Parliament and the other Companies no one man daring to oppose it So much had Fear prevail'd over Courage and Virtue at that time even in those who knowing and detesting in their hearts the injustice of that Oath ought rather to have dyed than basely to have acted against their Consciences But the good success of the Kings Arms was in the mean time preparing the means for them of receiving one day an happy dispensation from himself of that abominable Oath by which 't is most manifest they never cou'd be ty'd For after having made himself Master of all the Lower Normandy he made haste to relieve the Fort of Meulan and thereby constrain'd the Duke of Mayenne to raise his Siege After which having taken the Bridg of Poissy by plain force and in view of the Enemy he led his Victorious Army before Dreux which occasion'd the memorable Battel of Ivry Since the taking of that Town had extremely streightned Paris by excluding it on that side from the passage and the commerce of Normandy La Beauce and the Country about Chartres the Duke of Mayenne resolv'd to relieve it with all his Forces For this purpose having receiv'd a recruit of 1500 Lansquenets and 500 Carabines which King Philip who at the same time publish'd his Manifesto in justification of his Arms had given to the League by the Duke of Parma under the conduct of the Count of Egmont he pass'd the Seine at the Bridg of Mant and advanc'd towards Dreux yet resolving only to put succours into the Town and to keep always on this side the River of Eure that he might avoid the hazard of a Battel But upon the false intelligence which he receiv'd from his Scouts that the King who had really quitted the Siege because he design'd to Fight him was gone from Nonancour and had taken on the left hand the way to Verneüil as if his intentions had been to return to the Lower Normandy he was constrain'd against his own opinion by the clamours of the Superior Officers and especially by the young Count Philip of Egmont to pass over the Bridg of Ivry and to pursue the King in his feign'd retreat till he brought him to a Battel But as the King who wish'd for nothing more than to come to a pitch'd Field with him which he fear'd he would have declin'd was pleasingly surpriz'd to find that he had already pass'd the River so the Duke was not a little amaz'd when he perceiv'd that far from shunning the Engagement the King was marching directly towards him and that he must be forc'd to make good his challenge But as the day was already far spent that every moment there came in to the King some Gentlemen or Soldiers from the neigbouring Garrisons who were desirous to have their share of honour in the Battel and that the Duke of Mayenne on his side mov'd not forward but only kept his ground observing the nature of the Place and what advantages might be taken from its scituation the two Armies which were but a League distant from each other after some light skirmishes retir'd to their Camps resolv'd on both sides to decide the quarrel the next day which was Wednesday the fourteenth of March. Betwixt the River of Eure and that of Itton which passes by Evreux there lyes right over against Ivry a fair Plain of about a League in breadth free from Hedges Ditches Mounds or even so much as Bushes to hinder an open passage through it on all sides bounded on the East with a little Wood and the River of Eure on which the Burrough of Ivry is scituate and on the West by the Villages of St. Andr◠and Fourcanville where the King was quarter'd the Night before the Battel In this Plain the Royal Army and that of the League were drawn up almost at the same time betwixt the Hours of Eight and Nine in the following order The King advancing five or six hundred paces before the Villages of St. André and Fourcanville which he had at his back form'd his gross Squadron of 600 Horse in five Divisions each of 120 The first of which wherein he intended to Fight in Person was compos'd of Princes Dukes Counts Marquesses Blew Ribbands and great Lords for the most part Catholiques the strength of his Army consisting chiefly in those of that Religion For when it was known that the League for the maintenance of their cause was turn'd Spaniard the French Nobility and Gentry whose hearts were too generous to suffer that such a reproach shou'd be fastned on them abandon'd that Party and every day came over in great numbers to the King So that he soon found himself in a condition of overpow'ring the League and Spaniard with the assistance of their Arms even though there had not been an Huguenot in his Army who in reality were but an incosiderable number in comparison of that great multitude of Soldiers and especially Gentlemen Catholiques which came in by whole Troops together from all parts and made up almost all the strength of his Army And that which drew down the Blessing and Protection of God Almighty on it was that the day before the Engagement when it was evident that the Enemy who had pass'd the River cou'd not avoid coming to a Battel these Princes Lords Gentlemen-Catholiques and Soldiers who follow'd their example were all at the celebration of Mass at Nonancour and there communicated together The King for his part having already in his Soul great inclinations to be converted protested the same day to those Princes and Great Persons that he humbly pray'd the Almighty God who is the searcher of all hearts to dispose of his Person in that bloody day accordingly as he shou'd please to judge it necessary for the universal good of Christendom and in particular for the safety and repose of France With these pious thoughts he plac'd himself the next morning at the Head of his gross Squadron of six hundred Horse he was flanck'd on the right hand with a gross Battalion of two Swisse Regiments rais'd from the Cantons of Soleure and on the left with another Battalion of two Regiments of the Canton of Glaris and of Grisons these Battalions being sustain'd that on the right hand by the Regiment of Guards and of Brigneux and that on the left by the Regiments of Vignoles and of St. Iean The Duke of Montpensier follow'd them drawing a little towards the left with his Squadron of betwixt 5 and 600 Horse betwixt two Regiments one of Lansquenets and the other of Swisses cover'd by two Battalions which were the Flower of the French Infantry the Marshal d' Aumont clos'd his left having in his Squadron 300 good Horse flanck'd with two French Regiments and before him the light Horse in two Troops each consisting of 200 men commanded by the Grand Prior their Colonel and by Givry their Marshal de Camp and these last had on their right hand on the same Line the Baron de Biron who with
weighty reasons the rules of War and even those of common sense In pursuance of this he first of all others having resolv'd upon the Battel and giving onely this for his reason that the Enemy whom he held inclos'd betwixt two Rivers cou'd not possibly escape in case they march'd directly to him before he had time to get away all the young Nobless who surrounded him gave such loud applause of his opinion crying out Battel Battel that they drew the rest into the same resolution no man being able or daring to resist the torrent And there was so much of presumption in this Council which was so hastily concluded that the Duke as if he were assur'd of victory fearing nothing but that the Enemy shou'd escape his hands before he cou'd come up to him began even before midnight to march his Army towards Coutras that he might attack the King of Navarre at break of Day But that Prince being inform'd of his intentions by his Scouts and foreseeing that he shou'd be constrain'd to come to a Battel unless he wou'd incur the manifest danger of being beaten if he shou'd make his retreat in the face of the Enemy was resolv'd for that reason to march towards him and spare him the pains of half his way In effect having heard the account of a rough Skirmish which happen'd in the Night betwixt the Scouts and the Light Horse of the two Armies without any considerable advantage on either side he got on Horseback a little before Day and advancing towards the Enemy he went to possess himself of the Place he had design'd for the Field of Battel which was a Plain betwixt six and seven hundred paces of Diameter on the far side of a little Wood about half a League distant from Coutras having that Town on his Back on his left hand the Drogne which bounds the Plain on that side and on his right hand a Warren a Copse lopp'd the year before a kind of little Park bending towards the Enemy and fenc'd onely with an Hedge and Ditch There it was that he drew up his Army in Battalia which consisted in the whole of about four thousand five hundred Foot and two thousand five hundred Horse He plac'd on his right Wing the biggest of the two Battalions of his Infantry made up of the Regiments of Castelnau Parabere Salignac and some other Companies who extended themselves in the Warren advancing even to the Hedge and Ditch which fenc'd the little Park that cover'd them These were sustain'd on their left by the Squadron of Light Horse which had at their Head La Trimoüille Vivans Arambure and Vignoles who Commanded them and before them an hundred and twenty Arquebusiers for their Forlorn Hope There follow'd them sloping always to the left the whole Gendarmery divided into six Squadrons the first consisting at most of two hundred Gentlemen almost all Gascons Commanded by the Vicount of Turenne accompanied by Pardaillan Fontrailles and Choupes There came after them at the distance of sixty Paces the Squadron of the Prince of Condè who had with him Louis de Saint Gelais Marshal de Camp des Agueaux Montaterre the Vicount of Gourdon the Vidame of Chartres and more than two hundred and fifty Men at Arms. There was an Interval of an hundred and fifty Paces betwixt the Prince and the King of Navarre who Rode at the Head of his Squadron of three hundred Gentlemen amongst whom were the Lords de la Force de Ponts de la Boulaye and de Foix Candale who bore the Standard At last follow'd the young Count of Soissons having after him the famous Captain Favas and two hundred Horse in his Squadron distant from the King two hundred Paces and sustain'd on his left along the River side by another gross Battalion compos'd of the very flower of the Regiments which were Commanded by Charbonniere the young Montgomery de Preaux de la Borie and de Neuvy All these Squadrons made up a large Front and were of little Depth that they might take up the more in Bredth And the King of Navarre as he had formerly seen it practis'd by the Admiral of Coligny had cast into their Intervals on both sides of his Horse small Parties of Dragoons by fifteen and twenty in a Company who some of them with one Knee on the Ground some of them half Stooping and some of them standing upright that they might not mischieve one another shou'd discharge upon the Enemy at fifteen foot distance for certainty â—o Execution And his Artillery which the Night before he had left beyond the River that he might pass it more speedily to gain Coutras being come up to him just in the nick under the Convoy of George Clermont d' Amboise Master of the Ordnance was advantageously plac'd on a small ascent at the right hand of the Count of Soissâ—ns Thus was this Army rang'd in form of a Crescent whose two Battalions of Infantry more advanc'd than the Squadrons towards the Enemy made the two Horns and betwixt both of them the Squadrons of the Prince of Condè and the Vicount of Turenne form'd the hollow of the middle part In the mean time the Duke of Ioyeuse having pass'd through certain narrow and troublesome ways which lay betwixt his last Nights Lodging and the Plain and that with difficulty enough which was caus'd by the disorderly March of his young Gallants whose eagerness was not to be commanded the Marquis of Lavardin his Marshal de Camp a great Souldier on whom chiefly he rely'd drew up his Army into Battalia as well as the disorder wou'd give him leave his whole Forces at that time not amounting to more than nine thousand men and those ill Disciplin'd Over against that gross Battalion which inclos'd the right Wing of the Enemy he plac'd on his left Wing the Regiments of Picardy and Tiercelin which form'd a Battalion of eight hundred Musquetiers cover'd with about a thousand Corslets These had on their right hand the Light Horsemen and the Albanois Commanded by their Captain Mercurius Buat and another Squadron of four hundred Lances whom Lavardin himself chose to Lead in the room of Monsieur de Souvrè who lay dangerously hurt of a fall Montigny who Commanded another of five hundred Lances was plac'd on the same hand in opposition to the Vicount of Turenne after which bending still towards the River which they had on their right Hand there was extended on both sides the way right over against the three Princes a gross of twelve hundred Lances wherein was the Person of the General and the Standard born by the Sieur de Maillay Bressay The whole body of the young Gallants who were Voluntiers with the greatest part of the Noblemen and Gentlemen were in this gross the first Rank of which was compos'd onely of Counts Marquesses and Barons having at their Head the Duke of Ioyeuse accompanied by his younger Brother the Marquis of Saint Sauveur and the brave St. Luc and
Pike against the Regiment des Cluseaux having beheld the rout of the light Horsemen and the Gascons and hearing the shouts of Victory which were already Echo'd from the Duke's Army were not discourag'd from passing on and discharging furiously at a very small distance after which changing hands with their Musquets and taking to their Swords they cry'd out to each other with a generous despair let us run to our death in that Battalion they open'd their passage through the Enemies Pikes which they either cut asunder or struck aside they broke in upon them they scatter'd them and made a terrible Execution On the other part the Gentlemen and Cavaliers of the Prince's Squadron seeing those of their Companions who fled and their Enemies pursuing at their Heels with shouts of Joy cast on them a fierce disdainfull look and told one another laughing these People have their Business yet to doe we are they that must abate their pride And it fell out as they desir'd the Enemy came up to them For the Duke of Ioyeuse swell'd with the happy success of the first Encountâ—r and believing he went to a Victory as good as gotten spurs on before his Troups making a pompous shew his rich Armour glittering with Gold and Silver and ennammell almost hidden under his Plumes and Ribands and making a sign both with his Voice and Hand for all his Braves to follow him the whole Squadron together take their carrier of four hundred paces and giving the Reins to their Horses with their Lances in the rest run at full speed against the three Princes In the mean time the King of Navarre who that day was onely habited like a private Souldier in a plain gray Suit of Arms with a Head-piece of the same barefac'd to be known in the thickest of the throng rode through every rank in few words exhorted the nearest to him and with his Gesture and his Eyes the more remote to Fight like men of Honour for the rights of thâ— Royal House and onely to behave themselves like him After which placing before him eight Gentlemen of such as were the surest arm'd with strong Lances to overturn the first who made head against him and to open his passage into the Squadron he commanded his men to advance onely ten paces and to expect the shock of the Enemy ordering his Horsemen who for the most part were Arm'd but with Sword and Pistol not to Fire but at a very near distance that every shot might certainly take place These Orders being well executed were the gaining of the Battail for that gross of Horse which came up to the Charge at full Gallop was well clear'd by the furious discharge that was made by the first Ranks of the Dragoons which the Princes had divided amongst their Squadrons Many of those Counts and Marquesses and young Courtiers who had taken that Post of Honour were beaten from their Horses and for the rest who had taken their carrier too far they were out of breath when they shou'd have given the blow with their Lances their strokes were so feeble that they had little or no effect and the Princes broke in upon them with so much Vigour and promptitude that they gave them not leisure to let their Lances descend which therefore they were forc'd to throw away and betake themselves to their Swords and Pistols By this means they were reduc'd to an equality of Arms but with very different success For the three Squadrons of the Princes being at a just distance from each other and in excellent order attacqu'd that of Ioyeuse on three sides The King of Navarre charging him in Front the two Princes in the Flanks the Count of Soissons on the right side and the Prince of Condè on the left All three of them in that bloudy medley performing what cou'd possibly be expected from Valiant men But the King of Navarre conspicuous above the rest that he might animate his Souldiers who beheld him exposing himself to danger like the meanest man amongst them gave admirable proofs of his courage in every place He came even to shouldring in the Press such of the Enemies whom the ardour of combating or the crowd of the combatants drove by chance against him and finding himself ingag'd betwixt two Valiant men the Baron de Fumel and Monsieur de Chasteau Renard who was Guidon to Sansaac who made up to him with their Swords on high while at the same instant a Gendarme struck on his Head-piece with the Truncheon of his Lance he fir'd his Pistol on one of them collard the other whom he took Prisoner crying out to him yield Philistin and disengag'd himself from the third who was immediately taken by one of his Esquires In conclusion all that great body of Gendarmery in which consisted almost the whole strength of the Duke's Army having been so vigourously charg'd and broke on every side was overthrown cut in pieces and intirely defeated in less than half an hour without being able once to Rally and that not out of Cowardise but on the contrary what never or very rarely happens by the too great courage of the vanquish'd Party For the greater part of them being Lords of the highest Quality and Gentlemen almost all young full of bravery and fire they thought so little of dispersing or of betaking themselves to Flight that there were not ten of them kill'd or made Prisoners out of the Field of Battail where they rather chose to perish than to yield one foot of ground After this defeat the Conquerours having joyn'd their own Battalions who encourag'd by the example fought with almost equal advantage against the adverse Infantry it was no longer a Combat but a most horrible Slaughter of that miserable Foot to whom they gave no manner of Quarter because Ioyeuse had given none to the two Regiments which he had defeated near St. Maixant As for that Duke when he beheld that all was lost instead of taking on the right hand to save himself at La Roche Chalais he turn'd upon the left with intention to go to his Cannon and Fighting beside it to end his days saying to St. Luc who ask'd him what he resolv'd to doe To live no longer Monsieur de St. Luc but to die generously after my Misfortune But even that last Happiness was deni'd him for he had not made twenty or thirty Paces towards his Artillery when he fell into the hands of two Captains St. Christopher and la Viole and as he was offering them for his Ransome an hundred thousand Crowns a Sum which those two Captains had not been very sorry to receive there came up two others Bourdeaux and des Centiers who whether out of hatred or revenge or out of spight that they had not taken him themselves to have shar'd so great a Ransome basely discharg'd their Pistols on him Shot him into the Head and overturn'd him dead upon the place The Valiant St. Luc who took upon the spot a
to Monsoreau upon the Loire where he waited to receive them with his Troups Thus the Army dislodging from Neuvy and turning their back to the Loire took the Road toward Beauce marching by little journeys all along the River of Loing where they found good Quarters on the Estate of Monsieur de Chastillon who spar'd for nothing to content the Germans In the mean time the Duke of Guise who lay betwixt that River and the Yonne and had re-assembled all his Forces near Charny to observe from thence the motions of the Enemy having receiv'd information that they were quarter'd on the twenty fourth of October in the neighbourhood of Chastillon advanc'd as far as Courtenay taking his march from thence towards the lower part of the River thereby to put himself betwixt them and Paris and to cover that great City which lay open to them so that five or six thousand Reyters detach'd from their Army were capable of giving some terrible Alarm to the Citizens by Plundering and Firing of their Suburbs This occasion'd the Parisians to redouble their ardent affection to that Prince regarding him at that time as their onely Protectour and the Leaguers who omitted no opportunity of decrying the conduct of the King made them believe that he stopp'd short at Gien on set purpose to abandon them to the fury of the Reyters who without this interposition of the Duke of Guise had ransack'd all things to their very Gates But this was the least part of their design for they intended nothing more than to pass on the left hand through a Countrey more open and more easie betwixt the Forest of Orleans and Montargis and to enter as fast as they were able into the Plains of Beauce For which reason as soon as he had discovered by his Spies that their Quarters were taken up for the twenty sixth of October spreading two Leagues about Montargis on the left side of the River he order'd the Sieur de la Chastre to depart about midnight with the Light Horse who arriving at Montargis at seven of the Clock in the Morning on the same day being the twenty sixth caus'd the Gates of the Town immediately to be shut that no advice might be given to the Enemies and the Duke of Guise came thither about noon with one half of the Army the other half not being able to come up till the evening As he sate at Table supping with the Princes who accompanied him one of his best Officers who had been sent to take a view of the Enemy return'd to make his report saying that he had seen seven or eight Cornets of the Reyters who took up their Quarters with their General at Vimory a Burrough almost half a League in compass a League and half above Montargis and situate not far from the River which it had on the right hand His intelligence was true but he knew not that fourteen other Cornets of them which arriv'd afterwards were lodg'd in the same place that the French were Quarter'd but half a League beyond the Ladon and the Lansquenets and Swissers in two other Villages which were but the distance of a League from them The Duke after he had consider'd for some time what was to be done on this report believ'd that those Quarters at Vimory might easily be carried in the Night that the others wheresoever they might be hearing the Alarm and at the same time fearing to be attack'd themselves wou'd think rather how to secure themselves in their own Post and stay for day-light than to march in the dark to the succour of their Fellows that after he had defeated the Reyters in the next place he might attacque the rest and put their whole Army to a rout and in conclusion if he shou'd miss his blow he had secur'd himself a retreat in the Burrough of Montargis Thus resolv'd and rising briskly from the Table before he had done Supper he gave command that they shou'd sound to Horse and that every one shou'd be in readiness to march an hour after at the farthest The Duke of Mayenne not a little surpris'd at the sudden orders ask'd him whither he was going he cooly answer'd him to fight the Enemy And after having in few words satisfi'd them of the reasonableness of his undertaking he added that if any man thought the attempt too hazardous he had free leave to stay behind at Montargis It may very probably succeed said the Duke of Mayenne and we will all follow you yet we are a little too hot upon the execution of it and it wou'd not doe amiss to weigh the business somewhat better Understand Brother repli'd the Guise raising his Voice beyond the ordinary tone that I shou'd not come to a resolution of any thing in all my life which I cou'd not resolve on at a quarter of an hours thinking On this he Arm'd and mounted on Horseback finding all his Men in readiness to follow him full of gaiety in their faces and not doubting in the least of Victory under his Command against all imaginable odds of number So important a thing it is in War for Souldiers to have confidence in their Captain that they believe his fortune his valour and his capacity in Military affairs will always answer for the good success of whatsoever he undertakes All the Orders being given the Infantry which was in the Suburbs was caus'd to pass through the body of the Town an hour before the shutting in of the Evening and drawn up in Battalia half a League beyond it It was divided into three Battalions each of them consisting of a thousand men Captain St. Paul commanded that on the right hand Ioannes had the left with his Regiment which form'd the second Chevriers and Pontsenac were in the middle at the head of the third the remainder was left at the entry of the Bridge and in the Town in order to the favouring of their retreat The Duke of Guise who had waited till eight of the clock for seven or eight hundred Horse of his Army which were not yet arriv'd from Courtenay distant seven long Leagues from Montargis was resolv'd notwithstanding to go on and advancing the gross of his Cavalry before his Foot he Marshall'd it in four Squadrons Monsieur de Mayenne led the first of three hundred Horse at the head of the Army he was sustain'd by Monsieur de Elbeuf with his of two hundred Men at Arms. The Duke of Guise plac'd himself on the left hand and Monsieur d' Aumale on the right of the Infantry having each of them three hundred Horse In this Order this little Army march'd directly on to Vimory through a long Plain and in a night so dark that one man cou'd not discern another Notwithstanding which they kept on their way till the Guides having advertis'd Monsieur de Mayenne that they were just upon Vimory he sent before him four Cavaliers who found neither Sentinel set nor Guard advanc'd nor Barrs at the entry of
Picardy in which Country almost all the Noblemen and Gentlemen who had been the first to sign the League had now totally relinquish'd it But that the courage of the Soldiers might not cool who were eager to be at blows with the Enemy he satisfy'd himself with bidding the Sieur de Vic who was Sergeant Major General to show them the Post he had appointed for them which immediately on their Arrival they tooâ— up with resolution to signalize themselves that day This being order'd without more delay he gave the sign of Battel and the work began with the discharge of their Cannon which was so well perform'd by the Master of the Ordnance Philibert de la Guiche that before those of the League began to play nine Cannonades were given by â—he Royalists which did great execution on the Enemy and particularly shatter'd the Squadrons of the Reiters Thus after three or four vollyes on either side two gross Squadrons made up of Italians and French and flank'd with Lansquenets advanc'd and came up to the charge against the Left Wing of the Royal Army that they might put themselves under covert from the storm of the Great Guns But the Marshal d' Aumont who was in that Wing having advanc'd likewise the better half of the way to meet them drove upon them so furiously that they turn'd their backs and pursuing them with slaughter to the entry of the little Wood which bounds the Plain he immediately return'd to his Post according to the Orders which he had receiv'd from the King While these men were so ill treated the Reiters on the Right Hand being desirous to gain the Cannon by which their Squadron had been so miserably torn went to Charge the Kings light Horsemen with so much fury that they forc'd them immediately to give back and at the same time two other Squadrons of Flemmings and Walloons seeing them already shaken advanc'd to break them But the Baron of Biron on the one side and the Duke of Montpensier on the other charging them on the Flanks first stopp'd them then broke in upon them and afterwards pierc'd quite through them and the Light Horse who had this time given them to rally returning to the charge the Reiâ—ers gave ground most basely abandoning the Walloons and not being able to make their retreat or rather to save themselves through the intervals which were too narrow they overturn'd their own men and put all things in a terrible conâ—usion notwithstanding the care which was us'd by the Duke of Bruâ—swick their Colonel who was never able to rally them and therefore put himself into the Squadron of Walloons desiring rather to perish with those valiant men who were inclos'd on all sides and cut in pieces than to save himself by flying with his own Runaways In this manner the Battel was maintain'd on either part with extreme obstinacy for some time and all the Squadrons of both Armies fell in so vigorously that they were mix'd with each other excepting only that of Mareschal dâ— Biron who with his Body of Reserve made it his business to hinder the Enemy from rallying which he perform'd But that which decided the fortune of this great day and assur'd the Victory to the King was his own Heroick Valour which he made conspicuous by combating that formidable Squadron of 1800 Lanciers which the Duke of Mayenne had made so strong for no other reason than to charge with great advantage of number upon that of the King not at all doubting but if he cou'd break that Body the Victory wou'd be his own Observing then that the Reiters were absolutely routed and fearing lest they shou'd disorder his men by falling back upon them he drew after him that great Body of Horse and caus'd 400 chosen Carabins to advance first who were all of them arm'd Head and Breast whom the Count dâ— Tavannâ—s who led them up commanded to discharge within five and twenty Paces of the first Rank of the Royal Squadron with intention to clear it And at the same time the Duke of Mayenne who appear'd at the Head of his Men mounted on a Turkish Horse the most beautiful that cou'd be seen made up furiously with his Lance couch'd and follow'd by the gross of his Cavalry to the Kings own Troop which he believ'd to be already well shaken by that sudden and terrible Discharge who nevertheless sustain'd the fury of that Shock keeping firm in their Saddles and some there were who had three Lances broken on them without loosing of their Stirrups But the most admirable part of this Encounter was that the King advancing twice the length of his Horse before the Front of his Squadron with his Pistol in his hand thrust into the midst of that thick Wood of Lances and charg'd with so much ardour of Courage into their Body that he gave them to understand by this wonderful Action he was no less a most valiant Soldier than a most expert and great Commander And indeed he was so bravely follow'd by the Princes and Lords of that Squadron whom his Example had rais'd to emulation that after an obstinate Dispute which endured a long quarter of an hour and was maintain'd with Swords and Pistols in that confus'd Medly where the Lances were of no farther use this great Squadron of the Duke of Mayenne was broken dispers'd and cut in pieces or wholly routed neither cou'd the Duke who that day perform'd all the parts of a valiant Soldier and a great General even in the opinion of the King himself either stay their Flight or rally them afterwards with all the endeavours he cou'd use Insomuch that seeing himself almost inclos'd he retir'd amongst the last of his men to the Bridge of Ivry which he caus'd to be broken down after he had pass'd the greatest part of his routed Army over it and then for his own safety fled to Mant. The rest with the Duke of Nemours the Chevalier d' Aumale Rosne Tavannes and Bassompierre having taken the way of the Plain escap'd to Chartres In the mean time the Victorious Party were in great trouble for the King who had vanish'd out of their sight in that gross Squadron of 1800 Lances into which he had charg'd before the rest when at length they beheld him returning and bearing aloft his bloody Sword having defeated three Cornets of VValloons which were left amongst the two Battalions of Swisses and came desperately upon him after he had Charg'd through the Duke of Mayenne's Squadron At his appearance the whole Field of Battel rang wiâ—h loud Acclamations and Shouts of Vive Le Roy. Then the Victory being assur'd and absolute no other Enemies remaining in the Field but those Swisses for the rest of the Foot and particularly the Lansquenets being forsaken by their Cavalry had been cut in pieces excepting those who provided early for their safety the King that he might gratifie the Cantons took them to mercy on condition they shou'd henceforth keep more
Arques 748 c. at the attacquing the Suburbs of Paris 752. at the Battel of Ivry 775. at the Siege of Roan 845. he is kill'd before Espernay 862. counsels the King to put Fryer Ange and his Penitents in Prison Pag. 369 367 The Baron of Biron at the Battel of Ivry 775. at the Battel of Fontan Francoise 946 947 The Sieur de Bois-Dauphin enters into the League 105 John Boucher Curate of St. Benets a grand Leaguer and his Character 95. his Chamber is call'd the Cradle of the League 99. causes the Alarm-Bell to be rung in his Parish Church at the Sergeants and Archers that would seize the Seditious 304. preaches against the King 431 432. retires into Flanders with the Spaniards after the reducing of Paris 943 The Duke of Bouillon la Mark General of the German Army 231 233 Charles Cardinal de Bouâ—bon put by the Duke of Guise as a Ghost at the Head of the League 92. his weakness and ridiculous pretension 93 102 114. his Manifesto or that of the League under his name 114. the King declares him to be the nearest of Blood and gives him the Prerogatives of the Presumptive Heir of the Crown 382. He presides over the Clergy at the Estates of Blois 388. is seiz'd Prisoner 403. is declar'd King by the Council of the Union 739. and proclaim'd by the Name of Charles X. 764 765. his death in Prison Pag. 821 Charles de Bourbon Count de Soissons joins with the King of Navarre at Monforeau 198. his Valour at the Battel of Coutras 221 222. at the attacquing the Suburbs of Paris 753 Henry de Bourbon Prince de Conde brings an Army of Germans into France 10. is excommunicated by Pope Sixtus Quintus 132. drives the Duke of Mercoeur from Poitou 146. the History of his unhappy Expedition upon Anger 's 145 146. espouses Charlotte Catharine de la Trimoille 147. quits the Siege of Brouage where he leaves his Infantry and marches with his Cavalry to relieve Anger 's where his Army is scatter'd and how 150. his firmness at the Conference of St. Brix 162 163. his Valour at the Battel of Coutras 207 c. his Death and Elogy 329 330 c. Henry XI de Bourbon Prince de Conde a grand Enemy to the Heresie of the Calvinists notwithstanding that he was born of a Calvinistical Father and Mother 148. his Elogy ib. c. Lovis de Bourbon Duke of Monpensier manages the Conference at St. Brix 162. joins with the Troops of the King's Army at Gien 260. his Valour at the Combat of Arques 748. at the Battel of Ivry 774. Andrew Brancas de Villars maintains the Siege of Roan with great honour 845. puts all the Camp in disorder 850 851. is made Admiral of the League Pag. 872 Anthony de Brichanteau Beauvais Nangis enters into the League and why 106 107 c. re-enters into the King's favour who gives him the Signet of Admiral of France 393 394 The President Brisson head of the Parliament of the League 450. secretly protests before Notari of the violence that he suffers ib. the Sixteen cause him to be hang'd 837 Peter Brulart sent to the King of Navarre to convert him 140 141 c. his Elogy and that of his House ib. his Banishment from Court 384 William Duke of Brunswick at the Battel of Ivry where he is slain 789 Bussy le Clerc a furious Leaguer 98. takes Arms to hinder de Prevost Curate of St. Severnes from being apprehended who had preach'd seditiously against the King 303 304. is made Governour of the Bastille after the Barricades 365. leads the Parliament to the Bastille how and under what pretext 444 445. is constrain'd to surrender the Bastille to the Duke of Mayenne 838. saves himself in Flanders where he dies miserable 839 840 C. CArdinal Cajetan sent Legat into France by Sixtus Quintus 758. hinders an Accommodation being made with the King though he should be converted 766. runs the risque of being kill'd at the Shew of the Ecclesiastics and Monks during the Siege of Paris Pag. 808 Queen Catharine de Medicis engages the King in the War against the Hugonots 7. concludes a Peace at the Court of the Religion 11 12 13. she hinders the King from opposing the League at first 60. she maintains it under-hand 80. she would exclude the King of Navarre from the Succession that the Prince of Lorrain her Grandson might reign 85. she holds a Correspondence with the Duke of Guise and hinders the King from arming himself against him 117. her Conference with the King of Navarre at St. Brix's 161. she carries the Duke of Guise to the Louvre and mollifies the King's anger 344. counsels the King to go out of Paris 362. she suffers her self to be amus'd by the Duke of Guise who enters very dextrously into her Interests 371 372. her surprize at the death of the Guises 403. her Death 437. 438. her Elogy and Portrait 438 439 c. Claude de la Chastre Bailiff of Beny 105. Mareschal of the Camp in the Duke â—f Guise's Army against the Râ—yters 246 250 266. marches the first to Montargis to surprize the Reyters at Vimory 266 267 268. his advance to Dourdan to surround them in Aunâ—au 279. what part he had in the defeat of the Reyters at Auneau 268. he preserves Berry and Orleans for the League 493. is made Mareschal of the League 872. he makes his Peace and re-enters into Obedience Pag. Pag. 936 The Count de Chastillon Son of the Admiral brings assistance to the Army of the Reyters 233 258. his brave reâ—reat in the middle of an infinite number of Enemies 298. repulses the Troops of the Duke of Mayenne before Tours 482. defeats the Troops of Sieur de Saveuse 491. his Valour at the Combat of Arques 742 748. he misses taking Paris by storm 812. he 's the principal cause of the happy success at the Siege at Chartres 817 818. his Death and Elogy ib. 819 Clement VIII Pope would not receive the Catholick Deputies of the Royal Party 861. nor the Duke of Nevers that went to render him Obâ—diâ—nce 933. after having a long time refus'd to give the King Absolution he gives it at last 934 The Combat and Retrâ—at at Pont St. Vincent 246 c. The Combat at Vimoroy 267 c. The Combat at Auneau where the Reyters were defeated Pag. 277 c. Combat at Fontain Francoise 947 The Conference of the Duke of Espernon with the King of Navarre about his Conversion 87 c. Conference at d'Espernay and de Meaux 121 The Conference of Sieur Lennoncour and President Brulart with the King of Navarre for his Conversion 140 141 c. The Conference at St. Brix between the Queen-mother and the King of Navarre the Prince of Conde and the Vicount de Turenne 161 162 c. The Conference at Nancy between the Princes of the House of Lorrain 184 c. The Conference of Henry III. with Cardinal
THE HISTORY OF THE LEAGUE Written in FRENCH By Monsieur MAIMBOVRG Translated into ENGLISH According to His Majesty's Command By Mr. DRYDEN Neque enim libertas gratior ulla est Quà m sub Rege Pio TO The King SIR HAving receiv'd the Honour of Your Majesty's Commands to Translate the History of the League I have apply'd my self with my utmost diligence to Obey them First by a thorough understanding of my Authour in which I was assisted by my former knowledge of the French History in general and in particular of those very Transactions which he has so Faithfully and Judiciously related Then by giving his Thoughts the same Beauty in our Language which they had in the Original and which I most of all endeavour'd the same force and perspicuity Both of which I hope I have perform'd with some Exactness and without any Considerable Mistake But of this Your Majesty is the truest Judge who are so great a Master of the Original and who having read this piece when it first was publish'd can easily find out my Failings but to my Comâ—ort can more easily forgive them I confess I cou'd never have laid hold on that Vertue of Your Royal Clemency at a more unseasonable time when your Enemies have so far abus'd it that Pardons are grown dangerous to Your Safety and consequently to the Welfare of Your Loyal Subjects But frequent forgiveness is their Encouragement they have the Sanctuary in their Eye before they attempt the Crime and take all measures of Security either not to need a Pardon if they strike the Blow or to have it granted if they fail Upon the whole matter Your Majesty is not upon equal Terms with them You are still forgiving and they still designing against Your Sacred Life Your principle is Mercy their 's inveterate Malice when one onely Wards and the other Strikes the prospect is sad on the defensive side Hercules as the Poets tell us had no advantage on Anteus by his often throwing him on â—he ground for he laid him â—nely in his Mothers Lap which â—n effect was but doubling his Strength to renew the Combat These Sons of Earth are never to be trusted in their Mother Element They must be hoysted into the Air and Strangled If the Experiment of Clemency were new if it had not been often try'd without Effect or rather with Effects quite contrary to the intentions of Your Goodness your Loyal Subjects are generous enough to pity their Countrey-men though Offenders But when that pity has been always found to draw into example of greater Mischiefs when they continually behold both Your Majesty and themselves expos'd to Dangers the Church the Government the Succession still threatned Ingratitude so far from being Converted by gentle means that it is turn'd at last into the nature of the damn'd desirous of Revenge and harden'd in Impenitence 'T is time at length for self preservation to cry out for Justice and to lay by Mildness when it ceases to be a Vertue Almighty God has hitherto Miraculously preserv'd You but who knows how long the Miracle will continue His Ordinary Operations are by second Causes and then Reason will conclude that to be preserv'd we ought to use the lawfull means of preservation If on the other side it be thus Argu'd that of many Attempts one may possibly take place if preventing Justice be not employ'd against Offenders What remains but that we implore the Divine Assistance to Avert that Judgment which is no more than to desire of God to work another and another and in Conclusion a whole Series of Miracles This Sir is the general voice of all true Englishmen I might call it the Loyal Address of three Nations infinitely solicitous of Your Safety which includes their own Prosperity 'T is indeed an high presumption for a man so inconsiderable as I am to present it but Zeal and dutifull Affection in an Affair of this Importance will make every good Subject a Counsellor â—Tis in my Opinion the Test of Loyalty and to be either a Friend or Foe to the Government needs no other distinction than to declare at this time either for Remisness or Justice I said at this time because I look not on the Storm as Overblown 'T is still a gusty kind of Weather there is a kind of Sickness in the Air it seems indeed to be clear'd up for some few hours but the Wind still blowing from the same Corner and when new matter is gather'd into a body it will not fail to bring it round and pour upon us a second Tempest I shall be glad to be found a false Prophet but he was certainly Inspir'd who when he saw a little Cloud arising from the Sea and that no bigger than a hand gave immediate notice to the King that he might mount the Chariot before he was overtaken by the Storm If so much Care was taken of an Idolatrous King an Usurper a Persecutour and a Tyrant how much more vigilant ought we to be in the Concernments of a Lawfull Prince a Father of his Countrey and a Defender of the Faith who stands expos'd by his too much Mercy to the unwearied and endless Conspiracies of Paricides He was a better Prince than the former whom I mention'd out of the Sacred History and the Allusion comes yet more close who stopp'd his hand after the third Arrow Three Victories were indeed obtain'd but the effect of often shooting had been the total Destruction of his Enemies To come yet nearer Henry the Fourth Your Royal Grandfather whose Victories and the Subversion of the League are the main Argument of this History was a Prince most Clement in his Nature he forgave his Rebels and receiv'd them all into Mercy and some of them into Favour but it was not till he had fully vanquish'd them they were sensible of their Impiety they submitted and his Clemency was not extorted from him it was his Free-gift and it was seasonably given I wish the Case were here the same I confess it was not much unlike it at Your Majesty's happy Restauration yet so much â—f the parallel was then wanting that the Amnesty you gave produc'd not all the desir'd Effects For our Sects are of a more obstinate Nature than were those Leaguing Catholiques who were always for a King and yet more the major part of them wou'd have him of the Royal Stem But our Associators and Sectaries are men of Commonwealth principles and though their first stroke was onely aim'd at the immediate Succession it was most manifest that it wou'd not there have ended for at the same time they were hewing at your Royal Prerogatives So that the next Successor if there had been any must have been a precarious Prince and depended on them for the necessaries of Life But of these and more Outragious proceedings your Majesty has already shewn your self justly sensible in Your Declaration after the Dissolution of the last Parliament which put an end to the Arbitrary Encroachments
The disposal of his Army the order of the Attacque the Fight the entire defeat of the Reyters without any loss on his side The Treaty of the Duke of Espernon with the remainders of those Germans their lamentable return The Duke of Guise pursues them to the Frontiers of Germany he permits the County of Mont Beliard to be plunder'd The insolence of the Leaguers after that Victory The too great goodness of the King of which the seditious make advantage The horrible flying out of Prevost Curate of St. Severin and of Boucher Curate of St. Bennet The day of St. Severin The scandalous Decree of the faction of Doctours in the Sorbonne who were for the Sixteen The Duke of Guise is refus'd the Office of Admiral which he demands for Brissac and it is given to the Duke of Espernon his Enemy The Character and Pourtraict of that Duke The Haâ—e which is born him the Indignation of the Duke of Guise for his refusal and for the advancement of his Enemy makes him resolve to push his Fortune to the utmost The Contents of the Third Book MAny Prodigies which presag'd the evils to come The Conference at Nancy of all the Princes of the House of Lorrain The Articles of the Request which they present to the King against the Royal Authority The Dissimulation of the King finding himself prest to answer it precisely The Death of the Prince of Condè the Encomium of that Prince the King at length takes up a resolution to punish the Sixteen His preparations for it the allarm of it taken by the Parisians they implore the Assistance of the Duke of Guise who promises to give it Monsieur de Bellievre carries him the King's Orders to Soissons which are that he shou'd not come to Paris The Answer which he made to Bellievre notwithstanding that Order He comes to Paris The description of his Entry with acclamations and extraordinary transports of joy of the Parisians The irresolution of the King when he saw him at the Louvre That which past at their interview and in the Queens Garden The King commands all Strangers to depart from Paris The Leaguers oppose it the description of the day of the Barricades The Count of Brisâ—ac begins them they are carried on within 50 paces of the Louvre the Duke of Guise stops the Citizens and causes the King's Souldiers to be Disarm'd and then reconducted into the Louvre The true design of the Duke on the day of the Barricades his excessive demands The King fearing to be incompast departs out of Paris in a pityfull Equipage The Queen Mother negotiates an accommodation The Duke of Guise cunningly Reingages her in his interest the request which he caus'd to be presented to the King containing Articles very prejudicial to his Authority the dissimulation of the King the Banishment of the Duke of Espernon the new Treaty of the King with the Lords of the League the Edict of Reunion against the Huguenots in favour of the League the signs of the King's indignation which brake out from him and which he wou'd have hidden the Estates of Blois the King's Speech at which the Leaguers are offended The Duke of Guise is Master there and causes resolutions to be taken against the Authority of the King and against the King of Navarre whom the Estates declare incapable of succeeding to the Crown to which the King will not consent He at length takes a resolution to rid himself of the Duke of Guise the secret Counsell which is held concerning it The Advertisement which the Duke receives of it The Counsell which is given him and which he will not follow The History of his Tragical Death the Imprisonment of the principal Leaguers Davila manifestly convinc'd of falsehood in the relation which he makes of the conference betwixt the King and the Legat. The Note of the King to Cardinal Morosini The Conference which he had with that Cardinal concerning the death of the Guises the resentment of Pope Sixtus for the same the strong remonstrances which were made him by the Cardinal of Joyeuse The opinion of that Pope against the League and against the Guises He suspends the expedition of all Bulls till the King shall send to demand absolution What the Cardinal of Joyeuse remonstrates to him thereupon the unprofitable declarations which the King makes to justifie his action instead of preparing for War The Duke of Mayenne flies from Lyons into Burgundy where he is absolutely Master The insurrection of Paris on the news of the death of the Guises The furious Sermons of the Preachers of the League the horrible impudence of Guincesâ—re Curate of St. Gervais who Preaching at St. Barâ—holomew Commands his Auditours to lift up their hands and also the first President The horrible flying out of the Curate Pigenat in the Funeral Oration which he made for the Duke of Guise The scandalous Decree of the Sorbonne in which it is declar'd that the French are releas'd from their Oath of Allegiance made to the King The furious excess of rage in the Leaguers in pursuit of that decree against the King They commit all sorts of Outrages against him The death of Queen Catharine of Medicis her Commendation and Pourtraict The King sends the Dutchess of Nemours to Paris to appease the Troubles there The extravagance of the petty Feuillant Bussy le Clerc carries the Parliament Prisoners to the Bastille the commendations of the first President Achilles de Harley the names of the Presidents and of the Counsellours who follow'd him The President Brisson at the Head of the new Parliament of the League which makes a solemn Oath to revenge the death of the Guises The Leaguers use enchantments against the King at the same time that Guincesâ—re accuses him of magick art in a full Congregation The arrival of the Duke of Mayenne his Encomium and his Pourtraict The King makes him great offers in vain His fortunate beginnings the great number of Towns which throw themselves into his party His Entry into Paris He weakens the Counsell of Sixteen by encreasing their number He causes himself to be declar'd Lieutenant General of the State and Crown of France The King takes though too late the ways of force and rigour The Reasons which oblige him to unite himself with the King of Navarre the treaty of that Vnion the advantageous offers which the King makes to the Lorrain Princes who refuse them the fruitless Conference of Cardinal Morosini with the Duke of Mayenne The performance of the treaty of the two Kings their declarations their interview at Tours The Exploits of the Duke of Mayenne He assaults and carries the Suburbs of Tours His return without having perform'd ought beside The Siege and Battel of Senlis where the Parisians are defeated the defeat of the Troups of the Sieur de Saveuse by Chastillon The Exploits of the King his March towards Paris at Estampes he receives the news of the thundering Monitory of Pope Sixtus against
he was in a manner absolute both by the great Authority of his own merit and that which was deriv'd to him from his Father This Nobleman having formerly been ill us'd by the Lords of Montmorency then in power and having been hinder'd by them from entring into possession of a fair Inheritance which he claim'd as rightfully belonging to him had put himself into the interests of the former great Duke of Guise a declar'd Enemy of the Huguenots And that Prince to bind more â—irmly to his party to the cause of Religion and to his Family a Person so considerable had procur'd him to be Knight of the order of St. Michael at that famous promotion which was made by Francis the Second on the Feast of St. Michael in the year 1560. Insomuch that the young Duke of Guise doubted not that the concernment which this Lord had to maintain himself in the Government of Peronne join'd in the present posture of affairs with zeal either true or apparent for Religion and the particular obligations he had to the House of Guise would render him capable to be dispos'd of absolutely in the execution of that high enterprise on which he was himself resolv'd it seeming to him that he cou'd never expect a better opportunity and that all things were conspiring in his favour In effect there was nothing wanting that cou'd possibly concur either of good or ill to make that succeed which he had resolv'd so firmly for two years together and which in process of time was capable of raising him to a higher pitch of greatness than at present he cou'd possibly conceive how vast soever those idea's of power and authority were with which he flatter'd his ambitious imagination He was a Prince at that time in the flower and vigour of his age which was about thirty years furnish'd with all those admirable qualities and perfections both of Soul and Body which are most capable of charming the Hearts and acquiring an absolute empire over the Souls of the people who were even enchanted with his graces and almost idoliz'd his person For he was tall of Stature excellently well proportion'd altogether resembling what is commonly attributed to Heroes having the features of his face of a Masculine Beauty his Eyes sparkling and full of Fire but whose lively and piercing motion was temper'd with a certain kind of sweetness His forehead large smooth and at all times serene accompanied with an agreeable smile of his mouth which charm'd even more than those obliging words of which he was not sparing to those who press'd about him his complexion lively white and red and which 〈◊〉 honourable Scar remaining of the wound he had receiv'd by a Pistol Bullet on his left Cheek when he defeated a party of the Reiters of Casimir which William de Montmorency Sieur de Thore conducted to the Duke of Alanson heightn'd to much more advantage than all the ornaments which the vanity of Women has invented to add a lustre to their Beauty His walk was grave and stately yet neither Pride nor affectation appear'd in it In all his Garb there was a certain inexpressible air of heroique greatness which was made up of sweetness audacity and a noble haughtiness without any thing of shocking or ungracefull in his whole composition Which altogether inspir'd a mixture of love of awe and of respect into his conversation This admirable outside was animated with an inside yet more wonderfull by reason of those excellent qualities which he possess'd of a Soul that was truly great being liberal magnificent in all things sparing nothing to make Dependents and to gain persons of all sorts of conditions but principally the Nobility and the Souldiers civil obliging popular always ready to doe good to those who address'd themselves to him generous magnanimous not to be mov'd to injure any man no not to hurt even his greatest Enemies but by honourable ways extremely persuasive in discourse disguising his thoughts when he appear'd most open wise and prudent in his Counsells bold prompt and valiant in the execution of them chearfully enduring all the hardships of War in common with the meanest Soldier exposing his person and contemning the greatest dangers to compass what he had once determin'd But that which gave the greatest lustre to so many noble qualities was the quite contrary of all these in the person of the King who by his ill conduct rather than his ill fortune had lost the affection of the greatest part of France and chiefly of the Parisians which by the highest disorder that cou'd possibly happen in a State was already transferr'd to him who from his subject began openly to appear his Rival in the thing of the World whereof Monarchs are and ought to be most jeaâ—â—â—â—â— But as there is no Mine of Gold where the pretious Metal is so wholly pure as to be found unmix'd with common Earth so were these great natural endowments of the Duke of Guise debas'd by the mixture of many imperfections and vices of which the principal was the insatiable desire of greatness and of glory and that vast Ambition to which he made all other things subservient Besides which he was rash presumptuous self-conceited wedded to his own opinions and despising the advice of others though that more covertly subtile unsincere no true friend but centring all things in his own interest though he appear'd the most obliging and the most officious of all men yet the good he did was onely in order to himself always covering his vast designs by the specious pretence of publique good and the preservation of the true Religion too much confiding in his own good fortune loosing and hoodwincking himself in his prosperity which gave him such a gust of the present pleasure that he cou'd not think of taking his precautions for the future to conclude giving up himself too much to the love of Women of whom nevertheless without their being able to divert him from the care he took of his great concern he dextrously made use to advance it by their means and without their knowing that they were his Instruments Yet in spight of all these vices which were indeed most subtly manag'd or disguis'd under the most fair appearances and veil'd with a profound dissimulation his vertues at the same time glittering and blazing over all the World he was universally ador'd and lov'd particularly by the Parisians and even they who knowing him at the bottom cou'd not love him yet cou'd not hinder themselves from admiring him which doubtless is a most uncommon thing that a man shou'd be able at the same time to deserve and gain the peoples love and the admiration of those who were so clear sighted as to discover his imperfections and vices Such was the famous Duke of Guise whom that amiable mark of the Pistol Bullet which as I said he receiv'd in defeating some Troops of Calvinists and Rebels caus'd to be surnam'd THE SCARR'D And who in those times of which
wanting in respect The Parliament which is always vigorous in opposing such Attempts fail'd not to make their most humble Remonstrations to the King worthy of the Wisedom and Constancy which that August Body makes appear on all occasions relating to the defence of the rights of the Crown and the privileges of the Realm The King of Navarre added his own to these wherein he represents to the King that His Majesty was more concern'd than he not to suffer this insolent and unmaintainable attempt of Sixtus And as he thought himself oblig'd by some extraordinary and high manner of proceeding to revenge the affront which was put upon him in that Bull wherein he was treated so unworthily He both had the courage and found the means of fixing even upon the Gates of the Vatican his solemn Protestation against it In which after having first appeal'd as of an abuse to the Court of Peers and to a general Council as superiour to a Pope he protests the Nullity of all Sixtus's procedure And farther adds That as the Princes and Kings his Predecessours have well known how to repress Popes when they forgot themselves and pass'd beyond the bounds of their Vocation by confounding Temporals with Spirituals so he Hopes that God will inable him to revenge upon Sixtus the injury which is done in his Person to the whole House of France imploring for this purpose the succour and assistance of all the Kings and Princes and Republiques of Christendom who as well as himself are assaulted in that Bull. Though Pope Sixtus following the bent of his own temper which was naturally violent and inflexible revok'd not his Bull for this nevertheless as he had a Soul that was truly great he cou'd not but acknowledge that this action was extremely generous nor cou'd he hinder himself from telling the French Ambassadour that he wish'd the King his Master had as much courage and resolution against his real Enemies as the Navarrois had made appear against those who hated his Heresie but not his Person But that wish of his was very fruitless for that poor spirited Prince was in such awe of the League that whatsoever Remonstrances were made him and though the example of the late King his Brother was propos'd to him who had acted with much more vigour on the like occasion on behalf of the Queen of Navarre whom they endeavour'd to have depos'd at Rome that he durst never permit any opposition to that Bull. Insomuch that he contented himself barely with not allowing it to be judicially publish'd in France without so much as once demanding of the Pope that he wou'd revoke it as Charles the Ninth had done who by a manly protestation constrain'd Pope Pius the Fourth to recall that Bull which he had made against Queen Iane d' Albret This was the effect of that fear so unworthy of a King which Henry the Third had of the League which takeing advantage of his weakness became more arrogant and more audacious to oblige him as in effect it did in spight of his repugnance to infringe that Peace which he had given to France and to make War against the King of Navarre who had at all times most punctually obey'd him even when he forbad him to take Arms and to March in defence of him against the League All he cou'd obtain of that party was by gaining a little time to keep matters from coming to extremity the dangerous consequence of which he well foresaw And to this purpose Messire Philip de Lenoncour who was afterwards Cardinal and the President Brulart with some Doctours of the â—orbonne were sent by him to the King of Navarre to persuade him to return into the Communion of the Catholique Church and to suspend the Exerciâ—e of Calvinism at least for the space of six Months during which some expedient might be found to accommodate all things amicably A better choice cou'd not possibly be made for the treating an Affair of that importance than was the person of that famous Nicholas de Brulart Marquis of Sillery whose approv'd fidelity in the Service of our Kings and whose Wisedom and ripe experience in the management of affairs were at length recompens'd by Henry the fourth by conferring on him the highest Honours of the Robe in which Office he gloriously ended his days under the Reign of the late King 'T is the distinguishing character of that illustrious House to have the advantage of being able to reckon amongst the great men who are descended from it two Chamberlains of Kings one Master of the Engines and Machines one Commandant of the Cavalry kill'd at the Battail of Agincourt in fighting for his Country one Procureur General and three Presidents of the Parlament of Paris two Premier Presidents of the Parlament of Bourgogne and above all a Chancellour of France to consummate the Honour of their House and one of the most splendid titles of Nobility which the Sword or long Robe can bestow 'T was then this excellent Person who was joyn'd in Commission with the Sieur of Lenoncour for this important Negotiation Because it was hop'd from his address and the mildness of his behaviour which was insinuating and persuasive that he above all others wou'd be able to win the King of Navarre to a compliance with his Majesties desire that he might not be constrain'd against his own inclinations to bring a War upon him But as that happy hour was not yet come And that it was an ill expedient to procure the Conversion of a Man and especially of a Great Prince who has wherewithall to defend himself when he is attacqu'd to bring Faith to him with threatning like a Chalenge and to shew him the Arms which are in a readiness to constrain him he onely answer'd that he had always been dispos'd as he then was to receive the instructions which shou'd be given him according to the Decisions of a free General Council and not with a Dagger at his Throat which was the Argument they us'd to him after the Massacre of St. Bartholomew There was therefore a necessity at last of coming to a War according to the wishes of the League which believ'd it was able to overwhelm at one push both that Prince and his whole party before he cou'd be recruited with Foreign Forces But it was extremely deceiv'd in that expectation For of the two Armies which the King was oblig'd according to the treaty of Nemours to give to the Command of two Lorrain Princes the one to the Duke of Guise in opposition to the Germans if they shou'd attempt an entrance into France to which they had been solicited by the Huguenots the other to the Duke of Mayenne for his expedition into Guyenne against the King of Navarre whose defeat and ruine the Leaguers concluded to be inevitable the last of the two after a Campaign of ten Months without performance of any thing but onely the taking in some few places of small importance which afterwards were
that Roche-Mort being kill'd with a Musquet shot as he was looking through a Casement the Castle had been surrender'd two days since Notwithstanding this Misfortune which the greatest part of his Souldiers wou'd not believe having joyn'd fifteen hundred men whom Clermont d' Amboise a little before the Siege of Broüage was gone to raise for his service in Anjou he took a resolution to attaque the Suburbs But was vigorously repuls'd by the good Troups which the King had sent thither to assist the Citizens who had retrench'd themselves against the Castle which they held besieg'd After which intending to repass the River he found that not onely all the passages were guarded but that also he was ready to be compass'd round by the Troups of the King and of the League who were gathering together from all parts both on this side the Loyre and beyond it to inclose him Insomuch that not being able either to advance or to retreat without being taken or cut in pieces with all his men they were at length forc'd to disband and dividing themselves into small companies of Seven and Eight or Ten and Twelve together every man being willing to save one march'd onely by night through bye passages out of the common Road and through Woods for fear of being met with either by Souldiers or Peasants who kill'd as many of them as they cou'd find and pursued them as they wou'd so many Wolves when they caught them entring into a Sheepfold The Prince himself had much adoe to escape the tenth man and disguis'd into the Lower Normandy from whence he pass'd in a Fisher's Barque betwixt Auranche and St. Malo into the Isle of Guernsey and from thence aboard an English Vessel into England where he was very well receiv'd by Queen Elizabeth who sent him back to Rochelle the Year following with a considerable supply In the mean time St. Mesme who during this unhappy expedition of the Prince continued the Siege of Broüage â—inding himself too weak to resist the Marshal de Matignon who advanc'd by order from the King to force his Retrenchments with an Army of experienc'd Souldiers truss'd up his Baggage and retir'd with what speed he cou'd but in so much fear and disorder that he lost great numbers of his men in his hastyâ— march and particularly in passing the Charante where St. Luc Governour of Broüage who always shew'd himself as brave in War as he was agreeable at Court in Peace having charg'd him in the Reer cut it entirely off Thus the League and the Calvinism lost on that occasion the one the Castle of Anger 's wherein the King plac'd a Governour on whose fidelity he might rely and the other almost all its Forces which after that shock durst no longer keep the Field This furnish'd the King with an opportunity to publish new Ordinances by which he commanded the Goodâ— of Rebels to be seiz'd and particularly of those who had followed the Prince of Conde with promise nevertheless of restoring them when they shou'd return into the Catholique Church and give good security of remaining in it Ordaining farther in execution of the Edict of Iuly that all such shou'd be forc'd to depart the Realm who refus'd to make abjuration of Calvinism into the hands of the Bishops and it was enjoyn'd them to make it according to the Form which was compos'd by William Ruzè Bishop of Anger 's It was thus practis'd because it had been observ'd that the greatest part of the Huguenots had invented a trick neither to lose their Goods nor to leave the Kingdom but thought it was lawfull for them to accommodate themselves to the times and so deceive men by making a false profession of Faith onely for form sake and in external obedience to the Edicts which they express'd by these words Since it has so pleas'd the King with which they never fail'd to preface the Oath of Abjuration when they took it Now this prudent Bishop having observ'd that intolerable abuse which was follow'd by an infinite number of Sacrileges and most horrible profanation of the Sacraments which those false Converts made no scruple to receive betraying by that damnable imposture both the one Religion and the other wou'd admit none into the Communion of the Church who had not first made his profession of Faith according to his form which much resembled that of Pius the Fourth and which from that time forward was and is presented to be sign'd by all those who abjure Heresie 'T is most certain that these Edicts joyn'd with the extreme weakness in which the Huguenot party then was made in a little time many more converts true or false than had been made by the Massacre of St. Bartholomew But also on the other side they occasion'd the Protestants of Germany whom the King of Navarre cou'd never draw to his party against the Leaguers now to incline to his assistance Two years were almost past since that King who desir'd to shelter himself from the Conspiracy which the League had made principally against him with purpose to exclude him from the Crown against the fundamental Law of the Realm had solicited those Princes by the Sieur de Segur Pardaillan and de Clervant to raise an Army for his assistance and elsewhere by the intermission of Geneva he press'd the Protestant Cantons of Swisserland to make a Counter-League with the Germans for the same purpose Queen Elizabeth who besides the interest of her Protestant Religion had a particular esteem and love for that Prince the Duke of Boüillon a declar'd Enemy of the Lorrain Princes and the Count de Montbeliard Frederick de Wirtemburg a most zealous Calvinist used their utmost endeavours with those German Protestants to stir them up all which notwithstanding they were very loath to resolve on a War with the King of France their Allye saying always that they wou'd never engage themselves in it till it was clearly manifest that the War which was made against the Huguenots was not a War of the Government against its Rebels but purely and onely against the Protestant Religion which they intended to extirpate But when they saw before their eyes those Edicts and Ordinances of the King who was absolutely resolv'd not to suâ—â—er any other Religion beside the Catholique in his Kingdom and that otherways they had given them all the security they cou'd desire for the payment of their Army then they took a Resolution of Levying great Forces and of assisting the King of Navarre powerfully after sending a solemn Embassy to the King to demand of him the Revocation of his Edicts and an entire liberty of Conscience for the Protestants The King of Denmark the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburgh the Prince Palatine Iohn Casimir the Dukes of Saxony of Pomerania and of Brunswick the Landgrave of Hesse and Iohn Frederick Administrator of Magdeburg were the Princes who Asâ—ociated themselves with the Towns of Francford Vlmes Nuremberg and Strasburg to send this Embassy
resolution as generous as his and much more daring was also much more fortunate in the execution of it For having perceiv'd the Prince of Condè at a distance and distinguishing him from the rest while that Prince was eagerly pursuing his Victory he comes up to him at a round Gallop and couching his Lance overturns him to the Ground with a great stroke which he gave him full in the middle of his Cuirasse after which immediately throwing himself from his Horse he presented him his hand with extreme respect to lift him from the Earth and at the same time beg'd him to receive him as his Prisoner which the brave Prince admireing the courage and prudence of his Enemy perform'd embracing him with all the generosity of which he made profession This Victory was complete the Colours the Cannon the Baggage remain'd in possession of the Conquerour and with these the Field of Battel cover'd with betwixt four and five thousand Souldiers and four hundred Gentlemen of the Dukes Army who lay extended on the Plain amongst whom besides the Duke of Ioyeuse and his young Brother Monsieur de St. Sauveur were the Counts de La Suze d' Avaugour d' Aubijoux the Sieurs de Neuvy du Bordet de Mailly-Bressay de Roussay youngest Brother of Piennes Guidon to Ioyeuse de Vaux Lieutenant to Bellegarde d' Alluin de Fumel de Roche fort de Croissotte de Tiercelin Saveuse who was Mestre de Camp and the Sieur de St. Lary-Bellegarde Son to the Marshal of the same Name and Governour of Saintonge and of Angoumois who being mortally wounded died not long after of his hurts Almost all the remainders of the Army were made Prisoners excepting onely the Albanois who forsaking the pillage about which they were busied at Coutras preserv'd themselves by flight and the Marquis of Lavardin who not being able to Rally his men who had pursu'd the Runnaways too far retir'd almost alone to Roche-Chalais with one Ensign which he sav'd out of the Regiment of Picardy This retreat way very Honourable to that Valiant Gentleman who having renounc'd Calvinism which his Father had embrac'd combated that day against the King of Navarre as against the Head of the Huguenots but not long after casting himself into his party for the defence of the State and the Rights of the Crown he always fought for him against the League with so much Valour Conduct and Fidelity that at length he receiv'd in Recompence of his long Services the Baston of Marshal de France To conclude this memorable Victory cost not the Conquerours above five or six Gentlemen and what added to the lustre of it was the wonderfull Clemency of the King of Navarre By his own presence he stop'd the fury of the Souldiers who were putting all the Infantry to the Sword He receiv'd all Prisoners of Quality with infinite Courtesie he chear'd them for their loss by extolling their Courage he sent almost every man home without paying Ransome he reâ—â—or'd to the Parents and Relations the Bodies of such as had died Honourably in the Field of Battel and beyond all this the Corps of the Duke de Ioyeuse for whom the King in continuance of his favour even after Death perform'd a most magnificent Funeral with Royal Pomp. In â—ine this Generous Conquerour had so much moderation that he sent his immediate protestations to the King that aftâ—r this advantage he demanded nothing more than the Honour of his favour and the restoring of that Peace which his Majesty had graciously given him and which their common Enemies had broken But after all it must be ingenuously acknowleg'd that as he had the conduct and valour of Hannibal in this Battel so he had his misfortune too in not understanding the art of managing his Victory or in his unwillingness to use it For were it that the Conquerours enrich'd with the Spoils of their Enemies long'd for Quiet that they might enjoy their Booty at their ease or that the Noblesse who had serv'd under him as Volunteers had not oblig'd themselves to longer Duty than till that time or that having weaken'd by his Victory the party of the League he desir'd not that the Huguenots who confided more in the Prince of Condè than himself shou'd encrease their strength or to speak more plainly that certain amorous ingagements somewhat unworthy of a Victorious Heroe recall'd him into Bearne most certain it is that he dissolv'd his Army and licens'd them to the time he had appointed then repass'd the Garonne speedily with part of the Ensigns and Colours he had taken from the Enemy which he was ambitious to present to the fair one whom he lov'd instead of putting himself into a condition of reaping that Fruit which he might reasonably expect from so great a Victory and of going speedily to joyn the great Army of Germans which was Marching to his Assistance and concerning which it will now be necessary that I speak For while these things were acting in France the Protestant Princes of Germany who were furiously incens'd against the King for that disdainfull and rough answer which he had made to their Ambassadours set on foot a more powerfull Army than ever they had sent into this Kingdom for the succour of the Huguenots There were in this Body which was rais'd eight thousand five hundred Reyters betwixt five and six thousand Lansquenets and sixteen thousand Swissers whom the Sieur de Clervant had obtain'd from the Protestants for the King of Navarre besides four thousand others whom he had left behind him in his paâ—â—age through Dauphinè to reinforce the Army of Lesdiguieres but before they were able to joyn him they were totally defeated by the famous Colonel of Corsica Alphonso d' Ornano Duke Iohn Casimir of whom I have frequently made mention in my History of Calvinism ought to have commanded these Germans in his own Person but immediately before they were to March he excus'd his going with them because he was oblig'd to stay in Germany having taken upon him the Government of the Palatinate during the minority of the young Electour his Nephew whereupon they were constrain'd to receive the Baron of Dona his Favourite whom long before he had resolv'd to substitute in his room Justice ought in reason to he render'd to every man's desert in speaking the naked truth without taking up a prejudice on trust from receiv'd Opinions which often have very false Foundaâ—â—ons Though the greatest part of the French and Italian Historians have spoken little to the advantage of this Baron 't is nevertheless most certain that he was of a Birth Noble enough to sustain the Quality of a General and that he was not at all below the Dignity of that Employment being descended from one of the most illustrious Families of Prussia and his Ancestours having possess'd for many Ages the Honour of Burgraves which is one of the most considerable of the Empire He was a man who wanted neither Sense nor good
took up his quarters there and not contented barely to put himself in posture of defending it he Salli'd out of it more than once with great success and fell into their Quarters which he always carried Insomuch that fearing to have to doe with a man of so great Courage and Conduct and withall so fortunate who was resolv'd to perish or preserve the place which he had undertaken to Desend with the choice and flower of the whole Army they durst not approach it but instead of Marching along the Banks of the Meurte upon which this Bourg is Situate about two Leagues from their Quarters in the Nighbourhood of Luneville they turn'd short upon the left hand towards the Moselle which they pass'd near Bayon to go from thence into the County of Vaudemont Then seeing there was nothing more to fear for the places which are beyond those two Rivers they joyn'd together all their Forces and form'd the body of an Army with intention to coast the Enemies to hinder them from sending out stragling Parties and from laying waste the flat Countrey according to their ordinary custome This resolution being taken The Duke of Guise who led the Vanguard sent Monsieur de la Chastre Marshal of the Camp to take up Quarters for the Army at Pont St. Vincent But because the Duke at this place perform'd one of the bravest Actions which have ever been done in War and which particularly made manifest his great Ability and strong Genius I will take upon me to describe it in the most exact manner I am able that the Beauty of it may be seen in all its circumstances The River of Madon is somewhat Narrow but exceeding Deep it takes its source at the foot of the Mountains of Vauge and runs from the South towards the North and having receiv'd into its Bed the little Rivers of Dompaire Illon Vittelle Coulon and Brenon it waters the Town of Mirecour and the Burroughs of Haroue Ormes Buligny Acraigne Blainville about ten Leagues distant from Nancy and four above Toul A little below this River thus increas'd and on this side the Moselle stands Pont St. Vincent a little City or rather a great Burrough Situate on the descent of a Hill some part of it inclos'd with weak Walls the rest onely fenc'd with a quick-set Hedge towards the foot of the Hill spreading along by the sides of the Moselle over which there was a Bridge on the right hand it had the Madon and the rib of a craggy Hill planted with Vines incompass'd with strong Quick-sets and the top of it cover'd with over grown Woods which extended even to the Neighbourhood of Toul and was parted from the Madon by a Meadow which is bounded by that River and narrow'd to a very little bredth Here it was that the Catholique Army went to take up their Quarters on the fifteenth of September Monsieur de Guise arriv'd there at seven of the Clock in the Morning and without staying for the gross of the Vanguard which follow'd him accompani'd onely by the Sieurs de La Chastre Bassompierre de Dunes Brother to Monsieur d' Entragues and three or four besides them Rideing on Nags and all of them Unarm'd as he was went to observe some advantageous place where he might Lodge his Vanguard under Protection of the Madon which he was certainly inform'd was not foordable in any part of it since the Rains which had fall'n for four or five days together without intermission But not being able thereabout to find a Post which was suitable to his purpose he advanc'd as far as the Quarters of his Light-Horse who were March'd beyond the Vanguard under the Conduct of Rone and the Baron of Swartzembourg and were Quarter'd almost two Leagues beyond Pont St. Vincent in the Burroughs of Acraigne and Buligny where there were Stone-Bridges over the Madon He found them there getting hastily on Horse-back pursuant to the advice which they had just receiv'd that the whole body of the Enemy which March'd betwixt the two Rivers was coming immediately to fall on them Yet this hinder'd him not from passing the Madon he the seventh man and with the same Company nor from advancing into the Plain to take a view of the Enemy But he had not gone far before he discover'd their Forerunners and two Cornets of Reyters detach'd from the gross of their Army who came thundring upon him to inclose him Upon this he turn'd his Horse repass'd the Bridge and staid on the far side of a Brook upon a little Hill where he rang'd his light Horse which were about four hundred to make head against the Enemy The Reyters who had pass'd the Bridge of Buligny after them and pursu'd them hotly made an halt upon the Brook side in expectation of their Army which they believ'd to be much nearer than in effect it was and in the mean time the Duke of Guise seeing they were not follow'd by greater Numbers detach'd against them the Sieur de Rone and de la Route who drove them back and pursu'd them flying upon the Spur a good space upon the Plain beyond the River But the Reyters finding there three hundred French Horse and about an hundred and twenty Dragoons with three other Cornets of their Fellows turn'd upon them in a full body vigorously and drove back those two Troups of Light Horse who endeavour'd at a round Gallop to regain the Hill where their Friends were drawn up in Battalia Then it was upon the discovery which they made from their Hill of the whole Army which was fileing over the Bridge that their danger was almost inevitable To expect the Enemy and stand their Ground was to take a desperate resolution of being all cut in pieces for how was it possible for four hundred Horse without Infantry and Cannon to make defence against an Army of five thousand men who were ready to Attacque them with eighteen or twenty pieces of Artillery To retire was altogether as impossible for who knows not that a Retreat of two Leagues before an Army of twelve thousand Horse and in open day can never be attempted without being expos'd to extreme Danger and constrain'd to change it to a general Rout the consequence of which is that all must be either kill'd or taken This being consider'd by La Chastre and Bassompierre who were near the Duke they earnestly desir'd him to provide for his own safety while they stopp'd the fury of the Enemy for some time to procure him the means of retiring to the gross of their Army leaving the rest to the disposition of Fortune which sometimes finds out unexpected ways of safety when all things are in appearance desperate At which the Duke looking upon them with a smiling and assur'd Countenance No no Gentlemen says he I cannot on such terms abandon so many brave men whom I my self have expos'd to this present Danger I have consider'd the greatness of it in its full extent but I think that at the
same time I have found an expedient to draw us out of it The Counsell which you have given me as believing it necessary for my safety I command you to take for your selves and for us all Go then to give out Orders to the Army draw them up in the narrow Passage and upon the Hill which is Planted with Vines without Pont St. Vincent to receive me after I have made the Retreat which I take upon my self to doe which I will perform after the manner which I have already cast in my imagination and which perhaps shall be as much without Danger as it is without Example After this Rone and La Route having already without loss rejoyn'd the Body of Light Horse he began to encourage his Souldiers and that much less by his Words than by his Countenance and that Majestique air which animated all his actions and inspir'd a part of his own Courage and assurance into the most fearfull for appearing at the Head of his little Troup with his Sword in his hand otherwise unarm'd upon a Pad and beholding his Souldiers and their Officers with a lively piercing eye which when he pleas'd he cou'd even dart into their Souls and command them as he thought good he spoke onely a few words to his French Italian and German Officers to each in their own Language and calling them by their Names he assur'd them that he had invented an infallible way of preserving them if they wou'd follow his directions undauntedly and take him for their Example Those few words chearfully pronounc'd by a Prince who always perform'd more than he wou'd promise so much encourag'd those four hundred men that without farther reflexion on the apparent danger of perishing and the seeming impossibility of their escape they look'd disdainfully from their Hill on that vast Army of the Germans who having almost all of them already pass'd the Madon at the Bridge of Buligny March'd directly towards them in Battalia not doubting but they shou'd inclose them and cut them all in pieces if they had the confidence to expect them or put them to the Rout and totally defeat them if they attempted to make their Retreat before them Yet they stood at first in some suspence when having pass'd the Brook which was betwixt them and the Hill they beheld them yet standing firm and appearing with a resolution of receiving them with their Swords in their hands So uncommon a Spectacle stopp'd them a while to observe their countenance as fearing perhaps that their great assurance proceeded from their being back'd by the whole Army But at length resuming Courage and being asham'd that they had doubted one moment to Attacque so inconsiderable a Party they sounded a Charge without more delay Seven Cornets of Reyters having before them three hundred French-men of Arms March'd foremost and began to Mount the Hill at a round Trot against the Enemy but the ascent was so rough that their Horses who were spur'd to the Quick grew out of breath and constrain'd them to abate of their speed and change their Trot into a Foot-pace Then the Duke of Guise takeing his opportunity to make his Retreat according as he had modell'd it in his Head in such a manner as none before him had ever practis'd Retreated a little farther off upon the Hill so as to be out of sight of the Enemy after which having made a half turn on the right hand he turn'd short upon the left hand at the right of the Enemy through a little Valley which was betwixt them and the River His March was out of View under coverâ— of the Hills which hid that Valley as far as to a Foord which he had observ'd though he had been inform'd that there was none besides which there was a Mill wherein he Lodg'd a dozen Arquebusiers who were resolv'd to defend it to the utmost and there he pass'd the Madon from whence the Enemies were departed in pursuit of him On that side were onely the Swissers who March'd after the others to pass at the Bridge of Buligny and who being Foot cou'd neither stop nor follow that Cavalry which had pass'd the River below the Bourg and by that means had the advantage of them So that turning Face and descending on the left along that little River on the other side of which the Enemy was pass'd to Attacque him he continu'd to make his retreat towards the gross of the Catholique Army which was drawing up in Battalia near Pont St. Vincent In the mean time the Enemy having with much difficulty overcome the top of the Hill where they thought to find the Duke of Guise were strangely surpris'd to see him beyond the Water retiring at his ease Immediately they descended with much more speed than they had Mounted and pursu'd him eagerly But they were stopp'd so long by those twelve resolute Souldiers who defended the Mill upon the Foord at the expence of their Lives which they sold at a dear rate that before they cou'd be forc'd the Duke had the leisure without mending his pace to repass the River on this side at another Foord which he had also observ'd adjoyning to that narrow space and that rib of the Hill planted with Vineyards where the gross of his Army lay In this manner that Prince who had ingag'd himself too far in discovering the Enemy found the means of saving his little Troup and retiring in the Face of a great Army not by turning his back as is the usual custome but by going on their side by a new invented Strategem and placing the River twice successively betwixt himself and the Enemy And what Crown'd the glory of the whole action was that putting himself at the Head of five or six hundred Horse in that little Meadow which is at the foot of that rib of the Mountain on which his Army was not wholly yet embattel'd he defended the passage of the River and always repuls'd the Reyters who return'd twice or thrice to the Charge and did their uttermost to Force it and that having left it free the next Morning according to the resolution which had been taken in the Council of War he made good the Retreat of his whole Army without the loss of one single man After both Armies had refresh'd themselves for two or three days the Germans who were always Coasted on the Right and perpetually harrass'd by the Duke of Guise who led the Vanguard having pass'd the Meuse near Neufchateau enter'd France by the Principality of Ioinville where they took their first Quarters at St. Vrbain The Duke of Lorrain who had follow'd them as far as his own Frontiers and had what he desir'd when he had seen the Strangers out of his Estates was resolv'd to go no farther but retir'd into the Dutchy of Barre as did also the Marquis d' Havre with his Walloons both of them saying that they cou'd not enter into France without permission from the King Thus the Duke of Guise was left
Aumale with all their Troups into their several Governments of Burgundy and Picardy against which he imagin'd the Enemies of his House had some design After which though he had remaining in his little Army no more than twelve hundred Horse and betwixt three and four thousand Foot he put himself according to his custome in pursuit of the Enemy who march'd exceeding slowly and ceas'd not from harassing them till before he came up with the Army of the King who press'd him extremely to a conjunction he found an occasion of performing what he had so long time purpos'd to carry their head Quarters by making himself master of the place which furnish'd them with victuals For he nothing doubted but the loss of that wou'd be the total ruine of their Army which action he perform'd in the manner which I am going to relate briefly Being arriv'd at Estampes on the eighteenth of November after having for some days coasted the Enemy on the right the next Morning he sent the Sieur de la Chastre with seven or eight hundred Horse to Dourdan from whence the Sieur de Vins who commanded the Light Horse was detach'd to make discovery of their Quarters This he perform'd with great exactness and after some petty skirmishes wherein he had the advantage he understood from some Prisoners which he had taken that they were Quarter'd at large in five or six great Villages two or three Leagues beyond Chartres round Auneau which was the quarter of the Reyters Auneau is a great Burrough Town or little City inclos'd onely with Walls of six or seven foot high without Ditches any way considerable or Draw-bridges at the Gates like the other Burroughs of La Beauce On the side of this Town is a Marsh and a broad Lake from which there issues a River whose banks are planted with Osiers and other Trees that slourish in a moist soil 't is indifferently deep and not easie to be pass'd unless by the Mills and Villages which were possess'd by the Enemy for more than two Leagues below the River which mixing with the Lorray empties it self into the Eure near Maintenon at one end of the Lake there is a Causey which after having cross'd the Marsh is terminated at a little Wood and a Warren right overagainst the Gate of the Castle which commands the Town The Castle it self is fair large and of strength sufficient to defend it self from Storming having in it a great Base Court large enoâ—gh to draw up the Garrison in Battalia there and which is separated from the Houses of the Town by an open place so that no approaches can be made without being discover'd As soon as the Baron of Dona was lodg'd in the Burrough into which he enter'd without resistance the Reyters greedy after pillage fail'd not to come on as far as the Gate of the Base Court belonging to the Castle into which the Inhabitants had hastily remov'd the best of their Goods and a great number of their Cattle which these Germans were desirous to get into their possession But they were repuls'd with volleys of Musquet Shot which laid three or four of them upon the ground On this the Baron dispatch'd a Trumpet to the Captain of the Castle with a threatning message that he wou'd set fire on all things in his way and beat the Castle about his ears with Artillery for which he wou'd immediately send in case he desisted not from Shooting But the Captain who was a Gascon and held the Castle for the King answer'd with a Bravade after the manner of his Countrey-men and let the Baron know by his Trumpet that he fear'd neither him nor his Artillery and that if his people made any more so near approaches to the Castle he wou'd spare neither for Powder nor Ball to set them going as he had done before This was all the Parlee that was betwixt them without any manner of ingagement on the Gascon's part though some have otherwise reported that he wou'd attempt nothing against those troublesome Guests who were lodg'd in his Town against his will Accordingly to secure their lives against a man of the Captain 's humour the Reyters barricado'd themselves and set strong Guards at the Avenues from whence there is a passage into the two great Streets which make the length of the Burrough After which believing themselves to be now in safety they took their ease with profound security for seven or eight days together during which the season of new Wines being just come in and the Vintage of that year exceeding plentifull they fell to ply the Bottle and to celebrate the King of Navarre's Victory and the Prince of Conty's arrival with all sorts of merriments and particularly with drunkenness toping after their Countrey fashion night and day to the good health of the two Princes In the mean time the Duke of Guise whose head was perpetually working how he might surprise them having receiv'd the Plan of their Quarters from the Sieur de Vins who had been there in person to take the View resolv'd to attaque them in Auneau To this effect he negotiated so dextrously with the Captain of the Castle that after many difficulties which were surmounted by the large promises and great liberality of that Prince who after the example of Alexander gave all away and reserv'd nothing to himself but onely the hope of accomplishing his enterprises the Gascon who had no quarrel to a Bag of Money came at last to a conclusion with him upon that point in the World in which a wary Governour ought to be most nice for he agreed to receive his Troups into the Castle through which they might enter into the Town He had advanc'd from Estampes as far as Dourdan on Friday the twentieth of November when he receiv'd this comfortable assurance and as his little Army was on its march on the morrow in order to the execution of his enterprise he was inform'd that the Enemies had discover'd it by taking a Peasant who was bringing him a Letter from the Governour This undoubtedly was capable of Making him desist from farther prosecution of it and all his Captains so advis'd him But he onely deferr'd it for two days till he was assur'd that the Reyters were no longer on their Guard and that they still continued their Debauches notwithstanding that by an Ambuscade he had cut off an hundred or six score of the bravest men in their whole Army amongst whom besides thirty five Gentlemen of the best Houses in Germany were found slain a Count of Mansfield and one allyed to him who was Nephew to the Arch-Bishop of Cologne Gebbard Truchses the same person who misled by a blind affection preferr'd the enjoyment of the fair Chanoiness Agnes de Mansfield to his Electorat and his Religion which he renounc'd to gain the liberty of Marrying her The Duke being then resolv'd to carry on his Enterprise though it was objected to him that in all probability the Enemy wou'd not
have linger'd out the time so long at Auneau and the adjacent places but out of design to draw him into the Plain over which he must pass of necessity before he cou'd reach the Town gave Order on Monday Night that all shou'd be in readiness to March on Tuesday the four and twentieth of November which was precisely the day that the Germans had pitch'd upon for their return towards the Source of the River Loire Yet on this occasion he reli'd not so much on his good Fortune as not to take all manner of precautions and particularly neglected not that of Piety for before he departed out of Dourdan on his March he did his Devotions publiquely at the Church where he implor'd the assistance of the Lord of Hosts for the happy success of his undertaking And yet farther he left his Almoner with the Clergy to continue all Night their Prayers before the Holy Sacrament which was expos'd and by an extravagant Sally of Piety did an action no ways to be imitated yet excuseable in a Prince who acted sincerely and Cavalier-like on this occasion in which he was so far from perceiving the least shadow of ill that on the contrary without searching deep into the matter he believ'd it acceptable to God For he ordain'd of his own Authority that every Priest that Night shou'd Celebrate three Masses as the custome is to doe before Christmas-Day And those well meaning men who understood not so much in those times as we do in ours obey'd him Simply Devoutly and without scruple And it may charitably be believ'd that God who heard their Prayers and accepted their Sacrifice as the event sufficiently shews was not offended at what they did out of their simplicity and without reflexion The Duke forearm'd in this manner came up at seven of the Clock in the Evening to the Rendesvouz which he had given to his Troups on the far side of the Wood of Dourdan in an open plain where according to his Orders Monsieur de la Chastre Marshal of the Field had drawn them up in Battalia The Sieur de Vins with three hundred Light Horse was at the Head of this little Army The Sieur de la Chastre follow'd him with his Squadron of more than two hundred Men at Arms and the Dukes of Guise and of Elbeuf sustain'd them on the right and the left with their two Squadrons consisting each of them of about three hundred Horse The Infantry divided into four Battalions under the Colonels Ioannes Pontsenac Bourg and Gié was rang'd on the right hand of the Cavalry which cover'd it from the Enemy who cou'd not possibly approach them but on the left hand in a large Plain where there was neither Tree nor Bush nor Hedge for their defence They March'd in this order during almost all the Night which was so extremely dark that wandring about from time to time they arriv'd not till four in the Morning within a Mile of Auneau in a Valley at one end of the Causey which led them to the Postern Gate of the Castle just bordering upon the Warren till La Chastre who advanc'd before the rest came back and reported that he had heard the Trumpets of the Enemy The reason of it was that the Army was that day preparing to remove their Quarters but there was some reason to apprehend that they had had intelligence of the Duke 's March. For this cause that Prince who was advanc'd too far to retire and who was absolutely bent to Attacque the Germans whether they were advertis'd or not and to prevent them made his Infantry pass the Causey in File and himself led them without the least notice taken by the Enemy to the Postern Gate which was open'd to him and which his Men enter'd as before in File chearfully exhorting the Souldiers and Officers to doe well and to make themselves Masters of the rich Booty which was waiting for them meaning the Baggage of the Reyters After this retiring to his Cavalry which attending his return had made a halt at the end of the Marsh he went to dispose his four Squadrons in the Plain round about the Burrough to receive and cut in pieces those who shou'd bolt for their safety into the Fields In the mean time Captain St. Paul having left in the Castle as many men as he thought sufficient to secure his retreat if he were driven to it was descended into the Base Court where he gave out his Orders for the Attacque in this following manner Himself took on the left hand at the Head of five or six hundred Arquebusiers to charge into the great Street where the Baron of Dona lay He plac'd on the right hand five hundred more of the Regiment of Pontsenac Commanded by their Colonel to enter the Burrough by the other Street He order'd four hundred to stand in Battalia in the Base Court to sustain and to relieve the first and Commanded before him three or four hundred with the Forelorn Hope to make the Van leaving Orders with those who stay'd behind that as soon as the Attacque was begun they shou'd slip betwixt the Walls and the Houses to seize the Gates where there were neither Guard nor Centry so little had the Baron profited by that Lesson which he had taken out at Vimory where he had been surpris'd by the like negligence Things being dispos'd in this manner and the great Gate of the Base Court open'd by removing of the Earth about it the Forelorn Hope put themselves into the Van just at the break of day in that space which is betwixt the Castle and the Town where they found about fifty Horsemen of the Enemy appointed for the Guard of the Barricades who running together at the Noise which was made receiv'd them so warmly and repuls'd them with so much vigour that being affrighted to see themselves without Cavalry to support them they retreated as far as the Gate But Captain St. Paul coming up at that point of time and the rest following him push'd them forward upon the Enemy crying out as loud as he cou'd to those who were remaining in the Base Court that they shou'd Fire without mercy on all those who gave back one foot of Ground But that which had more effect on those frighted Souldiers than this terrible Command or than the inevitable danger of present Death in case they recoyl'd was the example of that Brave Captain and all his Officers who detaching themselves from their several Companies came up to the Front against the Enemy For after having repuls'd those Horsement who were soon dismounted and kill'd by the Vollies of shot which were pour'd in upon them furiously by the Souldiers who follow'd their Officers those Gallant men gave on with so much courage against the Barricades that having forc'd broken and overturn'd them in a moment and slain the Guards who were to maintain them the whole body of Infantry spread themselves like an impetuous torrent on both sides of the
deceiv'd by his Spies who assur'd him that the Enemy had no Cannon and knowing himself to be twice as strong doubted not but he shou'd be able to defeat them with his Cavalry alone Accordingly having drawn up with much trouble his Parisian Infantry brisk men to appearance and well arm'd but a little out of countenance when they saw the Business in hand was somewhat more than bare Trayning and that Life was at stake he advanc'd so hastily with his Horse having Maineville on his right hand and Balagny on his left that those two great Bodies of Horse and Foot were made uncapable of relieving and serving each other in the Fight La Noiie to whom for the sake of his experience the young Duke of Longueville had intrusted the care and conduct of the Army having observ'd the countenance of the Enemy and finding the Parisians disorder'd and wavering was confident he cou'd beat them with those few Troups which he had then in the Field and who were imbattel'd in this order The Duke of Longueville was in the main Body with his Squadron compos'd of a great number of brave Gentlemen having at the Head of them the Lord Charles de Humieres Marquis d' Encre and Governour of Compeigne who had furnish'd the Army with Cannon and Ammunition which occasion'd the gaining of the Battel This was he who having soon discover'd the pernicious designs of the League serv'd the King so well against it that Henry the Fourth at his coming to the Crown made him his Lieutenant in Picardy with an extraordinary privilege that he shou'd have the full Authority of disposing all things in that Province His great Services his extraordinary Deserts his high Reputation his Performances on this great day and many signal actions during the War gain'd him without any other recommendation his Commission for General of the Artillery which was sign'd not long before his Death and he was yet in a way of mounting higher if his too great Courage had not expos'd him to that fatal Musquet shot which kill'd him at the taking of Han though the Garrison of Spaniards had small cause to boast of it who were all sacrific'd to the just sorrow of the Army for the loss of so brave a Gentleman They who came in to the Duke of Longueville with him were Louis Dongniez Count de Chaulne his Brother-in-Law the Sieurs de Maulevrier Lanoy Longueval Cany Bonnivet Givry Fretoy Mesvillier and La Tour. This Squadron was slank'd on the right and left with two gross Battalions having each of them two Field pieces which were not drawn out of Compeigne till some time after the Army was March'd on purpose to deceive the Spies who thereupon gave intelligence that they had none He plac'd on his right Wing the Cavalry of Sedan at the Head of which he was resolv'd to Fight in Person and on his left the Horsemen which were drawn out from those places that held for the King in Picardy The Duke of Aumale who made such over haste to the Victory of which he made sure in his conceipt that he left his Cannon behind him was the first who founded the Charge and Balagny with his Squadron of Cambresians and Walloons advanc'd eagerly to attacque the right Wing of the Royallists which was much inferiour to his own in strength but when he was almost just upon them the gross Battalion which cover'd the left side of that Squadron opening in a moment he was surprisingly saluted with a Volley of Cannon which carri'd off at once whole rancks of his Squadron and constrain'd him to retire in great disorder Then the Duke of Aumale who plainly saw that there was no other remedy for this unexpected mischief but speedily to win the Enemies Cannon put himself upon the gallop follow'd by Maineville and Balagny who had recover'd his disorder and all three went at the Head of their men to force that Infantry of the Enemy But they were scarce come up within an hundred paces of them when their other Battalion opening a second Volley came thundring upon them and raking them in the Flank did more execution than the former A third which immediately succeeded it shook their whole Body which having advanc'd a little farther the Musquetiers which flank'd their Horse made their discharge so justly both against Man and Horse that the Field was strew'd with dead Bodies and in the mean time the whole Cavalry of the Royallists charg'd upon them who were already wavering and half routed and the Besieg'd at the same time sallying out fell upon the rere of the Parisian Infantry who had been abandon'd by their Cavalry so that now it was no longer to be call'd a Battel but a downright Slaughter and a general defeat Never was any Victory more complete with so little loss to the Conquerours the Field of Battel remain'd in their Possession cover'd with above two thousand Slain without reckoning into the number those who were kill'd by the Peasants or such as cou'd not recover themselves out of the Marishes which are about the Abbey de la Victoire The Camp of the Vanquish'd the Merchandises and Commodities which had been brought thither from Paris the Cannon the Ammunition the Colours the Baggage and twelve hundred Prisoners were the Conquerours reward Who some few days after as they March'd towards Burgundy there to joyn the Swissers saluted the Parisians from the Heights of Montfaucon with some Vollies of Cannon and thereby gave them notice of their defeat with a truer account of it than had been given them by the Duke of Aumale and Balagny whereof the one sav'd himself in St. Denis and the other in Paris And as it often happens that one misfortune comes on the Neck of another to those who are in the way of being beaten this defeat was follow'd the very next day after it being the eighteenth of May with the loss of three hundred brave Gentlemen of Picardy whom the Governour of Dourlens Charles Tiercelin de Saveuse was bringing to the Duke of Mayenne who being met in La Beauce towards Bonneval by the Count of Chastillon with a greater strength were almost all of them Slain after having fought like Lions without asking Quarter or so much as promising for safety of their Lives that they wou'd never bear Arms against the King Such violent Leaguers were these men and above all Saveuse their Captain who being carried off to Baugency wounded in all parts of his Body where the King of Navarre a great lover of brave Men was very desirous to have sav'd him refus'd all kind of remedies for the sullen pleasure of Dying having nothing in his mouth but the praises of the Duke of Guise and a thousand imprecations against his Murtherers These fortunate events accompani'd by the great success which the Duke of Montpensier had in Normandy against the Leaguers occasion'd the King of Navarre who was advanc'd as far as Baugency with part of his Forces to return to Tours
't is exceeding probable that the greater number must have oppress'd the less by multitudes pour'd in upon them and that he had that day obtain'd an absolute and decisive Victory But as he never did any thing in hast but when he fled for safety of his Life his March was to slow to make fitting use of so fair an Occasion where also his good Fortune depended on his Speed which occasion'd the loss of that Advantage For the Count of Chastillon on the one side running to the Succour of the King with the two Regiments which were in Arques and on the other side the Duke of Montpensier and the brave La Noüe ranging themselves with their Gendarmery by his side that valiant Prince who had already rallied the greatest part of his Souldiers whom the Surprise had affrighted and put into disorder so furiously charg'd the Regiments of Colalte and Tremblecour that they were forc'd to quit the Retrenchments and the Maladery with more speed than they had enter'd them and to retreat towards the Duke of Mayenne who seem'd by his heavy March and slow Advance as if his Business was only to receive them and not to sustain and second them And at the same time the Cannon of the Castle which had him fair before them playing terribly into his Army constrained him to take his way back to his Quarters and leave the Victory to the King who still maintain'd the Possession of Arques from which his Enemies had endeavour'd to dislodge him And what was yet a greater disgrace to the Duke of Mayenne four or five days after this fetching a long compass and posting himself before Diepe with purpose of besieging it he was himself besieg'd by the little Army of the King who being lodg'd out of the Town over against his Camp ply'd him night and day with perpetual Alarms without his daring once to come forth and make his Approaches Insomuch that after ten days stay without having perform'd any thing he rais'd this pretended Siege re-pass'd this River and retir'd into Picardy under pretence that his Presence was necessary in those Parts to hinder the associated Towns of that Province from putting themselves into the Protection of the Spaniards who were labouring under-hand to beguile the Simplicity of those poor People This was the success of that Enterprise of the League which with their thirty thousand men boasted that they would take the King of Navarre or the Bearnois as those Rebels insolently call'd him and bring him Prisoner to Paris where the Dutchess of Montpensier and other Ladies had already hirâ—d Windows and Balconies in St. Dennis-Street from whence they might have the Pleasure to see him grace the Triumph of the Duke de Mayenne with his Captivity But God had otherwise ordain'd and that memorable Fight at Arques wherein according to all humane probability the King with that handful of men shou'd have have fallen under the weight of so formidable a Power was the fatal point of declination to the League For though their General had not lost above seven or eight hundred men in that Engagement yet he lost in it the Honour and Reputation of the party which since that day never did any thing considerable but what made for the glory of their Conqueror by furnishing him with new occasions to make appear his Clemency in pardoning or his Valour in subduing them which succeeded not long afterwards to his immortal Fame For as soon as he had receiv'd the Succours which he expected from England of four thousand men and that the Duke of Longâ—eville and Marshal Biron had joyn'd him with their Forces which they brought from Picardy and Champaigne he march'd upward against the Course of the Seine as far as Meulan where perceiving that the Duke of Mayenne who might have marched directly towards him if his Heart had serv'd him for the Combat appear'd not in those Parts he pass'd the River and on the thirty first of October took up his Quarters in the sight of Paris at the Villages of Isly Vaugirard Montrouge and Gentilly with resolution the next morning to attaque the Fauxbourgs of that great City which the Parisians had fortified In order to which he divided all his Infantry into three Bodies that the Assault might be made at the same time in three several places The first under Marshal de Biron on the side of the Fauxbourgs St. Marceau and St. Victor the next commanded by Marshal d' Aumont assisted by Damville the Colonel of the Swisses and Bellegard the Grand Escuyer at the Head of the Fauxbourg St. Iacques and at that of St. Michael and the third led on by the Sieurs de Chastillon and La Noâ—e right over against the Gates of St. Germain Bussy and Nesle They were sustain'd by as many gross Squadrons of Cavalry at the Head of which was the Count de Soissons on the right hand the Duke of Longueville on the left and the King himself in the midst on the side of the Fauxbourg St. Iacques and four pieces of Cannon follow'd each of these great Bodies to discharge against the Gates of the City so soon as the Fauxburgs should be won Never was any Enterprise better laid so that the success of it already seem'd infallible For besides the strength of the Assailants without the Town they held a secret Intelgence within it which was dextrously manag'd by the President Nicholas Potier de Blanc Mesnil who who having freed himself out of the Hands of Bussy by a great sum of Money had gain'd a good number of those whom the Leaguers suspected to be Royallists and whom they call'd Pollitiques by whose Assistance he was to make himself Master of one of the Gates and then deliver it to the King The invincible courage of that President and his inviolable fidelity in the service of the Kings his Masters in those troublesom and rebellious times will perpetuate his Memory in all Ages and raise a Veneration to his Name in France particularly in Paris his Native Town which he honour'd as much by his singular Vertue as he was honour'd by it in his Birth being descended from one of the most Ancient Families of that Great City He had the generosity for the service of his Prince and the safety of the State to expose himself to the imminent danger of death by the fury of the Sixteen For those brutal Wretches fearing his great parts his Courage and his Vertue which they knew was never to be diverted from the plain ways of Honesty and Honour put him twice in Prison once in the Bastile and again in the Tower of the Louvre where he ran the hazard of his Life if he had not been deliver'd by the good Offices which were done him by some Persons who had the resolution to oppose the fury of those Tyrants And when in process of time he found he cou'd do no more service to the King in Paris he retir'd to him who made him President of
his Squadron of 250 Horse cover'd that of the Duke of Montpensier and the Artillery of four Cannons and two Culverines was plac'd upon their Left On the other side the Marshal de Biron with 250 Horse and two French Regiments which flanck'd him stood on the right hand of the gross Squadron of the King after the Regiment of Guards and that of Brigneux but somewhat backward that his Men might be for a Body of reserve And the Count Theodorick de Schomberg who commanded the Squadron of Reiters flanck'd in the same manner by two small Bodies of French Infantry made the right Wing a little hollow'd in form of a Crescent like the left Thus was the Royal Army Marshall'd which consisted of betwixt 9 and 10000 Foot and 2800 Horse divided into seven Squadrons each of them with a Plotoon of Forlorn Hope before them The Army of the League appear'd at the same time but posted on somewhat higher Ground and more backward towards the River than it was the day before being Marshall'd much after the manner of the Kings Forces unless it were that being more numerous as consisting of 4 or 5000 Horse and of 12000 Foot the Wings of it advanc'd farther and bent more inward in the form of a larger Crescent The Duke of Mayenne with his Cornet of about 300 Horse to which the Duke of Nemours his Brother by the Mothers side joyn'd his own Squadron of the like number of Gendarms plac'd himself just opposite to that of the King in the very bottom of his Crescent betwixt two gross Squadrons each of them of 6 or 700 Lanciers which were Flemmings and Walloons commanded by Count Egmont They were flank'd on their Right and Left with two gross Battaâ—ions of Swisses rais'd from the Catholique Cantons cover'd with French Infantry and flanck'd with two Squadrons of Walloon Carabins Those were follow'd by two other Squadrons one of 5 or 600 Horse on the Right hand and the other by 3 or 400 on the Left where their Artillery was plac'd consisting of two Culverines and two Bastard Cannons The Light Horse-men commanded by the Baron de Rosne extended themselves on the right hand before a gross Squadron of Gendarms which sustain'd them and two Squadrons of Reiters led by the Duke of Brunswick and Bassompierre stood on the right Wing with the Regiment of Horse commanded by the Chevalier de Aumale who put them under the Conduct of his Lievtenant that he might have liberty to fight by the Duke of Mayenne's side in that formidable gross of 1800 Lanciers which were oppos'd to the Kings Squadron not so strong as themselves by two thirds and only arm'd with Sword and Pistol there not being in the whole Army of the King so much as one single Lance. The Lansquenets of the League and the rest of the French Infantry were divided into many Battalions which like those of the King were plac'd on the Flanks of their Squadrons betwixt whom and their Battalions there was not interval enough to make room for the Reiters when they were to wheel about after discharging which occasion'd their great disorder The two Armies being thus Marshall'd about ten of the Clock stood viewing and considering each other for some time but in very different Postures There was scarcely any thing to be seen in that of the League but Gold and Silver Embroideries upon costly and magnificent Coats of Velvet of all sorts of Colours and an infinite number of Banderolles fluttering about that thick Forrest of Lances which seem'd to threaten the Overthrow of their Enemies at the first Shock before they cou'd come up so close as to single out their Men and discharge Brest to Brest or even so much as to hold out their Pistols On the other side the Kings Army had no other Ornament than Iron but their Joy sparkled in their Eyes and all the Soldiers march'd to the Fight as to a certain Victory especially that invincible Troop of 2 or 3000 Gentlemen which were the Flower of the Army and whom the King himself in plain Armour like the rest inspir'd with Vigor by his only Presence and the sprightfulness of his Behaviour In the mean time when he had observ'd that if he approach'd not nearer to the Enemy there wou'd be no Battel because they were resolv'd on the other side to stand their Ground without quitting their advantagious Post he advanc'd towards them above 150 Paces leaving no more distance betwixt the two Armies than what was necessary for the Charge and by that motion which he made with so much judgment and Military Skill drawing somewhat on the left hand that he might have the Wind in his Back which otherwise had blown the Smoak of the Powder in the Faces of his Soldiers he came up so close to the Enemy that it was no longer possible to avoid the Battel Then putting on his Headâ—piece the Crest of which was shaded with three white Plumes which might easily be discern'd from far and being mounted on a large Nâ—apolâ—tâ—an Courser whose Colour was of a brown Bay adorn'd with a Tuâ—t of Feathers which proudly distinguiâ—h'd him from the rest he made a short Ejaculation to God which was follow'd by the loud Cries of Vivâ— lâ— Roy. As to those Florid long Orations which our Historians on this occasion make for him and the Duke of Mayennâ— as if they had spoken them at the Head of their Armies 't is most certain they were invented in the Studies of their Authors For one who was present in the Battel has assur'd us that the King spoke only with his Gesture and his Looks to those who were more remote and said no more but these few Words to the great Lords who chargâ—d with him in the first Rank of his Squadron See my Companions the Enemy before us Now we have â—ound them our business is to â—ight them and God is for us If you loose the sight of your Colours look about for my Plume of Feathers and rally there you will find it in the direct way to Honour and to Victory For the Duke of Maâ—enne who was both a great Captain and in spight of his natural Heaviness a brave Soldier when he was once come to a Resolution of fighting all he did was to show to the first ranks of his Army the Crucifix which a jolly Fryar who had said publick Prayers carried before him He wou'd have it understood by this only gesture without loss of time in tedious speeches which cou'd never have been understood that it was for Religion that they fought against Heretiques and Promoters of Heresy who were the declar'd Enemies of Jesus Christ and of his Church It was almost Noon when the King was told that Charlâ—s d' Hâ—mieres Marquess d' Ancrâ— he who was in part the cause of gaining the Battel of Senlis was coming up within a quarter of a League of the Field of Battel with 2 or 300 Gentlemen whom he brought with him out of
after reduc'd into a worse estate than formerly by reason of that horrible division which arose among their Party and by the prudent conduct of the King For perceiving that his hopes were frustrate of drawing them to a Battel who were now at their ease after the taking of Lagny and had their Quarters securely extended in La Brie he remanded one part of his Forces to refresh themselves in the Neighbouring Provinces and put another into Garrisons in such places as might serve to hinder the commerce with the Parisians and particularly in St. Denis which he had taken during the Siege of Paris and where the Chevalier d' Aumale who endeavour'd to retake it some small time afterwards was kill'd when he was almost in possession of the place Himself in the mean time with a flying Army beat the Field to cut off Provisions from Paris and from the Army of the Duke of Parma who having lost much time in taking Corbeil which was immediately retaken from the League was constrain'd to return into Flanders having always the King at his heels who perpetually harass'd him and put him to very great inconveniences and hardships during his march to the Frontiers of Artois for so far he took the pains to bring him on his Journy After which he made another attempt on Paris which he hop'd to have surpris'd by the Gate of St. Honorè with many Waggons loaden with Meal and driven by stout Soldiers disguis'd in the habits of Countrymen The stratagem not succeeding because there was some suspicion of the design he reassembled all his Forces and went to lay Siege to Chartres which after a vigorous defence of more than two months not being reliev'd by the Duke of Mayenne was constrain'd at last to come to a surrender It was particularly by the Valour Policy and Industry of the Brave Count of Chastillon Colonel of the French Infantry that this considerable place was taken For that young Lord who had as much understanding as courage and was very knowing especially in the Mathematicks invented a kind of wooden Bridge which he cast by a new sort of machine over the Ditch by means of which they cou'd pass under covert and without danger as far as the foot of a great breach which he had made on the side of Galardon After which Monsieur de la Bourdaisiere who had bravely defended himself till then seeing there was no longer a possibility of resistance made his capitulation which the King always generous and a great Lover of valour even in his Enemies granted him on very honourable terms This was the last action of Chastillon who having serv'd his Prince all along with so much gallantry ended his Life in the flower of his Age dying not long after at his House of Chastillon on the Loire of a disease which he had brought upon himself by his over-labour at a Siege wherein he had acquir'd so just a reputation and so much glory He was extremely lamented even by the Catholiques who had observ'd in him a great inclination to renounce his Calvinism in short time as he who already had begun to find out the falsities of that opinion tho' the Admiral de Coligny his Father who was a strong Huguenot had caus'd him to be carefully instructed in that way But that happiness which he liv'd not to enjoy was reserv'd for his younger Brother Monsieur d' Andelot who like another Iacob succeeded to the blessing which was denyed to the Elder Son He was happy also in his Posterity who by serving their King and the True Religion with great zeal have repair'd the mischiefs which have been done to both by the Admiral their Predecessor And certainly 't is one great sign of this good fortune that we have seen in our own days the Forces of the King commanded by the Count of Coligny for the assistance of the Emperor against the Turk obtain a glorious Victory over them at that memorable Battel of Raab the gaining of which preserv'd the Empire and deliver'd it from the imminent danger of being overrun by Infidels But to proceed This last piece of service which was perform'd by Chastillon for the King was of great importance to the happy success of his Affairs For having already in his hands the passages of all the Rivers which discharge themselves into the Seine for the supply of Paris and also being absolute Master of La Beauce by the reduction of Chartres and of the other small places of the same Province that great City was on the sudden as it were invested on all sides And about the same time he receiv'd intelligence of the great successes which his Commanders had in other places against the Leaguers Les diguieres in Dauphine where he was receiv'd in Grenoble La Valette in Provence the Mareschal of Matignon in Guyenne where Bourdeaux which had hitherto maintain'd it self in a kind of neutrality return'd to the Obedience of the King and the Dukes of Montpensier and of Nevers in Normandy and in Champaigne But that which in conclusion ruin'd the League which was already weakned by Arms was the furious division kindled amongst the Heads of it the occasion of which I shall next relate The Duke of Parma had sufficiently taken notice that the Duke of Mayenne of whose carriage he was not otherwise well satisfied had design'd to make use of the Spaniards in order to his support against the King but not to be of use to them in making them Masters at least of some part of France which was their intention or to assist them in the Election of a new King who shou'd absolutely depend on them now that the old Cardinal of Bourbon was deceas'd in Prison at Fontenay le Comte For which reason he fail'd not to give notice to King Philip that he ought not to build any assurance hereafter on that Prince who had besides lost much of his reputation by the ill success of his affairs and that it was much more expedient for him to get an interest in the Corporations of great Towns and above all in the Sixteen of Paris who to compass the restoration of their Authority which the Duke of Mayenne had once more taken from them wou'd easily consent to what he pleas'd The King of Spain follow'd this advice and the Sixteen who mortally hated the Duke of Mayenne seeing themselves supported by the Spaniards with whom they had entred into a strict League of Interest and Friendship openly enterpris'd what contempt soever he had of them in despight of him to re-establish themselves in their first Authority And that which rais'd their courage to a greater height and made them more boldly put their resolutions in practice was that Gregory the Fourteenth who was newly exalted to the Papacy had declar'd in â—avour of them imitating the Spaniards in that particular and going quite contrary to Sixtus the Fifth That Pope Sixtus who had so ill treated the King of Navarre by the thundring Bull which
six days after it as his Epitaph bears witness which is to be seen in the Metropolitan Church of Rheims In conclusion all things were restor'd in Paris to their first Estate The Parliament solemnly re-establish'd in its natural Seat all its Ordinances which had been made during the Troubles against the King's Authority rac'd out of their Rolls and the general Lieutenancy of the Crown and Estate judicially repeal'd And the Faculty of Divines in Body assembled their Freedom being no longer oppress'd as it had been during the League by the Tyranny of the Sixteen declar'd null all the scandalous Decrees which it had made in prejudice of the inviolable Rights of our Kings swore Fidelity to King Henry the Fourth and declar'd that all Frenchmen were oblig'd in Conscience to acknowledge him for their lawful Soveraign ordain'd by God notwithstanding that through the Intrigues of the Spaniards the Pope had not yet given him Absolution Now as they say the Primum mobile draws along with it all the other Heavens by the rapidity of its motion so the happy reduction of this capital City of the Monarchy was follow'd by that of the Princes the Lords and the Cities of the League who vyed with each other who shou'd first come in and return'd in Crowds to the King's Obedience For in the year ensuing the Admiral Villars the Duke of Guise with his Brothers his Cousins and the Sieurs of Bois Dauphin and La Chastre made their Treaties for the Towns which they yet held in their Governments Those of Picardy and Bourgogne were almost all reduc'd either by voluntary Submission or by the taking of Laon Noyon and the Castle of Beaume and the Duke of Lorrain prudently withdrawing himself from a Party which must have overwhelm'd him under its Ruines had at last obtain'd the Peace which he sought from the King Insomuch that there remain'd only Soissons Chaalons upon the Saone Seurre and the Castles of Dijon and Talant to the Duke of Mayenne who saw himself forsaken by the Head of his Family and the Princes of it and indeed by all those in whom he had reposd his confidence Which notwithstanding he still hop'd he might set himself up again by the assistance of a great Army of 18000 men which Ferdinand de Velasco Constable of Spain had brought from the Dutchy of Milan into the French County which in conclusion only afforded new Matter to increase the King's Glory by one of the most hazardous but also of the most glorious Actions which he ever did perform The new Mareshal Biron having fought successfully in Dijon against the Vicount de Tavannes whom he forc'd to leave the Town besieg'd the Castle and at the same time the Castle of Talant into which the Enemies were retir'd It being fear'd that the Constable of Castile with his great Army which was upon the point to pass the Saone shou'd come upon him there was notice of it given to the King who was already advanc'd with 1500 Horse as far as Troyes Upon this Advertisement he came up speedily to Dijon about the end of Iune From whence after he had given all necessary Orders for carrying on the Siege of the two Castles he march'd towards the Saone with Mareshal Biron and 7 or 800 Horse with design to stop the Constable at least for two or three days at the passage of the River to the end that his men might have leisure to finish the Retrenchments which he had appointed to hinder any Relief from coming into the Castles But being arriv'd near the Borough of Fontain Francoise half way betwixt Dijon and Grey he had Intelligence from his Scouts that the whole Spanish Army to which the Duke of Mayenne had joyn'd all his remaining Forces having already pass'd the River at Grey was coming up and just ready to fall on him Doubtless here was sufficient occasion of Fear even for a great Captain to find himself in this terrible Dilemma To stay and expect the Enemy who was twenty times stronger than himself was extream rashness to retire before him in full day was almost impossible to be done without manifest danger of being routed and cut off in his Retreat Nevertheless he form'd his Resolution upon the Place with wonderful presence of mind and showing a bold countenance to the Enemy as if he had been sustain'd by his whole Army commanded the Marshal to advance with 300 men who possessing themselves of a rising Ground from whence they chas'd about 60 Horse of the Enemy discover'd the whole Army of the Spaniards marching in Battalia who made a Halt on this side the Village of St. Seyne upon the Vigennes Four hundred Horse of the French Troops belonging to the Duke of Mayenne and commanded by the Baronâ— de Thianges de Thenisse and de Villars Houdan appear'd at the Head of their Army sustain'd by 800 more detach'd from a great Body of the Vanguard where the Duke was in Person purposely that he might bring it to the issue of a Battel which the Constable shou'd not be able to avoid As these were marching right on to Biron he having the Marquess of Mirebeau on one side and the Baron of Lux on the other each of them commanding an 100 Horse spread them as wide as he cou'd possible to hinder himself from being incompass'd and receiv'd the Enemies with his usual Valour but they being French old Souldiers and much out-numbring him immediately charg'd with so much fury upon the Squardrons of Mirebeau and Lux that they broke into them and put them in Disorder The Marshal was not wanting on his side to give admirable proofs of his Courage and his Conduct in rallying and sustaining his men who in spight of their vigorous Resistance began to bend He made one particular Charge with extream bravery to dis-engage the Baron de Lux who was the worst handled himself and the boldest of his Souldiers being unhors'd but seeing fresh Squadrons coming on whereof some were marching up directly to him others turning on the right hand and on the left to inclose him he was at last constrain'd to give ground with the rest and endeavour to make his Retreat in which he was so extreamly press'd that it wanted but little of plain flight And the detachment which was sent by the King to receive those who fled and to sustain Biron who wounded as he was in the Head and blood all over yet disdaining to turn his back fought retreating accompanied by very few were as ill handled as the first and driven back to the place where the King was himself in Person It was on this occasion that Great Prince perform'd a most heroick and most memorable action For though he saw himself in the greatest danger imaginable having in front of him near 1200 Horse in six Squadrons sustain'd by the gross of the Army which was coming to attaque him he who had not at that time above an hundred Horse about him in good order far
from retiring which one wou'd have thought he shou'd have endeavour'd as being able to have done it without danger while the Enemies were employed either in fighting those who yet made resistance or in pursuing those who fled he march'd straight forward bearing his Sword aloft and calling by their names the most considerable Persons who attended him as the Duke of Elbeuf the Marquess of Pisany de Treinel de Roquelaure de Chasteau Vieux De Liencour de Montigny d' Inteville and de Mirepoix and inviting them to act like himself he made so furious a charge on those who believ'd themselves to be already in possession of the Victory that he stop'd them short and broke into them follow'd by all his brave Attendants whoafter his example fought like Lyons and push'd the Enemy with so much vigor that those six Squadrons fell back in confusion upon each other In the heat of this Combat he kill'd with his own hand the valiant Colonel Sanson who was using his uttermost endeavours though in vain to restore the Fight and being seconded by Biron who had rallyed about an hundred and twenty Horse and by the Duke of Trimouille who was come up to the Charge in the midst of the action with his Company of Gendarmes he pursu'd them at full spur as far as the great Body of Cavalry which the Duke of Mayenne commanded in the Vanguard And doubtless he had not fail'd to attaque him as he was very desirous to have done seeing his valour seconded with such good fortune if that gross had not been flank'd with two little Copses lin'd with Musqueteers and sustain'd by the whole Spanish Army which had certainly overwhelm'd him in case they had taken that critical opportunity In effect the Duke of Mayenne having observ'd during the Combat the extreme danger in which the King had involv'd himself which according to his heavy maxim might pass for inconsideration and rashness sent three or four times with all imaginable earnestness to the Constable to desire him not to let slip that favourable minute but to march as to a certain victory giving him to understand that the King having neither Foot nor Cannon cou'd not possibly escape either from being kill'd or at least from being taken But whether the Castillian fear'd the fortune of the King and much more apprehended that his whole Army was not far behind or were it the Hatred which the Spaniards bore the Duke who for his part hated them not less or perhaps the Vanity and Pride of the Constable who cou'd not endure to be taught his Duty 't is certain that he absolutely refus'd to move but only on his Retreat the same day to his Quarters at St. Seyne and the next morning to Grey The King who in the mean time had rallied all his Troops having still pursued him till he had repass'd the Saone Thus it may be said that in this famous Skirmish at Fontain Francoise the happy success of which is wholly to be attributed to the incomparable Valour of the King he perform'd an Action not unlike that of the great Macchabee who with 800 men durst bear up against a numerous Army with this difference notwithstanding that the Iewish Hero was lost in the too eager prosecution of his Victory but ours on the contrary return'd from the pursuit of his flying Enemies cover'd with Glory after he had driven a powerful Army out of his Kingdom with an handful of men not exceeding the number of 6 or 700. This was the last Enterprize of the League which was then gasping in the pangs of death and expir'd immediately after it For the Duke of Mayenne in despair to see himself abandon'd by the Constable with no hope of recovery in his Affairs was upon the point of taking a Journey into Spain and throwing himself into the Arms of King Philip with intention to inform him of the Malice and Cowardise of those whom he intrusted with the Command of his Armies when the King willing by an admirable effect of his Goodness to withdraw his vanquish'd Enemy from the steep of that Precipice where he was seeking his destruction let him understand that he was ready to receive him into Grace and grant him in that his low estate very advantagious Conditions that while the Treaty betwixt them was depending he might stay at Châ—lon on the Saone the only good Town remaining to him in Bourgogne and take his word for his security And the Duke to answer this Generosity as much as lay in him accepting this Offer gave immediate Order that the Castles of Dijon and Talant shou'd be surrendred But what was most admirable in this procedure of the King was that to save the Honour of that Prince who had engag'd himself by Oath not to acknowledge him till he had receiv'd Absolution from the Pope he deferr'd the conclusion of his Treaty till he had obtain'd it from his Holiness after which in the beginning of the year ensuing he made an Edict in his Favour It was not indeed so advantagious as it might have been if he cou'd have resolv'd to have accepted those Propositions sooner which were offer'd him more than once at a time when he might have treated not only for himself but for all that powerful Party which he hâ—aded Yet it was infinitely beyond what he cou'd reasonably have expected at that time for in consideration that he had always oppos'd the pernicious Designs of the Sixteen and of the Spaniards and that making War like a man of Honour he had constantly spoken of the King with great Respect as one who infinitely esteem'd his Person his Merit and his Quality the King who valued him exceedingly granted in his favour even against the opinion of the greatest part of his Counsel that Edict in which making very honourable mention of him and commending the Zeal which he always had for the preservation of the Catholick Religion and the Monarchy in its entire estate he granted him amongst other things besides an Amnesty of the past the re-establishment of himself and his Friends in all their Possessions the Towns of Soissons Sâ—urre and Chalon on the Saone for his security a Declaration importing that he had no Accusation either against himself or the Princes and Princesses of his Family touching the Parricide committed on the Persoâ— of the late King and that he bound himself and his Successors to the payment of all Debts which he had contracted as well without the Kingdom as within it to make War against him After this the Duke going to pay his Respects to him at Mâ—nceaux was receiv'd with great Honour and testimony of Affection and it happening that the King in walking with him at his ordinary rate which was very swift that poor Prince who was fat and unwieldy grew out of breath freely told him That he was quite spent and cou'd go no farther The King embracing him said only this For my oâ—n part Cousin I 〈◊〉 to you this
to be Head of a League General of the Catholics 17 18 19 c. Treats with Don John d'Austria at Joinville ib. The occasion that caus'd him to begin the League Pag. ib. His Pourtrait 25 c. Takes Arms after the death of Monsieur 85 c. Makes use of the old Cardinal de Bouâ—bon as a Ghost whom he puts at the Head of the League 92 Treats at Joinville with the Agents of Spain and the Cardinal de Bourbon and the Conditions of the said Treaty 10â— 102 c. He begins the War with the sâ—â—prizing of divers places by himself and his Friends 104 c. Makes the Treaty at Nâ—mours very advantageous to the League 121 Goes and finds the King at Meaux and complains unjustly of divers matters 188 Undertakes with a very few Troops to defeat the Army of the Reyters 234 235 c. His honourable Retreat at Pont St. Vincent 246 247 c. He continually harrasses the Army of the Reyters 262 He attaques them and defeats one Party of them at Vimory 267 c. He forms a design to attaque them at Auneau and the execution of that Enterpriâ—e 277 278 c. He pursues the rest of the Reyters as far as Savoy 301 c. He let them plunder the County of Montbeliard Pag. ib. He receives from the Pope a consecrated Sword and from the Duke of Parma his Arms which they sent him as to the greatest Captain of his time 311 The refusing him the Admiralty for Brissac the which was given to Espernon his Enemy puts him on to determine it 312 c. He assembles the Princes of the House of Lorrain at Nancy and there resolves to present to the King a Request containing Articles against the Royal Authority 322 323 He resolves to relieve Paris 334 335 He goes to Paris notwithstanding the King's Orders which were sent him by M. de Bellievre ib. A description of his Entry into Paris where he was received with extraordinary transports of joy ib. c. His Interview with the King at the Louvre 343 In the Queens Garden 344 What he did at the Battel of the Barricades 356 He disarms the King's Soldiers and causes them to be reconducted to the Louvre 357 His real design at the Battel of the Barricades 358 c. His excessive demands 360 c. Makes himself Master of Paris and makes a Manifesto to justifie the Barricades 365 366 c. He dextrously draws the Queen Mother into his Interests Pag. 371 Causes a Request to be presented to the King containing Articles most prejudicial to his Authority 371 372 c. Has given him all the Authority of a Constable under another name 377 378 His Prosperity blinds him and is the cause that he sees not an hundred things to which he ought to give defiance 385 c. He is shock'd at the Speech the King made to the second Estates at Blois 386 387 He disposes of the Estates at his pleasure ib. c. Would have himself declar'd by the Estates Lieutenant General of the whole Realm independent from the King 391 392 Is advertis'd of the design form'd against him and consults thereupon with his Confidents ib. c. Is resolv'd to stay contrary to the Advice of the most part 396 c. The History of his Tragical Death 399 400 c. His Encomium 411 Lewis de Lorrain Cardinal de Guise presides for the Clergy at the Estates of Blois 388 The History of his Tragical Death 410 411 N. de Lorrain Duke de Guise escaping out of Prison comes to Paris where he 's receiv'd of the Leaguers with open Arms 835. he kills Colonel St. Paul 872 873 M. THE Marshal of Matignon Governor of Guyenne hinders the Leaguers from surprizing Bourdeaux Pag. 113 Breaks the Measures of the Duke of Mayenne dextrously 243 244 Gives good Advice to the Duke of Joyeuse which he follows not 203 Reduces Bourdeaux to Obedience 820 Father Claude Mathiu grand Leaguer solicits the Excommunication of the King of Navarre 182 Father Bernard de Montgaillard Surnam'd The Petit Feuillant a Seditious Preacher 428 His Extravagance in a Sermon 442 443 He retires into Flanders with the Spaniards after the reduction of Paris 943 Francis de Monthelon a famous Advocate is made Lord Keeper by Henry III. 384 Henry de Montmorency Marshal de Damville Head of the Politics or Malecontents for to maintain himself in the Government of Languedoc 9 Draws his Brothers and Friends to him ib. Ioins with the King of Navarre and Prince of Conde against the League 124 Protects the Catholic Religion and receives acknowledgments from the Pope 125 126 His Fidelity in the Service of the King 126 127 Is at last made Constable of France by Henry IV. Pag. ib. William de Montmorancy Sieur de Thore joins with the Malecontent Politics 9 Is defeated in conducting a Party of Duke Casimir's Reyters 25 26 Re-takes Chantilly from the League 483 The Sieur de Montausier fights most valiantly and insults agreeably over the Gascoins which were at the Battel of Courtras 217 The Sieur de Montigny enters and breaks the Squadron of the Gascoins at the Battel of Courtras 215 216 The Sieur de Morennes Curate of St. Merry labours to make the People return to the Obedience of their King 836 Cardinal Morosini Legat in France could not obtain Audience the day of the Duke of Guise's Massacre 406 407 His Conference with the King to whom he declares he had incurr'd the Censures because of the Murther of the Cardinal de Guise 414 415 He incurs the Pope's indignation for not having publish'd the Censures 417 His Conference with the Duke of Mayenne 474 4755 c. John de Morvillier Bishop of Orleans his Encomium and Pourtrait 68 69 c. He counsels the King to declare himself Head of the League ib. N. ANne d'Este Duchess de Nemours Mother of the Guises is arrested Prisoner at Blois Pag. 403 She treats by Letters with the Dukes of Nemours and Mayenne to reduce them to their Duty 441 442 The King sends her to Paris to appease the Troubles ib. The young Duke of Nemours is arrested Prisoner at Blois 403 Makes his Escape out of Prison 441 The Orders he gave for the Defence of Paris where he maintains the Siege with all the Conduct and Vigor of an old General 798 He offers the King to surrender Paris provided he will be made Catholick 809 810 He abandons his Brother and endeavours to make himself declar'd Head of the League in his place 485 486 c. Francis de Noailles Bishop of Acqs his Encomium his Ambassage and the part he had in the Conversion of Henry IV. 309 310 c. O. THE Order of the Holy Ghost and its true Origine 74 75 76 c. Lewis d' Orleans a famous Advocate a grand Leaguer 96 Author of the Seditious Libel Intituled The English Catholick Pag. 738. Is Advocate General for the League ib. The Colonel Alphonso d'Ornano