tyme. Being at Aigueperses he writt vnto the King The Count of Auvergne writs vnto the King At the same place hee told the Baron of Camillac that hee was aquainted with the desseine of his taking It is true sayd hee I knew it well and I beleeue you thinke I am a very honest man He sayd that hee submitted himselfe to all the rigours of the Kings Iustice if hee had sayd done thought or attempted any thing since his Abolition All the way hee seemed no more afflicted then when hee was at libertie Hee tould youthfull and idle tales of his Loue and the deceiuing of Ladies Hee shott in a harguebuse at birds wherein hee was so perfect and excellent as hee did kill Larkes as they were flying Sometimes hee would cast forth wordes of apprehension to enter into that great heape of stones of the Bastille where hee had alreadie tryed his patience for the space of foure or fiue monethes Descures mett him at Briarre and there hee entred into a Caâ—osse and was garded and led vnto Montargis and from thence hee was imbarked vppon the riuer and presently conducted vnto the Bastille without passing by the Arcenall And entering into the Duke of Birons chamber hee knew his bed with some feeling of greefe and taking leaue of them that had conducted him He assures theÌ„ of his innocency he assured them that hee would goe out of that place as he had entred and if they found him more guiltie then he had sayd he desired them not to pittie him Entring in he sayd vnto Ruvigny that he had rather lodge in any Tap-house in Paris then in the Bastille Those that beleeue that he is not lodged there to get out so soone as hee did the other time thinke also that it is the worst that can happen vnto him But it shall be an incomparable miserie to bee alwayes depriued of the Kings grace and fauour whithout the which the best conditions are most lamentable and a life of this manner how short soeuer is a tedious and a languishing Life it is no Life it iâ— to languish and to abuse Life The happy discouery and so fitly of all that was done and in a manner thought against the Kings seruice is no small signe of the prosperity of his Raigne and of his Fortune A happy discouery of Conspiracieâ— and an assurance that those heads which shall strike against this rocke of Diamant will proue Glasse The desseignes of his enemies haue sometimes shewed themselues like vnto fixed Starres in the Firmament of their ambition and in the end they haue proued but Comets exhallations which drawne out off the Earth haue beene lost in the Ayre of their Vanity and Imagination All these practises in the end were like vnto those poore wretched Cottages built vp of Durt and couered with Stubble And if all the Conspirators bee not yet taken yet they do nothing being discouered and knowne to the eyes of the Kings Iustice. Conspiracyes are like vnto Coâ—les The Conspirators amazed which in the shadowe do flame but when as the Sunne shines on them they â—all into ashes It is not the seuerity nor the Rigour of his Iustice neither the terrour of examples and punishments that hath discouered these Conspiracies He hath not caused the Bell of Ramire King of Spaine to bee runge to terrifie all the Conspirators with the sound thereof This King being offended with the Conspiracies of his Subiects sayd D. Ramiâ—es Bell. that hee would show them a Bell the which hee had caused to bee cast the â—ound whereof might be heard throughout all the whole world Curiosity made them goe and they found in a great place the Heads of the principall men of the Realme set one vpon an other in forme of a Bell. It is the great obedience that is yeelded vnto the King euen by them that are least inured to obey that hath discouered these practises It is the great Wisdom of his carriage the Order he hath taken to be aduertised of all and to knowe all It is the Authority and respect which neuer was so absolute and perfect in his Predecessors as in him This apprehension was a famous president For the time was when he must haue had more men to take the Count of Avuergne and to conduct him vnto Paris without let Considâ—â—â—tions vpon his taking Wee may obserue in this apprehension many things that may breed Admiration and amazement and which shewe that Men do in vaine furnish themselues with Wisedome against Heauen and with Intelligences against the King The Count of Avuergne had aduertisements from all places that they should take him and that the Kings Pensioners were in the field to that effect His most inward and neerest friends and among others Florac knewe it and said nothing vnto him preferring his duty to his Prince before all affection The Constable was also as well informed thereof as any other and yet he made no shewe thereof A shewe of great Wisedome Wisedome of the Constable His duty prescribed him a Lawe to all the bounds of Nature so there is not any one but is more bound to the seruice of the King and his Country then to his owne health or to that of his Children A Gentleman being at his Table speaking of this taking said Sir if the King should command mee to take you I would doe it although I bee your most humble seruant that you march in the first rankes of Greatnesse in the Realme and that all things touching Armes depend vpon your commandments I beleeue it answered the Constable else you should do ill for the King is both your King and mine I am your Friend There is no loue nor affection to dispence any one from the Kings Commandments The Count of Auvergne long before and since his taking hath not said nor done any thing whereof the Kings seruants haue not kept register He complayned of those that were daily about him that they sayd nothing vnto him and they all answered that they were too honest to tell him anything Hee is a Prince of great vnderstanding capable of all sorts of desseins of a quicke disposition warlike vigâ—lant and full of inuentions and subtilties But all this auayled him nothing against the King of whome wee may say that hee hath wicked wretches inough in his Kingdome that would deceiue him but they are not cunning enough to doe it Soone after that the Count of Auvergne was lodged in the Bastille D' Aâ—tragueâ— commâ—tted to pâ—ison and his daughter the Marquis of Verneuil restrayned D' Antragues Gouernor of Orleans was committed to the Concergerie of the Pallace and the Marquis of Vernuill his daughter garded in her house by the Knight of the waâ—ch Sâ—ee tried that hee that is capable to loue earnestly may also hate extâ—eamely We can say nothing of the causes of this change but what may bee learned by the issue of the Processe They bee affaires which
Realme of Sicilia giuen him by authoritie of the holy Sea as a holy gage of the Church Peter answeares That Charles is the vniust vsurper hauing violently rauished the Lands of the Empire from Manfroy the lawfull heire That hee could not bee ignorant of his right hauing married Constance his daughter by whom hee had Sonnes to whome he could not denie the dutie of a Father without wronging of Nature Thus he opposeth the authoritie of Nature to the Popes power right to wrong and reason to passion Moreouer to this law of nature he ioynes faith the ground of humane societie being called and desired by a people vniustly wronged in their goods liues and honors Should hee then contemne their teares being bound to succour them He hath therefore done what he ought 1282. a lawfull heire against an vsurper and a tyrant for poore people oppressed resolute to continue so great a worke worthie of a Châ—istian King perswading himselfe that God who had giuen him a good beginning would send him a happy ending leauing Sicilia free and peaceable to his posteritie And thus one for an other The Pope supports Charles against Peter Hereunto Pope Martin the fourth did add his thundrings supporting Charles his cause with as great vehemencie as his Predecessor Nicholas had laboured to plot his practise against him He sends a Legat to the Sicilians to let them vnderstand that they were excommunicated and their goods confiscate The Legat deliuers his Commission freely and cites all the people to Rome with an expresse inhibition to all Preests not to communicate any Sacraments vnto them vnder great paines So all the Churches in Sicilia were shut vp by the Popes authority The same thunderboult is cast against Peter he is Excommunicated Degraded and his realme of Arragon accursed but from words they fell to blowes Charles resolute to hazard all intreats Philip his nephew to succour him with his best meanes in this his great necessitie And the better to ingage him he giues Catherin the daughter of his son Charles the lame in marriage to Charles the yongest sonne of Philip and in consideration of this marriage giues him the Duchie of Aniou Of this marriage shall issue Philip of Vallois who shall be King of France Philip succors his vncle Charles fortie three yeares after All France armes for this warre Philip imployes all his meanes Peter Earle of Alanson the Kings brother Robert Earle of Artois his nephew the Duke of Bourgongne the Earles of Bologne Dampmartin Ioygny with an infinite number of the Nobilitie repaire from all parts of the Realme Charles sending men expresly with priuate letters to all his friends to inuite them to this war And to keepe Paleologus in Constantinople hee workes with the Christians of Asia and with the Ilands of Cipres Malta Rhodes and others to make warre against him and likewise he fought to disquiet Arragon by meanes of the Nauarrois Philip remayning at Tolouse for that purpose Behold the Arragonots in great perplexitie charged on all sides both with spiritual and temporall armes but that which troubled him most the Sicilians excommunicated by the Pope and amazed at so great forces as came to Charles from all parts not not onely grew cold The Sicilians seeke to make their peâ—ce with Charles but also sought to make their peace with Charles To this end they goe to Rome to Pope Martin of whome they craue pardon with an extraordinarie humilitie for the Historie noates that their Deputies being on their knees cryed to the Pope Qui tollis peccata mundi miserere nostri A title belonging onely to Iesus Christ. This deuout respect had in a manner drawne the Sicilians to Charles his obedience wherein Doubtles he had preuailed if he would haue imbraced the occasion for Pope Martin had perswaded them to yeeld but without a French garrison Whereunto Charles would not coÌ„discend seeking to haue them at his discretion Peter was not quiet in mind amidst al these difficulties hauing the Pope in front the people readie to reuolt Philip watching ouer his Realme of Arragon and an armie in the Port of Naples redie to land Peter doth pollâ—tikly auoyd all dangers Hee findes an expedient for all these difficulties to stay all these forces to quiet this storme of Sicilia and to escape all dangers after a manner in shew worthy of commendation for the reputation valour and bountie of so great a Prince Hee giues Charles to vnderstand that hee lamented the common miserie of so much people whome he did see in danger for their priuat quarrels that it were much better to end it betwixt themselues by the sword That if hee were an honest man a souldiar and a King hee was redie to fight with him and Sicilia should remaine to the Conqueror They were both old and broken but both equall Peter had onely the aduantage in one thing he was more cunning then Charles and his intent was to circumuent him as indeed he did A Combat appointed betwixt two Kings Charles willingly accepts the combat The manner is determined by a common consent â—hat either King should take a hundred choise horse and that the conquering troupe should purchase Sicilia to his King Bourdeaux is chosen for the place of combat the day is appointed All Europe flies to this Theater to see an end of so notable a quarrel by such an extraordinary meanes Charles comes to the place at the prefixed day with his troupe chosen out of the brauest Gentlemen of the Armie Peter appeares not nor any one for him 1283. he is called he is summoned they protest against him but there is no newes of him So after all these soâ—lemne protestations euery one retires with laughter Peter fortifies himselfe in Sicilia but Peter was otherwise imployed he assured Sicilia by his wiues meanes whom he sent thether prouiding to fortifie the weaker places both of Sicilia and Naples equally threatned The heate of the French is cooled by this intermission of time by the hope of an accord and by the departure of so great a multitude disbanded to see this sight the Sicilians had taken breath and Peter stood firme to choose his best aduantage The French being out of hope to see this controuersie ended by combate returne to armes but with lesse courage To make warre in Sicilia they must approach and they must land Roger of Lore a banished man of Apulia Admirall of the Arragon Fleete had the garde of the landing Charles the Lame sonne to King Charles offers to land but his Fleete is defeated and he taken prisoner Charles wonderfully perplexed with this losse runnes from Cittie to Cittie in his Realme of Naples seeking to raise new forces when as death calls him to his rest Charles the Lame the sonne of Charles taken prisoner the which in his life time he would neuer enioy hauing giuen to many and receiued himselfe infinite troubles without any fruite In his youth his
to bee kept in prison vntill the money were paied and for the second losse of goods and life without hope of remission Allowing all men to stay and arrest all such as should carry such prohibited armes eight daies after the publication of the Edict None were excepted but the foure hundred Archers and the foure companies of Horse-backe of the gards of his person when as they waited in quarter the Archers of the Prouost of his house-hold of the Constable and Marshalls of France and they of the companie of light Horse belonging to the Duke of Vandosme who by the Edict might carrie Pistolls when as they were in seruice And to free his Subiects from the oppression of Souldiars to accustome them to obedience to whoÌ„ it is troublesome in the securest Peace he cut off the companies as well of Horse as of regiments of Foote but this traint was only of that which they might well forbeare It is dangerous to leaue an Estate long without Armes A disarmed Peace is weake The King therefore reserued the places vpon the fronters which remained still fortified with ordinary gards The gards appointed for Gouernors Lieutenants General of Prouinces were suâ—pended and the Companies of men at Armes were reduced to a lesser number Such whose spirits could not liue in the cessation of Armes and which were good Captaines in the time of Warre like vnto Marius but ill Cittizens in peace had leaue to go â—eeke the exercise thereof in Flanders and Hungary Peace doth change the exerciâ—e of Warre into hunting the King made it his daâ—lie exercise Being one day hunting in the great forest of Fontainbleau there was heard about halfe a League off The King hunting in the Forest of Fontainbleau a great cry of hownds and the winding of hornes and sodenly all this noyse which seemed to bee farre off came to his iudgement within twenty paces of his eare Hee commanded the Count Soissons to set out and to see what it was thinking that no man durst presume so boldly to interrupt his sports the Earle aduancing heard the noise yet could not discerne whence it came A big blacke man presented himselfe in the thickest of the bushes crying out Do you vnderstand me and then he sodenly vanished away Mâ—enteudez voâ—s At those words they which were discreet thought it great indiscretion to stay longer there a hunting The Heardsmen thereabouts say it is a spirit which they call the great Hunter who hunts in this forest others hold that it is Sâ—int Huberts chase the which is also heard in other places Many Noblemen and Gentlemen retired themselues now vnto their gouernments and priuate houses the King hauing sayd long before that he would force euery man to liâ—e of his owne and not to importune him any more Neuer any Edict was better obserued then this speech for euen then he resolued to imploy the remainder of his reuenues in publicke necessities and not in the prodigalities of Vitelâ—ius nor â—or the enriching of priuate men 〈…〉 â—00000 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 that of 〈…〉 his 〈◊〉 saying that hee would ease the poore and giue example vnto the rich to content themselues with little and to liue accordingly The Constable went to his gouernment of Languedoâ— hauing obteyned of the King a reuersion of his gouernment for Henry of Montmorency his Sonne The King in his wisedome thought he could not sufficiently grace a house which hath brought forth so many Gouernors Admiralls Marshalls and Constables and which vnder the name of Montmorency comprehends that of Horne and Laualâ— which hath giuen wiues to Kings of France and Dukes of Brittaine The letters-pattents were read and registred in the Court of Aides at Montpellier the Duke of Vantadour being President and the Bishop of Agdâ— and Nismes assiâ—ting The oâ—der which the King did settle for the affaires of his house was a President to all France shewing the religious desire which hee had to see his subiects enioye the fruits thereof His Iustice would not suffer them to be charged and ouercharged with impossible duties seeing that the violence of the Warre had left them nothing but their tongues to complaine being like vnto a skinne laied vpon a dead mans bones Yet notwithstanding they were forced to pay the publike charges for the fruites which they had not gathered And therefore the King did vnto his subiects as Constantin and Theodosius did vnto them of the Empire by a generall discharge of the remainder of their taxe and tributes Hee also sent according to the resolution of the Estates held at Roâ—n many great personages as well of his Councell as of other companies to examine the necessities of his people to order the taxes and tributes Tâ—xes remitted to protect the weake froÌ„ the oppression violence of such as during the ciuill Warres had seene no light of Iustice but through the flamé of Harguebuzes hauing so abused the time as to enioye the priuilege of Nobles they would be so esteemed rather by their shewe then by the vse and seruice of the sword and when as the Lawe which doth chiefely bind Noblemen by reason of their Tenures and titles of Nobility to the duties of armes hath coniured them to succor the necessitâ—es of their Prince and Countries they haue thrust themselues among the people lyuing idely in Townes or in the delights of their houses so long as fire and danger were in field Men â—nworthy of the name of men of Gentlemen and of Frenchmen The Commissioners forced these kinde of gallants to pay who by pretended letters of their Innoling and abuse of the Priuileges had laied their Taxes vppon the people While the King labours to reforme all abuses and to roote out disorders The Clergy of France petition vnto the King the deputâ—es of the Clergy of France being assembled together at Paris with the Kings permission beseech his Maiesty to reforme the disorders of the Church Which speech was deliuered with great reuerence before his M. by the reuerent Francis de la Geusle Aâ—ch-bishop of Tours accompanied with many of the saied deputies of the Clergie The Summe whereof was That it would please his Mâ—iesty that the holy Councel of Trent might be receiued and published in France with such necessary qualifications as concerne the French liberties the Immunities of Churches and the priuileges of Parliaments That his Maiesty would not charge his conscience with the nomination vnto Bishoprickes Abbeyes and other benefices hauing charge of soules That lay pensions giuen in recompence to Noblemen and Gentlemen vpon the sayd nominations may be reuoked That Clergy-men may be suffred to enioy their liuings quietly without charge but only to do their duties in the seruice of God and the Church That Churches may not be prophaned nor the Incumbents houses suffred to go to ruine but to be well and duely mainteyned to the ende they may not pretend any iust cause of non residence and to separate them from
much grieued for his death his funeralls weâ—e made in Lorraine and at our Ladyes Church in Paris the whole Court of Parliament did assist and Francis de Sala elect Bishop of Geneua made the Funerall Sermon A Complaint of the third Estate of Daulphine During the publike sports in Court the Kings Councell laboured to end the sute betwixt the Commons or third Estate and the two first Orders of Daulphine The Commons complayning that all the Charges and publike oppressions and all that might be burthensome was layd vpon them without any hope from the other Estates of the Prouince although they made not the sixt part being reasonable that all the charges being common they should bee supported equally by all the Prouince by her first condition beeing declared free from all such charges and with this freedome was giuen at the first to France Euery order pleaded for his owne liberties by the Deputies the which the King hauing heard he set downe a generall order touching the Taxes of Daulphiné as you may â—eade at large in Pierre Mathewe The King hauing pasâ—ed the feast of Easter at Fontainbleau prepared to goe to Blois to Tours and to Poitiers and farther if the good of his presence so required Many beleeued that his intent was to go an other way which agreed well with their humours who breathed nothing but warre The great leuies which were made in Italie the Warlike humor of the Count of Fuentes· the great stirring of the Duke of Sauoye who could not liue in Peace the discontent of the Spaniards for the preiudiciall â—onditions of the Treaty of Veruins and many other considerations gaue some shew of the common opinion of Warre The King also had some intelligence that the Sea Army prepared in the Realme of Naples had an enterprise vpon Prouence although the Spaniards gaue it out that it was for Algier but the cleer-sighted knewe well that without some treason among the French the Spaniards affaires were not in so good Estate as to attempt any thing against France The King was aduertised that the Duke of Biron was strayed from his dutie The Duke of Birons câ—nspiracy discouered and assured moreouer that this disposition of his did not growe in an instant that he had not entred into these bad resolutions sodenly if hee had not had conference with strangers Hee could not beleeue that a spirit so Vigilant so Actiue and so Valiant could suffer it selfe to be transported with such violent furies and it seemed a dreame vnto him that a man which had gotten so much Honour to whome his Father had left so much and who had receiued daylie what hee would from the King should resolue to that which was contrarie to his Honor and the greatnesse of his courage This good opinion made the King not to beleeue the aduice which was giuen him of his badde intentions making no shew thereof but that he would giue him the Gouernment of Guienne and two hunred thousand Crownes recompence with the Castells of Trompette and Blaye to drawe him from the Frontier which was more comodious for conference with them who were resolued to withdrawe him from France or to ruine him They had sought him after the taking of Lan The Duke of Biron refused the Gouâ—rnment of Guienne when as they descouered that hee was come to Paris in choller for that the King had refused him some thing wherewith hee gratâ—fied the Duchesse of Beaufort then they offred him two hundred thousand Crownes yearely entertaynment and to bee Generall of all the Kings of Spaines orces in France As they had found him an Achilles in battayle so they found him an Vlisses to their words stopping his eares at their Inchantments saying that choller should neuer drawe him from his dutie that although his Nature were fire and boyling in the feeling and apprehension of a wrong He refused entertainment from the Spaniards yet his heart would neuer suffer this fire to consume the Faith and Loyaltie which hee ought vnto his Prince Hee retayned nothing of the offer which they made him but onelie the remembrance of the esteeme which they made of his valour and euen then hee suffred himselfe to bee carried away with those motions which doe often transport the minde to insolency and contempt of all things when they see themselues assured of ease howesoeuer the chance fall and that they shall neuer bee vnder the seruitude of necessity He was some-times herd-say that hee would not die He sayd hee would die a Soâ—â—eraigne before he had seene his head set vpon a quarter of a Crowne that hee would rather goe to a Scaffold to loose his head then to an Hospitall to begge his bread that hee would die young or haue meanes to doe his friends good Eyther Caesar or nothing Either a free life or a glorious death but hee had neither of them His desseignes made him to vtter words of a Soueraigne and so absolute as the wise did impute it to extreame arrogancie the which hath alwaies ruined them that entertaine it It is a great happinesse for an Estate to haue great Captaines but there is nothing so hard to entertaine for when as they thinke that they haue bound their Country vnto them although all they doe bee lesse then their duties they are easily discontented and like to Pausanias and Themistocles speeke new allyances and friendship from enemies if they bee not rewarded to their owne wills and to the heigth of their Ambition The Duke of Biron had done great seruice to the King and Realme He was honored with the first charges oâ— the realme so were his recompences so great as no Nobleman of his quality in France but might enuie him For beeing not yet forty yeares olde hee had enioyed the chiefest dignities of the Realme At foureteene yeares hee was Colonell of the Suisses in Flanders Soone after Mashall of the Campe and then Marshall generall Hee was receiued Admirall of France in the Parliament at Tours and Marshall of France in that of Paris Hee acknowledged none but the King at the seege of Amiens and was his Maiesties Lieutenant Generall although there were Princes of the bloud To encrease his greatnesse hee was declared a Peere of France and his Barony erected into a Duchie And yet not content with all this hee sayd hee would not die but hee would straine higher That hee will goe no more to recouer the Townes of Picardie vnlesse the King set vppâ— his Image in brasse before the Lovure vsing still in his brauerie some very dangerous speeches and with such affection as hee was not pleased with them that did not applaude them When hee sawe after the seege of Amiens that Brittaine was reduced and the Warre ended He desires contâ—nuâ—nce of the Warre hee thought that hauing no more vse of his valour hee should haue no more credit that hee should haue no more meanes to play the petty King and to doe all that without
A GENERAL INVENTORIE OF THE HISTORY OF FRANCE From the beginning of that MONARCHIE vnto the Treatie of VERVINS in the yeare 1598. Written by IHON DE SERRES And continued vnto these Times out off the best Authors which haue written of that Subiect Translated out of FRENCH into ENGLISH by EDWARD GRIMESTON Gentleman HENRY·IIII·KING OF FRANC ' AND NAVAR · · Imprinted at LONDON by GEORGE ELD 1607. TO THE RIGHT NOBLE AND MOST WORTHY OF ALL HONOVRS AND ALL TITLES THOMAS EARLE OF SVFFOLKE ROBERT EARLE OF SALISBVRIE MY MOST HONOVRED LORDS I dare not so much trespasse against the publicke as after the solemne and tedious manner of Epistling to vsurpe your time with a barren Preface it is my gaine if I be but heard to say I dedicate my selfe in which I vnderstand my vtmost abilities and of those doe here offer vnto your Lordships a small part being rather the redemption of my life from the note of idlenesse then any fruitfull course of liuing For being after some yeares expence in France for the publike seruice of the State retired to my priuate and domesticke cares it was yet my couetousnesse to winne so much vpon them as the leisure of Translation to this generall Historie of France written by Iohn de Serres an Author whom aboue mine own particular knowledge of this subiect I haue heard vniuersally esteemed for the most faithful and free from affection that euer toucht at that Argument able to teach the vnlearned to delight the learned and draw to him as many Commenders as Readers The Maiesty Graces and Strength of whose worke if I in my traduction haue any way vnsinewed or defâ—rmed I confesse a sinne against his graue yet in my consecration of him to your Lordships I haue made him plenarie satisfaction which presumption of mine though he may glorie in I haue no other meane to expiate but by naked professing my selfe to both your Honours bound in all obligation of dutie seruice no lesse then your selues are each to other in the faith of loue freindship For which sacred respect I haue thus prefixed you joyned in the face of my Altar where I omit to speake more of your mutuall and knowne merites except I had volumes to fill not pages and desire onely that where I am studious to be gratefull I may not deserue to offend Your Lordships deuoted in all dutie and seruice EDVVARD GRIMESTON To the Reader I Could not Courteous Reader neglect an vsuall complement in the publishing of this worke to recommend the worthines of the Author and to excuse my weakenesse To free my selfe from the imputation of Idlenesse I vndertooke the Translation of this Historie of France and to giue some content vnto such as either by their trauell abroad or by their industrie at home haue not attained vnto the knowledge of the Tongue to read it in the originall Where you may see the sundry Battailes woon by our Kings of England against the French and the worthie exploits of the English during their warres with France whereby you may bee incited to the like resolutions vpon the like occasions I doubt not but those which haue conuersed most familiarly with the Histories of France will concurre in that generall approbation of his writing to be as freâ— from affection and passion as any one that euer treated of this subiect He hath digested into one Worke whatsoeuer hath beene written by many touching the French History since the beginning of their Monarchie And if he hath not dilated at large the great attempts of Strangers in France employed eyther for their Kings or against them he is not therefore to be blamed nor to be held partiall for that the subiest whereof he treats being great the time long and his style short and succinct he had vowed to note euery accident of State and Warre briefely and truely Besides you must consider that he was a Frenchman and although hee would not altogether smother and conceale those things which might any way eclipse the glory of his Nation least he should be taxed to haue fayled in these two excellent vertues required in an Historiographer Truth and Integritie without passion yet happily he hath reported them as sparingly as he could The History of Iohn de Serres ends with the Treatie at Ueruins betwixt France and Spaine in the yeare 1598. I haue been importuned to make the History perfect and to continue it vnto these times whervnto I haue added for your better satisfaction what I could extract out of Peter Mathew and other late writers touching this subiect Some perchance will challenge me of indiscretion that I haue not translated Peter Mathew onely being reputed so eloquent and learned a Writer To them I answere first That I found many things written by him that were not fit to be inserted and some things belonging vnto the Historie related by others whereof he makes no mention Secondly his style is so full and his discourse so copious as the worke would haue held no proportion for that this last addition of seuen yeares must haue exceeded halfe Serres Historie Which considerations haue made me to draw forth what I thought most materiall for the subiect and to leaue the rest as vnnecessarie But now I come to my last though not my least care how this my labour shall be accepted the which must vndergoe the censure of all humors Some I doubt not regarding the content and profit they may reape thereby will allow of mine endeauors though others do but prie into it with a curious eye to note what is defectiue obseruing more the elegancie and choise of words then the worthinesse of the Historie But let me intreat as much kindnesse of these curious Surueyors as a graue Senatour of Rome did of one of his companions who had found him playing in his garden with his yong sonne The Father somewhat abashed to see himselfe so surprised requested his fellow Senatour not to publish his folly vntill he had a yong Sonne Euen so I intreat them not to detract nor to maligne that which is well meant vntill they haue produced the like Concluding with the Poet Carpere vel noli nostra vel ede tua I must craue your patience in regard of the Presse intreating you to supply with your iudicious reading such errors as you shall find committed For that I my selfe could not attend it being drawne away about other imployments And so referring all to your kind acceptance I rest Yours Edward Grimestone IOHN DE SERRES TOVCHING THE VSE of this his Inuentorie AS an Historie is the Theater of mans life whereby all may learne one common lesson The generalâ— vse of Histories by the goodly examples she represents vnto their eyes eares and vndeâ—standings Euen so she inuites all men to view heare and to conceiue them well what language soeuer she speakes what subiect she 〈◊〉 of what time shee notes and what person soeuer shee represents Thus offring her selfe to all with this
the Countrie of Northuâ—â—â—â—and adioyning vnto Scotland for his charges in the warres Henry the father aduertised of all these preparations moues not hoping that reason should reclaime his Sonne and to this end hee sends an honourable Ambassage to Lewis and to his Sonne being in France the which made them more resolute an vsuall thing in such as are sought vnto Elenor addes more to this dissention great enough of it selfe The sonnes make warre against the Father to crosse the affaires of her old husband with whom shee stood in very bad termes Shee doth bandie her two Sonnes Richard and Geoffrey against the Father causing them to ioyne with their Brother Henry who is puft vp wonderfully here-with hauing his bretheren for companions of his furie The warre breakes forth amongst them the Kings Armie enters into Normandie the which obeyed the Father Henry the Sonne takes some places and ingageth some men of warre with great promises and by great assurances of good the which was not in his power to performe Henry the Father hauing prouided for England against William King of Scottes passeth into Normandie where laye all the burthen of the warre and Armes with great speede The coldnesse of his age was chased by the liuely apprehension of so many indignities The greatest part of his subiects detested the presumption of this Sonne neither could they allowe of Lewis his proceedings 1155. who had done better in casting Water then Oyle into this home-bred fire Lewis supports the sonnes against the father Lewis besiegeth Vernueil and fearing to be forced to raise the siege vnder colour of a parley with Henry he takes the Towne and sends forces from other parts into England to cause new broyles Richard Duke of Guienne by his Mothers right makes warre there but all these vnlawfull attempts haue no successe The French that passed into England are beaten Richard preuailes not against his Father to whom most of the Citties yeeld daily leaue the Sonne Richard drawne to his duty by the respects of Nature But they preuaile not which cannot be denied forced by necessitie desires to parley with his Father He is receiued into grace and deales with his brother Henry for the like reconciliation Lewis finding Henryes disposition allowes of it They send Ambassadors of either side This vnciuill vnlawfull warre was ended by this accord Henry King of England reconciled to his sonnes That the Father should reâ—aine alone in the Royall authoritie acknowledged and obeyed of all his sonnes that he should giue honorable allowances to eyther of them according to their degrees That the marriage of Henrie with Marguerite the eldest Daughter of King Lewis should be consumated and that Alix his other Daughter should be giuen in marriage to Richard the other Sonne of Henry to make an absolute accord Thus this Tragedie seemed to end with a Comedie But there shall be change of subiects vpon another Scaffold As these things passed in England Italy was nothing quieter by the dissentions that were reuiued betwixt the Emperours and Pope After the death of Conrad Frederick surnamed Barberousse is created Emperour of whom Histories yeeld an honourable testimonie of his wisdome and valour Hauing pacified Germanie he came into Italie to repaire the confusions bred both by long absence and the death of Conrad The Emperour hauing punished the Veronois and the Milanois New dissencion betwixâ— the Emperor and Pope had incensed Pope Adrian who supported them the factions of Guelphes and Gibelins beeing confusedly spred throughout all the Citties so as hee was ready to excommunicate him when as death stayed this storme leauing it ready to his successors The Schisme which grewe in the Sea of Rome by these factions stayed the blowe some hauing called Victor as most affectionate to the Emperours partieâ— others Alexander as his sworne enemie To remedie this deuision Frederick calles a Councell at Pauia and sends to both the Popes to come thether Victor comes and offers to performe what should be decreed Alexander on the other side makes the old answer these be the words of the Historie That the Pope was not to bee iudged by any man liuing and that hee neyther ought nor would appeare The Councell being thus dissolued without any good conclusion the Emperour for the making of an accorde intreates Lewis King of France Henry King of England and the Kings of Scotland and Bohemia to meete in some conuenient place for a parley Dijon was appointed as bordering vpon the Empire They meete but their conference did aggrauate the quarrell Lewis was wholy for Alexander who had likewise gained the Venetians and the greatest part of Italy The issue of this paâ—ley was open force the which Frederick imployed against the Milanois being the principall cause of this dissention Frederick the Emperor ruines Milan whome hee did punish seuerelie hauing taken spoiled and sackt their Cittie ruined it vtterly causing Salt to bee sowen there punishing the authors of this rebellion capitally Alexander not able to resist Frederick retires himselfe into France from whence he planted his battery against the Emperour The Milanois sauing what they could in this shipwrack begin to build their Citty vnder the fauour of Pope Alexander to make new desseignes against Frederick who returns into Italy makes himselfe maister of Genoa He takes Româ— and creates a new Pope from whence their means came defeats the Romaines in a pitched field takes Rome causeth another Pope called Calixtus to be created in the place of Alexander the 3. Alexander saues himselfe at Venice Otho The sonne of Frederick folows after to take him with 75. galleis Otho the Emperors sonne caâ—en by the Veneâ—ians But the chance turned for he himselfe was taken by Cian Generall of the Venetians and carried prisoner to Venice TheÌ„ Frederick grew more mild accepted of such conditions of peace as Alexander had prescribed That he should craue absolutions on his knees and himselfe should lead his armie into Asia So as Frederick comes to Venice and being prostrate at the Popes feet in a sollemne assemblie 1171. he asketh pardon The Pope sets his foote vpon his neck and cries with a lowd voyce Super aspidem et basiliscum ambulabis The Emperour moued with this disgrace The Emperor subiects himselfe basely to the Pope answers Non tibi sed Petro. The Pope replies Et mihi Petro. This brauado of Alexander seemed so strange to some of his traine as Theodore Marquis of Misnia trembling and gâ—ashing his teeth with choller was held back by the reines of respect yet hee runnes to the Emperour and takes him vp The Pope fearing least these Germaines should offer him some violence beeing amazed casts himselfe about Fredericks neck whome euen now hee held vnder his feete beseeching him to preserue him from his traine The Emperour giues him his word for hee was the stronger both within the Cittie and without hauing humbled himselfe for
Pironne and Ferrand to the Lovure at Paris All France made Bonfires for this happy successe and Philip built a Temple in honor of the holy Virgen which de called Victory nere vnto Senlis By a decree of the Parlament at Paris the Earledome of Flanders was adiudged vnto the King as forfeited who gaue it againe to Iane the heyre of the sayd Earledome being not guilty of her husbands trechery This memorable victory called the battel of Bovuens chanced in the yeare 1215. the 25. of Iuly To make his triumph absolute Philip gaue free passage to the Germaines and Otho the Emperor being returned to his house willingly resigned the Empire died of a pining griefe The Emperor diâ—s for grâ—eâ—e of his loâ—â—e diâ—grace which neuer left him after that shamefull flight hauing willingly sought his owne misery in supporting wrong against right and serching danger to perish in danger A notable example which shewes That victories come from the Eternall that mortall man dies before his time by his owne rashnes and that no vniust warre can bee succesâ—efull But what shall become of Iohn the onely motiue of this warre while the Emperor and the Earles of Flanders and Bullen great Princes whom he had imbarked be at warre hee remaines at home free from blowes attending the euent Seeing his Confederates thus defeated hee feares the whole storme will fall vppon him what doth hee hee playes at Double or Quit and flies to Innocent the fourth as to his Sanctuary And being forced to saue his Estate in this extremity he resolues to giue him a good part The Popes hatred with the power of France was the last end of his downe fall The Pope had excommunicated him not onely for the parricide of his Nephew Arthur but for the ill vsage of his Clergie To purchase so difficult an absolution there needed a great satisfaction He therefore sends confident men in all hast to Innocent 4. humbly beseeching him to pitty him in his calamity Iohn makes the realme of England tributarie to the Pope That if it would please him to receiue him into fauour and protect him against the King of France he would bind the realme of England and Seigneurie of Ireland to hold of him and his successors and in signe of obedience to pay him a yearely tribute of a thousand markes of siluer This franke offer caused Iohns Ambassadors to be well entertained Innocent â—ends his Legat presently to absolue him to passe the contract and to receyue the homages of fealtie as well of himselfe as of his subiecâ— Iohn is absolued hauing laid his Crowne Scepter Cloake Sword and King the royal enseigns of a King at the Legats feet Iohn doth homage to the Popes Legate he doth him homage for his realme of England kissing his feete as his tributarie and binds the English to the like duty by a sollemne oth He was also willing to discharge that which he had taken from his Clergie This shal be the means to make him loose both his estate and life This hapned in the yeare 1215. These things performed in England the Legate returnes into France and denonceth vnto Philip in the Popes name That hee should suffer Iohn to enioyne his realme of England in peace and freely to possesse the lands which he held by homage of the Crowne of France Moreouer that he should satisfie the great complaints which the Clergie of his realme had made against him restoring that which he had exacted from them during the warres vpon paine of excommunication if hee did not presently obey Philip promiseth to submit himselfe and before the Legates departure hee frees the Clergie of his realme of the tenths which he had exacted for the charge of the warres according to the decree of a Nationall Councell held at Soissons Iohn liues at peace in England for that which concerned Philip but see hee is the instrument of his owne miserie Being exhaust of meanes through the long and chargeable warres wherewith England had beene afflicted hee had bound himselfe to the Pope to restore vnto the Clergie all such summes of money as he had extorted from them during his troubles and for want of paiment he sees an excommunication readie the which was reuoked but vpon condition of obedience Iohns oppression oâ— his subiects the cause of his ruine Thus freeing the Clergie he sur-chargeth the people and pressed by the Pope to satisfie his command hee oppresseth his subiects by extraordinarie impositions and tyrannicall exactions adding force to his commands So as it fell out that as hee could not helpe the one without hurting of the other and that the people hate him commonly that wrongs them behold the English make strange complaints in Parliament against Iohn who doth incense them the more by his rigorous answers The English seeing themselues reiected by their King flie to extraordinarie remedies and being denyed iustice by him that should giue it they seeke it else where chosing a King in the place of a Tyrant France was their onely refuge in these extremities The English reiect â—ohn anâ— offer the realme to Philip. and therefore they send the chiefe Noblemen of the realme to Philip to offer him the Crowne of England promising to obey him as their lawfull King Philip who desired nothing more makes shewe to refuse it pretending both the truce made with Iohn and his worde passed to the Pope but vnder hand he sends them his sonne Lewis his faithfull Lieutenant giuing him a traine fitt for his person in so great an exploite Lewis hauing taken hostages of the English for assurance of their faith Lewis of France receiued by the English hee passeth into England being receiued of them all with great ioy as the Prince from whom they attended their health and quiet Hee makes his entrie into London which was the Rendezvous of his most confident friends and by their example many Ciâ—ties come and offer him obedience In the meane time complaints come to Philip from Pope Innocent as if hee had broken his faith and threats if hee did not repaire it Philip denies any breach of faith The Poâ—e sends to Philip â—or Iohn They bee sayd he the discontents of the English against Iohn whom they accuse to haue slaine Arthur their lawfull King and hauing free libertie to make a new election they repaired to his Sonne who was of age to gouerne himselfe for whose errors hee was not answerable But attending the end of this sute let vs returne to England 1217. Iohn held strong places Winchester whether hee had retired himselfe Windolisor or Windsor The Pope â—ends to Philip for Iohn Norwiche and Douer hee had likewise factions in other Citties Lewis hauing receiued homage from many of them commandeth his Armie to marche to reduce the Citties to obedience who for the most part receiued him willingly Norwiche yeeldes without any dispute from thence hee goes to Douer hauing attempted the Captaine
countenance who at his first approche winnes the bridge vpon the riuer The English are amazed especially when they see Matago who was somewhat retired from the body of their armie to succour at all euents take the way to Bayeux The Constable makes his profit of this flight who without pursuing them chargeth their dismayed Armie The victorie of Fourmigny against the English Thomas Tirell puts himselfe in defence with the fauour of the riuer the Orchards Gardens but the Constable commands some of his horsemen to leaue their horses The Earle of Clermont inuirons the enemie on the other side the English being charged of all sides feeling the waight of their blowes giue way leaue their armes and suffer themselues to be slaine and taken to mercy The courtesie of the French spaâ—ed many in this ouerthrow The number of the dead there were more taken prisoners then wâ—re slaine They buried in three pits 3774. carcases by the report of the Heralds priests and good men that were there This losse did likewise bury all the conquests which the English had made in Normandy The commanders of the armie were prisoners Tirell Noâ—bery â—rient Kirqueby Warberton Arpel Alengour Vaquier Calleuile and a great number of English Nobilitie armed with coates of armes all are lead to Charles with their Ensignes An honorable spoile to his triumph but a perpetuall ignominie both to the runners away that saued themselues and to the cowards that were taken prisoners This absolute victorie cost France but eight men to the end they might doe homage to the great God of armes and victories who by this memorable ouerthrow made the way for the restauration I read with ioy the warrant of the Originall And therefore wise men do say that the grace of God was the cause of the Frenchmens victorie and so by his diuine power the English were ouercome This victory was giuen vs from heauen the 19. of Aprill in the yeare 1450. and thankes were giuen vnto God throughout the realme A solemne procession was made at Paris of foureteene thousand young children from the age of seuen to ten yeares carefully chosen ouâ— to the great content of the people going from S. Innocents to our Ladies Church All Normandie yeeldes to Câ—arles This notable victorie of Fourmigny did soone after cause the rest of Normandie to yeeld Vire yeelds by composition the which was granted to 400. Lances who might well haue contended for their liues Auranches stood the longer vpon termes through the resolution of fiue hundred voluntaries but in the end they departed with their liues onely and a whâ—te wand in their hands The strong Castell of Tombelaine garded by a hundred English yeelded two daies after Bayeux resolues to fight it out all prepare to armes After the ordinance had made a great breach and the mine ready to play Charles fearing the sacke of his subiects as well as of his enemies would not suffer his men to attempt so dangerous a matter and the souldiers on the other side crie out to be led vnto the breach But â—n the end they march without command and are twise repulsed yet Matago being amazed at the furie of these desperate men demands a parle the which â—s granted by Charles but he obtained life onely and a white wande for euery Souldier to some gentlemen of marke a horse and to poore families some carts to carry them A pitous spectacle to see foure hundred women carrying their children eyther in their armes or in their cradels leauing al their goods and mouables behind them and hardly carrying a poore clout for their greatest neede So Misery comes to him that spoiles for he shal be spoiled that makes an other weâ—pe for heeshall haue time to weepe Yet Charles caused this troupe of 900. men being disarmed to be safely conducted with the rest to Câ—â—â—â—bouâ—g a place which they had demanded for their retreate Bayeux being thus yeeâ—â—ed the Kings army marcheth to Saint Sauueur le Viconte the which yeelds without batterie They had a good composition for the number of men of waâ—re that were 〈◊〉 being fiue or six hundred they grant them their liues and goods retyring to Cheâ—eâ—ouâ—g Charles was loath to looose his men vnconstrayned â—or that there remained yet â—â—me pâ—â—ces of strength Caâ—n a goodly and populous Citty was beseeged with great preparation The composition at Caâ—n but to what ende should I consume time in the priuate report of assaults seeing we hast to the viâ—â—ory A great peece of the wall being beaten downe and our men burning with desire to 〈◊〉 to this hnorable breach Robert de Vere being gouernor demands a parle he hâ—ld the Castell being one of the goodlyest peeces in France with foure thousand soldiâ—rs So by the commandement of Charles the Earle of Dunois yeelded them 〈◊〉 honorable composition to depart with bag and baggage and their armes except the artiâ—leâ—â—e the prisoners were set at libertie and all that the Cittizens might owe vnto the English â—as discharged to the benefit of the debtâ—r All depart the fift of Iuly and are conducted in safety according to the accord and the King makes his entry two dayes after Falaize is beseeged in the meane time and yeelds the one and twentith of the same moneth Fifteene hundred English of their best soldiars obtayned a good composition to depart with bag and baggage Domfront garded by fiueteene hundred franke archers yeelds vpon the like composition the second of August following Cherebourg one of the strongest places of Europe in those dayes was the conclusion of that account and the crowning of this happie worke It was garded by .2000 desperat aduenturers who wonderfully greeued with so many misfortunes would be buried in the ashes of this last losse but Thomas Gomel gouernor of the place preuailed more tâ—â—n their obstinate resolution shewing that they had discharged their duties to their 〈◊〉 in being the last to fight But nature swayed most with Gomel for hauing his some prisoner with the King he would not loose himselfe with his sonne The accord was made absolute for his soldiars and his sonne and vpon this accord he leaues the 〈◊〉 and retires last into England to admonish Henry to prouide for Guienne â—here the whole burthen of the warre would fall So the 12 of August in the yeare .1450 Normandie one of the goodlyest and 〈◊〉 Prouinces belonging to this Crowne was reduced to the Kings obedience in a yeare and six dayes hauing remayned in the possession of the English thirty yeares and 〈◊〉 kept by them as it is a miraculous worke of God they were â—o easily dispossessed 〈…〉 Normandie let vs come to Guienne to finish the restoring of this Estate Guienne returnes to the Crowne of France GVienne had begon her last seats of armes by the taking of Cognac and Saint Maâ—grin as we haue sayed whereas the wane continued coldly during that of Normandie But Charles after the happie conquest of this Prouince The
Prouost of Marchants calles the Captaines of the quarters and chiefe of the Cittie to councell he commands them in the night to make fires at all the corners of the streets and to watch in armes euery man in his quarter The people stands vpon their garde ready to attempt some great action The King himselfe goes the round Paris in danger to be surprized he findes the gate of the Basâ—â—lle towards the fields open and the artillerie cloyed But oh the prouidence of God misfortune is good for some thing These vnexpected fires disappoint the conspirators practises they hinder the approch and entry of the enemie and saue the Cittie Moreouer Gisors is belegard the garrison abandons it But that which imports more the widow of the great Seneshall of Brezai gouerned by the Bishop of Bayeux then resident at Rouan with some other Partisans Rouan yeelded to the Confederates giues Iohn Duke of Bourbon entrie into the Castle and so into the Cittie The Cittie desiring long to haue a Duke remaining in the country consents to this change and sweares to the said Duke for the Duke of Berry In a manner all the Townes and places of the Prouince follow the example of their capitall Cittie The Bourguignons armie was now reduced to extreame necessitie of victuals and money so as all the Noblemen dreamed onely of a retrait And yet an admirable thing the price of victuals was not risen in the Cittie So many stormes caused Lewis to demand a second enteruiew The peace of Constans and the conditions before that the yeelding vp of Rouan should be knowne to the Earle He grants the Duchie of Normandie to his Brother restores the Townes vpon Somme to the Earle to the Britton his Countie of Montfort with promise to deâ—sâ—aâ—e his charges he giues the office of Constable to the Earle of S. Paul he promiseth vnto Iohn Duke of Calabria men and money to recouer his realme of Naples to pay what had beene promised for the marriage of his Sister to the Duke of Bourbon with the exâ—cutâ—on of other clauses conteined in the contract to restore vnto all otheâ—s theâ—r goods offices and dignities which they had enioyed vnder his father Charles He â—rants vnto the Princes that not any one should be bound to come in person at his summons but sâ—ould discharge their homage and duties in sending such forces as they were bound to furnish at nâ—ed To conclude all the publick good is turned to priuate interest The Earle of Charolois accepts these conditions so willingly as discoursing with the King the vehement desire he had to see the execution of this treatie carries him into the trench of the Bulwarke of franke-Archers by the which they entred the Cittie The Bouâ—guigâ—ons hauing lost him crie out that he was stayed The chiefe assembâ—e togâ—ther they tremble they condemne their Earle of rashnesse alleaging the inconueence happened to his grandfather at Montereau in the presence of Charles the 7. and they begin to talke of their safetie but as they walked into the field on horse-back behold they discouer about fiftie of the Kings horse conducting the Earle to his quaâ—ter Loyaltie in King Lewâ—â— So euery one reuiued his spirits and iointly commend the Kings loyaltâ—e Two dayes alter the treatie of peace was read and â—worne on either side at 〈◊〉 Vincennes Charles the Kings brother did homage for the Duchie of Normanâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Earle of Charolois for the Townes and land in Picardie and likewise the rest that 〈◊〉 homages to doe The Earle of S. Paul tooke his oath for the office of Constable 〈◊〉 rest for the most part receiue their goods and honours So the Duke of Normanâ—â—â— was conducted vnto Rouan by the Duke of Brittanie The Earle of Charolois tooke his way to Amiens and receiued homage of the inhabitants as also of other places that were restored vnto him by the peace Then he entred into the countrie of Liege that rebelled of late dayes against his father vpon the first brute of the ouerthrow of the Earle his sonne at Montlehery without attending the trueth He pacified the Countrie and returned into Brabâ—nt This was called the peace of Conflans which was but counterfeit the 28. of October 1465. the which the Burguignon had not so easily yeelded vnto if he had receiued sooner that refreshing of men and money which Philiâ— sent him by the Lord of Sauenze It was an act of great import for Lewis to disperse these Princes so cunningly he did well foresee Lewis a cunniâ—â— artisan of diuision that the Charolois being farre from them and busied in his owne Countries would hardly turne head in the Winter season Moreouer he knew well the meanes as he was an excellent plotter of partialities how to diuide the Dukes of Normandie and of Brittanie And in trueth they were scarce arriued in their new Duchie but all the Noblemen Gentlemen and Captaines expected some preferment from Charles Duke of Normandie so greatly aduanced by this peace and moreouer the Duke of Brittanie who had beene farthest ingaged in the charge was little amended by the treatie they all by a generall discontent shew a notable subiect of distrust of their new Duke The Duke of â—rittanâ—e discontented with 〈◊〉 Duke of Noâ—mandie so as there is spred abroad a still rumour That the Brittons would carry Charles into Brittanie Vpon this bruite the Dukes seruants and the Inhabitants troupe together they runne by heapes to Saint Katherins Mouaâ—e where Charles remained yet attending the preparatiues of his entrie they lead him into the Cittie without any other assistance but the Clergie in their ornaments The Duke of Brittanie fearing the mutinie of this people retires vnto his Countrie and in his way hee takes some Townes in Normandie wherein he leaueth diuerse garrisons Lewis imbraceth this occasion and vpon this diuision marcheth against his brother treates with the Duke of Brittanie at Argenton to win him from the alliance of the Duke of Normandie Lewis sets vpon his bâ—other he takes from him by the Duke of Bourbon newly reconciled Eâ—reux Vernon Louuiers Pont de Larche and other places and by Charles of Melun â—isâ—rs Cournay Chailly and consequently all base Normandie Caen held with some other places being in the hands of Lescut a trustie seruant to both the Dukes Charles abandoned by all men and set vpon by so mighty an armie resolues to retire into Flanders and seekes to the Earle of Charolois whom this dâ—uâ—sion did much greeue for he desired aboue all things to see a Duke in Normandie the which should gentlie weaken the King But the time was vnseasonable being busied against the Liegeois Yet for a proofe of his good hap he labours to put some troupes gathered vp in Picardie into Diepe but Lewis preuents him and compounds with the Gouernour Herevpon the two Dukes reconcile themselues The Dukes of Noâ—mandie â—riâ—tanie are reconciled considering but too late that as their
the voiage which his Heighnesse had made into France would reape the profit which hee himselfe might enioye That he should hold their Councells not only suspect but dangerous as passionate men whose perswasions were sugred poyson Who beeing more iealous of his Greatnesse then desirous of his Quiet would not cease vntill they had diuerted him from the execution of his promises That i ft it pleased him to thinke of what was past and compare it with the present he should finde that Peace was the inexpugnable rampar of his Estates and that it was a great misery for a Prince to submit himselfe to an others discretion beseeching him to beleeue that the Councell which hee gaue him was the same which he would giue him if it had pleased God that hee had beene borne his Vassal or one of his Councell I take answered the Duke that which you say vnto mee as of a Nobleman of Iudgement and thanke you I acknowledg my selfe so much bound vnto the King as I would sacrifice my life in exchange of the dutie which I owe him and doe promise neuer to giue him any occasion to esteeme mee other then his most humble Seruant and louing Kinsman But commonely Princes wordes serue but to disguise their inward conceptions houlding dissimulation for a great vertue Such was the issue of the Duke of Sauoyes voyage The yeare shall not passe before he tast the fruit His presence did pâ—ocure him the condition of exchange the which the King would not haue granted to his Ambassadors But hee continued not long in thâ—s opinion The Duke going forth of Bourg had teares in his eyes to performe the one or the other Going out of my Cittadell at Bourg they found that sorrow troubled his soule to leaue a place esteemed one of the strongest in Europe Being aâ—riued at Bourg hee sent one post vnto the King to thanke him for the honor he had receiued in his voyage and for the good entertainment which Pralin had gâ—uen him in Champâ—gne and the Baron of Lux in Bourgundy Hee writt by the same post to the Gouernour of Lions imparting vnto him the contentment which he receiued by the treatie of Paris and that hee went to Chambery and soone after the Feasts iâ—to Piedmont there to reâ—olue what the King should expect of him But hee stayed not long before he gaue eaâ—e to their perswasions who sought to depriue him of all happinesse which hee might promise vnto himselfe by his voyage assuring him that the comming of the Count de Fuentes would giue him meanes to free himselfe from the necessitie of the Exchange and Restitution Hee dissembled the diâ—content of his voyage with great arte yet still hee did vent out some vapour which made the most â—udicious to beleeue that he would be glad to preiudice the King in any thing with the hazard of his owne We haue sayd before that in the ende of the yeare the Arch-duke Albert had retired his army out of the Isle of Bommel where he had left a good garrison in the new fort of Saint Andrewe and in the fort of Creue-caeur which the Admirall had taken This winter was sharpe and long during the which the garrisons of the sayd forts of Creue-caeur and Saint Andrew suffred much hauing receiued no pay for many months that were due vnto them from the Arch-duke This was the pretext of their mutiny expelling all their Captaines and Officers The Arâ—h-dukes men 〈◊〉 in S. Aâ—drewâ— fort and committing all acts of hostility as well vpon the Arch-dukes subiects as vpon the enemies Country protesting notwithstanding to continue in the seruice obedience of the King of Spaine of Albert Arch-duke of Austria his Brother in Lawe demanding nothing but theâ—â— pay whereof the Arch-duke and the Infanta shewed themselues some-what câ—relesse Count Maurice who was also retired being loth to loose the oportunity of this mutiny ment to make his profit of it Winter being spent hâ— appointed the Rendez-uous for his army about Roterdame and Willemstad the 18. of March 1600. hee parted from Hage and came to Dort where imbarking two daies after with hiâ— army â—ee mounted vp the riuer of Meuse with 200. sayle vnto the fort of Creue-caeur The 21. hauing landed his army and begun to plant his Cannon â—ee sommoned the place to yeeld The â—ort of 〈…〉 beâ—â—eged and yeâ—lâ—â—d to 〈…〉 There were foure companies of Wallons in it who remembring their mutiny although all were pardoned or at the least so promised them and the small likeâ—â—-hood they had of any timely succors and the great dilligence the Prince vsed to force them they yeelded to the Composition that was offred them and the 24. day they yeelded the Fort whereof two Companies not trusting to the Aâ—ch-duke dâ—d offer willingly to serue the States and the other two retired to Saint Andrewes Fâ—â—t S. Anâ—â—ews fort bâ—â—eeged Count Maurice seeing this happy beginning entred with his army into the Isle of Bommel to beseege S Anndews for t the which he did the 29. of the sayd moneth notwâ—â—hstanding the continuall raine and cold his men beeing forced to lie dispersed in their ships vpon the riuer of Meuse and Wahal Being before the Fort he presently caused many Forts to be built to assure his Campe and to keepe the Spaniard from succoring of the place or froÌ„ annoying him by his courses The Prince being thus fortefied wiâ—hin his Campe the Arch-duke was out of all hope to succor it all things falling out crossely for the waters were so great as the trenches of the Princes Campe were filled and they Beseeged were forced to lodge like Connies in the Rampars suffring much vpon hope to be Succored Reconciled and Paied and doing their endeauors to hinder the Princes approches The first of May the waters beeing shronke a little the Prince commanded approches to bee made in a darke night with good trenches sending a trumpet to summon the Beseeged who although they were well resolued to hold the place for the Arch-duke gaue â—are and were willing to enter into parley with him The 4. and 5. of the sayd moneth Wirtembroue and Vander Aa were sent vnto some that met theÌ„ without the trenches of the halfe Moone which they of S. Andrews Fort had builâ— without their CouÌ„terscarpe They giue theÌ„ to vnderstand in his conference what small means there was to suÌ„ccor them the doubtfulnes of their reconciliation the small likelehood to be payd by the Arch-duke for their seruices the which mounted to great summes of money considering the great necessity of their affaires wherevnto the Deputies answered that there was due vnto them fiue hundred thousand Florins that hetherto they had defended themselues and endured almost impossible things that they would neuer yeeld vp the place vntil they were payd their due by whome soeuer The Prince offred them a hundred thousand Florins but vpon the refusall thereof the parley brake of The beseeged hauing discouered a signe
what is past they looke only to the present In crymes of State they coÌ„sider nothing but the puaâ—shment what they may expect herafter The most vertous actioÌ„s yeeld to the violence of the bad The acused hath serued the King it was his dutie hee hath beene recompenced He hath attempted against his seruice therein hee hath dâ—ne what he ought not Tâ—e oâ—â—enceâ— and the puniâ—hâ—eâ—t aâ—e Twyns at the same instant that hee hath offended hee drawes vppon him the rigour of the punishment If with Antipater he hath carried vpon his bodie the markes of vertue there is nothing now to be seene but signes of infidelâ—â—ie in his heart His merits haue mounted to the greatnes of the fiâ—it dignities in France his ill deseruings cast him downe with â—hame and shew him to be vnworthie of those excelleÌ„t degrees of honour Good seruice cannot enter into comparison with bad nor crymes in paraâ—eâ—l with meâ—its The offence which is greater then the seruice changeth the bond of recompence 〈◊〉 puniâ—hâ—ent He that heâ—pes to build a house deserues much of the owner but when he sets me to it all the remembrance of the good which he hath done vaniâ—heth away The accused hath had a good share in the restoâ—ing of the State but sence he would haue vndermyned it and râ—ined the foundations He hath practised to make it a prey to the enemie they can no more returne to that which he hath done they iudge what he would haue done and shall haue no other esteeme or reputation but as an Aâ—iston a Nabis or a Catelin He hath beene profitable to the State it is true But he hath offended against the Lawes of State Their preseruation is so necessarie as it were better to loose the most profitabâ—e members in an Estate then to suffer them to bee violated for in puting them to death it doth but decrease the number of valiant Men but in suffering them to liue you doe wrong vnto the Lâ—wes and thereby ruine the quiet of the State Hee hath done weâ—l fâ—r the preâ—eruation of the State it is tâ—ue But he that seekes to distroy what â—ee hath preserued makes himselâ—e an enemie and the remembrance of his well deseruing dies in the inâ—uâ—ie which he â—ould haue done to the whole bodie Hee hath begun well but he ended â—ll All actions are censured by the end If the heele that is to say Constancie and firmenes had not â—ailed in Achilles he had beene immoâ—tall It is not sufficient for a man to begin to do wel if he desists in the midest and conâ—inues not vnto the end who deserued better at Rome theâ— Manlius the only preseruer of the Capitolâ— against the Gaules and who was more seuerely punished then he whom they cast downe headlong from the Capitoll for his Factions and Mutinies If it were a cryme not to serue the Prince was it not execrable to hinder and to coÌ„â—pire against his seruice As the seruices done by the Accused cannot be compared with hâ—s offence so his qualitie cannot moderate his punishment Iustice hath no eyes to regard a Dukes Crowne a Maâ—shal of France his Staffe nor a blew RibaÌ„d Al tâ—ese are no prerogatiues but that he which attempts to trouble the State shall be held an enemie to the Maiestie of the Prince the publike good Great men are greatly punished Digniâ—ies agrauate the offence vpon him that is bound not to offend The greater the bond is the more execrable is the ingratitude There is no gentleman â—n France more bound vnto his Prince then the Accused If duties bonds hould no pâ—ace in the affections of subiects to their Prâ—nce to what Altar shall they goâ— to seeke assâ—rance of faith must not the King in these continuall dâ—ubts of disloyaltie trust thâ— gâ—rd of his person vnto Strangers as Lewis the XI did vnto the Scottisâ—men And findâ—ng nâ— Religion nor Conscience among Men trust vnto Beasts as Massinissa did God is offended when as respect of the qualitie with-houlds the course of Iustice and threaâ—ens that Estate with ruine wherein they suffer a wicked subiect to liue Achab felt the heauy hand of his wrath for that he saued the life of Benadad As this furious desire of soueraigne coÌ„mand troubles al the considerations of Nature Friendship Dutie So in punishing them we must neither regard the respects of bloud the remembrance of seruices nor the motions of friendshâ—p The offence is of too great a consequence to dissemble it He that doth not punish an euill allowes of it But they say it hath beene pardoned that we must not open a wound which hath beene closed vp Euill vnpunished it suffered Kings and Fortune do often pardon to punish them more seuerely that haue abused their pardon The Prisoner confesseth that he did not say al a pardon cannot extend A pardon extend â—ut to confession but to those things that haue bin mentioned confessed the greatest part of the offence hath remained in the wil of the repentant he hath coÌ„fessed but little There was a graet differeÌ„ce betwixt him that did pardon him that demanded pardon The King pardoned to the end he should not fall into a relaps of his former faultes and hee demanded pradon that he miâ—â—â— oâ—fend more safely It appeeres by his confession and by that which hee hath sayd in the face of the Court when as he was demanded why hee had not descouered his offence freely vnto the King wheÌ„ as he gaue him so great assurance to forget it He answered that he did not thinke La Fin had sayd any thing and that he kept his word hauing â—â—â—firmed it with great othes that if he had acquainted him with that which hee had diâ—couered to the King hee would haue cast himselfe at his Maiesties feete as readely as he did to craue pardon Their was then some-thing betwixt them that was not yet pardoned They which offend do often misreckon the time seeking to excuse their fauâ— The conference of Times discouers the continuance of Intents The pardon was in Ianuary and after September he writes that seeing it had pleased God to giue the Kâ—â—â— a Daulphin he would no more thinke of those vanities and La Fin addes that there was a billet of a contrary tennor that the negotiation was continued and that the King had no knowledge thereof from the prisoner The pardon should haue drawne him tâ— repentance and not to ingage him in newe trecheries the which could not bee remitted nor pardoned for that he had offended often without punnishment He must not continue his errors the last paies for all the precedent The Court allowes not of this pardon in a câ—ime that is beyond all pardon wherof the abolishment depends not of the King A Prince cannot be liberal of his subiects bloud who may not bee prodigall of his subiects bloud nor bring the helth of all in generall in danger for one in particular This reason mooued
would bring vnto his Maiestâ—es seruice and to continue your fauour towardes vs and assist vs with your Wise and Graue aduice c. Many Iudged of the ende of this enterprise by the beginning and were more dilligent to write then they had beene to execute it well They beleeued in Court that Geneua was taken The King had intelligence that the Duke was Maister of the Towne and the manner of the execution was represented with so great ease and happines as there was lesse reason to doubt it then to beleeue it The truth was not knowne but by Letters from the Gouernor of Lions the which came before any discourse that was published by the Towne that was deliuered The Duke repast the Mountaines in post his Troupes remained a league from Geneua in three places The Duke returnes in post at Toâ—non Fâ—ssigny and Ternier He commanded his Ambassador to giue the Senate of Berne to vnderstand that he had not made this enterprise to trouble the quiet of the Cantons Hiâ— declaratioÌ„ by his Ambassador to the Senate of Bâ—aâ—ne but to preuent L'Esdiguieres from beeing Maister thereof who intended to deliuer it vp afterwards vnto the King who had beene too mighty a Neighbour and would haue giuen them alltogether occasion to feare him The issue oâ— this Enterprise did shewe that God will not haue Treaties violated for the assurance whereof his Name hath beene inuocated notwithstanding any preâ—ext of Religion Witnesse Lewis King of Hungary in the vnfortunate battell of Varne against the Turkes where he had broken his Faith The King promiseth to succour them of Geneua The King aduertised of the successe of this enterprise hee sent word vnto the Magistrates of this Common-weale that if their Enemy did attempt by a setled seege or by open Warre any thing against them hee would assist them and imploy all his forces for their defence 1603. commanding the Gouernors and Lieutenants Generall of the neerest Prouinces to ayde them all they could The Cantons of Bearne and Fribourg allied to Geneua being aduertised of this attempt sent twelue hundred Suisses and the King who had an interest that it should not fall vnder the command of any other Prince or Common-weale sent also sixe hundred French All prepares to Warre the Geneuois made some courses into the Duke of Sauoyes Countrye and surprised S. Geny of Aâ—ust they imagined vppon a little good successe to extend theyr limits vnto Mont Cenis The King commanded De Viâ— his Ambassador in Suisserland who returned then to his charge to passe by them to assure them that hee was not of their humors which frame not their affections nor binde not the duties of friendship but vpon good euents louing Friendes no longer then they drawe profit from them That he would neuer fayle them for their defence and protection desiring to know of them what meanes they might haue to make an offensiue War to the end the succours he should send them might bee profitably imployed Monsieur â—e Viâ— â—entto Geneua They receiued De Vic with a publike applause sending forth the French Horse and Foote to meete him but as hee was deceiued in this vnexpected Ceremony so were many others which thought that hee came to incourage them to Warre They heard his Propositions in a priâ—ate Conference exhorting them rather to a long and durable Peace then to a short Warre They intreated him to propound the like in their generall Assembly which no man else durst doe euery one holding it a Crime and a signe of Basenesse not to preferre the Councells of Warre War is pleasing to men that know it not before any Accord and not to enter in Hostile manner into the Dukes Countrye Some which had neuer seene War but in the Idea conceiued Victoryes in their imaginations building vpon the Snowe of Mont Cenis I hat it would not continue aboue sixe months that the Warre would bee no lesse profitable for the good of their Common weale nor lesse happy then it had beene to their Neighbours in the time of Duke Charles and that all that had any interest in their preseruation would assist them That all those great Spirits which delighted in the exercise of Warre would come and offer them their Armes and Liues De Vic through the trueth and excellency of his discourse gaue them to vnderstand That Peace was so necessary for them and Warre so preiudiciall as they had great reason to imbrace the one and to flye the other That although the causes of Warre be alwayes goodly and the meanes made easie yet the effects were no lesse terrible the successe being not alwayes answerable to their hopes That a forraine Warre was profitable and to be vndertaken when as Ciuill Wars could not be otherwise auoyded but a well setled Estate which hath alwayes liued happily by Peace should not seeke these stormes nor take delight to bee at Warre with her Neighbors Thus he perswaded them to imbrace Peace but a Peace with these three qualities Assured Proâ—fitable and Honourable A Peace confirmed by an equall Comerce of all Commodities and which should roote out all occasions of Warre They entred into some Truce with the Duke but hauing required assurances for the obseruation thereof it beeing not honorable they proceeded no farther and the Duke gaue them to vnderstand that it was indifferent to him whether they were his friends or enemies The King who is a Prince full of Iustice and Integrity foreseeing that this Warre would not be ended by them that did begin it Desired to maintaine the Peace which was so necessary for all Christendome for the which hee had layd aside Armes The Cantâ—â—s of the Suisses mediators of a Peace when as he might hope for most fruite for the increase of his Estates His Ambassador therefore in Suisserland perswaded the Cantons of Glaris Basâ—e Soleurre Schaffouze and Appenzel as least suspected and interessed to be the mediators of this Accord There was some difficulty but the Seigneury wearied with a Warre the profit whereof could not repaire the ruines which the want of Peace should cause and hauing tryed that all the profit they could hope for depended on their neighbors succors That hope which is not maintayned but by forraine supports is alwayes ruinous That they had no meanes to reuenge the wrong that was done vnto them That there was no likelyhood that the Catholike Suisses would breake with the Duke of Sauoy for their respect That being so neere they must of force apply themselues to some quiet and equall kinde of lyuing Genâ—ua resolues to a Peace They yeelded to the perswasions of their friends and Allies and by their aduice relinquished many demands which their Councell had resolued and the Duke had reiected as vniust and dishonorable The Conference of the Treaty was at Rouilly with D' Albigny and the Conclusion at Saint Iulien betwixt the deputies of either part If the issue hath beene happy and profitable to