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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
meanes as is aboue sayd in the Prouinces for the making of a strong league with as many as they were able they procured the towne of Montmarsan in Gascoyne to rebell against the King of Nauarre which he shortly after surprized in one night and brought the inhabitants to their duetie without any bloud shedding By their meanes also the Towne of Rause in the Countie of Armignake belonging to the King of Nauarre as the sayd King had entered into the Towne without any mistrust with eightéene Gentlemen the partakers of Guize there let the Percullis fall at his heeles and setting vppon him one offered the Caliuer at his breast But the sayd King neuerthelesse seazed vppon a Tower with his companie and made way to the rest of his traine to enter into the sayd Towne not suffering any of the inhabitants to be put to death buâ— onely him which had leuelled the Caliuer at his breast and that at the earnest sute of the Magistrates of the Towne accusing him with diuers other crimes In Ianuary the King sendeth an Ambassador to the Prince Casimier Palatine of Rhine named Vilaquier to excuse his doings with lyes surmizâ—s and slaunders as that they of the reformed religion had seazed vppon diuers and had committed murthers and cruelties vpon the Catholikes and that they required not the exercize of the religion for any conscience but for fashion sake only and that his States will not suffer him to execute the Edict of peace Vnto this message the Prince Casimier answered as shewing how the King was abused by the States which were none other but such as were enemies of his estate and perturbers of the peace vnder the name of the States and lastly willeth him not to cast his Realme into a miserable flame of ciuill warres for other mens pleasure The Prince Casimier also sendeth Butrich his Ambassador to the King to perswade him if possible were to entertaine the pâ—ace which was made so solemnely which he also willed to be called his peace The sayd Ambassador had audience at Bloys the 23. of February The 7. of March ensuing the sayd Butrich Ambassador surrendred in his Masters name the lands Lordships pensions and offices which the King had giuen him at the concluding of the peace For as much as the Guizes had spread abroad both through France Germany and other countries that the said Prince in consideration and respect of his particular profite was preiudiciall to the publike commoditie of his Souldiers The parish Priests about this time tooke the names of able men Souldiers were euery where secretly mustered according to Sir Hugh his counsell as is aforesaid The Iesuits also began to take the matter in hande to further conspiracies by rayling Sermons who by these meaues crept so deepely into the Kings fauour that he preferred the sawciest of them and them who could thunder most furiously against the reformed religion to Bishoprickes Abbeyes Prebends and other fat Benefices nourishing in his bosome from time to time the firebrands to set him and his Realme in combustion at the first opportunitie The Guizes seeing they could not win them of the religion to fauour their doings but rather that their agents were taken forbeu cozba considering also that they were not able to haue their desire vpon them fearing greatly the King of Nauarre whose wisedome vertue and valour they knewe well goe about to make him to some hatefull and to others contemptible Therefore the Admirall Villars father in lawe to the Duke de Mayne raised vp vpon him the old lye and flander reported of the Christians of the Primitiue Church vp the Pagans to the end that Sathan might bee like to himselfe to wit that the sayd King being at Agen in the night the candles should be put out That false report was spread abroad throughout France afore that any man had heard of it in the Citie of Agen. It was also reprooued for a most false lye by many Noblemen and Ladies of both religions which were then present Now the conclusion or rather collusion of the States was that they required the Edict of peace to bee reuoked the exercize of the reformed religion inhibited and Poperie to be set vp euery where The King was as desirous to graunt them as they to require the breach of the peace wherevpon fearefull persecutions were raised vp euery where great cruelties effected in diuers places vpon them of the religion and open warre denounced And for as much as the condemnation and execution of Monsieur could not be brought to passe as yet for many coÌ„siderations it was kept close and deferred to a fitter time But specially for that he might be a good instrument to be occupied against the King of Nauarre and them of the reformed religion Therefore they thought good to make him and the Duke of Guize Generall ouer the Kings forces Him I say to giue the more authoritie to the actions and enterprizes with greater terror The other was ioyned in Commission to preuent what might happen that Monsieur should not in any wise fauour the King of Nauarre nor his partakers any whit at all The King of Nauarre hauing such power as he could make in Guyen prepared himselfe vppon the defensiue and hauing a mightie power of Germaines readie to enter into France his enemies hearts were somewhat cooled and began to faint On the other side the King wanting money nothing was done By this expedition a great terror of the Germaines hauing seazed France the King now sheweth himselfe as desirous of peace as he was not long before of warre and sendeth his Mother to the King of Nauarre to treat for peace Now old Catie must shewe some Italian iuggling or els farewell Poperie After much chopping and chaunging of words the bargaine was made The King of Nauarre being at Nerack in Gascoyne receiued the peace with some restructions of the former Edict abhorring the slaughters of the Nobilitie and oppressions of the people This peace being concluded at Nerack the Guizes tooke it very grieuously as vnprofitable for the aduancing of that mysterie which did lye hidden in their braine and also for that the King went about to reforme many abuses brought in by warre and to restore the Nobilitie to ease the people of diuers charges For the Guizes would haue all these abuses to continue that in time it might serue for an olde cloake to couer withall their treacherous drifts as they did afterward at the rising of them in armes 1585. Diffidence and iealousies therefore did growe daylie betweene the King and the Guizes But the King to obtaine his intended purpose thought good to pacifie them calleth them to the Court dooth assigue them great pensions bestoweth great gifts and honors vppon them Yet they hauing alwaies a hartburning tickled with their accustomed ambition watching for the death of Monsieur determined to hasten them forasmuch as they feared him more than the King In the yeare 1579. the Guizes sent Frier Claude Mathew
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
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
of his ill successe and that many Souldiours did dayly depart and other waxed faynte that aduertisementes came of the succor which the gouernours of the abouesayd Townes would geue to Browage and that they intended to enclose him and his companies in the Iles as it had béen an easy thing to do with the aduise of his Captaynes determined to raise the siege Hee sent also to the Lord Ranques who was left to commaund in the I le of Oleron to aduertize him that hee was pressed to retyre willing him to repayre to him that they might retyre in a stronge company to preuent further milfortune So the 2. day of Nouember he rhysed the siege and tooke his iourney towards Charuaut At the passage whereof was great disorder which caused that at a place called Loupin part of the carriage was taken by the enemyes and many Souldiers lead away prisonners the residue retyred some to Rochel some to Saint Ihan D'angelye The Lord Ranques notwithstanding remayned in Oleron with the Nauall army vntill the tenth of Nouember during the which time hee sent to Rochell to haue succour as wel for y t safety of the Nauy as of the Iland But when hee could obtayne nothing the inhabitantes also supposing that all had béen lost for the discomfiture of the Prince was bruted wich great amplifications by the Lord Saint Luke shewed vnto Ranques that theyr custome was to giue place to the stranger which caused the sayd Lord to determine vpon the retyring of his fleete This also made him the more willing because he had discouered one Countie and a Franciscane Fryer who had béen alwaies during the siege hidden in the Iland who were sent to the Lord Saynt Luke to practize with him agaynst the sayd Lord Ranques whom when he would haue punished they of the Iland withstood him so that fearing the worst he retyred to Rochel not without danger of his life We haue shewed how the Dragon had spâ—ed floods of waters to drown that vertuous and godly Prince his Nobles and his litle company and how they fledde into the wildernes where God had prepared vnto them a place of safe refuge and rest for a time and how the army before Browage is brought to Saint Ihan D'Angelye and Rochel Now while these scattered companies are at rest and preparing agayne to meet together wee will see what exployts were done in diuers places of the Realme It is sayd how the Lord Saint Mesmes at the departing of the Prince of Conde had the charge of the siege of Browage Now the Lord Matignon who coÌ„maunded for the King in Guyenne vnderstanding that Saint Luke was hardly pressed and that the Prince taking his iourney to Anger 's had left a small company to continue the siege of Browage determined to oppresse them and about the latter end of October from Bourdeaux tooke eight hundred horsemen foure thousand footmen with foure double Canons and arryued in Xainctonge about the third of Nouember which vnderstanding that they of Hiers had raysed vp the siege and had reretyred to Rochell and S. Ihan D'Angelye soiorned neuertheles in Xainctonge seeking and watching the opportunity to do some peece of seruice making ordinary courses toward S. Ihan A' Angely and Tailkebourg The Lord Laual about the eight of Nouember aduertized that the Lord Matignon was in the field not farre from the town with all his horsemen and some footemen issued out of S. Ihan about two leagues from the towne he encountered the sayd Matignon they saw one another so nigh that the Lord Chargoys who did leade the light horses of the sayd Lord Laual was about to charge the enemy when hee was warned that hee should haue to do with all the forces of the enemy which were sixe tymes as many as all that the Lord Laual had That inequality of forces caused him to draw backe towards Saint Ihan with all his companyes in such an order as the enemy durst neuer set on him though he pursued him within a quarter of a league of the towne It is sayd before how that the Prince in his iourney to Anger 's passing through Taillebourg which is a towne situated vpon the fall of the Riuer Botonne into Charante left there in the Castell much plate and iewels with some peeces of Artillery and much stufâ—e and carriage of the Lordes who accompanied him in his iourney That Castel is strong by situation and on diuers sides inaccessible situated vpon a rocke compassed with the towne otherwise not strong The houses for the most part are builded at the foote of the rocke The said Castell is fortifyed with platformes by nature and do commaund on euery syde as well ouer the Towne as ouer the fieldes Charante of one side doth wash the foot of that rocke There is a fayre and commodious bridge to passe ouer the riuer All these circumstances with the disfauour of the time gaue Matygnon great desire to possesse that place Yet the speciall commaundement which hee had from the King to seaze vpon the Mother and the Daughter vrged him the more to attempt vppon that Castell that so he might stop the mariage begun It happened about the thirtéenth of Nouember that the Lord Matygnon was commaunded to retyre toward Garonne to méete the Counsels of the Vicount Turenne who with six thousand Souldiers was in Limosin and had taken the City of Triles or for some other occasioÌ„ hauing concluded with the Duke de Maine to meete with all their forces in Agenoys to stop the passages of Garonne to the King of Nauarre But afore his departure out of Xainctonge he tooke order for to surprise the sayd Castell for hee placed in the Towne the Captayne Beaumont with foure companyes of souldiers vnder colour of keeping of the bridge he promised to the sayd Ladie Trimouille all fauour and safety but it was without any effect For they that were left there did first worke all subtill meanes which they could deuise to get the possession of the Castell and when trust would not preuaile they turned to force For they planted a Barricado before the gate and there placed a strong Gard blocked the entreyes into the sayd Castell supposing by these meanes to feare the saiâ— Lady and so to enforce her to yeeld her selfe and the place considering that there was but few men within to assist her The enemies not dissembling any longer shot with their Péeces continually agaynst them that were within the Castell and to do it more safely on theyr part lodged themselues in the neerest houses to the Castell which they pearced and made them to serue for trenches They within the Castell resisted this force with shot of ordinance did rowle great heauy stones vpon the howses to beate them downe The skirmishes did dure fiue dayes The lady Trimouille in that necessity found meanes to aduertize of this force done to her the Lord Laual who was at Saynt Ihan and prayed him to send her succour
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
enter into a Fryery But if the king would follow good counsell he should keepe himselfe as he is For the eight point he praieth the king to geue ouer the preferring and placing of Abbots and Bishops to their liuings but to referre that to the Priestes themselues to the Chapters of Canons and Monkes and to leaue the disposition of Bishoprickes and Abbeyes to their elections and discretions Here Sir Henekyn is very carefull for the king he willeth him to forbeare to swallow such big morsels as Bishopricks and Abbeyes for the Note daunger which may ensue which is choaking but to leaue such fat morsels to them that haue throats big ynough to swallow down whole Stéeples The king hath resigned part of his royall authority to the Leaguers now to do well he shall resigne another part to Frier Syxtus and the third to the Priestes and then let him walke carelesse Ninthly he prayeth the king to take some good order that the Priests may be honoured renerenced and capped and that their iurisdiction may be restored to them and not interrupted hereafter Dixi. Here is the fourth part of the kinges authority which Sir Henekyn Note would fayne to wrest out of his hand that the Priestes may execute an infernall tyranny ouer the soules and bodies of men And to conclude his chattering hee doth promise to the king great blessinges here vppon earth and afterward the kingdome of heauen so that he will roote out and destroy them whom hee calleth heretikes Note here that Sir Henekyn doth call them heretikes who doth distroy their vngodly lewd liues and filthy pleasures as dronkennes glottony whoredome and worse then that Also he would haue the King to roote out that is to kill all whom these ghostly fathers shall appoint him Last of all to play the Turke to make hauock of all things to fill the earth with bloud is the way to ascend vp to Heauen quoth Sir Henekin well said sir Henekin by Saint Mary you haue said as well as euer I heard any of your occupation About the 30. of Nouember the King of Nauarre being at Bergerak and vnderstanding that his paâ—iencie had kindled the rage of his enemies and his moderatenes had increased the insolencie of the Leaguers and that after the dispearsing of the Princes armie the crueltie of the edict of vnion and declaration thereof the 7. of October was euery where executed with proscriptions murthers losses of goods dignities and honours dooth make an edict throughout his gouernement of Guienne to be executed wherein hee sheweth that whereas his silent patience and moderatenes had serued nothing but to increase the outragious excesses and cruelties of the seditions and rebells he is inforced to folow the course and order folowing First that all the goods lands rents fruites debts actions and accounts of all the inhabitants of those townes and places where the edict of Iulie and declaration thereof hath been published and executed and also of all Gentlemen or others bearing armes with the Leaguers and their partakers also of all Ecclesiasticall persons wheresoeuer who are contrarie vnto his part and of all whatsoeuer who are contributaries vnto his enemies within the Gouernement of Guienne to bee seazed vpon stayed and put in the hands of his commissioners to bee sould or farmed to him that will giue most Secondly forbiddeth all manner of persons who are indebted vnto such to pay them or their assignes or partakers any debt but commaundeth them to repayre vnto his Lieutenants generall or officers of his receites to declare and reueale al debts vpon paine of death and to pay fourefold that the said goods may be employed to the vse of warre al graines and fruites to be put in such places for store houses as shall be appoynted by his officers Thirdly he commaundeth the like to be executed vpon them who shall refuse to pay the contributions or the worke men at the fortifications and also that shal refuse to be contributaries in the deuiding of their fruites for the prouision of stoare houses which shall be conueniently made for the sustaining of the warre Fourthly the like intertainement to be done vnto the aboue said as the enemies shall intreate them of the reformed religion or Catholicks who haue ioyned themselues to him in that iust cause and necessarie defence charging all officers both to publish and execute the same edict without delay About the 25. of December the King as a man that studied nothing else but onely how to vexe molest trouble torment and vtterly euen with the losse of his realme and estate to roote out them of the reformed religion setteth forth an order of persecution which he commaundeth to be published at euerie court and in euery market wherein to help the memorie of persecutors he commaundeth then to haue books deuided in fiue chapters The first of them that hauing borne armes haue retired back and meant to be conuerted to poperie The second of them who haue or doo beare armes The third of them that according to the edict haue departed out of the realme The fourth of them that haue not departed out of their houses but are returned to poperie The fift of them that haue remained in their houses and doo persist in the reformed religion which he calleth heresie All the penaltie came to this that they shall bee persecuted all to death except they will abiure and all their goods seazed vpon and imployed to the vse of warre Furthermore he dooth promise a certaine forme of abiuration to bee sent into the countrey and willeth the Bishops to appoint in townes of their dioces their vickars generals to receaue their abiuration and to giue them absolution About the same time one Sir William Ruse Bishop of Anger 's did set foorth in his dioces vnto al Priests a forme of abiuration which the said Priests should enforce vpon them that had professed the true religion and had obeyed or would obey the Kings edict Wherein first hee dooth propound vnto them the Nicen simbole Secondly they shall allowe all the traditions of the Apostles and of the holy Mother Church of Rome By the traditions of the Apostles and holy Church hee vnderstandeth Note all the intusiasmes and dronken dreames all the sottish and heathenish devises of the phantasticall frantick dronken Popes Cardinalls Bishops Monkes and Friers which wee must needes to holde for articles of the faith because sir William hath said so Thirdly they shall beleeue that there is seauen Sacraments And why shall we not beleeue seauen thousand as well as seauen seeing Note that the seauen thousand are as well proued by the worde of God as the seauen Fourthly that all rites and ceremonies vsed in the ministration of the said seauen sacraments are good Al the crossings charmings duckings kissings howlings chauntings Note mumblings iuglings coniurings blowings slomberings gaddings turnings moppings c. Are either articles of faith or else as good as the articles of our
out of a good and sound iudgement free wil without any compulsion He willeth them to remember also how on a sudden all these thinges haue béen chaunged and the kinges will not chaunge but partly enforced and partly by the craft of the enemies with ill counsell induced to contrary actions Fourthly he complayneth of the iniuries done to them of the reformed religion who heretofore had béene suffered with liberty of the free exercise of the same without any offence by them geuen and armed by the kinges authority against the Leaguers now to be condemned in respect of their religion as guilty of capitol cryme Fiftly hee declareth how for the auoyding the calamities incident to warre to satisfy vnto the Leaguers he hath debased himselfe so farre vnder his degree as to proffer to the heads of the League the combat to be performed by himself in person or by more number to number as by the aduersary it should bee accepted Sixtly he letteth them vnderstand that hee feareth not their armes whereof he hath had the experience so long time whereby he knoweth well what they are able to do Last of all hee cannot but lament their bloud which they haue and do spill against him for whose seruice they should haue reserued it in stoare But specially this doth greeue him that in the lot of the battell he may not discerne them whom in mind hee discerneth from his enemies Vnto the third estate he writeth to the same purpose as he hath done to the Nobility and besides sheweth vnto them first the horrible miseries which they haue sustained by the ciuill warre and what confusions are like to ensue of these troubles He sheweth also how the end of all the former wars hath béene a peace Secondly whereas they meaning the Leaguers do pretend to ease the people of taxes and charges hee aduertyzeth them that by this warre the taxes impost and subsidies must needs to double and that their rysing in armes hath done already terrible hauocke and wast He warneth them also to consider how that the reformation of impost taxes subsidies they haue turned to their priuat commodity hauing done nothing but enforce the king to deuide his realme among them and to weaken his authority without making mention not one word of the easing of the people Hee writeth the same effect to the inhabitantes of Paris but surdis narrat fabulam The contempt of the Gospel the innocent blood of the Saintes which they haue spilled like water must be better reuenged The wrath of God must walke now beyond Loyre to execute his iudgements vpon these nations that lye betweene the low countrey and Loyre because they haue not repented at the former scourges but haue hardened their hartes and haue blasphemed the God who liueth for euermore The dispersing of the Princes armie and declaration of the edict of vnion dated the seauenth day of October did cast a marueilous amaze and dread vppon all them of the religion generally but specially vppon them who were left through the Popish countreys in France hoping for a better time There were also many of the contrary religion who being louers of the State and wishing well to the house of Bourbon and to the right of the cause began to wauer and to alter their minds according to the vnablenes of fortune and the nature of the euents There followed after in December the bloudie procéedings of Ruze Bishop of Anger 's and the Kings Iniunction to his officers to execute his edict with the allowing of y e abiuration penned by rauening Ruze These things made a great dissipation in the families of them of the religion For by these meanes the rage of the Papists encreased agaynst the reformed religion and emboldened to attempt any violence and iniurie agaynst them For the enemies supposing that the Prince had béen lost for it was very long time afore it was knowne what was become of him they iudged also that the faith and hope of them of the reformed religion had béen buried with him The inconstancie of many of them who had remayned in France after the declaration of the edict of Iuly did appeare For many estéemed more the commodities of their houses and the pleasures of their countrey than the quietnes of their consciences and the keeping of those good precepts which they had learned in the schoole of Christ which is rather to dye vnder the Crosse than to liue in committing Idolatrie The Papists on the contrary side forgat no meanes to throwe downe them that stoode on slipperie places for beside the rigour of the edict which had abridged the time of anoydance to fifteene daies with dreadful threatnings the Iesuites Friers Massing and parish Priests and other firebrands of the Romish route thundered agaynst them whom they tearmed hereticks in their bloudie and sedicious sermons And if they could not disswade them from their religion then they stirred vp the people to murther them or els pursued them before the Magistrates who were eagerly set against them being for the most part of the League They who had béen of the religion or had béen suspected to haue fauoured the same persecuted them who remayned constant thereby to terrifie that they had neuer béen of them Their friends on the other side had no small power to trie the constancie of those simple soules who before had fastened too much the aâ—cker of their safetie in the forces of man There were also which did great pleasure to their friends and kindred in obtayning to them prorogation of time to giue order to their affayres and after to retyre some where Many remayning constant in the trueth estéeming more their faith to God than worldly goods foreseeing also a more stormie tempest than that which was past would ensue without any further bargaining left al and retyred some to the principalitie of Sedan some into Germany great number to Geneua great multitudes to Saint Ihan d'Angely Rochel and England It was a lamentable thing to see the wofull vanishments and dissipation of so many families without any succour or comfort They which were touched with a greater zeale would not leaue their children behinde them in daunger to bee throwne into the myre of Idolatrie which they detested esteeming of the conscience of their children as of their owne knowing that they should answere before God for the same This caused many of them to carrie their children vppon their shoulders for lacke of other meanes God shewed in such a stormie tempest that he hath hauens of safetie alwaies in store for them who being tossed and tormoyled vnder the heauines of the Crosse doo cast as children vpon their fathers their eyes vpon him For this is a wonderfull worke of GOD that for the space of thrée whole yeares the pestilence had so afflicted Rochel that there was no part free of the same Saint Ihan d'Angely also when this persecution waxed so violent was so beaten with it that the towne was almost destitute
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
whole yeare and wasted a million of Franks which the Priests had contributed toward that warre he hath for his money the villages of Montignak Beaulieu Triles Castets which he bought with the Priestes money Saint Bezile Montsegure Chastilion Puynormand which immediatly came agayne into the hands of them of the reformed religion and were fortifyed stronger then euer they had béen Now if this great Dukes Chaplens will haue more warre conquestes at his handes they must pay for it or else let them goe against the heretikes themselues for he will goe home Thus endeth the tragicall comedie of this Captaine In October the cheefest of the reformed religion in the Iles of Maran perceauing the disorder which was in the gard of the castel of Portmaran and knowing that the Prince before his iourney to Anger 's had determined to put in a Gouernor with a certayne number of Souldiers and that there were many which made sute for that gouernment aduised to demaunde of the Prince some gentlemen of the gouernment of Rochel who had meanes to defende them without oppressing eyther the one part or other which thing being granted vnto them they demaunded the Lord Essars of Montalambert a valiant and expert Captaine who had giuen a notable proofe of his valour experience at the siege of Saint Jhan D'angelie in the yeare 1569. and also at Rochel 1572. and 1573. The sayd Lord Essars accepted it vnder the authority of the Prince with 20. Souldiours appoynted him whom hee vndertooke to pay with his owne hand vppon the payment of a Sous for euery pound of marchandize which should passe through Marans and vpon promise to receaue one thousand crownes for the fortifications of the Castell as he should thinke good and into that gouernment he entred in October But within few dayes after the sayd Lord of Essars began to vary with the inhabitants who were of the religion for the most part For the sayd Lord hauing found the castell wholly vnfurnished of all houshold and necessary commodities required that they would furnish it both for him and his souldiers and also that in case the sayd castell should be besieged they would repayre to it for the defence of the same and also willed them to bring in their moueables Then answered the sayd Lord Essars that with moueables euery one had furnished what they could and that the best of their goods were transported to Rochel As for to retyre within the Castell they thought it not expedient for if the enemie should besiege it and beate it they knew well by experience that it was not defensible They answered aâ—so that they would not put in any more of their goods but such as they passed not greatly to lose as for the fortifications the Prince afore his departing was content to quit them for one thousand crownes considering their vnablenes wherof his receauer had alreadie receaued part This answer the L. Essars did greatly mislyke which misliking continued vntil the Princes returne out of England to Rochel who being aduertized thereof sendeth the L. Resseus and an other to be fully informed of all y e matter And finally to preuent al inconueniences which might ensue thereof vnfit for the tyme place of so great importance thought good that the L. of Essars should surrender y t gouernment into the hands of the L. Iarry nigh the sands of Ollonne who entered therein as gouernor the x. of Aprill 1586. there remayned almost two yeares who was enforced with y e L. Boysduly to surreÌ„der it to Lauerdine the 25. of March 1586. as it shall appeare more playnly hereafter It is sayd before how the Prince of Conde after the dissolution of his army at Solonne in Vendomoys through great daungers and difficultyes repayred to the Iland of Gernesey and from thence into England where he was receaued in most princelyke sort of that gracious great Elizabeth Queene of England During his soiorne there many noblemen and gentlemen passed ouer the sea into England to accompany him home agayne among whom was the Lord Clermont The Queene of England after innumerable courtesies and princelike intertaynment sent him home with a nauy certayne ships also departed out of Rochel to meet the sayd Prince among whom was the Lord Plessis Gettey who conducted two shippes being then gouernour of the I le of Rhe for the king of Nauarre The sayd Prince arriued at Rochel with that trayne the 3. of January about eight a clocke in the night This returne home was no lesse wonderfull then ioyfull to all the Lords who had gathered them selues and retyred to Rochel and Saynt Ihan D' angely and to the inhabitantes of the townes and countrey who shewed great reioysing euery where as hauing by the speciall gift of God receaued this noble Prince of whose health and preseruation they had béen a long tyme doubtfull The Prince being returned home so happely soiorned not long at Rochel but within fewe dayes tooke his iourney to S. Ihan to prouide for the necessarie affayres and to muster the companies which were or could bee gathered Fewe dayes before the Lord Laual was gone foorth out of Saint Ihan with some companies to besiege the Castle of Tours but they which were within stayed not the ordinance which was comming from Saint Jhan but yéelded themselues without any delay The sayd Castle was rendered into the hand of the Lord Caze to whom it did belong At that time to wit after the comming of the Prince to Saint Ihan the Lords Captaines and companies began to order themselues vnder the sayd Prince in forme of an armie where with about the 17. of January he began to besiege the Castle of Dampierre pertayning to the Marshall of Bets nigh the towne of S. Ihan situated vpon the riuer Botonne within the which was a popish garrison which through their insolencie and ordinarie roades vpon them of the religion did drawe this storme vppon their heads The sayd Castle being battered for certaine dayes was surrendred about the 24. of Ianuary There was found within that Castle great quantitie of corne and mooueable goods which the people of the countrey round about had carried in It was hard to let the Souldiers from the pillage considering that they had so long suffered insinite miseries after the breaking of the armie in Vendomoys for they which had reassembled themselues in Poytow had kept themselues within the fauour of the townes of S. Ihan and others which were holden by them of the religion The companies of the Prince after the taking of Dampierre were deuided into three parts which went into thrée seuerall coasts of the countrey The first was the Lord S. Gelays who followed the riuer Botonne and tooke the townes thereupon situated as Arnay Mondeâ—is and Chizay The Lord Ranques with the fourth part of the companies went toward Niort and enterprized vppon the Castle of Sassoy and tooke it from the hands of certaine Albaneses whom the Lord Malicorne gouernour of Niort had
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
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
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
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
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
which is in the middle of the Towne where was great confusion in going ouer The Lord Chastilion was commaunded to goe to trye the passage at Gien but many inconueniences let that enterprise although he had gone part of the way In the meane time the enemie aduaunced in such sorte that the forerunners did charge the Launce-knights and vnarmed about one thousand or twelue hundred did hurt a great many tooke the artilterie and munition About 25. horsemen did all that The Launce-knights did retyre in good order toward Buissiere as also the wagon men with their horses and other such stuffe as they could saue The Lord Chastilion went also to the sayd Buissiere who did incontinently sende to the horsemen on euery side for to take aduise what was to bee done for they were like to haue the enemie very shortly on their backes but the companies went to the rendes vous which was appoynted at Bouuy The Lord Chastilion hauing stood in battell aray at Buissiere to receiue the Launce-knights who did passe in order made the retraite hauing not with him aboue three score armed men and sixe score harquebusiers on horsebacke at the most The same long soiorning which the Lord Chastilion made at Buissiere gaue time to the enemie to followe him so that in marching the high way to Bouuy the enemy appeared marching along the parke at whose discouering hee put his companie in battell aray foure and foure by reason of the narrownes of the place The Lords Morinault and S. Albine did leade the forerunners who discouering that the enemie was of more then two hundred horses sent word to the Lord Chastilion who strengthened them of ten men of armes which were with the Lord Byramont and willed them to march a small pace after the companies But a little after they were so pressed that they turned their faces against the enemie with sword in hand who then staied and after in that manner followed the Lord Chastilion more than three leagues The said Lord Chastilion geuing to vnderstand to the Prince County that the enemy was at hand the Duke Boyllon went backe to the said Lord Chastilion with 2. hundred horses and going backe to a litle brooke which they had left behind thought good to stay there for the enemie but the Lord Monluet who alwaies had remained behind gaue to vnderstand to the Lord Chastilion that he doubted somewhat and for to know better what it might be they went toward the enemies and at the discouering of them began to speake either to stay them or else to make them come nearer but at length the enemy began to retire vpon which occasion the Lord Monluet and Chastilion pressed them so farre that they pursued beating them beyond the Brooke where they left dead of the enemie seuen or eight vpon the place The Lord Chastilion pursuing the disorder of the enemie was aduertized by the Lord Boillon that the Rutters were more then fiue leagues before with the rest of the Frenchmen that the companies which he pursued was the whole power of the enemie where were the Lords Espernon Nemours and Mercure that necessity required to march forward without any further delay which thing staied the Lord Chastilion who in returning passed by a little wood where he spied about foure score Harquebuziers of the enemie who hid themselues in the said Wood whom the said Lord Chastilion made countenance to charge that in the meane time hee hee might retire his forerunners whom the said Harquebuziers made their rekoning to surprize in theyr returne but they came againe without any damage The truth is that there was in all those troupes but onely the Dukes Espernon Nemours and Mercure who were greatly amazed when their forerunners so fearefully did cast themselues in their armes That same day they went to lodge fiue leagues from thence and the next day they began to enter into Moruaut which is a wood land and so thicke that with much adoo they could not goe aboue two and two They appointed the rendes vous for the chiefe of the army to heare what commission the Lord Cormon had brought which was that the King would geue such surety vnto the Germans as they would to retire into Germany and to the French men Papists who would liue Popishlie in their houses safetie with their goods Others of the religion which would retire out of France might enioy their goods so that they would beare no armes against him requiring furthermore in token of their obedience and good intentes by the which they had declared to haue borne armes onely for his seruice that all the French men should surrender him their Cornets and Colours All these thinges being debated on both sides it was aduised not to dispise these offers but for the sureties and ensignes to take further aduise The reasons which induced them were the great amazednes wherein the whole armie was and to that feare there was such negligence ioyned that there was no more meanes to keepe any order neither among the Germans nor Frenchmen Many French gentlemen had and did dayly resort home there was no assurance that any great number would stay any longer There was no resolution to fight against the enemy the wayes were full of stuffe and armes as well of Germans as Frenchmen the Horses were weary they had to make long iourneys to goe farre from the enemy when they came they found no guide to lead them the way to the Vilages so that they trauelled some time one or two leagues after they were arriued at the rendes vous for to take their lodginges The most part of them remayned either in the woods or else in the first houses which they met men without bread horses without fodder many horses were tyred for lacke of shooing There was foure daies iourney to goe through woods The Harquebuziers and footmen did diminish on both sides all the regimeÌ„t of the Lord Villeneufue had disâ—anded themselues not passing thrée daies before because the master of theyr campe was prisoner there was almost no men left in the regiment of the Lord Mouy They whom the Lord Chastilion had brought out of Languedock for lacke of horses could not follow or else for to follow in so long iourneyes were inforced to cast away their armors most of them had no powder nor meanes to recouer any Their Peeces were either broken or vnprofitable for lacke of workemen to mend them There remayned not aboue two hundred Harquebuziers They which rested of Launce-knights being about two thousand were vnarmed all these reasons made them conclude that it was better to saue the men to do seruice another time then to loose them and geue the praise to the enemy to haue wholly destroyed that army Vpon these deliberations they dispatched to the king the L. Cormon In the meane while the army went forward followed still by the Lord Espernon accompanied with seuen or eight hundred horsemen and with as many Harquebusiers as he could put
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
be shewed in his place So he made the world beleeue that he had been the onely instrument by the which that armie had receaued all the harme which they receaued And whereas the Kinges onely pollicy had vndone that army yet made he the world beléeue by his horsecorsers whom he sent to walke the said Dutch horses whom bee vsed for sowers of false rumors that not onely the king had willingly let them to escape but also had geuen them the meanes to retire some into Germany and some into Languedock and from thence to the king of Nauarre so that the pulpits of Fryers and Iesuits in Paris and other cities did sound nothing else but of these newes extolling the valour wisedome and glory of the Duke of Guyze with procuring to him much popular authority and good will and making the King hatefull among the Catholikes for glosing and dissembling with them and fauouring the heretikes to that end that when oportunity should be offered the sayd Duke of Guyze might easily bring to passe his enterprizes and the king should not be able to let him Now let vs know what became of the fragments of this armie First the promise was not obserued to them for a great number of theÌ„ were slaine robbed and spoyled in dyuers places The Duke of Lorreynes eldest sonne called Marthuis de Pont accompanyed with the forces of the League set on them in diuers places and enuaded the county of Montbeliard where hee committed horrible cruelties putting all to the sword with execrable whoredoms and abominations Many dyed in the way many dyed when they came in place of safety euen of the cheefest noble men The Lords Boillon Cleruaut and Vau with many other noble men retyred to Geneua where after so many labours and greeues they dyed in the Lord. The like happened to the Swissers whose Colonels and Captayns who were the authors of the first parley and capitulation with the king were punished by their seignories so that few either of the Germans or Swissers returned home or escaped vnpunished It is said before how that France in this yeare was groaning vnder the burthen of seuen great armies besides many particular assemblies wherof it is said how Ioyeuse and his armie was made sure at Coutras and their reduced carkasses were left in perpetuall infamy not for their death but for the causes of it The Germans haue made shipwracke vppon the Rockes of Lancy in Mosconoys the eight of December and after The kinges armie was broken against the banke of Loyre and from thence scattered euery man home The Leaguers are excluded out of Daulphine where the Catholikes and they of the reformed religion after much bloodshed at length agreed to liue like good fellow cityzens vnder the lawful gouernment of theyr king and so the yeare is ended and Christ raigneth for euermore The end of the fourth Booke THE FIFT BOOKE THis yeare is notable not so much by reason that it was holden by the Mathematicians to bee fatall to the world as by reason of the great and tragicall euents which happened to many great and Noble personages For this yeare dyed the Duke of Boillon and other Nobles at Geneua The Prince of Conde at Saint Ihan d'Angelye The Duke of Guyze and some of his partakers The inuincible armado of Spaine intending to haue inuaded England was beaten both by God and man And last of al the famous enterprize atchieued by the French King Henry the third with the famous victories of the Church of God in the principality of Boillon against the conspirators and enemies of mankind of the League It is said before how after the capitulation of the King with the army of Germanes at Lancy in Masconoys the Duke of Boillon the Lordes Cleruaut Vau and others retired to Geneua where these three especially dyed Not long after their aryuing there the Prince of Boillon fell sick the 27. of December feeling in himselfe his end to be at hand that he had to passe to a most blessed life carefull for the state of the Church of God gathered in his Soueraigne principalitie of Boillon disposed of his affayres as followeth He made his soule heire generally of all his goods holden as well in Soueraigntie as otherwise the Lady Charlote de la mark his sister vpon condition y t she shal neither alter nor innouate any thing in the state nor in ReligioÌ„ the which there she shal maintaine as it is established Also that she shall not marrie without the aduise of the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and the Prince Monpensier her Uncle vpon paine of forfeiting the right of those Soueraignties from the which in case she should otherwise doe he vtterly excludeth her And in case the said Lady of Boillon should decease without heires the Prince of Monpensier her Uncle is substitute as next to inherit and after him the Prince Dombees his sonne conditionally that they shal change nothing in the state nor Religion vpon paine of the like forfeiture And in case the said princes should make there any innouation he doth substitute the King of Nauarre and in like case the Prince of Conde in case the first should fayle in the performance of the premises The said Lord Boillon made executor of his Testament and the Lord la Noue the which done the first of Ianuarie he was deliuered out of this mortall liâ—e to enter into the full enioying of the societie of God being the day of his natiuitie and the 25. of his age This was a Prince of great auncient and famous nobilitie issued by the father side out of the stock of that renowmed Argonante Godfrey of Boillon who was crowned King of Ierusalem a noble and vertuous man his Mother was one of the most vertuous women of our age daughter vnto the Prince Monpensier and sister vnto this Prince now at this yeare liuing her vertue godlines and constancie in the confession of the true doctrine shall be in an euerlasting remembrance For shee being very oftentimes requested by her Father a great deuout Catholick to forsake the Gospell and to returne to poperie at length she agreed vnto him with this condition that if the popish Doctors could bring better proofes for their religion then the ministers of the reformed would for hers shee would fulfill his will Whereupon a disputation being obteyned at the hands of King Charles the ninth and the matter being reasoned betweene two Doctors of Sorbonne and two Ministers of the Gospell for many dayes in her presence her owne husband sitting as moderator it fel out that in stead of that which her Father looked that she should haue been conuerted to popery she was confirmed in the trueth by whose singular wisdome and speciall care afterward the Churches of the Soueraigntie of Boillon were reformed This Principalitie of Boillon is a small countrey holden in soueraigntie yet commonly vnder the protection of the Crowne of France between the riuers Mose and Moselle a
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
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
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
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
' 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
he had cruelly defiled his hands with the bloud of many innocent persons vnder the colour that they were of the religion And not long before had committed an act no lesse odious and cruell than felonious for he had caused the dead body of the great Prouost of France to bée drawne through the streates of the towne after hee had béen slaine in the fight nigh the walls of the towne and that a little before his surprise as is afore said There was one Iamart of the richest sort of the towne taken who being vpon the point to be put to his ransom and to be deliuered as the other inhabitants then were was accused euen by many of the romish religion and of the towne to haue been a man of wicked life who had committed many things punishable by the lawes He was conuicted to haue been one of the chiefest doers in the sedition of the League and had vnworthley and outragiously spoken against the principall Princes of the bloud his proces was made according to the crimes committed by him This was the onely man who was iudicially executed at the surprise There were found in that towne fiue great pieces of battery carying halfe a foot and an ynch in the mouth two very long Culuerins which the Lieutenant abouesayd had caused to be cast as he sayd in dirision to salute the King of Nauarre when hee should approach the walls of Niort There were found also two meane culuerins the fiue canons were made ready a new by workemen specially called from Paris for that purpose for to bee brought to the army of the Duke of Neuers for the siege of Fonteney which was intended after the winning of Ganache This towne was full of rich men and riches by reason of the spoyle of them of the reformed religion of all the countrey round about There was sufficient quantitie of corne to maintaine an armie of twentie thousand men for the space of two yeres There was also sound twenty thousand weight of powder besides a maruelous quantitie which euery man had in particular This is a rule of Gods iustice he that spoyleth shal be spoyled he that wasteth shall be wasted The King of Nauarre gaue the gouernement of that place and of the countrey to the Lord Saint Gelays the Lorde Parabiere was appointed to dwell in the Castell To conclude this booke with the yeare Christian reader thou maist see with thine eye y e iudgements of God executed vpon his enemies generally for their Idolatry superstition and atheisme But specially vpon Henry the third for obstinacie in refusing through the hardnes of his heart to heare the Lorde Christ speaking vnto him and warning him to bee wise and feare the Lord with reuerence in refusing the counsell of wise noble Princes Senators noble men and faithful friends and following alwaies the vniust and wicked counsels of his mother of flatterers and sicophants but specially of his domesticall enemies by whose counsels and perswasions he lost his authoritie credit reputation kingdome and life as shall be said in the booke next following Thou hast seene also how the Lord out of the heauens from the habitation of his seate hath derided laughed to scorne the pride arrogancie and contemptuous presumptiousnes of the King of Spayne hath extended his mightie armie vpon him and his seruants as he did vpon Pharao King of Aegipt clothed him with dishonor as with a garment and made him ridiculous and contemptible in the sight of the Princes people and nations of the world We haue seene also how that the Lorde to punish the parricides murtherers of the saints atheisme execrable life of the Duke of Guize of his bretheren father and vncles turned him to a spirit of ambition to worke all treasons treacheries villanies commotions seditions and rebellions against his naturall King Prince benefactor and countrey couering all these execrable enormities vnder the cloake of Catholick religion and Gods glorie by the which he hath wrought his owne his children house famely bretheren and kindred sudden fall being beaten downe on a suddaine and vnawares from the top of high degree honour dignitie and wealth as with a suddaine tempest wee haue séene on the other side how God according to his mercie and promise hath preserued from the suares of the enemies of his trueth First that great Elizabeth of England nurce of Gods Church the ioy of Gods people hath decked her head with a Crowne of glory hath cloathed her with honour hath established her seate with iustice and godlines hath made her the terror of al enemies of Christ and the beauty of Europ The same Gods prouidence and merciful kindenes hath also preserued Henry of Bourbon King of Nauarre and now of France from the commotions of the people and whereas his enemies haue set vppon him by land by sea by force by policie poyson and all other meanes which the angell of darkenes hath been able to teach them to swallow him alone aliue beholde the Lorde not onely hath established him in his owne hereditarie kingdome but also by the meanes of his enemies though against their wills hath made him a way to place him in that throane of Maiesty which appartained vnto him by that succession which God had ordained in that kingdome being one of the most famous kingdomes of Europ and hath made him a victorious conquerour of the wicked and the restorer of that afflicted state But also in this booke we haue séene how the Lord in whose sight is precious the death of his saints before the comming of those miseries the Lord hath taken vnto himselfe the most noble vertuous and godly Princes the Princes of Conde and Boillon and many other noble men least they should see euill daies whose names are written in the booke of the righteous Wée haue séene also how the Lorde hath turned the most wicked and damnable oath taken not at the states but rather conspiracie of Bloys to an borrible confusion and dissipation of the wicked for after that the wicked haue gone continually to wrack and confusion and neuer preuailed in any action but in wrapping themselues into miserable treasons rebellions and commotions replenishing their streates with murther and bloud The end of the fift Booke THE SIXT BOOKE THis newe yeare bringeth foorth new euents and strange full of confusions the kings death and an alteration in the succession of the Crowne of France as it shall appeare Wee haue left the royall Armie vnder the conduct of the Duke of Neuers weakened with hunger colde and hard lodging amazed with the straunge accidents happened at Bloys before the towne of Ganache there preparing all things for the batterie Also wee haue shewed what exploytes the King of Nauarre did in the meane while Now wee will returne from Niort in high Poytow to Ganache to see what would be done there The first day of Ianuary 1589. passed away with light skirmishes but without any great effect The second day they within
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
making their pulpets the trompets of murther treason and rebellion for beside that they did inuaigh against the King in all manner of vile tearmes and interpreting all his actions maliciously to the worst they also forbad the people vpon paines of spirituall and bodily punishment for if they did it was a capitall crime to pray for the King Also the inhabitantes of the citie of Rhemes in Champaigne published an infamous libell comming forth out of the Iesuites forge bearing this title A grieuous lamentation of the inhabitants of the citie of Rehmes vpon the death of the Cardinal Archbishop of Rehmes peere of France and what may he not be if they would That libell was sawced with infamous inâ—ectiues vnworthy and outragious speeches against the king by their language the authors thereof did testifie sufficiently their consent in the rebellion of other towns and cities And seeing that the priests Iesuites and Friers did say such a masse at the funerall of their Bishop it was no marueile if the ignorant people who beleeued them answered Amen And for as much as among those rebellious countreys and cities there were none of the reformed religion vpon whome they might spew their gall they called their owne Priestes Parsons Vicars and Curates for to subscribe vnto their rebellion charging them vpon payne of death not to pray in their massing for the King But such as kept an vpright heart to their Prince and would not conient to their prohibition but in their prayers or otherwise did wish well to the King were executed as male factors and great fauour was shewed them vpon great intreatie of friends if they might escape with depriuation of their liuings or imprisonment and cary away their liues for a pray And by such iniuries shewed vnto their owne priests they placed such as were fit to serue their turnes in kindling more and more the fire of sedition The third taske appoynted to the Fryers and Iesuites was to render the King of Nauarre and them of his part execrable in the eares of all men that by the consent and generall misliking of all men if it were possible he might be excluded from his right of succession The occasion was thus The 26. of December the King of Nauarre had surprized the towne of Niort in Poytow of the taking it of the said Kings gracious goodnes and clemency shewed vnto the inhabitants his deadly enemies which had committed great outrages vpon them of the reformed Religion against his owne person against the Princes of the blood and of late agaynst the Lord Valette an officer of the Crowne of France as it is sufficiently spoken of before These writers of lies to testifie to the world whose Children they are did set foorth such ridiculous falshoods and execrable calumnies and that with as much assurance as they tell vs of their lies and lying miracles which they did worke with their holywater among the sauadge people of Giapane whether they be sure that no man will send to enquire about the truth of the matter with so bolde and impudent faces they did auerre most manifest lies which out of any parte of France might bee disprooued within foure dayes The shamâ—les pamphlet went abroade with this inscription The execrable cruelties committed by the heretiks against the Catholicks of the towne of Niort in Poytow The fable sayth that they of the religon would neuer haue taken that towne without the intelligences of the politicks that is to say of them which fauour the king which were within the sayde towne It is sayde in the Pamphlet that the Kinges officers of Iustice were slayne that the Maior and the Aldermen of the towne were hanged That many were hanged onely for that they would not denie their religion also that all the Priests and Monkes were hanged for companie Also a Priest was opened aliue before his fellowes by terror to make him denie God and his noble partes were pulled out but they remayned as constant as rocks for all those cruelties and valiantly suffered martyrdome That there were innocent persons killed in such great number through the towne euen betweene two or three hundred persons so that the streets flowed with blood and dead bodies That the heretikes as the fable sayth tooke a woman which reprooued them of their cruelties whom they would haue enforced to deny the Masse which thing shee refusing they filled her belly with powder and then set fire to it to make hir burst so that sayth the lyer there is nigh three hundered martirs there put to death which are now in heauen These holy Martyrs may be called in one word holy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All this lying lybell is easily confuted euen by the inhabitants themselues by the Magistrates by the Priestes who there do liue in liberty of their Religion and by all the people who will testify that there was no such thing nor otherwise then is recited in the discourse of the surprise of their towne but will testify of the Christian mildnes clemency and moderatnes of the King of Nauarre and surprisers to haue béene far greater then euer they could haue expected or had deserued at his hands But this grosse kind of lying was spread abroad to hasten the rebellion of the Citties and to render the people vntamed and hard harted agaynst true and dutiful obedience whatsoeuer might fall hereafter as if to fall into the handes of the King of Nauarre and of them of the Religion were to fall among sauage beastes mad Tygers and cruell Lyons The King considering that the more he endeuored himselfe to winne the rebels by gentlenes clemency and promising of impunity the more hardned obstiuate insolent and bolde they became Seeing that he must be driuen by force to chastise their rebellions first he procéedeth against them by order of law And for as much as the Dukes de Mayne Aumale and Cheualier Aumale he as if it were subroged in the places of the Duke of Guyze and the Cardinal his brother the King doth first and chiefly proceede iudicially agaynst them three by proscription as attaynted of fellonie rebellion and high treason First the King doth shew himselfe to be a King ordayned and geuen of God hauing receaued of God that sword and power which he had not by vsurpation but by lawfull and naturall right of succession Secondly hee doth shew the great benefites which hee and the Kings his predecessors had bestowed vpon them and namely that he hath spared their liues whom he might iustly haue punished for their diuers attemptes fellonies and disobedience for the loue which hee had vnto them and their house He sheweth also how he had since this their last rebellion sent vnto them diuers of his faythfull seruants with letters and euen Heraulds of arms to let them vnderstand his good will and readines to put vp all iniuries offences and to receaue them to his fauour But that in stead of humbling themselues and of accepting his gracious fauour
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
raunsoms sparing neither Nobles nor others of the romish religion for that onely they were faithfull to the King This exploit done Mercure gathered as great forces of men of warre as he could and from thence tooke his iourney toward Fongeres in the low Britayne a towne which he had gone about long before to seduce and had the chiefâ—st of the inhabitants at his deuotion they receaued him very willingly and hauing the towne he agreed with the Captaine of the castell who solde him the place with all the moueable goods and furniture therein belonging to his master the Marquesse Roche for the summe of fifteen thousand crownes which he receaued In Aprill the Lord Bordage and other Gentlemen of the religion accompanied with few men tooke the town of Vitre belonging to the yong Lord Laual which thing when Merceur who was then at Fongers vnderstood hee sent a Gentleman of Britaine named Tailowet with certaine companies of men of warre and the commons of the countrey whom he raised vp in armes to the number of sixe thousands they besieged Vitre the space of fiue wéekes but the place was valiantly defended by the saide Gentlemen and their small company During this siege in the moneth of May they of Roen hauing receaued letters from the King by the helpe of some honest and faithfull men came againe to their right wittes and returned to the Kinges obedience with whom they agréed for the impunity of that offence which was past They tooke prisoner the Lord Charroniere whome Merceur at his departing to Fongeres had left there gouernour they tooke also the Spanish Moore to wit Captaine Iohn and many other of that faction and behauiour if the Lorde Merceur had béen there it had béen an easie thing to haue taken him also Whilest these things were a dooing on both sides the Lord Morlak entred into the Castell Iosselin the strongest place of all Britaine for the Kings seruice The Lord Saint Lauuers a Captaine of the Leaguers with certaine companies enterprised to surprise the Towne and so to kill Morlak therein choosing for the executioÌ„ of his purpose the day which they call holy Friday a day of great deuotion among the Papists least of al suspected and so to haue taken it when they should haue béen busie about their ceremonies and enchauntings so he surprised the towne but not the Lord Morlak who did holde the Castell Whilest these broyles did so passe in Britayn in other places also as if it were at a day appoâ—nted the traiterous Leaguers tooke Molins in Borbonnoys situated vpon the riuer Allier which rising out of the Mountaines of Anuergne falleth into Loyre at the towne Charite That place was well defended by the Lord Rostayn but being set on when the Garison was absent for lack of men the towne was caried away to the Leaguers About the selfe same time the faction of the League in the citie of Bourdeaux shewed themselues and attempted to surprise the towne against the King They had conspired an accursed practise both against the Marshall Matignon the Kings gouernour there and also against the towne and good inhabitants who were knowne to bée faithfull to the King their intent was to stab the said Marshall Matignon to sâ—aze vpon the citie and Castles and to kill all them that should not bée of their side The traitors had made a great preparation of shippes at Browage had stayed many shippes which were bound to Newland for fishing to fauour the enterprise vpon Bourdeaux Vpon Easter euen therebels there vppon the watch word rose vp in armes part of them did seaze vpon the gate of Saint Iulien and part of them had incamped themselues at another side without the citie The Magistrates of the citie séeing this commotion with strong hand went toward them who had stayed vpon the gate Saint Iulien the rebels did resist the Magistrates and beate them back The Marshall Matignon taking part of the Garisons out of the Castells with the assistance of the inhabitants faithfull to the King dooth march with some forces a foote through the streates of the towne toward the gate that they had seazed vpon The rebells séeing this power comming against them without any fight began to faint and in a while after to run away and shift for themselues yet could they not so spéedily auoyde but there was fiue slaine vpon the place many of that conspiracie were apprehended There were two executed one a captaine of the citie and the other was of the gaâ—des of the Marshal who declared the whole conspiracie and accused a great number and of the chiefest of the citie They who had remayned within the towne fearing to be detected by reason of a guiltie conscience the night folowing left behinde them their maker whome they shoulde haue swallowed downe whole and aliue the next day following being Easter day They leapt ouer the walls for on the morow a great number of ropes were found hanging at the wals by which they slided down the greatest part of them retyred to Browage and shortly after the King sent eyght hundred Launce-knights there to bée in Garison to kéepe the rest in their duetie Whilest these rebellions were a working in Britayne and other places and Prouinces of the realme the King vnderstanding the greatest part of his realme to be reuolted from his obedience and how a great many Noblemen and Gentlemen whome he hath forgiuen at Bloys and let scape vnpunished abusing his lenitie or rather accounting it as it was in trueth pusillanimitie had turned againe to his enemies began to fal in great mistrust and to despaire both of himselfe and of his estate The Leaguers who were about his person to increase this his amaze aduertised him though falsely for the most part that the Spaniard the Princes and States of Italy the Dukes of Sauoy and Lorreyne had sworne the reuengement of the death of the Duke of Guize Also they perswaded him that he was not in safety at Bloys and therefore aduised him to retyre to Tours this counsell they gaue him not for any care which they had of his safetie although that God turned it to the best but for that they thought to haue more assistance there to performe their wicked intent purposed against him that citie being great and populous and where were many of the chiefest Leagued who had promised their helpe to the traitors They tolde him also how the King of Nauarre with great power approched and was already at Saumour to passe ouer Loyre for to inuade the Realme The king not knowing what to doe nor whom to trust and perceiuing theÌ„ that were at Bloys for the most part to be his secret enemies to haue intelligeÌ„ces w t the rebels in the latter end of March departed from Bloys and remoued to Tours being wel assured that at al extremities he should haue the King of Nauarre whose fidelitie and valour he knew well howsoeuer the Leaguers of his counsel did terrifie him of his
argument to walke in they cryed out that he serued himselfe of the forces of heretickes no maruel if they cry out now when they see a whip prepared for their backes and that now they are further from bringing to passe theyr wicked thoughts thâ—â— euer they were By these execrable outragious and seditious inue ctiues of these damnable Iesuits and Fryers hyred to sound the trompet of rebellion in a maner throughout all France but specially froÌ„ the riuer of Loyre north west and east and among other Prouinces Normandy was so infected with their poysoned and detestable rebellions that there was not so much as a Uillage to bee found where there was not some of all qualities dronken with their cup of abominations It is sayd before how the King had pardoned Brissak Boysdaulphine and Chastre with many others who within a while abusing the Kinges facility and ascribing their impunity to the Kings puâ—â—llanimity fled and reuolted to the League agayne After this reuolt Brissak and Boysdaulphine went to Anger 's as it is sayd and procured that great Citty to rebell but after the reducing of the sayd Cittye to the Kings obedience by the Marshal Haumont the said Brissak and Boysdaulphin fled and in their flight caused by the meanes of their partakers the Citty of Mans which was already wauering to rebel against the King To these 2. manipuli furum resorted the Lords la Mot Serrant Touchet Angeruile and Normandiere who by theyr treacherous solicitaâ—ion procured almost all the townes of Normandy to rebell and to open their gates to them as Roan which was reuolted long before Luseulx Falaize Newhauen Seas Bayeux Argenton and afterward Alcencon all these opened their gates to the rebels who afterward a most in a litle space consumed them There remained Caen Constances few other towns in base Normandie in the kings obedience by the good and prouident counsel of the Lord de la Veaue Beuuron the Presidents Aulbiguy and Lizeres and some other loyall and Noble men We sée how the cities of Normandie for the most part at the solicitatioÌ„ of Brissak Boysdaulphine and others whose names shall be knowne hereafter and by the preaching of the furious and frantick Iesuites and Friers are brought from the Kings obedience to a damnable rebellion The countrey men also and pesants were induced by the selfe same meanes to rebellion vnder colour of the defending the Catholick religion and hope of libertie There is in high Normandie a certaine place called la Chapelle Gantier thereupon the perswasions of the desperat Iesuites and Friers to countrey men were stirred vp to rebellion both against the King and the Nobilitie and began to commit horrible excesse and cruelties by reason of this beginning all the rebels in Normandy were called Gantiers these Peasants ioyned to themselues a number of Priestes but specially the Priestes of Sees and a great number of bedlem Friers furious Iesuites Parsons and among others the Parson of Vimonstier the most pestiferous desperat and seditious firebrand of all Normandy About the 19. the King vnderstanding of this rebellion in Normandy and foreséeing the mischiefe which might ensue if this euill were not in time remedyed thought good with all spéede to send the Prince Montpensier generall Lieutenant for his Maiestie into that Prouince to reduce them into the true way of their duetie and obedience and commaunded the Lord Saint Cire one of his counselers and Master of the requests of his house to accompany and assist him The King to bring this seduced people in the right way of iust obedience gaue charge to the saide Prince to offer pardon and impunity vnto the rebels in case they woulde liue quietly and peaceably vnder his gouernement Secondly hee discharged them of the third part of all taxes due vnto him hoping to haue a better opportunity and more happie season woulde come when he might gratifie them in some greater matter Thirdly hée gaue a forme of an oath to the said Prince to commaund all men to liue peaceably vnder his Gracious gouernement and to forsake all Leaguers and associations whatsoeuer and in case they would refuse either to returne vnder his protection or else to take that oath he gaue him authority to chastise them with strong hand as traitors and rebels About the 30. the saide Prince departed from Tours accompanied with the Lords of Backeuile and Archant and came to Luce where hee vnderstoode that Boysdaulphin and la Mot Serrant and other rebels had surprised the towne of Mans and purposed to méete with him to stop his way The 31. day this noble Prince of the house of Bourbon passed hard by the nose of the enemies and came as farre as Alencon where hée found the inhabitants amazed for the surprising of the towne of Mans by the enemy whome the rebels also had enueigled to enter into their rebellon and confirmed them in their obedience and duetie toward his Maiestie There this noble Prince with great deuotion and solemnitie kept his Easter and hauing taken order for the safetie of the towne appointed the Lorde Reuty gouernour of the said place with two companies of shot on horseback to kéepe the towne and Castell and to make roades in the villages about to repulse the rebells when they should come to forrage and constraine the inhabitants to pay them taxes and other tributes due to the King The 4. day the Prince vnderstanding that the citie of Sees were minded to ioyne to the rebels and had refused to take the oath according to the prescribed forme of the King purposed to passe that way and sent worde before to the Bishop and inhabitants that they shoulde open the gates for him who vpon a short consultation answered that they were ready to receaue him and being met by the citizens a great way out of the towne hée accompanied with the Lordes of Bakqueuile Archand and their troupes passed through without any stay The said Prince shewed vnto the Bishop and the inhabitants that he came from the King to offer pardon vnto the rebels and that the King ment to deale fauorably with his subiects to make account of them according to their duety and obedience towards him to chastise the rebels obstinat The inhabitants protested though with fained lippes of their loyaltie affection and obedience toward his Maiestie The departing from Sees met with the Lordes de Hallot and Creueceur his brother with a good and honorable tronpe of nobilitie to whome they proffered with many protections faithfully to serue the King as long as breath was in their bodies The 5. of Aprill the Prince departed from Escouche had intelligences that the Lords Touschet Angeruile Normandiere Captaines of the rebels with many Laâ—nciers and a good number of footemen haue come forth out of Falaize and marched on to stop the Princes way and went as farre as a village called Perrefit distant two miles from Falaize where they being met by the Lords Bakqueuile Archand Creueceur were
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
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
treacheries and treasons whereof he feeleth the smart imputing the causes thereof vnto himselfe in that hee had alwaies preferred the bad and violent counsell of his secret enemies before the good wise moderat admonitions and warnings of the Princes of his bloud and many other Princes strangers and faithfull friends willeth him to make a iust reuenge for example sake vpon the authors of such a vile act The King of Nauarre with the rest of the Princes and Nobility departing very sorowfull and dismaied the King called for his Confessor to whose eare he confessed his sinnes and hauing craued pardon for his offences said that he had a sensible feeling that they were forgeuen him through Christ The Mediatour desired to communicat of his sacred body and that all might heare that he had receaued fréely of God the forgeuenes of sinnes in like casehe not onely forgaue the conspiratours but also the very murtherer and procurers of the murther so the poyson preuailing and scattering it selfe through did infect the noble parts whereby the night following the 22. of Iuly he yeelded his soule vnto God Here Christian Reader thou mayest see with the eye notable examples both of Gods iustice and mercy shewed vppon this noble King of a noble kingdome issued out of noble Kings First how this King hauing obstinatly persecuted the Gospell partly for hatred partly at the pleasure and solicitation of Priestes and Fryers and other sycophants and clawbackes who were continually about him and set him on still that vnder the colour of catholike Church and rooting out of heresie they might weaken him spoile him of his authority of his Kingdome and at length of his life For they neuer gaue ouer nor left him at rest vntill they had snatehed his forces out of his hand and kept his armies alwayes in their hands or of their friends and partakers then by calumnies slaunders libels seditious preachings had procured the contempt and hatred of his subieets agaynst him Moreouer vpon oportunity they seazed vppon his Townes and fortresses expelled him out of his owne house seat city of his kingdome and of his realme condemned him twise to die and at last executed that condemnation with hipocrisy and treachery which thing they could not bring to passe by force Who did all these vnnaturall iniuries vnto their naturall King They whom he had so far fauoured as to expose his goods his state his credit his honor his life for the defence of their iuglings filthy pleasures pride ambition and atheisme to wit of the Priests Monks Fryers and Guyzes in whose loue fidelity and force he trusted more then in God But behold with trembling the iudgements of the Lord which are all righteous and pure This King had not harkened vnto Gods wisedome which-cryed in the streates of the Citie O ye foolish how long will yee loue foolishnes Gods wisedome therefore forsooke him in the day of calamitie and so his table was made an occasion of fall vnto him so that his familiar friends with whom hee tooke sweet counsell together in the temple of their Gods haue lifted vp their heeles agaynst him This second iudgement of God is also to be considered with feare and trembling The famous Gaspar Coligny Admiral of France with a great number of the chiefest Nobilitie of the Realme were most vniustly and cruelly murthered in the yeare 1572. the 24. of August This King being then King Charles the 9. his brother and Duke of Anjou who issued out of noble rase not regarding his degree debased himselfe so farre as to become the chiefest Captayne of an accursed sedition and procurer of such a murther as hated both of God and man the fame thereof shall be execrable and stinking in the eares of men for euer And after the murther most cruell indignities were shewed vpon the dead bodies of the sayd Admirall and his fellowes who after were carried to bee hanged at the place where men executed for exemplarie iustice are hanged in chaynes called Monâ—faucon which lieth right against the place where the King was murthered on the North side of the riuer Seyne so that euen as Pompey after the poluting of the Temple of Ierusalem did neuer prosper but after many calamities suffered came to Alexandria where in the hauen as a man should say in the sight of the Temple he was villanously murthered by them whom he trusted Euen so this King after that murther thereby hauing poluted the Temple of iustice neuer prospered and from the Lord deliuered into the hands of vile and base men whom he trusted was brought to receaue the punishment for that murther nigh to that place where they had executed the vttermost poynt of infamie vppon the bodies of the sayd Admirall and other noble men Thirdly whereas S. Peter in his second Epistle and second Chapter doth forwarne the Saints both of false Prophets and errors which they shall bring foorth with them among others maketh mention that they shal not onely contemne but also shall speake euill of authorities Behold thou Christian reader hast seene in the former bookes of this historie all the prankes which this holy League hath played for the space of these twelue yeares all the horrible villanies poysonings and murthers by them committed and hauing in their mouthes nothing els but holy League holy Vnion holy Church holy Catholike faith euen holy murthers and all that is prophane wicked and damnable is holy with them so that it be for holy Church God through iustice and mercie in this peruerse age dangerous times when men will not discerne the trueth from lying by the word but by their affection according to the doctrine of S. Paul 1. Tim. 4. hath marked by these their abominations as with a hot burning yron their idolatries hypocrisie and false religion that men looking vppon the fruites may iudge of the goodnes of the tree which beareth them So in his grace and fauour he hath preserued his Saints professors of his word from such abominable déedes that his trueth being iustified may be louing and amiable vnto men carying the stampe and grauen image of the sonne of God which is innocencie mildnes and perfect Christian loue Herein also is noted the mercifulnes of God who will loose none of his children This king dyed not presently of that wound but God prolonged his life both to giue him time of repentance and to lay the foundation of the restablishing of that afflicted estate For first as concerning his repentance it doth appeare that hée entered déepely into he consideration of his sinnes and by that foundation of faith which remayned in him confessed in the symbole touching the death of Christ the forgiuenes of sinnes through him made him as if it were forget the most part of the idolatrous fantasies and tromperies in the which he had béen brought vp and delighted all the daies of his life and necessitie and feeling of his sinnes enforced him to repose himselfe on the onely sacrifice of
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
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
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
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
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
with boastings and swearings alo modo Italiano that Solyman the great Turke kept neuer such adoo about the siege of Vienna as this doth about poore Corbeil Hée draweth thether 22. peeces of Ordinance he bestoweth fifteene daies in making his approaches in placing his Ordinance planting his batterie and at length the fifteene day of the siege a great breach being made the assault was giuen The besieged did welcome him so curteously that many remayned there among them longer then they had wished They within the towne were not commaunded to obstinate themselues in the defence of such a naughtie place but to linger the enemie for a time that in trying what great kunning and discipline of warre this newe God had brought out of Brabant he might wearie himselfe in doing nothing After this slaughter of Spaniards and Wallons and the repulse and foile giuen to a great multitude by few vpon the walles of Corbeil this D. hauing learned from his infancie to sweare oâ— his grand-father Pedro Aloysio or else his great grand-â—ire Frier Paulo Farnesio in despito del Dio hee began to make greater preparations thâ—n before Within few dayes after they gaue the second assault which was as deare bought by the Spaniard as the first so that most of them said that they would no more come to such a feast After these two wellcommings the Duke of Parma rested himselfe vntill the fifteenth day of the first assault geuen and in the meane while hee was not idle for hee erected an Arsenall wherein hee kept a number of workemen that laboured night day they were not suffered to goe forth nor to speake with any man The Duke de Mayne could not know what great misteries were wrought there Many did expect shortly to sée miracles many did feare least by some new magick not onely Corbeil but also the countrey about would be transported beyond Perow or Gyapan but beware yee shall see wonders Nascitur ridiculus mus For there commeth forth few boats couered with earth and turfe to transport a few Souldiers ouer the water This was receaued of many with as much laughter as the mouse which came forth out of the Mountains belly The 30. day of the siege when this great Sultan had ended his wonders at the breake of the day he began to beat the wals agayne with 22. pieces of artillery vntill almost night The inhabitants considering their case how the most of them were maimed and weary few in number and the enemy strong in armor strength of body and multitude seeing the breach made wide and large desirous to saue the remnant their wiues and Children and waighing the danger wherein they stoud seeing they were one hundred of the enemyes against one of theirs came vppon the walles of their Towne to parley with the Prince there they offered to the said Prince to yeeld vp the said towne conditionally that hee would grant them their liues with bag and baggage The Duke of Parma by occasion of their humble submission waxed the more presumptuous and cruell contrary vnto all heroicall Princelike natures which are sooner ouercome by submission then with force spewed out of his blasphemous mouth two or three othes of Italie that he would put them euery man woman and childe to the sword The reason that mooued him to â—â—â—cute this cruell answere vppon them was that whereas he first supposed that they would haue yeelded at his whistling for such conceits his Italian arrogancy had bred in his mind they had so resisted him and slayne a great number of his best and most approued Souldiers in three seuerall assaults by which meanes as he had greatly empaired his reputation there he would make vtterly shipwrack of the rest by making himselfe famous with the reprochfull infamy of cruelty The inhabitants hearing the sentence of death pronounced against them and perceauing y t nothing would perswade him to saue their liues neither of their wiues and children resolued themselues and went so fiercely to the fourth and last skirmish that they determined to bee reuenged of the enemies to the vttermost the assault was sharp and cruell which continued 2. howers together In the said assault the French men Leaguers made the first point The inhabitants being most of them maimed and few in number defended the breach valiantly and made a foule slaughter of the enemies The Spaniards seeing the great butcherie made of them by the towns men recoiled and let the French Leaguers atchiue the winning of the breach The inhabitants being few and wearie maimed and out of breath ouercome by the multitude of sound lustie and fresh were enforced to gene ouer the defence of the wall and sought to saue themselues The French Leaguers from the breach went to the gates opened them to let the Spaniards enter in The Spaniards and Wallons entring into the gates least it should bee said that they had done nothing did measure to the French Leaguers with the selfe same measure full and pressed downe which they had measured to the inhabitants Between them therefore began a new skirmish the Spaniards killed the French men and the French men the Spaniards and the Wallons against them both Now when the Spaniards had shewed to the Leaguers what they could do to wit to kill them by whom they were called for helpe when the fray began to be pacifyed Then did they agree among themselues to set all together vpon the poore vnarmed multitude whom they murthered without respect of age or persons Here is to be obserued Christian Reader the iust iudgement of God France Picardie Normandie Britaine and Champaigne to be short all the Prouinces betweene the Brittish sea and Loyre most obstinatly maliciously wilfully sould themselues to commit all that was euill in the sight of the Lord as to withstand and persecute the truth of God to roote out the Gospell by an immortall warre and hatred implacable behold in all these warres begun and continued by the League in a maner all the spoiles hauocks ransackinges and slaughters hath beene committed in the Popish countreyes and by Papistes against and vpon Papists and among others in this place were Leaguers against Leaguers Papist against Papist Atheist against Atheist so that this euill is not come nigh Gods people but they haue do behold the confusion and butcheries of Idolaters a far of And why Because him that loueth iniquity the Lord dooth hate and vpon the wicked he raineth snares fire brimstone and stormy tempest is the portion of their Cup. The execution being done vpon the inhabitants there they committed what euer Gotes Sarrasines Atheists and rebels mingled and associat together could deuise when God hath deliuered them to Sathan to fulfil the workes of darkenes The execrable cruelties and villanies there committed shall be buried in euerlasting silence for lack of words to expresse them The Towne being taken by assault and the people destroyed the Duke of Parma made his entry into that Village with his
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
vnderstanding of a great number of boates as great as lighters laden with corne monie and other prouision of war going from Chasteauthierij downe the riuer of Marne to victuall Paris set forward with great diligence to ouertake them which hauing done with great speede were sunk in the middest of the riuer to the number of fifteene of the greatest sorte with all the prouision that was therein few small boats of the lesser sort escaped towards Meaulx The same day the King vnderstanding of some companies of the enemies who were lodged in certaine villages betwéene la Fere and Chasteauthierij being the greatest part of the forces of the enemies departed early from Senlis to Crespij a towne in Valoys But for all the Kings secret and sudden departure yet by that time he had passed fiue miles he vnderstoode that his comming vpon coniecture being blazed among the enemies they had fled and passed beyond the riuer Marne with great amaze and terror this is according to the saying of the wise that sayth that the Kings countenance scattereth the wicked The 22. of Aprill the King from Crespij where he was returned tooke his way to Chauny intending to take the Castles of Manican and Genlis and for the better effecting of his purpose he caused two great Canons of Ordinance to be brought from Compiegne But they who were in Manican Castle did not attende but left the place and fled before hee arriued there The 24. of Aprill the King caused the said Ordinance and more which was brought from S. Quintins to bee brought before Genlis but at the sight of the Ordinance the sayd Castle of Genlis yéelded vnto the King About the same time two regiments of garrisons of the Leaguers were repayring to the Duke de Mayne whereof the Kings garrison of Saint Goubin hauing intelligence issued foorth vpon them and put many to the sword The Duke de Mayne had receaued seauen companies of Germanes being nine Ensignes who most wickedly as Mercenaries and slaues to their owne couetousnesse had for money consented to defend one of the most notable Rebellions that euer had béen hated of God and detested of all good Princes of the world Them the Duke de Mayne in the diuision of his armie as is aboue said had placed in certayne Villages betweene the riuers of Marne and Oyse intending to place them in Meaulx and Soyssons and as they marched they came to Coussie where they supposed to bee receaued but the gates of the towne being kept fast agaynst them and hearing a rumour of the Kings comming such a sudden feare fell vpon them that they fiercely ranne into the Forest hoping thereby to saue themselues The garrison of S. Goubin hearing of this amaze of the enemie sent fifcie men on horsebacke conducted onely by a Sargeant went foorth and taking about fourescore peasants of the countrey with them marched into the Forest This small company was greatly encouraged by hearing of the arriuall of the King from Genlis and pursued after these companies and charged them so roughly terrifying them with this voyce Viue le roy Immediatly the enemie supposing the King to haue been there indeede in great terror fled away without any resistance This small companie little thinking of any such good successe couragiously pursued them slewe them and tooke them in a manuer all except about threescore men who flinging away their weapons and armour the better to saue themselues retyred into the towne la Fere. Their Colonell was slayne and all the Ensignes taken saue two onely About 29. of Aprill the Lord Humiers knowing that the companie of horsemen of Mountcaure had assembled in a Village not farre from Corbeil departed out of the sayd Towne of Corbeil to charge them As he went about that exployt he met by chaunce the companie of horsemen of Dourlay whom he charged in that skirmish most part of the enemies were slayne part were taken prisoners and few by flight saued themselues The company of Mountcaure were in y e village playing some at cardes some at â—ice some drinking and some sléeping garded negligently with a small watch the Lord Humiers hauing done this exploit ceased not to prosecute his former enterprize vpon the said Mountcaure his companies who marching forward and comming to the village where they were set vpon them vnlooked for like a sodaine tempest which should fall sodainly from heauen whom finding busied as is aforesaid easily discomfited them killed them and tooke them without any resistance The King hauing in a little space eased that part of Picardie which bordreth vpon Brie of the insuries of the rebels beaten the enemies which executed intollerable oppressions betweene the riuers of Oyse and Marne as is said was aduertised that the enemie was in fiâ—ld in Britaine his Maiestie tooke his iournie thetherward with a small companie and had there that successe which followeth The Lord Tremblay did commaund in a towne in Britaine named Monconter where is a castell of reasonable strength wherin he had set a garison and departed thence to goe to doe some exploit fifteene leagues off about the beginning of May. The enemie aduertized of the absence of the said L. Tremblay tooke the said Monconter but they of the castell held out attending the succour which was comâ—ing from diuers parts vnto them The L. Tremblay hauing speedy intelligence of that which was past in Monconter tooke his iourney with 50 light horsemen resolued with that small companie to enter into the Castell with ladders which he perfourmed And after out of the sayd Castell he made diuers issues vpon the enemies in the Towne with terrible slaughter of them Many of the nobility of Britaine beeing then at Renes vnderstanding of the sturre of Monconter in the absence of the Prince D'ombes who was a little before ridden foorth about eighteene miles from the sayde Renes mustered vp immediatly so many as they might procure vppon the sudden which was about one hundred and fiftie horse men wel appointed and commaunded straight waies all the garrisons thereabout to march toward the sayd Monconter intending either to rescue the said towne out of the enemyes hand or else to let their further enterprises their forces came to two hundred footmen wel furnished these companies bring in all three hundred and fifty men came about two furlougs from the said towne of Monconter there to stay for other companies who came from other places for the same purpose Whilest these preparations were a making the Lord Saint Laurence Marshall of the army of the rebels vnder Merceur had entred into Monconter with three hundred horsemen well appointed and one thousand Harquebuziers intending to fortife that towne agaynst the King But in the meane while the King in proper person with sixe score horses onely had marched so farre as Londiak intending to search out the enemy The Lord Saint Laurence aduertised of the Kings comming considering that there was mustering round about knowing in his conscience the Kings iust
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
part of them had béene slayne in the assaults geuen to the Cittie and how the King was strong and not like to bee enforced to depart afore hee had the vpper hand ouer the sayd Towne And vnderstanding that the Duke de Mayne was come to Han with Forces in hope to relieue the sayd distressed towne and that the Lord Rosne who led the Duke de Mayne his army towards Lorreine was returning backe to Laon in Champaygne he delayed the time of composition to see what succor they would geue But at length seeing no reliefe comming and the King vrging the towne the sayd Lord Vile concluded an agreement with the King in this maner following The Lord Vile as well for himselfe as for the Gentlemen Souldiers and inhabitants of Noyon hath promised to yeeld the sayd towne vppon monday next following being the eighteenth of August together with all the munition for warre artillerie and victualls which at this present was therein conditionally if sometime of the day the Duke de Mayne doo not giue him a battell or by force put not within the towne one thousand souldiers or by some meanes doo not raise the siege Also that the sayd Ville Gentlemen and Captains shall depart with armour horses and baggage and the Souldiers with their weapons and horse And that the inhabitants shal be receaued into the Kings fauour entreated as good subiects in rendring him their duetifull obedience but specially and namely that the Lord of Ville his mother may freely remaine there enioy her goods in performing the submission of loyall fidelitie as other subiects Item that if any of the inhabitants be desirous to depart they shal safely passe among the men of warre Item that the Lord Ville shall be permitted to send the Lord of Brouly to the Duke de Mayne to aduertise him of the condition of this capitulation and that the King shall safely conduct him to that effect And for the accomplishing of the premises the sayd Lord Ville hath promised to sende hostages to the King the Lord Rieulx the Abbot of Genlis with foure of the towne such as the King shall choose whom the King doth promise to deliuer vppon the performance of the sayd conditions The King also doth graunt to send two Captaynes into the towne to keepe and see during the time from labouring to the contrary It had pleased the most famous and renowmed Queene of England during this siege to send a new supply of men to the King to assist him in the recouering the possession of his right vnder the conduct of thâ— most honourable and famous Earle of Essex whom the King leauing his power before Noyan went to meet at Gysors in Normandy whom hee receaued in most courteous sort accepting most thankfull her most excellent Maiesties gracious fauour and the said Earle his good and readie will for hazarding himselfe in such a dangerous iourney for his seruice After the death of Frier Sixtus which was hastened by the Spanish faction with a little slubber sauce was elected a newe Vicar of Rome of the house of Sfondraty if I remember well and is as much to say as burst bellie naming himselfe Gregory the 14. This Frier Gregory being set on horsebacke will ride as the prouerbe is vntil he breake his neck First in Ianuary he sent a Legate into France agaynst whom the King procéeded as agaynst an enemie of the publique peace of his subiects and in March last the sayd Frier Gregory pronounced a Bull agaynst the King his Princes Nobles subiects and realme Then not long after it is reported that he sent certain forces mustered out of the Stewes of Rome to the Duke of Sauoy to inuade Prouance conducted by some bastard of his and that Superstition Folly iniury and wrong might goe together he must coniure and charme the Standard of holy Church as all the sort of such idolatrous Antichrists haue bin Coniurers poysoners and Sorcerers many yeares together To play this Comedie he sitteth disguised in his Pontificalibus the Standard of holy Church holden before him he hisseth he bloweth hee mumbleth he crosseth he charmeth he stinketh but behold he that did hold it rather by some presage and token of the fall of that idolatrous rabble than by negligence let the Standard fall vppon the braynesicke Frier Gregories head which not onely did beate downe his triple Crowne from of his head but also gaue a knocke vppon his foolish pate All these companies shortly after were cut to peeces and the charmed Standard taken by the Lord des Diguieres as is reported Fryer Gregorie not content with all these iniurious prouocations sent one M. Marcilius Laudrianus by name an Italian by surname a Britaine but by sawcines and desperatnes a Iesuite vnder the name of his Nuncio to publish a certayne infamous libell full of impietie heresie and sedition vnder a Maske of religion in forme of Bulls against the King his Princes Nobles subieces but specially agaynst the French popish Church which this sawcie companion enterprized to publish at Pont de Larche in Normandie whereupon the K. finding himselfe sore iniâ—ried at the hands of this tyrannous vsurper commaunded his courts of Parliament to proceede by law agaynst these iniuries and so the Kings generall attourney in his court of Parliament holden at Caen in Normandie requiring iustice to be done vnto the King his Princes Nobles and subiects The court of Parliament therefore al Chambers assembled the third day of August did proceede agaynst Fryer Gregorie his person his vsurped tyranny his Nuncio and his Bulls First they doo declare the sayde Fryer Gregorie an enemie vnto the peace of Christianitie a troubler of the Catholick Romane Religion enemie to the King and Estate of France a conspiratour and associate with the rebells within the realme and accessary to the death of the late deceased King most trayterously murthered a firebrand of sedition and stirrer vp of warres and procurer of murthers Secondly they doe condemne his vsurped power vpon the state and Church of France to be vsurped abusiue and wrongful contrary to Gods worde holy decrees and liberties of the French Church commaunding all Primates Archbishops Bishops Colledges Couents Chapters Communalties bodies of Cities Curats Parsons and seruing Priests not to acknowledge any superiority or power of the same Fryer Gregorie nor to render him any obeisance neyther to assist or fauour anie excommunications publications or readings of any thing that should proceede from him The court also dooth forbid not to pursue or receaue of him or anie other whatsoeuer qualitie or conditioÌ„ they be his complices adherents any collations confirmations or prouisions for benefices graces dispensations or other expeditions nor to answere beare or cause to be borne by way of banque or otherwise any gold or siluer to y e court of Rome neither to pay any thing or render obeisance to the Archbishops Bishops his adherents who haue put in execution any of the pretended diffamatory libell
vicar of Rome against the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde therewithall and with the sedicious inuaighing of the Iesuits and Friers to make them odious vnto the people whose liues they could not touch neither by violence nor by any haynous act It is sayd also how the Senat of Paris gaue their iudgement by the way of admonition to the King against the sayd excommunication the Pope himselfe and the procurers of the same The sixt day of Nouember the King of Nauarre answereth to the said excommunication of that beggerly Frier Sixtus and caused the same answere to bee set and fixed vpon the corners of the streates in Rome where publique writings are wont to be set First he doth hold the sayd excommunication false wrongfull voyd and doth appeale from him as no Iudge vnto the Senat of the Péeres of France whereof he is the first Secondly whereas the sayd franticke Sixtus dooth lay heresie to his charge and presumptuously calleth him hereticke the sayd King in one word doth answere that he maliciously and most impudently with reuetence of his goose cap be it spoken doth lye Thirdly the sayd King doth charge the beggerly Frier Sixtus to be an hereticke himselfe and doth proffer to prooue him so in a generall Counsell lawfully assembled Fourthly he doth declare him Antichrist and as vnto such a one he doth denounce a perpetuall and irreconciliable warre vntill that the miurie done to the house of France be satisfied Fiftly he assureth himselfe in God that as he hath assisted his predecessors and made them able to chastize such sawcie companions as he is when they haue forgotten their duetie and passed the bounds of their vocation confounding the ecclesiasticall power with the ciuill So he trusteth in God that being nothing inferiour vnto them God will make him able to reuenge the iniurie offered to the King Crowne State and Parliaments of France Last of all hee dooth implore all Christian Kings and Potentates all States alied and confederated with the Crowne of France to assist him to represse the raging tyrannie and damnable vsurpation of the sayd Frier Sixtus and of all Leaguers and conspirators agaynst the Crowne of France So much also doth protest Henry of Bourbon Prince of Conde This answere of the King of Nauarre being fixed as is sayd in the ordinary places of Rome where such writinges are wont to be set did not moue Frier Sixtus to repentance but as being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did cast him into feare so deeply that he sendeth not long after a Coriero to the Duke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is one that putteth me together by the cares then runneth his way Momorencye to excuse the matter and to remoue the fault from himselfe and to lay it vpon the Leaguers who as he sayth had deceitfully induced him to do what hee had done praying him to smooth the matter with the King of Nauarre and to pacify his displeasure About the 11. of Nouember the King sendeth forth an iniunction to all his officers to seaze vpon the persons and goods of al them that haue born armes with the Prince of Conde who after the breaking of the army at Saloune had returned to theyr houses or returned to their friends and to proceede agaynst them according to the edict of Iulye and the declaration thereof vearing date the 6. of October Also that such as will be reduced to Popery he is willing to pardon to giue them his patents for the same conditionally that they shal be without armes and horse and also that they shall put in good suretyes to persist in the profession of Popery The 19. of Nouember the Shauelinges Cardinals and Bishops made a long exhortation to the King by Sir Emare Henekin Bishop of Saynt Bryen a citye in Britayne In the same long and tedious oration Sir Henekin first did shew him the duty of Kinges toward the holy Church to wit to magnify it to the vttermost of his power Marke this Christian Reader that by the name of Church he meaneth Note the shauelings and by the duty of Kings toward the Church he although in other wordes goeth about to perswade the King to yeeld himselfe prisoner to their willes and affections and to make it short to let them haue what they would haue and to approoue whatsoeuer they would doe Secondly he teacheth the King that it is the holy Ghost who hath inspired him to make the edict of vnion To make the edict of vnion was to replenish his kingdome with bloud Note murther and desolation and to yeeld his authority into the handes of traiterous conspiratours of the League this is a worke of inspiration of the holy ghost by Sir Henekyn his diuinity Well sayd Sir Henekyn goe too this is good stuffe Thirdly hee blameth the King that heretofore he hath not shewed cruelty ynough agaynst them of the reformed but hath suffered them to haue the liberty of theyr religion by his edictes of peace but now he trusteth that hauing reuoked the edict of peace he would play Pyrgopolynices in Plautus Here Sir Henekyn sheweth whose sonne hee is breathing nothing Note but murther and whose scholler to wit Antichrist of Rome which is the trompeter of all mischieues in Christendome Fourthly after breach of the edict of peace Henekyn hopeth that the King will play the man and that all thinges shall goe well Here Sir Henekyn dooth suppose that all thinges shall goe well Note when the King hath throwen himselfe his Nobility his Kingdome and Subiectes into a heape of miseryes and hath opened the dore to desolation and desperation most miserable this is to haue a new heauen and earth to Sir Henekyn Fifthly he assureth the King that he shall haue power ynough to breake the forces of the Heretikes Here Sir Henekyn knowing not that there is neither counsell Note nor power against God to resist his will warranteth the King like a good diuine that he shall performe what Sir Henekyn wisheth Sixtly hee willeth the King to vse such discipline among his Souldiers as that the Priestes be not molested by them Here Sir Henekyn foreseeing what euilles the breach of the edict of peace would breede is well content that other men perish so that hee Note and his fellowes may liue in all pleasures and voluptuousnes without any molestation Sir Henekyn is a good reasonable and kindly fellow Seuenthly hee willeth the King to publish the counsell of Trente and to reforme the Priestes and to cause them to be good and vertuous The King hath resigned into the handes of the Leaguers a great part of his roiall authority Now Sir Henekyn will haue him to publish Note the counsell of Trente that is to resigne the rest of his royall authority to Fryer Sixtus I thinke that his minde is in plaine tearmes the King to become a begging Frier and to goe to Fryer Sixtus to haue a dispensation to forsake his wife and to
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
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
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