their going away out of the Castell they of the League should all retyre away Last of all that euery one should haue one thousand crownes in money and a good Horse with a pardon from the king and security that they should neuer be called to any accompt all these Promises were faythfully kept to them At their comming foorth they deuided amongest their friendes the mouable goods of Brissak as Plate Aras and other such thinges as they could not cary and loded themselues with the best iewels as much as they could carry away The 21. of October the Princes companies began to march from the campe where the rendes vous was giuen through a narrow way toward the place of execution nigh the Suburbes There by the forrunners were three souldiours taken not supposing the enemie to haue been so nigh who reported that the Trenches were very strong and would be stoutely defended They also tooke certaine peasants who reported Rochemort to be dead and the castell to be surrendered for a great somme of money but they were not belieued The same day the Prince sent certaine Harquebusiers to Pontdesel which is a towne situated vpon the fall of Lolion into Loyre where is a bridge to passeouer the riuer where they of Anger 's had put a strong garison to keepe the bridge At the discouering of the approache of the Princes power both the towne and also the castell gaue a hot alarum and sounded the Toxin in all the parish Churches of the Citie and also at the high church called Saint Maurice This was a maruelous thing that in so great and populous a Citie wherein were more men of warre strangers then the Prince had in all his armie yet no sallie out was made no more then if there had beene no man considering also that the place where the Prince was in battell aray did fauour greatly them of the towne for there was but a broad way where the horsemen onely stoode and on both sides were vineyards and copses In that broad way were set in battell aray all the Harquebusiers where the Minister of the church L. Blanchardiere pronounced a forme of praier before the army And vpon this preparation were receaued certaine newes of the rendering of the Castel the day before which thing made all men beleeue it because that at the ariuing of the armie there was no taken from thence notwithstaÌ„ding the alarum pieces of shot giueÌ„ out Others that were against that opinion alleaged that it was no maruaile if they did not discharge the canon out of the Castell because they were so few that they were not able to remoue it They added also that the fire which they of the towne had set to an house betweene the armie and the Castell which continued all the day by the smoake was to let them of the Castell to see the troupes which came to succour them Vpon these coniectures the captaines according to the commandements receaued set vpon the subburbs of Passiguie and Magdalen and forced the same euen to the Bariâ—ados which they of the towne had made out of the gates within the subburbes which were forsaken There the Captaine Flesche was wounded with a shot who dyed within few dayes after he had protested before that either he would dye or else he would enter the Trenches passing not for death seeing that it was in and for his countrey both hapened vnto him Hee was borne at a towne named Flesche situated vpon the Riuer Loyre flowing from Vendosme to Anger 's a gentleman borne of good parentage All that day passed away in skirmishes for the armie of the Prince had also trenched themselues in the subburb of Pressiguy The horsemen were al that day in battel aray vntil nigh at the end of the subburbs while the Harquebusiers wonne by little and little the Trenches of the enemie pearcing the houses to aduaunce to the gate That day the Prince sendeth his Troumpet into a medow vnder the Castell in the sight of them that were within to giue them token with the sound of the Troumpet but seeing no token out of the Castell they began to suspect in deede that the Castell was surrendered At euening it was thought good to retyre and that the Souldiours should giue ouer their Trenches in the subburb and houses which they had gotten for feare that they within the towne in the aduauntage of the night should issue vpon them being many against few the towne being able to bring forth foure thousand strangers onely beside the forces of the towne with the aduauntage of their ordinance The Lordes Trimouille Boulay and Auantignie with their companies were appointed to make the retire which was no further then the houses next to the subburb of Pressigny The horsemen lodged that night in the nearest parishes about the Prince with his company and the Lord Rohan dis lodge at the Pont of Sorges not without great confusion by reason that there was but few lodgings In the night they of the towne issued foorth ouerthrew and burned the Trenches and Barricadoes which were made the day before and lodged within certaine houses in the subburb euen in the hospitall of the leapers so that they could not bee displaced thence the nextday The 22. about eight a clock the Lords Trimouille Auantigny Saint Gelayse with their companies resorted to the crosse way nigh the place of execution where all companies were commaunded to appeare Then they of the towne shewed a countenance as though they would haue issued foorth and certaine demilances appeared within the subburb of Pressigny There was a great alarum which hasted the companies from their lodgings to put themselues in battell aray where they did the day before Then were the footemen commaunded to set on the subburbs but they went not to it with that courage as they had done the day before for many had not refreshed themselues some the day before had lost their horses when they left them to fight at the Trenches some did steale away and returned to Beaufort The Captaines were discontented that they had been enforced to giue ouer the aduantage which they had the day before within the subburbs which they could not recouer without great losses The armie was scattered here and there the high waies were couered with bagage cariage charets horses mules seruants which wandered al night not knowing whether to retire To be short all things went farre otherwise then the day before yet they recouered within the subburb as much as they could not without hazard and difficultie The Prince arryued from Pont Forges and got him within the Suburbe of Pressigni where he perceaued the countenance and courage of his men chaunged and amazed but on the contrary them of the towne to haue taken hart Then euery one alleaging what might haue happened to them in the Castel some obstinately affirmed that they had shot in the night other sayd the contrary The Prince assembled the Nobles and Captaynes at the crosse
downe from Saumur The 25. of October the Lord Boulay also and his companie passed at Saint Maturine beneath Saint Maures Abbey but that passage also was stopped the next day after with boates which descended thether The 26. day Captaine Serpent skirmished all the day long as hee had done all night before out of the Abbey Saint Maure with the enemies who were in the boates The Papists of high and low Poytow vnderstanding how the Prince of Conde was compassed on euery side beyond Loyre and supposing that hee was alreadie made sure enterprised to doo the like of the Lord Laual and these few companies which were with him Whereupon Captaine Serpent seeing that the Prince did not repasse and that the enemie was armed vpon the riuer being out of hope of his returne that way dislodged out of S. Maure Abbey where the enemie soone after lodged and ioyned himselfe with the Lord Laual the 17. day The Lord Laual notwithstanding y t day earlie in the morning marched toward the passage for to vnderstand newes of the Prince but considering the impossibilitie of repassing and foreseeing that he would take ouer the Countrey and that if he should stay there any time he was like to be hemmed in by the troupes of high and lowe Poytow which hasted to set vpon him hee therefore with Captaine Serpent tooke his iourney to Saint Ihan D' Angely The same day the Lord Boulay seeing as much as is aforesaid folowed after the L. Laual and ouertooke him two Leagues from the riuer These two companies ioyned together made about 150. horse and about 300. Harquebusiers on horseback for many of their companies had not passed and some had retired where they thought to bee in securitie They marched with reasonable iourneys passing aboue Niort to Saint Ihan D' Angely without any resistance The 29. of October they came to Saint Massure about Niort where they found the bridge which they must needes passe ouer broaken for the raine was so great and continuall that it had made little small brookes great riuers and hauing none other way to passe there they made a bridge with cartes and other such things as were at hand The 30. of October the Lord Laual lodged at Fo rs and his companies in the vilages thereabouts The 31. of October in the morning parting thence as they tooke their horses to goe on their iourney there apeared vnto them some Launcieres of the enemie conducted as it was afterward knowne by Captaine Mercer Albanese who issued out of Niort The Lord Laual marched alway in battell aray the way to Saint Jhan onely hee sent some to view him which thing Captaine Mercure perceauing retired without bickering The second day of Nouember the Lord Laual aryued at Saynt Ihan where y t company of the Lord Boulay retyred euery one where he thought good A thing happened worthy of remembrance the pestilence being very hot in Saynt Ihan D'Angelye when the Lord Laual arryued there yet afterward there dyed not so much as one of his companyes nor of the inhabitantes of the towne As all thinges are gouerned by the prouidence of God disposing of the counselles and actions of men after his owne will so he turned all thinges to the benefite of his children and the preseruation of his Church For the Prince as is aboue sayd hauing sent the said Lord Laual to passe to Loyre before to fauour the passage of the rest of the army delaying his owne returne and in the meane time the riuer being beset by the enemy so it fell out that the sayd Lordes Laual and Bowlay could not repasse to the Prince agayne This great good therefore the Lord did draw out of this disiunction of the army First here appeareth euidently the gracious loue fauour which God beareth to his children For the power of man which was so great the rancor and hatred so hot the stomacke so eger the enemy spread so thicke euery where round about lying in wayt for them and making their full account to haue them as in a net yet could they not take away one hayre of their heads whom God had taken vnder his protection Secondly the same Lord was disioyned from the Prince by a certayne counsell of God to confirme the townes and strong places in Poytow and Xainctonge and to let them from reuolting to the enemy to resemble the companies scattered and beaten with the breaking of that army to hold the enemy in awe so that in such great dismay and feare of all the countrey the enemy durst enterprize but very litle or nothing at all For euen the Duke de Mayne with his strong and puissant army passing nigh the gates of Saynt Ihan D'Angelye durst neuer stay there although he knew well that the towne was not well prouided and his army being for Guyenne there hee might haue begun to do some more honorable exployt by winning Saynt Ihan then by Castilon By the which euents it appeareth that the presence of the sayd Lord and other of his company did greatly bridle the rage of the enemy there Now hauing placed the Prince his Nobles and all his scattered army in safety and rest from the great dangers and labours which they sustayned during the moneth of October we will returne backe to see what in the meane time is done at the siege of Browage and tell you the true report thereof The tenth day of October the Lord Saint Mesmes who was left there to continue the siege by the appoyntment of the Prince receaued intelligence how that the gouernor of Xainctes Coignak Engolesme and other forces of the countrey did flocke together to set vppon them who were at Hyers where they continued the siege of Browage and supposing himselfe not strong ynough to resist suchforces as he expected specially for lacke of horsemen forsooke Hyers with all his regiments lodged at Marennes Which thing amazed greatly the Countrey hee sent also the Lord la Hay at Saynt Iust to aduauncethe retyre The same day about foure a clocke in the euening aryuing at Saynt Just the Lord Saynt Disan and Captayne Bordeaux with their companies of footmen who seeing the inhabitantes of the countrey runne away and knowing what had happened went to Hiers and they there arryued about midnight where they found many souldiers of Saynt Luke who issued out of Browage had set the fire on some houses and were busie in rifling and ransacking the others they were so heauily charged by the Souldiers of Saint Disan and Bordeaux that they were all eyther slaine or taken prisonners The Lord Saynt Mesmes aduertized what had passed at Hyers and of the new supply come to him returned with the companies to Hyers and continued the siege twenty dayes longer during the which tyme were geuen many skirmishes and many on both sides slayne and taken But at length the sayd Lord Saynt Mesmes knowing that the Prince had passed Loyre and looking not for any succour and that many reportes going abroad
crueltyes should be knowen further And also that the saincts as it were out of the middest of those prouinces which do embrace the Gospel might see that the Lord is the iust reuenger of such abominations and defender of the iust cause And that they may learne to feare him and in him onely to trust and repose themselues Here therefore Adrastia doth stay them to answere vnto Gods iudgement Now let vs come to the euents The King of Nauarre early in the morning being first aduertyzed of this preparation was not mooued at it no more was hee vpon the second warning But at the third tyme he shewed no lesser desire to fight then the enemy to whom twise before he had proffered the occasions He taketh horse rydeth forth out of Coutras to méet y e enemy commaundeth the Lord Clermont master of his Ordinaunce in all hast to passe ouer the canon for he could not do it the day before he putteth his army in battayle array placeth his artillery in the forefront so commodiously that all peeces did seruice without harming any man of his owne greatly did endomage the enemy At length hauing encouraged his souldiers to the battayle whom he found full of desire and readines caused prayers to be made from company to company About 9. a clocke in the morning the artillery began to play on both sides the ordinance of the king of Nauarre was so commodiously placed that it did wonderfully annoy the men of Armes which the Lord Ioyeuse had at his right hand and the regimentes which did flanke those men of armes Many being beaten downe with it some of the heads tooke resolution rather to goe to the charge then to die so miserably without any fight The Harquebuziers in like maner began to ioyne and there was no man on both sides who shewed not to haue a great desire to do well The Ordinance of Ioyeuse did let flye certayne shot towards the company of the Prince of Conde but without any effect saue a horse whereon a page did ride which was slayne The cause of this small effect was a litle rising of the ground which did let the free aspect and ayming of the Ordinance so that many shot did light vpon the ground About nine a clocke the light horsemen of the Lord Ioyeuse to the number of foure hundred horses conducted by the Lord Lauerdine and captain Mercure set on the horsemen of the king of Nauarre but after some fight began to wauer and to make roome The rest of the horsemen of the king of Nauarre consisted of 4. Squadrons distant the one from the other in this wise The Squadrons of the King of Nauarre and of the Prince of Conde were distant about a hundred and fifty paces The Squadron of the Prince of Soissons at the left hand of the king of Nauarre about three score paces The Squadron of y t Vicount Turenne distant so much from the Prince of Conde at his right hand The Lord Lauerdine charged the Vicount Turenne but without any endomaging of him These three squadrons where stoode the Princes of the blood standing fast did behold all this fight vntill the Lord Ioyeuse followed with his mayne force of horsemen and hauing both on the right hand and the left two great hedges of horsemen aduanced to giue the generall onset Then these three Princes marching euery one at the forefront of his squadron close first went a soft pace then began to gallop last the watch word being giuen with a loosed bridle set on so liuely euery one seuerally by himself according to his course vpon that multitude that incontinently the companies were mingled and came to handiblowes The speares which were in great number in the armie of Ioyeuse did but small seruice for they ioyned néerer It is a wonderfull thing that in a moment such a furious troupe as was that of the Lord Ioyeuse armed furnished to the aduantage flanked both on the right hand and the left with two great battaillions of footmen was ouerthrowne and vanquished by a troupe which had neither in number nor in furniture nor in armes nor in situation of the battell any aduantage at all God who gouerneth all things and holdeth in his hands the balance of victories and ouerthrowes made then courage to preuayle against multitude the iust cause against iniurie and the lawfull defence against bragging and the great preparation of warre And as the men of armes were quickly ouerthrowne trodden vnder foote and put to flight so in as little space were the footmen discomfited being set on by the regiment of the King of Nauarre where commaunded as Masters of the Campe Castelnaw Parabiere Salignake and others And at the left hand of the King of Nauarre Charboniere Preau Orges and others who all euery man right forward following the occasion of the victorie cut in péeces all that made any resistance and put to flight the rest which were on the side of copses at the right hand as on the side of the riuer Droune at the left hand And as a little before nine a clocke these two armies came to hands the quarrell was so soone decided that at ten a clock there was found not one onely man of the enemies which stood to his defence nor that was in sight but such as were laied dead vpon the ground or taken prisoners or in flight The place where the battell was fought remayned so couered with men of armes horses and armours but specially of Launces matted so thicke that they stopt the way There remayned the Lord Ioyeuse and also his brother with a great number and notablest Lords The King of Nauarre the Princes of Conde and Soissons with the rest of the armie pursued the victorie There were taken many notable Gentlemen and among others the Lord Belegarde gouernour of Xainctonge the Lords S. Luke and Montigny of Berry who commaunded ouer a companie of horsemen hee was noted in ioyning of the battell to haue pearced further then any of the companie for hee entered euen to the side of the gardes of the King of Nauarre which were at his right hand and there by them beaten downe was taken by some of the sayd gardes God gaue this notable victorie to the King of Nauarre and in that iorney did shine the valour wherewith hee hath indued him in all the speciall graces which may decke a noble and vertuous Prince and great Captain not onely for the counsell resolution diligence and wise gouernment but also in the execution of armes For doing the office of a Captaine Souldier he pressed so farre as to take the enemie by the coller The Prince of Conde also shewed himselfe valiant for he had his horse slaine vnder him the Prince of Soissons also tooke prisoners with his owne hand The horse of the Vicount Turenne was also slaine God made these Princes strong in this dayes worke according to the order of their preheminence by them to doo the execution
the towne perceaued that the enemie was remoouing the Ordinance from the place where it was first pitched and yet they could not know vpon which side of the Towne they intended to place it vntill the morrowe being the third day of Ianuary when it was seene at the Chappell Saint Leonard couered with gabions and planted within two hundred paces of the wall They perceiued also another batterie in preparing on the side of the Poole in a field toward Guinefole so that the batteries did crosse one another The Winter this yeare was so extreame during this siege that the yce did carrie euery where which thing caused great discommoditie to them which were besieged the earth being so hard that when they began to trench themselues within which was at the arriuing of the Canon they could not in an houre open a foote of earth although that they had made pickaxes and tooles for that purpose But this also did greatly encrease their labour for at the arriuing of the Canon they had saluted the Towne on the side of Maschecow and being lodged within the ruines of certayne houses there had planted gabions which caused them of the towne to beléeue that they should bee battered on that side where they also had begun their trenches with much and vnprofitable labour For as it is sayd the ordinance was remooued to another place now hauing lost all their former labour they are set to worke night and day at the trenches and when they went out of the watch without rest or sleepe they must worke at the trenches wine also fayled them so that in time and toyle so extreame many fell sicke but specially of the bloudy fluxe The same to wit the third day a certaine Corporall was sent by them of the Towne to see whether there was any meanes to enterprise vppon that artillerie but he was slaine with a pellet in the breast About noone the enemie shot certaine voleyes of Ordinance against a gate of the Castle which openeth into the garden where they sawe by the moouing of the earth that Pyouers were at worke The fourth day they within the towne at the breaking of the day perceiuing the preparations for the batterie found themselues hardly distressed for that they had no trenches against the batteries and that it was almost impossible to make any for hardnes of the ground by reason of the frost and yet they laboured hard about it day and night in that sort as is aforesayd Whilest the Gouernour and the Captaines were assembled to take aduice what was expedient to be done one of the companie proposed that it were good to send a Drommer to play with his Dromme toward the broaken Chappell vnder colour of making exchange of prisoners and in the meane time to delay the batterie of the enémie This was concluded but afterward it was reuoked by reason of the disaduantage which might ensue least the enemie vppon that occasion should thinke that they fearing the trench did seeke occasion of parley Then the two batteries began the one did beat the Fort of Beauregard and that which was made aboue an old gate as is said asore the other battery did beat at the other said Fort which was vnder the gate That which was made out of the old wall resisted the fury of the ordinance farre better then it was thought it would for from halfe an hower after Sunne rising vntill Sunne setting it neuer ceased to thunder without any intermission so that there was let flie that day aboue eight hundered canon shot The night beeing so neere they who were besieged saw no apparance that the assault would be geuen and had not prepared themselues to receiue the enemy that day considering that the breaches were flanked with two fortes which were first to be forced notwithstanding all the French footmen and Swissers were seene a farre off in battle array about noone which was the cause that they deuided speedily the small number of men which they had to keepe the Fortes but specially the two Fortes which flanked the breaches on both sydes They prouided also a certayne number to keepe the breaches if the enemy should proffer the assault They were not aboue two hundred and threescore persons which were of ability to defend the breaches for the rest were either sicke or hurt or els occupied to keepe the fiue Fortes which were without The Gouernour tooke vppon him to keepe the breach which was at the left hand with a hole to passe to the Fortes if they were assaulted beeing assisted with twelue men lying in couert and certaine Harquebuziers The Baron Vignoles was appointed to keepe the breach which was aboue the gate with fiue armed men and fifteene Harquebuziers and for as much as that number was not sufficient the Gouernour appointed the Lord Perrine to assist them with fiue armed men more When the breaches began to be reasonable euery one hauing sixteene long paces breadth the whole army beeing in battell array the enemy began to styrre and marching with a swift pace stouping low they set on both sides of the Fortes which were aside of the breaches The enemy sustayned the first onset wherewith these two Fortes receaued them and passed throug halthough that many remained vpon the places saluted by them of the Fortes with shot and with the force of the pikes yet in a little space they were masters of the two fortes They might haue defended the said fortes longer but two causes did let them the one was the small number of the defendants the other was the death of the Lord Marestes yongest sonne to the Lord Sabloniere and brother to the Lord Vignoles who after the death of the Lord Ruffigny commaunded ouer his company and one of the fortes which had befollen him his was slaine with the shot of a Culuerin This his death did greatly hast the forsaking of that fort his brother the Lord Vignoles made great mone for him The Fortes beeing wonne it was high time for them which kept the breaches to bestirre and defende themselues and as they were assaulted furiously by the enemyes so they receaued them coragiously There was all manner of defence vsed shot pikes pomgarnads fiery hoopes stones and all other manner of defence were throwen vppon the enemy Many of the enemies hauing the night fauourable retyred vnder the shadow therof they who did obstinate themselues either were wounded or els remayned dead in the place in this assault happened a thing worthy to bee noted The Baron Vignoles had a frend in the army named Poysson a man of charge in that seruice This man was greatly carefull for the preseruation of the said Baron and desirous to saue him prayed a Captaine of the regiment of Chastiagueray whose Standerd bearer was very sicke to geue him his ensigne for that day onely determined to enter one of the first to saue his friend the sayd Baron Vignoles the Captaine deliuered him his ensigne according to his request Poysson at the
otherwise could not withstand if they should be pressed All things being well considered they determined to hearken to so aduantagious proffers with hope thereby to make the K. of Nauarre priuie to their affaires and for that intent to send Captayne Robiniere with a passeporte that was concluded and sealed on both sides the sixt day at night The seuenth day the truce was agreed and hostages were giuen on both partes and all acts of hostilitie ceased The same day the Lord Robiniere departed with a trompet of the D. of Neuers to goe to the King of Nauarre The gouernour in the meane while was greatly carefull to take heede that no man should goe foorth to visit or frequent with them of the armie and also that none of the enemies should enter into the towne To preuent all inconueniences hee made a diligent watch both day and night vpon the breaches so that hee himselfe tooke his meales and did lie thereon notwithstanding the hardnes of the winter The eleuenth day of Ianuarie the Lord Robiniere returned from the king of of Nauarre and brought with him the Lord Rinuile to the Lord of Neuers who after he returned to the king of Nauarre obteined leaue to enter into the towne with the Lord Robiniere By them they within the towne were enformed how the king of Nauarre had marched forward very nigh intending to succour them and to venture a battel for that end but that he fel sick with a dangerous disease which had hindred the execution of his enterprize They reported also howe that the said King of Nauarre had sent the Lords Chastilion Rochefocault Trimouille Plassak with the greatest partes of his armie to trie how they might enterprize vpon the enemie but considering that nothing could bee attempted without great disaduantage they were faine to returne backe For the Lorde of Neuers had lodged and trenched himselfe in so aduantagious a place that the towne could not sayle but fall into his hands except it were rescued by the winning of a battell which thing the time prefâ—xed could not permitte being already almost expired Notwithstanding the twelfth day at night the Lords Chastilion Plassak Trimouille went to view the armie so nigh that in the darke night some shot of Ordinance was giuen out for a token of the alarum toward the Porrieres The Duke of Neuers vpon this alarum feared greatly least the Lord Plessis seeing that helpe nigh would haue receiued some succours within the town interpreting the tearmes of the agreement to his aduantage But the saide Lord Plessis would haue done nothing of dangerous consequence much lesse against his promise The 14. of Ianuarie the Lord of Neuers perceaued that they within the town went faithfully to worke for euery man disposed himselfe to depart also he vsed much courtesy toward theÌ„ who were besieged prouiding carts for them whereof they had need to carie as well their bagage as theÌ„ which were wounded caused them to issue foorth out of the sight of y e army least they should bée molested by any man The said Lord of Neuers was in his own at their comming forth with a small companie he commaunded their matches to be kindled saluting very courteously euery man There were some souldiers hurt whome they could not carrie away he commaunded them to stay with assurance to be dressed and otherwise courteously vsed All the companies were safely conducted vnto the Abbey Brilleybant the companies of the King of Nauarre being lodged at Palneau halfe a league thence to whome they ioyned themselues easily the regiment of the Câ—unty of Beaupre was left there in Garison So then the saide Duke of Neuers hauing receaued the towne of Ganache as is aboue said on a sodaine that great and furious army was broaken to pieces as smitten with the finger of God Many there dyed many were hurt they of the League liuing in great mistrust either did dissemble their actions or retired to such places of safetie as they thought most fit the artillery returned into the places from whence it was taken The Lord of Neuers went to Bloys withall the rest of the armie as remained with him whereof a part was sent to the Marshall Haulmont who in the Citadell fought with the inhabitants of Orleans within a few dayes after the Lord of Neuers went from the court to his house of Neuers So all the lowe Poytow which had béene terribly threatned with that tempest was deliuered by this sodaine and vnexpected alteration For the execution which was done at Bloys vpon the person of the Duke of Guize was as an horrible thunderclap not onely vnto the leagued which were in the army of the L. of Neuers of whom the most part did consist and to others who were in multitudes in most partes of the realme but also vnto all others of that confederacie which were out of the realme For the newes fléeing as farre as Lorreyne the forces of the Duke of Lorreyne which had blocked Iamets in y e soueraignty of Boillon euer since the moneth of Aprill before were so amazed by the vnexpected losse and surprise of that support that they taking sodainely bagge and bagage as men frighted out of their wittes brake the siege and retired away so that God there deliuered his Church after a long and daungerous triall which shall induce the posteritie to feare and admire the iust iudgements of God who within a moment and by euents not forséene by mans wisdome dooth turne vpside downe the counsels of the wicked to the ioyfull deliuerance and comfort of his saints Righteous O Lord are thy iudgements all thy waies are righteousnes and trueth The army of the King of Nauarre returned to Niort and Fontenay It is said before how after the surprising of Niort the King of Nauarre repayred to the saide towne the 27. of December and soiourning there a while there he gathered the greatest part of his forces and about the 6. day of Ianuarie in this yeare 1589. the said King departed with such forces as he had from Niort toward the towne of Ganach intending to succour them who were besieged therein or else to fight with the Duke of Neuers if he would haue let him But God who gouerned all things with an vnsearcheable wisdome disappointed that enterprise by that dangerous sicknes which fell vpon him The cold was very extreame and as he is a most laborious Prince after he had béen long on horseback all armed a great cold came vpon him so that he was enforced to light downe of his horse and goe on foote with a swift pace and violent motion to get him some heate and a little after hee had eaten a strange extraordinarie cold tooke him with a great feauer About the 9. day of Ianuary it was incontinently perceiued that it was a pleuresie This happened at a little village called S. Pere there he was enforced to stay without any meanes to transport him to any other place by reason of the
King I say aduertised of these things sent from Deepe to the Quéene of England for some succour who as her Maiesty neuer fayleth to helpe them who are vniustly distressed sent him forces according to his request All the Kings forces at Deepe were not about nine thousand men before the Englishmen arriued to him The Duke d'Mayne hauing a mighty army of fiue and twenty thousand men set foorth out of Paris about the beginning of September giuing foorth that he went to a certaine victory and vaunting that he would briâ—g to Paris the King dead or a liue or else he would driue him into the Sea approached toward Deepe But the God of battels turned as easily with few as with multitude all these bragges to vanitie and shame For the King hearing that the enemy approached very fast encamped himselfe at Arques about two myles from the towne of Deepe by the prudent counsell of the Marshall of Byron The King viewing the place iudged by and by what the enemy was able to doo against him whereupon hée caused trenches to bée made on the top of the hill in most substanciall manner as farre from Arques as a Canon can shoote so that all the army for a néede might bée couered therewith out of all danger Vpon the same trenches hée caused foure pieces of ordinance to bée placed right against a great plaine where hée supposed the enemy would come to fight whether also he might come without any danger the kings companies were quartered in the Villagâ—s round about Whilest these things are a dooing at Arques the enemy approached more and more very fast and on the 15. of September lodged his vauntgarde within three miles of Deepe The King that morning perceaued that they intended to spoyle the subburb Paulet before he enterprised vpon any thing at Arques Therefore with spéed he fortified the said Suburb but specially the milles which steed most open to the enemy This thing being done the King determined as nere as could bee and with small company to view how the enemy was lodged and perceauing by occasion of some that they were too forward commaunded fiue or sixe of his company to giue them the charge in the which seauen of the enemy remained vpon the place which thing being done the king returned to lodge at Arques The 16. before day many issued out of Deepe who made hot skirmishes vpon the enemy where the Lord Chastilion commaunding ouer the footemen shewed himselfe a most skilfull warriour The King had placed certaine horsemen betweene his footemen and the enemy to represse the Leaguers of the Souldiours least rashly they might haue bred some confusion The skirmish was such that the Harquebusiers did neuer discharge a bullet that day in vaine That day the King permitted certayne English gentlemen to skirmish with the enemie who imployed themselues so valiantly and with such a noble courage that in lesse then the turning of one hand they ouerthrew slew or tooke prisoners all that encountred them The same day about 25. of the enemies had passed the brooke which did runne betweene the Kings armie and the enemie and were already in the medow to haue assaulted a Village named Boteille where the Kings Cornet was lodged great troups of horsemen came downe the hill to passe in like maner the brooke to haue assisted them but there came out of the Village sixe gentlemen well armed to meete the enemy among whom were the Lords Saint Marke and Slurbe with two Harquebuziers on foot charged the enemy so hard that they were faine to retire with swift flight feare and sorrowfull countenance All this day there continued hot skirmishes at the milles which are at the end of the Suburbe named Paulet and whereas the King aduaunced still to view the enemies doings an Harquebuze shot strooke his horse in the thigh The same day the King sent the company of the Prince County conducted by the Lorde Armilie his Lieftenant to the Marshall Biron who was at Arques which immediatly commaunded them to goe and spie the lodgings of the enemy who did lye in a Village called Martinglize where were the Dukes Aumale Nemours and the Lord Sagonne this company of light horses comming to the place and forgetting to bring word to the sayd Lord Biron of that which they had seene ran so fiercely vppon the enemy that they killed aboue an hundred and fifty and among them the Marques of Meneiay they tooke many Captains and other prisoners and ouerthrew their rampiers and Barricadoes being still on horsebacke The rest being foure regiments of footmen fled with great terrour Aumale Nemours and Sagonne shewing to these companies the way to flee and striuing among themselues who should flee y e swiftest The Lord Armilie was dangerously wounded through the body with a sword The King from Diepe vnderstanding the skirmish made hast thither with three hundered horses but the enemy was already chased before he came The 17. of September the King caused a Canon to bee discharged against the enemie on the side of Arques whilest the Lord Chastilion did valiantly skirmish with the enemie at the ende of the Suburbe Paulet where he slewe many of the enemies and tooke many prisoners without the losse of any one man saue onely fewe of his were wounded Another company of the Kings Campe at the same time went to view another Village on another side where they surprised the enemies slewe thirtie of them and put the rest to flight During these skirmishes a great number of Gentlemen and Souldiers came to the King and of their owne voluntary motion and goodwill yéelded themselues and their seruice They were part of the troupes of the Lord Rabempré who a little before was taken by the enemie at Gournay a Towne situated in Beauuoysin betwéene the Cities of Beauuoys Roen who had followed the enemies for their safegard The enemie trusting in his great multitude determined to passe ouer the little riuer which ran betwéene them and the King and hauing made certaine bridges of wood to bee cast ouer the 19. day of September about fiue of the clock in the morning the enemie marched from Martinglize in battell aray well ordered strong and thicke Their footmen well placed at their wings their faces set toward Arques the quarter of the Swissers The Lord Billing with two thousand shot was appoynted to giue the onset The Duke de Mayne stood behind with great strength in battell aray readie to giue succour where néede should be The King had watched all night before on horsebacke to giue order in euery place which hee did so diligently and circumspectly that the enemie could doo him no hurt without great disaduantage and losse to themselues But in the morning hauing seene the order of their battell aray incontinently he sent foorth his light horsemen and the company of the Prince County lead by the Lord Montater he sent also his Cornet wherein were the Lords graund Prior the great Squier the Countie
left side was that of the Marshall Aumont consisting of three hundred good horsemen hauing on his two sides 12. regiments of French footmen The second was the squadron of the Prince Montpensier consisting of three hundred Horses and on his left hand foure or fiue hundred Lanceknights and on the right hand a regiment of Swissers euery company of the strangers forces being lyned with footmen The third Squadron was of light horsemen deuided into two companies the one whereof the great Prior Colonell was the Leader and the other company of the light horsemen was conducted by the Lord Gyurye Marshall of the field of the said light horses hee was able to make foure hundred horses These two companies of light horses were placed a little before the foresaid squadrons and at the left hand of them was the artillerie to wit foure cannons and two culuerins The fourth squadron was that of the Baron of Biron which might bee of two hundred and fifty horses and in the same ranke and order at the left hand towards the Prince Montpensier was a company of light Horsemen The fifth squadron was the Kings which made fiue rankes and in euery ranke sixe score horses he had on the left side two regiments of Swissers of the Canton of Glaris and of the Grisons and on his right hand a great Battailon of two other regiments of Swissers the one of the Cantons of Solethurne and the other of the Colonel Balthazare which amount in the whole eighteene ensignes The Battailon on the right hand had the regiment of Brigueulx and on the left wing the regiments of Vignoles and S. Iohn The sixt Squadron was of the Marshall Byron who had two hundred and fiftie good horses with two regiments of French footmen The seauenth Squadron was of the Rutters who had ioyned with them French footmen like as other companies had Things were so ordered by the King and Lord Marshalls and Baron of Byron plied the matter so that in lesse then an houre all was so fitly disposed that it could not be deuised better And while the King did thus set in order his battell the night before and that morning there arriued vnto him sixe hundred horses vnlooked for to wit the companyes of the Prince Countie both horsemen and footmen there came also the Lord Guiche great master of the Ordinance and the Lord Plessis Morney with their companies to whom vpon deliberation was graunted place in the Kings Squadron The same day also while the King stayed in battell array came companies from the garrisons of Deepe and Arques and other companies and Lords out of Normandie to the number of two hundred horse and more who were placed some vnder the gouernment of the Prince Montpencier some with the King and some with the Baron Byron In the meane time the King sent light horsemen for Spyes on the left side of the battell supposing that the enemie did lye at Iury which is a great towne hauing a bridge ouer the riuer Eure thinking there to set vppon the enemie But when they had scarse passed halfe a mile they vnderstood that the enemie was aware of the matter more then they thought and that the enemie had passed the riuer Eure and that they began to shew themselues in battell array The enemie had passed that riuer not thinking to haue the Kings army so nigh But the king hearing of their going to Verneuille thought to méet them there and arriuing thether found that the enemie had sent his Harbingers for to take vp lodgings euen néere the place where the kings army lay When these newes came to the Campe there was an excéeding ioy among all men of all degrees Betweene the two armies there was a Village in the playne which was holden by the enemie which the King made straight way yeeld to him but for al this occasion giuen the enemie did not stirre But the King seeing that it was nigh Sunne setting and hauing not yet descryed the manner of the lodging of their Campe and considering they might bee at some aduantage was aduised not to march for that time any further whereupon there he stayed his armie for that night All that day the two armies were in sight one of the other There were onely some odd skirmishes betweene them in the which prisoners were taken who reported that the number of the enemie was greater then they were aware off and that they were giuen to vnderstand that the Kings companyes were come thether rather for a fashion then minding to bid battaile The night drewe on which caused the army to encampe there where they were set in battell array It is reported that the night following the third day two armies were seene in the Skye and the lesser number put the greater to flight The King would not departe from the army before hee had knowledge of the enemies lodging and had set all his watches in order The Noble men lodged in the villages about the playne which the enemies thought to haue surprized that day the king was the last at fielde and two howers in the night lodged at Foucraynuille which is a Village at the left hand of the same plaine and there hauing a little refreshed himselfe sent word to his men euery one to be in a readines against the morning and after he had rested himselfe about two howres on a pallet obseruing the auncient precept by Homer giuen to the Princes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very early he sent to enquire for newes of the enemies newes came that the enemie séemed to haue repassed the riuer Eure hee sent the second time then word came that vndoubtedly they had not repassed Eure but that they lay in the Villages about Eure some what further then they were supposed to be These newes cheered the king who desired greatly to come to hand with the enemy Day light being come the Princes and Lords Marshalls came to the king and set their men in battaile aray The king bâ—gan in the presence of his houshold seruants and other present to make a most feruent and deuout prayer to God committing his life and the liues of his faithfull subiects and seruants and the defence of his cause vnto him who is the mightie God of battailes The Princes and Lords Catholicks went to heare Masse and their deuotions done went to refresh themselues The King sent to them of the reformed Religion in like manner to commit themselues to Gods most mercifull protection by prayers went in like manner to refresh themselues The king liueth so in the presence of God that hee is a spectacle of royall godlinesse and vertue to men and to the blessâ—d Angels of God All the kings companies hearing that they should ioyne in battaile that day with the enemies did exceedingly reioyce and by nine a clock the king came into the field and vppon warning giuen by two Canon shot by ten a clock all the companies were in order in their places The placing of
yet necessitie which hath no law made the Duke de Mayne to take all these Italian insolencies pranks in good part néede which maketh the old woman trot enforced him to put in vre all the reuerences and ceremonies which he learned at Bruxels among the Spaniars wherein he had profited very wel for his time The Duke of Parma in taking his iourney beeing troubled with the humor that Monarcho his countrey man who was here in England the gasing pastime of children in London was troubled with had imagination in his conceit that by that time he should enter France the King would be fled from Paris halfe the way out of France But when he came to Meaux whilest they played these mery parts betweene them he heard that the K. was still at the â—iege of Paris whereat he maruailed greatly musing why the King should stay there and perceauing that the King stood not in any feare they eased their harts and couered their dread by publishing abroad euery where how they wil giue battell to the King of him and all his there is not a breakefast And thereupon in great earnest he called for the Cards and thinking himselfe far wiser then the Duke de Mayne who now was but a poore Souldier vnder him and hauing appointed to lodge at Chelles began to march forth out â—â— Meaux to take his lodging wher the King had appointed The King hauing intelligences of the Duke of Parma his marching out of Meaux the 30. of August raised his armie from before Paris leauing y e citie and the Suburbs at liberty The King with part of his armie went before with commaundement to the rest to follow after Pedro Corneio a Spaniard who was in the Citie during that siege reporteth that if the King had staied two daies more it was impossible for that Citie to haue holden any longer but that the gates had beene opened to him The Paristens seeing that when they had come to an extreame period of danger which in truth had béen an easie and an inestimable benefite to haue fallen into the Kings hands were filled with great ioy The Duke de Nemours Frier Henrico Fryer Sixtus his Nuncio blind Bernardino and all other rabble of Rebels went in procession to the great church called our Lady with a great number of people drawing their drie and starued bodies after them with much adoo and there they song merily te Deum laudamus The last wheat that had béene sold there was sold aboue two hundred Crownes and within three daies after it was there for foure or fiue Crownes The Duke of Parma at his first marching from Meaux hauing passed the brooke which runneth by the Towne of Clay lodged at the Castell Fresme The King departed from the Village Chaliot neere to Paris and appointed a generall meeting of his whole army in the plaine of Boundie making his reckoning the next day to haue battell Therefore hee mustered his army there all that day and there he staied two daies expecting the enemies comming but hearing no newes of the enemy all that time hee resolued to draw neere to them and for that intent sent the Lords Lauerdine and Chastilion to seaze vppon Chelles where he intended to lodge The said Lords there arriued found the enemies Harbingers who had begun to take lodgings whom they put to flight The King comming after them deseried some 7. or eight hundred horses of the enemie whom he charged so violently with farre lesser number that he conducted beating them euen vnto their lodgings The Duke of Parma vnderstanding that his Harbingers had béene beaten out of Chelles and that the King lodged there did double his feare and disappointed of his lodging would néeds goe accompanied with the D. de Mayne to view the plaine where the King stood in battel aray but perceauing the King comming with a good troup directly toward them was contented for that time to take no neerer sight The fifth day the Duke of Parma placed his army inclosed betweene two brookes and on the one side vpon one of the brookes there is a wood and a Castell called Brow and a little aboue the Castell a hill All that day the King stood in battell array in the plaine by Chelles The Kinges power of ten thousand foot Frenchmen foure thousand Swissers four thousand horsemen whereof three thousand were gentlemen of the chiefest families of Nobility in all France eight hundred Rutters In that army were sixe Princes two Marshals of France and a great number of noble men and Captains who were able to leade as great an army as that was About 11. a clocke that day the Duke of Parma with the Duke de Maine went vp on the top of the hill to view the army and the situation of the plaine which when hee had descried hee gaue a deepe sigh and fell into a chilling cold and after in a pelting Italian chafe after the maner of Italy and the custume of his predecessors the Popes of Rome swore and blasphemed God most horribly and reproched vnto the Duke de Mayne that he had brought him to the slaughter and that he descried before his eies not ten thousand men as he made him beleeue but twenty thousand men the brauest and best ordered that euer hee had seene This great Caesar that heretofore would kill the Deuill hethertoo had couered the fear which did lurk in his hart with swearings blasphemings braggings and boastings now not able to keepe it any longer hidden doth lay it open for he maketh hast to his campe biddeth his men to lay downe their weapons and to take in hand pickaxes shouels and mattocks The Macedonians were neuer so busie in building Alexandria as these men were in trenching themselues in their Moore for feare to bee set on by the King The King continued thrée dayes more in shewing himselfe in battaile aray vpon the said plaine and prouoked them continually by skirmishes alwaies some remayning behinde vppon the place or carried away prisoners The 6. day the King assaulted them and did beate them from one of the brookes the wood and the Castell and driue them all into the moore where they in great hast as is aforesaid had entrenched themselues very strongly Some prisoners being demaunded wherefore the Duke of Parma would not make a way through the Kings campe to goe to Paris and hazard the lot of the battaile They answered that after they had descryed the Kings power they had lost all stomacke to fight The Duke d'Mayne had left behinde him the Towne of Lagny which is vpon the riuer of Marne right against Corbeil which he thought could work him some displeasure he therefore did send the seauenth day of September certaine companies of Spanyards and Italians with ordinance to take the said Lagny which was but a weake Towne The Captaine named Laphin otherwise determined to leaue the Towne as not defensible when he sawe the enemies approach with such disorder as they did
that towne and followed after the King who was before to take his lodging about Pontarsy situated vpon the riuer Esne beneath Pontauers and the enemy presently entred the said Towne of Longauall Part of the Enemies followed after the King and seeing a Wood betweene the sayd Longaual and Pontarsie stayed there mistrusting some ambushes but at length passing through they met with the Baron of Byron who charged them so roughly with a small company of horsemen that he layed downe vpon the ground thirtie of them The King commanded Captayne Langemis to light and set a fresh on them who killed a great number of them and then retyred into the towne of Pontarsie The enemy went not to Pontauers that night but encamped in the plaine field with great feare of an alarum vnderstanding that the Duke of Neuers with fiue hundred horses out of Champaigne and the Lords Gyury out of Corbeil and Parabelle out of Melun with good and Iustie companies of horses were expected that day to come to the King euery man accompted him happie that might returne into Brabant in a whole skinne there to prooue whether they had forgotten the art of Carrowsing the chiefest trade of that countrey The 28. day in the morning thirtie harquebusiers of the enemies hauing lost their way went into the Towne of Longaual enquiring for the Duke of Parmas quarter whom the inhabitants disarmed and throwing them vnder the bridge drowned them The same day came to the King the sayd Duke of Neuers and Lords Gyury and Parabelle with eight hundred horses all well appoynted The 29. day the King went out of Pontarsie with one thousand horses intending to giue his enemies a fresh charge and to carrie away the Rereward but their Ordinance being stucke fast in the myre the whole armie remayned all that day in battell array in that place where their Ordinance was and there also encamped themselues all the night following so that nothing could be enterprised vpon them The 30. day of Nouember the King determined to did the enemie fare well with a fight of horsemen the Duke of Parma with a good will would haue spared that curtesie and bee glad to get out of the Realme without so much adoo In the morning very early the sayd Duke marched toward Marle a towne nigh the head spring of the riuer Oyse from thence to get Larbre de Guize and so to leaue the realme of France The King commanded all his horsemen to be in a readines and directly to march toward Cressie with all furniture yet without baggage or carriage And being first of all arriued at the rendes vous vnwilling to ouerslip any opportunitie to see his enemie that day which hee thought should bee the day of their separation sent the Lord Baron of Byron to march before and hee himselfe to followe him within the distance of a hundred paces onely with fourtie gentlemen The Lord Longaual followed the King with fiftie horses and the rest of the Cornet As they had marched a good space there appeared at the side of a Wood about sixe score horses vnder the leading of Colonell Baste who came in hast to charge the Baron of Byron the sayd Baron gaue so resolute a charge that he made them to retyre to theyr maine battaile and when the enemie had ioyned with their fellowes they came agayne to giue a fresh charge in the which the sayd Baron of Byron his horse was killed and he in great daunger to bee slaine but the King did gather them quickly that were scattered and with them caused the rest of his troupes to come forward which being in battaile aray and ioyned with them that had bin gathered out of the skirmish gaue such a fearefull charge that all the rereward of the enemie thought vpon nothing but vpon the meanes how to saue themselues leauing their dead armed vpon the place If all the Kings companies had come in time enough there had not returned so many home to play at carrowse as there did The first day of December the D. of Parma entred the dominions of the low countrey He had neuer so much neede of his Nurce about him with clowts as he had during the space of these last fiue dayes of Nouember most of his companies accompanied him home as well as they could part of them remained with the Duke de Mayne vntill that tempest was ouer past The first day of December the Lords of Neuers Giury and Parabel who were come fresh and strong to the King departed from the Castell of Nisy and pursued the enemie marching toward the Larbre de Guize but what exployts were done that day we haue nothing to speake off for lack of instructions During this retraite the Duke of Parma was so distressed that he was very greatly disappoynted of his lodgings As he tooke no compassion at Corbeil of them which suppliant fell before his knees so pitied he no more his owne Souldiers who could not make so good speede in running away as he could doo but left them to y e mercie of the Peasants of the countrey with whom they found no more fauour then with their master Of foureteene or fifteene thousand men which he brought into France there returned not home aboue eight thousand and they were in a manner in as great miserie as their fellowes who returned into Spayne from the conquest of England in the yeare 1588. The first day of December the King went to Saint Quintins situated vpon the riuer of Oyse where he was royally receaued with great reioysing and comfort of all men And when the King had stayed there a few daies he heard that the Lord Humiers with other noble men of Picardie had taken the towne of Corbey situated vppon the riuer Some and in the middle way betweene Amiens Peronne and Dourlan three great townes in Picardie which haue continued in their rebellion During the time that the King soiouâ—ned in Picardie and pursued the Duke of Parma the Marshall Byron tooke fiue strong Townes and aboue twentie Castles in Normandie and Beauuoyâ—in wherein the Rebells had layed strong garrisons By these narrations Christian reader thou mayest see what the rebels enemies both of God and man hauing drawne vpon theyr owne heads a stormie winde of tempest least they should not haue calamities enough according to the measure of their offence they sent for the Duke of Parma to deliuer them who comming into the land gaue them an egge and deuoured the Hen and where they were beaten by themselues with scourges now this deliuerer did bruse them with barres of yron It pleased God in whose hands the harts of Kings and Princes are to turne the Kings will from hindering the sayd Duke of Parma from dooing all that he durst or could doo that God might giue the King to vnderstand what therehence hee had hereafter to feare as long as he playeth the parts of a right King and that hee is his aboundant reward Secondly that it might euidently
cause and wisedome and mistrusting the quarel of his side conceaued a great terrour and perceaued to haue cast himselfe so deeply into the Mire that if pollicy doth not plucke him out hee is like there to sticke fast a good while Therefore considering the small company which was about the King determined to assault him with many and for to bring to passe this his intent supposing the better to depart froÌ„ Monconter in time then to enioy it a while to his great domage he departed from Monconter about 11. a clocke in the euening with two hundred and fifty horsemen and sixe hundred Harquebuziers and trauelling all night came to Londiak by sixe a clocke in the morning beeing the twelft day of May. The King being at Londiak vnderstanding of the enemies coÌ„ming delayed no time but went immediatly to the field to receaue the said enemie The enemie perceauing the K. to haue determined to bid him battel to be already in the field left part of his footmen to force the trenches barricadoes of Londiak and this being done the enemie brought his horsemen and part of his footmen into the field to encounter the King there he deuided his companies into two troups in the one there was fiftie horsemen and in the other two hundred The King had but six score horsemen whome he deuided likewise into two troupes in the one thirty and in the other â—ourescore ten horsmen The King hauing set few footmen in battaile array called with a feruent prayer vpon the name of the GOD of armies and cheered vp his souldiers encouraging them to shew themselues men in defending such a iust cause as they had in hand which being done both armies ioyned and the enemie hauing made a verie small resistance was strooken with a sodaine terrour as if it were with a thunder-clap from heauen so that they began to wauer The Kings Souldiers perceauing this sodaine dread vpon the enemie gaue such a fresh and hot charge that they turned their backs and fled The King pursued them two miles from Londiak to a towne holden by their fauourers where these horsemen saued themselues There were fiftie horsemen slayne as many more taken prisoners many footmen slaine on the place and many both horsemen and footmen wounded The rest of the footemen saued themselues by flight into the woods which were neere at hand and there hid themselues Lo how there is neither strength nor counsell against the Lorde Lo howe the wicked is snared in his owne counsell The news of this foyle being blazed abroad throughout the enemies troups came also to Monconter by meanes whereof there rose such a sudaine feare among them that immediatly they retyred from the saide Monconter with al possible speed leauing the town frée from any strength of the enemie The Lord Tremblay being in the Castell and molesting the enemies daylie by sallies and slaughters of them as is sayd seing how wonderfully God had terrified that rebellious route went foorth of the Castell with his forces followed them and immediatly charged them so roughly that they were all slayne and taken prisoners by meanes whereof hee got both bagge and baggage from the enemie So was that accursed company enemies of mankind vtterly rooted out It is said before how the Lord D'ombes had gone from Renes into hase Britaine to a Towne called Quinpercorenten and in departing out of the sayd Towne to returne to Renes the garrisons of the enemies in townes about holden by them charged vpon the sayd Prince but were so receaued by him that there was slaine of the enemies side three Captayns of name and of great estimation among the Rebels seauen gentlemen of great account were taken prisoners all the rest in the pursuite were put to the sword Here thou mayst see Christian Reader that all these blowes slaughters and ouerthrowes euery where receaued cannot make these damned rebels consider the wrongfulnes of the cause which so obstinatly agaynst all lawes of nations agaynst nature and agaynst God they do defend As the rebels haue been beaten euen with a rod of yron by the Lords hand in his wrath both in Picardie and Britayn so now haue wee to consider an other example of Gods iustice executed vppon rebels in the Countrey of Caux in Normandie In this Moneth of May victuals beeing deare wares in the Citie of Roan one regiment appertayning to the Duke of Lorreine and the other to the Lord de la Lownde departed out of Roan planted themselues in a village called Cinqcens determining there to abide and to surprise such victuals for their maintenance as they could come by vntill the next haruest should prouide more plenteously there they fortifyed themselues with Trenches and Barricadoes this place is distant 9 Leagues from Diepe They fearing to be molested from Diepe had placed a troupe of horsemen in a wood distant two leagues from the place which they had fortifyed being fully in the high way from Diepe supposing if any forces should come from Diepe vpon them they might retire backe to geue intelligence vnto the sayd Regiments or else by making resistance should geue leasure to prepare themselues and to procure a fresh supply from Roan to back them if occasion should serue The Lord Chartres commaunder of Malta gouernour for the King in Diepe and Sir Roger Williams an English gentleman of great valoure and experience in militarie affayres who lately came thether hauing receaued intelligence of that fortification of Cinqcens and intent of the enemy resolued speedily to depart from Diepe in the euening the 19. day of May and trauailing all night came to the wood early in the next morning hauing with them four hundred French men and three hundred Englishmen There they found a troup of horsemen to stop their passage vpon whom they made a very fierce assault But they that came from Diepe gaue such a hot charge vpon them that all those horsemen were so slaine that none of them escaped any way Thus they leauing the dead bodies of the horsemen in the wood and taking some of their horses the Gouernor and Sir Roger Williams passed a long to Cinqcens and beeing come thether before noone they discryed the enemy with their Ensignes displayed within the Fort. The Gouernour of Deepe perceauing their fortification so strong alleaged that it was vnpossible to enter it therefore went about to perswade Sir Roger to goe backe agayne considering that the enemie was two to their one Sir Roger answered that it were a great dishonour for him so to doo and determined to set vpon them with his own thrée hundred men though it should cost both him and them their liues and with this resolution aduanced his Colours marching toward the enemie intended by the assistance of God to enter vpon them or els to lose his life in that place The Lord Chartres seeing that most honourable resolution of Sir Roger was wonderfully encouraged to the enterprise and thereupon protested to take
two thousand Harquebusiers French considered howe daungerous a thing it was to engage his armie before a towne vntill he were master of the field the enemie being farre stronger and fauoured of the countrey who on a sodaine might be assisted with a multitude of Pesants long before armed and addicted to him considering all these difficulties the sayd prince made a stay about the towne of Guingcamp as well to repayre the fortifications of the said towne as to attend the bringing of two Canons and two Culuerines drawen from Brest to Lagnon with certaine powder and munitions brought from England to Pinpoll to the ende that these things being in place of safetie the said Prince might sollow the better his other enterprizes The seauenth of Iune the Duke Merceur arriued at Corlay distant three Leagues from Guingcamp There is a Castell belonging to the Lady Guimeney sister to Boysdaulphine Lieftenaunt to the Duke Merceur they fayned as though the sayd Castell did holde for the King intending thereby to haue drawne the Prince to some disaduantage for the eight day the Castell rendred without the sight of the Canon and the gouernour remayned with the enemie From thence the Duke sent a trompeter to the Prince about certaine prisoners taken at Corlay who signified to the sayde Prince that hee had charge from the Duke to entreate him to appoynt some day and place for the battaile The Prince did greatly reioyce to heare these newes and would not returne answere by the mouth of a Trompetter which might be disanowed but by his writing signed with his owne hand in the which the said Prince least the Duke should alleage any matter either to delay or auoid the battell doth referre to him the choise of the place for the encounter so that it might be able to receaue both armies The Duke Merceur remooued from Corlay the eighth of Iune and came to Saint Giles two small leagues from Chasteau Laudran The same day also the Prince departed from Guingcamp about three a clocke in the morning and lodged that night at Chasteau Laudran where the Duke Merceur his Trompetter met him and deliuered an answer to the sayd Prince from Merceur signed with his owne hande wherein this malapert companion hauing altogether troden vnder foote all reuerence of superiority sheweth the cause of his rebellion to bee both to withstand the Prince called with lawfull vocation and an hereticall King for the defence of the holy catholike religion do assigne the thurseday next at ten of the clocke in the morning and the place most fit for that action betweene Corlay and Guingcamp The Prince to prouoke this cowardly Captaine through impaciency or otherwise to battell sheweth the causes of his comming into Britayne to be to punish him and his complices for their traiterous rebellion against the King and for the opprobrious imputations and tearmes which he geueth to the King and to him hee saith that therein he lyeth this was the ninth day Merceur hauing receaued this prouocation fell to sweare fume brag that he within three dayes would geue the Prince battell And on the ninth day of Iune beeing Wednesday dislodged and that day encamped himselfe at a Village called Quelnec a league and a halfe from Chasteau Laudran situated at the foot of a hill which by deepe ditches hedges and inclosures bordereth vppon a little Heath of two miles compasse The Prince hauing discouered the enemy mounted on horsebacke and goeth to make choise of the place for the battell findeth about three quarters of a mile from the saide Quelenec a large playne skirted with copses w t a little hill and the ground raysed with ditches aduantagious to the enemies who by three large passages might enter into the same heath The tenth of Iune the enemie within a quarter of a league of the Heath sheweth his whole army in order of battaile vpon the top of an hill The Prince on the other side put his troups in order within the heath and by the aduise of Sir Ihon Norris disposeth the same in three battails wherof the English footemen made two and the Launceknights the third that day was spent in light skirmishes wherin the Princes men followed the enemie euen into the maine of their armie The eleuenth day the enemie drew his armie to the foote of the hill and placed his artillerie vpon the side of the heath in a place of such aduantage as commaunded the whole heath and bordreth all the hedges with shotte By that time the enemie had done all these things the Princes armie marched into the heath in order of battaile and presently sent two hundred footemen to view the enemies countenaunce whome they charged put them from their hedges and barricadoes and slew diuers of them Vpon the retraite of these two hundred men the Duke put foorth fiue hundred Frenchmen and three hundred Spaniards to repossesse the places whome he followed with the great of his armie The Prince perceiuing this and remayning on the heath with the L. Hunaulday commaunding the auangard hauing his regiment of horse on the right hand and Generall Norris the Lords of Poigny Pruneaux Mommartin and Bastenay gaue order to put foorth three hundred footemen commaunded by Captaines Anthony Wingfield and Murton and the English horsemen lead by Anthony Sherly The Prince also commaunded to be drawen out of the battaillon of the Launce-knights one hundred men shot and pikes and one hundred and fiftie shot lead by the Baron Molak backed with fortie light horse conducted by the Lord Tremblay appoynted to force y e enemie from the place which they had taken All these set valiantly vpon the enemie whom they enforced to flee many were slayn and the rest saued themselues within the defence of their artillerie where the whole strength of the Spaniards with the rest of the armie was placed During this skirmish there was a great number of shot placed vnder the hedges which hauing meanes to doe hurte stoode quiet as though they had fallen asleepe or else had béen placed there onely to keepe the hedges least the Prince should come to cut them downe and cary them away In this skirmish don Roderigo chiefe marshall of the Spaniards and a Spanish captaine two hundred French Souldiers and threescore Spaniards were slaine The Lord Tremblay tooke the Lord Guebrian Colonell of the foote men of the enemie This charge did so amazethe enemie that the Princes men were suffered to disarme the dead and to leade away prisoners within ten paces of their canon and retired at their â—ase without any proffering to follow Long Lieftenaunt to Captaine Dolphin receaued in his body fiue Harquebuses shott the English men behaued themselues valiantly in that charge the residue of that day they spent in light skirmishes The twelfth day the enemie made a great shew to come foorth to battell but at last sent out some number of shot to skirmish agaynst whome Anthony Sherley with fifteene horse and few footemen made head and
of Conde Other companies out of Brie Champaigne Vermandoys and other countries there bordering retyred to Sedan the capitall towne of the principality of Boillon Out of Burgondy and the countries about retyred to Geneua and into the signory of Berna The professers of the reformed religion out of Normandy low Britayn and Picardie passed ouer into England for their safety Good Christian Reader I beseech thee to stay here a while and learne both to feare and tremble at the dreadfull iudgementes of God and also his mercie toward his Church shewed at this time which when I do consider it putteth me in remembrance of the like euent which did happen a litle while afore the siege and destructions of Hierusalem by Vespasian and Titus his sonne That citie which here on earth had borne the Image of the true heauenly Hierusalem hauing most wilfully resisted the sonne of God stopped their eares at his voyce When it had fulfilled the measure of her iniquity and that God would make it a wonder a hissyng and nodding of the head vnto all Nations of the world for her obstinacie and vnthankefulnes a litle before the siege there was at midnight heard a voice in the Temple thus Migremns hinc at the rumor thereof all men were greatly amazed musing what should be signifyed by that warning The Saints which were there tooke that to be the voyce of God who according to the threatninges of the law of the Prophets and of Christ against that City would powre downe his wrath vpon that sinfull City directed vnto them commaunding them to depart and to geue place vnto hys wrath So the Church that was there remoued to the City Pella which was beyond Iordan in the ancient inheritance of the Rubenites where it was preserued and out of a place of safety did behold the mighty stormes of Gods tempestes which fel vpon that so noble and famous a City which by Strabo was thought to be the greatest and fayrest of all the East Euen as Abraham long before did behold the subuersion of Sodom so when the Lord had determined to powre the stormes of his anger vpon those Nations which are betweene the Loyre and the English Seas for their offences lyke vnto them of Hierusalem first hee taketh his Church which was scattered among those Nations Townes and Cities and bringeth most of them beyond Loyre some into England some to Sedan some to Geneua some to Suisserland some to Germany least the presence of them who do call vpon his name should hinder the execution of his wrath vpon his enemies for the publication of the edict of vnion commonly called the edict of Iuly although that in another forme was as it were the voyce of God heard out of the Temple Migremus hinc For those nations lying on the North side of Loyre who had conspired to destroy the Gospell of Christ haue drawen the warre from the Prouinces which doe professe the Gospell vpon their owne heads For not onely haue they felt all the former oppressions and outrages of the Leaguers but also by this edict all the burthen of this last ciuill warre raysed vp by the Leaguers hath fallen vpon them beside the horrible murthers and seditions which they haue committed among themselues by the euill Angels which the Lord in his wrath hath sent among them which also do continue still with greater calamities then euer before and is like to continue vntill that those wicked Nations polluted with idolatrie blood of the sayntes and whoredome be vtterly rooted out that God may be auenged of his enemies giuing in the meane tyme a litle rest vnto the reformed churches beyond Loyre and to make them thankful for his great mercyes who hath rewarded his enemies with euil which they had imagined agaynst his people without a cause So the Lord doth turne all thinges to good vnto his Sayntes Now the Leaguers are masters of all for the king had deliuered his royall authority vnto them and deuided his kingdome among them reseruing vnto himselfe the name of a King haue all the Countrey at theyr deuotion and do replenish all France with armes violence and boastings Now they wil play S. George they wil kil the Deuil eyther on horseback or a foote they will worke miracles or else the Deuill shall fayle them And for to begin these miracles the Duke Mercure brother in law to the King and by the last partition of the kingdome a pety King of Britayne was perswaded by his Counsell that now the publishing of the edict of vnion had of it selfe killed all the Hugonets in Poytow and that easily hee might tame all the Countrey and that bâ—ing in the field not one Hugonet durst lift vp his head therefore supposing there to haue to fight with dead men and making himselfe sure of the conquest to make proofe of his valure the 23 of August passed Loyre at Nantes out of Britayn in Poytow with two thousand men entending to roue and ransake all and hauing sacked many popish Churches spoyled the Abbeys at Saint Florent and Plainpied by Saumure like an horrible tempest did march forward sparing neither holy nor prophane thinges making hauocke of all thinges vntill he came as farre as Fontenay The Prince of Conde turned from Saint Paul Decadewalx to Saynt Ihan D' Angelye hauing assembled some friends as wel out of Xainctonge Poytow as other parts within few dayes saw himselfe to haue a lusty company as well of gentlemen as Harquebusiers on horsebacke and with that force expecting the rest tooke his iourney with as much diligence as hee could to meete with the sayd Mercure The Prince arriued at Chandeuier a towne not farre from Niort vnderstoode that the sayd Mercure was about Fontenay where he determined to giue him battaile Mercure hearing that the Prince approched with his companies so ready and willing to fight was amazed considering that it fell out contrary to the counsell giuen him before and that now be must fight with men aliue This increased his feare so much the more for that hee had not so soone heard of the Princes comming but that presently hee was certifyed that the said Prince was in battell array Whereupon he resolued to retyre home but being hardly pressed by the sayd prince he was fayne to retire to Fontenay And because the gouernor of the towne knowing not well how thinges had passed betweene the King and the Leaguers would not suffer him nor his to enter the towne yet otherwise shewing him such fauors as he might therfore he with his troups betook themselues to the Suburbe of Fontenay called the Loges The Prince desirous to see his enemy face to face aduanced toward the Suburbe in battaile aray to prooue whether he might prouoke the enemy to skirmish But the Duke would none of that play But after the Prince had kept the Duke besieged in the Loges for certaine dayes the said Duke fearing eyther at length to be forced or else that the Prince would
These newes so amazed the whole Armie as though a stroake of a Thunderboult had smitten them from heauen and that so much the more because the enemies forces did flocke together from euery side The army then was scattered in sundry places without hope to bee able to succour one another for the Lord Laual had passed ouer the Riuer the day before and the Lord Borlay had ventured to passe that day at S. Mathurin not without great danger yet without losse The one part of the armie was betweene the Loyre and the Lotion an vnfit place for horsemen by reason of woods and marishes The troupes of the Lord Clermont with the rest of the armie and carriage were yet at Beaufort beetweene Anger 's and Lotion so that if the enemy in such disaduantage had charged them it would haue gone hard with them but the enemy had no good spials The Lord Auantigny in that disorder hauing passed Lotion retyred to the Lord Campoyse who had seazed on some houses right against y e Abbey Saint Maure and had made a baricado vpon the banke In the meane time they sent the Lord Chesue to the Prince who caused the Prince to passe his army backe ouer Lotion to make a ready resolution to passe in fighting or else to take his way at aduenture ouer the countrey of Beause For if he should make any delay without doubt hee should be discomfited hauing the enemy within a litle league both aboue and beneath who reenforced themselues euery howre and that there were other armed Boats discouered which followed the former Therefore to take readily aduise and to informe them thereof and that if neede be the Lord Laual might repasse to them although not without danger The Prince vnderstanding these newes assembled all the heads and Captaynes in the wood which is on the banke of Lorion nigh the place of the passage where they reasoned more then two howres what was expedient to be done in this extremity Some gaue counsell to take their way toward Beause and to get to the Loyre aboue Orleans for that they had forces sufficient ynough to passe all hazardes and to fight if neede were Others were agaynst that and alleaged that the army was weake by passing ouer of the forces of the Lords Laual and Burlay and therefore did aduise to descend into Britayne where ships might bee had out of Rochel so it were easy to passe beneath Nantes and by these meanes to saue their men with the losse of their horses In this diuersity of opinions they could conclude nothing but seeing the night approched they returned to Beaufort their to take resolution of their affayres There was a Noble man one Lord D'ouault an old warrier who not long afore the passage ouer Loyre put him self willingly in the company of the Lord Laual This Noble man vnderstanding that the Prince could not repasse and that he was determined to take his way ouer the countrey of Beause which could not bee done without great hazard did Ieaue the Lord Laual his company who was about to retyre from the banke of Loyre to Poytow did venture to repasse Loyre notwithstāding the great danger protesting that he would die with the Prince if occasion should require it and so with great danger repassing the riuer ouertooke the Prince at Beaufort The resolution to repasse the Lorion caused the Prince and the Lordes who were with him to resolue themselues agaynst whom so euer Notwithstanding euery one did looke vpon his fellow as commonly is done in such ineuitable dangers where is seene no remedy Some sayd saltem olim si meminisse iuuaret others sayd vnasalus victis nullam sperare salutem Few thought that these blowes came from Heauen for the punishment of their vices and specially for swearing and blaspheming which were not punished in that armie where were many of the League who induced others to their wickednes and licentious life All that day there was a great disorder for them that had passed to repasse agayne ouer Lorion hauing but one boate which could not receaue aboue ten horses at once and that caused the disorder for that euery one would bee first and no man last This was to bee noted in the Prince that he chaunged not his countenance but as hee did at the passage of Loyre so now he answered to them y t represented him the danger saying we will fight And because the confusion encreased at the passage of Lorion sending sufficient number of horsemen to euery place where the enemy might come vppon them hee lyghted of his horse and caused men horses and cariage to passe and when it was more then one hower in the night hee passed himselfe notwithstanding many remayned all night in the marshes who passed the next day following in the morning The night following the 25. day of October it was concluded by the Prince Nobles with him to take ouer y e countrey which lyeth betwene the Lorion and Loiz which is a Riuer comming from Vendosme to Anger 's to the end to recouer Beause and so to passe Loyre at Bogeancye Bloys or Sancerre or if the worst came with long iourneyes to attayne to the head of Loyre with resolution to fight agaynst whomsoeuer All that night there was hot skirmishing betweene them that came down from Samur in the boats and the garrison which the Prince had left at the Abbay of Saynt Maure vnder Captayne Serpant where was also the Lord Laual and Boulay who as is afore sayd had repassed the Loyre The Lord Auantigny who remayned all that night in the house called Menetriere not farre from the banke of Loyre to make the retyre passed the Lorion with all the residue very early arryued at Beaufort with the Prince about eight a clocke in the morning the 26. and the same day was the passage of Saint Mathurine beneath Saynt Maure stopped with boats furnished with ordinance and garrison The 26. the Lords Laual and Boulay with the garrison which was at Saint Maur vnderstanding that the Prince was returned beyond Lorion with determination to crosse ouer the countrey of Beause and that the passage of Saynt Mathurine was stopped thought necessarye to retyre into Xainctonge with all diligence and with such forces as they had to oppose themselues against the attemptes of y e enemies which might ryse there to assemble the nobility and other souldiers which were left there also to afsist the troupes which were left at the siege of Browage and to make the places sure in Poytow and Xainctonge and in very deede God did worke al the sayd euentes by their presence there The King aduertised what was passed at Anger 's putteth foorth his forces out of all partes to set vpon the Prince It is sayd before how the King intended to make ciuill warre in Guyenne first of all to beginne in Poitow Xainctonge as being next neighbours to him of all the Prouinces which do professe the Gaspell
Chaumont and Nerake by the Duke de Mayn The next exployt done by this victorious Captaine was at Castets This is a little towne and a Castle belonging to the Lord Fabas which place the Marshall Matignon had besieged before the space of ten dayes before the Dukes comming and had made a sufficient breach The Duke de Mayne to defraude the sayd Lord Matignon of that little honour compounded secretly with the sayd Lord Fabas thus That the Lord Fabas first should haue twelue thousand Crownes for the losse of the house and of the goods which were in it and so should surrender the same Castle to the Duke de Mayne to be rased which was performed so Castets was wonne with an assault of money the Lord Matignon was defrauded and the Duke de Mayne had the glorie and if it pleaseth him he shall be called Castensis of Castets as Scipio Carthaginensis of the winning of Carthage The next place was Meylan an olde ruinous Towne wherein was Captaine Melune with a small garrison who considering the weaknes of the place gaue it ouer supposing that it was more profitable to let y e Duke de Mayne to haue that place for a while than to defend it There the Duke with all his armie tooke great paynes to beate downe old ruinous walles which no man did defend least it should be sayd that he had done nothing From the rasing of the walles of Meylan he went to Saint Bazeile a towne situated vpon the riuer of Garonne hauing like ruinous old and decayed walles and forts as the aforesaid townes had There were fewe of the religion in garrison who after hauing sustayned certayne shot of ordinance and assaults they considering that it was not a place to obstinate themselues therein compounded to their great aduantage Amorith did neuer so reioyce at the winning of Constantinople as this Duke did for Saint Bazeile By by the Lord Saisseual the Dukes Curiero was sent to the King in post with hast hast hast to aduertize him of these great conquests and to fetch money to conquer more This dispatch done he marched with this armie to Monsegne This is an old Towne decayed in Bayadoys where the exercize of the reformed religion had béen appoynted to bee had by the edict of peace so chosen not for the strength thereof but for because it was thought most commodious for the whole countrey there to assemble This towne was kept by fewe of the religion These fewe made so little account of that armie and of the Captaine thereof that after they had caused him to bestowe two thousand and some hundred shot of ordinance with certayne weekes of siege and certayne assaults which were deare vnto the enemie they yéelded themselues with conditions very honorable but pernicious to them For the Souldiers comming foorth with their armes agaynst faith and promise were slaine for the most part of them in the middest of that cowardly army part of them notwithstanding saued themselues and retyred to Chastilion where afterward they had their penyworth of the enemie for that treacherie and the death of their fellowes The towne was giuen to the spoyle but there was nothing found but the bare walles When he had done these conquests and exploytes vpon the riuer of Garonne he went to rest himselfe at Bourdeaux for the space of two moneths to wit Aprill and May and part of Iune as though he had wonne Carthage where he practised the citizns to the League and when he was wearie of his conspiring allured by the pleasantnes of the place and felicitie of the Countrey he putteth off the person of a Captaine and played the Poet in writing such riming verses as he could of his loue And while this great Captaine was thus occupied they of the religion fortified Meylan and many other townes vpon the same riuer of Garonne and made them stronger and better furnished then euer heretofore they had been so that the traffick of that riuer betweene Bourdeaux Thoulouse was stopped more straightly then euer it had been before Whereupon many who had commerce vpon that riuer being greatly decayed and some hauing broken their credit and other which were in danger to doo the like did agree with them of the religion for the opening of the traffick blessing with many bitter curses the League the Captaine and the armie which had bragged and promised much and done nothing but onely prouoked them of the religion and wasted the countrey The Duke de Mayne hauing recreated himselfe so long was vrged by the King who expected dayly to heare miracles wrought by this captaine and his armie to lead the same out of that citie to doo some exploite more moued by the earnest sute of the Lady de Mayne his wife which had a stomack to them of Chastilion at length hee determined to besiege the saide Towne Chastilion is a little town vpon Dordonne three Leagues aboue Liborne and three Leagues beneath Saint â—oy hauing Montrauell on the one side about a League and Gensak another towne on the other side so much distant of this towne the Duke was Lorde it was almost forsaken of the inhabitants Therein the King of Nauarre had placed the Baron Saliniak with a small Garison not to obstinate himselfe therein but to minister some play to that armie that weary with doing nothing at length it might be reduced to nothing Captaine Alen Coronnean with some other gentlemen and others had folowed of their owne motion the said Baron there they were in all to the number of nine hundred Souldiers About the 18. of Iune at the first approache of the enemie they issued out with such courage that their sallie cost the liues of a great number of their enemies They within the towne had made a barticado at the ende of a suburb which they defended ten daies against all that armie and all the shot of their Ordinance But at length being inforced to retire into the towne out of the which they issuing oftentimes gaue many fearefull alarums and hot skirmishes vnto the enemie with the losse of the liues of many During this siege of Chastilion the Lorde Saissiual returned from the King and brought letters of credit of thirtie thousand Crownes but no man was willing to buie so deare a piece of paper Yet the Duke gaue not them ouer so hoping that the priests would haue him in their memento at Masse and would blesse him yet with some more money but to satisfie his wiues stomack he would venture that little remuant of credit of his which rested wherefore hee caused many great rampiers of earth to bee made as though he had to besiege Ierusalem The siege continued seauen weekes in the which space the Vicount Turenne with a few notwithstanding that great armie victualed the Towne and fortified Montrauil a towne situated vpon a hil and Gensak on the other side each of them distant from Chastilian a little League On another side Captaine Beutune a man of
gaue occasion to the Prince to retire who carried away the spoyle and armour of that regiment with the Colonels Ensigne the Victorie was fayre but bloudy by reason of the death of the Lords aboue said The Lord Rieulx spake to the very last breath and rendered a notable testimonie to all them that were present of his faith and generositie and of his good nurture which hee had learned in the schoole of godlines so that it may be saide of him that he dyed a true Christian Knight The Prince conceaued a marueilous griefe for the death of these two Lords but especially the Lord Laual their brother who conceaued such sorrow thereby that he fell sick and dyed eyght dayes after to wit the 11. of Aprill he was opened and there was sound an apostume in his head full of yellow stinking water so in few dayes died these foure Lords and brothers to the great griefe and heauines of all good men they were buried in the Temple which is in the Castell Taillebourg Now we haue to speake of the King of Nauarre who did nothing all this time but onely in great silence viewed whereto this voyage of his enemies would come For first perceiuing that the Leaguers had a speciall quarrell to him because they knew him to be in their way and a speciall stoppe of all their trayterous intents they feared greatly his prudent counsell and wisedome He made his complaynt to the King aunswered to the articles of the declaration of his enemies exhorted the King to take heede of them proffâ—red him his seruice prayed him to let him alone with them for if it pleased his Maiestie to giue him leaue hee doubted not but with his owne power hee would so chastice them that they should be an example to their posteritie The King by letters and messengers exhorted and willed him to quiet himselfe to see his Edict of pacification to be obserued in his gouernement shewed him that their cause is but one that hee seeth the intents of the sayd Leaguers well enough and trusteth that GOD shall make him able to represse their madnes protested that he had care of the said K. of Nauarre as of his own selfe and held him as a deere brother the true rightfull heire of his Crown in case he should die without issue It is said also how the King notwithstanding this was driuen to ioyne with them whom he had condemned before and to alowe and iustifie their treasons was enforced through the pernitious counsell of his mother and not only enforced but induced to take conditionâ— and lawes at their handes to assist and arme his enemies whom he had so declared and iudged few dayes before euen traytors against his person state Crowne and life against them I say whome hee had protested to bee his faithfull subiects good brothers and cosins had receiued vnder his protection It is said also how the King of Nauarre before had forewarned the King to beware of such association shewing him the euil which would surely ensue and at length certifieth the King that hee had admitted a higher power a master and controuler ouer himselfe and that hee had weakned himselfe and strengthened his enemies Howe hee went to Saint Ihan de Cadeioux into Languedock there to aduise of his affaires and his friends with the Prince of Conde the Duke Monmorencie and other Nobles where they concluded vpon the defensiue The King of Nauarre returned into Gascoyne kept himselfe in silence abiding all the iniuries that might be possible the preparations braggings boastings attempts of his enemies euen to the great imminent danger of his person before that he would take armes in hande FroÌ„ Gascoyne he went to Bergerak in Perigrod as a time of peace where hauing soiourned for a time he tooke his iourney to Montauban knowing very well that the armie conducted by the Duke de Maine was against him and already in Perigord rauaging pilling spoyling and wasting all that they came by From thence he returned into Gascoyne againe aboute the latter end of Ianuarie 1586. And whereas he knew well that if he had ioyned all his forces with the power of the Prince and the Vicount Turenne hee had been able to stop the way of the Duke de Maine that he had not walked so long at his pleasure as he did But that wise prudent and moderate Prince perceiuing by the attempts of that armie the qualities of the leader and the disorder that was among them but specially hauing Gods fauour on his side And seeing y t Gods curse and wrath was powred on his enemies side he neuer thought it meete to trouble himselfe nor his friends about that accursed companie and villaynoâ—s rabble of rakehells knowing that God himselfe would dissipate them clothe them w t dishonour as with a garment he knew wel also that they did no more but to weaken their faction in spending in vaine the large liberalitie and intollerable expences of the Priests and Monks who entertayned the said armie At length the King of Nauarre determined to passe the riuer of Garonne to repaire into Poytow to visit the places of his gouernement about the riuer of Loyre and being returned from Montauban into Gascoyne the Marshal Matignon had besieged Castets a Castel situated vpon the riuer Garonne pertayning to the Lord Fabas about the moneth of Februarie The King of Nauarre hauing knowledge thereof accompanied with two or three hundred horses and eighteene hundred Harquebusiers did raise the siege and dined in the saide Castle that day in witnes that he accomplished his purpose for that time The K. of Nauarre from thence sent al his companies to garisons and tooke his way to Bearne to see the Ladie his sister and to take order for all necessarie things concerning the securitie and preseruation of the townes and countrey That being done he tooke his iourney to Nerak and passing through Eause which is his prouided for the safety of the same in good time for otherwise it was in danger to be lost and for that purpose there hee soiourned 2. daies There newes was brought vnto him that the Duke de Mayne hasted to let his passage ouer the riuer Garonne for all that hee tooke his waye to Nerak where he soiourned a whole day more to take order for the safetie of the towne Thereunto more aduisement was giuen him that the sayd Duke de Mayn was at Villeneufue d' Agenoys intending to stop his passage ouer the riuer Garonne There was in apparance occasioÌ„ enough to cause the sayd King to aduance and hasten extraordinarylie his voyage but notwithstanding despising all the indeuours of the sayd Duke hee would change nothing of his purpose but to the contrary hauing done at Nerak all his affayres with leasure departed not thence vntill that it was alreadie farre in the day From Nerak he tooke his iourney to Barbase and continued as though he would goe to Castelialoux Many did carefully muse the
into Rochel the last day of May being the Lords day with a marueilous reioy sing of al men which receaued much comfort of his presence there for the sayd King had alwayes no lesse vertuously than happely opposed himselfe to all the attempts and endeuours of all the armies of the enemies which had béen sent against them The same day the sayd King of Nauarre embarked himselfe to goe to visit the Nauie which was before Browage where he soiorned some dayes In the meane while there had arriued certayne shippes to the Lord S. Luke gouernour of Browage who with them went about to let that enterprize but all was in vayne so that without any great losse all the ships appoynted for that exployt were brought in and suâ—ke in the mouth of the Hauen according to the deliberation taken So the chanell by these means was barred in such a sort as the Hauen hath béen in a manner rendered vnprofitable Notwithstanding that the Lord S. Luke hath bestowed much labour to open it and at the charges of the inhabitants of the Ilands he hath drawne out foure or fiue vessels Yet is that Hauen alwayes suspected vnto ships and they néede to set markes to the ships that will enter in least they take hurt This being done the Nauie returned to Rochel without any losse except of one Captayne named Mercur and fewe Souldiers which were taken in the skirmishes that were made at the Fort aboue mentioned About the fourth of Iune the King being returned to Rochel with this Nauie and vnderstanding that the Marshall Byron with this armie approached and that Lusignen Mele and Chizay Townes not defensible had yéelded themselues tooke his iourney to Marans to consider the places whether théy were able to make head against that armie The armie lead by the Marshall Byron did consist of twelue hundred horsemen and foure thousand footemen with a conuenient furniture This armie was very small the cause was that the King at the commaundement of the Leaguers had deuided his forces into sundrie armies for sundrie Prouinces to diuert the forces of them of the religion from the Duke de Mayne as is afore said The King of Nauarre hauing well viewed the Forts of the Iles of Maran concluded to defend the places agaynst that armie The 7. day of Iune came two sorts of deputies appoynted to require of the King of Nauarre two contrary things namely the â—â—putie of Rochel required his Maiestie that hee would cause the Castle of Maran to bée rased for the reasons which they then alleaged On the other side the Gentlemen of Annix required him not to doo so for as much as the Papists would take occasion to doo the like to their houses The King of Nauarre answered to them both that thereupon he would take aduise Whilest these things were a dooing the King of Nauarre had aduertisement that the Duke de Mayne distressed Chastilion whereupon he assembled as great a companie of horsemen as he could and with the Prince determined to rescue that place which he could not bring to passe by reason of the aduancing of Byron and his armie For the armie of Byron was alreadie aduanced to Niort and hauing no néerer place than Maran to assault made his reckoning not to besiege it but onely to fright the inhabitants and about fiftie souldiers which he knewe to be lodged in the forts and in the greater of the sayd forts there was not aboue nine or ten Souldiers the sayd forts being very ill furnished which made him beléeue that such a small companie would not withstand him but surrender the sayd forts The feare indéede was great among many whereof some of them had alreadie retyred to Rochel But the Lord Iarry gouernour of the place and his Souldiers with some of the inhabitants tooke courage many did despayre of the succour of the King of Nauarre whom they thought to haue passed into Gascoyne They resolued notwithstanding to hold against that armie And on the monday the 7. of Iune at night they sent messengers to Rochel to demaund succour both of men and munition of warre and of certaine péeces They of Rochel answered that they could not conueniently spare men as for munition and peeces they would willingly let them haue so that they might haue securitie to be payed the price that it cost them This refusall of men did so feare the inhabitants that euen that night many did retyre and carried away the rest of their goods But on the Wednesday morning about foure of the clocke arriued from the King of Nauarre two Gentlemen to wit the Lord Fouqueroles and Valiere whom he had sent in great diligence they calling the gouernour the Minister of the place and some of the inhabitants assured them that the King of Nauarre was comming in great diligence for to succour them and that he would arriue euen the same day and after they had rested a while the sayd Lords went to view the Holds and entrings into the Ilands and so likewise the day following The 12. day of Iune the King of Nauarre came with fewe in companie but his troupes followed him apace The 13. 14. and 15. dayes of that moneth there entered braue companies of Souldiers as they of the Lords Puelles Granuile Drakuille and S. Foy Normands There entered also Barache the regiment of Sorlus the Lord of Neufuy vnder fiue Ensignes for the most part Perigordins and Limosins yet very well trained in Military Discipline All these companies were placed in the forts by the King of Nauarre namely the Lord Puelles was in the Bastile Drakuille in Beauregard Barache at Barnay Granuile with Saint Foy were put in the Brune and Repentne on the way to Rochel Captaine Plaune with his companie of Poytiuines was placed at Poyneuf Captaine Saint Ihan at Clousie Captaine Treille in Brault there was a company of Rochellers few in number but men resolute vnder Captaine Mot they were put to keepe the entrey of the mill in the Marsh The Lord Iarrie gouernour of Mans vndertooke to keepe the Forts Paulee Allowete and Botsblauk with his companie and some of the inhabitants The King of Nauarre commaunded all to obey the Lord Fonquereles who shewed a marueilous care and diligence in the same siege The 10. day of Iulie the Marshall Byron with a companie of horses came himselfe to view the Bastile but approaching a little too nigh he was saluted out of some small forts which the Lorde Puelles had placed vpon the high way hee had his thumb and some other fingers taken off with a shot the same shot did greatly as it was reported hurt a Gentleman who was by him All that weeke the enemie did none other thing but aduaunced himselfe toward the Bastile set his gabions nigh the farme of Angle there to place three pieces to batter the fort of Bastile In the mean time the King of Nauarre did shew a wonderful diligence as wel in fortifying the Iland as in bringing companies
to make head to the enemie at euerie comming in and also in prouiding of victuals and munition of warre as well out of Rochel as out of the I le of Rhe and out of Lusson whence hee brought great stoare of corne meale and wine He had a great ship out of the I le of Rhe well furnished hauing two great pieces before to defend the Fort Paulce he had also seauen great pieces caried from Rochel which were deuided in the Forts to wit one in the Brune two in the Bastile one at Beauregarde two at Paulce and two remained at the Castell The 22. of Iuly was seene that the enemie passed through the Marshes of Beauregard and comming foorth out of a little Iland named Cigogne began to set vp a fort in the middle of the Marshes distant from the firme land about fiue hundred paces on the other side our men made a trench and a rampier of earth vpon the end of the Marsh of the length of fiue hundred paces flanking the same with little Forts and Bastions On the other side the enemie set vp foure other forts somewhat more aduaunced than the first and from them did shoote ouer the reeds at all aduenture without dooing any hurt sauing that the third day after they hurt a Souldiour on the foote as he went downe to the Trenches The next day after they killed another as he was playing at cardes vpon the side of the Trenches the which being reported by the Minister and admonished to goe to publique praiers which were appoynted to be made at the Fort of the Lord Drakuille he regarded it not so that as the minister returned from praiers the said Souldier was shot through with a musket and presentlie departed before that the Minister had any time to admonish and comfort him The same day the enemie with great diligence set vp a great fort within sixe score paces of our trenches it was made with great pieces of timber fagots and earth and hogsheads filled with earth which were disposed by seauen set one against another that fort might be of 30. foot square and 15. in heigt and for to bring all the stuffe from the Iland Cagogne they caused the water of the Marishes to rise aboue a foote in heigt by the meanes of opening the sluses and mills about Fontenay and Niort This thing our men did helpe also for because of the great heate they feared that the water would drie too fast and so giue too easie accesse to the enemie through the Marsh for they stopped the sluces below nigh the sea therefore the water course being opened aboue and stopped beneath did rise in a short space By this meanes the enemie had opportunitie to bring a very great Culuerine with other small pieces wherewith they began to shoote vppon our men vpon the house of Beauregard the last day of Iuly about two a clock without dooing any hurt to any man This battering notwithstanding did amaze a great many because they neuer thought that they would haue brought such pieces for it was bruted and euen the Papists had giuen out that the enemie would raise the siege but by this it appeared that he meant in good earnest For all the great diligence and care of the King of Nauarre in prouiding for victuals there was so many mouthes who liued of the stoare that they who did best seruice oftentimes dined worst For during the space of eight or ten dayes they had not in a day but one or two loaues of Barley bread for other corne was not ripe as yet in that countrey which caused that scarsitie There were yet two discommodities which vrged them greatly the one was an extreame heate which continued ten weekes and more the other 〈◊〉 that in â—he night especially the Gnats were so importunate that many were stung with them euen with bloud drawing in the face and other partes of the bodie which were vncouered so that the stockens of linnen cloth could not defend them from such molestaâ—ions Some dayes before the King of Nauarre had taken order that one of the Galiots of Rochel came within the hauen of Marans with a long Culuerine bearing the armes of Britayne which in the former warres the Rochelers had taken out of the Castell of Marans which afterward was called Chassebiron That euening it was had out of the Galiot and carried with horses men halfe the way to Beauregard but there it was ouerthrowne and one of the wheeles broaken from thence it was drawne vpon rowles and being placed against the fort of the enemie in such sort as it could not bee indomaged did them good seruice For the 2. of August about sixe a clock in the morning the enemie brought downe the water from Niort a double Cannon vpon two boates and with them began to shoote against the Fort Paulee There they did no other hurt but shooting within a short piece of yron they did breake it about a foote and the pieces stroake off the arme of the Gunner and did hurt two Souldious they hurt also a Souldiour of the Ship who did shew great endeuour to shoote at the enemie with a number of Harquebuses and Muskets And below the fort Paulee the Lord Iarry with his harquebusiers but specially with the long fowling pieces of the inhabitantes of Maran who did incessantly shoote vpon the boates and also into the coppes nigh the riuer did so molest the enemy that about nine a clocke they were enforced to forsake their boats and theyr double Canon which remayned in the midle of the Riuer vntill that hauing tyed the beats with coardes they drew them away vp the riuer and did no other thing therewith for although they might haue endomaged the fort by a long battering yet had it béen impossible vnto them to approach to it to seaze vpon considering that the riuer was staked thicke and the shot fell vppon them as thicke if they discouered themselues neuer so litle so they were not suffered to appeare within their reache While they drew theyr boats there was a rash fellow to occupy our harquebuziers which did discouer himselfe armed a great while in the sight of our men playing with his two hand sword and although they shot an infinit number of pellets at him yet was he not hit but of two and was very litle hurt as it was afterward reported The third of August there was a great alarum geuen at the trenches of Beauregard for the enemy made a countenance to aduance forward vpon vs. At midnight wee set vpon the towers of the castell with great lanterns of light because that the enemie had great fires in all their watches and a mighty fire vpon the vaultes of S. Ihan of Lauersay nigh the lodging of the Marshall Biron half a league off from Bastile At that tyme was there meanes made for the agreement betweene the king of Nauarre and the Marshall Biron generall af the Popish army which was concluded vpon the fifth
vsed them very courteously performing inuiolably whatsoeuer hee had promised them From Fontenay the King of Nauarre sent the Prince of Conde to Manlion a little towne with three peeces of ordinance which notwithstanding was taken with ladders before the ordinance had played The morrowe after the King of Nauarre arriued thether who had retyred to Lusson after the taking of Fontenay fayning to retyre to Rochel The King perceiuing that his Mother could neither execute her secret practizes nor bestowe her Italian figges vpon the King of Nauarre nor the Prince of Conde immediatly after her returne to the Court to please the Leaguers and to entertayne their fauour for that he was so much beholding to them immediatly he determined to send a mightie armie into Guyenne against the King of Nauarre and of them of the religion And supposing that the Marshall Byron had gone too slowly about his matters in the last armie he was desirous to trie what another Captaine of a hotter spirit could doo And because the Duke Ioyeuse the Kings brother in lawe was somewhat famous not for his valour but for incredible monstrous excesses of crueltie which he had shewed the yeare before at Lodeue Saint Ponce and Marueiolx and other places in Languedock for the true description whereof newe tâ—â—rmes and words had néede to bee deuised The King I say supposing him a fit iustrument to execute his choler vppon them of the religion which so valiantly had heretofore resisted the iniuries of the Leaguers and despised their forces for the great wrongs proffered to his Maiestie by the Leaguers sent him with a mightie armie to passe ouer the riuer Loyre The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde were in the low Poytow with their companies very braue and lustie though very small in comparison of the multitude of the enemies And as some companies of the Duke Ioyeuse had passed Loyre and aduaunced themselues vpon the King of Nauarre his men the said King of Nauarre wholly discomfited a band of the enemies which thing being done he caused his companies to retyre some to Saint Mexent others into Xainctonge to employ them as occasion might serue to the ouerthrowing of that newe mightie armie But not long after it happened I knowe not by whose fault committed that two regiments to wit the regiment of Charboniere and of Captaine Debory were left within the towne of Mote Saint Eloy nigh Saint Mexent being not assured of the Castell but only by the promise of them who did hold it Which afterward seeing the enemie assault the said Charboniere and Debory did not fauour them but tooke part against them and that more is deliuered two pieces of ordinance to the enemie wherewith they brake the Barricadoes of our men so they were discomfited by the Lord Ioyeuse Debory was taken prisoner Charboniere was then at S. Mexent where hee did good seruice at the siege which the enemy shortly after laied before the saide towne Among other examples of barbarous and sauage crueltie in diuers places by the said Ioyeuse executed deserueth a speciall note of infamie that the posteritie may discerne men from monsters The Souldiours of the said Charboniere and Debory to whome vpon his faith he had promised safety of life yet contrarie vnto the same hauing caused them to be stripped starke naked and so they falling vpon their knees crying vnto God for mercie and vnto the enemie for compassion without any pittie or feeling of humanitie commaunded his Souldiours to trie their strength of their armes and the sharpenâ—s of their swords vpon those naked bodies destitute of all defence After that he besieged Saint Mexent which resisted the furie of his armie and of all his ordinance for the space of 15. dayes and about the 22. of Iune the towne was surrendered by composition which the King of Nauarre did greatly mislike because that L. Iarriete being knowne and stayed at the gate as he went forth among the rest was brought to the Lord Ioyeuse which committed him to the hands of the Marshall with commaundement to put him to a shamefull death This learned and godly man had faithfully and vertuously executed the ministery in that towne and there he confirmed the doctrine which he had preached with a most constant and Christian death which was vnhappie to them who without a cause put him to the same For they themselues who executed that vniust commaundement would not dissemble to say after they had heard the earnest confession of his faith and praiers which he made in the end of his life that certainely God would reuenge the death of so good and godly a man in whome there was found no cause of such punishment and in deede the Duke Ioyeuse and his armie did not suruiue him long After the taking of Saint Mexent the Lorde Ioyeuse came to Niort with shew to sease vppon Marans as well to cut the way into Poytow to the King of Nauarre as to shut him vp into Rochel and by these meanes to besiege Fontenay with lesse danger which as yet was but slenderly fortified also to sease vpon Talmound hauing al the rest to his deuotion which thing seemed to him easilie to performe For although the King of Nauarre fayned that he would defend Maran against that armie as he did the yeare before against the Marshall Byron at the selfesame season yet notwithstanding hee had not determined so to doo as also it was a thing impossible to defend it for the Marishes and ditches and channels were so dried vp and the earth so hardened that the footmen could easilie goe thorough euery where there was some more discommoditie for horsemen by reason of the steps but yet it was accessible euery where In the meane time the King of Nauarre sent in the regiment of Captaine Preau with some other companies who shewed great diligence in fortifying the holdes of Bastile Brune Poyneuf and Clowsie as for the Fort Brault the King made it in forme of Sheeres on the side of the land and had determined to defend that onely and the Castell The others were only to holde the enemie in hand and in the meane time that this resolution might be stayed the heads hauing commaundement to retire into the towne and not harden themselues obstinately in the defence of the said Fortes After that the Castell was furnished with necessaries Captaine Preau should retyre to Fontenay the Lord Iarry with a number of Souldiours should retyre into the Castell when he should be enforced to forsake the towne and there to abide the force of the enemie for eyght dayes which thing he could doo well enough In the which space the King of Nauarre and the Prince hauing assembled their forces woulde haue giuen so many crosses to the Duke Ioyeuse that perhappes he should not haue needed to take the paine to goe to dye at Coutras notwithstanding for these considerations or other the Duke Ioyeuse set not on Marans but at the request of the
trust in man and make their force the arme of flesh Beside these three mighty armies and the armies of the king of Nauarre and Ioyeuse whereof it is spoken before The Lords Mommorency and Diguieres had the fifth in Daulphine agaynst the Lord Valete beside the armes and assembled forces scattered elswhere Such was the state of miserable France which had great cause to grone vnder the heauy burthen of so many so great and mighty armies This tempest was very blacke and thicke and at length thereout issued dreadfull thunder clappes But now we haue to speake of these three armyes conioyntly to wit of the Leaguers lead by the Guyzes of the Catholikes conducted by the king himselfe and of the Germans guided chiefly by the Duke of Boillon Here we haue to consider the iudgementes of God which were powred vpon these armies First y e Leaguers by the K. forces did work y e K. vndooing y t by his fall they might be lifted vp on high The king in pretending y e defence of the Catholike religion which no man did oppugne by violence but the Leaguers went about to root the Gospell of Christ out of France The Germans for the most part were mercenaries who regarded not the right of the cause neither came to serue him who procured them but did in mynd swallow downe the spoyle of France And some among them who were lead with an vpright mind yet being mingled with prophane and irreligious men and trusting in the outward apparance of that army turned theyr confidence from God to the arme of flesh therefore all were disappointed of theyr intents for neyther of them all had any benefit by this great warre but blowes slaughters and calamityes About the latter ende of August after this great armie had passed the mountaine of Zauerne and began to enter into Lorreyne the Dukes eldest sonne with certaine regiments approached so nigh them at Salabrine that 3. of his companies were discomfited and six Ensignes sent to Strasbourg and proceeding further they tooke Blasmond The said army drawing neere to Nancy about the beginning of September certayne seruantes going about to forrage with their cartes were set on by certayne companies which issued out of Nancy when they had seazed vppon some cartes were pursued and beaten into the very gates of Nancy This army of Germans being about Nancy there was a counsell holden to wit agaynst whom they should first turne theyr armes The French men were of that aduile to make warre in Lorreyne and that it was the pleasure of the king of Nauarre that they who had of lustines kindled that miserable warre in France might first of all feele the heauy burthen of the same but specially the Duke of Lorreyne who was one of the heads of the League The Germans in taking a certaine summe of money which the Duke of Lorreyne proffered them were at length content to passe by as neighbours and friends yet notwithstanding they concluded warre did there many acts of hostilitie such as warre doth commonly drawe after it This armie being yet newe and lustie did neglect a notable occasion to oppresse the enemie at the bridge S. Vincent vpon what occasion that opportunitie was neglected it is vncertaine But it is confessed of all men that if they had come to hands that day they had seene the end by the iudgment of men of that warre assoone as the beginning Thus some exployts of warre being done there the scarcitie of victualls beginning to growe they determined to goe foorth out of Lorreyne But vpon the determination of the way which they should followe there was great difficultie found For the Germans desired to passe toward Sedan from whence they might hope of many good commodities and if néede should be they might haue a newe supply of forces out of Germany which thing could not bee if they enclosed themselues among so many riuers which are on the South side of Seyne Some French men on the contrary sayd that they should turne right to the riuer of Loyre for to ioyne with the King of Nauarre The Lord Boillon desired greatly that they would approach to Sedan as they had as he sayd promised him and that in hope of it he had made great preparations of powder and artillerie which hee had made of purpose Considering also that he had to prouide for the securitie of his places which might incurre some daunger if they were not prouided for All reasons debated and weighed on both sides the course to the riuer of Loyre was concluded Whilest these things so passed in Lorreyne the Lord Chastilion the 22. of September came to the armie with his troupes he had much adoo to passe and was as if it were enclosed in the towne of Gresille but was rescued by the Countie de la Mark yonger brother to the Duke of Boillon The armie drawing néere to Chaumont in Bassigny there it was put in deliberation to execute a certaine enterprize which the Lord Chastilion had in hand but it could not be done The armie came to Chasteauuilaine where they soiorned some dayes and in the meane while they tooke a Gentleman named Viliers comming from Rome his iourney to Rome was to solicite the Pope to helpe his master with money to make warre against them of the reformed religion and also to pray the Pope Frier Sixtus to name the King head of the League assuring him that it would greatly mooue him to warre and roote out them of the religion whom he named heretickes The answere which the Pope made him as it appeared by his words was that they should liue in peace with their neighbours and that hee could not furnish them with money being not willing to make warre against any man who desired peace among all men The sayd gentleman carried a letter very ill written which he sayd to be the hand of the Duchesse of Lorreyne mother of the Duke contayning thus much I am very glad to vnderstand the state of your affayres and I aduise you to goe forward for neuer a fayrer occasion was offered you to put the Scepter in your hand and the Crowne vpon your head This letter gaue occasion to them of the Counsell to agree that this Gentleman should be kept carefully and brought to the King of Nauarre The armie soiourning at Chasteauuilaine the King with his great armie stayed about Montereau faut Yonne and Sens but vnderstanding the determination of the Germans retyred with his armie into Berry beyond Loyre there to stop the passing ouer to the King of Nauarre and to giue them freer accesse betwéene the two riuers of Seyne and Loyre where hée thought either to weary them or by ioyning his with the armie of the Leaguers at the tayle of them easily he might oppresse them During this soiourne the Baron Oneau brought the artillerie before the Abbey of Cleruaulx which compounded to giue a certaine summe of money and some quantitie of wine and meale notwithstanding that capitulation
vpon the forehead but he was shortly after whole The Lord Chastilion was lodged three leagues from that place who vnderstanding of the alarum went on horsebacke as also others in other places where the rumor came The sayd Lord Chastilion went into the Uillage where hee found some of the enemies wandering whom he tooke there he noted a great number of dead men but more Frenchmen then Germans The morrow after the Guyze sent to aske for the dead which were aboue two hundred in number he sent also to know of the Rutters whether they would be content to exchaunge their Cornets and prisoners They answered that as for the prisoners they would aduise vpon that matter but for the Cornets they would send them to the king That day the Baron Oneau who had kept possession of their lodgings sending all night for the regiment of Lance-knights went to present him selfe in battell aray before Montargis where hee was more then an hower to draw the enemies to battell but no man appeared and therefore hee retyred The same day the artillery in going forward came within a league of Montargis where it was in no small danger being so nigh the enemy with a small company the which after the Lord Chastilion had found in that case hee accompanyed the same vntill two howers within night and not able to goe further they vnstalled it to send the horses to baite in the next Uillages The said Lord Chastilion left fifty Harquebusiers on horsebacke to keepe all night The Lord Chastilion arryued at his lodging learned by a Trompet which had béene in the kinges camp the ouerthrow of the Duke Ioyeuse and of the prosperous successe of the king of Nauarre in the battel at Coutras whereof all the court made a great mourning The 30. of October there was a great mutiny of the Rutters partly for the losse which they had at Vimory and partly because they were denied to enter into Chasteaulandon which was appointed for their lodging The Baron Oneau had much adoo to pacify them but when the Lord Chastiliō was come he was requested by the sayd Baron Oneau to besiege that Castell for the which hee sent his footmen and in the meane time he went to view the place During which exployt the Duke of Boillon accompanied with many other Lords came to the Rutters vpon their mutinie There they sayd that they would not passe further and that they were lead to the slaughter that they were lodged at the face of the enemie without any Frenchmen to garde them They alleaged that it was reported the King of Nauarre to bee dead in the ouerthrowing of Ioyeuse that they had lost part of their baggage that their seruants demanded their wages and threatned to forsake them if they had no money To be short they sayd they had no means to followe and therefore required to haue leaue The Swissers did helpe much to appease that mutinie shewing the aliance which they had entred into nigh Chasteauuilaine promising each other neuer to part asunder vntill the warre were ended This mutinie was pacified vpon promise of the Frenchmen which was to make among them selues a summe of money to horse them which were spoyled at Vimory When the Counsell had made an ende of their sitting there came a yong man names Pau saying that he had to speake with the Lord Cleruaut to whom he had heretofore brought letters from the King of Nauarre this yong man had alreadie come three or foure times in the army saying that he would bring to them his regiment which he had in the armie of Guize that hee had not assembled it for any other end then for the King of Nauarre his seruice and that in taking his part he would doo him beside some peece of notable seruice in seazing vpon some place and that he had good meanes in Bourgondy but the armie had not fauoured him That now they might take Montargis as hee had informed them when they camped at Chastilion That he had his companie in the Castle which the Lord of Guize had put in for his safetie when he lodged there but now when the armie marched the Duke of Guize went aside of them still on the other side of the riuer Loyne and that he pressed him with his company to come to méete him and that he could not disobey any longer therefore let them speedily take aduise After some speeches had on both sides the Lord Chastilion answered him that all that came from the Duke of Guize was suspected to him Notwithstanding that if hee would doo as they would shewe him they would send thether Pau answered that there he was to doo all that they should commaund him The matter being reasoned they determined to send the Lord Cleruaut with two hundred harquebuziers and two Cornets of Rutters to execute that enterprise When they came to the place the Lords Cleruaut Chastilion and others of the companie called Pau vnto them and after they had sent to visite the Castle they put fiftie harquebusiers vpon the gate and as they were about to enter in one of the companie of the Lord Chastilion warned him that there was treason vpon which occasion he retyred speedily his men which thing the enemies seeing and that they were discouered they played their parts and did blowe vp the gate and bridge through which our men should haue entered In returning from this enterprise they who had auoyded such daunger for to haue beleeued a traytor of the League gaue hartie thankes vnto God Whilest these things did so passe at Montargis the Lord Boillon with the rest of the Counsell had arriued at Chasteaulandon and sent the ordinance hauing considered where it should bee placed but because there were neither Swissers nor Launce-knights to garde it the charge was committed to the Lord Chastilion after his returne from Montargis who began the batterie about two of the clocke Then the heads of the armie arriued and in the euening they shewed countenance to giue the assault They within rendered themselues with their liues safe For to keepe the lodgings to the Rutters and to auoyde confusion the Lord Chastilion would not suffer any companies to enter in but sent in some gentlemen to keepe it for the Rutters and sent to the Baron Oneau to come very early which thing he did not And because the Lord Chastilion had to doo with Germans Swissers and Frenchmen he could not kéepe them from spoyling the Castle but notwithstansting what could be had in money from the Souldiers it was giuen to the Baron Oneau for the Rutters There was much spoyle in that quarter for the Rutters put fire in euery village where they had lodged From thence they went to lodge along the riuer which goeth to Estempes Whilest they were there Bouschet and others who were sent to the King by the Swissers returned to the armie about the beginning of Nouember Their answer was that the King had commanded them to speake to
rest of his troupes which came in small boates But because the Souldiers were marueilously wearie they tooke incontinently their lodgings the Captaines also did not think good to assault the enemie by night before they had discouered him By this delay the Lord Lauerdine receiued his footmen with leasure to the number of fiue hundred without any horsemen whome hee set in battell array in Beauregard and placed about foure score of them in the Farme house of Lommeau The day being come to wit the 16. of March the Lords Boysduly and Iarry and others Captaines to number of three hundred footemen and about three score hrsemen went to seeke out the enemie who put his men in battell array in fauour of the Farme house of Beauregard and durst not aduance vpon our men fearing our horsemen although they were twise stronger in footmen Our men on the other side durst not charge them hauing such aduantage as they had but for that time were content to chase them who were put in the Farme house of Lommeau who retyred to their fellowes in good order as men resolute Our men on the other side retyred to the towne where euery one refreshed himselfe intending to charge the enemie in the euening but there was noted in our men much confusion but small resolution The same day about three a clock in the after noone arriued from Rochel the Lord Noyse with twentie braue souldiers vnder the conduct of Captaine Ozanneau it is certaine that it these souldiers had arriued the day before and had been placed at Beauregard with some more forces which might haue been geuen them part of the inhabitants part of the souldiers of the gouernour the L. Lauerdine had not put foot on land so easily as he did For although the Lord Lauerdine had gotten much as is said yet he had beene enforced to retire if it had not beene for the treathery committed in the forte of Bastile which commanded the captayne Ensigne of the gouernour and some others who were so frighted by a countrie man sent vnto them by the way of aduertizement from Perrerio with threatnings that if they did suffer themseues to be besieged they would be hanged as others were at Cotaudiere that there upon they stated not for the enemie but abandoned their fort their armour and munition and saued themselues in the Marshes The Lord Lauerdine hauing intelligence of this fact immediatly sent for his horsemen who were three long leagues off they arriued about 5. a clock in the morning he put all his men in battell array and marched toward the towne of Marans The Lords Boysduly and the gouernour with other gentlemen and souldiers prepared themselues to goe to seeke the enemie whome about six a clock they discouered with his horsemen which made them conclude that without doubt the Bastile was in their power for it was vnpossible that their horsemen had entred any other way Notwithstanding they which were in the towne went foorth to receiue the enemie to the farthest houses of the high towne where they fought a skirmish in the which the Lord Boysduly Noyse and some others who followed them with some of Rochell did what they could but at length being charged with horsemen of the enemie were forced to giue place and to retyre into the Castell speedily so that the enemie seazed vpon the high towne and thereupon afterward became master of all the rest All the Gentlemen with their horses and Souldiers and some of the inhabitants retyred into the Castell to the number of three or foure hundred Within that place there was no prouision of victualls saue some small store of meale which the Souldiers in retyring therein could carry away with them There was neither shouels mattocks picaxes nor any other tooles to remoue the earth if neede should be there was small prouision for horses and no good store of powder Notwithstanding the Lord Boysduly with the gouernour and other Gentlemen determined to hold out for certaine dayes hoping to haue some succour either by the comming of the king of Nauarre who was not yet returned out of Gascoyne or else by them of Rochell or if the worst should fal out yet they would make some honourable composition With this resolution they prepared to keepe the court of the Castel which was in a manner trenched and the dungeon hauing one piece which was little or nothing worth to them There they were incontinently besieged by the enemie who seazed vpon all the conuenient places round about the Castell and did commaund the court of the sayd Castell they trenched themselues where it was conuenient for them They who were besieged in the Castell did likewise their endeuor so that without any losse of men they killed many of the enemies The Lord Iarry Gouernour was hurt in the foot which made his person afterward vnprofitable But the enemy pressed them within so narrowly that there could no meanes be deuysed to vnderstand any thing during the siege The 18. of March the King of Nauarre hasting before his company which followed him contrary to the opinion of many came to Rochel with the Prince of Soyssons and some other noble men in good deliberation to succour Marans Afore his arryuing to Rochel the inhabitantes thereof had sent a good number of Harquebuziers vnder the conduct of Captaine Gargoleau and others for to enter into Marans but they vnderstoode by the way that the enemy possessed the Iland with the chiefest fortes and had besieged the Castell for which cause they returned to Rochel The Citizens of Rochel also had sent two shippes with the barke of Captayne Courtault and certayne Culuerings vnder the conduct of Captayne Boysseau and other Souldiours and Captaynes They entered into the riuer boldly seazed vppon the forts of Brault and Clousie in the sight of the enemy whom they preuented The King of Nauarre informed of all thinges passed at Marans the 19. day very early tooke his iourney to Charon and from thence to the said fortes where he put men and munition a◠occasion serued He caused also the shippes whereon the Culuerings were to approach the town of Marans the Culuerings did beat the houses of the Towne called the boats houses The enemy hauing seazed vppon the whole towne and trenched himselfe in the market house seeing the preparing of the Shippes presented himself to withstand the landing of them that came from Rochel and with two field Péeces compelled the ships to descend lower there were flayne some Souldiers of Rochel The King of Nauarre gaue all the signes that could be possible as by the sounding of Trompets spyals or other meanes to let them who were besieged vnderstand of his comming One of his spyals was hanged but they within could not perceaue any thing saue onely of the comming of the Ships whom they supposed to haue béene the Rochellers only but he could not conceaue any hope to be able to succour them The enemie in the meane while increased his
skirmish were slaine many notable Captaines and men of warre among whome were Anthony Vize and his Lieutenant the rest of their horsemen that then for haste and terrour could not get on horseback would haue auoyded by the bridge which was seazed on before but they found it stopped were so rudely seton by our footemen that the most of them were slaâ—ne some taken prisoners a great number cast themselues into the riuer and were drowned the Baron and few with him by the goodnes of their horses auoyded the danger and most of them in their doublets and without bootes the way to Iuoy The fight hauing indured one houre the rest of the enemies retired into a Fort which they had made within the village and there stayed for the canon The Lord Nieuile by hap had caused two meane pieces to be brought with his troupes wherewith they shot two volleys against that Fort that disligent exployte so amazed them within the Fort that without any bargening they rendered themselues at the discretion of the Duchesse with promise of their liues The agreement made the Captaines Carlo Maruile rendred their Ensignes to the Lord Nieuile who being entred into the Fort found therein about two hundred able men as well borsemen as footemen whome he caused to be brought forth and bee lead captines to Sedan The chiefe men of them were the Captaines Carlo Maruile their Lieutenant and Ensignes Captaine Romero a Spanyard who commaunded ouer a companie of horsemen There were also a number of Gentlemen of the companie of the Baron and many light horses Italians there were found more then seauen score slaine vpon the place in that flight besides them who were drowned and hurt There were taken more then two hundred horses among whome were found twentie or fiue and twentie of the fairest in all the armie and many of them had cost the Baron one thousand crownes a piece hee esteemed the losse which hee had sustained in that charge in horses plate money and mony worth at more then thirtie thousand Crownes Of our men it is most true there dyed but onely two the one was a Souldiour of the companies and the other a Citizens Sonne of Sedan named the Febure there were some hurt but verie few The enemies did holde a strong house named Lamcourt situated betweene Douzie and Sedan which the Lord Rosne had battered with nine and twentie shot of Ordinance The Lord Nieuile in returning to Sedan caused his artillerie to take that way that house was kept by fiue twenty Souldiours who when they had seen the canon yeelded themselues vpon the same conditions that they of Douzy had done The companies which were beyond Mense commaunded by the Lord Rosne tooke such fright by the ouerthrowe of them of Douzy that they could neuer clawe it off after for the night following they repassed the riuer Menze with great alarum and retired with the rest of the armie before Jamets so that there remained not one of them vpon the Land of Sedan This was the light of â—eliuerance which God reserued to this fatherles and comfortles Princesse and the confirmation of his promise that hee raised vp himselfe for the poore which is afflicted without a cause and that hee will pull downe with shame and confusion the high lookes of the haughtie The Papists in whome there was some sparke of reason and iustice did holde infallibly that some horrible vengeance did hang ouer the head of that armie full of villany and bloud The Duchesse of Boillon hauing receaued the newes of that vnlooked or victorie accompanied with other Ladies of calling who were exiled for the testimonie of the truth and soiourned at Sedan went to the gate called Mesuil to giue thankes to the Gentlemen and Captaines for the notable seruice which they had done to her and to gratifie the Souldiours in al that she could The Lord Nieuile presented her two Ensignes two Cornets which they had gotten which she receaued thankfully incontinently the whole companie with the people went to the temple where thankes were giuen to God for this happie successe this was about noone This ouerthrowe did not quench the fire but rather did kindle the violence of the army which was before Iamets so that they doubled their rage labour and battery which they had continued from the ninth day of Aprill and neuer ceased to thunder vntill the sixteenth day of the same moneth â—â— which time they were willing to giue an assault and they doubled the battery more furiously then euer before in the which for the space of fiue dayes they had employed the greatest pieces they had which did carrie 45. or 48. or 50. bullets As they without prepared themselues to giue the assault so they within prepared all things necessarie with courage to receaue them it was not possible to doo more valiantly then botl Captaine and Souldiours did the more worthie praise that in the middest of armes which they acknowledged of themselues but vncertaine and weake they put their whole hope and confidence of their preseruation onely in God the vpholder of the oppressed and the defender of their iust quarell Such hope did not deceaue them for the enemies hauing done their batterie to the number of twelue volleys of Ordinance the same day in a moment they closed themselues in battell aray and headlong set as wel on the breach as on the curtine toward the tower called the Cat where they planted a great number of ladders with a full assurance to carry the towne away by one way or other but they were so couragiously receaued that after a long fight they were so beaten driuen backe and ouerthrowen that the Towne ditch remayned full of a great number of dead wounded few were taken prisoners by them of the towne for they did driue them before still beating them vnto their trenches so that no man was able to repasse the heate and furie of the Souldiers following the victory one halfe of theyr army was there wholly destroyed Of them of the towne were not aboue sixe slaine and eight hurt a thing very strange and yet most true God for to magnify his power in taking vengeance vpon tyrantes and haughty persons oftentimes doth ouercome as well with a small as with a great number and so was that the onely vertue and force of his arme to whom the victorious gaue the glory for after the retire from the fight they gaue publikly thankes to the diuine goodnes of God who so mightily had deliuered them Afterward that proud sinke of filthy slaues did nothing worthy to bee reported but grew alwayes lesser and lesser they attempted afterwards some stratagems but without any effect which caused them to conclude not to hazard further but to preserue the rest in certaine Block howses which they made about the town vppon the high wayes supposing by that means to compell them in tyme through hunger to yeeld It is sayd before how the Duke
béene cast below the méeting of two channels they had béen followed with such violence that they had béen cut to peeces afore they could haue come to Marans It is not to bee forgotten that the King of Nauarre at the same houre caused the regiments of his gardes of Charbonieres and Soubran conducted by the Lord Mignonuile Marshall of the campe to take paines for to wade ouerthwart the Marishes in the water to the knee more then a League and defeated a part of the enemie whome they met in their retyring The Fort of Clousy seeing the disaray of their fellowes rendered immediatly at discretion therein were fourescore men commaunded by Captaine Serre who were all saued the enemies partly made their retire in great haste to Marans and partly fled another way In the towne where it was thought that some resistance would haue been made was such a maze that there was found no body Many of the forces of the King of Nauarre not staying for the setting on of the bridge both a foote and horseback cast themselues in the water The Lord Cluseaulx who did dine at Marans whilest the King of Nauarre did force the passage hearing of the flight of his men as well with them which had remained within the towne as with them who had retired from the garde of the passage with the Lord Tremblay few of the company fled into the Castell because there was no other way nor place to flee to The first which entred into Marans were the gardes of the King of Nauarre followed at hand with the rest of the armie as fast as they could passe ouer at Clousy At the same instant the enemies were besieged in the Castell the quarters parted to euerie regiment and at euening euerie one was lodged vpon the Castell ditch The King of Nauarre followed them at hand with his maine forces and lodged that same night at Marans The same day were summoned all these forts following fortified with Garisons of the enemie The Fort Boysneuf where commaunded the Lieutenant of Captaine Serre with thirtie men with him who yeelded Also the Fort Brune wherein were threescore men commaunded by Captaine Camart who yeelded also The Fort Allowette holden with twentie men commaunded by the Lieutenant of Captaine Roque all yeelded with their liues safe There rested in all the Iland that day being the sixe and twentie of Iune to recouer from the hand of the enemie but the Castell the Forts Bastile and Paulee situated vpon the other entries into the Iland The prudence of the K. of Nauarre is not to be forgotten that before he assaulted the Iland hee placed the Lord Trimouille with all his light horsemen and the companies of the Lord Orges Plassak and Arambure within the town of Saint Ihan of Liuersay in the high way from Niort to Marans that the enemie might not receaue succour through the Bastile The Lord Trimouille had made a Fort in two dayes betweene Saint Ihan of Liuersay and Bastile to cut from them which were therein all meanes to escape away and hope of succour The monday on the seauen and twentie of Iune the Captaine and Souldiours of the said Bastile séeing that all the meanes to auoyde were cut off from them did yéeld and went foorth with like conditions as their fellowes had done the day before being in number fourescore and ten commaunded by Captaine Chapel The eight and twenty the King of Nauarre with two canons and two Culuerines began to approach and in the middest of the day put them in place of batterie The Lorde Clermont there did commaund that night there were certaine motions of Parley The nine and twentie about three a clock in the morning when the besieged saw that the King of Nauarre went to worke in good earnest they demaunded to Parley and in the name of all the rest came forth Captaine Riuiere to require conditions of the King of Nauarre At length the composition was concluded that the Captaines and Gentlemen should goe forth with their horses and corselets the souldiours with their swords that the rest of their armour should remaine within the Castell The master of the campe the Lord Tremblay the Captaines Maron and Toure should remaine in the hands of the King of Nauarre to deliuer him the colours to wit eyght Ensignes for two companies had none and the Cornet The agréement was carefully kept the King himselfe conducted them part of the way they were not iniuried so much as one word although the Lord Cluseaulx had great enemies The same day Captaine Roque rendered the Fort Paulee with the same conditions that the Castell was yeelded vp the Lord Lauerdine sending word that he could not rescue them for because the Lord Boulay was lodged on that side The King of Nauarre kept Cluseaulx prisoner who was brought with great solemnitie into Rochel where he was kept prisoner a long time hauing lisence notwithstanding to goe where he would vnder custodie of certaine Souldiours he was better vsed then many did expect at length he was deliuered and among other vpon this condition neuer more to ioyne himselfe to the League The King of Nauarre also sendeth all the armour which there was taken in great stoare with the colours to Rochel there were taken also many faire horses So in the space of foure dayes he recouered all the Iles and Forts of Maran did rid all that quarter of the filthie sinke of the Leaguers where he did shew no lesse courtesie to his enemies then valour and diligence in the repressing of them It is said before how that after the accursed and execrable rebellion and insolencie of the Leaguers in Paris they perceauing the foule and dangerous errour which they had committed in missing of the Kings person and that hee was now safe enough from falling into their hands againe which might redound to their vtter vndooing they sent three manner of spyalls to him to view his countenance to sound the thoughts of his heart by the way of sorrowing and excusing the desperat fact attempted against his sacred person in Paris It is saide also how they sent a supplication vnto him therein faining a submission full of snares and vnreasonable demaundes It is sayd also how vppon the rumor spread abroad throughout all the realme his faithfull seruantes of all callinges and degrees moued with anger and compassion repayred vnto him most humbly prayed him not to put vp such publike iniury proffered him their seruice goods and liues for the reuengement of such an outragious offence Now agayne many of the Kinges subiects of all qualityes and degrées do repaire a fresh vnto the King most instantly to require him not to suffer such a damnable treason of the Guyzes and their confederats let go vnpunished but that punishment be executed vpon such offenders in such sort as is fit for the greeuousnes of the offence they do promise him againe all aide and succour if hee will resolue himselfe to seeke the
' and Gyancs into their owne naturall countrey yet doo not I speake of all generally but of the most part Rochel and other townes of safetie round about were quickly replenished of exiled people out of Poytow Britaine Touraine Landomoys and other places nigh the soiourning of this armie Euen many Catholickes fled into the townes of the reformed religion abhorring accursing detesting those misbegotten monsters The first place where this flood spewed out of the Dragons mouth to haue drowned the woman which was in trauaile I meane this army was stayed was before Mauleon which is a small towne feeble and of no strength at all There is in the same a Castell which is of no better defence than the towne The king of Nauarre as it is sayd after the taking of Beauuoyre lest within the same towne the Lord Viliers Charlemaigne for gouernour with a certaine number of Souldiers not for to obstinate themselues vpon that naughty place which was not able to resist a farre lesser than a royall armie but for to keepe the field and for to refresh himselfe The armie descending from Turenne tooke way to Mauleon about the 13 of Nouember The forerunners of the armie shewed themselues the garison there would not dislodge for them but made a shew as though they would hold the place But forces arriuing more and more vnlooked for at length the Ordinance was brought before the place The Lord Viliers seeing that determined to capitulate by the meanes of the Lord Lauerdine the captayne and one Croix were appoynted to conclude the capitulation The Lord Miraumont Sargeant maior of the battell was sent for hostage to Mauleon for safety From Mauleon went forth also for hostage Captayne Laudebrix The agreement was made and concluded with small aduantage to them who were besieged within the towne for the Lords Brigneulx and Chastiagueray did draw nigh the walles of the Town which were already forsaken by the garrison and not defended and after they had pulled down few stones by surprising and contrary vnto the agreement entred into the towne did kill and wound all them whom they found both of the garrison and also of their owne side notwithstanding the resistance and reproofe which the sayd Lord Miraumont could do for to let such a treacherous vnfaithfulnes vnworthy of men of warre The passion of these leagued Souldiers was shewed so disordered and barbarous that they compelled the sayd Lord Miraumont to saue himselfe into the castell with the remainant of the garrison which had escaped for many had béene most vilanously slaine after they had yeelded their armor some did saue themselues by flight casting themselues ouer the wall other were hurt some taken and spoyled of all that euer they had contrary to the agreement The Lords Chastre and Lauerdine aduertised of this disorder hasted thether and caused although very late the killing to cease and conducted the rest of them who had escaped beyond the riuer Seure toward Fonteney After this exploit done the army marched straight way toward the Towne and Castell of Montagne at the solicitation of them of Nantes and Nobility of Aniou and low Poytow who were not of the religion who altogether receaued by it many discommodities the most part of Gentlemen hauing retyred some to Nantes and some to Anger 's and they all desired to haue that thorne out of their heele Some were yet remayning in Poytow vnder the protections of the King of Nauarre wayting for the occasion to stirre at the comming of that army This towne and castle of Montagne pertained to the Prince of Conde which by the outrages of some of the countrey and neighbours had béen surprised and the walles so beaten downe that there was no hope left that any warre could be made there Notwithstanding the Lord Colombieres whom wee haue said to haue brought certaine companies vnto the King of Nauarre out of Normandy with his yongest sonne called Lucerne some companies with them had seazed vpon it the towne was very little repaired of the former ruine and decay which was great the castell had béene better relieued trenched and made commodious The Lord Colombieres commaunded there the King of Nauarre had sent thether beside to strengthen the said towne the Lord Preau with foure companies of his regiment at the approching of that army for his two other companies had béen sent to Ganache and other places All that could bee in that place of footmen was about three hundred and besydes there might be about fifty Harquebuziers on horsebacke There was in that place reasonable store of victuals for the time that they were minded to defend it as well in wine whereof there was aboue foure hundred pipes as in corne meale salt béefe and other necessary munitions for mans life About the 25. of Nouember the Lord Miramont Sargeant maior of the army accompanied with the Harquebusiers on horsback of the army lighted at the Barillery where afterward the Lord Neuers lodged and from thence went with his company to view the place and to make his approches Captayne Beauuoys and Beuf leaders of the company of the Lord Colombieres went out with a certaine number of souldiers to receaue them The skirmish endured very hot a good hower and a halfe and there were slayne of the side of the enemies Brichanteau sonne to the Lord Bigueulx and many others for whome there was great mone made in the army Go now truce-breaker Brigueulx learne yet once to breake the publike fayth at Mauleon Captayne Beuf who issued forth out of the towne was shot with a pellet in the thigh After this skirmish ended euery man retyred and the enemie went to lodge at the Barrillery The two dayes following passed away in light skirmishes The 29. the armie made approches on the side of the heath Buor Then the Lord Preau issued out so there was a fierce skirmish in the which were layed on the ground a great many of the enemies but none of the towne that euer came to knowledge The enemies who had begunne their trenchâ—s were compelled by the sayd skirmishes to giue ouer their worke for that time After that about eight dayes past before that the Ordinance could arriue for the continuall rayne floodes and foule wayes which were the beginning of the sâ—ourge of that armie of sauage robbers The eighth of December the Cannon arriued and there passed three dayes before it was occupied But the eleuenth of December the Duke of Neuers saluted the towne with certaine volies of twelue pieces of ordinance and at the same iâ—stant summoned them to render the towne Whether the Lord Colombieres had beene already labored wonne by some friends whom he might haue had in the armie or otherwise so it fell out that vpon the summons hee shewed vnto the garrison what small apparance there was to obstinate that place against an armie and amplifiyng the great discommodities and inconueniences which might ensue concluded to render the place adding as
his battaile to bee pitched in the plaine of Arques and afterward in the euening brought his army into Diepe and the Suburbs of the same and all night caused great and large Trenches to bee made in a place called the hill of Cats and by the Morning the Trenches beeing strong he placed part of his footmen vnder the gouernment of the Lord Chastilion with thirtéene Ensignes of Swissers vppon the Fort of the side of Januile hee pitched two double Canons which did greatly endomage the enemy because they were all on an heape and their horsemen could not retire into their quarter without the danger of the Canon so that it neuer shot in vaine The King sent the Regiment of the Lord Garde into the Castle of Arques The first day of October the enemy planted sixe pieces of Ordinance vpon the top of the hill by Ianuile and shot fiue or sixe voleies of shot into the Towne wherewith was slaine one of the Kings Cookes a Woman a Maiden and a Boy and great hurt done to two Shippes which lay at Anker in the Hauen The Lord Staphord Ambassador of England had presented a Canonier to the King who beeing very skilfull with a shot killed the master Gunner and dismounted two pieces of the enemies Ordinance which caused them to remooue their Canon during this time the Kings troups dayly did set vppon them and drew them from their Trenches with blowes and deadly woundes who beeing weary of that continuall play the fourth day of October they brake their Rampiers and Gabions vpon intelligences of the comming of the Prince of Soisson the Duke of Longueuile Marshall Aumont retyred with shame and losse of men and in the Kings sight raised their camp and dislodged on a sudden taking their iourney toward Picardie and in the way shewed all crueltyes that could bee The King seeing the sudden and vnexpected departure of the Enemy supposed that he went to fight against the power which was broughtto him by the said Prince of Soissons Duke of Longueuile and Marshall Aumont afore they should ioyne with him which thing he mistrusted the more because the enemies shifted into three seuerall places and neuer frarre from him But the King knowing that these helpes were come within seuen or eight leagues tooke betweene three or foure hundred horsemen to goe to meet with them about the sixt day of October leauing the Marshall Biron in Diepe with all the rest of the armie The same day he tooke the towne and Castle Samache in the sight of the enemy The 8. day hée tooke the towne of Hew giuing great occasions to the Duke d'Mayne to fight Whilest these things were passing at Diepe and sometime before there was a méeting of the deputies of the Dukes d'Mayne and Parma in the town of Aras where the Duke d'Mayne bound himselfe to the Spanyards to deliuer all the townes of Picardie into their hanâ—s so that they would come to ayde him but the Spanyards would not styrre out of their places before hée had performed what hée was bound to doo The Duke d'Mayne therefore to colour his cowardlines shamefull flight and disgrace receaued at Diepe and for that hée durst neuer hazard the battell he bruted abroad that he went into Picardie to take possession of the townes of that Prouince to pledge them to the Spanyards and so hauing passed the riuer of Some he tooke away with him all hope from the King to come to any battaile The King knowing well the nature of the French men who though sometyme in their heat and naturall hastines they doo fall to sedition yet are vnpacient of a strange gouernment assured himselfe that they would neuer admit the gouernment of that nation whom they of all most hated neither would they yeeld vnto the Flemmings whom they hated also for the naturall iniuries which they do proffer one to another in time of warre as it falleth out commonly among Borderers Therefore he stayed yet a while in Diepe as well for the affaires of Normandie where hee left the Prince Montpencier for Gouernour as for to receaue foure thousand Englishmen sent vnto him by the renowmed Queene of England And the 21. of October hee departed from Deepe and with small iourneyes coasted the enemie betwéene the two Riuers of Seyne and Some vntill hee came to Meulan a Towne situated a little aboue Pontoys distant from Paris ten leagues and there vpon that bridge passing on the South side of Seyne with all speede went to Paris for two causes First for to drawe him to fight for although hee would not venture a battell for the winning of Deepe notwithstanding he had so promised to his partakers yet the King was in good hope that he would fight for Paris The other cause was to withdrawe him from Picardy where he had taken the towne of Fere and some other small Townes the most part of the Nobilitie and Gentlemen of the countrey being with the King About the 28. of October the King lodged his armie a mile from Paris in the villages about The morrowe after the king in his owne person went all about to view the Trenches along the Suburbes The last day of October the king hauing prepared all things by the aduise of the Princes Marshals and expert Captaines determined to assault the sayd Suburbs the next morning by breake of the day in three sundrie places and to that purpose deuided his forces into three seuerall companies In the one were the foure thousand Englishmen vnder the gouernement of the Lord Willoughby their Generall with two regiments of Frenchmen and one regiment of Swissers with the Marshall Byron and the Baron Byron his sonne the Lord Guittry diuers other Noblemen who had commandement to assault the Suburbs S. Victor S. Marcel The second troupe was of foure Regiments of Frenchmen two Regiments of Swissers and four companies of aduenturers with the Marshall of Aumont accompanied with the Lord great Esquire and the Lord Rieulx Marshall of the field with a great number of Nobles and Gentlemen who had charge to assault the Suburbs of Saint Iames and Saint Michael The third companie with ten Regiments of French men and one Regiment of Launceknights conducted by the Lordes de la Nouë and Chastilion should assault the Subutbs Saint German Bucy and Nille Euery troupe had a good number of Gentlemen well armed to assist the footmen if any great resistance should be made The King also commaunded two Canons and two Culuerins to be planted in the rereward of euery troupe He seperated also all his horsemen in three companies he himselfe commaunded ouer the first the Prince of Soissons ouer the second the Duke of Longueuile ouer the third each of them appointed to strengtheÌ„ the companies which were set to assault the Suburbs thus deuided as is aforesaid The first day of Nouember by breake of the day beeing a very thicke myst in this order the Suburbs were assaulted and so shaken by
Mount berry remayned there a whole day to try whether the enemies hauing rested and refreshed themselues thrée dayes in Paris would haue gathered stomacke and pursued him But vnderstanding of their kinde of warre and victories which they had agaynst the Coffers of the citizens of Paris hee determined to leaue those wicked rebels to destroy one another and to take the Towne of Estampes vpon this occasion The Lord Clermont of Lodeshe in Languedocke had thrust himselfe into the sayd Towne with fiftie or threescore Gentlemen through the assurance which the Duke de Mayne had giuen them and confirmed the same by many of his letters which were intercepted that he would come to reléeue them with his armie The King by these letters knowing that the Duke de Mayne stood bound vpon his faith honour to rescue Estampes with all his armie the fift of Nouember hauing sent part of his forces to compasse the sayd towne which was done the same day early he followed and arriued at Estampes with the rest of his armie when it was dark night and at his comming he wonne the Suburbs which the enemies had made shewe to haue defended The same night also the Towne was taken the Souldiers retyring into the Castle The sixt day of Nouember the Castle was enuironed approaches made and two Culuerines placed in batterie The stout Souldiers with the Lord Clermont who did looke so bigg first seeing that the army which should rescue them did not appeare and that they had no newes of it demanded parley and yeelded themselues the same day with condition that eight of them should remayne prisoners vntill such time as they should giue eight others who were named to them to be deliuered After that agréement the King did shew that fauour to the Lord Clermont and vnto fiue others that should haue remayned prisoners to send them away vpon their oathes so there departed out of the Castell about forty Gentlemen and two hundred Souldiours who were safely conducted halfe the way to Paris The King considering that poore Towne of Estampes to haue béene taken thrée times in foure moneths and thought it had been necessary for him to haue kept a good Garison in it yet notwithstanding being of his owne nature as easie to be ouercome with â—lemency as he is inuinsible to his enemies by force was centent to take no other assurance of the towne then the oath of the inhabitants wherein he reposed his trust And that the Castell should not bée a meane of their rigorus vsage hereafter hée determined to rase it and to commit the keeping of the Towne to the townesmen onely perswading himselfe that they comparing the vsage which they haue at his hands and of his enemies together it will be the surest Garison to keepe them in obedience About the eight of Nouember the King remayning yet there arriued a Gentleman from the Quéene Dowager to the King bringing a request which she presented vnto the King veséeching him to doo her iustice for the detâ—stable murther committed vpon the person of the late King her Husband the King deferred the answer vntill such time as hée sat in counsell The ninth day of Nouember the Gentleman was called before the King and his counsel who after he had deliuered his message the request was read aloud in the presence of all the Princes Marshals of France and other Lords and Gentlemen who were then in great number about the King by the which request besides the desiring of the King shee did adiure not onely the Princes and Nobility of France but also all Christian Princes to be assisters in this cause The King making answer himselfe declared that he highly commended her vehemency in following this sute and sent the said supplication vnto his court of Parliament transported to Tours commaunding his generall atturney with the atturney of the said Lady to make information against the offenders to the end the matter might bée determined afterward in his presence in manner and forme conuenient And for his owne part he would not cease to prosecute the matter but vowed in presence of all the company to employ his trauailes and armes vntill such time as he had doue the iustice that God had appoynted him to doo So that as the pittifull tearmes of the request of the said Lady had filled the eyes of all with teares so the princelike answer of the King had quickly dried them vp and replenished their hearts with iust indignation and burnâ—ng desire of reuenge At that time all with a loud voyce renued the oath of not laying downe armes vntill such time as they had reuenged the hatefull death of the late King their master The King séeing that there was no hope to bring the enemy to a battaile but by extreame necessitie sent back the Duke of Longeuile and the Lord la Nouë with such forces as they had brought out of Picardie to refresh themselues in that Prouince he did the like also by the Lorde of Gyury who met him with a good troupe at his departure from Paris and sent him againe into the Country of Brie The King with the rest of his army determined to make a voyage to the riuer of Loyre in the meane time whilest his strange forces that were comming would be further in their way Therefore the tenth of Nouember hee departed from Estampes and marched through the Countrey of Beausse and being aduertised that the towne of Ianuile stopped all the passages he desired to winne it in passing by the way The 11. of Nouember the King arriuing the Captaine that was within it made a shew as though he would defend it but when hée sawe the Canon approach he yéelded it vp and departing with two hundered Harquebusiers the King entred therein and there stayed the day after They of the Towne receaued no displeasure nor discommodity no more then if they neuer had reiected his obedience The King leauing a good Garison in the Castell which is a good strong place departed thence the thirteenth of Nouember to the Towne of Chasteaudunne where as soone as he was arriued he sent to sommon the Towne of Vendosme which was his auncient patrimony and the ancieÌ„t title of his predecessors and because that thereby they were his double subiects they were the more culpable in taking his enemies part yet the King hauing more care to kéepe them from further offending then to punish them for their double treasons he stayed thrée dayes at Chausteaudunne to giue them time to aduise themselues Whilest the King lodged at Chasteaudune the Captaines of the Suissers arriued who were sent immediatly after the death of the late King by their Câ—lonels of the foure Regiments to knowe the pleasure of their superiours whether they should continue in seruice or aske leaue to returne home The saide messengers reported vnto the King that they had expresse charge from their Seignories to giue his Maiesty to vnderstand that they not onely doo commaund the Colonels and
to two thousand men all old Souldiers The Duke being flided away and the King seeing the opportunitie of battaile gone with him determined to do his businesse and to take Dreux garded by Captaine Falande with a strong garrison that if he had it in his obedience he might ouerlooke and bridle the Citie of Chartres vntill that conueniently he might haue opportunitie to enterprise vpon it The King in going to the siege of Dreux tooke Noueyncourt and being at Dreux and the breach being readie to giue the assault the King vnderstoode that the Duke was returning toward Seyne for to passe ouer the bridge at the Towne of Nante which then did hold for the Leaguers full of confidence and trust in that proude and mightie army which consisted of thrée and twentie thousand men of all sorts The King considered wel that the Dukes forces were but borrowed and that now out of hand hee must hazard or els his companies in a small time would disband themselues and retyre home and that with delaying with him he might dissipate his forces He knewe well also that they who doo proffer iniurie are commonly more desperat then they who doo withstand it He weighed well his small number in comparison of the great multitude and that there were forces comming to him out of Champaigne as good as these which his enemie had receaued out of the Low Countrey which he might in protracting the time receaue shortly He sawe well that the countrey was fauourable to the enemie which reasons might haue perswaded a great warriour by policie to haue weakened the enemie as Fabius did Hannibal But the King had more sufficient and substanciall reasons which did bid him to encounter the enemie as the assured confidence whereby he reposed himselfe in Gods goodnesse and protection and casted himselfe in his armes the equitie of his cause his lawful vocation agaynst mutinous traytors and parricides so that each of these reasons was stronger to him then so many hundred thousand men which made him to conclude that considering these causes God could and would dissipate his enemies notwithstanding their great forces as well with fewe as with many Being also confirmed by the experience which he had at Arques and in the Suburbs of Paris In the meane time while the King was at Dreux the Duke de Mayne hauing receaued the forces which came out of the low Countrey thought himselfe sure of a prosperous successe and promising an assured victory to his partakers passed his forces ouer the bridge of Manie and marched toward Dammartin which was but four miles off The King vppon the reasons aforesayd resolute to encounter with few that huge multitude on a sudden from before the breach raysed vp the siege from Dreux and departed the second day of March the besieged with great reioysing beholding and wondering at the cause of such a sudden departing The same day the King went backe the way that he was come and lodged in the Towne of Noueyncourt to cut the passage to the enemy of a little riuer which runneth by Assoone as he came thether hee caused warning to be giuen that on the next morning euery man should bee in a readines The night following that day the King set in order the manner of the battaile which in the morning early the third day of March he shewed to the Prince Montpensier to the Marshals Biron and Aumont to the Baron Biron Marshall of the field and to other Princes and Captains of the army who with one voice hauing considered of it according to the skill of warre they approoued and would change nothing of it That day hee gaue charge to the Baron of Biron to set euery man in his place and order and did choose that morning the Lord Vieques sargeant Maior of the battell who was one of the ancient masters of the footmen in France This thing beeing done the King willing to begin this great worke with prayer with great vehemency and confidence hee made his prayers vnto God in the hearing of all men wherein hee called God to witnes that hee knew the purpose of his hart and well vnderstood whether it were for desire of glory or for ambition or for desire of blood or longing for reuenge which made him resolute to this battaile that hee was his iudge and witnes vnreproueable that nothing mooued him thereto but the tender loue that hee did beare to his poore people whose peaceable and quiet estate hee esteemed more then the safety of his owne life he besought God so to direct his will as hee should best see to be good for the benefite of Christendome And as for himselfe he prayed God to saue and helpe him as he knew to be good and profitable to the weale and quiet of the state and not otherwise This prayer eloquent in words but more passing pure and deuout in sense did so rauish all those that were nigh that euery man after his example did the like And after that all that after noone was seene in Noneyncourt the Churches full of Princes Lords Gentlemen and Souldiers of all Nations hearing Masse communicating and playing the good Catholikes They of the reformed religion made their humble prayers and supplications to God The court of Parliament at Tours being aduertised of the things which were like to passe betweene the King and his enemies commaunded generall processions and prayers to be made the third and fourth of March for the King and for his good and prosperous successe Lyke commaundement was sent vnto the reformed Churches about to do the like in their congregations though not in the like forme so that at Tours the Catholikes did almost nothing else these two daies men women and children but pray after their maner This deuotion beeing done at the Campe the whole army did shew such countenances as though euery man had receaued a seuerall answer◠of God concerning the happie successe which each of them should obtaine The King had caused sommons to bee giuen to the Towne of Saint Andrew beeing from Noueincourt eight miles in the way going to Iury where he supposed the enemy and his army had béen lodged The Kings companies came to a great plaine nigh the towne Saint Andrew About the same plaine there are certaine villages and a litle wood called la haye de Pres that is the medowes border or hedge There the King with the Marshals Biron Aumont and the Baron of Birō marshal of the field began to set the battaile in order following the plot agreed vpon before The King hauing tryed in battels and skirmishes before that it is more aduantage to make horsemen fight in squadrons then in rings specially his that haue no launces deuided all his horsemen in seauen squadrons and all the footmen placed at the flankes of the said squadrons and euery squadron had a company of forlorne footmen The front of the battel was in a right line bending somewhat at the 2. endes The first Squadron on the
wicked desires and to deliuer them into the hands of barbarous tyrants as it fell out after more heauy and intollerable vnto them then the extremity of the famine it selfe that God might take vengeance of that sinke of accursed idolatrous rebels first by a long calamity like vnto a consuming and pining disease And to giue space vnto them there whome hee knew to bee his to goe out of that Babilon and cage of all abominations and vncleane fowles that in great wrath that blasphemous and rebellious City may be swallowed down in destruction It is said before how the King hauing missed to take Paris by Escalade gaue it ouer perceauing that God had a further and a heauier iudgement to execute vpon that City then he was determined to shew if it had come into his hands and therefore resting himselfe vppon Gods good will which will turne all things to the good and comfort of them that bee his returned to his army which had remoued from Chelles to Boundy The enemies notwithstanding the King Campe had remoued remayned still in their myre fearing still to be drawne where they were not resolued to goe The Nobility who vpon the newes and rumour of the battayle had resorted vnto the King without any prouision of necessary things and by the obstinacie of the enemies perceauing that they were not determined to come to handy blowes brged their departure The King in like manner being out of hope to come to hand with the enemie otherwise then leasure might afoord from Boundy tooke vp his lodging to goe to Gonesse The 12. day of September at Gonesse the King assembled the Princes officers of the Crowne and the expert and valiant Captaynes of the Armie which altogether made a noble and famous counsell There he discoursed how it was playne that the Prince of Parma cannot or dared not fight But that there was some hope that by coasting him still he might be hereafter had at aduantage To returne to Paris he shewed that he had not purposed and was not willing to take it by force And whereas the enemie would not warre after his maner he thought conuenient to apply himselfe vnto his And sith he would not haue the honour to fight with so many honourable personages as were assembled for that purpose it would be expedient to distresse him with other discommodities as want of victuals and surprises He shewed also that in furnishing the Townes round about Paris with strong garrisons and victuals the Citie would remayne still distressed as well as with an armie Also that a meane power was sufficient to coast the enemie and to bée at his heeles whatsoeuer he would attempt and that the rest of the forces might returne to the Prouinces whence they came which would be a great reliefe for them and by relieuing themselues might haue opportunitie still to get somewhat Lastly by these meanes in bridling the enemie from doing any exployt when forces of straungers should chaunce to enter into the Realme they might easily assemble together agayne thus refreshed be twise as strong as they are now These things being propounded by the King he required their good aduise and faithful counsell which things being debated by that noble counsell at length were approoued by the consent of all and followed And first the King did begin with the Towne of S. Denis which after great suit of diuers noble men it fell to the lot of the Lord Lauerdine who thankfully accepted it The King also prouided garrisons to fortifie the Townes of Melune Corbeil Sanlis Meulan Mante and sundrie others which did hold Paris distressed on euery side The King sent the Prince Countie into Toureyne Anjou and Mayne He sent the Prince Montpensier into Normandie The Duke of Longueuille into Picardie The Duke of Neuers into Champaigne The Marshall Aumont into Bourgondie Euery one hauing sufficient forces to keepe their Prouinces in peace The King himselfe with a companie of eight thousand and the Marshall Byron crossing the countrey lying betweene Marne and Oyse determined neither to goe farre from the enemie neither to spend his time in idlenes and therefore went to lay the siege before the town of Clâ—rmont in Beauuoysin where he stayed about ten dayes which he tooke partly by assault and partly by composition The Duke of Parma durst neuer come foorth out of the myre where hée had wallowed himselfe abouâ— 14. dayes vntill he heard the King was very nigh twentie leagues from him At length hearing the King to bee farre enough and that he had passed the riner Oyse towsing bunselfe out of the dyrt tooke his way to Paris in hast as one that is carried with a fearefull imagination At that time as many noble men who had repayred to the King vpon the rumour of a battaile which should haue been fought out betweene the King the Duke of Parma were returning to their home among others the Lord Guiche Ragny and Ciper returning into Normandy met with the Vicount Tauanes with fiue hundred horses néere to Meulay whome they charged and left aboue fiftie on the place and tooke as many prisoners with their baggage The King being at the siege of Clermont the Duke of Parma was receaued in Paris with great ioy and triumph For they supposed to haue receaued some of the petie Idols of the Heathens called Dij tutelares To be short he was welcome but his victuals which he brought with him yet better Hauing soiourned there fewe dayes the pride and vilanie of the Spanyards was so rife that no man was any longer master of his house wife children and goods all was exposed to the appetite and lust of fewe Gotes and Sarrazins confusedly heaped in Spayne as into the sinke of all Europe The triall of fewe dayes gaue the Parisiens a proofe of their folly who had reiected a lawfull King and had admitted most sauage monsters to oppresse them with barbarous tyrannie In these extremities they being not able to rid their hands of them if by any meanes they might be shifted off requested the sayd Duke of Parma that hee would open the riuer for the traffique without the which thing that mightie Citie could not be prouided of necessaries wishing that their neighbours might bee combred with them rather then they themselues The Duke of Parma to please the people made them beleeue that out of hand he would goe to take the Townes situated on the vpper part of the riuer then hee would goe to rescue Clermont then will hee take all the Townes betweene Paris and Roan At length with much adoo he vndertooke to assault Corbeil as next neighbour This is a small town seauen leagues from Paris vpon the selfesame riuer that Paris is famous onely in Paris by reason of the great aboundance of Peaches which growe in their vineyards which they sent to the markets of Paris otherwise it is nothing neither in greatnes nor in strength by nature nor by art This great Tamberlaine made such a preparation
committed treason but also solicited others to the like offence The sayd Citty had admitted the Duke of Sauoy for their Soueraigne who had put in garrisons to keep them in subiection and about the beginning of this yeare began also to build a citadel in the Citie whereuppon the people fell to a mutiny refused to receaue any more garrisons in his be hoofe The Citie of Marseilles is an ancient Colonie of the Greckes named Phocoei who forsook their countrey when Cyrus king of the Persians did war and subdue Asia the lesser that citie had been commended in the time of the Romans by reason of learning and good discipline which florished there It is a Citie gouerned by their owne Magistrates as Rochel is vnder the protection and obedience of the kings of France and hath continued very long in their sidelity vntill now a dayes degenerating greatly from their ancient vertue they haue shewed great inconstancie in their duty of sidelity vppon these occasions The king of Spayn hath beene greatly iealous of that Citie and hath vsed all the meanes possible to reduce that Towne vnder his obedience since that he dreamed of some possibility to inuade FraÌ„ce supposing that it would haue been a fit Port as a gate for him to passe and repasse to goe in and out of France vppon all occasions at pleasure To bee short to make it an Arsenall to subdue all those Southernly Prouinces lying vppoÌ„ the Mediterran Seas Therefore at the beginning of the League this citie was one of the pledges that should haue béen deliuered him by the Leaguers which practises haue been put to execution twise all ready but through the watchfull dilligence of some faithfull Citizens haue beene disappoynted of their purpose The King of Spayn notwithstanding the great charges which hee sustayned by giuing great pâ—nsions vnto some Captayns and Inhabitants there to fauour his proceedings seeing himselfe still disappoynted yet would he not geue ouer but began to worke another way to wit to continue or rather increase his beneuolence towards the inhabitants perswading theÌ„ in the mean time to associat themselues to the League and to accept the Duke of Sauoy their neighbour for their Protector supposing by these meanes in time the faction of the League preuailing there to make himselfe master of that place The Citizens corrupted with Spanish money and otherwise greatly addicted to Popish vanity and superstition to continue this Spanish liberality among them and to please thus farre the king of Spayne at his request accepted the Duke of Sauoy for Protector of their City and in signe that they were Leaguers aduanced the Standerd of the holie League and set it vppon their walles which is an Idoll which they called the Crucifix in that state they continued nigh a yeare But now vnderstanding the cogging and double dealing of the sayd D. at Aix in intending and attempting there to build a Citadell and how both the nobillity of the Countrey had forsaken him and the people resisted his attempts pulled downe the Standerd of the League and erected the armes of France publishing that they would hold for the King of France Wee haue left the King with his Princes at Chartres there to take possession of that great riche and florishing Citie and haue walked through part of Piemont Daulphine and Prouance Now let vs returne to Chartres there to know what the King doth and shew also the prosperous successe which haue followed the taking of this Cittie of Chartres The Citie of Chartres beeing in the Kings power the Parisiens conceaued a great amazement and terror knowing very well that this exploit would be a scourge vnto them For as in the ancient time Alexandria and Sicilia were the Nurces of Rome so the countrey of Beausse and this Citie of Chartres were the chiefest prouiders for the Cittie of Paris Now therefore the carriage of any kind of victuals and prouisions beeing stopped both aboue and beneath the riuer from the North side and the South and finding themselues destitute of victuals money and all other warlike prouisions for their strength and succour they fall to their olde custome that is to demaund bread of their Idols therefore the Bishop of Placentia their Fryer Gregory the thirteenth his Legat after the returne home of Fryer Henrico Caietano Sponte insanientes instigat set them on to running and gadding about the streetes to carry their Idols with or a pro nobis there is mourning weeping and beâ—ayling there is stridor dentium horror â—empiternus and regnum tenebrarum Yet the Fryers and Iâ—suits do comfort them with seditious sermons and bitter wordes as well as they can but venter non habet aures During the Kings soiourne at the siege of Chartres the Duke de Maine with such power as he could make went and layd the siege before Chasteauthierij situated vpon the riuer Marne The gouernour which was within sâ—nt word to the King that he would hold it against the enemie a whole moneth The King hauing taken order of the safe kéeping of the Citie about the twelfth day of Aprill remoued his armie from Chartres to Aulneaw and Macheuile which townes were reduced to his obedience About the fiftéenth day the armie remoued to Dourdan which towne immediately his armie entred by force where was found great store of victualls gathered with intent to be conueighed to Paris The sixtéenth day the castell a very strong place was assaulted and taken So by this expedition Paris is disappoynted of victuals and prouision and distressed neerer and neerer The same day the King separated himselfe from his armie and leauing the same to the leading of the Marshall Biron with a great troup of horsemen took his iourney toward Chasteauthierij purposing to rayse the siege and to see his face whome he had not seene many yeares before and to craue more acquaintance The Duke de Mayne ashamed and afeard to shew his face for the guiltines of rebellion and parricide procured had no great liking of that acquaintance neither durst be so bold to stay there and contrarie vnto the promise of the captaine of the place and the Kings expectation the Castel being râ—ndred to the sayd de Maine he fled as fast as his horse could cary him to the Citie of Reames The King hearing not onely of the hastie retire of the Duke de Maine from Chasteauthierij but also that he had deuided his armie into sundry parts and that they should continue in that sort for a certaine time determined to stay at Sanlis there to view the countenance of the enemie and in the meane while to take the townes of Dowserie and Claye where the enemies kept garrison which thing was speedelie done In this pursuite the king also tooke the towne of Tremblay by Mountfort which is nowe a great hinderance fo the enemie by reason of the passage The one and twentith day of Aprill while the King pursued the enemies the Duke Espernon and the Lords d'Ho and Vicres
speedely put them to flight and followed them to their Barricadoes where master Kemp a Gentleman of that Cornet was slayne Anthony Sherleys horse was shot in the head and Charles Blunt his horse was killed vnder him with the Canon and he himselfe somewhat wounded The thirteenth day the enemie offered some light skirmishes but seeing that he could get nothing by it he refused to bitte The fourteene day the Prince expected the battell as vndertaken by don Iuan de Lagula generall of the Spaniards in the worship of Saynt Iohn whose day it was with them But fearing that bonfires would bee made to their cost and charges they gaue quite ouer the game prepared the same night to dislodge and the next day following repassed the hill for hauing spent al their victuals they must go forth to rob for more The Prince stayed sixe dayes vpon the Heath and in the meane while the enemie durst neuer presume to draw his armie into the Heath The sixteenth day the Lord la Now with the troupe of the Countie Mongomery and the Countie Chombourg came vnto Chasteau Laudran whose arriuall giueth hope of good successe in the Kings affayres They y t haue written the history of wilde beasts which doth recite that there is a wild beast in Asia named Pardalis it yeeldeth such a sauour that the Woolfe hath a great delight to follow a farre off but if it chance that this Pardalis dooth looke back immediatly the Woolfe retyreth and flyeth away So the Noble Princes of Bourbon doo yeeld sweete sauour of pietie vertue and valiantnes Merceur followeth them a farre off but if they turne their face hee runeth away as it hath appeared in the things which heretofore he hath attempted in Poytow There is a towne in Picardy situated vpon the riuer Oyse called Noyon commended if there were none other cause for being the place of the natiuitie vnto that man of God Iohn Caluin of blessed memory whose name is written in the booke of life and shall yeeld a sweete sauour to the true Church of God to the worldes ende whatsoeuer Sathan doth rage against the name of this seruant of God This towne was seduced long before from the Kings obedience by the Leaguers and through rebellion was possessed by the Kings enemies The King therefore after the taking of Louiers thought expedient to remooue his armie from Vernon and to draw Eastward that doing still some profitable exployt he might expect and receaue the forces that came to him out of Germany and considering that the sayd towne of Noyon did lye betweene S. Quintin Compeigne and Corbey which were long before vnder his obedience thought good there to stay for the approaching of the Germanes and during the moneth of Iuly hauing reduced the sayd towne to great distresse made his account shortly to be Lord of it The Vicount Tauanes head of the rebellion in the Citie of Roan and most hatefullest enemie of any that the King had enterprised to relieue the sayd towne of Noyon and for that intent in the beginning of August in the night season departed from Roan accompanied with foure hundred horse and fiue hundred footmen with good hope either to succour the said towne or els by surprise greatly to hinder the King But the King hauing intelligences of his comming met him about two or thrée leagues from Noyon as I haue heard reported where his power was discomfited slayne and taken prisoners and he himselfe after being wounded in the assault was also taken prisoner So the Lord knoweth bow where and when to stay his enemies The newes of this sorrowfull successe of the Leaguers flying abroad caused the Duke Aumale to assemble as great forces as he could make in the towne of Han which is situated vpon the riuer Some betweene Saint Quintin and Peronne vndertaking either to amend the fault committed by Tauanes or els to release the towne of Noyon accompanied with the Lord Largue and Lawney with all their forces ioyned all with the light horsemen the seauenth of August charged vpon the quarter of the Kings light horse where they were stoutly receaued and after more then twelue charges giuen the Kings companies yet very like to haue the victorie of their enemies began to retyre at which retyre that valiant man at armes the Lord Baron of Byron hauing twelue of his owne men did approach and the Kings forces supposing he had brought a supply of fresh Souldiers so soone as they heard him named tooke a wonderfull courage and seeing him in the middest of them gaue a fresh charge vpon the enemie with such force that they did driue the enemie euen into the gates of Han. To whom there was also comming a new succour and fresh supply of men who perceauing the euill successe of the rest retyred in agayne so that some of the Kings forces followed them euen into their Barriars In these so many charges geuen there were a number of armed men slayne on the enemies side and among them diuers of commandement In the number of the dead were found Don Francisco de Gueuara the best Captayne of light Horsemen which the King of Spayne had in the low Countreys also his lieutenant was slayne outright with diuers other of great accompt The Lord Longchamp one of the best Captains of the rebels was taken prisoner with more then foure score men at armes of account and lost aboue fifteene hundred of their best horses The King lost in this skirmish about twelue horse of his light horsemen and among a few which were slayne the Marshall of the light horsemen whose death was greatly bewayled beeing accompted a man of great valour The same day the Duke de Mayne arriued at the said towne of Han with all his troups of horsemen which he could gather which thing made the King thinke that he would goe about either to raise or to interrupt the siege or attempt some thing In the meane time he lost no opportunity about this siege for the same day that this exploit was done to wit the seauenth of August the Canon began to beat a church that standeth in the middest of the Suburbes which together with a great ditch did strongly defend the same The sayd Church beeing battered from the morning to three a clock in the after noone had by that time made a great breach in the same And a fierce assault being geuen there were slayne of the enemies about thirty and about fifty of the Souldiers retired into the vaultes of the said church The sayd Church beeing taken and consequently the Suburb in a maner as strong as the towne gaue occasion both to them that had retired into the vaultes to yeeld to the Kings mercy who sent them away safe with bagge and bagage and also to the Gouernor of the towne to mooue speaches of composition For the Gouernor called the Lord Vile considering how the Towne was slenderly furnished of all thinges but specially of men of armes and that the most
e first declaration of y e Leaguers which he sent to the King beseeching him to reade the said answer and also to shew him y e fauour as to commaund the same to bee read openly in the Parliament Wherein first hée protesteth that hee holdeth the true Christian Catholike and Apostolike religion contayned in the sacred word of God both of the olde and newe Testaments and also doth embrace the symbols or abridgements of the Christian doctrine And that he is ready to bestowe life and goods in the defence of the same Abhorreth holdeth accursed any kind of doctrine diuers or contrary to the same words Secondly he sheweth that he was bred borne and brought vp in the same religion which they call heresie and that he neuer learned nor knew any other and that he beléeueth in his heart to righteousnesse and confesseth with his mouth to saluation that the same doctrine which he doth professe is the infallible trueth of God yet he refuseth not to be taught better if better they can teach him out of Gods word in a generall or nationall Councell duely assembled Thirdly in that which he doth in repurging and sweeping away the errors and abuses brought in by long continuance of time therein he followeth the examples of many Kings and Princes of many godly learned men who for these fiue hundred yeares haue desired and attempted the same Fourthly whereas his enemies doo charge him to be a persecutor of the Catholike religion he will bee iudged by all men voyde of passion who hath greater cause to complayne in that behalfe he or his enemies Last of all after a long consideration of the miseries which fall vpon the heads of men of all degrees and the oppression of the poore people which infallibly will followe these attempts of the Leaguers he doth wish seeing the enemies haue made him partie the quarrell which they haue to him might bee ended with a Combat And debasing himselfe from that high degree of a King in the which God hath placed him for an abridgement of all miseries the sparing of Christian bloud for the ease and quietnes of the poore people doth proffer to his enemies to trie the matter by a Combat betwéene him and the Duke of Guize or two to two ten to ten or more to more in like proportion It is reported how the Duke of Guize after the fight of this challenge being vrged to accept it excused his cowardize by the example of his father which in like case excused himselfe vpon the inequalitie of the persons To wit that it was not lawfull for him to accept that challenge at the hands of one of the Princes as being after the royall house in degree aboue all the rest of the Nobilitie But rather and more truely may it bee sayde that he who being not a Prince did reckon and write his name among the Princes or rather preferred himselfe before the Princes of the royall bloud did refuse this proffer not of any dutifull affection as he pretended whereof hee had broken before the bonds of lawe but rather vpon base cowardize for lacke of fortitude and courage as euer caring not what he spent of other mens bloud so that he might spare his owne These things passing to and fro many exploytes of hostilitie were done and executed on euery side rather to the losse than the aduauntage of the Leaguers being crossed euery way by the true subiects of the King Wherevpon considering that the worlde frowned vpon them so that if they had not the King on their side to salue the sore they were like to haue a great fall therefore they must followe some other course Hetherto the Guizes haue couered themselues vnder the Cardinals hat hauing deriued all the hatred so farre as they might vpon that old man whom they greatly abused Now when the Cardinals hat would not serue the turne they doo put in practise the other part of their dilemma as the Cardinall or the King must couer vs or els we fall but the Cardinall cannot ergo the King must And that the King may doo it we must set Achitophel to work therfore let him come vpon the stageto play his part The Kings Counsellers were eyther seruants to the Guizes or els alied or otherwise deuoted vnto him except the Dukes Espernon and Ioyeuse whereof the last afterward was woon to the Leaguers side Espernon remayned alwayes more faithfull to the King than the King to himselfe For the which cause by the meanes of a Curtizan in Paris named Sainte Beufue they hyred Villeroy one of the Kings Secretaries to haue murthered him so to haue béen eased of that heauy burthen These Counsellers must play Achitophels part they must helpe vp with the packe by the meanes which followe They in the middest of these broyles did of purpose attenuate the growing and forces of the League as a thing weake of it selfe rather to bee despised than regarded as not able to continue long but that it would decay of it selfe and that some certayne inconsiderate zeale of the Catholike Religion had made them somewhat passionate and for to make him more secure on y t side they deriued his thoughts from the Leaguers with a but. But if he would once shewe a token of displeasure towards them of the reformed religion or would onely fayne to intend warre against them the Leaguers of themselues would fall downe vpon their knees before him therefore it were better to let them alone for as much as they would bee ready to be with him whensoeuer he would employ them Also that it were better for him to warre against them of the reformed religion in Poytow Guien Gascoyne Languedocke and Daulphine than against them of his owne religion For although the Protestants were dutifull and obedient enough yet were it better to haue them for enemies being the weaker side than the Leaguers and Catholikes which were the stronger part of his Realme Beside that if he should deuide the Catholikes with an vnseazonable â—issention they all would become a scorne and the pray of hereticks their common enemies The King carried away by this counsell and otherwise inclining to attempt against them of the reformed religion ordayneâ— the Lord Ioyeuse his Generall for Languedock Espernon for Prouance and he in his owne person would assault Poytow Therfore the 18. day of Iune partly for hatred which he bare to y e reformed religion partly already inclining to the League partly not knowing what he did for y e great dangers that he saw himself compassed in by the perswasions of such Counsellers as had blindfolded him according to the saying Si non sua sponte insanit instiga For being in the Citie of Paris he taketh order how to victuall his Armie in Poytow for the which thing he appoynted certayne Townes in Poytow Xainctonge to wit Chatelerault S. Merxent Niort Fonteney Towars Engolesme Xainctes and Coignack there to haue alwaies in store a certayne quantitie of
way nigh the place of execution saue them which were assaulting y t Suburbs on horsebacke their helmets on they consulted whether they should set on the Trenches yea or us Some perswaded to giue the attempt saying that it would be a shame to haue come so farre and so nigh execution without blowes giuing and that they could doo no lesse then to see the enemie in the face and seeing that they woulde not come foorth they should goe to finde them out they said further that they of the Castell could not see their succour if they presented not themselues at the Trenches Others reasoned to the contrarie and among others the Lord Rohan withstoode strongly that aduise aleaging many euident reasons And first that it was too plaine that they of the Castel had yeelded to the enemie hauing not giuen one token to th◠contrarie that it was no reason to say that they had no knowledge of their comming considering so many signes giuen them for the space well neere of two daies Secondly that it were a rashenes to hazard so great and braue forces and such a notable companie of Nobilitie to so imminent danger vpon vncertainties and that they were to be reserued to a better opportunitie For the enemie was as strong within as they were without and that it was as easie to take the citie as the Trenches so well fortified and that there was no hope of any to shew them any fauour much lesse out of the castel which was already surrendered or else dissembled with them to intrap them and to cast them away headlong Thirdly they ought to consider that they were in a strange land in the enemies countrey inclosed betweene two daungerous riuers which they must repasse in a countrey couered with woods enemie to the horsemen whereof consisted all their forces Finally that there was no doubt but that the King on the one side and the League on the other were not idle but did their endeuour to gather their forces on euery side to seaze vpon the passages and fortifie the banck of Loyre to stop their repassing That the forces of Anger 's were on their backes which were equall in strength to them and all the countrey was fauourable to the enemie Therefore they concluded to retyre and that delay might bring them great hurt and that the Lord Laual who was at Beaufort to make the rereward should goe backe to repasse the Loyre The greatest part followed this aduise It gréeued greatly the Prince to retyre and as hee sayd to the Lord Clermont to vnbit But ouercome with reason he concluded that the Lord Trimouille Auantigny and Boulay should retyre the Harquebusiers from the suburbs so that about two of the clocke in the afternoone they marched toward Beaufort In retyring they first met with y e Lord Laual with two hundred gentlemen galloping toward Anger 's who being aduertized of the retyre went neuerthelesse forward to the Prince In the retyring there was confusion at Beaufort for it was two houres within night afore they arriued there many had but a short supper The same day the companie of Captayne Fresche whom we haue sayd to haue béen killed at the assault giuen in the suburbe of Pressigny the day before guided by his Lieftenant was sent to get boates for the repassing of Lotion The 22. day the Prince with all the troupes soiourned at Beaufort to take aduise how to repasse Loyre There the Lord Plessis gete was appoynted to search out boates and men to conduct them to auoyde the disorder which they had the first passing and to that intent money was deliuered him The same day the Lord Campoyse was sent with his company of light horsemen to seaze vpon certayne houses vpon the banck of Loyre right agaynst the Abbey of S. Maure The same day whilest the Prince with the Nobles soiourned at Beaufort came to the Lord Clermont the foure men which he had sent to Rochemort who were entered into the Castle of Anger 's and there remayned vntill the day of the rendring thereof conducted by the Lord Suze There they shewed to the armie what was passed in the Castle of Anger 's one of them shewed a Crosse which he had for his part made of pure gold hauing two and thirtie great Diamonds and a great Saphir which made the head of the Crucifixe the ladder and all other things accustomed to be paynted in the passion as they call it was all of Diamonds no lesse artificially than costly wrought he was proffered for the same fifteene hundred Crownes The 24. of October whilest the Prince with many Noble men soiourned at Beaufort to pacifie a quarrell risen among certayne Gentlemen the Lord Laual in the afternoone passed ouer Loyre his mē of armes and light horses to defend S. Maure and to fauour the passage of the rest This day soiourning at Beaufort was the cause of the disorder which followed after and many marueiling at so long abode there foresaw what would ensue knowing that Ioyeuse had set certayne boates in a readines with small peeces at Saumur to let them downe the riuer to stop the passage If they had passed that day and night all things had gone well and safe but God had otherwise determined The same day the Lords Ioyeuse and Chastre went vp the riuer Loyre on the South side of the sayd riuer from Anger 's to Saumur with 150. horses The Lord Laual being passed ouer and vnderstanding that the sayd Lords had passed on that coast toward Saumur early in the morning made a roade toward Saumur and tooke the Mules and rich carriage of Ioyeuse The Lords Trimouille and Boyseuly passed the Lotion encamped themselues in a Common vpon the bancke of Loyre whilest the Prince and the rest passed Lotion There was at that passage of Lotion aboue fiue hundred horses and two boates onely for that cause the confusion was so great that one being ouerladen sunke though without any losse of men because it was nigh the bancke The same day about nine of the clocke in the morning was heard on a sudden a peale of Ordinance with some small shot which put the Armie in great rumour Some sayd that it was at Anger 's in token of ioye for the rendring of the Castle But within a while after were seene two great boates furnished with Ordinance and men of warre who cast anker a little beneath the Abbey of S. Maure in the place where the passage ouer was appoynted to be and immediatly began to shoote on both sides of the riuer both agaynst them who had passed and agaynst them that were about to passe The newes of the sayd boates were brought to the Prince incontinently with amplification of the impossibilitie to repasse and it was indeede so for lacke of two field péeces to haue shot from the banke agaynst the boates which by these meanes could haue béen easily sunke but they had carried none although they had once determined so to doo
not to come within the reach of the King of Nauarre for feare of the Bastonado or Strapado or some such like thing being in good hope in the meane time that in walking and taking his pleasures in Guyenne at the Priestes costs he might make his part strong with seducing the forenamed Cities and other from the Kings obedience to his deuotion but he was as far deceaued in that as in escaping the Bastonado But now to returne to our purpose the Duke Ioyeuse was at the back of the Prince of Conde the Duke De Mayne passing through Orleans ouer the riuer of Loyre was at his right hand and as farre as Bloyse stopped all the passages least the saide Prince might passe ouer The King had sent Biron with forces into Beause which marched right against his face least hee should escape that way on the left hand the way to the sea through Britaine and Normandie was long difficulte and dangerous by reason of many townes and Garisons therein placed The Prince being thus compassed about with al these forces of enemies was in lesse daunger because that they knew not what and how things passed in his armie and supposing the same to be farre closer and stronger then it was in deede did greatlie feare to aboard it whereby he and all his Captaines had opportunitie to beguile them and to steale away from them Now to knowe well the rest of this voyage vntill the dissolution of the armie it is necessarie to know the situation of the country There is on the north side of Lorion a riuer called Loire washing the townes of Chasteau dune Vendosme Chasteaudeloy Lude Flesche and Luche which méeting with the riuer Sartre at Anger 's falleth into Loyre beneath Pont de sel The Prince at his departing from Beaufort folowed this riuer almost as far as Chasteau dune The 26. of October the Princes armie dislodged from Beaufort intending to lodge at the towne of Luche in Anjou belonging to the Lord Clermong there purposing to passe ouer y e sayd Loyre vpon the bridge into the countrey which lyeth betweene the sayd riuer Loyre and Sartre called Vaudeloyre but the riuer was so ouerflowen as though the foure Elements had set themselues agaynst that army that it did couer halfe of the sayd bridge and the Lord Clermont which is Lord of the place sounding the foord himselfe thought it were not passable whereupon they determined that day to goe to Lude There happened vnto them other things which increased greatly the amaze For newes came that the Duke Ioyeuse with greater forces than theirs pursued with great hast after them and that not long after the departing of the Prince he had seazed vpon Beaufort On the other side the countrey which before trembled for feare of them began to rise vpon them for they of the Flesche the selfesame day issued out and intercepted some souldiers and carriage That day according to the determination they lodged at Lude The 27. of October they would haue passed ouer Loyre vpon the bridge of Lude but it was so highly ouerflowen that although it was easie to passe the bridge yet at the further side of the said bridge there was another great riuer which they must néedes passe ouer by a foord for there was but a little boate which would scarse carrie three men without daunger The horsemen passed and set themselues in battell aray vntill all had passed there a great many gaue ouer their carriage they which had friends in the countrey gaue them their stuffe That day from Lude they sent the Lords Boysduly and Aubiguy towards Boysgency Mere and S. Die to finde some passage and that the morrowe after they should all méete at Orges or the Chappell S. Martine Whilest they stayed in that playne in battell aray for the safe passage of all the companies there happened a thing which would haue wrapped a superstitious soule into sundrie and fearefull thoughts for not farre thence beyond them was a Hare started by the enemies betwéene the Loyre and Lotion with a great crye after which gaue them the alarum and all prepared themselues to receaue the enemie couragiously but at length the Hare was seene with more than two hundred horses with fewe dogges That poore Hare passed and repassed among the horses feete with many stripes and yet was not taken but saued her self though she was pursued more than halfe a mile Some tooke this for an euill and some a good presage saying that if God had care to preserue that poore feeble and fearefull beast much more would hee haue care of that little flocke amazed which howsoeuer it was hollowed and pursued by all the forces of France notwithstanding would escape safe and sound in receiuing but feare without great hurt which thing also happened From Lude they at length arriued at Prillay two houres in the night this is a great towne belonging to the Prince County the Prince of Conde his yonger brother At their comming thither there was such a confusion and presse in the streates that they could neither goe forward nor backward for the space of an houre not the Prince himself vntil that the doores of some houses broaken gaue some roome The 29. day they marched through Vandeloyre and at night came to S. Arnol and the villages about not farre from Lauerdine but the sayd S. Arnol was a poore little village where was small store of lodgings so that the further they went the néerer they approached to their miseries There also newes came that the enemies followed after them as couragiously and with such hast as they went about to goe from them with great iourneys The Lords Espernon and Byron and most of the Nobilitie of the Court were at Bonaual in Beause to méete with this terrified armie The Duke de Mayn on the other side with a great armie was on the other side of the riuer of Loyre neere Bloys to cut them off by the way if by chaunce they should repasse The Townes betwéene Bloys and Orleans were all be set with strong garrisons The Lord Chastre had sent into Soloigne to kéepe the riuer of Loyre and to retire the boates and milles into the townes The Commons were set to watch readie to rise vpon them at the first sound of the Toxine The companies of the Prince were as wearie as their enemies were lustie and as men may bee wearie with courses and watches so horses much more with galloping night and day without resting The meanes to passe betweene Bloys and Amboyse fayled them all these things being knowne of all made them to haue little hope of their affayres Yet there is no doubt that if the enemie had appeared the necessitie had much increased their courage But it seemed that by a singular prouidence of God the enemies stood in such feare of these companies that he would haue them defeated through wearines that it might appeare to be Gods owne hand and his proper work to scatter them
and that his enemies should not haue the praise nor triumph ouer them For afterward it was confessed by the enemies which were in the armie of Ioyeuse and the League that this handfull of men wearied scattered amazed and alreadie ouercome was to all those troopes who would haue swallowed them vp such a terrour that if they had offered to set vpon them they might happely haue found them easie to bee dealt withall For the enemies were perswaded that the Prince would neuer haue enterprized such a iourney vnlesse he had béen able to beate downe all that had come before him All that night in the which they lodged at S. Arnol there was great reasoning among them of the Counsell what was expedient to bee done The Lord Rohan with many Gentlemen of his company sayd that the further they should goe that way the déeper they should sinke in daunger that the best part of their forces had passed ouer Loyre with the Lord Laual and that the armie did slide away daily they that had friends in Vandomoys Beause Mayne Perche did steale away the enemie being fresh and strong did approach on them on euery side and that the further they went vpward the néerer they did drawe to their misfortune Let him carrie his head to Paris who would said he for I will carrie mine into Britaine and fight with him that will let me So vppon these spéeches seeing not the contrary reasons of any force tooke his leaue from the Prince his iorney toward Britaine whether he came through many difficulties and dangers and in time notwithstanding the endeuour of the Duke Mercure with safetie he passed the riuer of Loyre beneath Nants and repayred to Rochel with great ioy and contentation of all men for his safe returne This separation was as a second thunderboult from heauen vpon this armie which is no more to bee called an armie but a small companie for there was no more but the companies of the Prince and of the Lord Trimouille whereof some had forsaken him There were also left some companies of the Harquebusiers on horseback of the Lord Clermont of whom many had alreadie retired to their houses then they began to looke euery one vppon his fellowe shrugging with their shoulders euery one did beleeue that if there were any safetie it must miraculously come from heauen and many which before in matters of prayer and conscience had giuen themselues to great licentiousnes began to enter into consideration and to reforme themselues The Prince remayning so with these few companyes had a number of carryage wherewith he was so hampered that he could not rid himselfe of it He sent the Lord Saint Gelays with some gentlemen of Poytow to the number of 30. horses to ryde toward Vendosme and some where to take loginges commodious for the companies which followed But in the way they heard newes that the Lord Lauerdine with some number of men had entred into Vendosme to cut that way from the Prince and that the night before some Souldiers of the company of the Lord Clermont tooke prisonners some of the company of the Lord Benhare gouernor of Vendosme who brought some store of armor to theyr master The 30. of October the rest of the companies arryued at Saint Anne nigh Vendosme where they thought to haue departed logings but for the pouerty of the place they stayed not there In this wandering through the countrey of Beause some of the company of Captayne Bonet tooke the Lord Rosins who comming from Paris with a Pasport from the King which he shewed them not supposing they had béen of the religion was going to the King of Nauarre This Lord had foure notable great horses The Dragons for so were called the Harquebuziers on horsebacke weary of their tyred horses chaunged with the great horses of the fayd Lord Rosins and with great ioy carryed him away with them But he being knowen by the Lord Saint Gelays hee caused them to restore him his horses and to take their tyred horses agayne The sayd Lord Rosins was conducted to the Prince and shewed him the rage wherewith his enemies prepared themselues to compasse him about and besides hee told him many thinges sufficient to make him take some resolution But it was nothing to the aduertisements sent him from diuers places as that he was inclosed on euery side and that shortly he should haue the enemy to come vpon him with forces farre vnequall to his and that it was high time to handle his affayres wisely without delaying till tomorrow On the other side he was aduertyzed that the meanes to repasse Loyre toward Bloys were cut off by reason that the enemies nigh at hand had preuented it The Prince arryuing at the towne of Salowme a league beyond Saynt Anne gathered his counsell and all reasons wayghed on euery side he was earnestly requested by all them that were present to prouide for the safety of his person the which being conducted in a safe place the rest by Gods helpe would in time find out some way of deliuerance The reasons whereby hee was perswaded to take some resolution were these First that his retire would be more honorable to him and more shameful to the enemy then to hazard as if it were through dispayre vpon a battell whereof the issue could not bee but very perilous both to his person to the whole estate of the reformed religion Secondly that in such extremity and disfauour there was gotten honor ynough by a singular grace of God to haue auoyded the rage of so great forces of his enemies who did hold him as if hee were enclosed and compassed round about and to snatch from them the glory which they had promised to themselues already of his death before that euer they durst looke him in the face and that the valoure of noble courage was shewed as well in auoyding an euident danger as in the exploits of battell Thirdly that the passages were not so closed vp but that there was meanes to escape to some safe place It was hard to make him condiscend to these reasons yet at length conuicted by the way of intreaty and necessity hee concluded to retire But afore he would depart that night with his constancye accustomed hee tooke order for the parting of his companies euen of his owne household The Lord Saynt Gelayes with some of the companies and part of his Gards should goe toward Loyre to ioyne with the Lords Aubiguy and Brisduly who were gone to search passage towardes Loyre and such of his houshould seruantes as would not or could not follow the Lord Saynt Gelays he directed them to retyre to some friendes of his in the countrey Furthermore that the Lord Clermont should retyre some where with his companies This being done about 11. of the clocke at night he departed with a smal company with the Lords Trimouille and Auantigny and other gentlemen with few of his chiefest houshold seruants The waies which he tooke
the courses which he ranne the dangers which hee passed through to get to the Ilandes of Gernsey lying in the narrow Seas betweene England France what courtesies and Princelike intertaynment he receaued of that great Elizabeth Queene of England how with a great number of Nobility and ships of war he returned to Rochel also with great reioycing of all men he was receaued by them of Rochell is the argument of an other booke which the tyme shall produce But here be three thinges worthy to be noted First how God doth lay heauy crosses vpon his children and do compasse them with ineuitable dangers after mans wisedom both to make them see with the eye how weakly man is stayed which trusteth in the arme of flesh and worldly power Secondly to make them vnderstand how nigh he is vnto them that repose themselues in him and how safe that man is who resteth vnder the shadow of his wings by an assured trust and confidence in his promises Thirdly to shew how many wayes hee hath to deliuer his children out of those dangers which in mans reason cannot bee auoyded as this was to that end to make them tast how sweete his deliuerances bee to warne them thereby to amend their liues and to walke more circumspectly in his wayes and to bee more watchfull in the inuocation of his name and thanksgiuing Of all ancient histories this hath a similitude and liknes of the returning of the Greeks from Persia brought into their countrey by that noble Philosopher and Captayne Xenophon reported by himselfe in expedition Ciri minoris But to returne to the matter By this tyme are the Lords Laual Boulay Rohan the Prince of Conde the Lords Trimouille and Auantigny by Gods special fauour deliuered and brought as if it were by the hand into certayne places of safety Now there remayned the Lordes Saint Gelayse Clermont and others with them left in the clawes of the Lyon and a pray to the enemy to trye the selfe same presence of God and to be led by y e hands of his Angel out of all danger into a hauen of safety The head being gone the rest within a while vanished away as dust blowen in the ayre that which is marueilous without the losse of any one man of account or any other that euer could be knowen euery one had his life for spoyle which hath made ridiculous the lying pamphlets spread bâ—oad in Paris of the terrible dreadful ouerthrow of the Prince of Conde But this short discourse doth represent all thinges passed in that army For the discipation of that armye is not to be attributed neyther to the King neither to the Duke Ioyeuse much lesse to the Duke de Mayne or to any ather of that side For none of them al approched nigh to the Prince of Conde since his departure from Lude not by fiue or sixe leages neyther did they euer draw Swoord agaynst him Wheras that night resolution was taken that y e day folowing the Lord Saint Gelays should take his iourney toward Meare a towne vpon the riuer of Loyre betweene Boysgencie and Bloys in so dooing he disappoynted greatly the enemies and gaue great aduauntage to the Prince to auoyde their hands for the scape of the enemies was his person more then all the rest for they cared not for any thing else so that they might haue him dead or a liue so eagerly were they bent against him But the companies being deuided some tooke their iourney toward Orleans others toward Normandie some toward the Mayne by which meanes the enemies knew not which of them the Prince was in and so the chiefest power of the enemie was in doubt still which way to take to folow after him and in the meane while he and his little companie did slide into Briâ—ayn and from thence ouer the sea into England The Lorde S. Gelays to saue the remnant of the armie exposed himselfe as a pray to the enemie that could catch him notwithstanding without the losse of any one man but he escaped with his companie which was with him with incredible labours and losse of theâ—â— carriage and stuffe That night therefore about twelue a clock one houre after the departing of the Prince with the gardes of the said Prince who were about threeshore Harquebusiers he tooke his way to Vilelnisant where the rest of the companies were lodged to take their iourney to the Chapell Saint Martin and from thence dislodging together came to the saide Chapel one houre afore day There were about 500. horses of all sorts but not aboue 200. fit to fight and yet of them who might haue fought many should haue been faine to fight on foote for their horses were readie to fall vpon their noses and the men but a little more worth The 31. of October they ariued at the Chapell Saint Martin verie easilie and because they needed to baite their horses and refresh themselues the inhabitants saw their doores broken afore they were called vp In that vilage the Lord Saint Gelaise learned that the euening before there were two men on horseback which saide that if there should ariue any men of warre they should not stay there but passe further to Orges And as the day began to appeare the Lorde Saint Gelaise receaued letters from the Lord Aubigny wherein hee willed them to take the direct way to Ralsy where he should meete him And when they came thether the said Lorde Aubigny reported that there were no boates nor any hope to repasse Loyre for there was 800. Swartrutters of the League who had lodged at Saint Die a walled towne three Leagues aboue Bloys vpon the high way to Orleans where they thought to haue found passage There were also all along the riuer at Mir de Nonain Saint Laurence other vilages about the riuer three or foure regiments of footemen seeming therefore to them an vnpossible thing to passe Loyre that way the Lord Saint Gelays consulted with the Lorde Tiffardiere and others who concluded to goe to Orges and to some vilages thereabouts with commaundement to soiourne there not aboue an houre and a halfe There was in the Castell of Orges an olde Gentleman Papist who hearing that the Lord Saint Gelaies was in that companie desired to see him and to speake with him and knowing that his companie was wearie and weake and weather beaten asked him whether he went and what he meant to doo with his companie and swearing with a great oath told him that hee was vndone and that if hee had three times as many men as hee had within an houre if he soiorned there he and his would bee cut in pieces This Gentleman was very stout because of the Kings the Leaguers forces which hee knew to bee thereabout hee shewed him that there was great companies as well on the side of the riuer as on the side of Beause not distant from him aboue halfe a League nigh the Forrest of Marchenoyre with this
intent to charge that remnant of the armie which was with him how all the commons had the watch word and looked to haue some warning to begin There was no hope to escape being few and they wearie and weatherbeaten without any hope of succour The Lord Boysduly met nigh Talsy two Gentlemen papists of his acquaintance who shewed him the selfesame daungers abouesayd and yet more that neither hee neither they who were with him were farre from spoyle The Lord Boysduly perceiuing that a Gentleman called la Mot in whom he had much confidence knew very well the amaze of that companie after assurance of amitie for himselfe and the Lord S. Gelays hée certified them that they were in a worser case than they knew and that the Prince perceiuing that hee had so great forces agaynst him had dissolued his armie and that his person was alreadie in place of safetie and almost all his armie and that there remayned no more but that which hee sawe with the Lord Saint Gelays who at all aduenture had vndertaken to saue the rest La Mot then offered him friendship his houses for to retire with such of his friends as hee would but his house was distant from thence eight leagues which his courtesie the Lord Boysduly accepted In these terrors all the troupe being on horsebacke marched at large in a plaine field not farre from the Castle Orges of one side and neere the Forrest of Marchenoire on the other side no man knewe which way to turne himselfe too nor what to followe for a present daunger was on euery side The Lord S. Gelays and other Captaynes with him were long before they could conclude of their way The enemies did approach and held that small companie in sight of which being aduertized they marched within the Forrest of Marchenoire and being somewhat entered within the sayd Forrest in the high way to Chasteaudune the Lord S. Gelays shewed them the ineuitable danger whereunto they were fallen he shewed them that the enemie was to be beguiled and for that intent it was expedient and necessarie to deuide themselues into small companyes and to followe diuers waies and that the Lord would conduct the parts aswell as the whole wheresoeuer it should please him The Lord Aubigny vndertooke to conduct one troupe one way Captaine Ryeux went another way some tooke the way to Orleans others drawed towards Paris A Genâ—leman Papist which was with the Lord la Mot tooke with him the Lord Tifardiere and the other Gentlemen of Poytow to whom he shewed great courtesies The Lords S. Gelays Boysduly Campoys Chesmi and others to the number of ten or twelue went vnder the assurance of the Lord Mot the way to Chasteaudune in Beausse As it was a straunge thing to see the dissipation of that armie without blowes bloudshed or losse of any man by the fight of the enemie so it was a pitifull sight to see the separation of the Souldiers from their Captaines of the seruants from their masters the seruants did cast away the things which they had gréedily gathered to saue themselues vppon their horses The waies were full of good stuffe armes baskets males apparell and other things of value euery one did cast away the things which they had taken from others more willingly than when they tooke it God did then require an accompt of many disordered persons in whose hands Manna did rot which they had greedily gathered And it is to be confessed that God testified from heauen that he will haue his worke aduanced by other meanes than by such armes for a great companie of this armie were not accompanied with pietie and Christian modestie On the other side God tooke away all matter of boasting and glorying from the enemies for it was a straunge thing that considering the small distance of places where these companies of the enemie were the great multitude of lustie fresh and well furnished companies which they had the Countreys and Townes thrée or foure score leagues round about all fauourable to them hauing compassed the others round about yet not one after this separation appeared to fight nor to assault these vanquished few men as he which durst not come nigh the skinne of a dead Lyon The Lord Saint Gelays with them of his companie had scarse gone a League in Beause when he discouered three cornets of Launcers of Italians and Albanoyces who were from Chasteaudune marched in good order and came trotting forward at the end of the Forrest where the separation was made The Lord Mot who lead the Lord Saint Gelais and his companie did feare and felt himselfe in great daunger as he saide with such companie of Hugonets after him and faining to discouer he forsooke his guests and got to a village farre before them The Lord S. Gelays and his companie beléeued certainly that those troupes came vpon them and thought themselues as good as dead But behold the eyes of these armed men were so blinded by the power of him which blinded Bilham the sonne of Beor and Elimas the Sorcerer that without perceiuing him or any of his companie they passed by within the distance of fiftie paces from them there was onely a barne of a Farme betwixt them and the Lord S. Gelays stood still in the high way before the barne It was a wonder that this companie was so carried away inuisible out of sight of that multitude as if it were in a clowde and that none of the enemies went through the high way whereby they might haue béen discouered These companies of Italians and Albaneses went into a village not farre of where they perceiued some horses and Harquebusiers they set vpon the house where the Lord Aubigny was with others who neuerthelesse tooke their horses saued themselues without any domage These horsemen found much spoile by the way without any man to claime it The Lord S. Gelays riding along in the champiane countrie of Beausse toward Chartres with the Lord Mot without kéeping any high way the night being rainie and darke began to enter in suspition of the sayd Mot being a Papist So the Lord Mot returned backe with this opinion that the Lord S. Gelays with his companie would goe to Cheuroles toward Orleans but he tooke his iourney to Ianuile lying betwéene Chartres and Orleans and there crossing the high way from Paris to Orleans passed through many companies of armed men who were lodged in Beausse and so recouered vpon him the Forrest of Orleans The returning backe of the Lord Mot as is aboue sayd was to play a popish tricke with the Lord Saint Gelays for perceiuing that he was not strong enough he went in the night to gather companie to haue set vppon them at Cheuroles and so to haue taken them prisoners to his aduantage as he did not dissemble afterward to speake openly So that his professing of amitie was an allurement to drawe them into his snare for afterward he followed them as farre as Ianuile with
The inuention by the subtilty of the said ladie was that shee fayned to driue out of the Castell certayne pages of the Prince which the Lord Fredericke his chamberlayne had there with him They gaue aduertifement to the lord Lauall what had passed at Tilleburge also of the meanes how to enter into the Castell The 20. day at night captaine Pickard came out of Xainctes with 120. with him into the towne for succour The 21. the Lord Laual with the Lords Saint Mesmes gouernour of Saint Jhan and Bonlay and others determined to rescue the said Lady and taking about one hundred armed men and foure hundred Harquebusiers after dinner tooke their iourney toward Tailebourg and about twenty men of armes did alight downe on the side of the waren and entred into the ditch which is betweene the towne and the Castell folowed with a certaine number of shot and furiously charged the enemie in diuers places In the beginning the enemies defended themselues stoutely as well out of the houses as out of the Trenches which they had planted at the gate of the Castell They of the Castell perceauing that succour was come to them leaueled their artilerie partlie against the Trenches partly against the houses among whom the house of one Bordet was cleane beatē down The diuers charges began to amaze the enemies which without long resistance began to looke how to saue themselues and their liues by flight or otherwise There were found dead ofy e enemies side about 4. score men of our side onely sixe many were taken the other were put to flight wherof the night couered the shame y e marshes the riuer saued many the woūded and prisoners were courteously intreated many were sent away without ransome and especially the Captaine Beau Mont and Roke and others which were of commaundement during the skirmish within the towne the Lord Laual remained without the towne in battaile aray vpon the high way to Xainctes and from thence discouered some of the enemies who were issued out of the gates of Tailebourg with their colours and sought to saue themselues The said Lord commaunded his brother the Lorde Ryeulx to charge them who with twelue horses set on them whereof many were killed some wounded and some taken with foure ensignes The enemies being thus beaten the Lady Trimouil gratified the said Lord Laual with the other Noble men who had accompanied him for the assistance giuen her in such a conuenient time And although that before she would not suffer any further forces then she had to enter into the castell yet she admitted them in now and so they aduised before their departure of the meanes how to preuent like inconueniences and that it was better that this place should be kept by them of the reformed religion to the which the said Lady had no great fantasie Notwithstanding Captaiee Bousier Leutenant of the Princes gardes with certaine Harquebusiers was apoynted to keepe the said Castell and afterward there was ioyned to him the Lord Boulay It is saide before how the King vnderstanding of the Princes going to Anger 's with much adoo sent the Duke De Mayne out of Paris for Guyenne with a mightie armie that all with one voyage hee migh◠helpe to inclose vp the Prince and also in his absence to inuade Poytow and Xainctonge prouinces of Guienne for which he was apoynted Who taking his iourney from Bloys after the Princes armie was dessolued at Salonne to Poitiers vnder the colour of the lying in of his Wife soiorned there three weekes to seduce that great and populous Citie to his faction and at length when he could not obtaine his purpose by diuers expresse commaundements from the King hee departed about the fifteenth of Nouember And boasting that within three moneths hee would roote all the Hugonets out of Guyenne and Gascoyne hauing that mightie armie as we haue saide before in his way he tooke by surrender Lusignen and Mele and passing by Saint Ihan hee sent a few horsemen beyond the bridge Saint Iulion in the sight of the towne intending by that small number to draw the Lord Laual to fight who he thought would haue issued out and pursued those forerunners he thought also that the said Lord Laual would haue passed the bridge Saint Iulion and to haue taken him in ambushes with the whole companie of his horsemen who did lie in a wood and a dingle on the other side of the bridge which the said Lorde Laual could not haue repassed without hazard there to haue been discomfited The Lord Laual discouering the light horses issued out of the towne but not after the minde of the Duke For hauing put a good garde vpon the bridge he sent a few light horses onely to view the enemie and ordered the rest of his men of armes and Harquebusiers in battell aray vpon the banke of the riuer in the view of the enemie which seeing that he ventured not rashlie retyred without attempting any thing About the 28. the Duke De Mayne with his armie lodged about the towne of Saint Ihan The Lord Chassegay ensigne bearer of the Lord Laual accompanied with the Lord Orges and fiue and twenty horses more with him issued out to skirmish with the armie of the Duke They met nigh Varezes a little towne not farre distant twentie Launciers of the enemie folowed at hand by two hundered men of warre French and Jtalians The saide Chassegay was charged with these troupes and pursued to the bridge where hee stayed in the face of the enemie to fauour the retraite of his men but there he was beaten downe and taken prisoner with some others they which saued themselues gaue the alarum in the towne the forces whereof issued out but the enemie had retired About the latter end of December the Duke méeting with the Marshal Matignon about Coignake at length parted a sunder and the sayd Matignon went to Bourdeaux but the Duke being rid of the companie of Matignon who would bée but a let vnto him to bring to passe his intents tooke his iourney to sport himselfe through Perigord Limosin Quercy and Agennoys at the charges of the Priests and expences of the holy Rood hauing a great deale of money euen so much as the Sacraficers could spare to recreate himselfe when hée should finde himselfe wearie of winning of Cities and strong Holds in those countreys It is sayd before how that after the publication of the Edict in Iuly the Vicount Turenne had assembled some forces partly out of his owne land in Limosin and Perigord and partly many Noble men and Captaines of the countreys about had repayred vnto him For the persecutions had inforced many as well Gentlemen as others to forsake their houses to take armes and to repayre to such Prouinces as were of sure accesse vnto them This was the cause that Noble men and Gentlemen from about Paris Gastinoys Niuernoys countries betwéene the riuers of Loyre and Seyne which purposed to repayre to the King of
Nauarre ioyned themselues with the Lord Turenne who within a short space grew to the number of sixe thousand With this power the Vicount Turenne kept the field in Limosin Perigord and about the time that the Prince departed from Browage to his iourney to Anger 's letters came vnto him from the Prince by the which he willed him to drawe néere Browage to fauour the siege thereof Vppon the receipt of these letters the Lord Turenne called his counsell together to knowe what was to be done There was then reasoned among them of the necessitie of his presence at that siege On the other side aduertisement was giuen that the armie of the League vnder the conduct of the Duke de Mayne was drawing nigh toward Guyenne although it was not yet scarse out of Paris and that the same was beaten with diuers disseases and among others the Swissers which made them conclude that occasion might be giuen to worke some good exployt vpon that armie and if not discomfited yet greatly it might be molested Agayne he had receaued letters of the King of Nauarre who aduertized him that he was at the poynt to depart out of Bearne to Bergerake ward in Perigord and therfore warned him to be in a readines that if néede should be he might ioyne with his Maiestie So that considering all these waightie occasions hée could not succour the siegr of Browage staying for the Duke de Mayne and expecting the King of Nauarre his comming He had many good occasions to enterprize vpon certaine Townes in Limosin as vpon the Citie of Trile Brune la galiarde and others in those quarters Trile is a Citie in Limosin a Bishops seate situated in a valley compassed about with high hilles which doo commaund the Towne It hath thrée fayre Suburbs about it and there is a little riuer named Vestere which washing the walls passeth by the Suburb which is greater than the citie Therein is a Frierie of the Franciscans which is inclosed about with a strong wall and for that cause the inhabitants had retyred and committed their goods to the Friers keeping which thing fell out very ill for them The high suburbe is like the first in greatnes the third is lesser than the other twaine The 8. day of Nouember the Lord Choupes with a great number of Gentlemen and Souldiers set on the lowe Suburbe The Lord Turenne who commaunded ouer the Harquebusiers which came out of France staying at the Franciscans house which is situated at the ende of the Suburbe set the gate on a fire and vppon occasion entered further euen to the Trenches which they of the Towne had made and after long skirmishing and killing of some of both parts wonne the same The high Suburbe at the same time by other companies as they were appoynted was also assaulted which they of the Suburbe did resist at the Trenches but at length enforced did retyre within the Towne They of the Towne being besieged all round about defended themselues vpon the walls without issuing out at all for the space of sixe daies The 13. day of Nouember were applied two péeces at the gate which made some way to enter in but they of the Towne did their endeuour to defend the breach which being not assaultable the assault was giuen ouer The siege continuing many of the Towne were slaine which caused the rest fearing to bee forced not to refuse the perswasions of Amaury who counselled them to capitulate Hostages being giuen of both sides the Kings Lieutenant with some of the chiefest Citizens came foorth to the Lord Turenne who was lodged at the gray Friers the agréement was long debated and at length concluded The 16. day of Nouember they of the Towne consented to redéeme the Towne and the ransaking of their houses with a certaine summe of money Furthermore it was agréed that a Captaine stranger with such as were left of his companie for most of them had béen slaine should goe foorth out of their Towne and they should receiue Captaine Amaury This Captaine Amaury was he of all the armie whom they feared most and yet did they requested to haue him whom they receaued for their gouernour and there he remayned in that charge vntill the comming of the Duke de Mayne About the 10. of December considering that the place was not sufficient to resist such an armie he gaue ouer the Towne into the hands of the Citizens and within fewe dayes after was slaine as followeth Within a while after the taking of this Citie the Lord Turenne retired his companies in garrisons in places of greater importance The 25. of December Amaury was aduertized that the Lord Sacramore of Birague this is that Sacramore whom after the Duke de Mayne killed in his anger with his owne hand one of the Leaguers was not farr from Turenne with a companie of Harquebusiers to lay in ambush and as he aduaunced himselfe one of his owne Souldiers too hastie to shoote with his péece hit him by misfortune and killed him and after they retyred to Turenne The Duke de Mayne sporting himselfe made good théere at y e Priests costs but it was no matter for holy Roode did pay for all and doth conquer Kingdomes in Perigord and Limosin and about the 27. of December tooke Montignake le conte an olde Towne and ruinous Castle belonging to the King of Nauarre He tooke also Beaulieu such a Fort as no man which hath any skill in warlike affayres would make any accompt of And ten daies after the inhabitants who were al of the reformed religion redeemed their Towne with one thousand Crownes which were payed to Antefort About the 17. of December the Duke de Mayne recouered Trile which the Lord Turenne had caused Amaury to surrender into the hands of the inhabitants about ten daies before because that place was not defensable The D. de Mayne at length perceiuing y t his practises against the Cities and Townes of Limosin Perigord would not frame determined to passe the riuer Dordonne at Souliake into Quercy leauing behind him Monfort a strong place and many other Townes and Holds because hee could not carrie them away with him It is sayd before how that the King of Nauarre in August last went into Languedock to S. Paul de Cadeioux where he met with the Prince of Conde and the Duke of Monmorency to aduertise them of their defence The sayd King remayned afterward in Bearne in great silence and quietnes viewing how farre all this league and vnion would proceede expecting the producing of some lamentable euents and as if it were out of his watch would become of the thrée great armies prepared for Guyenne Languedock and Daulphine and being hidden vnder the wing of the most high mused what would bee the end of the fierie threatnings and bragges of his enemies bearing patiently their insolencie euen to the danger of his owne person It is also sayd how that the Leaguers had procured an excommunication from Frier Sixtus
put there in garrison That castle by situation is very strong the garrison did great iniuries to them of the religion about Rochel Saint Jhan Marans other places and high wayes by their ordinarie courses The Lord Ranques knowing the nature of the place searched out the meanes to obtayne it he accompanied him with nine or ten gentlemen and certaine resolute Souldiers to the number of two and twentie he carried through the marish a little boate on a cart wherewith he went through a channell which watereth the garden of the Castle To this garden doth answer a gate of the sayd Castle through the which he thought to surprise the sayd Castle Notwithstanding the day before the taking of the same the garrison hauing intelligences of the purpose of the sayd Lord Ranques by one of the reformed religion who entertayned himselfe with them of the garrison they stopped that gate with brick dung and other things which were at hand and doubled their gards and so thought to haue well prouided the surprizing of the sayd place Notwithstanding their thoughts beguiled them for the sayd Lord Ranques following his enterprize applied a petaird against that gate which issued out into the garden the sayd péece opened the gate and brake their rampier and gaue the alarum to the garison whereof part ranne to the great gate other were surprised within the Castell and slayne other leapt ouer the walles They who had retyred to the great gate yeelded themselues with promise of their liues which thing was also performed The place was by the sayd Lord Ranques put in the keeping of Captayne Faueran and Vaunean who within a while after being sommoned by Captayne Merceur to render the same and for not so doing being threatned of the Canon put the sayd place in the hand of Malicorne gouernor of Niort About the beginning of Aprill the Lord Saynt Luke enterprised vpon the I le of Oleron where were certayne companies of the religion commaunded by the Lord Aubigny and Captayne Luuaille his Lieutenant For to bring to passe his enterprise bearing impaciently that neighbourhood conuayed certayne companies into that Iland among these was the regiment of Tierceline consisting of foure hundred harquebuziers fifty Muskets and two hundred pikes resolute Souldiers The Prince aduertyzed how this regiment of Tiercelyne had passed into that Iland the Fryday before Easter being the first of Aprill he tooke his way to Marennes nigh Browage where he thought that the sayd Tierceline was returned and went all night to surprise him more easily but finding them not hee returned to Taillebourge with the Lords Laual and Boulay and other Lords and Captaines who had accompanyed him The 3. of Aprill being Easter day the said Prince had aduertisement that the saide Treceline with his regiment had repassed from Oleron to Marennes for to returne to Xainctes vpon these intelligences the saide Prince departed intending to stop their passage in a place not farre from Xainctes At his ariuing there issued out of the towne about 16. or 20. men of armes with a certaine number of Harquebusiers who were charged by the Lord Chargroys which conducted the forrunners of the Lorde Laual he passed them so hardly that they could not retire within the reach of their Harquebusiers afore one of the enemies remayned on the place and many were hurt After this skirmish the Prince seeing that Treceline remoued not that day for that it was Easter day or otherwise retyred for the second time to Taillebourg without dooing any thing else Treceline was aduertised that his returne was spied but hee made no account of it trusting in the force of his regiment and resolued as hee saide to fight against whome soeuer would let his way as well in the field as in a strong place So the fourth day of April being Easter monday departing out of Marennes he tooke his iourney toward Xainctes marching in good order with countenance of men resolute to fight whereof the Prince being admonished about two a clock in the after noone speedilie tooke his horse accompanied with the Lorde Trimouille his brother in law the Lords Bowlay and Auantigny to the number of 30. horses so many Harquebusiers of his garde and some other who could bee found at hand with that small number he went the ready way to Xainctes where he found the enemie in the selfe same place where he had stayed for him the day before which was not much more than one thousand paces from the suburbe he found them too farre passed toward the towne and were couered with hedges and ditches yet he set vpon the rereware of them whereat the first he laied on the ground about 30. or 40. of the enemies the rest put themselues in battell aray being fauored with the hedges and high way In the first onset the horse of the Lord Trimouille who did lead the aduenturers was beaten downe with the shot of a musket and he also vnder who was in no lesse danger then the Lord Batardiere which being strooke with an Harquebush shot in the shoulder was slaine in that place the Lord Chanterelles also was wounded and dyed shortly after with Captaine Trauarre who being wounded on the head died also shortly after the Lord Auantigny was hurt in the hand and in the knee The Lord Laual who with great speede was gone to fetch his companie which was at Port d' Anneaulx and scatteringly lodged approaching to the lane of this skirmish yet timely enough galloping with 35. horses of his by the commaundement of the Prince set vpon them on the side of the hedges ayming stil to the Colonells Ensigne for there was no more which was compassed and couered with a squadron of Pikes whom he discomfited after he had spent all their shot he fought hand to hand with him who carried the Ensigne which at length hee gaue ouer to him thinking to saue himselfe with slight The Ensigne taken the Souldiours were quicklie put in disorder and discomfited although that they had been often supported vpholden by them of the citie There remained vpon the place about three skore many were wounded Captaine Peschays was taken Tiercelin himselfe was hurt in the arme The Lord Laual had three bretheren whereof the Lord Taulay a little before died of sicknes at Saint Ihan the Lord Sailly his third brother in that skirmish was hurt in the head whereof he died the morrow after the Lord Rieulx his other brother also was wounded in the belly with a pike whereof hee dyed the sixte day of the same moneth The Lord Chargroys Lieutenant of the Lord Laual was hurt with shot in the knee the Lord Monsche likewise in the Legge fewe Souldiours of the Princes garde were hurt and few slaine During this skirmish the Prince hauing gathered his companie together set on a fresh vpon such of the enemies as flocked together againe but especiallie vpon the horsemen of the enemie who made shew to aduance themselues The night interrupted the fight and
day of the same August So that the night following the enemy began to draw pieces out of their fort and at the breaking of the day put fire to it which there continued the space of sixe moneths hauing caught vnder the earth to those great pieces of timber wherewith it was made euen from the very foundation The composition was very honorable and to the great aduantage of the king of Nauarre for it was first agreed that the Marshall Biron should lead away his army beyond the riuer without attempting vppon Tonnay Charante a place very weake which hee diâ— hold for the king of Nauarre Secondly that Marans should remayne free for the traffike Thirdly that the king of Nauarre should haue a Gentleman of his in the casteâ—l with certayne number of souldiers to hold the inhabitantes of both religions in the same liberty which they had before the warre This agreement they of Fontenay and Niort would not hold and neuer ceased to make warre vntill that they were well punished for wicked robbers did continually issue out of Fontenay Maillezayes Niort hauing for their Captayne a certayne Masse Priest named Sir Merye parish Priest of Ronde who did dayly robbe Marchants and trauellers of their goods and often times of their liues vntill they were reduced vnder the handes of the king of Nauarre The seuenth of the same moneth the king of Nauarre came from Rochel when it was very late entered the Iles of Maran by the fort Brune and from thence to the Bastile viewed all the fortes and trenches on that side and about ten in the night did suppe at the signe of the Moone The eight day hee deuided his companies sending some into Poytow other into Annis to refresh themselues whilest the L. Byron lead his army into Xainctonge so that armie began to bee broken agaynst Reeds and Rushes of Marans doing afterward nothing but within a while after by litle and litle it was scattered and reduced to nothing The Papistes spake diuersly according to their passion as though this armie had not done what they might haue done But the truth is that the king of Nauarre had prouided such a good order within the Iland and that there was such a number of men of valour that the Lord Biron could not do otherwise then he did except he would haue thrust his meÌ„ to the slaughter without endomaging much his enemy Secondly the marishes which at that tyme were wont to bee drye were yet full of water euen a foot high for the causes aboue recited Thirdly the men of warre haue made fortes at euery entrance into the Iland furnished with good and resolued men for they were about one hundred of braue and 〈…〉 gentlemen making about two hundred good horses aâ—le to oppose themselues agaynst the enemy if he had attempted to enter Also the enemyes had to goe aboue fifteene hundred paces in the Marsh not aboue fiue in a ranke all discouered to our men who were in the forts Fourthly the Marish was full of steppes which the Cattell made in winter so that if the horsemen had waded the one foote had soonke very deepe and the other would haue stayed vppon the firme ground with a great number of Galthrops which were cast in diuers places Such was the state of Maran when the composition was made The king of Nauarre left the Lord Iarry gouernor there as before with charge to warre agaynst no man if they should not warre agaynst him The Lord Nemours whom the King had sent thither to commaund ouer the men of armes stayed not there long for hee was commaunded by the king of Nauarre to retyre in Poytow and after went to Bruant Few dayes after the distributing of the companies out of Marans captayne Lommeau discouered the money of the tributes Impost of Poytow conducted toward Loyre by certayne Albaneses and some gentlemen with Popish souldiers of the countrey whom they set vpon but they saued them selues in a Priory Not farre from thence he compassed them immediatly with certayne companies The king of Nauarre being aduertised thereof at Rochel departed speedily and caused the great Culuerine of Marans to bee brought before the Priory which was strong without canon they within yeelded themselues by composition which was that they should goe away safe leauing behind them six thousand crownes which was the charge of their conuoy As the king of Nauarre vsed a wonderfull diligence in going thether so was his diligence no lesse in retyring thence and commaunded all the companyes to do the like knowing well that y e enemie which was yet at Morye and about Fontenay with his armie would not faile to set on him which thing did happen But the sayd king of Nauarre had already repassed the fort of Brault which thing all his companies did not for many remaining at Lusson to refresh themselues and to fare French-like were charged and put to flight some were slaine some taken prisoners most of them saued them selues leauing behind them their stuffe and baggage and among them captayne Lommeau It is sayd before that by the aduise of the Duke of Guyze diuers armies were appoynted for diuers prouinces and namely the Duke Ioyeuse for Languedock where he entering with a power tooke the Cities of Lodeue and Saint Ponce hée tooke also Montesquion but Marueiolx hee tooke by treason In all these places he committed incredible cruelties and such as it were needfull to find out new wordes to describe them But as God is a iust reuenger of wronges so did he not suffer these crueltyes long vnpunished but shewed tokens that his iustice is neither fayned nor idle nor his hand shortned in punishing such insolent Tyrants For after diuers and manifold excesses and iniuries done in the countrey he besieged the mas Saint Puelles the weakest most miserable and least defensible of all the places of Loragoys there was he so shamefully beaten put back that after they had slaine him thirty Captaines and fiue hundred Harquebusieres they scattered his regiments and so leauing his credit behinde him cracked among men of valour was faine to returne home as well as he could well chastized to tell newes of his good speede to his Master Shortly after the Nobilitie of Languedock aduised better by the proud and insolent outragiousnes of the man and of his companies and taught by the execution of Gods iustice vpon that rabble of sauage robbers assembled the states of that prouince at Castelnawdarry where they concluded neuer to meddle anie more with the leaguers neither to proceede any more by the way of warre and vyolence agaynst them of the Religion It is sayd before how the Duke d'Espernon was appointed for Daulphine and Prouance and the sonne of Ioyeuse for Auuergne The Lord Espernon therefore entring into Daulphine with his power had better successe for first he tooke Valance Tallard and Guileslie from the league and reduced them to the Kings obedience He tooke also many townes from
that Crowne considering the great strength of the Catholikes and how eagerly they are bent agaynst the reformed religion If she heareth the same answere of him which Sathan heard of Christ then will she take the second weapon of her warre in hand which is Disuniting for if the sayd King will not consent vpon the proffer of peace to abolish the exercize of the reformed religion then she will render him odious with infamous Libels throughout France both to them of the reformed religion and also to the Catholikes for both were desitous of peace so she imagineth that by these meanes she might disunite them from the King of Nauarre laying to his charge that it rested but in him that France was not at rest If this would not serue neither then she thought sure that the third would doo the feate which was to abuse the true intentions of the sayd King of Nauarre that holding him long about the hope of peace and whilest he should labour about it he might be surprized by some poynt of Italian valour and if not his partakers would bee so weakened in the Prouinces with these armies that either he would not be able hereafter to defend himselfe or withstand his enemies or els that hee would bee inforced by this weakning to accept at their hands a most disaduantagious peace And to begin withall she sendeth to the Lords Monpensier and Monmorency willing them to dispose the heart of the sayd King to peace as she sayd which thing was diuersly taken For the Leaguers feared the authoritie of the Prince Monpensier mistrusting that by these meanes the Queene vnawares would vnite him to the head of his house They of the religion feared his facilitie that he was made a meane for peace least hée should ioyne himselfe to the King of Nauarre in this quarrell and warre raised by the Leaguers to destroy the house of Bourbon so that by one thing both parts tooke occasion to distrust this message Assoone as the negotiation of peace began the practizes of the Leaguers began also to interrupt the peace which they greatly feared For after the message of these two Lords the Abbot of Gadaigne was sent to the King of Nauarre for no Tragedie can be wel played without a Priest who being wel entertayned at Rochel by the sayd King euery man began to hope well of that thing which was so greatly desired But when the Q. Mother came to Cheuonceau a towne lying vpon the riuer Chere which falleth in Loyre beneath Tours all this hope vanished away like a lightming For then the hatred and deceitfull meaning of the Q. Mother was discouered which had lien hid vnder those courteous messages For the Abbot of Gadaigne was sent to Browage there to play Symons part if he could but his going thether was much suspected of the Rochelers The victualling also of Browage was taken for a stoare house against their Towne There was a Gentleman named la Roche the lesser who went many voyages betwéene the King of Nauarre and the Q. Mother to agree of the place and other meanes of the interuiew The Q. by little and little did draw nere to Xainctonge the King of Nauarre would haue aduaunced as farre as Champaigne in Tourene so that the Marshall Byron who had passed Loyre to assault Poytow would retire beyond Loyre and that thing he required for his securitie The Queene would that he should trust in her the King willed her to trust in him she aleaged her good will he aleaged his fidelitie innocencie who did neuer breake his word toward any person Shee did lay to his charge that he was the cause that the parley could not be brought to passe He answered that it did stay but in her that France was not in quietnes that he was ready to see her so that it were in a sure place and that his way might be sure Whilest these thing passed so betweene thē by messengers some counselled the King of Nauarre to help Chastilion which was then besieged by the Duke d'Mayne others willed him not to take heede to her deceitefull words and to expect the same courtesies which he had receaued heretofore at their hands It is saide before how that among those fiue armies which were prepated in Aprill and May the commaunder Chastre was appoynted to furnish a Nauie in Britain well prouided And in August as they were taking order for the place and manner of the interuiew this Nauy on a suddaine came before Rochel which thing was the cause that all was on the point to bee broken The King of Nauarre complained to the King by the Lorde Riaulx beseeching his Maiestie to call back that armie shewing that hee could not leaue a towne of such importance as that was in that state without seeking for the quietnes and safety thereof The armie notwithstanding remoued not thence as long as they had any prouision of victuals whatsoeuer meanes the King of Nauarre made for it but at length in the moneth of Nouember the famine made them hoyse vp sailes and not the Kinges commaundement The selfe same day that the Nauie tooke vp ancker Captaine Arman was taken with letters of the Queene to the commaunder Chastre by the which hee was commaunded not to depart or else not to goe farre from Rochel these letters fell into the hands of the King of Nauarre Hee notwithstanding ouercomming with patience all these occasions which hee might take to refuse the parely he offered to see the Queene vpon the conditions aboue said requiring that in the meane time there should no act of hostilitie be done of either sides The Queene required a truce to be taken and published The King of Nauarre answered that he could not consent thereunto for as much as hee had promised to his partakers to enter into no agreement of peace without their aduise and consent shee found to her thinking that answer very strange Thus like the Carthagenians who wept when they should pay tribute to the Romans but were not moued at all when they yéelded themselues tributaries to them For when the King of Nauarre answered to the Kings messengers that he would stay yet sixe moneths for the Kings succour afore hee would employ his friends and that he would first be demaunded of peace before he would resolue himselfe to warre Now when shee findes that hee hath giuen his word she weepeth it had been better to haue wept when the edicts were broken the innocent iudged guiltie the obedient rebels and the iust malefactors After much a doo the Q. Mother graunted certaine pasports which the King of Nauarre demanded for to aduertise his friends what he was in hand to doo At the selfe same time shee caused the truce to be proclaymed which almost mard all for the King of Nauarre suspected that vnder colour of that truce shee would stay the leauie of the Germanes Thereupon the King of Nauarre shewed vnto her that this truce had a respect vnto a
that which she had deuised against that vertuous and innocent Prince she heard that it was practized vpon her sonne She departed from Fontenay to Nyort intending thus to take her iourney to Paris where she thought her presence to be needfull But before her departing out of the countrey she would faine to doo somewhat least it should be sayd she had done nothing Therefore she sent to the King of Nauarre that he would send to her the Vicount Turenne to whome she offered libertie to talke withall To the which thing he consented easily The Q. shewed that she would treate with him being informed of his prudence The King of Nauarre consented to that thing being sure of his fidelitie All sorts of men déemed that because he was knowne to loue the blessed state and quietnes of the Realme he was indéede a fit instrument if the counsell of the Q. would haue vsed him vnto that purpose The Vicount Turenne for that purpose came to Fontenay and hauing certified the Q. that he was there to receaue his commandements she proposed vnto him to make a generall truce and that the affayres were such as there could be no talke of a peace as yet for the which proposition hée answered That the King of Nauarre would easily consent to that and that hee would alwayes allow the name of truce so that it would produce the euents of a good peace But that hitherto they had so stopped their cares to his requests that he had beene enforced to imploy his friends to that ende hee might bee heard and that hee coulde make neither peace nor generall truce without their aduise and consent for hee was elected protector of a part forsaken by the King which consisted of many particular persons who had beene particularly iniuryed to whome no satisfaction could be made without hearing their complaintes that if it please her to graunt the requisite pasportes and a reasonable time to call them together that it should be done with all speed And for to bring this thing to passe he thought good to make a particlar truce for the Prouinces of Poytow Xainctonge for two moneths during the which the King of Nauarre might prouide and aduise vpon the means how to make the peace for the treatie whereof the deputies of the Prouinces might come together The Queene thought that truce very ill and commanded her counsell to shew the reasons One of them answered that it were prciudiciable to the King for as much as during that time of truce the King of Nauarre would haue meanes to bring the strangers into the Realme Also that the Catholiks would become idle and accustome themselues to rest also that they of the league would take that truce for a shadow of peace of the which fearing the bodie they would make a second insurrection To those reasons the Vicount of Turenne answered that the place of the entring of the straungers had no correspondence with the high and low Poytow and that the treatie of peace did rather stay than further the leauie of them He answered also to the second reason which hee said to be common to both parts and that they of the reformed Religion would abuse rest sooner than the Catholikes because they were lesse vsed to it As for the insurrection of the league he would say nothing to it because he knew not not what they might doo But this hee knewe that the Duke of Guyze had but a small power The Duke de Mayne had broken his armie and that of small rubbell there was neuer great buildinges made But for because he had spoken hitherto without charge being come only to heare the Queene thought good that hee should returne to the King of Nauarre to bee particularly instructed of his pleasure Comming then to the King of Nauarre hee found him well assured of the leauie of Germaines by a man which came the selfesame day The same day the Vicount Turenne returned to the Queene speedily foūd her at Niort determined to take her iourney to Paris he was heard and made an ample discourse of y e prosperous state of the K. of Nauarre First that he had sustayned the burthen of fiue armies which haue serued for nothing els but to shew that he was still in readines for the tryall of the forces of his enemies contrarywise that they were deceaued both in forces and credit that they had reasons to the conspiracies and seditions of a towne not able to warre in the fielde Also that they could hope for no more succor of the spantard who was so occupyed to defend himselfe that he could not doe so much as to dreame to assault others that if the King of Nauarre had lost some weake villages he had fortified strong holdes And whereas hee had beene hitherto vpon the defensiue now he hath power to make his enemies to take his part That he hath a mightie armie of strangers whom the necessitie of his affayres did neuer procure him to call to his succour That hee neuer thought to imploy their seruice to make warre but rather to make a good peace Furthermore that notwithstanding he hath receaued extreame iniuries yet it neuer came in his minde to vse that to bee reuenged of them whome he knew to be seruants of this Crowne The Lord of Neuers assured him whether the King of Nauarre had not bound himselfe to the preiudice of his crowne The Vicount continuing his discourse beseeched the Queene in most humble wise to beleeue that he was neither rash nor a lyar and that hee would say nothing but what he knew certainly to be true and that if hee knew otherwise he would neuer disguise the truth but that he certainly knew that the King of Nauarre had done nothing with the strangers which be not for the good and quietnes of the state and to restore to the King and his faithfull seruants their authoritie And to that ende Madame saide hee that you may iudge of his intent he protesteth that whensoeuer your Maiesties pleasure is to vse his forces he will euer turne his face that way whither the commoditie of the Realme and your comandement shall call him The King of Nauarre said he continuing his discourses hath alwaies beleeued that the King hauing taken warre in hand being the weaker will neuer be able to restore peace before he be stronger And then shall he be stronger indeed when the Princes of his blood shall haue his forces in hand to restore the obedience which is due to him This is the last remedie Madame said he which I could wish to bee otherwise And I doo tell you this particularly as seruant to your Maiestie and not as a Hugonet to whome it may be it were more sure to expect an armie than a Negotiation and a battell than an edict Beleeue not Madame that damage of the State is sought by the friendes thereof it is more profitable and honourable to consent voluntarily to a peace and to choose
Montlimart went foorth with a good parte of the forces there to fauour his passage The sayde Lord Chastilion and Diguieres passed ouer the Rosne the first day of August and soiourning long there they gaue leasure to the Lord Valete to seaze vpon the banck of the riuer Lizere and so letting their passage had opportunitie to doe what hee did Whilest the L. Chastilion soiourned in Daulphine the said L. Valete practized a secret execution vpon the towne of Montlimart so began to drawe his forces thither ward but the inhabitants mistrusting his approches prepared themselues which caused him to retyre back againe yet he set such an order that the Lord Balathye surprized the towne but the Castel remayned still in the hands of them of the reformed Religion The L. Valete did greatly feare that the sayd towne would be surprized again by the Castell and would haue prouided a greater power to put in for the keeping of the same But the said Lord Balathye answered that he was strong enough to defend the same towne This was done the sixteenth of August The seuenteenth day at 9 a clock in the morning the Lord Chastilion and Diguieres vnderstoode of this exployt done though they were more then twenty leagues off The said Lord Diguieres dispatched speedely the Lords Poet Blacons Sales and Sousbrochet with their companies they tooke also the Lord Vacheres with some other companies In the mean while the gentlemeÌ„ of Viuarâ—ts which doe lie right against it on the other side of the Rosne vndeâ—standing of this surprize did send forces into the Castell by two Noblemen of the countrey to wit the Lords Mirebel and Allard When the enemie had possessed the said towne of Montlimart three dayes the Lord Poet with his companyes being about three hundred men and fiftie horses entred at night into the Castell and proposing what was to be done determined to set speedily on the towne and the 19. day about 7. a clock in the morning he assembled all his forces which were about two hundred pikes and one thousand Harquebusiers issued out of the Castell into the towne with such fiercenes that they forced their trenches and Barricadoes and cut in pieces aboue two thousand men and among others the countie of Suze the Lords Ancone and Logieres Teil the sonne and Dupuy Saint Martin with many others Noblemen Gentlemen Captaynes and men of fame remayned dead vpon the place There were a great number wounded among whom were Ancone and Saint Fereol Many were taken prisoners among them men of name which were these the eldest sonne of the Countie Suze the Baron Garde Chemlak gouernour of Viuarets Straung Teil the Father Pracontat the young Cossans the young Vauterel Balathye the Captaine of the enterprize vpon Montlimart all Noble men The Lord Ramfort had ariued in the towne but foure houres before not willing to flie away shamefully found the meanes to get into a tower of the towne where hee defended himselfe three dayes but at length seeing the peeces yeelded himselfe to them of the reformed Religion there died not many more than twenty among whome was the Lord Tissieres there was about sixe and twenty hurte This blow did greatly weaken the Papists in that Countrey so that afterward they were more flexible vnto a reasonable peace than they had beene before This was the worke of God which vsed the valour diligence good gouernement of these Noble men but specially of the Lord Poet chiefest gouernour of the said place There excelled also the valiaâ—tnes of the Lord Blacons Vacheres Mirebel and Allart Gentlemen of Viuarets the which being in so small number to wit about twelue hundred men forced more than three thousand men of warre furnished lodged aduantagiously within their Barricadoes flanked and defended in front with three Cannons to reuenge the cruelties which they had vsed and to beat downe their pride The Lord Chastilion had procured certaine regiments of Suissers to come out of the Lordships of Berne to descend along the lake of Losanne and to repaire into Daulphine there to assist them of the Religion against the Lord Valete and to bring that countrey and the next prouinces about out of the bondage of the Leaguers and Catholikes The Lorde Chastilion came as is saide before into Daulphine the first day of August and went accompanyed with the Lordes Diguieres and Poet to receiue them at the riuer Lizere But the Lord Valete hauing left Balathye in Montlimart for the safe keeping thereof went with speed ouer Lizere to let the L. Chastilion with his coÌ„pany to passe ouer that riuer to ioyne with the Swissers The Swissers being two thousand Pikes fiue hundred Corstets three hundred Harquebusiers two hundred Musketâ—ers and foure hundred Frenchmen gathered on the frontiers of Suisserland being all in number three thousand and foure hundred men drew neare to the riuer Lizere to haue ioyned with the said Chastilion But the Lord Valete accompanied with Alphonse Corse hauing intelligences of their comming with fiue hundred Harquebusieres and foure companies of horsemen set vpon them defeated them and tooke eleuen Ensignes which hee sent to the King and one Coronet of horsemen This ouerthrowe was giuen the same day of the recouering of Montlimart and in the sight of the Lords Chastilion and Diguieres who were on the other side of the riuer and by no meanes could passe ouer to rescue them There were slayne about one thousand men twelue hundred taken prisoners and were sent to Valence to worke to the fortifications there a greatnumber saued them selues in Daulphine God maketh the number and armes preuaile as pleaseth him They which were prisoners were redeemed by exchaunge of them that were taken at Montlimart Thus thinges passed on both sides the Lord Chastilion at length hauing intelligences of the Germans comming with his companies tooke his iourney to meet them whom he met in Basignye nigh ChaumoÌ„t the 22. of September next following as shall be noted hereafter The 31. of August the eldest sonne of the County of Grignan at the solicitation of the Lord Diguieres tooke part with the king of Nauarre agaynst the League and seazed vppon the towne of Clausures and Monsegur townes well situated in the County of Grignan wherein the Lord Valete had put garrisons few dayes before About the same tyme the Lord Blacons tooke the town of Suze which after it was ransacked was geuen ouer because the castell could not bee taken The first day of September the Lord Diguieres accompanied with the Lordes Gouernet Brikmaut and the yong Morges besieged Guylhestre and battered it with foure meane peeces and two litle field péeces so that after hauing sustayned two hundred shot and the breach being reasonable the enemy forsooke the towne and retyred into the castell the which also after certayne volyes of canon shot rendered themselues the 5. of September by composition by the which it was agreed that the Gascoynes should depart and be sent away with a
white staffe in their handes and they of the countrey to remayne vpon discretion The tenth of October the Castell of Quyras besieged since the 25. of September was surrendred to the Lord Diguieres assisted with y e Lord Brikmaut and Morges where is a thing worthy of remembrance that the wayes being so high and difficult for the artillery to be caryed ouer the mountaynes contrary to the impossibility which wee thought to be and the expectation of the Papistes yet it passed ouer They were sixe hundred Souldiers 15. hundred Pioniers in drawing the same ouer the mountaynes but foure Leagues in the space of 15. daies At the same tyme the Lord Diguieres knowing that the enemy fortifyed a temple in the towne of Saynt Peter in the Marquisat of Saluces sendeth thether y e Lord Brikmaut with his companies who forced that place in the middle of the day the twelft of October tooke the captaine prisoner and cut to pieces the rest this was the first exployt beyond the mountaynes The eight of Nouember the Lords Ramefort Espornakes and Signak through intelligences which they had in Ionquieres had seazed vpon al the towne saue one tower onely the newes were brought to Orange to the Lord Blacons the which three howres after the taking thereof appeared before the towne with 30. horses This his sodaine and vnlooked for comming did so terrify the footmen who were within the towne calling to remembrance the entertaynment which they had at Montlimart that they sorsooke the place the captayne being not able to hold them although they were in number foure hundred footmen and sixe score horses which were not yet entred into the towne whom the Lord Blacons let goe without any pursuing content onely to enter into the towne for to chastize the traytors In the moneth of Aprill the States of the countrey and Senate of Grenoble had some speeches of peace as is aforesayd but it was delayed Decemb. from tyme to tyme the people being not willing to conclude any thing without the good will and aduise of the King of Nauarre knowing him faythfull to the king louer of the good and prosperity of the realme and that he desireth nothing more then the wealth and quietnes as well of the State in generall as of their prouince as also to be a true Prince of the blood a Prince true and faythfull in his word hauing neuer altered his word in respect of any person whose singular valiantnes mildnes and gentlenes if there were no other thinges in him might mooue the people to honor and acknowledge him according to that degree which he hath in the realme of France These were the causes which moued the States people of Daulphine to conclude nothing without his direction The Articles proposed in the prouinciall States of Daulphine were three First that protestation be made to the obedience due to the King and to the issue male which it shall please God to giue him And that for lack of yssue the king of Nauarre be acknowledged as head of the Princes of the bloud first successor of the crowne and after him the other Princes according to y e primâ—geniture of their degree with detestaon of the manifestes and other such libels whereby they of the League haue gone about to alter this succession Secondly that the reformed religion be receaued throughout all the Prouince of Daulphine indifferently and that they of the reformed religion shall permit the Romish and suffer the church men to enter and enioy their goods and liuinges on both sides they do promise to acknowledge the court of Parliament of Grenoble and to obay the Lord Maugyron that whatsoeuer alteration may happen to the State the king of Nauarre shall imploy his authority present and to come to the obseruation of the agreement namely in that which doth concerne the dignity of the court of the Lieutenant of the King and of the church men Thirdly that in expecting a peace in more ampie maner euery one shal keepe that which he holdeth shortning notwithstanding the garrisons as much as shall be possible This was concluded and agreed in the prouinciall States of Daulphine with an agreement vppon their common defence about the 20. of December Although the Lord Espernon be a most zealous and deuout Catholike that he did agaynst them of the reformed religion all that euer he could yet with some moderatnes he had committed the gouernmeÌ„t of his charge to the Lord Valete his brother which vsed the same valiantnes with the like modesty God did so blesse the good intents of these two noble Catholikes indeede as issued out of an ancient and noble stocke without any degenerating that hauing well rid that Prouince of Daulphine of seditious and factions Leaguers afterward the Catholikes and reformed haue fallen to a good and peaceable composition by the which they haue entertayned themselues in amity and kept their countrey from ransacking and subuersion So wee see now these two great and large prouinces Languedock and Daulphine the one through y e sauage cruelty of Ioyeuse the other through the faithfull seruice and modesty of the Lords Espernon and Valete bretheren to be set in good peaceable state It is sayd how the king of Nauarre had certaine meetings and parleys with the Q. Mother and how the last parlâ—y appoynted was interrupted by the conspiracies of the Leaguers seeking to lay the foundation of their greatnes vnder colour of defending the Romish religion after the which interruption the King of Nauarre retyred into Rochel where he continued vntill the end of Aprill Now let vs lay downe what the sayd King of Nauarre did from this time to wit the latter end of Aprill vnto the end of December and then we will take the course of those things which haue passed in other countreys and by the setting downe of other men About the ende of Aprill the King of Nauarre departing from Rochel with certayne péeces of ordinance tooke Chizay by composition and Sassay by assault where he commaunded certaine robbers of Niort who had obstinatly resolued to withstand him to be hanged From thence he went to S. Mexent which yéelded vpon composition after they had seene the Canon From thence fayning to goe somewhere els departed in the euening and in the morning earely was before Fontenay and on a sudden without great resisting tooke the Suburbe called Loges and at the same instant compassed the towne on euery side least any succour should enter in But seeing that he had neede of more ordinance than he had speedily departed to Rochel to haue more which thing the Rochellers did very willingly and speedily graunt so that within lesse than fiue dayes he returned and began to batter Fontenay with nine péeces The Prince also brought certaine peeces from S. Jhan d' Angely so that Captaine Rossiere who commaunded there ouer the Albaneses and inhabitants were enforced to yéeld by composition almost at the discredition of the said King of Nauarre who
Lord Saint Luke and others going out of Niort through the countrey of Aunix and the towne Sorgeres went to batter Tonnay Charante which he tooke by composition and there vnderstanding that the companie of the Lorde Puelles was at Croixchapeau halfe the way betweene Tonney Charante and Rochel he went with the choyse of his armie to set vpon them at the breaking of the day This companie commaunded by some officer for the Lord Puelles was then at Rochel did most couragiously defend themselues but the place was such as the enemie had meanes to enclose them on euery side and to get to the top of the houses through the back side and to driue them out by setting the houses on fire great part of them was slaine in the fight other yelded themselues vpon promise of the safetie of their liues other hid themselues in the caues They were almost all killed against the faith giuen to them with like sauagenes and barbarous crueltie as the Souldiours of Debory and Charboniere were at the Mote Saint Eloy This done the Lord Ioyeuse returned to Tonney Charante vnderstanding that the King of Nauarre was gone out of Rochel to set vpon him and thence to Niort At the same time they which were at Marans did looke to be set on but he vnderstanding that some companies of the Prince had taken Tonney Charante vpon the Garison which hee had left there in hast returned thether with his Ordinance tooke it againe being kept only by a sergiant of a band who with 15. Souldiours onely had obstinatly vndertaken the defence thereof In the selfe same place he was aduertised of the euill watch and of the small company which was at the Abbey of Maillezay a very strong place thether he went with speede and the Lorde Malicorne gouernour of Poytow with him he compassed it so that it was not possible to put in new forces so that the fourth day after it was surrendered by composition After the taking of Maillezay it was thought that the Duke Ioyeuse would set on Marans but hee durst not fearing the King of Nauarre and the Prince who were in the field seeking occasion Some dayes after Ioyesue made a shew to set vpon Talmound but the Lord Saint Stephen hauing seazed vpon it first caused him to haue no great affection thereto So as his armie decayed dayly being infected with the Pestilence the King of Nauarres on the other side waxed strong The Lord Ioyeuse hauing stayed in Poytow somewhat lesser then three moneths about the 15. day of August he rode in poste to Paris to the Duke of Guize as well to informe him of his noble actes and what Kingdomes hee had conquered in winning few villages in Poytow as to minister texts vnto the Fryers and Iesuits to preach vpon vnto the sottish people of Paris to wit the notable slaughters which hee had committed vpon the hereticks in Poytow he was receaued with exceeding ioye of the Parisions he left his companies with the Lorde Lauerdine who conducted them after him all by ease But the King of Nauarre who slept not went forth out of Rochel vpon the newes of the retiring of the saide Ioyeuse with a marueilous celeritie and passing through Marans with some horsemen pursued the remnant of that armie so liuely and that with few men that he discomfited three companies of men of warre conducted by the Marquis Renel tooke their Ensignes and many of them with a great number of Gentlemen This being done he pursued after Lauerdine which conducted the footmen with two culuerines but with the fauour of passages ouer the riuers saued himself in the Haye in Tourenne where the king of Nauarre besieged him but hauing neither Ordinance nor footemen forsooke him and went to Monsoreau vpon the riuer of Loyre in Tourenne where he made a Fort vpon the riuer and there he staied 15. daies to expect the companies which were brought to him out of France by the County Soissons Whilest these thinges were passing thus in Poytow the king about the 23. of Iune vnderstood that the army of Germans both great and strong was in readines to take their iourney into France whereupon the King determined to prepare not onely to defend himselfe but also to inuade the enemie Therefore he sendeth his commissioners into all Prouinces to assemble all his Nobilitie with all their forces and them to deuide into three seuerall armies wherof the rendes vous of the one vnder the conduct of the Duke of Guyze comprehending the Nobilitie and others who were knowen notorious leaguers was giuen the 20. of Iuly in the towne of Chaumont in Bassignye The second armie vnder the conduct of the K. himselfe was of the Nobilitie in the which hee had most trust out of Picardy France Normandie Britayne and other Prouinces betweene Seyne and Loyre The rendes vous was appoynted at Saint Florentine in Bourgony between the cities of Troyes and Auxer the first day of August The third vnder the conduct of the L. Ioyeuse was of the Nobilitie of y e coūtries beyond Loyre and the rendes vous was assigned at Gien The Duke of Guize with his armie of conspirators and Leaguers should stop the passage to the Germanes vpon the borders of Lorreyne specially should hinder them frō taking their way through Champaigne on the north side of the riuer of Seyne The King of Nauarre about the beginning of Iune vnderstanding that his armie of Germanes was in readines to departe out of Germanie to come to his succour sent Ambassadonrs to the King humbly to intreate him to take some pitie of his kingdome and poore subiects both to shew him some wayes of peace and also because that heretofore the saide King had acknowledged the heads of the League to be his enemies and to haue raysed all these vprores not so much against the house of Bourbon as against his owne person he requested the King to vse his and the Germane forces against the common enemie of the Realme But the King hauing many disloyall seruants both about his person and in his counsell who were greatly addicted to the league they disloyally betrayed him making him beleeue that if he should accept the King of Nauarre his offers and so change his mind it were the nearest way to rayse an vniuersal rebelliou of all his subiects against him and that this Ambassage of the King of Nauarre did proceed not from loue and duetie but frō feare and dread who saw his manifest ouerthrowe at hand by these three great and mightie armies which he was setting in a readines The Duke of Guyze with his conspirators aduertized by his special friends which hee had alwayes about the Kings person who were priuie to al his secrets of this Ambassage and proffers made by the King of Nauarre was not a little amazed fearing that the King now was better aduised hauing a fit opportunity to reuenge himselfe vpon the pride arrogancie iniuries proffred him by them considering that
the Duke of Neuers who had shewed them the wrong that they did to their ancient aliance which they had with the King so to beare armes against him he shewed them the danger wherein they put their Common-wealth to be troubled by the occasion which they had giuen him to remember their enterprize but that they might easily remedie it by retyring themselues from so many discommodities and necessities whereunto they were reduced Also that if they would determine to retyre home he would make meanes to the King in their behalfe to giue them money with all the securitie which they might aske Also that after hee had so spoken to them the sayd Lord of Neuers brought them to the King who shewed them a very angrie countenance reproouing them very sharply for the offence done against their aliance and their othes so to arme themselues against him That it was he which was King of France that he did weare the crowne vpon his head that hee was not a spirit that it was hee himselfe who ventured both his person and all his meanes against them who had imployed their forces he thought that they had béene circumuented vnder a false pretence but now when they saw it they could not pretend any ignorance hee assured them also that hee would see them pursued by the way of iustice before theyr Lords To these things they are reported to haue answered that they had borne these armes to support the crowne of France and to oppose themselues to the wicked practises of the Leaguers whom his Maiestie heretofore both by words of mouth and also by his edicts had declared his enemies And that beeing euery way dulye informed of the truth of this matter they could do no lesse then to satisfy the iust request of the King of Nauarre first Prince of the bloud who was most faythfull vnto him for to accompanie him in such a iust quarell They said also that they added all which they thought might haue serued for that purpose Notwithstanding whether they were amazed at the word of the King whether they were already wonne by money at their returne they chaunged the mindes of their felowes who then openly began to mutiny and to aske two or three moneths wages or else to haue leaue to depart The Baron Oneau with all the Colonels emploied them selues very faithfully shewing them what wrong they did to themselues and to their nation to picke quarrels for to separat themselues from them and the Frenchmen which they could not do with a good conscience The morrow after the Duke Boyllon with the Baron Oneau and other Lords of the Counsel went to the quarter of the Swissers to see how to remedy that disorder The matter was pleaded with many wordes but at that time there was nothing done The Colonels and Captaines determined to send once more to the king to haue pasportes to send to the king of Nauarre to know to know of him whether he did beare armes against the crown of France and that if he should deny it they would serue him for money if to the contrary they would take their leaue from him with entreatie to be content with that which is past This answer was receaued as wordes for they themselues were sufficiently enformed of the good and right affection of the king of Nauarre towardes the king his crowne and estate and though they had not knowen it yet was it not time now to enquire thereof This answere also was not regarded but that they made this quarrell mooued from some where else The alleaged also their necessityes and that without money they would not passe further As these thinges passed in the army they of Estempes made a sally by night vpon the Swissers but without any notable effect At the same time the enemyes gaue an onset vpon the footmen but by reason they were succored by the Lord Chastilion they did but a litle hurt saue that they tooke prisoner the Lord Cormon who was incontiuently brought to the Duke Espernon they vsed him to bring to passe that whereby the army was afterward disbanded The 15. of Nouember the army remoued toward Chartres and there was put in question whether they should proceed further or returne backe it was agreed that they should make one dayes march yet further to fauour the comming of the Prince County of whom they had newes by the Lord Essars who had seene him in returning from the king of Nauarre The next lodging was within two litle Leagues of Chartres the Duke Espernon with the kinges aduangard was at Bonauall which was the only passage which rested for the armie to passe if they would haue gone further along the riuer of Loyre from thence departed the Lord Chastilion by the common consent of all to goe to receaue the Prince County who came the 20. of Nouember to Prunay where all the Nobles came to meets him There they represented vnto him all the great discommodities which they suffered For the king was on the one side vpon the border of Loyre the Leaguers were on the right hand of them and if the army would turne backe they mustrepasse the way they came and fighting with the Duke of Guyze on the one side they should haue the kings army at their héeles All reasons wayghed it was concluded to returne backe as speedily as might bee and with great iourueyes to recouer the head spring of Loyre Some of the Germans thought good at midnight next folowing to depart and proposed it in the Counsell by Huguery◠but on the one side the way was not yetresolued on the other side they had no tyme to aduertize the whole army and also it was not thought honorable to depart in the night as though they had béen carryed away with terror The departing therefore was deferred vntill the 24. of Nouember and that it should bee by day Whilest these thinges were a dooing the messengers of the Swissers returned and gaue to vnderstand that at this third time they had found some alteration in the discourse hee had with them and that the king had commaunded them to repayre to the Duke Espernon so that it seemed by theyr discourse that they were ashamed that euer they were entered into any negotiation with the King so there was some hope to stay them To the same end Huguerie was sent to the Baron Oneau to propose that it was necessary for the contentation of the Germans to trye by all meanes to stay the Swissers it was alleaged for a principall reason that the same huge body going away would cary with them some companies of Rutters who might moue the others and render them more vnwilling to do that which they were requested The matter being proposed in the counsell some thought theyr departure to be not greatly hurtfull bringing these reasons to verify their opinion first that it was a bodie so heauy and so vnwealdye to remooue that by this action the enemy might driue the whole armie into
entertaine that which he proposed he shewed also how in all that there was no securitie and that the Kings offer was as good as nothing in offering to men of warre Souldiers conditions shamefull and vnreasonable and such as could not bee accepted without forcing both their religion and honour But the tumult encreasing as is commonly seene in such diuersitie of opinions the Germans concluded to accept one of the two proffers and that same day at euening they would shew which of them Upon this resolution the Prince County with his white Cornet separated himselfe and went to lodge at a Castle not farre off They made some proffers to the Lord Chastilion to disswade him from his returne into Languedock amplifying the great daungers which did attend him if hee should hazard that voyage Notwithstanding he went to the Lord Boillon and hauing made a discourse of the dangers whereinto he did cast his life and state vpon the feare which he conceaued shewed him â—ow this delay of resolution would giue leasure to the enemie to stop his passage and taking his leaue from him tooke his way to his troupes which stayed for him This being done there came 25. or 30. Rutters after him to call him saying that they had somewhat to say to him Then hee began to mistrust them as that they would arest him and being in the middle of them vnderstood that they talked among themselues that they had no securitie for their payment that the French men should giue them assurance There some of the princiâ—allest of them sayd vnto him twise in the eare my Lord goe your way fearing the mutinie of the common Souldiers The Lord Chastilion then speaking to the companie of the Rutters it is reason said he that you should haue securitie of your paiment and for my part I am ready to bind my selfe to de what you will But said he I must haue the Lord Boillon whom I goe to fetch to you And vpon these words â—urned bridle and making roome tooke the galop to the forefront of his troupes the which with sword in hand tooke their way with a soft pace about two miles and thence got easily to S. Laurence where was the rendes vous The said L. Chastilion through great daungers with his company arriued the 11. of December at a Castell in Viuarets called Retortou where was a garrison of them of the Religion the fift day after his separation from the army The Lord Chastilion so retired from that armie the Rutters and others who remayned among them concluded the capitulation with the Lorde Espernon as appeareth by the articles which were brought to the King and afterward by his commaundement sent into the Prouinces and gouernments of his realme whereof the tenor followeth Articles and capitulations concluded by the Lord Espernon with the Lords heads and guides of the armie of strangers Baron Oneau Colâ—nels Captaines Writmasters Lords and Knights c. The Frenchmen who are in the armie shall render their Cornets into the hands of the Lorde Espernon to bee sent vnto his Maiestie to whome the King giueth libertie to enioy their goods in safetie in their houses so that they obey the Kings edicts They also shal make promise to him signed and sealed with their hands neuer to beare armes except it bee for his seruice and by his expresse commaundement except it be out of the realme They of his said subiects who will retire out of the realme without obeying his edicts and yet will make the said promise the King doth graunt them libertie to inioy their goods and securitie to returne with the strangers out of the realme but they who will promise nothing at all they shal only haue safety to retire out of the realme with the strangers without inioying any of their goods And for as much as some of the Captaines may make doubtes to surrender their Ensignes the King will that such shall not at all enioy the benefit contained in these Articles As for the strangers the King dooth graunt them passeport vnto the Frontiers of his estate on that side where they are now nearest vpon condition that the said Colonels Captaines Writmasters shall promise to the King neuer to carrie armes in France against the King being thether called by his subiects without his expresse commaundement and shall lap vp their Ensignes in returning to their Countrey Also they shal not take nor carrie away any prisoners of the Kings subiects without his expresse licence neither shall commit any act of hostilitie in his realme in which dooing the King shall prouide them necessarie things for the performing of the premises the 8. of December This was the end of this armie by the which God did euidently shew to his children that it is hee onely vpon whome they ought to cast their eyes in their afflictions that other meanes are altogether vnprofitable except that he will further them neither will he further them except they be well vsed with an vpright minde and intent This separation of the army tooke away from the enemies of Gods people all occasion to swell of the victorie which they may not attribute to their valour who durst neuer looke them in the face and in skirmishes the enemy had alwaies the worst except at Aulneau onely where through their negligence they were surprised Now Christian Reader consider well the vse of this dissolution of the Army The King prepared great power to oppose himselfe to it vsed great pollicy to drawe it into that straight whereinto they wilfully did cast themselues for not following the good counsell of the K. of Nauarre who would haue them to passe aboue the head of Loyre But as men destitute of vnderstanding heedily went into a manifest mishap and knew not wherefore as to close vp themselues betweene so many riuers whose passages they knew well to be holden by the enemyes And as the king vsed great pollicie in snaring them that way so he tooke great care labour to disunite them that without blowes he might throw them downe and at length beeing by themselues weakned sent them away to the slaughter vnder the shadow of a pasport If the King had béen so long at schole with Salomon as he was with his mother the onely furie that hath beene these many ages hee could haue learned that it was an vnseemly thing for a king to speake a lie But marke the fruit that he receaued thereby all this redounded to his vndooing for of euill can no good bee done by man The Duke of Guyze as he had turned all his actions heretofore to his viscredit so did he this for he caused certaine horses which he had taken of the Rutters at the skirmish at Vimory in Gastinois at the surprize at Aulneau to be lead some into one City and some into another almost through all France by his horsecorsers and riders with this song Saul hath killed a thousand and Dauid ten thousands as it shall
the premises are according to trueth and for the certitude of the same wee haue sealed this report with our hands andseales at S. Ihan d' Angely the 6. day of March 1588. Medicis Bontemps Pallet Poget Mesnard Chotard About the same time the King of Nauarre came out of Gascoyne who being aduertized of his death commaunded that such as were suspected of that villanous fact should be pursued Whereupon a page suspected saued himselfe by flight many more were apprehended The processe was made vnto many with all the solemnities requisite thereunto whereof within a while after the condemnation of one Brillaut ensued the page also was condemned vpon centumacie executed in Picture Brillaut was drawne vpon a hurdle through all the streates of S. Jhan and in the chiefest place of the sayd towne was torne in peeces with foure horses Now we see how the Leaguers when they haue not been able to destroy the Princes by valour haue vsed treacherous procéedings For first hauing treacherously shortned the life of the Duke of Alençon by poyson as it is saide in the first booke and seduced the Cardinall of Bourbon making him dreame of a kingdome in his old doting age and to oppose himselfe to two Kings to wit the King and the King of Nauarre and to all the house of Bourbons out of which God had made him that honour as to haue issued one of the chiefest as is sayd in the second booke They also haue condemned the King of Nauarre to dye by their Italian figges and there uppon proclaymed his death which they had promised to themselues both in Lorreyne and in the Court and in Townes and Cities of their fauourers but God hath disappoynted them of their murtherous purpose At length by the long suffering of God to plague France they haue preuayled agaynst that good godly vertuous famous Prince of Conde and that vpon such a day as hath béen fatall to the house of Guize to work mischief murther and rebellion The death of this noble Prince amazed all men in Xainctonge knowing that God had some heauie iudgements to execute vppon France and that GOD had taken that noble Prince least he should see euill dayes as the Prophet Esay saith It is sayd before how the Lord Lauerdine who was master of the Campe saued himselfe by flight out of the slaughter of Coutras betooke himselfe to the towne of Niort to the Lord Malicorne his vncle where hée soiourned as his Lieutenant Here Christian Reader wee haue to obserue that although the King and the Leaguers hated in wardly one another and in outward appearance did deepely dissemble their affections yet wee doo see that as Herode and Pilate did excercise priuie hatred betweene them and at length in persecuting Christ did well agree as friends so in men of like degrées and in like actions the like affections are boyling in their hearts For the rumour of the death of the King of Nauarre and Prince of Conde which the Leaguers hauing set some secret price vppon their heads had promised vnto themselues did cause the King and the Leaguers in outward apparance to be great friends and to promise vnto themselues an vtter rooting out of them of the religion and a sure subduing of all things beyond the riuer of Loyre With speede therefore they sent eight or nine regiments conducted by the Lord Courbe to the Lord Lauerdine Lieutenant of his vncle the Lord Malicorne at Niort in Poytow who with al the forces which he could gather both in the lowe and high Poytow the 16. day of March about two a clocke after midnight descended into Marans by boates through the marishes of Beauregard and with fiue hundred footmen seazed vppon the house and farme of the sayd Beauregard hauing found no resistance but onely of two of the inhabitants of Marans with a little boate who were gone to discouer the Iland Cicoigne these two discharging their peeces vpon the enemies retyred to the trenches of Beauregard there they found but fiue or sixe Souldiers as well of the inhabitants as others who also discharged certaine shot vpon the enemie who notwithstanding aduanced and came to land The cause why the Lord Lauerdine subdued these Ilands so easily was first the certayne newes of the death of the Prince of Conde and the rumours bruted abroade touching the supposed death of the King of Nauarre which thing caused great amaze and discouraging among all men Secondly the ill order and prouidence of the gouernour for if he his troups and inhabitants had done their duetie Lauerdine had not entered that Iland at that price or els had been chased out to his dishonour and losse The Lord Iarry had béen aduertized three dayes before of the enterprize of Lauerdine and might haue put into the Ilands forces sufficient to resist the enemie for the companies of the Lord Trimouille conducted by the Lord Boysduly returning from Cotaudiere were very nigh him to wit at S. Radagond Champaigne and Puyreneau who desired nothing more then to enter into Marans But the gouernour and the inhabitants fearing the preace of Souldiers which was excessiue indeede would not admit them but sent to Rochel the Captaine Plaute Lieutenant of the Gouernour to request them of Rochel to send them about fiftie Souldiers whom they would entertayne vntill they might see what the enemie would doo which thing they of Rochel could not doo for that time Notwithstanding this refuse and that the gouernour was well aduertized that he had not sufficient forces to let y e enemie to take land yet the companies of the Lord Boysduly passing through the Brault were sent further as farre as Esuand through foule wayes ouerthwart the Marshes whereas they should haue been stayed to be vsed as the necessitie had required They sent notwithstanding the same day at euening to the said Boysduly but arriuing not before ten or eleuen a clock in the night was the cause that succour could not come in time although that the diligence of the sayd Boysduly and his companies was wonderfull for without any leasure to lodge and without any respect of the indignitie proffered him and his troupes the day before they departed presently and repayred to the fort Brune one houre and a halâ—e before the enemie tooke lande at Beauregard But whilest the gouernour and the inhabitants made some difficultie to let in all his troupes being not willing to receaue aboue 50. or 60. the enemie on the other side entred at Beauregard as is sayd so that the entrie into Brune was not opened to the sayd Boysduly nor his troups afore that the enemy had already gotten the farme house of Beauregarde There had beene meanes to driue back the enemie if speedely the troups who were entred at Brune about three a clock after midnight had gone to meete the enemie as some did giue their aduise to doe For the L. Lauerdine was not yet well accompanyed and it had beene an easie thing to cut the way to the
couered with zeale of popish religion as with a Maske partly for their treacherous intents which shee knew they had against the Crowne of France Yet these petty Lords of Lorreyn must needs haue her whether she will or not but her they may not haue before they take Sedan the chiefest towne of her principalitie which they had terrified all this moneth of March by the barbarous inuasions of the Lord Rosne It is saide also how the besieged in Iamets haue kept off the enemies and had caused to trench themselues in villages thereabouts where they were dayly assaulted by them of Iamets Now in the latter end of March the armie before Iamets was greatly increased inforces so that all things being readie Iamets is pressed and besieged more narrowly then before and after many skirmishes betweene them the arâ—illerie is placed for the battery There remained to them of Jamets for hope of succour after mans iudgement the towne of Sedan in the which vnder the auâ—hority of the Duchesse commaunded the Lord Nieuile a Gentleman famous in counsell valour and experience he had within Sedan a small number of Gentlemen and good Souldiours The army which was before Iamets desirous to cut off all hope of succour from Sedan sent part of their horsemen Frenchmen Italians and Spaniards with a number of Harquebusiers about Sedan to spoyle and to seaze vpon all places and high waiâ—s by which they of Sedan might come to succour Iamets and among others they tooke Vaudelincourt Balan and other places Their courses were raging and their rage spared nothing the contempt which they had of so weake an enemie made them as the manner is both insolent secure and careles of their safetie which was the cause that diuers times and in diuers places they were charged by them of Sedan who issuing out fiercely made great slaughter of them as the time and small meanes which they had suffered them so that they were shamefully driuen out of their villages of Vaudelincourt and Balan But to preuent such inconueniences the Lorde Rosne and other Captaines who conducted the turkish troupes of the League determined to lodge hereafter more closely then they had done before and for that cause the fourth day of Aprill the greatest part of the horsenien and footemen which were on the east side of Mense went to Bemily situated on the west side of the sayd riuer where the L. Rosne lodged and the rest of his companies lodged at Aucourt Haracourt and Raucourt leauing on the east side of Mense the Baron of Saraxenbourg with foure companies of horsemen to wit his owne and the Lord Anthony Vize a frenchman a great friend of the Duke of Guyze the third was the company of the Lord Tilly a Lorreyne and the fourth was conducted by Captaine Carlo an Italian These companies placed themselues within the towne of Douzie belonging to the principalitie of Sedan That towne they determined to fortifie by reason of the situation which is good being situated vpon the riuer named Chize flowing from Iuoy and within a quarter of a league beneath Douzie falleth in the riuer Mense which caÌ„not be passed by foord in winter the sayd Douzie lyeth directly from Sedan to Iamets so that hauing Douzie they be masters of the way from Sedan to Iamets Nigh vnto the village of Douzie beyond the bridge at the ends of the meades at a place called Marie were two companies of horsemen lodged commanded by Ihan and Thomas Albaneses there they were set to succour Douzie for by the meanes of the bridge lying betweene them and the towne in a moment they could recouer the towne The companies which had passed the riuer Mense vnder the conduct of the Lorde Rosne were gone to besiege Raucourt appertayning to the Soueraignety of Sedan They besieged it when it was altogether vnprouided of all necessary things for which cause the Lord Nieuile determined by the aduise of the cousell to furnish it with all necessary things as well with prouision of victuals as munition of warre and by the way to charge three companies of light horsemen which were lodged in Haracourt and to that ende hee departed out of Sedan about eight a clock in the euening the tenth day of Aprill accompanyed with foure score horses and foure hundred Harquebusiers but there fellout such a terrible tempest and violent rayne that they were enforced to retire saue onely they victualed Raucourt The twelfth das of April the Lord Nieuile aduertized of the diligence which the Baron of Saraxenbourg vsed in fortifiyng Douzie he considered that the longer he should delay to charge him the greater the difficulty would be and that the sooner the better without giuing hun leaue to fortifie himselfe in that place which did so presse Sedan and tooke from him the meanes to succour Iamets he therefore called the counsel and propounded them two enterprizes which bee would willingly attempt the â—â—e was to goe to Haracourt the other to Douzie whither it was concluded that they should martch the same night They departed about ten a clock at night with foure hundered Harquebusiers and fourescore and twelue horses commauuded by the Lorde Arsoune and Falayses It was also ordered that the footemen should goe three diuers waies to wit that the Captaines Dorys and Parramentier with one hundred Hâ—rquebusiers should goe to get the bridge of Douzy vpon the riuer Chize to stop the sally of them who were within the towne and by the same meanes to let the companies of the light horsemen who were at Mary distant onely from Douzie the shot of an Harquebush betweene that place and the towne nothing being but the meades and the riuer least they shoulde goe into the towne to succour their fellowes Captain Cheuerdery Lieutenant to the Lord Caulmont should assault the lodging of the Lord Saraxenbourg with 50. Harquebusiers the Captaines Framond and Massart with their troupâ—â— should charge vpon the trenches through the which the horsemen should issue foorth The rest of the footemen commaunded by Captaine Villepoys Seriant Maior should stay with the horsemen for to helpe where neede should bee and to fauour our horsemen when they should ioyne with the enemie The thirteenth day about three a clock in the morning the troupes of Sedan did charge Douize and they who had the charge to sease the bridge came so fitly without finding any great resistance that quickly they were masters of the bridge But it was not so at the barritados whom the Captaine Framond and Massart did charge for there our men were violently resisted by the Barron of Saraxenbourg himselfe and the Lord Anthony Vize Dom Ihan Romeroa Spanyard who made a salley with fiue and twentie or thirtie horsemen who notwithstanding were receaued so coragiously by our footmen who had charged the Barricado that being beaten back they were faine to retire within their trenches so confusedly that our footemen in beating them before entred with them and seazed vpon the barricado In this
We haue recited in as good order as such a deformed confusion could be reduced vnto those things which passed in Paris in that damnable commotion Now the King being at Trappes considering the treacherie of that house which he had fauoured and honoured more without comparison then the houses of his owne bloud the person also whom hee had loued and vnited to himself more then any other the sauagednes of his subiects and familiar houshold seruants representing to himselfe the rage of the people whom he had alwaies tendered almost more then all the residue of his Realme the ingratitude of that Citie which had béen alwaies his delights and to the which he had neuer denied any thing that he could do for the peace preseruation ease riches and greatnes of the same calling to minde the tumuits rage and violence attempted and executed against him their benefactor reasoning with himselfe how that they were Catholikes of his owne religion and that they had béen his right hand in persecuting them of the reformed religion how they were his fellowes followers in committing the most vile and sauage murther that euer was heard of in the world Calling to remembrance the long and daily warning geuen him by the King of Nauarre the Princes of the bloud noble men and gentlemen of all degrees and of many forreine Princes of the Guyzes intent against him his crowne and state Pondering in his mind the token which his eies had seene his eares had heard and all despised and contemned and withall in stéed of looking to his security against such practizes he had from tyme to time hardned his hart agaynst Christ and to shed innocent blood and vnder the colour of defending the Catholike religion had countenanced strengthened and armed his enemies agaynst himselfe whereby he hath receaued that foile shame and confusion this day Euery man may iudge in what distresse of minde this great King passed all that night full of iust indignation of sorrow which although in outward apparance it might be kept close yet inwardly inhart it could not be dissembled The selfe same day of the tumult in Paris the Duke de Mayne attempted vppon Lyons but he was put backe by the inhabitantes About the same time also the inhabitantes of Orleans Anious Bourges Abeuille and in other places did expell the Kings garrisons and officers with the Citizens who did hold with the King whom they did call politickes and many of them were taken prisoners The thirteenth day the King went to the Citty of Chartres where many of his faythfull seruantes resorted to him and also his gardes which had escaped the slaughter of Paris The Duke of Guyze though very sory that so foolishly hee had missed to take the King in the Loure as he made his ful reckoning the day before followed the victory as well as hee could and first beginneth to play the good husband in Paris to further the affayres to the premeditate intent First he brought to his house aboue seuen hundered thousand crownes of that which was none of his which there hee layed for an earnest of the whole The same daye also hee tooke the Kinges Arseuall at the Bastile and sealed vp the Kings treasury and in hope shortly to make all his owne in the meane time hee will carry the key When the Duke of Guyze had so played the good husband now hee will trie in a small matter how hee can play the Kings part in great and waighty matters For suspecting the Prouost of Marchantes named Perreuse the Escheuins to be politickes and fauourers of the King assembled the state of the citty and there in his presence the said Prouost and Escheuins were deposed and by his commaundement one Chapel a most treacherous and seditious man was elected Prouost and one Rowland Compan with other factious and mutinous companions all deuoted to the Duke of Guyze were elected Escheuins Immediatly after these thinges done in Paris the fame there flyeth abroad from towne to towne reports are spread abroad not as before that Cities are surprized that the people rise in armes that muster is taken but the king was besieged in the Loure and in great daunger to be slaine by the Duke of Guyze hee is fled from Paris the Duke is in possession of the sayd Citty It was incredible to many some made but a â—ush at it good men were greatly mooued as it for seeing that such a treason would draw after it many calamities But the Leaguers lifted vp their heads thes stoutnes and high courage of the Duke of Guyze was in the mouthes of them of his faction but specially the Priestes Monkes and Iesuits did in their Pulpits extoll him to heauen and vpon the newes of this exploit done in Paris by the aduertizements which the Duke of Guyze gaue euery where but specially by the preaching of the Friers and Iesuits the partakers make them selues ready to battaile A sudden feare came vpon the Duke of Guiz and them of Paris his partakers for after the Kings departure from Paris they considering their error and that now they are further to execute their enterprize vpoÌ„ his person than euer they were the guiltines of their consciences doe represent to them the reuengement and the King making already as they see in their fearfull vision an agreement of peace with the King of Nauarre and calling him with his forces to his ayde to chastize them according to their deserts Therefore they sent presently to their partakers to arme themselues The Fryers and Iesuites sound the allarum euery where their seditious and impudent tongues seruing them for trompets and their pulpits for a drumme and giue the rendes vous at Paris about the person of the Duke of Guyze When the Duke had so played the good husband and had no more to take and had played the king in altring the state of the citie and seazing vpon the kinges arseuall and treasurie and had shewed himselfe a good prouident Captaine yet considering that in a little while the king was like to wax stronger than the Leaguers specially if he should ioyne himselfe to the king of Nauarre whose name they not onely hated but also feared extreamly in the meane while they goe about both to strengthen themselues and to amend their error as well as they can espetially three maner of wayes by letters by spyalls and seeking the way of reconsiliation As for the letters the Duke himselfe playeth the secretary to shewe how pretily he can skill of that occupation when it pleaseth him And for that the part of a good Orator is to delight he hath a speciall care of that and supposeth that vanitie is the chiefest thing whereby to delight the Reader therefore to atchieue this part of eloquence happily he plucketh quilles out of one of Polypus wings wherewith hee maketh him three pennes and with the one he writeth to the gouernour of Orleans of whom he had alwayes asmuch assured himselfe as of the
occupie the whole gouernement of Aunis and to plague the inhabitants of Rochel Therefore he lodged there his regiment which consisted of ten Ensignes whom he deuided in the Forts of the Iland and to make warre out right he ordained the Lord Tremblay to bee in garrison there with a companie of fourtie light horses He caused great store of white Corslets and newe Pikes to be brought thether out of Paris to arme his garrisons there He sendeth Commissioners to the Parishes round about euen to them which lye next to Rochel to haue a number of Pyoners to gather Subsidies and Tallages and to bring them to Marans He prepared a number of Barkes and boates for to hold the Sea and to seaze vppon the I le of Rhe by the intelligences which he had with the Lord S. Luke of Browage He caused the Corne and Wine to be taken vp through the Farmes of the gouernment of Rochel and tooke many prisoners To be short speaking very bigge he omitted no poynt of hostilitie hoping to make there a second Browage and a Blockhouse to famish Rochel The King of Nauarre did beare with him and hauing spied his counsell during the space of two moneths and a halfe the sayd King hauing on a sudden assembled certaine companies of footmen and horsemen made all things readie the 24. of Iune entered the Iland at Charron nigh to Marans ouer the bridges which he had caused to bee made in diuers places In this Iland were holden by the enemie the Forts of Charron and Brault wherein were foure score Souldiers harquebusiers commaunded by Captaine Chautery hee besieged the Fort of Brault as the néerest of greater importance and more defendable by the enemie whose losse drew after it the losse of Charron He drewe by the channell of Seure two shippes set in readines to batter it but at night it was surrendered their liues safe notwithstanding of courtesie he granted both to the Captaine and Souldiers their swords immediatly they of Charron surrendered themselues likewise being in number twentie of the best Souldiers of the Regiment The 25. day he caused a bridge to be made vpon the channell of Brune approaching still to the I le of Marans and went himselfe to view the fort Clouzie and a certaine house fortified by the enemie called the house of Clouzie nigh the méetings of two channels which doo wash the sayd house on both sides These two Forts doo lye vpon a deepe channell which they must needes passe ouer to enter into Marans distant one from the other about sixe score paces and beyond the sayd channell betweene the two forts a newe fort was builded for to let the casting of the bridge if any should be made This newe fort was in the sight of the two forts to wit the fort of Clouzie and the house of Clouzie whereof is spoken of before All things well viewed the sayd King concluded to attempt vpon these fortes the rest of the day passed away in shooting certaine volleys of Ordinance vppon those fortes out of the shippes and in certaine light skirmishes In the euening the sayd King caused the shippes to goe downe the water to the Iland Charron to take from the enemy the suspicion of the thing which hee determined to do the day following The 26. day being the Lords day about three a clock hee came with few of his men before Clouzie made his bridges sure aduauncing forward his Gabions prepared the bridge to bee cast betweene the two forts searched the places where they might enter into Marans causeth his shippes to approach into that place where they were the day before putting his regimentes in battaile aray placing them in the same order that they should march and also his footmen to sustayne the enemy at the entring of the Iland and to serue for such occasions as might ryse he being himselfe in person the formost to see with the eie what should be needeful to be done The morning passed away in such exercises and in the meane while the enemy did what he could to keepe him off At 11. a clock prayers and singing of Psalmes vnto God being ended throughout all his regimentes and troupes of horsemen after hee had appoynted euery man what they should doo hee began to force the passage kept by a companie of the regiment of the Lord Cluseaulx and with the company of light horses of the Lord Tremblay flanked on y e one side with the fort Clouzie and on the other side by the house Clousie which was as is aforesayd fortified and in front defended by the third fort and a trench in the middle Vpon the right hand of the house of Clousy marched the master of the Campe Preaulx who had slyded with his troupes into the reedes to passe ouer the channell in a place knowen and yet not without danger and the Captayne Ferrand with him hee tooke also with him the Captaines Lomeau and Nede into the same reedes A little behind was the Baron Salignak with his regiment to geue the scalado to the sayd house Right against the house of Clouzie foure captaines with their Souldiers thosen out of the regiment of the Lord Granuile did aduaunce the Gabions vppon the banke of the channell and behind their Gabions were in battell aray the companyes of Rochel at the right hand of the sayd Gabions right agaynst the meeting of the two channels the saide Lord Granuile with thirty armed men did push forward the said bridge they were couered from the gunshot of the fort Clousy by the Captaine Valley of Rochel with a great number of targets of proofe and behinde them who did push the bridge marched the rest of the regiment with the troupes of Rhe conducted by captayne Planch At the lift hand going toward Clousy to occupy the enemy all along the channell marched the new and old gardes of the King of Nauarre conducted by the Captaynes Porte and Vignoles and the Harquebuziers on horseback of the Lord Peujas who were al lighted of their horse with Captaine Limalle The horsemen were behind the footmen the troupe of the Lord Peujas behind the regiment of the Lord Granuile and the companies of Rhe which followed the bridge The mayne forces of the King of Nauarre commaunded by the Prince of Soissons were a hundred paces and more behind but a litle more aduaunced vppon the lift hand The enemyes seeing the Kinges forces in that aray and that they had bowed theyr knees on the ground to make their prayers to God afore they went to the battell and calling to remembrance the prayers which were made at Coutras did fall into such a feare as they began to crye they pray they will beat vs as they did at Coutras and beginning to wauer on a sudden fled away in great disorder Here is to be noted that had it not béen for the fault committed through hastines in casting the bridge in a place where the chanell was forked whereas it should haue
offence of the leaguers and the innocencie of the party condemned he graunted the Edict of re-union patched by the hammering and tinkering of his mother the Leaguers in the towne of Nemours where they had assembled themselues bearing date the one and twentith of Iuly This Edict was made according to the former demaunds and articles of Nancy spoken of before Here it may bee asked how the King knowing the secret thoughts and drifâ—s of the Guizes and other Leaguers by long experience and obseruation of their behauiours by the admonitions giuen him by men of all degrees both strangers and subiects by their attempts and actions so often times atchieued by their vniust pernicious vnreasonable vnseemely and irreuerent demaunds so oftentimes proposed and his faithfull subiects vrging him with earnest prayers to seeke the remedying and reuenge of these iniuries why did he not hearken vnto them and pursued them with strong hand if they had refused to answer to his iustice which thing to doo at length he was enforced to do There is no doubt but he had a will and purpose to be reuenged of them but being a scholler of the villanous and prophane Atheist the Italian Machiauell whose philosophie he had hardly studied by the counsell of his godles mother and of some villanous scullions Italians which were about her hee supposed that he could be reuenged better by craftinesse and surprising of them then by force He watched for the occasions how to handle them in such wise as he handled them of the reformed religion at S. Bartholomew and so with one banquet to haue rid his hands of his enemies and recouered his authoritie state and quietnes And so refusing the lawfull meanes by the which God giueth saluation vnto Kings his owne counsell turned to his owne shame confusion and dishonour Doo ye therefore that which is righteous ye Kings and Iudges of the earth and kisse the sonne least ye perish out of the way The king therefore hoping to bestowe a S. Bartholmews breakfast vpon them was content to take any thing at their hands This agréement concluded caused an excéeding great ioy to all the conspirators who thought it to bée no small cunning of theirs thus easily to haue auoided the deserued punishment of their mutinie and rebellion for which cause they of their confederacie doo carrie their heads higher then euer they did their courage dooth double and heate kindle against them of the reformed religion without comparison farre more then before Thereupon two mightie Armies are appoynted to be sent the one into Guienne the other into Daulphine compounded of the Kings Leaguers forces dreadfull and terrible not only to the reformed Churches of France but also to the Nations round about The Duke of Sauoy one of the conspiracie of the League mustered a mightie Armie that should inuade the Marquizat of Saluces to enter into Daulphine to ioyne his forces with the League The Townes and Cities great and small according to the edict of reunion doo shewe themselues readie and willing to bestow gold siluer goods fauours armours and liues to further the affaires of the Leaguers All these things were much but they were nothing to the great preparation of warre and the inuincible Armado which was not onely in a readines but also sayling forward to the execution of this conspiracie agaynst the Church of God they goe to worke by land and by water For this nauall Armie builded in Spayne was thought sufficient to conquer many Realmes the shippes were of incomparable bignes in number so many that they couered the seas The most excellent Carpenters cunning men and finest workemen of all Europe had spent their wits and seuen or eight yeares in the building and preparing of the sayd Armie The Artillerie powder pellets munitions tacklings and other necessarie things for so dreadfull an army was a heape of things incredible to beléeue All Italy Venice Sicil Sardinia Malta and other Ilands subiect or confederated to the King of Spayne had brought to it their counsell their money their shippes their Captaines their armour their pylots and all that euer they could deuise so that Xerxes did neuer so much against Grecia as this Armado determined to doo to England and to France in passing by As for France the Spanyard made his account to bee alreadie vanquished and subdued vnder his power hauing already these mightie armies aboue said and the conspiracie of the League on his side As for England they thought they should haue a little to doo in conquering it as they had indéede though they had much a doo on the narrow Seas nigh the coast of England On the other side the Duke of Parma had a mighty army in the Lowe Countrey wherewith at the same time to inuade the Countreys of Holand and Zeland and others where they haue the exercise of the reformed religion so that they had alreadie swallowed in one morsell by imagination all France England Scotland Zeland and Holand and for to make this great morsell goe downe easilie without choaking there was in the middest of France two armies and about France the Duke of Sauoy on the South the Nauall army of Spayne on the West and Parma on the North side The enemies of God made their full account that there was no more hope to outstand or ouerwaigh such heauie forces They therefore breathing fire bloud and murther doo not onely determine to reduce al that remained of the reformed religion to fire and ashes and to make hauock and waste of all things but also doo promise themselues a beginning of an assured rest hereafter and infallible victories and that this exployt being done and this great morsel swallowed Germany Denmark Suisserland and Geneua other places would follow or else for feare of like handling would be reduced to the holy Church After this famous victory of the Leaguers was knowne through the realme how they had conquered the Kings heart and courage the edict of the 21. of Iuly proclaymed and sworne in euery towne and Citie where the crier durst venture Sathan the chiefest master and worker of all this game stirred vp false Prophets in euery place to wit the legions of Iesuites Friers Monks Priests these false Prophets â—an euery where a vision a vision I haue séen a visioÌ„ they bring into their pulpets which haue serued them this long for trumpets and drommes to kindle sedition rebellion and murther they vtter the vision of their owne hearts bring forth diuers Prognostications and Prophesies for to animate these fiery courages of the Leaguers and Catholicks reunited together they doo handle so their visions that they do promise an infallible good and prosperous successe But specially they by their spirits of diuination shew their great learning in vttering loades of wisdome vpon the predictions of the olde Mathematicians concerning the yeare 1588. which they had long before accounted fatall to the world both the Prophets and the people doo easily perswade themselues that the
the Kings secret enemies and most false traytors to their king and countrey hyding al their intended treasons vnder the old gabardin of the Catholike religion These conspirators against God their King and their Countrey being come at length from euery part of the realme the second day of October being the Lords day the King caused a generall procession to bee made with great solemnitie from the Temple of Saint Sauiour which is in the court of the Castle vnto the Temple commonly called our Ladie of helpe in the Suburbe Vienne on the South side of the riuer Loyre There was in this procession great magnificencie and outward apparance of deuotion but as little godlines loue as could be The King the Quéenes the Princes and Princesses Lords Ladies which were at the Court generally all the people as well strangers as inhabitants of that place were at it there they offered vnto their gods which did stand gazing in their temples with great store of dissimulation and hippocrisie They carried in great pompe that Idoll which commonly they doo call the corpus Domini through the streates which were decked with tapistry and other such things as they are accustomed to bee done that day which they call corpus Christi day In the saide procession the King with all the States marched in this order following The formost of all were the Frieâ—s Monkes and Abbots like a swarme of Locusts after them followed y e deputies of the third estates foure foure They were followed of the nobilitie and after them marched in battaile aray the deputies of the Clergie in long gownes and square caps onely next after them went the Archbishops and Bishops with their rochets after the Bishops went their God otherwise called by the Prophet Idolum vastans by some Corpus Domini and by some Corpus Christi by some the Sacrament of the Altar It was the same God by whome the King with all his Lords and traine did dayly and at euerie word sweare by That God was arayed in pure beaten Gold and had beene so beaten and turmoyled by the hereticks these 27. yeares before that he was gone so weake that it could not goe but was carried verie demurely by the Bishop of Aix in Prouance vnder a Canapie This Canapy could not goe neither no more then their God but was caried by foure Knights of the holy Ghost they sung continuallie so many gaudeamus so many salue fest a dies and so many aleluia and so many ora pro nobis and so many black sanctus that it was too bad and that with such melodie that a man would haue thought that all the Cuckoos of the spring and all the Owles of winter had mett together to try who could make the pretier noyse The King followed that company with the Queenes and Princes and other Lords of the court After they had walked their God through the streats to take ayre and to recreate him a little hauing beene kept so long in very straight and close prison at length in that order they came all to the Temple of our Lady of help where the Archbishop of Bourges iugled and charmed the Masse plaied with his God as the Cat with the mouse and at length eate him vp The Bishop of Eureulx babled out a Sermon as well as he could And that done haue with you to good cheare This was such a painfull iourney to those ghostly fathers but specially for the Bishop of Aix to carie all the way such a heauie fardell that S. Christopher was neuer more combred with his burthen than this piller of the holy Church was with his They would do nothing all that weeke but eate drink sleepe and doe worse as these ghostly fathers can doe that well The 9. day of Octob. the K. the Lords deputies of y e three estats were housed together at the Friery of y e frantick franciscaÌ„ Friers There they did eate so much raw flesh that the canibals of y e west Indies might haue surfeted with one halfe of that which was spent there Blood they dranke none hoping shortly to fill their bellies with the blood of Saintes Such as was the beginning of this assembly such was the end thereof as you shall see hereafter in the sequell It began with heathenish superstition and Idolatry it ended with heathenish murthers and disloyall rebellion As this was done to confirme the vnion and correspondence which was betweene them for performing of their enterprize of which thing by the meanes of this vnion euery man conceaued so good hope that nowe they made no doubt but all would goe well This done the K. delayed the proposition of the States to the sixteenth of October willing in the meane time the officers of the assembly in euery order to be chosen For the Priests in the absence of the Cardinall of Bourbon the Cardinall of Guyze the Archbishop of Bourges was chosen president The County Brissak and Mignade were chosen Presidents of the Nobilitie The Prouost of Paris was for the third estate But the headlings of the League had greater things in their brayne than all this for they were day and night consulting how to make an end of all their labours The sixteenth day of October all the deputies of the States being assembled in the great Hall of the Castell appoynted to that vse their places taken according to their order The King followed and accompanyed with his court maketh an Oration to the assembly by a long doubtfull speach paynted with diuers tearmes of sorrow by the which he sheweth that his minde caried a remembraunce of the iniuries receiued by the Leaguers from time to time by the which he coÌ„playneth his authority to haue decaied and vniustly to haue beene debased And first proposeth the things which ought to be done in that assembly to wit the establishing of Popery the rooting out of heresie the setting of good order in the gouernement the ease of his people and restoring of his authority protesting that he is their lawfull King giuen to them of God and that he will not be but that which he is neither doth he couet greater authoritie or honour in this Realme than hee ought to haue He protesteth also of his great sorrowe which he hath felt in the miseries and oppressions of his subiects acknowledging the same to bee procured by his and their offences in generall Also he sheweth the care which hee hath had to take away the causes of the sayd miseries and how he hath tryed all the wayes that euer hee could dâ—uise and following the auncient manner of the Realme accustomed in such a case had assembled his estates for that intent but that he hath been interrupted alwayes by new vprores stirred vp to hinder his good mind and purpose and to ouerthrow his good indeuours And also complayneth that to bring to passe these things and to make his labour in that behalfe taken frustrate they haue peruerted by false
some afterward haue reported certayne discontentments which he said he had receiued which did discourage him in the performance of that seruice to which the occasions and many other reasons did binde him The Lord Preau on the other side said that the place might be reasonably defended That he was seruant to the king of Nauarre to whom he had promised to keepe faithfully that place so long as the skill of warre would permit him and that his credit did restrayne him from consenâ—ing to the rendring thereof Out of this diuersitie of affections the diuision began which afterward was the cause of the so sodaine losse of the place The Lord Colombieres had on his side y e Harquebusiers on horseback which had followed him were there in garrison The Lord Preau had on his side his soure companies some voluntary gentlemeÌ„ and strangers betweene them both were laboured by each partie of the inhabitants there were few or none â—â—t after long reasoning Colombieres the gouernour caryed it away knowing very wel y t the enemie was not ignorant of that diuision and sent to the camp Captayne Courbe his lieftenant to offer agreement to the L. of Neuers who tooke great pleasure in this occasion For the soiourne of 15. dayes before that plate in so fowle weather in so great scarsitie of victualls as was in that armie was a second wound of his dissipation The tearme of this agreement was so short that the king of Nauarre being vpon the poynt to succour them was compelled to breake his enterprize although it was agreed that the king of Nauarre should haue beene aduertized of it The conditions of the agreement were that the colours should be rendered the souldiers should goe forth with their match out and the gentlemen with their furniture that they should all be conducted by a Herault and a trompet as farre as Saint Albine with condition that they should retyre within three dayes The L. Colombieres conducted all the Garrison about halfe a league and then he asked if y t there were any in the companies that would follow him but almost all refused Captaine Courbe with six or seauen more as well of his houshold seruants as others followed him So he taking his leaue and induced either with discontentment or with some other affection he ioyned himselfe to that armie The rest of the troups were safely conducted nigh as farre as Lussen and Saint Gemmes and were left there vpon the conditions abouesaid by the Herault and Trompet But the Lord Sagonne Colonel of the light horsemen did so cut the time prefixed that desirous as it was supposed to reuenge the death of some friend of his in that armie who had been slayn before in that place surprized those companies who were at S. Albine and charged them so hardly that scarce they had time to get into a church and to shut themselues therein They were without munition of necessary things so that they were coÌ„pelled to render themselues yet once againe hauing little resisted This composition was not like the first for they had onely their liues they were vnarmed and ryfled and some few were slaine With a speedy retire they might haue auoyded that iniurie Montagne so surrendred the towne of Ganache was greatly threatned The Marquesse of Belisle who made his abode at Maschecow desired greatly to be dicharged of such neighbours And besides this place was very fit for him if by the meanes of that armie he coulde haue gotten it This place pertained to the Lady of Landimoys of the house of Rohan who had retired to Nantes obaying the kings Edict concerning the alteration of religion The King of Nauarre had giuen the gouernement of this place to the L. Plessis Gette the which diuers times but specially a few dayes afore the siege had been greatly laboured by the said Lady also by the Marquesse of Belisle with faire and large promises to yéeld the place into their hands to whome he would neuer hearken but determined to keep it faithfully The towne of Ganache being distant from Montagne but seauen leagues the Lord Plessis fore seeing the siege dispatched withall diligence to the King of Nauarre who was at Rochel the Lord Sabloniere and Iesserant to let him vnderstand the small commodities that they had to holde that place against a royall army That notwithstanding the saide Lorde Plessis with the rest of the Captaines with him had determined to doo him good seruice so that he would furnish them with meanes At these newes the King dispatched the Baron Vignoles with all his companies to strengthen that place He sent also by sea two Captaines of the regiment of his gardes vnder the conduct of the Lordes Aubiguy and Robiniere who imbarked themselues part at Rochel with powder pikes and other munition of warre part at Esande But the contrarie windes caused them to cast anker at the Iland of Rhe where they stayed eyght daies for winde during which time many being sea sick were found wanting so that at the imbarking againe in stead of two hundred were found fewer in number The Lord Plessis in the meane time laboured hard in the places where was most neede and caused the victuals as well for men as for horses to be brought in out of the vilages round about The L. Ruffigny arriued there with 50. Harquebusiers on horseback by the coÌ„mandement of the said King in staying y e succor which came by sea Ganache is compounded of a towne and Castell situated in the borders of Poytow and Britayn yet holding more of Poytow it is distant from the sea three leagues with an open prospect on that side of the side of Montagne and Maschecow it is woody and couered There is a great poole which compasseth a great part of the towne vppon the Castell side which with diuers brookes watereth the great medowes about it that maketh the waies to the towne moorish and foule but specially in winter The said poole dooth compasse almost two parts of the towne to wit from the suburb Saint Leonard to the suburb of Saint Thomas which is al the side of the Castell The towne is compassed with an indifferent good ditch cut out of a rock the wall is auncient flancked with small towers and made with loope holes after the olde fashion it was found better to resist the cannon then it was thought it would bee specially on the side where it was battered the which for being too feeble and naked hauing but an olde gate the Lord Plessis had fortified and couered with a spurre assoone as he had the gouernement of that place which did him good seruice during the siege Hee made two bulwarkes more on the other side of the towne toward thâ—suburb Saint Thomas the one to couer a tower of the Castell made after the forme of a horseshoo the other nigh vnto the causie which dooth kéep the issue of the poole ten dayes before the siege which was the fourth of December hee builded another
fort which dooth couer the gate of the towne towards Maschecow without the which the enemy euen the first night of the siege might haue lodged hard to the wall that place being not flanked with any thing The worke began to goe forward after the succour ariued by the sea with the munitions of warre of whome a part was sent to Beauuoyre by the commaundement of the King of Nauarre to wit they which were of the regiment of Valirant who had embarked themselues with them who were sent to Ganache The Baron Vignoles a Gentleman of Gascoyne entred into Ganache as also the Lord Saint George by the King of Nauarre his commaundement with his companie of 50. Harquebusiers on horseback There was then none of all the forts of sufficient defence vpon which occasion they deuided y e quarters as wel for the defence as for to labour about the fortifications euery one in his quarter with such diligence as necessity required The Baron Vignoles with his captaines Piue and Solas tooke on him the keeping of the fort of the causy right against a broaken chappel of Saint Thomas suburbs This fort was commaunded by a little hill couered with fruitefull trees and also by the suburb for which cause they couered themselues with barricadoes and Gabions The two companies of the Kings gardes which were commaunded by the Lordes Aubiguy and Robiniere vndertooke the keeping of the fort of the tower which we haue saide to haue the forme of a horseshooe The Lord Ruffigny with his companie vndertooke to keepe the fort of the suburb Saint Leonard which was the best hauing the ditches full of water of the height of 9. foote Captaine Beauregard who commanded ouer the company of the Harquebusiers on horseback of the ordinarie garison vndertooke to make a fort at one of the corners of the towne but it was a worke of long time and serued but a little and cost much to keepe and was not begon but in hope that Montagne which was already besieged would debate longer then it did notwithstanding they laboured about it continually and whereas the Captaine Beauregard had not aboue 18. Harquebusiers of his owne halfe of the companie of the Lord Saint George was giuen him The two captaines of the two companies of footemen ordained for the ordinary gar ion did drawe the lots to whome should remaine the fort which was begun at the gate so it fell to the lot of Captaine Ferriere who laboured so hard that euen in ten dayes during the siege it was made defensible and serued to good effect The other companie of the garison vnder the commaundement of the Lord Forestiere a noble man of Britaine was appoynted for the garde of the Castle and the Doue house which was in the garden The charges so deuided euery man doth labour some doo pull downe the Suburbs others goe about the Countrey to get men to labour for there was none of the inhabitants left in the Towne not so much as an artificer but only a butcher The Lord Plessis aduertised of the surrendring of Montagne sent foorth his forerunners to scoure the countrey they reported the 14. day of December that part of the armie was alreadie lodged at Lege The morrowe was discouered a great troupe of horsemen who appeared aboue the mils of Porrieres to view the Towne The Lord Perrine Lieutenant of the companie of the light horses of the Gouernour who had retyred before to his own house supposing there to passe part of the winter returned into the Towne about three daies before the siege and went out with foure or fiue light horses to view them The 16. day of December againe very early he went out on horseback but he had not passed aboue halfe a mile when he found the forerunners of the enemie whereof he aduertised the Gouernour About 11. of the clocke there marched a great number of horsemen conducted by y e Lord Sagonne followed of many regiments of Chastiagueray Brigueulx Leslele and ohers who in hast aduanced to get the Suburbe of S. Leonard These troupes discouered by the L. Perrine hee turned face to them to hold them play to giue time to them of the Town to prepare to receaue them which thing could not be done so timely but that when the bel began to ring for the alarum the enemie was at the entring of the Suburbe The L. Ruffigny went to meete them with sword in hand resolutely followed by the Lord Vignoles and Maretes sons to the Lord Sabboniere and some other Souldiers of their companies with them approached nigh them But the L. Ruffigny for not hauing had leisure totake his Corslet entring into a house where he sawe the enemies lodge receiued a pellet in his stomacke whereof being carried thence two houres after he dyed This his death was occasion that the Suburbs were lost vnto the Chapell sooner then otherwise it had béen Captaine Iahn and fifteene Souldiers besides them who were wounded of the enemies side were slaine aswell within the sayd house as in the Suburbes as afterward some of the enemies reported For to rescue them who did fight came the Baron Vignoles with Captaine Forestiere and 40. Souldiers harquebusiers who defended all the day that which rested of the Suburbe betweene the Chapell and y e towne There was wounded Captaine Mote Standard bearer of the Lord Vignoles with a pellet in the highest part of the thigh whereof he dyed fewe dayes after There was before the towne gate beyond an olde hollow way certaine houses somewhat ruinous The Lord S. George the alarum being giuen went to lodge within the same ruinous houses assisted aswell of his owne as of some armed men of the companie of the Gouernour to helpe the harquebusiers if they should be forced There also the enemie presented all his forces and sent to begin the skirmish which was sustayned and continued vntill night so that the enemie was not able to lodge within the sayd ruinous houses without great losse and seeing the obstinacie of them within lodged in a village vpon the way to Maschecow They of the towne lost a souldier and the Lord Coulee was there wounded The night following the regiment of Brigneulx and Chastiagueray who had gotten the Suburbe of S. Leonard lodged in the houses nigh to the Chappell which were pulled downe Notwithstanding they could not set vp any Barricadoes by reason of the continuall shot which did raine out of the Forts and Curtine so that they could not get out of y e houses All the dayes following to wit from the 16. vnto the 29. of December passed away in continuall skirmishes as the enemie made his approaches for to lodge but specially at the comming of the regiments of the Countie of Beaupre who went about to lodge at the Planches for there commonly began the skirmishes which neuer ended but commonly by the death of some of commandement of the side of the enemie Like skirmishes were daily fought on the side of the
Poole against another regiment which was lodged at Guinefole where certaine Gascoynes of the garison came to hand blowes with the enemie All these skirmishes were so fauourable to them of the Towne that beside the first day they lost not one man onely some were hurt so that the enemie could not during all these skirmishes get any aduauntage vppon them not so much as the hedges within foure hundred paces of the Curtine and Forts Euen ten dayes after they were besieged they issued foorth and pulled downe certaine houses in the sight of the enemie and burned others and among them a house called Escraziere from whence the enemie who had lodged therein was driuen out with losse of certaine men The horsemen also did issue foorth and tooke so great number of prisoners that they were enforced to send back a great many of them that were most vnprofitable they kept a great number to worke at the fortifications others of greater calling were put to their raunsome The Lord Chastre accompanied with ten or twelue hundred horses passed at the Planches to the place where the Lord of Neuers was and séeing certaine horsemen who were issued out of the Towne when he would haue gone to view and aduaunced somewhat for that purpose his horse fell in a ditch and had not béen the diligence of them of his companie in succouring of him and that he was couered with a great number of harquebusiers which followed those horsemen hee had béen taken by them of the Towne As thinges did so passe there the Lord Plessis sent diuers times to the King for to aduertise him of the state of the affayres and by the same messengers had answere againe Whilest these skirmishes and blowes were geuen at Ganache the artillery was brought from Montagne and tooke the way of Maschecow for to auoyd the foulnes of the other way they were whole fifteene dayes before they could conuay the said ordinance although they of the Countrey did shew themselues so desyrous and ready to conduct the sayd ordinance that they omitted nothing of all their meanes industrie and labour but specially the Lord Belisle for the desire which hee had to possesse that place There was of that artillery twelue peeces of Ordinance vz. sixe canons of battery foure great Culuerins and two of a meaner sort This Ordinance being arriued the 21. of December about noone the Duke of Neuers set his army in battell array and saluted the towne with a voley of all these peeces from the top of a little hill nigh the place of execution about fiue hundered paces from the towne That being done he sent an Herault of armes to sommon the Lord Plessis to surrender him the towne as vnto the Kings lieutenant The Lord Plessis by the aduise of al the captaines answered that he and all his fellowes were most humble and faithfull seruantes and subiectes to his maiesty but that hee did not acknowledge in all Guienne any other lieutenant generall for the King but onely the King of Nauarre to whom to none other if it were not by his expresse commaundement hee would surrender that place The Herauld was yet sent twise from the Baron Paluan and the Lord Villeneufue of Anjou for to find the means to speake to the Lord Plessis who knowing the importance of such parley flatly refused it At the selfe same time that the army did so muster in battell aray in the sight of all men a souldier Wallon of the companies of Picardie with his sword in hand drawen began to runne ouerthwart a great medow right to the Fort of Captaine Beauregard crying viue Nauarre the Duke of Guyze is dead and Niort is taken that voice was so high that it was heard of both sides they let flie at him diuers shot but not one did hit him but only in his hat They of the towne were fully aduertised by him of the state of the armie and of the strange euents which had happened at Bloys They vnderstood also of the exploit which the King of Nauarre had donein igh Poytow since the siege All these newes brought not only great ioy to them of the towne but also encreased their courage The Duke of Neuers hauing receaued answere of the besieged caused his Ordinance to bee planted in certaine ruinous houses on the one side of Maschecow defended with certaine Gabions which caused them besieged to thinke that they should bee battered of that side where they also began to crench themselues with great labour and dilligence But now wee will leaue the siege of Ganache whilest the Duke of Neuers doth prepare his battery to make a breach and maketh himselfe ready to giue the assault and also the besieged do prepare themselues to defend the place and receaue the enemie and wee will goe to see what exploits the King of Nauarre hath performed in high Poytow It is sayd before how the King of Nauarre after the taking of Beauuoyre set garrisons in the townes of Poytow to keepe the countrey about and to make head against that army which was comming with great preparations might fury and threatnings which thing beeing done heretired to Rochel to gather all his power and to prouide all necessary things either to crosse or to geue battell to that army if occasion might serue And whilest these blowes and skirmishes aboue sayd did so passe at the siege of Ganache and such strange and so vnlooked for euents did fall out at Bloys the Lord Saint Gelays had long before hand curiously sought out the meanes to enterprise vpon the towne of Niort as well to do seruice to them whose part he followed the inhabitants hauing béen alwayes of the chiefest of the League and great enemies to them of the reformed religion as also for the iniuries which they of the sayd Towne proffered vnto him and to his houses thereabouts doing vnto him all the wrongs that euer they could deuise The King of Nauarre arriued from Rochel into Poytow vnderstood as well by the sayd Lord Saint Gelays and by others of the enterprise vpon the said towne of Niort but the execution thereof was oftentimes delayd at length the sayd King hauing with a type iudgement wayed all the circumstances and seene the facility of the means to compasse that enterprise at length ended his counsell with resolution to try speedily the execution thereof and for that purpose departed from Rochel to Saint Ihan d'Angely vnder other colours about the 21. of December The 24. of December the Lord Saint Gelays departed from Rachel accompanied with the Lord Ranques with ten horsmen of his traine only and arryued at Saynt Iahn about nine a clocke in the night The 26. of December arriued at S. Iahn early at the first opening of the gates a Post from Bloys riding with two Horses who sayd that voluntarily he had departed from Bloys to bring newes to the King of Nauarre touching the death of the Duke of Guyze These newes did not stay the execution of
assault geueÌ„ was one of the first which went vp to the same breach which the said Baron Vignoles kept intending to haue saued him but the said Poysson beeing not knowen by his friend Vignoles was receaued by two Harquebuze shot which did bear him downe to the ground so that he was carried away The heat of the fight dured a long hower and after that time the enemies began to faint but on the contrary their courage was doubled that were on the breaches Euen some of the souldiers who were gone towards the Castell to take breath after they had retyred within the forts ioyned themselues againe to the defenders of the breaches Then went they apace to worke vpon the enemy There was great disorder in the retire of the enemie for most part of them did cast away their weapons and lost them in the ditch and in the fortes which they forsooke Many were drowned in the ditch casting them selues downe from the fortes vpon the yce which by reason of that brake vnder them The ditches were incontinently lighted with a number of torches and linkes out of the Towne and Fortes for it was very darke The besieged in the towne spoiled the dead that euening some went out of the Forts vnto the brooke which doth separat the town from the suburbe to get armor Notwithstanding a point of humanity was shewed toward the enemy worthy to bee remembred for they did not hurt so much as to take any thing from the enemies who were left hurt vpon the breaches and in the ditches but rather they were had into the towne their woundes dressed and curteously vsed euen to the day that the towne was surrendered This victory is the more memorable because about fifty men defended the breaches against such a multitude for all the regiments of the Swissers also assaulted the same in witnesse thereof many of them remayned in the ditch It is also to bee noted that during the assault when they within the towne had set fire into a pomgarnad for to cast it into the ditch it fell again betweene the legges of the Gouernour and did burst without doing any hurt Upon this prosperous issue of that assault the Lord Plessis gouernour called all the Captayns and Gentlemen to render thankes to God for his gracious fauour shewed vnto them On the side of the Towne the Lord Perrine was killed with a shot in the head whereof he dyed within a while after Captayne Forest and the Lord of Saint Cosmio were hurt in both armes Of the enemies syde there were found the fifth day of Ianuary aboue fifty dead within the ditch besides them who were drowned and many which dyed afterward in the side of the Towne iâ— is certayne that there were found missing in that day of the army aboue three hundred and that one Captayne onely had lost aboue sixe score Beside them whith were wounded in great number was the Lord Brigneulx master of the campe this man lost his Sonne at Montagne now he hath a blow let him learne then not treacherously to vyolate the right of Nations as he did at Mauleon The night after the assault was bestowed in fortifiyng and continuing the trenches This day was bestowed of the enemie in the burying of the dead The same day in the euening a drumme of the enemie brought letters to the Lord Plessis gouernour of the place from the Lord Palneau When he had receiued them he assembled all the counsell to open the sayd letters in their presence The letters in substance did import that the said L. Palneau had great desire to speak with him about a thing which would bring him much contentation which he said he could not write In the same letters he prayed the Lorde Plessis to giue him meanes and safe conduct to speake with him All the Captaines gaue their aduise that he could not refuse that parley because that the Lord Palneau second sonne to the Earle of Carauas was a faithfull seruant to the King and great friend to the house of Bourbon and deadly enemie to the League and that by him they might also vnderstand newes of the King of Nauarre whereof they were in great care The 6 day of Ianuary the Lord Palneau accompanyed with the Captaine Grange who was of the regiment of Countie Graâ—pre went to the fort of the tower of the Castell made after the forme of a horseshooe During this parley they began the battery with two pieces at the breake of the day about noone they encreased with three pieces more and continued till night There were bestowed that day aboue eight score Cannon shot There were two souldiers slaine whereof the one was named Bourg of the company of the Lord. Vignoles there was great mâ—ane made for that man for his great valour for he was a rare patterne of godlines and vertue The Lord Plessis going foorth to that parley accompanied with the Lord Ayomont vpon returne reported to the counsell that the Lorde Palneau had notified vnto theÌ„ that the Duke of Neuers had determined not to vnbit nor to depart from that siege before he had salued his honour and to that end he would spare no friend no meanes nor authority That his stay there in that siege did hinder the affaires of the king of Nauarre more than they did think That the King did besiege Orleans by the citadell where was the Marshal Haumont and that the king would vse the forces of the King of Nauarre against the leagued To be short the Lord Plessis and all others which had assisted him had gotten honour enough in the defence of such a naughty place and that there was no more meanes to stand obstinate in defence of the saide place the said L. of Neuers being sufficiently informed of the necessities wherein they were as well of men who were greatly weary as of victualls That if they would hearken to render that place into his handes he offered vnto the gouernour gentlemen armes horses and baggage and to the souldiers armes and baggage and for the safe conduct the County Granprè the Baron Poluan and Bastenay Captaine of an hundred light horses should conduct them safely whither soeuer they would goe He gaue them beside eight dayes space to aduertize the King of Nauarre of the capitulation and in case that the said King should not giue any succour within the sayd eight dayes by any meanes he in his person or his Lieftenant the sayd L. Plessis and his should surrender him the place and they to enioy the benefite of the agreement There were many gaings and commings vpon this proposition and at length the affaires being propounded to the counsell they did stick much vpon the voluntary proffers of the Duke of Neuers to giue eight dayes to aduertize the King of Nauarre which made them beleeue that the sayd king was neither ready to helpe them nor had sufficient power so to doo which notwithstanding was the only hope of them that were besieged who
they became more insolent which they haue shewed in surprising his townes fortresses and in rebelling agaynst him his Officers and Magistrates couering their treasons vnder the name of Catholike religion Therefore he doth declare the sayd Dukes de Mayne and Aumale to haue forfayted all estates and offices honors power gouerments charges dignities and prerogatiues which they haue receaued of his predecessors and himselfe hee doth declare them attaynted of fellony rebellion and high treason commaundeth his Officers to proceed agaynst them by any maner of way and agaynst their posterity as agaynst such as he hath declared them if they do not submit themselues by the first day of March next following This proscription was declared the first day of February The same day also the King pronounced the like proscriptions against the rebellious and trayterous Citties of Paris Orleans Anjous Roen Abeuile and others declaring them conuicted of fellony rebellion and treason in the highest degree willing all his officers to proceede agaynst them and against al them that doo or shall assist them by any meanes and against their posterity as agaynst such as they be declared if they do not returne vnder his obedience by the 14. day of march next following The King intending by these thunderclaps to call them to their dutie purposing yet to haue forgotten all offences for the loue which he had to popish religion common to the rebels with him and for hatred of the reformed religion gaue them as is aforesaid a certayne day prefixed by the which tyme if they did not returne to their duty he determined to chastise them by force and therefore the sixt day of February hee sent forth his commissions to all Nobles Gentlemen and Captaynes to prepare themselues with all furniture necessary to repayre to him the 12. of March following Neither is the sentence of the King an ydle threatning but is as if it were a condemnation of Gods law pronounced by the soueraigne Magistrate whose punishments God hath partly executed and partly hath reserued to execute hereafter in the fulnes of time About the middle of February the King vnderstanding what had passed in Paris how the rebels had enforced the Senat to swear an vnion against him his life person and estate did transport the exercise of iustice and of all his courts and chambers of Parliament from Paris and also all other courts of iustice in the aforesaid townes of Orleans Aujous Abeuile Roen and others to his citie of Tours vpon Loyre deprauing the sayd trayterous cities of al offices dignities charges and priuileges commaunding al his Iudges Counsellers officers of al his courts in the said cities to repaire to the citie of Tours vpon Loyre by the fifteenth of Aprill next following there to execute their charges vpon payne of depriuation of their wages offices forbiddeth also that no apparance be giuen by any officer vnto any suter and also no parties to appeare in any other place saue in Tours onely before his Iudges there vpon payne to be declared rebels It is sayd before how wee haue left the King of Nauarre sicke in bed of a dangerous pleuresie whilest the League haue nigh filled the measure of their execrable treasons and rebellion Now the Lord reseruing that noble Prince if not to restablish the flourishing estate of that Realm yet he hath raised him as it were out of his graue to prolong the vtter dissipation of it and in the middest of the horrible confusions thereof to reunite the hearts and mindes of the godly and vertuous to saue some corner of the sayd Realme for a place of refuge for the remnant of the Israel of God Behold therefore O great King the Lord hath restored thée to health strengthened thine armes to warre and thy hands to fight he hath girded thée with force constancie wisedome and iustice the Lord of Armies doth call thee to restore true religion iustice iudgement Discipline and peace vtterly decayed through the malice of thine enemies be strong and faint not for the Lord will put a great worke in thine hand to execute Followe the vocation of God and the Lord will be a shadowe at thy right hand to kéepe thée from euill doo good things with good meanes and thou shall see thine enemies to fall before thy face thou shalt pitie them and do them good Whilest the King doth so thunder the threatnings of Gods lawe and the claps of his iustice agaynst those Rebels forsaken and reiected of God as is afore sayd the King of Nauarre perceiuing the King to be in distresse persecuted and dispossessed out of his Towns and Cities euen out of his owne houses by his enemies abroade and to liue in great mistrust of his domesticall enemies who did daily eate bread at his owne table did greatly lament his case keepeth himselfe quiet beyond Loyre ceaseth from all acts of hostilitie and exployts of warre least he should encrease his affliction and heauines And desirous greatly to make a proofe of his fidelitie towards the King and to crosse the actions of the leagued rebels proffereth peace to the King and watcheth diligently that his enemies might not set foote in any place where hee had meanes to make sure for the kings seruice as for the ease of them of the religion So that after the taking of Niort as is afore sayd in the latter end of Ianuary the inhabitants of S. Meixant and Maillezay two Townes nigh neighbours of Niort yeelded themselues vnto him The Lord Aubiguy was appoynted Gouernour of that Iland About the 14. of February the King of Nauarre hauing recouerd his perfect health and strength with part of his forces tooke the field marching toward the riuer of Loyre The inhabitants of Lodune Lisle Bouchard Mirabean Chastelerault Vinonne and other places and Castles of the countrey of Turenne and Poytow offered to open the gates of their townes vnto him and also proffered vnto him their seruices He receiued them very courteously and without innouation of any thing he suffered them of the Romish religion to liue with all libertie with their ordinarie exercises onely he commanded them of the reformed religion with the exercise of the same there to be established commaunding them of both religions to liue in amitie and peace About the same time many Townes and places in diuers parts of the Realme which before did seeme to bee at the deuotion of the Leaguers were made sure for the Kings seruice as well in Bourgondy as in other Prouinces and among others the Towne and Castle of Sancerre in Berry was seazed for the King That Towne had béen greatly defaced in the former warres for the walles of the Towne had béen rased by the Lord Chastre Gouernour of Berry who did put a Captaine within the Castle for the kéeping of the same and to bridle the inhabitants there who were all of the religion But after the death of the Duke of Guize the Lord of Requien of the house of Montigny Captayne of
so charged that they stood little to the fight for the Prince leading the maine Battaile beginning to appeare they fled and left behind them Touschet Angeruile and Normandiere their chiefest leaders who were taken prisoners and brought before the Duke who were redeliuered into the hands of those that had taken them till such time as hée should call for them againe All the companies of these rebels were hewen in pieces the Prince lost not one man there was none hurt of his side but only the Lord Chammont in the head and in a short space after cecouered That same day the Prince Montpencier came to Falaize where the enemies made a shew as though they would haue set open the gates for him intending some surprise against him The Prince hauing no Ordinance to force theÌ„ tooke his way to Caen where he entred about y e seauenth day of Aprill all the faithfull Citizens welcomming him with these salutations often reiterated God saue the King and my Lord the D. Montpencier in token of an vnfained ioy they kept that day holy day The Lord Beuuron accompanied him to his lodging which was the house of the presideÌ„t Aubigny thether came the L. Verune to do reuerence to the Prince who receaued him courteously and highly commended him for his loyall seruice to the King in kéeping the towne within his obedience The said Prince soiourned in Caen about ten dayes to set all things in a readines as well for the safety and defence of the Citie as for to assault the enemy and to scoure the country During the Princes soiourne there ariued the County Thorigny and afâ—er him the Lord Longannay with a great troupe of Gentlemen who were courteously receaued and imbraced with great thankes for their good affection toward his Maiestie promising to aduertise the King of their duetifull seruice and to requiâ—e it in particular as occasion would serue About the 15. of April the Prince Montpencier hauing done al things that were there to bée done and gathered such forces as hée might and by the aduise of the Lord Saint Cere he concluded to warre vpon the rebels and to make them to leaue that which they hold so fast in the countrey and because they had the chiefest townes he resolued to carry a long some pieces of artillery to force them if possible he might Therefore he sent away before Monsieur de Hallot Batreuile Archand with the regiment of Monsieur Tracy the companies of the Captaines Saint Denis Maillot Radier Chauuaine Daulphin Roqueuile Glaize and other voluntary Captaines to attempt vpon Falaize The Sonday to wit the 16. of Aprill hée like a good Catholick caused a procession to be made and a sermon and a certaine forme of prayers to bée dayly said for the safegarde of the King and the good successe of his affaires against the rebels The 17. the Prince hauing appoynted officers ouer his treasure money victuall and artillery departed with two Canons and one bastard Culuerine hoping at the least to drawe the enemy to the field ariuing at Falaize he lodged at the Abbey Saint Iahn On the other side the ringleaders of the rebels as Brissak the Lords of long Champ the Barons of Eschaufour and Tubeuf assembled the flower of their rebell forces within the towne of Falaize The 18. of Aprill they laid their Artillery to batter and hauing beaten downe thrée towers they sent a Sergeant and ten Souldiours to view the breach but séeing that they would haue enticed them to enter into the towne to haue intrapped them and considering that the wall was yet too déepe the Prince sounded the retraite And vnderstanding that the rebels had taken from about Aigle Orbeck Sees Argenton Vimonstier and other places néere thereabout a company of more then sixe thousand Gantiers wel appoynted for Muskets and Harquebuses as might bée among these peasants they intermingled some seauen or eight hundred good Souldiours such as they could come by some also of the Nobility of the weaker sort to these companies of rebellious robbers resorted a great number of Priestes CaÌ„ons Monkes Friers Iesuites and such stinking poysoned vermine the Lord Brissak accompanied with the Barons of Eschaufour the Lords Vieupont Roqueuual Beaulieu and Annay and other Captaines receaued them and conducted them the right way to Falaize to them repayred the Baron Vernier with his forces from Damfront The Lorde Pierrecourt also came with such forces as hée could make out of Ponteau de mer and Ange and Houfleur supposing to haue inclosed the Prince betwéene the Towne of Falaize and these great forces and so to haue surprised him and his power The Prince hauing intelligences of the enterprize prouided for them remooued his artillery from the trenches and sent away his cannon to Courcy and with the Culuerine resolued to encounter the enemie in the plaine field The enemies had lodged in three seuerall villages not farr distant a sunder betweene Argenton and Falayze to wit Pierrefit villiers and Commeaux The Prince Montpencier appoynted the County of Thoriguy and Longaunay and the Lord Vickes the elder brother to lodge betweene the said villages and Argenton there to stay them if they should seeme to recoyle back He sent also the Lords of Bakqueuile Archand and Benuron with their companies to enuiron them on the other side The 20. day y e prince himself ayded with the L. Hallot Creueceure his brother with the whole armie and being on the top of a hil commaunded the Lords of Emery and Surene Marshalls of the field to aduance the infantry which was on the left hand with the Culuerine which they did these footemen were lead by the Lords of Saint Denis Maillot Radier Roqueuile Chauuayn Daulphine Glayze and others all so well resolute to encounter with that rabble of rebels that they made no delay but skitmished straight with a hot on set on both sides but assoone as the culuerin had begun to play in their faces they began to bee amazed and Brissak himselfe caused his Cornet to turne bridle and retyred from the danger with a number of horsemen as hardy as himself The rebels notwithstanding stoode to the fight but when the Culuerine roared once againe and they sâ—w the Lord Vaumart one of their chiefest leaders with fifteene others carried away with the shott they began to quauer Then the prince commaunded a fresh charge hee marching formost of all his companies which was giuen so hot and fierce that al the rebels were put to the chase to yeeld and to fall downe before them whom God had armed with authoritie and force to reuenge that most damnable rebellion This first encounter was vpon two thousand who were lodged at Pierrefit they were all slayne or takeâ— prisoners few onely excepted The prince hauing assemblâ—d his troupes agayne immediatly set vpon the third village named Viliers where were another company of rebels conducted by the Baron Tubeuf they were all put to the sworde saue the Baron Tubeuf and a few
was made in the Citie in Ianuary last they had appoynted a Captain for euery warde of the Citie which be eightéen which by turnes should haue out of his warde twelue hundred men to march to the Boys of Vicennes nigh Paris to keepe that Castle from surprizing by the Kings friends Captaine Aubret his regiment was appointed that day to that charge to wit to conduct the Ordinance to whome was added the companie of Captaine Compan they leauing for that day the kéeping of the Castle Vicennes their baggage apparell and prouision of victuall which was gone before through the gate S. Anthony went through S. Martins gate where the Ordinance was gone before vnder the charge of one Brigard Procurator of the Towne-house They arâ—iued with these three pâ—eces at Seulis the sixt day of May in the euening At their arriuing they saluted the Towne with a peale of that Ordinance At the noyse therof they of the Towne on a sudden came to the Towne walles and offered to make as great a breach in the wall as they would demaund and so to ease them from taking so much paynes as to vse the Canon shot The Duke d'Aumale presently sent to summon them to yeeld vnto composition they within promised to make an answere the morrowe following Vpon this answere a Post of the Towne went to Paris to bring them good newes which encreased greatly by the way as the manner is there the report went that Seulis had proffered thréescore thousand Crownes some multiplied that to one hundered thousand for their rauâ—some The 7. day they of the Towne gaue their answere both by portraiture and by mouth for they all night had portrayed on a cloath the Dukes de Mayn Aumale hanged on gibbets the Dutchesse Montpensier kneeling at the feete of them with her head all vncouered weeping and wailing and tearing her haire which they caused to be set on the morrow being the 7. of May to bee spread vpon the walles the people crying with vile and reproachful speaches that the same was the portraiture of the composition that they demaunded Vpon the sight of this picture and words spoken out of the wall they sent agayne to Paris for more Ordinance to beat the Towne to dust for they had sworne so to doo The Parisiens made excuse that they lacked Bullets and such Pieces as they demaunded The cause of this excuse was not lacke of will to do so much mischiefe as the other intended to haue done but for feare of the ielousies betweene the Duke de Mayne and Aumale for the Duke Aumale had béen greatly and oftentimes desired after his departure from thence to returne to Paris which he denyed to doo The Parisiens therefore fearing that Aumale hauing such forces as hee had at Seulis and expected dayly from the Lord Balagny and hauing store of Ordinance and munition either might turne all these forces agaynst them or keepe them short from hauing any victuals out of Picardie or to make a third faction and to striue with the Duke de Mayne about the state and so weaken their party to expose them to be a pray for the King The Duke d' Aumale seeing that there was little succour to bee expected from Paris sent to Peronne where he had sixe pieces of Ordinance and out of Anjous one which were conducted to Seulis by y e Lord Balagny gouernour of Cambray About the 13. day of May they of Seulis made a sally out of the Towne with a hundered horsemen whereat they that besieged the towne were so amased that they thought best to flee so the Parisiens casting away their armor fled and hid themselues in bushes on euery side Of these hundered horsemen fiftie returned into the towne and the other fifty kept the field for to ayde any that might come to succour them About the 15. of May the Lord Balagny with his companies of Wallons Cambresines and Picardines came and ioyned to the D. Aumale with sixe pieces of Ordinance which hee had taken at Peronne and Anjous as is aforesayd The 12. day of May they began to batter Seulis with ten pieces of battery and within a while hauing made a great breach the enemy confusedly gaue the assault who was repulsed with some losse The same day about noone word came to the enemy that the Duke of Longueuille accompanied with the Lordes of Humieres Bonniuet la Nowe Giury Mesuiller and Tour and other nobles of Picardy were at hand to the number of a thousand horsemen and three thousand footmen to rescue the towne of Seulis Whereupon the Lord Balagny pitched in campe the best power of his men and beeing then accompanied with the Lords of Mainuile of Saisseual Mezieres and Congy with others approched somewhat neere to the Duke of Longueuille in good hope to discomfit him The horsemen of Cambray and the Wallons also first charged the footmen of the Duke of Longueuille The said footmen departed themselues in the middle gaue roome for the ordinance to shoot which at the first volye made a great flaughter of the Cambresines and Wallons who lyking not that play recyred backe with greater hast then they went to it but afterward they came all to a set battaile fought stoutly on both sydes and with great courage but the Ordinance of the Duke of Longueuille made still so great spoite of the enemy that conceauing a great dread they began to wauer neither could the Duke d' Aumale nor the Lord Balagny by any perswasions encourage them nor bring them to good order agayne so the confusion and terror encreasing the whole army which besieged the towne fled away presently The Duke of Longueuille his power with the power which was in the Towne issuing forth did so follow the chase that with handy blowes they killed as many as they could ouertake There remayned slayne of the rebels vpon the place betweene fifteene hundred and two thousand as many were slaine in the chase besides them who were slayne in the Villages by the countrey people All the Ordinance and munition of warre bagge baggage was left behind The Duke d' Aumale had a blow which did him no good the Lord Balagny had an other which did him no great hurt hoth of them fled to Paris in lesser company then when they went to Seulis The Duke d' Aumale the 19. of May went out of Paris fearing there to be welome and mistrusting the snares of de Mayne mutiny and factions of the Parisiens he retyred to Saint Denis Balagny remayned in Paris faining there that hee would take order for the gathering of the Souldiers breathing out cruell threatning what hee would doo and promising to the Parisiens that a new supply of Wallons would come out of the low Countrey he cheareth the people of Paris who were smitten with the dread of Iericho The selfe same day the rebels of Rion in Auuergne had an ouerthrow no lesse then this but the particularityes are not knowen vnto me for lacke
of instructions We haue inserted by digression the iudgements which God hath executed vpon the rebels before Seulis First how they were conuicted of treason and felony vpon the walles of Seulis and there their cheefest Captains hanged Neither was that a play of boies but the worke of God which by that fearefull picture would haue admonished both the headlings and vnderlinges of that rebellion of their offence of his iudgements executed vppon rebels in all ages and put them in remembrance of their duty Secondly wee haue seene a blow geuen of God vnto such vnfaithfull Traitors despisers of Gods Ordinance in earnest of heauier plagues if through repentance they do not returne to their dutifull obedience Now wee will returne to shew the effectes of the meeting and interuiew of the two Kinges at Tours the 30. of Aprill It is sayd how the Duke de Mayne tooke a fright as soon as he heard of this interuiew returned to Vendosme where soiorning a few dayes hee ordered his army placed part of them in garrisons in diuers townes and holdes as is said It is said also how he had sent to the Duke Aumale to send him some supply of horsemen out of Picardy that he might be the better able to geue the blow so long intended The King of Nauarre taking for some dayes counsell with the King about the publike affaires made some light roads in the Countrey about which was leagued expecting to haue al his forces in a readines to do some exploit At length the said King of Nauarre vnderstanding how that the Duke de Mayne fled with parte of his army about the thirteenth day of May followed him so neere vppon the heeles that he put all straglers which were left behind to the sword and did so scoure the countrey of Beausse that not one of the enemyes durst shew themselues abroad out of their holdes Whilest the King expected certayne regiments of Suissers and other forces which did dayly prepare to come to hiâ— thâ— King of Nauarre soiorning in Beausse about Boysgency had sent the Lord Lorges to scoure the countrey toward Chasteaudune and Bonaual and retyred to his house of Lorges nigh Marchesnoyre The Duke d' Aumale had sent the Lord Saueinze with some companies of Picardy but specially the Lords of Brosses with sixe or seuen score gentlemen al the choise of the Nobility in Picardy that were fauouring that side and soiorned at Chartres This Saueinze tooke with him his companies of Picardy and Arcleinuile for the Duke de Mayne gouernour at Chartres accompanied with fifty horses intending to haue surprised the Lord Lorges Arcleinuile went before to view the countrey and to know who stirred in the fieldes The 18. of May the King of Nauarre sent the Lord Chastilion accompaniâ—d with the Lords Fouqueroles Charboniere Harambure Mony Resny Saint Sere Fresillon and Chambalame and other gentlemen to make warre with two hundred horsemen and as many harquebuziers and by Boysgency vnderstood that these troupes of Picary sent by the Duke d' Aumale came that way to haue met the Lord Lorgâ—s the Lord Chastilion therefore with his companies directed his way toward Bonaual and tooke with him the Lord Fonquerantes with twenty of his gentlemen for scoute they met Arcleinuile with fifty horses with him The Lord Chastilion maketh towards him to charge him and so vsed the matter that they killed sixe men of the enemy Arcleinuile hauing no great lyking of that play retired and gaue the alarum to the rest of the troupes a quarter of a mile comming orderly vnder the leading of Saueinze he had 30. Harquebuziers of the Lord Forceuille and many other Gentlemen of name making in all the number of sixe hundred men The Lord Chastilion changed his pace with a trot for to entertaine them Charboniere and Harambure with their companies of light horsemen were on his left wing on the other side Saueuze setting forth before his Harquebuziers set his company of Launciers in rankes and commeth a great pace without breaking ranke for the space of a quarter of a mile The Trompets sound the charge on both sides The Lord Chastilion casteth about a little to stay for his Harquebuziers he deuideth his horsmen into two companies and hauing placed his footmen goeth to the skirmish Saueuze commeth forth very brauely and couragiously galloping for thirty paces his Harquebuziers on horsebacke gaue the onset neere ynough The Lord Chastilion his footmen receaued them who after the first Harquebuziers were discharged euen during the fight rushed in among the horsmen killed many horses with their swords of the Lord Chastilion his men were slayne one that had beene of the King of Nauarre his guardes and two souldiers of the garrison of Boysgency and no more Saueuze who on a sudden had bent him selfe against the light horsemen charged so furiously the Lord Chastilion that the first rankes were broken which hee vnhorsed and layed along and eight or ten of his gentlemen incurred the like misfortune among whom was the Lord Mony Rosny Saint Sere Freslon Chamberlan and among them three were hurt with Launces twenty or thirty of their horses slaine The Brosses set vppon the rereward of the Lord Chastilion which were greatly distressed At length the Lord Chastilion and others that were ouerthrowen recouered themselues and fell a fighting with their swordes on foot and he aduaunced so far that he was hurt in the face In the meane while the Lords Harambure Charboniere and Fonquerules with their companies set vpon Saueuze and his troupes so furiously that they entred and brake a ray put the enemies to flight in such sort that they could not gather together agayne There were slayne some of their Captayns all the gentlemen of Picardy and aboue threescore in the flight so that there were aboue two hundered of the enemies slayne but specially all the Harquebuziers two cornets were taken and the bearers slayne forty Gentlemen were taken and among them Saueuze and Forceuile Many of account were hurt The Lord Chastilion lost but thrée men as is aforesayd this execution was done nigh Bonaual about foure a clocke in the after noone Here Christian Reader may wee see the great goodnes and mercy of God which calleth sinners and transgressors to repentance sending them messengers and tokens of his wrath denouncing them assured destruction for first at Seulis the Lord represented vnto the heads of the league the greatnes of their trespasse by the painted punishment deserued Secondly the Lord prospered the Kings armies with three noble victoryes in two dayes in the sigâ—t in a maner and hearing of three great and mighty rebeiled citiyes to wit at Seulis nigh Paris and at Rions in Auuergne and at Bonaual not far from Orleans Furthermore the Lord hath executed yet most terrible iudgements since because they despysed these gracious warâ—â—â—gs by consuming them with a long and continuall disease as if it were with a phisike carrying with them the worme of the conscience
Rochefocault and the Countie of Rossie his brother with the Countie of Rochefort with diuers Gentlemen who were néerest to his person all them he set about his footmen deuiding the Swissers into two parts The enemies were 25. thousand and he had not aboue nine thousand and that to the vttermost With this small number the King knowing that God would consider iustice of the cause and was able to vanquish as well with fewe as with a great number hauing earnestly desired Gods ayde in his priuate prayers commaunded publike prayers which being ended marched against his enemies with such resolued and princelike courage that at the first encounter as it were with one blowe the enemie left vpon the place fiue hundred men beside a number of prisoners and wounded souldiers but the rest fled with great feare and disorder In the same méeting the enemie lost as is aboue sayd at the first encounter fiue hundred men among whom were the chiefest Sague Colonell of the light horsemen the Lord S. Vidal chiefe Marshall of the Ordinance the Lord S. Andrew brother to the Countie of Saulx the Lord Vienuille eldest sonne to the Marshall Vienel who were caried to Roen and there buried with many more of great account The Countie Billing Marshall of the Camp Temblecourt the Countie of Lorreyne who had the first regiment and the Lord Sauelak with diuers other Captaines were taken prisoners Of the Kings side dyed but 26. among whom were the Countie Rossie brother to the Lord Rochefocault and also the Lord Bakqueuile whose vertues were commendable among all men for whom the King was greatly grieued There was among the enemies one Lorde Sagonne a proud man greatly boasting of his valiantnes who with feeling escaped from the slaughter at Seulis the Lord Graund Prior prouoked him to fight who ioyning together the saide Lorde Graund Prior gaue him such a blowe that in retyring and lighting downe of his horse hee fell downe and brake his neck Thus the enemy hauing retyred with shame and losse the King commaunded all his forces to refresh themselues which thing being done fifteene hundred Launce-knights presented themselues to a little trench which was kept by some of the Kings Launce-knights and lifting vp their hands protested and desired to yéeld vnto the King so that the Kings seruants as well as they would put vp their weapons This caused great ioy in the army and euery man putting vp their weapons the Kings men scattered themselues among them without any suspition of treason shaking hands like good fellowes two of the Captaines went to meete the King and being examined suddainely faultring in their speach as knowing not what they said as men troubled in minde named themselues seruants to the Duke d' Mayne in the meane while they fed the Kings Souldiours with fayre words to delay the time till their troupes of horsemen shoulde drawe neere to assist them desiring very much to see the King The King hauing no liking of them commaunded his forces to march downe the medowes from them and whilest these villanous dissembling traitors passed toward the Suissers as though in deed they would yeelde themselues to the King seeing no more the kings horsemen before them and their horsemen approaching still then they seazed vpon the Countie Rochefort and began to set vpon the Kings troupes with all their might whilest fiftéene hundered horsemen came marching a long the medowes to assist them The enemies by these meanes being three thousand and the Kinges forces there beeing not aboue three hundered Horsemen put this small companie in great feare and began to retyre toward the Swissers The Swissers neuer shronk for all that multitude but stoode still firmely shewing such a manly countenance that the enemy suspected the retyre of the Kings horsemen to haue been a policy to draw them into the danger of the Swissers At the same instant that the treason was discouered the Lord Chastilion brought out of Deepe fiue hundred Caliuers Thus all these troupes were deuided into two parts the Harquebusiers of the Kings side were so fitly placed that the enemy durst not venture to set vppon them The Canons in the meane time played vppon them and killed manie The King in this extremity and suddaine discouering of this vnlooked treason hauing ordered all things set vpon the enemies and shewed himselfe both King Captaine and Souldier and by his princely courage did encourage all men to play their partes valiantly The King receaued a shot in his boete and his horse being hurt accompanied with the Marshall Byron fought on foote vntill hée was reuenged of his enemies The enemie retired with shame and losse leauing their dead on the place and hid himselfe at Martinglize The King remayned on the field and commaunded certaine pieces of Ordinance to bée discharged against Martinglize which thing being done he gaue thanks to God with earnest praiers for his gracious goodnes succour and presence in defending them and his iust cause This being done hée greatly commended the good and faithfull seruice of the Swissers in presence of their Captaines and dronke to them for their valiant exploytes done that day The 23. of September the Lord Staphord Ambassadour for the most Noble Quéene of England arriued at Diepe bringing both money and munition but hée sawe not the King vntill the next day following About midnight following the same day the King perceaued that the enemy had changed his opinion and that hée would rayse vp his armie The 24. of September very early in the morning the enemy raised vp his Camp without any sound of Drumme or Trompet in the sight of the King and of his army This their remoouing was done with such great feare and so cowardly that they left their wounded in the Villages behind them and without giuing warning to their Sentinels to retire and saue themselues they left their victuall and munition of warre in the way as they went They tooke their iourney as though they went to the towne of Hewe and at length they turned to Saint Vax Quinqueuile and Bures and camped themselues on the other side of Diepe entrenching themselues in the néerest Villages Ianuile Boutiles and Apeuile The King who was on the other side of the hill in battel aray séeing their departing to be like a fearefull flight while hee receaued the Lord Ambassador of England sent certaine companies to puriue them who also tooke many prisoners ofthem These Prisoners beeing demaunded the cause of the sudden retire answered diuersly for some said it was by reason of the comming of the English ships which lately arriued wherein they doubted great aid to bee sent to the King But some gaue another answere to wit that vpon the death of those Noble men who had béen slaine great strife had growen among them for placing other in their roome some allowing one some choosing another so that it seemeth that these two causes troubled the enemy The King seeing the enemy encamped in another side caused
the Kings power that in lesse then an houre they were all taken with the losse of fifteene hundred men of the enemie There were also fourteene Ensignes taken and thirteene pieces of Ordinance The chase was followed with such a furie that the Kings men mingled among the enemies followed euen within the gates of the Citie and if the Kinges Ordinance had come as it was appointed the Gates had béen beaten downe before they could any way haue fortifyed them So the King came into the Suburbs of Saint Iames about seauen or eight a Clocke in the Morning the people crying in the Stréetes with a lowd voice Viue le Roy with more shew of ioy then of any feare at al. About a hundred and fiftie Harquebuziers of the enemies tooke for their defence y e Abbey of Saint Germayn making a shew as though they would hold it perforce which thing they might well haue done by reason of the strength thereof but about midnight beeing charged to render the place they gaue it ouer Then was the King master of all the Suburbs which do lye on the side of the Vniuersitie which are as big as the Citty of London within the walles The King being master of the Suburbs in the space of two hours saue the Abbey as is aboue said tooke such good order that none started from his company for any pillage vntill the Quarters were appointed vnto the Souldiers where they should haue their pray That day was employed about entrenching before the Gates of the Citye and watch and ward set in conuenient places About midnight following the said 1. of October the King was aduertised that the Duke de Mayne came into the Citie of Paris with his Forces whereof the King was exceeding glad for two causes first because the enemy was new retyred from Picardy Secondly because that hee was in good hope that he would bee drawen to a battayle for the defence of that Citie by which meanes he should not be enforced to execute his iustice agaynst the walles of the Citie and his owne subiects who were greatly seduced by the bad perswasions of the enemy The second day of October the King stayed all the day to see what the enemy durst attempt and whether hee would venture to come forth to fight but seeing they shewed no feeling of their losses receaued the day before The third day the King determined to yéeld them the Suburbs to see whether that would prouoke and encourage them to attempt any thing Therefore leauing the Suburbs set himselfe in battayle aray staying in the field from eight vntill a eleuen a clocke and seeing that no man appeared he marched thence quite for two causes First for very compassion which hee had of an infinit number of people seduced from their dutie and obedience supposing that time and this perill which came to theyr doores would make them wiser and call their dutyes to remembrance But if not that it was the iust and heauy iudgement of God who hardneth theyr harts as hee did the Egyptians in olde time that he might reuenge the idolatryes whoredoms contempt and hatred of his Gospell and the bloud of his Saynts which they had powred in their Stréets lyke water and that such a great City when theyr iniquity and rebellion had come to a full measure might be assaulted at any other tyme. Secondly he thought good to reduce into his obedience the Countreys which did lye betweene the riuers Loyre and Seyne which their enemies had seduced for two causes that hee might haue a sure way for munition and victuals out of those countreys which are very fruitfull Secondly to procure a safety vnto the countryes which are vnder his obedience but specially to the Citie of Tours which by his predecessor was made the seat of the Realme and was in a manner all compassed but specially on the North side with townes castles and holds rebelled and furnished with garrisons of rebels The Duke de Mayne playing the night Crowe fearing the day light arriued in the night at Paris neither proffered any issue nor skirmish vnto the King nor shewed any token of his being there no more then if they had béen fallen on a sudden into a lethargie The King being retyred from Paris the sayd Duke fell to a saffer and more profitable kinde of warre for his money being spent in erecting so many Trophées in Normandy with that mightie Army as he did after he had receaued so many stripes and bastonadoes as he sayd that he will no more of that play he determined to search the Coffers of his friends the Parisiens whom he loued well yet their money better And as it is sayd commonly that the man who desireth to kill his dog maketh himselfe beléeue that hee is mad so this valiant Duke to picke a quarrell doth easily make himselfe and the Parisiens beléeue that they had procured the King to come to Paris and that which the King had done by valour was done by winking of them and was enterprised vpon intelligences which they had with him and that if hee had not come with spéede they would haue deliuered the citie to the King No man could deny this for there was within the citie witnesses who were returned from Picardy to the number of twentie thousand who had the Fortresses of the Citie in their hands all these would beare witnesse agaynst them And who will not beléeue such a multitude of witnesses But yet if it had not béen so their goods were sufficient witnesses of the crimes aboue said so that whosoeuer was rich or so accounted was sufficiently conuicted to haue practised against the association and holy vnion Whosoeuer had goods was quickly conuicted to be an heretick and betrayer of the Catholike religion Therefore hot skirmishes were within the Citie deadly warre is proclaymed against the Coffers Closets and Counting houses of rich men Rich Marchants are sent for pulled out of their houses with their wiues and children their goods taken to y e holy vse of the holy League they are made fast to a payre of gallowes and there hanged for the very zeale and deuotion which the Leaguers haue to their Catholike faith and holy mother the Church they did throw into the water the wiues and children of many rich citizens least they should clayme any part of their goods All parts of the Citie were full fo horrible executions weeping mourning and heauie lamentation The King did neuer shewe the hundred part of that extremitie vnto his enemies as the heads of the League did vnto their friends whom they should haue defended from being executed by others So that the heads of the traytors hauing obtayned a profitable and gaynfull victorie agaynst the Counting houses and Coffers of their friends and hauing that which they most desired doo rest themselues take their case after so many skirmishes fought in Normandy but specially in Paris for now they haue money to spend The King being at the Village Liuars vnder
batteries whereof two from sundry parts should batter at one breath of the Castell The third being placed vpon a rock should scoure certaine waies along behinde the breach of the side of the Castell Therefore the fift day of Ianuary at eight of the clock in the morning his Ordinance began to beate two great towers which flanked from the one to the other whereof the one serued for a defence to the breach which he supposed to make And after the bestowing of foure hundered Canon shot the top of one Tower being fallen and a hole being made in the other Tower that defended the creach the King caused it to be battered spéedily for there néeded but the beating of a little piece of a Wall This done the King commaunded certaine companies of Souldiours to goe and view if they could lodge in the said Tower at whose commaundement certaine of them entring the hole which was made through went into the Castell and finding no resistance called their fellowes who entring one after another in a shortspace they became Masters of the Castell and Towne They within being sore dismayed without any fight retyred into the dâ—ngeon out of the which they sent thrée Gentlemen to beséech the King to receaue them vpon any composition The King answered that he would not receaue them but at his pleasure and that they should proue his clemency without binding him else vnto any condition The sixt of Ianuary the King suffered the Lord Brissak to come and submit himselfe vnto him and being ouercome with pitty which hée had vpon the young Gentlemâ—n graunted their â—iues in choosing fifteene of the best sort of them whome hée would keepe prisoners as warlike enemies and fifteene more such as hee should thinke good should bée at his Maiesties disposition Thus God did so beate downe these proud and insolent rebels roaring and breathing a little before nothing but fire and bloud that none of them did proffer or séemed to make head otherwise then by words The Towne being taken by assault could not be preserued from pillaging and sackaging that there might be a difference betweene them that fled to the Kings clemency and those who obstinatly did proue the force of his army the one being wholy desolat the other reioysing in a full quietnes and perfect peace The 15. whom the King tooke for warlike Enemies were put to their ransom the town was geuen to the Souldiours of the other fifteene who were at the Kings disposition the Lord Brissak as consenting and accessary to the Kings death was condeÌ„ned to die But wheras after the Kings death and when the townes of Picardie did reuolt the rebels had taken the Duchesse of Longeuille mother to the Duke now liuing prisoner for abhorring their rebellion and detained her in captiuitie in the Citie of Amiens The Duke of LoÌ„gueuille greatly desirous to deliuer his mother begged the said Brissak to set his mother at liberty and in place of safetie by exchange with the said Brissak which thing the king granted supposing that it would not bee long afore he would come againe into his hands to receaue the reward of his rebellion and parracide Hetherto Christian Reader thou hast seen into what miserable and wofull state the whole Realm was throwen in by the Leaguers by their Friers Monkes and desperat Iesuits and by their venimous seditions and vngodly sermons preached to the people to stirre them to all manner of damnable license And how that kingdome sunke and drowned in a most confused rebellion was left by the king Henry the third and last of the noble familie of Valoys and deliuered to Henry the 4. now king of France and Nauarre named declared and inthronised by his predecessor approued accepted and proclaimed lawfull and natural heire and king of y e crowne of France after the maner of the Emperours of the Romans by the Princes Nobilitie Officers of the Crowne not among few Priests Bishops and Monks with a trash of ceremonies but in the middle of an armie by y e Marshals Colonels captaines Souldiers acknowledged obedience sworn vnto by the best and soundest part of the realm towns cities Commonalties people as well ecclesiasticall as temporall resisted onely by few rebels and robbers who hauing surprised some Townes and Cities do exercise an intollerable and more then Turkish tyranny ouer the Citizens otherwise well disposed Thou hast séene also how God hath guided his hands to battell and his fingers to fight hath blessed his armes before and now in the beginning of his raigne with prosperous successe of victories and reduced Townes Cities and whole Prouinces seduced by the Leaguers to their duetifull obedience and hath so restored to them which will be quiet vnder his gouernement peace iustice and iudgement that they may say that the Lord after a long continual stormy tempest hath geuen them as a calme weather to restore in that afflicted state saturnia regna wherein godlinesse and iustice ought to raigne Now before we make an end of this yeare and this seuenth booke together wee will lay downe other exploits of warre done in other partes of France but specially in the Prouince of Daulphine and hauing no ample informations nor obseruation of time and other circumstances necessary to the perspicuity of the history we will put downe onely the euents bare and naked as it were priuate memories in such sort as they were sent to the noble Princesse of Orenge out of her soueraignty of Orenge by some of her seruantâ— there desyrous onely to aduertize her excellency simply of the accidents which had passed there It said before how the Guizes head of the League tooke for party the king of Nauarre and with him the professors of the reformed religion as onely hinderers of their driftes And afterwardes they proclaimed open warre against the Lords Espernon and Valete his brother who with their faithfull seruice and wise counsel were stumbling blockes in the way of the said Guizes and Leaguers disappointing them of their purposes The L. Valete beeing in Prouance and Daulphine and vnderstanding of the execution done at Bloys vppon the persons of the Duke of Guyze and the Cardinall his brother by a prudent wisedome foresaw how some new tumults would ryse thereupon and how the king would turne his forces against the Leaguers vpon that occasion would reconcile the king of Nauarre to him and vse his seruice and of them of the reformed Religion And thereupon to auoyde all inconueniences which might ensue this strange and vnexpected accident thought good to make peace with the Lord des Diguieres a noble man of great valour who had constantly and valiantly defended the cause of the religion and brought many Townes Cities and Fortresses from the tyranny and slauery of the Leaguers to the Kings obedience And when after the death of the Duke of Guize many Townes and holds had rebelled partly induced by the outâ—ries of y e Leaguers and partly surprized by them but
thousand Duckets On the contrary he shewed vnto them how the King was destitute of men and meanes there were a great number against few their furniture and munition was farre passing that of the King they had the countrey fauorable and enemy vnto him They were strong â—usty rested long but the K. with his forces was wearie weather beaten and weake by reason of his long toyling and moyling all the déepe of winter They had Frier Sixtus blessings but the king had the accurle therefore he concluded that they should make no difficulty of the victory it was too sure on their side and in a manner if GOD himselfe would fight for him for the Friers former spéeches emported but little lesse he could not preuaile He shewed also that there were already in the way forces out of Flanders comming to them by the procurement of Bernardino Mendoza and Frier Cardinall Damnj the King therefore was to be set on before he had any leasure to employ forten Princes to assist him and to shewe the great good affection which Frier Sixtus had to this worke of mercie hée had sent them fiftie thousand Duckets The Duke d' Mayne with the heads of the League receaued this holy money with as great deuotion as the Iubile and pardons or rather greater And if Frier Sixtus had sent all Saint Peters treasures it had been yet more deuoutly accepted and spent as merrily in Paris inter bonas socias as in Rome but they were content to receaue that in hoping for more Now wée sée the state of the Leaguers and rebels very strong and rich for they had set and gathered an excessiue impost and somme of money vpon Paris they had made aboue a million of Gold of the robbing and confiscations and ransoms of the Royalls in the Citie They had receaued three hundred thousand crownes of the Spaniard They receiued fiftie thousand Crownes from Rome nowe they are very lusty they deck themselues all with gold and iewels and perswaded by Frier Henryque they prepare themselues to goe forth out of Paris soone after the holy dayes and to goe to séeke the King vntill they had found a mishap Here endeth the 7. Booke THE EIGHT BOOKE WE haue séene what the Legacie of Frier Henrique hath done in Paris how he hath heated the rebels set them on horseback and sent them packing to séeke ventures Now in this eight booke we will see how they haue sped after their departing from Paris Kind Henry the third intending to besiege Paris sent Captaine Saint Martin with a strong Garison to seaze vpon and kéepe the Castell Vicennes nigh Paris which the rebels had forsaken after their losse at Seulis from whence hée did so molest the Parisiens with continuall roades and courses that no man could venture that way The Duke d' Mayne to pluck that thorne out of the héele of the Parisiens and to set them at liberty that way had practized by all meanes the said Captaine to render the place and to ioyne himselfe with the Leaguers which he would neuer doo therefore about the beginning of Ianuary after they had made their * This is a dronken baÌ„quet vpon Twelf tide as wassellis in England Roy boy in Paris he went forth to besiege that Castell and battered it with foure péeces of Ordinance The said Saint Martin séeing that the King was farre of and he not able to defend the place yéelded it with condition for him and his to goe foorth with bag and bagage and to be suffered safely to repayre to Seulis which was performed It is said also how the said King Henry the third in his way to the siege of Paris had taken Pontoyse and set a strong garison there to intercept all manner of victuals prouisions or marchandize which were carried vp by the riuer Seyne to Paris which did greatly annoy and distresse the Citie The Duke d'Mayne hauing taken Vicennes mustered all his forces and found them all lustie and more glistering with gold then valiant in courage and found his forces to arise to thrée thousand horses and thirtéene thousand footemen with whome whilest his succour of Flanders should draw néere about the latter end of Ianuarie hee lead his forces against Pontoyse which hee besieged in hope to ease the Parisians of that heauie burthen and when he had battered the same they within considering that they were not able to defend it yéelded the place vpon the same conditions that the Leaguers had yéelded it to the King not long before to wit with their armies whereof part went to the King to continue in the Kings seruice and part ioyned with the Leaguers The Duke d'Mayne hauing taken Pontoyse more full of money and hope then courage determined to descend into Normandie And in his iourney with his great army was stayed at Meulan a Towne situated vpon Seyne betweene Mante and Pontoyse distant from Paris ten leagues and from Homfleur where the king was thirtie leagues There he boasted and threatned that he would goe to make the king to raise the siege or else fetch him out of Homfleur but he protracted so the time that the king had time both to seaze vpon the said Towne of Homfleur and to rest and refresh his army there some dayes The causes of the Dukes delay were two First the mistrust of his cause which did still abate his courage which otherwise was neuer great Secondly for that he expected great forces out of Flanders who were already comming vnto him vnder the conduct of the County Egmond and the Lord la Mote gouernour of Graueling Whereupon he tooke occasion to excuse the basenes of his heart who durst neuer see the king face to face except they were three to one or very nigh yet to ease his stomack hee casteth forth these vaine boastings and threatnings aboue said but he durst not come nigh the king afore he had ioyned with this new supply for feare of the bastonado The king on the other side hauing taken the Towne of Homfleur and rested there his forces for certaine dayes said nothing but about the middest of February tooke his iourney to high Normandie to cause the Duke to raise the siege from before Meulan and hauing trauailed thréescore miles in the déepe of winter proffered battell to the enemy But the Dukes heart fayling him and hauing aduertisement that the forces of the Low Countrey were entred into France after that hee had battered Meulan diuers dayes hee went to méete the Flemmings and to muster them The Duke de Mayne receaued in Picardie betweene foure and fiue thousand Wallons conducted by the Lord Mot Gouernour of Graueling and a little after arriued the horsemen conducted by the County Egmond with thirtéene companies of souldiers taken out of the garrisons of Flâ—nders three companies of Launces of Spanyards conducted by Don Iuan Moreo Don Pedro Moreo his brother Don Iuan de Cordoua and a great company of Harquebusiers on horsebacke led by Captaine Colin rising all
the Duke d' Mayne his battaile was much like to the kings the Duke d' Mayne with his Cornet which might bee of two hundred and fiftie horses was in the middest of two Squadrons of Launces of them that were come out of Flanders which might be of twelue or thirteene hundred horse The Duke of Nemours with his Squadron of two hundred and fiftie horse for his safety set himselfe in the middle of these Squadrons of launces The Knight d'Aumale likewise thrust himselfe into that companie thinking himselfe there to be safe so that there was in that huge company about eighteene hundred horsemen marching in a front On the sides â—t this great huge companie were two regiments of Swissers lined with French foote men There were two other Squadrons of Launces the one of light horsemen French Italians and Albaneses on the right hand the other on the left side of Wallons and Spanyards in the middle betweene both were French-footemen and Lance-knights The two wings were two great companies of Rutters which might bee on the right wing seauen hundred horse and on the left side fiue hundred they had on their left wing two Culuerins and two bastard Culuerins The king perceauing that the enemy would not come forward went toward them and hauing marched about a hundred and fiftie paces got the aduantage of the sunne and winde and perceaued that his enemies were in number more then they thought for the king perceaued that they were fiue thousand horsemen and eightéene thousand footemen The rebels were glistering with gold which they had gotten out of the coffers of the Citizens of Paris Rhemes and other townes by violence and robery and out of the king of Spayne his coffers and also out of Saint Peters treasure The kings army was glistering with yron and stéele there were in the kings army to bée séene a terrible sight of two thousand Gentlemen in complet armour from top to toe burning in affection to doo their king and Countrey good seruice for the conseruation of their wiues children houses and goods The King was in the front of his Squadron with a great bunch of white feathers on his Helmet and another bunch on his horses forehead The Princes Earles and knights of the holy Ghost and other principall Lords and Gentlemen of the chiefest houses in France were in the fore ranke The king exhorted all his company with great modesty with their humble prayers to commit themselues vnto God and to shew example to others began to conceaue a feruent praier which done the king walked vp and downe willing them to doo the like and encouraging them like valiant men to stand to the defence of a iust cause As soone as hée was come to his place the Lord Mariuault brought him newes that certaine companies of Picardie vnder the conduct of the Lords Humiers and Mouoy with other Lords and Gentlemen to the number of two hundred horse were within two miles of him But the king fully resolued to giue battaile with that power which he had would not delay any longer but sent commaundement to the Lord Guiche to cause him to shoote with the Ordinance which thing hée did straight waies whereby the enemies receaued great hurt for the king had discharged nine Canon shot with great effect before the enemy could begin After thrée or foure voleyes of shot had passed on both sides the 1. Onset Squadron of their old light horsemen compounded of French men Italians Albaneses consisting of fiue or sixe hundred horses came to giue the charge to the Marshall Aumont carrying with them the Lanceknights who were on their side But the Marshall Aumont willing to begin set vppon the enemy so hardly that he enforced them to scatter and to flée with great confusion and feare whome he chased to a little wood on the back side where the said Lord Marshall stayed attending the Kings comming as hee had in charge During this chase the company of Rutters on the right hand of the 2. Onset battaile of the enemies marched to haue seazed vppon the artillerie but they were met with light horsemen who made them quicklie retyre Then the Squadron of Launces Wallons and Flemmings marched 3. Onset on to haue charged with a fresh charge the saide light horsemen fighting with the Rutters but the Baron Byron shewed himselfe in the field and gaue the onset on the reregard because he could not set on the forefront there in the conflict he was hurt in the arme and in the face but at length the enemy was deâ—eted and scattered The Lord Montpencier séeing a great army of seauen hundred Spanish Launciers and thrée hundred Harquebusiers on horseback with corselets and murrions with thrée great standards that were vnder the gouernement of the County Egmond aduaunced toward them and gaue them such a charge as that albeit he was vnhorsed yet quickly getting vp againe brake their aray put them to flight and aboade there Master of the field There was a frantick Franciscan Frier of Biscay called Frier Mathew de Aguirre who runne vp and downe with his GOD whome they call Crucifix in his hand all his wit was in his Crucifixes head and incouraging the rebells and running against the Hugonets as though he would haue frighted them and wrought some myracle with his Idoll or played the bulbegger in a cloyster but a shot of Ordinance did beate him downe and his God so that there he ended his frantick fit At the selfe same time the great Squadron of the Duke d'Mayne came marching to the battailion hauing on the left wing foure hundred 4. Onset Harquebusiers on horseback who gaue a volley of shot within fiue and twentie paces of the Kings Squadron the same volley being ended the head of the enemies Squadron set on the Kings Squadron The King receaued the enemy with such a constancy and courage that after a quarter of an hower of hard fighâ—ing hauing before played the part of a king and great Captaine in commaunding and ordering of things now hee playeth the part of a lusty and braue Souldiour So that in such a great and furious assault he behaued himself so valiantly that he brake and put in disaray that terrible Forrest of Launces and at length after he had put them to flâ—ght with great confusion and terror he followed the victory and being lost in the chase caused a great heauines in his army vntil that within a while they spyed him comming all berayed with the bloud of his enemies without any hurt receaued And as the king was returning from the chase to his company with fifteene or sixtéene horses he was set on by two battailions of Swissers enemies and three companies of Wallons and certaine other who did weare redd crosses The king did set vpon them with his small number tooke away their Cornets and killed those that carryed and guarded them When the King had come to his place againe the whole armie in token of
thanksgiuing to God for his safe returne â—aluted him with this acclamation God saue the King Two thousand horsemen in all of Princes noble men and gentlemen did defeat al this huge army of fiue thousand horsemen and eight thousand footmen the rest of the Kings forces neuer sâ—irring from their places Thus the Horsemen béeing scattered there remained yet Swissers Lanceknights and French footmen The Launceknights and French footmen were charged and about two thousand and foure hundred remained on the place as it were in a moment The rest were taken prisoners and some of them fled into the woods whereof a great number wandering abroad were slaine by the Pesants The Swissers notwithstanding they had lost their Horsemen which were at their wings part beeing slaine and part fled set a good countenance on the matter The King once was minded to set the French companies on them to disaray them and had sent the Baron Biron to that effect but calling to mind the ancient aliance betweene that nation and the crowne of France called him back againe with his companies and offered them grace and mercy so much he did to those companies of Frenchmen who were with them who refused not his gracious fauour but comming and passing by him rendered vnto his Maiesty their Colonels Captains Souldiers and Ensignes The King staying to pardon the Swissers gaue the enemy leasure to auoid by flight And whilest he stayed to do this Princelike act iudging that he was not called to that high degree of Maiesty ad interitum but ad beneficentiam generis humani The Marshall Aumont with a great company which he had assembled from the pursute in like manner the grand Prior and the Marshall Biron who by reason of his great experience for that hee had béen at so many stormes of battails and skirmishes with his horsemen and companies of French footmen was reserued to the last onâ—et if need had béen relyed themselues to the King The companies also of the Lord Humiers Mony and other gentlemen of Picardy came in the middle of the battell and after the victory came to the King The Duke de Maine seeing that the mishap which he wished to others fel vpon him tooke his way with great terrour toward Iury leauing behind his ordinance bagge and baggage and as many beside as could not runne away so swiftly as he did the great kill Deuils Don Pedro Moreo and Don Iuan de Cordoua two Spanish Moores with such as could follow them ran after him Great companies of the enemie had gotten before some followed after and as feare made them hast to presse ouer the bridge of Iury to runne a second course toward Mante it is reported that he killed some with his owne hand to make him a way ouer least he should be the hindermost and when he had passed ouer he caused the bridge to be broken leauing his friendes to shift for themselues and by that occasion many through feare beeing out of their wits cast themselues into the riuer where were drowned aboue fifteene hundred persons Others fearing to be taken by them who followed in the chase killed their Horses to stop the wayes and many supposing to haue saued themselues in the woods fell into the hands of the Pesants and countrey people which vsed them more cruelly then the Souldiers would haue done The Duke de Mayne hauing passed Iurye broken the bridge tooke his way to Mante there to passe ouer the bridge and to retire to Pontoise The inhabitants once had determined not to let him in whereupon some do report that beeing before Mante he swore with great othes that hee had discomfited the Kings forces and had killed the King with his owne hand but when they would not be mooued therewith knowing the contrary hee began to intreat them shewing them the danger wherein hee was they mooued with his prayers to compassion of his estate let him in with condition that his retinue should passe by ten and ten that night ouer the Bridge The Duke of Nemours Bassampierre the Vicount Tauaine Rosne and many others fled to Dreux and the day after to Chartres many who could not follow them went astray and knowing not whither they went were taken prisoners The King hauing played the great Captaine and lusty Souldier in getting the victory now sheweth himselfe a right Generall of an army in pursuing the sayd victory for which well to doe he deuideth his forces as followeth The grand Prior with a great company hee sent to chase the enemy on the left hand toward Eureux The Baron of Biron and with him the residue of horsemen who were gathered together and the companies which were arriued out of Picardie at the instant of the battel he sent at the right hand toward Dreux The King himselfe accompanied with the Princes Countie and Montpensier the Marshals of Aumont and Trimouille with a great company of other Lords and Captayns of the same army followed on the victory and continued the chase fiue howers The King vnderstanding how the Duke de Mayne had entred into Mante tooke vp his lodging at Rosnye two miles from Mante where he was as meanly lodged as the enemy Many were slaine in the pursute many were taken prisoners The King with two thousand horses killed aboue two thousand horsemen and many of them Commanders fiftéene hundred and aboue were drowned at the riuer Iury in the flight The most part of the footemen were cut off in peeces fewe ranne away who were either slayne in the chase or by the people of the country aboue 4. hundred of the enemies were takeÌ„ prisoners The Swissers and the Frenchmen ioyned with them yeelded themselues to the Kings clemencie So that of three and twentie thousand of y e enemie there returned neuer home aboue eight thousand Their bagge baggage artillerie and munition was stayed in the Kings hand There were aboue twentie Cornets of horsemen taken and among them the white Cornet and the bearer thereof to wit the Lord Boysdaul phine taken prisoner by the King The great Ensigne of the Generall of the Spanyards and Flemmings the Colonell Cornets of the Rutters were taken aboue threescore Ensignes of footmen as Flemmings French men and Launce-knights and foure and twentie of the Swiffers that yeelded themselues all these â—ame into the Kings hands Among them that were slayne were chiefest of all the Countie Egmond the Duke Brunswicke Captaine Colin a Spanyard the Lord Chastaigueray and many others Of prisoners taken were the Earle Austfrist who was with the Rutters many Lords Spanyards Italians Frenchmen and Flemmings Of Frenchmen the Lord Boysdaulphine Cigoigne who bare the white Cornet of the Duke de Mayne This is the third time that this Rebell had fallen into the Kings hands within foure moneths and had alwayes found fauour at his hands There were also prisoners Mesdauid Fouteyne Martil Lechant Lodon Huguesan Falandre Tenisay Chasteliere Descuueaux with many others Of the Kings side were slayne the
Lords Clermont Antragues one of the Captaynes of the Kings gards who deceased nigh the Kings person The Lord Tischombert who had borne great charges in warre and now would needes serue as a souldier in the Kings Cornet The Lord of Longauluay in Normandy of fourescore yeares of age the Lord of Creuay Cornet bearer to the Prince Montpencier the Lord Vienne Lieftenant to the Lord Benuron the Lords of Manuille Fequers Valoys and twentie Gentlemen more at the most There were hurt the Marquesse of Neste the Earle of Choysy the Lord d'O the Earle Lude the Lords Montluet Lauergne and Rosny and about twentie Gentlemen more without any danger of death The King going to chase the enemie and hauing deuided his companies as is aforesayd left the Marshall Byron with the rest of his forces to conduct them and followe after him Here good Christian Reader thou hast to note certaine fatall periods of things to wit the circumstances of the persons time and place in the execution of Gods iustice vpon his enemies The 23. day of December 1559. Claude Duke of Guize and Charles Cardinall of Lorreyne his brother in the raigne of Francis the second procured Annas du Borg one of the chiefest Senators of the Court of Parliament of Paris to be burned for the Gospell at Saint Ihan in Greues in Paris The 23. of December as their Calender is now which was the day of the natiuitie of Henry of Bourbon which now raigneth in the yeare 1588. the last Duke and Cardinall of Guize were slayne at Bloys when they had concluded to murther the King the next morning following that day The fourth day of March 1561. Claude of Guize father to this last tooke armes agaynst the edict of Ianuary and committed the cruell murther of Vassie by the which breach of the peace were ciuill warres raised vp in France and euer since haue béen entertayned and nourished by his posteritie which warre was his vndoing The same day of the same moneth in the yeare 1585. the last Duke of Guize sonne to the sayd Claude tooke armes against the King which was the beginning of these last ciuill warres of the League by the which they haue procured their owne vndoing and of many others The same day of the moneth the Duke de Mayne brother to the sayd last Duke of Guize and heire of the Captainship of the rebellion made a shipwracke of all his forces at Saynt Andrewes plaine without hope euer to recouer the like forces Claude Duke of Guyze in December in the year 1561. fought the first battell that was giuen in all these ciuill Warres with Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Condie Prince of famous and blessed memory in the plaine of Dreux with an vncertaiue issue but in equall losses so that to this day it is vniudged who had y e victory but well knowen that the Duke of Guyze had the greatest losse The Duke de Maine fought agaynst Henry of Bourbon the fourth of that name now King of France and Nauarre at the plaine of Saint Andrew next adioyning to the other and the places not distant passing a mile a sunder with a reparable losse The Lord Rendan a rebellious Leaguer in Auuergne with such power as he could make in the sayd countrey but specially in the Townes of Rions and Brion rebelled and holden in the same rebellion by the Iesuits besieged Isoire a great and populous towne in the said Auuergne because it continued in the Kings obedience The Lords Chasseran and Rochemayne willing to do some honorable seruice to the King and good to their countrey gathered such power as they could of the Kings subiectes to rescue the sayd towne of Isoire from falling into the handes of the rebels and with a meane power trusting in GOD the defender of his Ordinance and wayghing the right of the cause marched towards Isoire The sayd Lord Rendan vnderstanding of their approach raysed vp the siege and went intending to meete the sayd Lordes Chasseran and Rochemayne and at the same day and time of the battell at Saint Andrewes playne meeting in a playne field not farre from Jsoire tried the quarell by the sword There the sayd Rendan was ouerthrowen and aboue fourescore Gentlemen of his were slayne on the place all his footmen cut to pieces the artillery bagge and bagage with many prisoners taken so the Towne of Isoyre was deliuered from the danger of the enemie retayned and confirmed in the Kings dutifull obedience It is said how after the victory the King deuided his army into foure parts three of them were appointed their quarters to follow the chase and the Marshall Biron to follow after the King with the residue of the army The King hauing taken this order followed after the Duke de Mayne but finding the bridg broaken was faine to go thrée miles about to passe the riuer afoord and in that way he found many straglers whom he tooke prisoners which was a good turne for them or else they had béen slaine by others he came so fast after the Duke d' Mayne that hee did misse him but a little but vnderstanding how he was receaued in Mant the king lodged that night at Rosni as is said very simple The fift day the Duke d'Mayne very early fearing to be besieged there retyred from Mante to Pontoyse where he soiourned few dayes to take some sure order for the safety of the Towne and after went to Saint Denis The same day the King sent to sommon the Towne of Mante which deliuered the keyes of their towne to his Maiesty receaued and acknowledged him their king and prince and continued there vntill the twentie day of March to refresh his army wearied with so many labours and hardnes of winter to take counsel of the course which he was to take hereafter and to expect certaine munition of warre which was comming to him from Diepe The Citie of Paris first author of this warre had conceaued an assured confidence of all prosperous successe by the vaine bragges which the Duke d'Mayne did cast foorth afore hee went out with the army The Friers Iesuites increased this vain confidence in their pulpets by assuring them either of a certaine victory or else of recoyling of the King as farre as beyond Loyre so that euery day they looked for the King dead or aliue and all his spoyles to be brought for a spectacle and to bee solde and bought among them or else to heare of his flight as farre as the riuer of Loyre This great confidence made them to liue very secure and carelesse in prouiding for the Citie besides that they rested much vpon the great multitude which is within the sayd Citie there beeing great bablers and boasters for the Parisien is as Epimenides speaketh of the Cretayns a lyer euill beast and slothfull belly The towns also which then did hold round about their Citie as Pontoyse beneath vpon the same riuer Charonton Meaux Laguye Corbeil Melun Montereau aboue vpon the riuer
course taken to wit the siege of Paris raysed therefore the siege and marched toward Paris The 25. of Aprill the king layed the siege agaynst Charanton a towne situated vpon the fall of Marne into Seine in the sight of the City of Paris There was in a Tower ten souldiers of Paris which did obstinat themselues in the defense of the same whom he forced and caused their Gouernour to be hanged Hauing seazed vpon Charanton the king doth present himself before the Citie about the 28. of Aprill tooke the Villages about began to lay downe the forme of the siege where he determined to send part of his forces on the South side of the Cittie therewith to compasse that side And with the other part to besiege the North side and the Towne of S. Denis all at once there he maketh all things ready maketh his approches sitteth still without proffering any force but onely doth stop the entring in of victuals hoping that scarcenes and neede would haue mollifyed their hartes and the present danger of the very famin which did threaten them would haue mooued them to some moderat counsell Now wee will leaue the king before this siege harkening what the determination of the Parisiens is and goe to see what is done in other places About the beginning of May there was in the noble and loyall Citie of Renes in Britaine a sauey sot prating Frier who in the pulpit to stir vp sedition in the cittie tooke it for a poynt of diuinity and an ornament of Fryerlike Rhetorike to call the king heretike but the Court of Parliament there so gagged him with a cord about his necke that when hee had preached his last Sermon on the top of a Ladder he brake his necke with a sore fall there were also sixe of the chiefest Cittizens hanged with him for company for hauing procured this seditious Frier in his Sermons to stirre vp sedition About the selfe same time the Lord Rieux defeated the Duke of Lorreyn nigh Mâ—tes and tooke away all his artillery It is sayd before how the King sent the Duke of Longueuille with part of the army to scoure and stop the riuer Oyse who accompanied with the L. la Nouë tooke Beaumont which was gouerned by the Lord Pierrencourt there the Duke of Longueuille caused the chiefest men of the Towne to bee hanged Paris beeing besieged by the king as is sayd the people do harden their harts more and more being perswaded by the Fryers and Iesuits and by them whom that sottish and Idolatrous people had in admiration to wit the Popes Legat the Spanish Ambassador the Bishops of Paris Lyons Glasco Placentia Aste Rhemes Sanlis there were the Duchesses de Nemours Mayne Montpensier The Prouost Escheuins other officers they partly encourage partly do terrifie the people doo yet once agayne gather a great somme of money vpon the inhabitants they doo cast great store of artillerie and prepare all things to withstand the siege They made a search of all the grayne and prouision of victuals which were within the Citie They made also a reckoning of the people which did amouÌ„t to two hundred thousand persons the corne came to that quantitie as would suffice the citie for a whole moneth allowing a pound of bread to euery one a day and besides fourtie thousand bushels of Oates They appoynted one Anthony L'amy a rich Marchant of the Citie to haue the charge of the market and to appoynt Bakers in euery quarter of the Citie to whom he deliuered the corne at foure Crownes the bushell and not aboue after that rate they should sell the pound of bread at halfe a Spanish royall This order being taken they went about to assure themselues of the wil of the Citizens for feare that any sedition should arise by reason of the scarsenes which vndoubtedly they sawe would ensue They gathered all the chiefest Citizens and Captaynes in the halles of their quarters and there they were made sweare neuer to consent to receaue any hereticall King They were sworne also to detect and reueale any man whom they knewe to dissent from this their vnion and oath This last part of the oth taken replenished the citie with proscriptions confiscations banishments cruell torments executions funeralls and lamentations for a great many were murthered many iudicially executed many emprisoned many saued them by flight but all lost their goods and substance which was no small pray to the heads of the rebels And that they might molest the King with sallies they hyred the Lord Vitry Captayne of one hundred and fiftie horses with the somme of two thousand Duckets which the Ambassadour of Spayne did pay Thus hauing set a Militarie policie in the Citie touching the strength of the Citie and the sinewes thereof they sometime would set their heads out of the gates to see what weather was about but fearing some shewer of blowes they ranne in agayne The King hauing distressed Paris alreadie twentie dayes or very nigh and looking that vpon some reasonable condition they would haue sought meanes of peace and seeing them contrary to his expectation hardened and waxed more obstinate and malicious with part of his forces set vppon the Suburbs of S. Martin which he tooke without any great resistance From that day vntill the beginning of Iune the time passed away without any great exployts but onely certayne light skirmishes For the king would not shewe any extreame force hauing a care of them hoping still that famine would haue mooued them to hearken to reason and to remember their dueties In the meane time the King caused the peeces of artillerie wherwith the Duke of Longueuille had battered Beaumont vpon Oyse to be brought to Paris which being arriued the King battered the walles with thirteene péeces of double Canon The Duke of Nemours had in the meane time cast great store of Ordinance whereof hee caused threescore and fiue peeces to bee set vppon the walles About the 13. of Iune there came foorth out of Paris a strange kinde of men of warre which were neuer seene in the field before Quintus Curtius in the life of Alexander if I remember well reported of such a kind of strange warriours For when Alexander came into India with his victorious armie they perceaued on the top of a mountaine an army of men as they thought with pikes and long staues whereupon that terrible armie of Macedonians sounded the alarum Alexander sent horsemen to viewe the enemie when they came néere they perceaued an armie of Apes which had imitated the armie of the Macedonians whom they had spyed out of the trees and mountaynes All the courage of the Macedonians was turned to laughter So the Bishop of Sanlis would play the like part he made himselfe a Captain his Souldiers were the Cartusien Friers the reformed Bernardines and barefoote Friers the Cartusiens are of the dyet of the Otter for they eate nothing but fish their cowle is like vnto the bag wherewith the Apothecaries doo
straine their wine hippocras and by reason of their flegmatick féeding they are all rotten and leapers afore they come to halfe of their age they doo crawle with lice and taken with that sicknes which the ancients doo call Hydrokephalia that is a madnes procured by rotten flegme enflamed The reformed Bernardines are of the dyet of the asse which féedeth vpon grasse and thistles for they eate nothing but hearbs sod or rawe which thing doth cause them to haue dry and skiruy bodies and that diseaze which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but with all to haue asses wits they goe all in black hereby they doo represent to the world their melancholik humor The bare foote Friers doo shew what humor dooth trouble their braine imitating the frantick mad men which haue delight to goe bare foote winter and sommer for we account that man mad that will go bare foote when he may haue shooes to put on All these rakehels armed themselues vnder their lousie raggs doo march in battaile aray through the City mumbling their portuses and when they had giuen a sight of their prowesse vnto the Citizens they would also goe to sée what weather was out of the Towne and when they had marched a while the Kings gardes in the Suburbs tooke the alarum supposing to haue to deale with men but when they had the sight of this legion and perceauing that they were apes imitating men they turned their fury to â—aughter hooping shooting whereupon the apes returned with great speed into the City and this was the end of this skirmish They had for an ensigne a Crucifixe and our Lady carried before them to play the bulbegger About this time bread began to be scarse in Paris whereupon the masters of the Citie fearing the increasing of famine sought out all the poore within the Citie who came to thirty thousand and determined to haue turned them forth out of the City to take their fortune But some of the counsell of the Citie thought that it could not stand with the greatnes and honour of the Citie and therefore were stayed in which thing did greatly hasten the famine which shortly after followed In the middest of Iune the famine being very great there was little or nothing to eate the Souldiours had no pay neither was there money to pay them the Citizâ—ns refused any more to contribute aleaging the great and huge sommes of money which they had disboursed and for feare of some sedition in the Citie Frier Henrico Caietano Frier Goundj Byshop of Paris and the blinde Captaine Bernardino Mendoza consented to rob all the Gods which were in the Temples of Paris they take the golden cuppes of their Gods and all the shrines of golde and siluer which Demetrius his prentizes had made to Diana to Venus to Belona and to many Diuels of hell they turne their reliques old rotten bones of old Friers old dogges and horses which they had made the people worship for the bones of Apostles Martyrs and other Saints of God out of their coates of gold and siluer and make good money to pay the rebells to warre against their naturall and lawfull King contrary to Gods ordinance to that end that things most wickedly abused might remayne still in the same nature The blind Captaine Don Bernardino doth promise to bestow euery day in almes sixe score Crownes Frier Henrico Caietano said he would doo the like but that deuotion waxed as could as the weather was hot according to the Aphorisme of Hypocrates ventres hyeme calidiores estate frigidiores The King knowing well of the great extremity wherewith the Citie was distressed pittyed them and willed them to take some pitty of their distressed estate promised them mercy and fauour but the Friers Henrico Caietano and Goundi answered contrary to the meaning of the poore people that they had determined to dy all rather then to admit an hereticall King Vpon this answer of the Parisiens in the latter end of Iune many noble men and gentlemen began to mutter in the Kings army what great imminent danger was hanging ouer France the ruine of the nobility the decay of so great and noble a City as Paris was and the desolation of the whole realme which euills the King could redresse in making himselfe a Catholicke Of this faction tending to some enterprise was chiefest the prince of Soisson and went so farre as to speake openly that they will serue no longer vnder an hereticall King The King aduertized of this muttering called his nobles and Captaines shewed them what hee was what his right and cause was And whereas they willed him to become a Catholicke he put theÌ„ out of doubt that for to purchase many Kingdomes as great as the realme of France was hee would neuer so little depart from his religion which hee knewe was grounded vpon the infallible truth of God As for their seruice he made no great account knowing that it was God who was his strength force and defender of his cause willed them to depart from his army when they would and that hee had rather haue their roome as their company he knew that GOD would giue him the meanes and power in time to represse his enemies he knew that GOD would raise him friends enough to assist him It is sayd before how the King all in one worke did besiege S. Denis which is a towne walled within foure miles of Paris In this Towne in an Abbey where the burials and monuments of the kings were this towne was so gretaly distressed that they had neither bread nor munition to defend themselues they had consumed all their prouision Horses Asses Dogges Cattes Rattes Mice Hearbes Rootes and whatsoeuer the belly could aduise them Euen to haue tryed to make bread with flower of Oates huske and all and dust of old rotten postes some tryed straw grownd to dust The sayd towne therfore considering how the famin within the sword without did threaten them proffered parly and at length concluded to deliuer the towne to the King with liues reserued vnto all maner of men the souldiers and all manner of men to retire with all thinges which they would carry away who of his great clemency gaue them Horses and Cartes for their carriage The same day the King entred into Saint Denis with great reioycing of all men who had proued his gracious fauour and clemency And beeing setled in his lodging he spyed in the chamber of presence three men walking in the habit of gentlemen whom hee knew not but he suspected that they were there for no good They vppon that suspition were apprehended and examined by certayne noble men appointed by the King vppon a sudden they faultered in their answeres and changing their countenance were sent to prison but afterward being narrowly examined they confessed that two of them were Fryers of Saint Francis order and the third to be a Priest and they three were of the 24. who had coÌ„spired vowed and sworn the
appeare that as the sayd Duke of Parma was not able to doo good to his partakers so came he not but to bée a scourge of Gods wrath vnto them For he came to raise the siege from before Paris if that had not béen done by dutifull submission the Citie might haue been relieued iustice iudgement which are more then centâ—plex murus to a Cittie had beene established they might haue had their owne Autonomie to wiâ— their Religion and Franchises in peace security and libertie Their commerce and traffike by which the greatnes of that Citie is entertained and nourished had been opened to bee short it would haue florished more then euer it did but the comming of the Duke of Parma disappointed them of all these benefites The Duke of Parma brought a little store of victuals but hee and his consumed not onely that within a few dayes but also all other prouisions which could be made for the Citie so the inhabitants were hungerbitten still with sorrowfull eies they saw others to intercept that which should haue béen their sustenance So that if it were not for the Kings goodnes which by winking and forbearing some store of victuals to goe to their market they would haue beene enforced in few dayes to open their shambles of horse flesh and dogs flesh Hee came to deliuer them as they thought from cruell handes but what could Busyris haue done to his enemies that this man did not to his friends to their wines and children To be short now he is returneâ— home with shame dishonor hunger nakednes feeblenes and stripes and they remaine in a worse case then euer they were before for before they liued in hope of him now they know that he neither may nor will do them good but hath lingered their miseries and heape of euils that they may perish as with a sharpe and consuming sicknes Last of all that al men may learne by seeing the punishment of rebellion to submit themselues vnto the powers ordayned of God as vnto his ministers for the good of the iust and the punishment of the wicked and vniust and that they may discerne between a sawfull power and 〈◊〉 It is sayd before how after the death of the Duke of Guyze the Lords Diguieres and Valete vppon a good iudgement entred in league of amity for the Kinges seruice and after that separated themselues and within a short space scoured the Leaguers for the most part out of Daulphinee some he enforced to receaue the Kings commandement and the rest enforced to seeke for truces for foure yeares which in March were granted and proclaimed in Grenoble vpon Easter day It is saide how the Lord Valete went into Prouance and gathering the states of the countrey by a common consent they concluded to warre against the Senate of Aix who were the ringleaders of the rebellion and had intelligences with the Duke of Sauoy The Lord Diguieres hauing put the countrey of Daulphine in a good stay went into Prouance to the Lord Valete making warre against the rebellious parliament there and the Duke of Sauoy The rumors went abroad that they had lost a field and were sent into their countrey with store of Bastinadoes but for lack of instructions I affirme nothing The Lord Diguieres being in Prouance with the Lord Valete had diuers letters from the King but specially in the latter end of May commanding him to warre against the Duke of Sauoy But the saide countrey of Prouance being assaulted by the Leaguers of Sauoy Lionnoys and Daulphine he thought good yet to employ the moneths of Iune and Iuly with the Lord Valete for the establishing of the affayres of the sayd Prouance wherein they had so good a successe that the enemie in token of that cowardnesse which their rebellion doth bréede in their hearts abandoned the townes and Castells of Peruis Pumichet Valansele Montignak Soluiers Pignauers and Lorgis some were brought to the kings obedience by force and some by composition In Iuly during the soiourning of the Lorde Diguieres in Prouance there was in Daulphine one captaine Cazete who with intelligences which he had with the Duke of Sauoy would haue sould him the townes of Briancon and Essiles in Piemont yet pertayning to the Dolphinate These two townes were kept by the Neutrals that is to say by them who would admit neither the K. nor the Leaguers The said Cazete had receaued commission from the Duke of Sauoy to leauie souldiers to that intent in expecting the arriuall of foure and twenty companies of Spaniards to bring his enterprize the more easie to passe The inhabitants of the valleies perceauing well that if this trayterous captaine should preuaile great warre and miserable desolations of their countrey would ensue therefore the chiefest of those valleyes making acquainted the Lord Diguieres of their purpose determined to rid the sayd Cazete out of the way and did worke so that the fifteenth day of Iuly his house was blowne vp and he slaine This traytor being made out of the way the inhabitants of the valleis seat word to the Lord Diguieres that they would send their deputies to Ambrun to treate with him Vpon the receipt of this message the Lord Diguieres considering the greatnes of the affayres and that it was very expedient for the king to haue those townes of Briancon and Essiles in possession to haue passe and repasse into Piemont when néede should be departed out of Prouance and in hast marched towards Ambrun where the deputies of the valeys did méete him And among other things shewed the treasons of Cazete by the papers which they had found in his house After that they bound themselues by oath to be faythfull to the King they promised also to doe their indeuour to confirme the people into his Maiesties seruice and obedience this was done about the fourth of August Immediatly after this méeting the Lord Diguieres being aduertized of the wauering which the death of the sayd Cazete and voluntarie yéelding of the valeys did cause in the towne of Briancon which was Neutrall knowing also that those who did fauour the kings side in the towne began to be encouraged caused foure Canons to be drawen and brought to that place and after a breach made the enemie did parley and came to that issue that Clauison appoynted there gouernour by the Duke de Mayne surrendred the towne and Castell the tenth day of August Whilest the Lord Diguieres did these exployts in Daulphine Martinengo one of the Duke of Sauoys great warriors did besiege Saint Maximine in Prouance for which cause the L. Valete did daylie solicit the sayd Diguieres to assist him in the rescuing of the sayd Saint Maximine The Lord Diguieres considering the safetie of Saynt Maximine to make much for the preseruation of Prouance when as hee had gone to Montgeneure to take Essiles vpon intelligences which hee had with the gouernour thereof and séeing that there was neither certaintie in al that neither was he
sufficiently prouided to force the place was contented for that time to take the oaths onely of the commonaltie who shewed them selues greatly affectionated vnto the kings seruice These affayrs beeing done in Daulphine hee tooke his way into Prouance and lodged nigh Barcelona Barcelona is a towne in Piemont in the countie of Nice Salines an old Spanish Captayne beeing chiefe Colonell of the light horsemen of Piemont was gouernour thereof vnder the D. of Sauoy the said Salines immediatly after the comming of Diguieres went foorth out of Barcelona and assaulted the quarter where the companie of footmen of Boyset and twelue launces of the Lord Brickmault were lodged These companies of Boyset and Brickmault did receaue him so valiantly that by the helpe of other companies which vppon the noise they heard came running thether that the sayd Salines left behinde sixe score dead layd vpon the ground and thirtie Spaniards taken prisoners and he saued himselfe with sixe men onely into the towne from whence he came the fifteenth of August In that skirmish was hurt and taken Voluant who two yeares before had sold the strong Towne and Castell of Carmaniole vnto the deceased D. of Sauoy after the death of the Marshall Bellegard The sixteenth day the said Lord Diguieres tooke by composition the Castell of Rosoles in Piemont which partained vnto the Duke There was two companies of footmen in garrison who were permitted to depart with armor leauing their Colours behind After this exploit the said Diguieres continuing his way about the 22. of August came into Prouance hee was not so soone entred the countrey that Martinengo who besieged Saint Maximine hearing of it remooued the siege which thing the Lord Diguieres hearing brought three Canons before the Castell of Barles the 23. of August and the 31. of the same Moneth tooke it at his discretion Some time before the Lord Diguieres had fortifyed a Church called Saint Paul with flankes and ditches about distant foure or fiue leagues from Ambrun during the time that the Lord Diguieres soiorned at the siege which he had laied before Barlâ—s the Duke of Sauoy accompanied with thrée thousand footmen and foure hundred light horsemen came to besiege and batter with three Canon the said Church Saint Paule which the 31. of August he tooke by composition the same day that Barles was taken the garriâ—on thereof going away with their armor colours and drum in battell array The same day the Lord Diguieres aduertized of the siege of Saint Paul marched in all hast to succour it with intent also to offer a battell to the D. and vsing a maruellous celerity he lodged in Varret the third of September The Duke vnderstanding of this so sudden and vnlooked for arriuall of the Lord Diguieres fell into such a dismay and feare that he retired that night from the mountaine Larche and marched all that night with links beeing followed the next day with his forces The fourth day the Lord Diguieres commaunded some of his companies to follow after the enemy who did slay many of the rereward of the Duke and tooke one Don Pedro Vegieres a Spaniard of the gard of the Duke hee himselfe with the rest marched toward S. Paul resolutely determined to assault Saint Paul with handie blowes for lacke of Canon hauing blowen vp one of the gates and a breach made tooke it by assault which continued three houres and caused two hundred Souldiers that were within it to be put to the sword taking none prisoner but Captaine Strata gouernor of the place and his Ensigne named Hercules Couero of Milan of the Kings side was killed only Captaine Bouloneuue and few Souldiers hurt he caused the place to be rased hard to the ground The sayd fort remained not foure whole dayes in the Duke of Sauoy his power At the same time that the Duke did batter Saint Paul which was in the end of August he sent his forces of Sauoy and Piemont beeing foure thousand footmen and three hundred horsemen into the valey of Essiles to spoyle the Countrey of Brianconoys to batter Guylestre and ouer runne Ambrunoys The Lord Diguieres vnderstanding of this hauing rased Saint Paul presently the fifth of September tooke his iourney toward Briancon and beeing informed that the enemy was lodged in Chaumont made preparation to force the passage Selt kept and fortifyed by the inhabitants of the valeies sent thither the Lord Morges his Nephew with his company of fiftie horsemen and two ensignes of footmen who arriuing at Selt the 19. day of September at the same instant that they were in skirmish he lighted with his men and setting them in battell array did so both encourage his men and charge the enemie assaulting the fort and bulworks in sundry places with fifteene hundred footmen and one hundred and fourescore men of armes that the said enemy was not onely repulsed but also beaten with the losse of sixe score men lying vpon the ground The thirteenth day of September the Lord Diguieres after he had rased Saint Paul marching toward Essiles ouer the difficult Mountaines arriued at Douley three leagues from Essiles where newes was brought him that the Duke hauing sent part of his forces to the Lord Sonnes was gone to Nice These newes made the sayd Lord Diguieres iudge that the said Sonnes beeing now strengthened with a new supply of men would aduenture to hazard the battell And the more to prouoke him to it determined to batter Essiles and with foure Canons which hee brought from Ambrun ouer the high as it séemeth inaccessible Mountains began the battery and withal shewed himselfe euery day before Chamoys where the said Sonnes was But displeased with y e importunacy of the said Diguieres left Chamoys and retyred to Suze accompanied with fifteene hundred Harquebuziers and fiue Cornets of Horsemen The 26. day of September the Lord Diguieres followed the enemie and found them at Ialasse halfe a league from Zuze whom in the entring of the playne hauing but eight score horsemen hée assaulted so furiously that beside some footmen he laied dead downe to the ground foure hundred Launciers on the place among whom were Clapot the elder the Lords Montaignes and Valuernes 17. Captaines or chiefe officers slayne or taken Among the prisoners was Clapot the yonger wounded and died two dayes after There were also taken prisoners Labras Lieutenant of the Marquesse Taforts the Gouernour of Bresâ—he Captayne Trisolts de la Riuiere and S. Lorens Sonnes also was thought to be either slayne or taken but about midnight he came alone before the gates of Zuze The 27. of September the Lord Diguieres receaued supplie of forces as well of the inhabitants of the Townes of Briancon and Pons as of the gouernours there and two or three hundred shot of the companies of S. Sauiour which caused him to alter his purpose concerning Essiles which began alreadie to parley and caused him to continue the siege of the sayd Essiles vnto the end of the same
moneth Possonnes the Duke de Mayne his gouernour there considering the state of the Duke of Sauoy his affayres seeing the Canon planted and the Lord Diguieres fortified with newe supplies all the commonaltie bent against him and being without any hope of ayde or reliefe the 30. of September yeelded the Towne of Essiles by composition that his Souldiers should freely depart with bagge and baggage So by these meanes the passages into Piemont doo remayne in the Kings power and the countrey of Daulphine is limitted with his olde limits long before fortified by the French Kings during the warres of Italy Sonnes generall of the Duke of Sauoy had prouoked the Lord Morges his nephewe to fight fiftie agaynst fiftie on horsebacke and appoynted the place which thing the Lord Diguieres vnderstanding conducted the sayd Morges vnto the place where the sayd Morges remayned with his forces readie to accept the offer from nine a clocke in the morning vntill three a clocke in the euening and at length came a Trompetter with a letter from the sayd Sonnes carying an excuse The Lord Diguieres in attending the comming of y e enemie had espied a passage néere Iallon where the enemie had entrenched himselfe and there lodged eight companies vnder the conduct of Captaine Venust and perceauing that there was no more hope of Sonnes comming to the combat appoynted he determined to spend the rest of that day in doing some exployt and to assault the sayd companyes who did lye vpon the hanging of the mountayne betweene Suze and Noualize and hauing found meanes to place one hundred Musketters who battered the enemie vpon the side of their fort the trenches of the enemie were forced and fourescore of them slayne among whom were Captaynes Venust Gassard and Charband Captayne Vilars with some other was taken prisoners and foure companies of Senton master of the Campe were so scattered that they came neuer together agayne This exployt was done the first of October This being done the Lord Diguieres returned again to Essiles and sent backe the foure Canons to Ambrun and caused two great peeces to bee drawne from Gap to Barcelona a place situated in the County of Nice and pertayning to the Duke of Sauoy hee sent his forces before to besiege the sayd Barcelona and when hee came himselfe about the eleauenth day of October and had made a breach the same day the enemie did parley and yéelded themselues with safetie of their liues leauing behind them their armour colours horses and baggage the Captaines were permitted to depart with their swords vpon an hackney The inhabitants had graunted them to enioy their goods abiding vnder the Kings obedience as the rest of his subiects vpon condition to pay sixe thousand Crownes for the army and the fraight of the Artillerie The 13. day the gouernour called Coreloere departed with three souldiers with him and as many of citizens and countrey men who repayred to their houses vnder the Kings safegard The 14. day the Lord Diguieres layd batterie before the Castle of Metans which he slenderly battered the 15. day only to view the enemies countenance But they being greatly afrayed the next night did steale away and so saued themselues except thirtie of them who were intercepted by the watch In this way of Piemont the Lord Diguieres had neuer aboue three hundred horses and twelue hundred shot and found no greater enemie then the inaccessible height of the mountaynes where ouer he was forced to passe the Canon but chiefly in his iourney to Barcelona The Citie of Grenoble in the land of Daulphine notwithstanding the truces and good entertaynment from time to time receaued of the Lord Diguieres had been seduced after the King last deceased and did hold still after for the League though not with such desperat madnes and insolencie as many others had done Now the L. Diguieres hauing well repressed the madnes chastized the rashnes and folly of the D. of Sauoy and hauing in a manner subdued and pacified that countrey forsooke the Duke of Sauoy and determined to scoure as much as he could all the remnant and ragges of rebellion out of that prouince which thing to bring to passe he thought good to begin at the head to wit the Citie of Grenoble and as by the euent which followed it seemed that he did besiege distresse that Citie which thing caused the inhabitants to consider that the Lord Diguieres had in a manner all the land of Daulphine at commaundement His power was increased and returned out of Piemont with few victories of many they weighed also how they were out of hope of any succour as well from the Duke de Mayne as from the Duke of Sauoy who being taught by the schoolemaster of fooles which is experience would not haue hereafter great lust to returne in haste into Daulphine These circumstances caused them well to consider the danger wherein they stoode which thing moued them to make a motion of peace by the which they were reduced to the dutifull obedience of their lawfull Soueraigne This peace was concluded in the suburbs of Saint Laurence by Grenoble the two and twentith of December betweene the Lord des Diguieres one of the kings priuie counsell and of estate captayne of a hundred men at armes of his Ordinances and generall of the armie leuied for the kings seruice in the land of Daulphine on the one part and the court of Parliament the commonalties of the countie and the Consuls of the same First that the exercize of the Romish Religion shall remaine frée both within the towne and suburbs thereof as hitherto it hath béen and that the Cleargie in all the prouince shall enioy the full possession of their goods in any place in the prouince vnder the kings protection Secondly that the frée exercize of the reformed Religion may be publikely celebrated within Trescloistre suburbs of the sayd citie without any let trouble or molestation Thirdly that all dwellers in the same towne that will continue therein shall personally protest and acknowledge Henrie the fourth king of France and Nauarre for their Soueraigne and shall yéeld to him the oth of fidelitie in like cases requisite in the hands of the Lord Saint Andrew president of the court of Parliament and Chastelard counsellor in the same court in the presence of the Lordes of Blemew and Calignon and vpon the same oath taken the sayd inhabitants shall bée maintayned and restored in the full and peaceable enioying of their goods offices priuiledges and franchizes Fourthly if any man of whatsoeuer calling or condition soeuer it bée shall be vnwilling to take the sayde oath and shall be desirous thereupon to departe else where hee shall be safely conducted to any place that they will go and may enioy their goods offices and dignities either by sale or by receauing their annuall fruits or stipend thereof at their choyce prouided alwayes that they enterprize nothing against the Kings seruice Fiftly that the custodie and
of Bourbon our mercifull and gracious King long may he liue the noble King of France with great reuerence and submission crauing pardon and shewing themselues sorrowfull for their rebellion and offences committed agaynst his maiestie The King considering their repentance and submission pardoned them with louing gracious and comfortable words whereupon were the keyes of their citie deliuered him who receaued them with amiable countenance These things being done the Citizens marching before the Magistrates after and the Cleargie following them conducted the King and his Princes in most triumphant sort to his lodging the people saluting him all the way with this acclamation Long liue Henry of Bourbon King of France and Nauarre It is sayd before how the Lord Diguieres had pacified Daulphine hath assaulted the Duke of Sauoy abroad and at home The Duke of Sauoy séeing himselfe hardly matched aduised how to molest the sayd Lord Diguieres sent to his good master the King of Spayne to bee reuenged therefore they tooke this aduise to send foure hundred light horses of Naples with some of the best of the olde garrisons there into Piemont which by reason of the swiftnes of their horses should molest the land of Daulphine with daily courses roades and inuasions These foure hundred Neapolitanes hauing taken counsell how to enter the land of Daulphine with a swift pace had not determined with what pace they should get out They therefore ranne as swift as their horses could goe as farre as the fort Bowe where the Lord Diguieres méeting stayed them so that they are not like to goe euer to Naples agayne to tell newes vnto their Curtizans of their light horses being there all slayne only a fewe excepted There it appeared to them that the best warre is not in Italy nor the best souldiour of Naples and that there is a great difference betweene the souldier trayned vp in Militarie Discipline and daily employed to great and waightie affayres and him who vnder the name of souldier is moulten in filthie pleasures in the Stewes of Curtizans as these were There appeared also how the horse is but a vayne thing to saue a man in an vniust cause and that they were but robbers who came to spoyle and molest them that had neuer proffered them wrong This exployt was done about the beginning of March as I can coniecture The Lord Digueres hauing cut short those insolent Italians determined to pursue some forces which were retiring out of Daulphine into Sauoy againe whome hee followed so short that hee entred the citie of Chamberie Metropolitan of Sauoy This is a great Citie famous for the straunge Idolatrie vsed in the same There is an olde filthy ragge some gowtie clowt of some gowtie Frier they haue made the world beléeue such is the spirit of Idolatrie in them that know not God and such is the spirit of Auarice in them that applie religions to gaine that it was the shrowd wherein Christ was buried therefore certaine times of the yeare there was a resort of infâ—nite mâ—ltitudes of people of diuers countreys and nations which came to worship that holy ragge and pray holy 〈◊〉 ora pro nobis The Lord Diguieres hauing taken the same sacked and spoyled it but hauing not forces sufficient to munit and keepe it left it and returned home with a fat spoyle without any losse Whilest the Lord Diguieres was in Sauoy the Duke of Nemours gouernour of Lyons descended from Lyons with his forces into Daulphine desirous to haue surprized some townes in that Prouince in the absence of the Lord Diguieres But the said Diguieres in returning home from Sauoy met him and so charged him that after he had slaine most of his horsmen put him to flight and followed him so hard that the inhabitants of the Citie cleane burned the suburb called Guiltiere being very fayre great and rich fearing least the sayd Lord Diguieres would haue entrenched himselfe in the sayd Suburb Whilest these things did so passe in Daulphine there happened in Prouance that certaine great practizes were discouered to the losse of the autor as the old saying is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Lord Dampuis Lieftenant to the Duke of Sauoy in Prouance being resident at Aix the Metropolitan Citie there had wrought a treason to surprize the Citie of Tarascon situated vpon the â—iuer Rosne by the meanes of certaine Dominican Friers and thirtie or fortie of the inhabitants of the towne to whome hee had made many fayre and large promises The bargaine being made the meanes and time must be sought out which were in this wise about midnight the black diuels Friers should rise to sing their holy mattens and black santus and should giue the watch word with three strokes of the bell whereupon the trayterous Citizens should seaze vpon one of the gates the L. Dampuis should haue come to the gate with fiue hundred Cuirasses 5. hundred Harquebusieres who should haue entred by the meanes of the traytors who were within This counsell could not be kept so close but it came to the eares of the Ladie of Oruano and one captaine Corses by whose diligence and good order vsed the treazon was disappointed in the manner as followeth The gouernour hauing intelligences of their intent and whole platforme caused the Friers and their complices â—he night before to be taken and layd in sundry prisons the night appoynted to worke the feate being come an ambush of certaine souldiers of his companies was set out of the town in a conuenient place the said gouernour also had appointed a companie as well of his souldiers as of the faithfull citizens to stand in silence within the gate of the Citie vntill the watch word agreed betweene the Friers and the enemies should be giuen with thrée strokes of the bell All things beeing in a readines and the time come to worke the Lord Dampuis came vnto the gate with his companies according to promise harkening to heare the watch word and to bee admitted into the Citie by the complices Well the three strokes of the bell were heard the ambush began immediatly behinde and the towns men opening the gate before to assault them so furiously not with the sounding of the bell but with sound of the Harquebuze shot that the enemies beeing compassed about within halfe an hower were slayne in a manner all and the Lord Dampuis taken prisoner and so wounded that two dayes after hee died of the woundes so the Towne was preserued from sacking and the people from murther and bondage and both the towne and People reserued to their kinges seruice this was done about the end of March. About the selfe same time the Countie of Carces had wrought another such practise also against the Towne of Tolon by the treason of the chiefest Consull and other Townes men which was in like maner discouered and the conspiratours apprehended and chastised We haue said before how the Senat of Aix in Prouance were rebels who not onely had
great dayes iourney as far as Lusack was giuen to vnderstand that the sayd Vicount had withdrawn his siege and with his horsemen had betaken himselfe to Chauigny a towne in Toureine leauing his Canon and footmen at Montmorillon The Prince séeing that he had missed the sayd Vicount determined to besiege the town of Montmorillon which the same day he caused to be summoned but they within being not willing to giue any answere the Prince commanded to giue certaine volleys of Canon after which he caused them to be summoned agayn but they still continued iâ— their resolution to keepe aloofe The sixt day of Iune at fiue a clock in the morning his excellencie changed the battery which continued very furious till ten a clock in the forenoone at which time a breach being made the Prince commaunded to giue the assault which was done very couragiously on al sides of the town and continued the space of three long houres together But in the end the Princes forces seazed vpon the high town compelled the enemy to retire into the low towne which is separated from the high by the riuer Vndre which floweth through the middest of it where they hid themselues within a Chappell from whence they greatly endomaged and molested the Princes Souldiers who were in the high towne which thing when the Prince perceiued he commaunded six or seauen voâ—leys of the Canon â—â— be discharged against the gate of the Chappell which being immediatly broken the enemie was compelled to forsake it whome the Princes power pursued and possessed the whole towne of Montmorillon There was slayne in the towne more than fiue hundred fooâ—men and thrée score Cuirasses two masters of the field and all the captaines slayne wounded or taken prisoners The Prince caused many of these rebells to be hanged to requite that which the Leaguers had done not long before at Saint Sauin There were in that towne foure Canons taken from the enemie and good store of other munition seauen Ensignes also were taken there The Prince lost in that exployt but one souldier of his guardes and a Gentleman named S. Martin The Marshall of men at armes was hurt with an Harquebush shot and very few Souldiers beside wounded The towne of Montmorillon being taken the seauenth day the townes of Chauigny Saint Sauin and Blank en Berry were voluntarily yeelded to the Kings pleasure also the Castells Bourg Archambault Plaisance Belarbre Auailles Belawne Angles Bisse did voluntaryly submit themselues to the Kings obedience Hauing layd downe the prosperous exployts done in Lymosin and Toureyne by the noble Prince County we will also represent to the reader the attempts and vnluckie successes of the rebells of Britaine The great and famous Quéene of England among other prince like vertues of a true Christian Princesse desirous to restablish the afflicted state of France sent vnto the King a new supply of forces to assist him in repressing of the rebellion of Britaine vnder the conduct of that noble and valiant Captaine Sir Iohn Norris Knight Generall of her Maiesties forces there The rumour of english forces flying in Britaine had caused noblemen and Gentlemen about fiue hundred in number with their wiues and children and all their chiefest and most precious wealth to retyre into the Citie of S. Guingcamp strong by Nature and Arte. There were within that citie besides the sayd nobilitie three hundred good french Souldiers with a great number of the inhabitants able men and experienced The renowmed Prince D'ombees generall of the Kings forces in Britaine accompanied with to the terror of the rebells the honourable Sir Iohn Norris determined to lay siege before Guingcamp there to take all these vnâ—aithfull vnnaturall and bastarde Frenchmen there heaped as if it were in a cubbe They arriued before the towne the third day of Iune and about three a clock in the after noone the sayd valiant Norris hauing obtayned to geue the first assauâ—t after certaine companies of French men had refused it did so presse the enemie for the space of three howers vntill the night did seperat them that after that day they determined not to come any more to such a feast The enemies within defended themselues most valiantly yet feeling so many woundes as they had and seeing so many dead of theirs as they saw determined the night following to talke of composition the next day In this assault Sir Iohn Norris lost nine worthy souldiers three valiane Captaynes to wit Denis Herne and Wolfe and about fortie souldiers hurt The fourth day of Iune in the morning the Lord Norris gaue a fresh assault with that courage that when the enemies had sustayned it with much a doo lesse then halfe an hower the remembrance of the losse past put them in fear of that which was present before their eies fearing to repent too late they made a token of parley determined to yeelde themselues if they might find any reasonable composition The Generall making signe to his people willingly harkened vnto them and promised to vse them well if they would freely yeeld themselues That seemed vnto them somewhat hard therefore they couenauted that the citie should not be sacked and that the souldiers within should depart with their weapons and other furniture and that they would bee content to pay any reasonable summe of money The assault being stayed and the agreement concluded vpon the promise of the sayd Generall the nobilitie most willingly and of their owne accord did yeeld themselues and swore obedience to the King promising to withdraw themselues presently euery man to his own house to be ready to serue the King in any his busines and payed fifteene thousand crowns and the Citie 25. thousand which was farre lesse then they did think they should haue payed The souldiers were permitted freely to depart according to the agreement and the gates of the Citie ioyfully were set open The Generall did not suffer any kind of iniuries to bee done to any maner of persons All these things beeing doue hee caused thanks to be geuen to God for his gracious and fauourable protection After the taking of Guingcampe the purpose of the Prince was to haue assaulted the towne of Morlaix to the end to reduce it the base Britayne withall to the Kings obedience But Merceur Captaine of theeues robbers and rebels vnderstanding the losse of the towne of Guingcamp and of the reuolting of so many noble men and gentlemen as had sworne to obay and serue the King fel in a pelting Lorreine chafe and swore by Saint Francis holy briech that he would be reuenged and presently remooued from Pontignie where hee ioyned with foure thousand Spaniards vnder the leading of Don Iuan de Lagula whom he hath sent for vppon the rumor of the losse of the sayd Guyngcamp and from thence began to march towards Morlaix by the way to Corlay The Prince vnderstanding of that and discouering the enemies forces to be of seauen hundred horses foure thousand Spaniards and
in forme of excommunication or interdiction in payne of confiscation of bodie and goods as infringers and perturbers of the publique peace The court doth commaund the Ecclesiasticall persons by vertue of the Kings letters directed vnto them that they shall not suffer the liberty of the French Church to be in any sort diminished but beeing assisted by their K. their soueraigne Iustice to oppose themselues against all the Popes enterprises Thirdly the court doth declare the foresayd Marcilius Ladrianus Fryer Gregory his Nuncio acommon enemy of al men a kindler of hatred and a sower of sedition commaunding the sayd pretended Nuncio to be pursued taken and apprehended aliue or dead and to be deliuered to iustice if it bee possible to receaue the punishment according to the greatnes of his offence But if he cannot bee apprehended within three daye â—to be summoned by the voice of the publike Cryer in the towne of Pont de Larche that there it may bee proceeded against him according to the Lawes of the Realme The order of the courts of France is that after a man is summoned at 3. seuerall tymes if he doth not appeare he is condemned as conuicted and then executed in picture Last of al the Court doth declare Fryer Gregory his excommunication and Bulles infamous libels full of impiety heresie deceit and slanders condemneth the same to betorne and burned publikly in the place of execution by the publike executioner of iustice forbidding all men to receaue allow reade fauour or conceale the said infamous libell vppon payne to bee attainted conuicted of high treason commaundeth also all manner of persons quickly to reueale to the court if they should know any such to bee kept secretly on the paines aforesaid This sentence of the Popes banishment and of all his tyrâ—nnie out of France was pronounced the third day of August at Caen in Normandie The selfe same proceedinges were vsed in all Courtes of the Realme whereuppon ensued the burning of the sayd Bulles in diuers and sundry places of the Realme but diuersly but euery where in as infamous maner as could bee It was burned at Tours in this maner The Magistrats and the common people of Tours being assembled before the Pallace gate there a piller was crected a little distant from the foot therof there was a fire made by the common Hang-man of the town then did he take the Bull and hanged it on the top of the Piller which beeing done he kindled another fire at the very foot of the Piller which by degrees crept vp vntill it tooke hold of the Bull which presently was consumed with fire to the great ioy of all the beholders Now Master Fryer I ween you be one of them that did drop out of the horses belly of Troy but I will thinke rather that you dropped out of an Asses bellie because you haue an Asses head Did not a little before your Standard reproue you to your face and told you what would follow your saucines and to put you in consideration of your folly gaue you a souse vpon the pate And you beeing of Asses brood will goe about to get Bulles and lo your Bulles bee turned into gydie Calues You neuer read for reading belongs not to your occupation but scortari crebro crebro conuiuarier that it was writteÌ„ in the horse of Troy sero sapiunt Phryges but it shal be hereafter in Asino Romano scriptum erit sero sapiunt Romanenses You knew not when you were well now haue with you to Auignon The towne of Noyan being surrendered according to the agréement betwéene the King and the gouernour of the saide towne the King went to receaue the right honorable Lord Earle of Essex as is said in the towne of Gisors and from thence returned into Champaigne to ioyn with the Germans who approached the borders of France leauing the Marshall Byron to reconduct his army into Normandie During the siege of Noyan the Lord of Pierrefont had béen taken prisoner and had promised vpon his deliuerance to surrender the Castell Pierrefont a place situated vpoÌ„ a rock and inaccessable almost on euery side The said Lord of Pierrefont being a desperat Leaguer had rather breake his faith with dishonor then to fulfill his promise with honour whereupon the Marshall Byron layed the siege before the saide Castell and battered it with nine skore shot of Ordinance wherewith hee made but a very small hole the stuffe wherewith the said Castell is builded being of such qualitie as resisted the shot euen to admiration which caused the said Marshall Byron to breake off his enterprise and march toward Normandie who ioyned with the English forces conducted by the right Honorable Lord the Earle of Essex the ninth of September and the twenty one of the said moneth laide the siege before the towne of Gourney It is saide before in the seauenth booke how after the cruell death of King Henry the third and last of the rase of Valoys the authors of that murther vnder the conduct of the Duke d'Mayne with great bragges and confidence went with a mighty army into Normandie hoping to oppresse the King who with a small power had retyred to Diepe for the causes there alleaged It is said also how the Duke d'Mayne in that iourney tooke the said towne of Gourney and the Lord Rubempre which his companie therein This Towne is distant from Roan ten Leagues from Gisors fiue from Beauuoys sixe and by estimation somewhat bigger then Diepe The Leaguers had fortified it with fortifications munition of warre and strong garrisons for Leagued Gentlemen of the Countrey to the number of foure skore and such power as they thought good to entertaine had settled themselues therein and from thence issuing dayly made courses to the gates of Mante Vernon Pont de larche and Gisors spoyling and wasting all that was in their way and taking prisoners such as trauailed on the high way to Diepe This towne being besieged the enemy put on a stout countenance at the first and being summoned to surrender the said towne they answered that they had receaued it of the Duke d'Mayne and for him they intended to kéepe it neither would they render it but to him onely This answer being giuen the English forces intrenched themselues within a stones cast of the gate and in making and kéeping the said Trenches they had sixe men hurt and one killed The enemies attempted diuers times to put men into the towne but they were in such sort looked to by the English men that they durst neuer approach The 25. day of September at night the Marshall Byron planted nine pieces of Ordinance before the towne the 26. in the morning hee began to batter it and a breach being made the English men were called to the number of one hundred shot to giue the assault who with great gladnes approached within sixescore pases of the wals the breach was scarse assaultable the ditch was more then halfe full of water it is reported that they had within certaine sluces which they might haue opened and greatly molested the assaulters the French men were very vnable to giue the assault because of their long toyling and wearines yet on a suddaine the enemies demaunded parley which being graunted they yeeldéd to foure dishonorable conditions such is the fainting of rebels First that all Souldiours should depart without bagage and armour with a white rod in their hands But the Lord Earle of Essex excepted the Queenes Maiesties subiects therein was found none but one Irish man who was executed The second was that the Gouernour Captaines Lieutenants and Gentlemen of quality should remaine to his mercy It was thought that the Gouernour and some Captaines should be executed The third was that the Citizens should haue their liues but their goods rested at the Kings pleasure The fourth is that they should receaue such garrisons as should bee thought good The taking of this towne is a great ease to the Countrey and preparation for the siege of Roan About the 28. the army tooke his way toward Caudebeck a smal towne situated vpon a rock on the banck of Seyne betweene Roan and Newhauen entending to cleere all the coast round about Newhauen of all filth of rebellion FINIS ¶ Imprinted at London by Thomas Orwin for Thomas Woodcock and are to be sould at his shop in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the black Beare 1591.
part of the auncient Nation called Eburones hauing on the East side Lorreyne and Ardenues on the West Henault on the North Liege on the South Baroys and Champaigne it hath two strong places Sedan and Iamets and many other strong holdes and Castels the Countrey is Woody Moorish and strong lying altogether vpon the banck of the riuer Mense This Countrey since it had imbraced the Gospell and become the Garden of Eden hath been the place of refuge for them of the reformed religion of the Nations which doo lie betweene the riuers of Marne Seyne Mosselle and Saosne a place most fit to retire vnto in time of persecution There were two bretheren the Duke of Boillon and the Countie de la Mark two Noble young men of great vertue valour and godlines who had from their cradle as if it were sucked the true religion and vertue with the milke of their vertuous and godly Mother They ventured all that they had liues goods and state for the defence of the Crowne of France and true religion and opposed themselues against the conspiracies of the Leaguers not as Merceuaries but moued with a true zeale and loue toward both These two noble men were called out of this life vnto that which neuer decayeth and to inioy the inheritance of the Saincts in light whose names shall be in the euerlasting remembrance of the righteous The one to wit the Countie de la Mark dyed at Lancye about the beginning of October as is said before but the eldest to wit the Prince BoilloÌ„ at Geneua the first of Ianuarie as is said It is said before how the Duke of Guize set vpon the Rutters at Vimory where many were slaine and taken on both sides and the Duke of Guize tooke also about three hundred wagon horses and in like manner tooke some more in the surprise which he did enterprise vpon them at Aulneau in Beausse This man being possessed with a legion of vncleane spirits named Ambition this vncleane spirit did so torment him that it made him to thinke an houre a day a day a yeare and a yeare an olde mans age so he longed to see the royall familie rooted out and the crowne of France to fall to his lot hee aduised therefore himselfe of this point of policie to make his name ring ouer all France his victories sung out and to store vp the loue and admiration of the people toward him and to procure hatred and enâ—ie to the King He deuyded these horses and armour which hee had taken from the Rutters at Vimory and Aulneau into sundrie companies of horsecorsers and riders transported with affection and factious malcontents and vnquiet to make a progresse through the realme into those Prouinces whereunto they durst venture and into those Townes and Cities specially which were fauorable to him There these horsecorsers carried as if it were in a triumph through the cities the Germaines spoyles horses weapons and all other aray And when the people were flocked together in great troupes to see these new showes there were the Orators ready among them The number of the dead horses and Ensignes taken were increased by the figure of multiplication one killed a hundred and a hundred ten thousand as Pyrgopolinices in Plautus the manner of the fight was made very difficult and dangerous for the conquerours They shewed also how not one of the Guizes Souldiers were found wanting to be short vanitas vanitatis Then they applied their showes how that the Duke of Guize had atchiued himselfe all the difficulties of the warre and either slaine or taken the chosen and valiant Captaines and Soulâ—iers thereof and if hee had been assisted by the King he would haue gotten such a victory as neuer the like had been heard of in France For hee knew the meanes how to haue made such a slaughter of them as not one had been left to tell the newes in Germanie all the realme might haue inioyed the commodities of such a victorie But the King he retyred beyond Loyre as though he had beene vnwilling or afeard of them for he would or durst neuer shew his face or draw his sword against them and for to shew some outward countenance or for shame when the enemie were alreadie vanquished and that the Duke of Guize had left the small remnant who were but pages and scullions so hurt wearie and sick that they could not flie trusting that they would haue been dispatched by the King they were followed so slackly that not onely he gaue them leasure to escape without running but also helped them to ouercome so many distresses wherunto they were driueÌ„ by the said Duke of Guyze also vnder colour of a counterfeit yeelding and submission he granted vnto them their liues horses and furniture and to some of them their goods and by these meanes they came all to their iourneys end and safely arryued to the King of Nauarre Now the conclusion of these infamous reports was left to euery man to inferre that eyther there was not in the King such princelike vertues as should be in him or else that hee was a fauourer of heretikes and a dissembler with the Catholikes Then what should wee doe with such a King Let vs haue another And whome should we haue but him that hath done such exployts and deliuered France from so manie daungers and terrors By these deuises hatred and contempt was no lesse procured against the King as gloria in excelsis prayse loue fauour and authoritie to the Duke of Guyze The Iesuites and Friers on the other side tooke these lyings and slaunderous reportes for a theme to discourse vpon in the pulpits he that was of a timorous minde cryed that the King was a betrayer of the Catholikes he was become either a close and desembling heretike or a fauourer of heretikes and that it was to be feared ere long hee would forsake the catholicisme and ouerthrow the Catholike Religion in France Others which had a more warlike stomack discoursed vpon the other common place that the K. had a timorous mind durst not look few Pages and Scullions halfe vanquished in the face and that was the cause that many attempts vpon the heretikes had come to small effect because the warres were not pursued by men neither of courage nor wisedome But the Duke of Guize that noble branch of Charlemaigne the deliuerer of France the onely protector of the holy Church was the onely man to whome they owe their religion their liues and goods the onely hope of the Realme Thus the frogges that rose vp out of the bottomelesse pit did dayly in their pulpits crie croake croake croake There was great hope that the sundry lamentable euents which did beate the one and the other part in France by the scourge of warre and execution of armours as well in the losse of the battell at Coutras in the death of notable men as in the oppression and hauock which the armies did cary with them would haue
asswaged the rage and passion which caried away many would haue stayed the persecutions against them of the reformed Religion and would haue made a way to some reasonable agreement but the Leaguers and other enemies without any remorse of conscience without feeling of their owne priuate or publike griues so much the more made hast to worke the vtter subuersion of the sayde religion oppressing with greater crueltie the professors thereof than they did before Sathan therefore the captaine of murtherers of the Saints deuided his forces one part to assault the remnaunt of the Church left in the popish prouinces of France and the Churches of the principalitie of Boillon which we will in order recite As after the breaking of the armie of the prince of Conde in Vandomoys in the yeare of our Lord 1585. they thought that with the same Prince al their hope had been gone which thing made them increase their crueltie euen so did they after the dissipation of the armie of the Germanes supposing that they should shortly see the end thereof The authors of these persecutions were the King the Leaguers the Bishops the Iesuytes the Fryers the Monkes the parish Priests and Magistrates In these assaults appeared the cowardlines of a great many of them who had professed the true religion who looking more on the euents and present dangers than to the end of such skirmishes where we ought to shew a proofe of our fayth and with pacience to expect an happyend for feare were caried away to vnlawfull things against their conscience But the Lord as at all other times left not his truth without witnesses for many in diuers parts of the Realme being cruelly persecuted shewed their constancie in maintaining their faith and religion whereupon it seemeth me not to be out of purpose to make mention of the constancie which God gaue to a man of base condition in defending of his religion who in this respect shewed the way to many which in the sight of the worlde had greater meanes to doe it than he had There was in the towne of Marchenoyre in Beausse a poore man borne in Boysgencye vpon Loyre named Francis Tixier as if wee shoulde saie weauer this man by his occupation was a maker of packsaddles who by reason of his family had not departed out of the Realme according to the Kings Edicts neither had obeyed the Kinges commandement in conforming himselfe to the Popish religion but had alwayes constantly remained in the profession of the true religion praying dayly in his house often times ioyning himselfe secretly to others to the same effect and to sing Psalms as it is vsed among thē who do professe y e reformed religion He visited also them who were sicke and strengthened them and if any were which stoode in neede by the meane of some small collections which was made among them secretly hee helped them as he was wont to doo when the reformed Church did assemble at Orges in the which he did beare the office of an Elder God blessed that zeale in time so hard and difficult for some of the villages thereabous by the meane of that small exercise without feare of the persecution forsaking the Romish Church ioyned themselues to the pure religion But this course was not continued long for by the watches and searches of them who in the former assaults alarumes could get nothing vpon this man he was at length discouered and complained off to the Magistrate So that the King passing through Marchenoyre the accusers addressed themselues to one of his Aulmoners and instructed him of certaine accusations against that poore man to wit that hee had not obeyed the Kings edict but on the contrarie did perseuer in his heresie and dogmatize so they kindled the Aulmoner in such a sort that they agreed altogether to put a complaint to the King they made also a booke of others of the religion which they caused the sayd Aulmoner to present to the King For his custome belike was so to bestowe the Kings almes The King commaunded that they should bee apprehended Tixier as the most hatefull was first taken and with great solemnitie brought before the King who was desirous to see him for he was informed that hée was a Minister The King himselfe examined him when he had appeared with great assurance When the King had asked him whether he was an Hugonet and wherefore he had not gone out of the Realme being one as he did confesse and whether he would goe to Masse once or twise and so to escape from punishment The poore man answered that he had not the meanes to auoyde and that he would not goe to Masse nor alter his religion which he knewe to be the trueth When the King perceiued his constancie he sent him to Bloys with letters to his Iudges there commaunding them straightly to make his processe according to the rigour of his edicts There in the Kings presence he was greatly reuiled by the Lords Courtiers and Clawbackes Being carried to Bloys there he was assaulted by three manner of enemies the Iudges his friends and the rest of prisoners First the Iudges had him in hand and after they had gone about to withdrawe him from his religion to Poperie with such bald reasons as they could affoord he made them a plaine answere that he knewe the true Catholike and Apostolike Church and that hee was one of the fellowe citizens of the same but for the Romish Church he neither knewe it nor cared to knowe When these great Deuines had spent all their reasons euen to the bottome they began to drawe out their threatnings to hang him and to giue him opprobrious words The poore man despising their reasons and the dregges thereof made them a flat answere that as he had liued in that religion which they call heresie so was he readie to dye for it if so it were Gods will And after many examinations all about on thing to wit whether hee would goe to masse one asked him of whom he held his religion and who had taught him he answered that hee held it of God who had taught him by his holy spirit Vpon this answere one Saint Seuerine an Italian replyed my frend thine holy spirit will hang thee if thou come not to thy selfe The Lord reproue the spirit of blasphemy This was the miserable state of that realme then that the most vile saucy blasphemous Atheistes were raysed vp by the Q. Mother to high and honorable dignities Saynt Paul had learned the Pharisaisme at the feete of Guualiel but this lewd Italian had learned Atheisme at the Popes feete in Italy and is welcome in France by them of his religion to teach Atheisme and to shew the way to the Frenchmen how to blaspheme a l'Italiane Many other such like trifling talke they had with the pore man more fit for gatherers of old shooes and ragges vppon the dunghil of Bloys then for magistrates The Prisoners did greatly afflict him