesse bycause she is more a fraide of the power and subtill practises of our aduersaries than she trusteth to the good successe of oure parte mindeth to giue her selfe wholy vnto them anddoth more openly and vehemently fauour them as may plainly appear by these effectes Therefore shée gaue her selfe wholy to the Cardinal of Lorrayn who at that tyme was with her to be gouerned by him although shée knewe well enough the couetousnes ambition cruell mind which is in him and in the rest of that stocke which haue bin the causes of most greuous troubles in the Realme of Fraunce ▪ since that tyme that they haue borne any rule Therfore the Cardinall left nothing vndone that might hinder peace as may appeare by hys letters which by chaunce came to our handes
those to bée slaine murthered and spoyled of all they haue whom your maiestie is bound by your dutie too defend and shield from all harme and distresse To be short is there any thing so coÌ„trary to Iustice and equitie as to winke at these infinite murthers and intollerable iniuries which by the Cardinalles procurement and allowance do so gréeuously aflict this whole kingdome and are by them and his fellowes falsely fathered to be your Maiesties procéedings Wherfore séeing this is euident and plaine as in deede it can not be denied that it gréeueth your Maiesty as you haue often written to the Admirall and me to be bereaued of lawfull and due obedience and to haue Iustice defiled and corrupted and haue theruppon desired your mother that all things might be done quietly without any kind of tumult and that the Edict might be obserued and all occasions eschewed that might pro cure ciuill warres againe being the extréeme destructi on of your kingdome if I say your Maiestie haue done all these things and notwithstanding your faithfull true subiects do perceiue that the Cardinall who hath conspired our death hath as it were violently and frau duntly possessed your authoritie and abusing the same doth charge your host and souldiers contrariâ—… to the publique warrant graunted to vs to take both me and the Admirall by treason and ambushe and doth also en force your Maiestie to do al thinges contrary to the dutie of a good and gracious Kyng to the entent he might weaken and slaken the good will and loue of your subiectes Wese him also rule and gouerne the whole coÌ„mon wealth according to his owne filthy lust to bring all thinges to such narrow streites that euery mans hart is ready to flame out with euerlasting fire of dead ly hatred by reason of so many horible murthers that escaped al vnpunished scotfrée séeing therfore that these thinges are so manifest what els can your subiects doe in this extréeme desperation but to suppresse that wicked Cardinall author and beginner of all mischiefe And surely the cause that vrgeth them to séeke this remedie is both iust and lawfull séeing they can not suffer any man to raigne ouer them but your Maiestie sée moreouer your dignitie and Crowne their religion honour goods and liues to bee in the handes of their deadly enemies nor haue nor can haue any protection wherewith to shield them selues from such iniuries as openly are both threatned and offered them How can they either hope or suffer any longer foreséeing in their mindes that terrible and blustering tempest of troubles that is like to ensue Wherof they haue full many a time aduertised your Maiestie setting before your graces eyes the fearefull lamentable state of things haue very often most humbly craued remedie at your handes These are the causes O Kyng that haue enforced me and the Admirall and diuers others of your subiectes who had rather to hazard their liues and die valiantly and honorably then to suffer so great iniurie villanie to be wrought against your Maiestie and the whole Realme after long and earnest sute for other lawfull meanes to take this thing vppon vs Wherfore we all desiring and crauing the helpe and aide of all Princes Noble men confederate to succour your Maiestie in these extréeme daungers do protest before God and all the world that this is our only entent desire to haue The Cardinall of Loraine and his fellowes and that it is they only whom we seeke as the very rootes causes and maintayners of all trouble and mischiefe Which threaten destruction desolation to this kingdome and to pursue them as periured robbers violaters of peace chiefe and deadly enemies of all good orders and quietnes Wherefore let no man hereafter marueile if I and my fellowes refuse to obey any thing that shal be ordeyned in your Maiesties counsell where in the Cardinall is present not that wee will disobethem as come from your highnes but as coygned and framed by the Cardinall and his companions whome we vtterly refuse renounce both in publique affaires that concerne the common wealth and also in priuate matters that only touch vs to the entent wee bee not charged with the troubles that may arise hereof but he rather who is the authour and father of them the Cardinall I meane and his adherents These letters and this supplication therefore béeing deliuered to the King the prince of Conde went to Noiers with his wyfe great with childe and with his childreÌ„ also of which some were in their tender infancie The Admirall also caried with him his whole familie his brother the Andelots wife with her Sonne which was then of the age of two yeares with this weake Army the Prince of Conde went to Noyers but not without great perill of the garrisons of souldioures wich were at hande Notwithstanding the Prince of Conde what with his owne men and what with the housholde seruaunts of the Admirall and certaine other Noble meÌ„ which came to ayde them had an hundred and fifty horsmen to garde his trayne But being in great perill and necessitie found out a remedie though full of daunger aduenture Therefore because the Hauens Portes Bridges and passages were warded with garrisons of souldiours so that they could not passe thei determined to goe ouer the Riuer of Loyer This Riuer is in all places for the most part so déepe that a shippe may passe by the same Notwithstanding because the force of the streame fretteth worketh vp great heapes of sandes oftentimes there is in certain places the lesse plenty of water By reason hereof they found by and by a shallow foorde ouer the which when an horse had safely passed the whole multitude followed in like manner The which passage was wonderfull séeing the very same place within two dayes after was so depe that no man might in the same manner passe ouer againe The selfe same day certain armies of footemen whiche we sayd were sent for to leaue the siege of Rochell and to come to take the Prince of Conde came to Sangodon a village almost thrée miles distant from that parte of the Riuer ouer the whiche the Prince of Conde had passed Therefore when the Prince of Conde had a cléere passage he made the more spéede in his iorney towardes the house of the Rouchfaucalt in the territorie of Santonge shoonning all Townes and places where he knew Garrisons of Souldioures to bee set and hée wrote letters to Marshall Vielleuil which was then at Poyctiers and to Monsieur Monluce Lieuetenant of Guian signifying vnto them that his purpose was to go to the house of Rochefocault only to leaue his family in safetie and there to abyde himselfe vntill such time as hée had receyued an aunswere of his letters of which wée spake before from the king About this time also the aduersaries lay in wayte to take the Cardinall Odet Chastillon abydinge in the
founde desolate directing his way from thence to Nyort to besiege it certaine forerunners of his campe were come alreadye to the gates to terrifie those that were within the towne At this alarum the Lord de Mouy with certaine horsemen issued spéedely oute of towne who were no sooner without the gates than the other were retired almosâ—…e out of sight whervpoÌ„ he returned and being one of the lasâ—… to gouerne the retraite as he was at point to enter the towne one Montreuell yelded to him not long afore vnder colour of religion discharged a Pistolet vpoÌ„ him and hurt him sore in the head flying immediatly well mounted vpon the selfe same horse which the Lorde de Mouy had giuen him who notwithstanding hys hurte determined not to deparâ—… the towne albeit being specicially aduised by his friendes to be caryed where hys hurt may bée cured he left Nyort the seuenth day of October and came to Sainctes and from thence he was caried to Râ—…chell where within fewe dayes after he died to the griefe of the armie for he was of stayed councell in any cause of estate of great spéede and iustice in execution and of long experience in maâ—…ters of warre as witnesse his actes as well in the battaile of Dreux as other places of worthy memory the rest appointed vnder him within Nyort left also the towne together with the Lorde de lâ—… Brosse gouerner there retiring with iii. hundred shot to Rochell This was the same Lorde de la Brosse who with the ayde of the Lorde de Pluuâ—…au made head agaynste the Countie de Lude at the siege aforesayde The Kings brother finding the towne forsaken entred without let whether also came very shortly after the King â–ª the Quéene mother and Cardinall of Lorain being then néere Chynon they began there to deuise and deliberate vppon their present buâ—…nesse accompting it of speciall purpose to recouer the Castle of Lusignan wherein was gouernor the Lord de Mirambeau that afore the Protestants had either renued their strength or well assured their present companyes In this minde they dispatched forthwith certein to summon the castle who so preuayled with perswasions to the gouernour that easily inoughe he gauâ—… vp the Castle onelye with lyues and goods saued certein dayes afore the battell there were bestowed in this holde fiue Cannons which discended to the catholikes by couenaunt this was iiii or â—…ue dayes after the battell of Mâ—…nt-gontour Nyâ—…rt beyng thus abondoneâ—… the Princes wente to S. Iean de Angely the ix of this moneth and so to Sainctes and bicause they gathered that the catholikes woulde besiege it they determined to man it with greate numbers of men of warre causyng to enter forthwith the horsemeÌ„ of the Lord de la Motte with câ—…rtein footemen likewise captaine la Mures companye beyng of the regimen of the Lord de Uirieâ—… At that time was gouernour the L. de Oryoll a gentleman of Sainctonge who after was content to giue order to the pollicie and state of the towne leauing the consideration of matters of warre to the Lord de Pilles whome the Prince established there for that purpose and who as yet was not fully cured of the hurt in his thigh receyued at the siege of Poyctiers He with the Souldiourâ—… and the rest of the inhabitantes resolued to defende the Towne and endure the siege The morow after the Princes came to Sainctes there made their armie passe ouer Charante The â— of the said moneth the lord of Montbrun and Myrabell departed from the Campe to go into Languedoc a iourney pretended longe time before so that they might leade thither their regiments and for this cause at the siege of Poictiers as is aforesaid the Lord de Pontais Marshall of the Princes Campe as well in their owne name as for other Colonelles Captains and Gentlemen of Daulphine were sutors for leaue to go for a certaine time into Daulphine and the more to enforce their motion â–ª they shewed how long they had followed the campe and that their Souldioures wearied with so continuall warre â–ª stoode in néede to be reléeued with the freshe aire and fellowshippe of their Countrey and lastly as their generall feare to be so euill wintered as the yeare before dryue diuers numbers to retire without order to the townes holden by the Religion in Uiuares where they had sure aboade so if they be not some what reléeued of their long and lothsome trauayle alwaies in a campe it is also to be feared that by litle and little they do not abandon their Ensignes leaue their Colonelles in the fiéeldes without Souldiours The same being already reuealed vnto them by certain numbers of their soldioures they could do no lesse than coÌ„mend their sute with humble request in themselues for leaue and liberty to depart now that the siéege of Poyctiers is raised The Princes aunswered that they could not order their request and satisfie the time togyther bicause they were as yet vncertaine what would bée the ende and issue of the siéege and therefore they thought it conuenient that they taried till the ende of the moneth of September hoping after thei had sene the resolute procéedinges of the catholiques to bestowe their armye in garrisons to rest all winter This aunswere qualified their requestes with expectation of the end of September When the army being returned from the countreâ—… of Touraine and soiourning néere to Fay la Vineuse their sute was eftsoones put vpon new â—…earmes for which cause the Gentlemen Captaines and Colonelles of those countrey men assembled to deliberate vppon the motion some were of opinion to pursue in generall a leaue and libertie of the Princes séeing their time of Septem ber is expired But others Iudged the presente season most inconuenient to entreate for leaue consideringe the state and disposition of the warre euery day enclyâ—…ing to battaile where they were bound in duty to bée â—…nlesse they would deface the honoure of their actions passed Which last opinion so settled into the moste of them that they resolued vniuersally both to mortifie their desire to go home and also to giue ouer to attempt further leaue attendinge eyther by battaile or by some happy peace to make themselues frée of the warre and so returue and remaine quietly in their houses And thus the Lord de Montbrun and Mirabell remayned in the Campe vntill the tyme wherein they thought to execute their enterprise wherein after they had communicated with the Lord de Verbeleâ—… brother to the Bishop of Puy in Auuergne and many other as weâ—… of Dauphine as the countreys thereabout as of purpose to haue their company in the voyage they went to An goulesme to the end to tary there for their furniture and strength This being known in the campe many came to Angoulesme to assiste the voyage so that they were in all aboâ—…te foure hundred horsemen in verye good pointe to fight with certaine nombers of shotte on horsebacke with the which the saide Lord
a King too maintaine in his Realme diuersities in religion but that he shall leese the good will and beneuolence of his subiectes yea and they which are of a contra◅ie Religion to his desire nothing in their hart more than the change of the King and of his estate For the reason abouesayde the Duke of Guise to bring the matter to this passe shall take paines to persuade the nobilitie and others infected with the sayde newe opinion to returne of themselues and of their owne frewil to the Catholike Religion and to abiure and renounce the new without any more expresse commaundement from the king For how so euer it be his maiestie is resolued to make his subiects liue in his Religion and neuer to suffer what so euer may betyde that there shall bee any other forme or exercise of religion in his Realme than the catholike The said Duke of Guise shal cōmunicate with the principal officers and magistrates hauing the principall charge and administration of iustice in cities of his gouernement his Maiesties declaration to the intent they should knowe his minde and the good end wherevnto he tendeth for the vniting and quietnesse of his subiects to the intent the sayde M. de Guise and the sayde officers and Magistrates should with one concorde intelligence and correspondence proceede too the effect abou◅ sayd so that fruit and quietnesse may thereof ensue such as his Maiestie desireth not only for himself but for the whole Realme The Baylifes and stuardes which are not in religiō accordingly qualified shal within one moneth resigne their offices to gentlemen capable and of the qualitie required by the Edict which may keepe and exercise the same And too the intent this should bee done his Maiestie doth nowe presently declare them depriued after the sayde moneth if they do not then resigne that they shall haue no occasion or colour of excuse to delay their resignations and yet permitteth them in the meane whyle to resigne without any fine paying Al Baylifes stuardes shal be resident at their offices vpon paine of losse of the same and if they can not so be then they shal be bound to resigne Al Archbyshops and Bishops shal likewise bee resident in their dioces and such as for age and other disposition of person can not preach the word of God nor edifie the people and do other functio◅s appe◅taining too their charge and dignitie shal be bounde to take a conductor to comfort them and to employ them selues to the duetie of their charge To the which conductour they shal appoint an honest and reasonable pension according to the fruites and r◅uenue of their liuing Also persons and vicars shall be resident at their benefices or else shall bee admonished to resigne them to such as will be resident and doe their duetie Archbyshops and Byshops shal take information of thē which holde abbeyes prioryes and other benefices in their dioces of what qualitie so euer they are and how they do their duetie in the administration of them wherevpon they shall make processe by worde vnto the Gouernours which shal sende them to the King to prouide therin as reason shall moue him They shall c◅pell the curates actually to abide at the places of their benefices or else shal appoint other in their steades according to the disposition of the Canons At Paris the iij. day of Nouember 1572. Signed Charles LETTERS OF M. DE GORDS THE KINGS Lieutenant in Daulphine too certaine of the Religion in his gouernement wherby he exhorteth them too come backe againe too the Religion of Rome and howe the King is determined too suffer none other SIr I am sufficiently aduertised of your behauior but you shuld remember what aduertisements I haue before sent you too returne too the Catholike Religion of your selfe which is the best holde stay that you can chose for your preseruation and health putting frō you all those which persuade you to the contrary who woulde abyde to see any commotion or disorder rather than abate any poynt of their opinion And by this meanes you shall make euident too the King the wil which you say you haue to obey his Maiestie counsailing you for as much as I desire your well doing that this is the best for you to do without loking for any more open commaundemēt otherwise assure your self there can but euil come of it and that his Maiestie would be obeyed And thus I pray God to aduise you and giue you his holye grace From Grenoble the sixt of December 1572. Your entire good friend Gordes THE ANSVVERE OF THE GENTLEMEN Capitaines Burgeses and other being in the towne of Rochell too the commaundementes that haue bene giuen them in the name of the King to receyue garrisons WE the Gentlemen Capitaines Burgeses and other nowe being in this towne of Rochell doe giue answere too you Mounsier N ▪ and to such commaundementes as you giue vs in the name of his Maiestie that wee can not acknowledge that that which is signified vnto vs and the Proclamation which you require that we shuld cause to be published do proceede from his Maiestie And thereof we call to witnesse his Maiestie himself his letters of the. xxij and. xxiiij of August his owne signet and the publishing of the same letters by the which his sayd Maiestie layeth all the fault of all the trouble lately happened and of the cruell slaughter done at Paris vpon those of the house of Guise protesting that he had enough to doe too keepe himselfe safe within his Castell of Louure with those of his Garde And we shall neuer suffer our selues to be persuaded that so foule an enterprise and so barbarous a slaughter hath at any tyme entred into the mind of his Maiestie much lesse that the same hath bene done by his expresse commaundement as the paper importeth which you haue exhibited vnto vs nor that his maiestie hath bene so ill aduised as himself to cut of his owne armes or too d◅sile the sacred wedding of Madame his owne sister with the sheding of so much noble and innocent bloud and with the shame of so cruell a fact to disteine the nation of Fraunce and the bloud royall which hath heretofore euer among all nations borne the name of franke and courteous nor that he hath had minde to deliuer matter to writers to set forth a tragicall historie such as antiquitie hath neuer heard speake of the like and such as posteritie can not reporte without horror But that it was first layd at Rome and afterward hatched at Paris by the authors of all the troubles of Fraunce And howsoeuer it be wee are readie too maintaine that out of the mouth of his Maiestie doth not proceede hote and cold white and black and that he doth not nowe say one thing and by and by an other as he should doe if the paper that you present vnto vs had passed from him protesting that he will inuiolably keepe his Edict and immediatly breaking