Bociac Plorindes Bonaventure and John Wickliffe of Oxford in England lived in his Reigne But Vertues are not hereditary for Charles sonne to this King degenerated from his Father and the Kingdome of France was afterward punished in the weaknesse of the succeeding Kings so that the confused government brought forth sad effects such as are to bee expected where the rabble multitude have a power unrestrained by Authority and doe swarme and rove about like unruly Bees Charles 6. the 53. King of France Anno 1380. THis Charles 6. about the age of 14. yeares was crowned the first of November Anno. Dom. 1380. In the beginning of his Reigne hee received homage for the Dutchy of Bretagne and enforced the Gaulois to their obedience to their Duke as also he chastised the Parisians who had mutinyed about imposts having Mallets as a token of their faction whereupon they were called Maillotins In the meane time Peter de Craon wounded Clifson Constable of France whereof the King intending a revenge fell into a frensie by reason whereof the kingdome was put into the hands of the Dukes of Berry and Burgundy who laying hands upon Clisson by an Act of Parlement caused him to be deprived of his estate and banished the kingdome The King of England marryed the Lady Isabell the eldest Daughter to Charles whereupon a Truce was concluded betweene the English and French for Thirty yeares But King Richard being afterward slaine shee was sent backe into France without a Dowry by reason whereof the Duke of Orleans presented a combate of seven French against seven English within the lists which combate the French gained Then also upon some rancors and dissentions betweene the houses of Burgundy and Orleans for the government of the Kingdome John the eldest sonne of the late Count of Burgundy caused the Duke of Orleans brother to the King to be slaine the 22. of November 1407 whereupon ensued all the subsequent disorders in France by meanes whereof the King of England gained the famous and memorable battaile of Agincourt and continued his warres for the space of 29. or 30. yeares during which he tooke Rouen and in a manner all Normandy In those times also the Duke of Burgundy was slaine at a Parlement upon the Bridge of Montereau Faux-yonne by those that accompanied the Dauphine who for that fact was by his Father Charles not yet in sense dis-inherited and in his place he instituted Henry King of England to whom upon a peace hee had given in marriage Katherine of France together with the government of France and Paris making warres against the Dauphin untill death which was followed with that of the King who had before given consent to the Duke of Bedford to be Regent in France for young King Henry who was yet in his Cradle This Charles the 6. was of a magnanimous and Heroick soule full of the fire of true valour which upon any brave occasion broke forth in glorious actions which vertue was declared in his younger yeares by this answer to his Father Charles the fifth by whom a Crowne of Gold enchased with precious Stones and a Helmet of Steele fairely guilt being propounded to his choise hee answered hee would rather chuse the Helmet than the Crowne Afterward being crowned King of France this Sonne of valour rising in the spheare of Majesty shined forth with early beames of valour for being shewed by his Officers his deceased Fathers rich Treasury and precious moveables and also his Armory full of warlicke Furniture and all sorts of Armes hee said He had rather have those Armes than his Fathers Riches As this King and his Noblemen marched against the Duke of Britaine being entred the Forrest of Mans a man bare-headed and bare-legged attired in a Coate of white Rugge steps suddainly forth betwixt two Trees taking hold of the Raines of the Kings Horse and staying him said unto him King ride no farther but returne backe for thou art betrayed The King was amazed at this voice and the man being forced with blowes to leave the Raines of his Horse vanished Afterward it chanced that his Page being very sleepy let fall his Lance upon him which carryed the Helmet making a great noise like the rustling of Armes the King starts with amazement at this noise and seeing the Crimson Bandroll of the Lance having his spirits weakened with the former distemperatures transported with the imagination of this sound sleepy with labour and heate he imagins himselfe to be compassed in with many armed men which pursu'd him to the death Charles thus transported with this phrenzy layes hold on his Sword drawes it runnes violently after his Pages and calls them Traytors The Pages conceiving at first that hee had beene displeased for the disorder of the Lance flye from him The King follows after The Duke of Orleance runnes towards him to let him know the cause of his anger The King very violently layes at him not knowing him the Duke flyes and the King follows Thereupon all drawing neare unto him they take his Sword from him and his thick Velvet Jerkin and scarlet Cap and lay him on the ground Pope Urban his Enemy triumphing and rejoycing at his misery said it was a just judgment of God for supporting and assisting his Competitor But the holy Scripture sayes O how happy is he that judgeth wisely of the afflicted representing an admirable example in Job who was accused by his friends that hee was an hypocrite good in shew but not in integrity of life Such is the judgment of the World accounting adversity a vice and prosperity a vertue measuring matters according to their passions and not with reason for GODS Judgments are just and righteous but the causes thereof are unknowne though GOD doth all well whatsoever he doth Henry the fifth King of England Anno 1412. THough it be more easie to succeed in victoryes than atchieve them yet this Henry maintained by the sword that Title of King of France which his Predecessor Edward the third had gained and as King Edward cut down the Flower of France in the Battaile of Cressey so Henry the fift exasperated by the Dolpins of France sending him a Tunne of Tennis Balls sent him backe such Iron Balls or Bullets that the French were neare brought to a great hazzard in this Tennis Court or field of Mars For hereby Henry wonne France teaching Princes that contempt addes a double courage when right is by contumelies sought with greater violence Afterward King Henry tooke Harflew and fought the memorable battaile of Agincourt wherein hee got a wonderfull and unexpected victory by a stratagem of erecting sharpe Stakes before the foote troopes whereupon the Horse issuing violently they were disranked and routed so that the earth blush't with blood to see the French so overtaken and also the Archers upon the nicke of this opportunity sent many showres of Arrowes whereby the whole Army on the French side was discomfited and the English Archers giving backe the French
King of France Anno 1461. LEwis the 11. departing out of Brabant being accompanyed with the Duke Philip of Burgundy and the Count of Charolois his sonne caused himselfe to be crowned King of France the fifteenth of August 1461. The Princes seeing themselves in contempt especially Mounsier Charles his brother who rose up in Armes against him under a pretensive colour for the common good giving him the famous battaile of Montlehery the fifteenth of Iuly Anno Domini 1463. The King for the dissipating of their forces following the advise of the Duke of Milan gave Normandy to his brother which afterwards by subtilties he withdrew from him againe But in the end hee was enforced by the Duke of Burgundy to give unto his brother Mounsier Charles the Counties of Champagne and Brie which hee afterward exchanged for the Dutchy of Guienne by this meanes to weane him from the Duke of Burgundy recalling all the Townes upon this side the River Somme and afterwards against his brother Charles for the withdrawing of the Dutchy of Guienne who immediately dyed not without suspition of poyson Afterwards he made a treaty of peace at Bouvines with the Dukes of Bretagne and Burgundy for the ensnaring of the High Constable S. Paul who had beene the prime sparke of all the dissentions after the battaile of Montlehery In the meane time the King works the Duke of Burgundy quite out with the Emperour Fredericke and with the Duke of Loraine working his ruine at the siege of Mus. Then he takes in many Townes of the Burgundion who had appealed to the English for aide with whom the King had already made a treaty of Piquigny by which Charles the Kings sonne was to marry with the daughter of England when they came to be of age which constrained the Burgundion to make his peace with the King and to deliver the High Constable into his power The Duke of Burgundy was slaine before Nancy leaving one sole Daughter Mary who was marryed to Maximilian the onely son of the Emperour Fredericke by reason whereof the King recovered all the Countrey upon the Somme together with the Dutchy and County of Burgundy But afterwards the Prince of Orange caused the Franch-Conite to revolt After this the King allyed himselfe to the Swisses and recovered the County of Provence from Renatus Duke of Aniou by way of Donation The K. afterwards having marryed his son Charles to the Lady Marguerite of Flanders hee surrendered his life the 30 of Aug. 1483. Hee said that Charles the sage might be a wise man in his Tiring-Chamber or Closet but in giving his youngest brother the Dutchy of Burgundy hee played the fooles part Being told after a battaile that his enemy Count Charolois did lodge in the field He replyed That he having neither Towne nor Castle must needes lodge in a field-bed It was his usuall saying That when pride walketh or rideth afore shame and dishonour like servingmen attend behind Being told that one of the Canons of the Church where hee had heard Masse was dead he gave the Prebendship to a Priest which lay sleeping in an adjoyning Chappell that hee should say afterward that his good fortune came unto him sleeping To a Gentleman that was ready to handle a rich Chaine of gold which a Captaine wore about his neck and was suspected to be made of the reliques of a Church he said Take heede how you touch that Chaine for it is a holy thing He said also that in regard of his troubles at the beginning of his reigne if by the expression of courage and experience he had not procured feare and reverence he might have beene ranked amongst the unfortunate Princes in the last Chapter of Boccace A rich Nobleman having builded a faire Hospitall he said That having made many poore for the Hospitall hee might justly make an Hospitall for the poore and so convert his sinnes into Almes-houses Hee would often say to his Noblemen that his sonne should learne no more Latine than Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare and that the government of the Kingdome and Common-wealth was his best study for other studies would too much soften his minde and Historicall examples unfortunate in their event and successe would discourage him from attempting brave Actions He said also that the Genowayes should not long remaine under his protection for he would bequeath them to the Divell Being advised to send an Embassadour that had many Dignities and Titles he said he is like a peece of Brachigraphy that hath many a Title but Learning very little Being told that the Gout haunted rich men that fared deliciously and wore fine cloathing he said hee would alwaies afterward weare cloathcloathes because the Gout should not take him for a rich man He could finde all things he said in his Kingdome and his Court except truth which was sicke in his fathers time and was now starke dead having before her death made no Confession to a Priest The Realme of France he said was a meddow which he did cut every yeere and as often as he listed He asking a meane fellow which knew not the King when he saw him what he gained by following the Court The fellow answered I get as much as the King that is maintenance while I live and a sheete when I dye He said that a curious ignorant man having a Library of faire Bookes was like a crooke-backt man having a Bunch on his backe whereby the deformity of the one the ignorance of the other was more discerned He made gold the engine of his actions saying that an Army of silver Launces doth usually winne the victory Great services he said through the arrogancy of the parties performing them or the neglect of Princes regarding them were often recompenced with hatred or ingratitude and therefore the bounty of Princes exceeding desert was more fortunate and happy than desert exceeding the bounty of Princes not enduring to be indebted or obliged Having felt the smart of the English warres he said the King of England was his Brother in his owne Countrey but hee did not like his company in France Having caused a faire goodly Tombe to bee made for the faire Lady Agnes the love of his late Father the Cannons of the Church desiring that the Monument might bee removed out of the heart of the Church into a side I le or Chappell he answered that their request was neither just nor reasonable neither would he suffer her Tombe whom his father loved to be violated After Monsieur Bussi was beheaded and buryed he caused the head to be digged up againe and placed on a wooden pole in the Market place and so being covered with a scarlet Cappe furred with Minivere in regard he had beene a Counsellour of the Parliament A suiter to the King for an Office bein denyed humbly thanked his Majestie who wondring at his moderate yet man-like spirit asked if he conceived a right of his answer yes said the Suiter and I thanke
your Majesty for giving me a dispatching denyall rather than feeding delayes with which Answer the King was so contented that he had his Office immediatly granted A Noble-man seeing this King ride a Hunting on a very little Horse said he had gotten a goodly stout Horse for though he seemed but weake and little yet he must needes be very strong because he carryed him with all his Counsell Thereby taxing the King preferring the wisedome of his owne conceite before all other Counsell Hee demanding what present he might bestow on the English Embassadors that might not cost him much was answered That he might present them with his Musitians that so they might not cost him much as formerly they had done Before the joyning of a Battaile this King said hastily unto a Noble-man that he had no affiance in his service who for proofe thereof having desired to exchange Armes and Ensignes with the King charged bravely on the enemy and being supposed to be the King was slaine wherein the King with weeping teares sayd he had lost his life to expresse his love and loyalty Being informed that the Saracens were misreckned 10000 Francks in the payment of 200000 thousand pounds for a ransome he would not embarke or set saile untill the aforesaid Francks were paid such was his fidelity to those Infidells This King having appoynted a Bishop to goe take a Muster of the Souldiers in Paris a great Noble-man desired a Commission to reforme the Bishops Church saying that employment was as fit for him as the other was for the Bishop When this King was Daulphin of France he taking great pleasure in hunting often resorted to a poore Forresters Cottage where he did use to eate Radishes he comming to be King the Forrester perswaded by his Wife in hope of reward presented to the King a faire Radish which his Majesty accepted and rewarded the Forrester with a thousand Crownes Afterward a Courtier presented the King with a faire goodly Horse expecting a greater reward because he had beene so bountifull to the Forrester But the King contrary to his expectation gave the Courtier his Radish wrapped up in white paper the Courtier returning to his lodging opening the packet found nothing but a Radish whereupon he informed the King of the mistake as he supposed The King said I have paide thee well for thy horse for the present which I gave thee cost mee a thousand Crownes thus the poore mans good affection was wel rewarded and the Courtiers audaciousnesse slightly regarded This Lewis sends an Embassadour to the Emperour to excuse him for not sending an army promised by treaty entreating him not to make a greement with the Duke of Burgogne but that he should confiscate all the Dukes Signonories that held of the Emperour as hee would doe those that held of the Crowne of France The Emperour answered that they must not divide the Beares skinne before the Beast be dead This King commming to an interview of the King of Castile unto whom hee was formerly strickly allyed conceived a contempt and disdaine each of other The French of the Castilians sumptuousnesse and pride in their words countenance and apparrell The Castilians of the plainnesse of the French attire So as from that day these Kings did never love and the French did ever since hate the Spaniard Charles 8. the 56. King of France Anno 1483. CHARLES the 8. at the age of 13. yeares came to the Crowne under the Regency of Madam de Beavieu his owne Sister and of the Duke of Bourbon her Husband whereupon the Duke of Orleance the nearest to the Crowne and had married his other Sister as in an indignity conceived convocated and summoned all the Statesmen to Tours In the meane time the Duke of Orleance seeing that Madam of Beavieu managed all the affaires of the kingdome retired himselfe into Bretagne whereupon the King made Warre against him and recovered a Battaile against him at St. Albins the Duke of Orleance and the Prince of Orange being taken Prisoners After this the Duke of Bretagne deceased leaving his sole Daughter Anne Inheretrix who notwithstanding that she had made a promise to Maximilian King of the Romans was after marryed to the King for which cause the King of England made a preparation for Warre against him in the behalfe of Maximilian but it was concluded that the King should send backe the Princesse Marguerite with her Dowry of the Countries of Artois and Burgundy After having surrendred the County of Roussillon to the Spaniard by the perswasion of his Confessour he went upon the recovery of the succession which Renatus the late King of Sicily and Charles the Count of Maine his brother had left unto him by Will for the rights which they pretended to the kingdome of Naples In his journey hee was Regally entertained by Ludovicus Ssorza surnamed the Moore in the Towne of Ast and after having proceeded into Tuscany by Peter de Medicis who delivered into his command the Fortresses of Florence and the City of Pisa From thence hee went to Rome where nolens volens he entered Alexander 6. being then Pope who working his peace with him gave him the Title of Emperour of Constantinople and invested him to the kingdome of Naples whither the King having made his entrance the 12. of May Anno Dom. 1495 hee was crowned King of Sicily Whereupon the Monarchs and Potentates of Italy being amazed intended him an Ambuscade in his returne at Fournoue but the King passing another way escaped the plot and came safe into France where having intelligence of the losse of Naples and intending a second voyage thither for the recovery of his losses dyed of an Apoplexy as hee was seeing a Game at Tennis in the Castle of Amboise the seventh of April Anno Domini 1498. This King among other facetious sayings gave the Florentine Embassadours this merry Answer denoting their unfaithfulnesse in these two Italian Verses Concortesia e fede poca Va a Florence vender loca To Florence he went of his Goose to make sale Without any faith or courtesie at all which Verses were formerly made on this occasion A Countrey Pesant sold a fat Goose to a faire Dame of Florence for the fond satisfaction of Venery but afterward on colder thoughts growing wiser this piece of leatherne ignorance contrary to his former agreement without either fidelity or courtesie demanded the price of his Goose in the presence of her Husband and made her for the former sawce of the Goose pay him againe And with this Italian Proverb which had this wanton Originall the King answered the unfaithfull Embassadours of Florence His Queene Anne having received tidings of his Death said Gods will be done I doubt not but I shall be as great as I was before intimating thereby her hopes to be Queene of France afterwards verified by her Marriage with King Lewis the twelfth Friar Jerosine Savonarola living at Florence foretold in his Sermons that this King should come into
where King Charles caused him justly to be hang'd as a memorable example that Respect is an enemy to Justice which must be executed without sparing the guilty To conclude this Prince was worthy of the French Monarchy and deserved to be reckon'd amongst the chiefest men of State And as the Kingdome was happy in having so worthy and sufficient a King so his short Reigne deprived the Realme of that good which it should receive by his government But the best and most perfect men are in the blind world either despised for excesse of good or some tooke away by death to envy greater happinesse equall to their desert Philip of Valois the 6. and 50. King of France Anno 1327. THis Philip Count of Valois the Sonne of the late Count Charles and Cousen german to the three precedent Kings succeeded to the Crowne by title of his favour excluding Lewis of Evreux his Vncle who at that time as it is thought was already dead and was confirmed by the States notwithstanding that Edward King of England pretended the Crowne by his Mothers right who was the onely daughter of Philip the Faire He recovered a faire battaile against the Flemings who had revolted against their Duke and enforced the King of England to doe homage for the Dutchy of Guienne and other lands which he held of the Crowne who in revenge thereof entertained Robert of Artois Count of Beaumont who was banished out of France through a false accusation by whose perswasion the King of England beeing allyed to all the Princes of the Empire whereof hee had already obtained the Vicariate beganne to warre against Philip in Nantonge Anno Domini 1336. Afterwards he caused the Flemings to revolt against their Duke by the means of one James Artivel an Artisan The French that were in the Towne of L'Isle and first discomfited the English and Flemings but afterwards they were shamefully overthrowne at the Sluce Port when they laboured to hinder the English from joyning with the Flemings And after this victory he encamped before Tournay where he continued during fifty dayes during which time the Mother of the Count of Hainault wrought a Truce between the Kings of England and France which continued not long because the warres were renued shortly after betweene them because the King of France caused Oliver de Clisson to bee executed for Treason In which warre the French lost the memorable battaile of Crecy neare Abeville wherein the greatest part of the Nobility and flower of all France was slaine and the Towne of Calais taken After this the King having marryed in a second wedlocke the Lady Blanche daughter of the late Philip King of Navarre and received the Danphinate of Humbert together with the City and Countrey of Montpelier for a purchase of the King of Maillorque he retired to Nogent there to conclude his daies the 23. or 28. of August 1350. leaving Iohn Duke of Normandy and Philip Duke of Orleans He was an ingenious wity Prince as appeareth by his justification of the Salique Law by these words of Scripture Consider the Lillies of the field how they doe grow and doe neither labour nor spiune intimating whose Armes are Lillies or Flower de Lyces should not fall to the Distaffe Also he taxed the unfaithfulnesse of King Edward of England in these two Verses by himselfe composed Anglicus Angelus est cui nunquam credere fas est Dum tibi dicit Ave tanquam ab hoste cave The Englishman an Angell is which trusted will deceive thee Beware of him as of a Foe when he doth say God save thee After his marriage with Blanch daughter of Philip of Evreux he lived not long after he had tyed this knot this new wife being an unnecessary trouble in his old age so that sickning at Nogent advising his two sonnes to live in peace and bee carefull of the Realme which he resigned to the eldest he concluded his reigne and dyed He was a King in whom vertues and vices were equally mingled for he was valiant in danger and couragious in affliction just and loving to his subjects But his rash valour whereon hee presumed often engaged him and his subjects in many miseries Edward the third King of England Anno 1351. THis King comes here to be inserted amongst the Kings of France being the first that left the Title Hereditary to the Kings of England and first quartered the Armes of France with the English Armes giving thereby occasion and provocation of his succeeding Warres he obtained a gentle victory at Sluce upon Midsommer day in a sea fight Afterward he challenged Philip of Valois then King to a single combate by him not accepted afterwards makes a Truce with France their battailes being ready to joyne in Britagne in France then he declares the Truce with France broken He arrives afterward in France with bloody Colours with his hopefull son the Prince of Wales then about sixteen yeares old Afterward he got the Lawrell wreath of Conquest in the battaile of Cressey and his sonne was as victorious as his Father both sharing equally in honour purchased by valour But his sonne afterward whose veines were full of his Fathers Spirit and fortitude shewing that Nasci a Principibus est magnum obtained another triumphant victory against the French at Poictiers and by it confirmed his Fathers atchievements Then againe Henry invaded France besieges Paris concludes a peace King Iohn of France being taken prisoner and afterward ransomed hostages were also given and so the Clouds of warre were a while drawne away but suddainly againe France felt a new storme from England for the Earle of Blois slaine in Battaile by the English loseth the Dukedome of Britagne Then againe King Edward sends Iohn Duke of Lancaster to invade Prance and Sir Robert Knoles to the parts about Britagne and thus as he was famous for his many other Royall vertues expressed done at home and in the circumference of his owne Dominions so likewise he appeared in France like a flaming Comet which boded the effusion of much French blood But age sicknesse comming on hee was forc't to leave the world as the same did him before his breath left him but Nature could not hold out any longer and he was forced to resigne his life into the hands of his Creator at Shene now Richmond the one and twentieth day of Iune Anno Domini 1377. in the 64. yeare of his Age having reigned fifty yeares foure moneths and odde dayes in which time France felt the desolation which warre had made he carrying away the never dying Fame of a valiant Conquerour he lyeth buried at Westminster for as much of him as was Mortall but Multum sui vitabit Libitinam his sonle and Fame are immortall in Heaven and on earth and was especially famous for Conquering France and writing himselfe Roy de Angle terre France King of England and France John 1. or the second of that name the 51. King of France Anno 1350. JOHN the
Italy and obtaine great victories which fell out accordingly and in those Warres nothing was gained but a stinking contagious disease afterwards spred over all France and since then called the French Poxe After this King had ended his warres he builded a Castle at Ambois not knowing that instead of a stately Palace hee should end his life in a base and filthy Gallery He intending to reforme his life it chanced the seventh of April going after with the Queene into the Castle-ditches hee strooke his forehead against the doore of a Gallery whereas he meant to see a set at Tennis This blow driving him to the premeditation of his approaching end hee said to his Confessour that hee would never commit any mortall or veniall sin if he could avoide it which was a good reservation upon this protestation hee fell back ward into an Apoplexy wherewith he had beene troubled and dyed about 11. a clocke at night in a Chamber neare to a Gallery stinking with the urine which every one made as he passed through it being laid on a Matresse such as they could finde by chance In him the direct Line failed and the Crowne came to the Collaterall Line the nearest whereof was Lewis Duke of Orleance and Valois his Successor Lewis 12. the 57. King of France Anno 1499. THis Lewis the 12. succeeded according to the Custome of France to Charles the 8 who dyed without issue and was crowned the 27. of May. Hee repudiated the Lady Joane of France for her indisposition of conception and marryed the Lady Anne of Bretagne Widow to the late King Afterwards having made sure of Milan Genes and Lombardy by the taking of Ludovicus Sforza hee made an accord with the King of Spaine with whom hee conquered the Kingdome of Naples which was after lost by the French through the infidelity and perfidious treachery of the Spaniard Whereupon the King having yeelded his claime and part that he pretended to it unto Ferdinand King of Aragon in favour of the Marriage of Madame Germaine de Foix his owne Sisters Daughter and makes an agreement with the Pope against the Venetians against whom hee gained a battaile the 15. of May Anno Dom. 1509 without any assistance of the Truce Hee withstood the Pope who declared himselfe an Enemy to the French and he tooke many places in the Dutchy of Ferrara which gave an occasion to the Duke to recover what he had lost as also Gaston de Foix raised the Popes Army from before Bologna and relieved the City of Brescia which the Venetians had now beleaguered and having defeated their Army from thence he went to hazard his life before Ravenna having first wonne the field The Lord of Palisse was substituted in his place as Commanmander who sacked it Whereupon the Emperour and the Pope joyning with the English recovered many Townes upon the French and the Spaniard re-entered into the kingdome of Naples VVhereupon King Lewis being moved sent the Duke of Longueville with an Army to re-estate the King of Navarre into his Kingdome but hee was constrained to returne without any effect which was a cause that the King being desirous to re-enter his Dutchy of Milan accorded with the Spaniard and the Venetian and after sent the Lord of Tremoville with his Army into Italy whence he was beaten out by the Swisses In the meane time the King of England besieged Therouenne where was fought the battaile of Esperons after which King Lewis being a widower married with the Daughter of the King of England with whom hee having peace as he was in a preparation for an Army into Italy hee was prevented by death the first day of the yeare 1515. Hee was surnamed The Father of the people This King being instigated and perswaded by some of his familiars to take revenge on the Citizens of Orleance because when hee was Duke of Orleance and when Charles the 8. maintaining warres against him had compelled him to flye into Brittaine they had shut the gates of their City against him But he forgetting their former injury answered That being now King of France hee would not revenge injuries done to the Duke of Orleance Hee being told making warre then in Italy for the recovery of the Dutchy of Millaine that Agnadell was taken by his Enemies who had there taken up their lodging answered Then will I lodge upon their bellies or else they shall lodge upon mine Being advised to preserve his person from the shot of the great Ordnance he answered A rightfull King of France was never slaine with the shot of a Cannon Therefore let him that is affraid come behinde me Hee lying in Campe and a Souldier standing neare him being slaine with a Cannon shot and shewed unto the King hee smild and said He is but a little cold in his hands This King having commanded that a company of Foot-men should be levied of strong active men and at the day appointed a company of old Souldiers as appeared by scarres being presented unto him said These men as it seemes by their wounds were more willing to take than to give blowes Whereupon the Souldier replyed They were not valianter than we for they wounded us but we slew them To a Gentleman that boasted of his scarres and wounds in his face and desired the King to reward his service hee said Take heed hereafter of turning backe thy face when thou art flying from thy Enemy He being disswaded from making Warres on the Venetians being a wise and prudent people said Wee will set so many fooles upon them that shall beard them to the teeth that they shall not know which way to turne To certaine Embassadours of Greece that demanded succours against the Turke he objected this old Verse Barbara Graeca genus retinent quod habere solebant The Lords of the Parliament refusing to admit a Councellour for his ignorance and insufficiency though preferred by the King he asked them how many Councellours there were They replyed an Hundred Then said the King cannot you many wise men make one become wife A Courtier being wonder'd at for his great stature and accounted a Gyant the King said it is no wonder for his Mother tooke paines to make him and perhaps hee had many Fathers He told the Ladies of the Court that Hinds had at first Hornes as well as Harts but for their pride and rebellion against the Harts Nature offended therewith deprived them of their Hornes to shew that Wives should be obedient to their Husbands Hee told the Duke of Angolesme his sonne in law that a certaine Father and his son travelling towards a Towne the sonne said that now they were almost at the Towne but yet they afterward travelled untill it was night before they could get to the Towne whither being come the Father said to the Sonne Henceforth Sonne never say I am at the Towne till thou art past the Gates He said also that Asses were happier than Horses for Horses runne post to Rome to get
deceased the 19. or the 29. of September although some report upon the 29. of the same Moneth or August An. Dom. 1180. Hee lyes interred in the Abby of St. Barbeau which hee had formerly built In his reigne the Holy Land which the Christians had taken seemed to bee utterly conquered remaining under the Christians obedience untill the unhappy death of Godfrey of Bouillon for when the Commander was gone whose unspicious good fortune put life into this action the Warre did not prosper yet before his death he encountred an Army of sixe thousand men which the Turkes had brought into Palestine and came off with very good successe and had so proceeded if his Death had not prevented the good fortune of Christendome For the name of so great a Warrier conducting an Army prepares the way for conquest as opinion of victory and learning is a great Engine in policy to bring about matters This King lost some reputation by his unchast Wife Elenor who following him to the Holy Land blotted her Fame with a sensuall imputation loving Saladin a Iester better than the King her Husband thereby shewing that lust is base and doth not regard either birth or honour Yet Lewis shewing the vertuousnesse of his minde and Noblenesse of disposition brought her backe in his owne Ship because he would not bee derided by any forraigne Prince but beeing safely landed he was much opprest with griefe in stead of casting her in the River which she had deserv'd he covered her shame and his owne by a divorce granted by a general counsell punishing her by shewing too much mercy while hee sought onely to be freed from the disgrace Philip 2. surnamed Augustus the 42. King of France Anno 1180. AFter the decease of Lewis 7 Philip 2. succeeded to the Kingdome Anno Domini 1180 out of which he chased the Jewes then there and by his prowesse and conquests acquired the name of Augustus and Conquerour He married Isabelle or Alice Daughter of Baldwin 4 Count of Flanders in favour of which Marriage hee resigned the County of Artois but afterwards taking upon him the cause of Lionor the Inheritrix of Elizabeth or Mabel Countesse of Flanders in the Counties of Vermandois and Valois against the Count Flamend who layd claime to the said Counties as being of the ancient stocke of Flanders hee tooke onely that of Vermandois leaving that of Valois to the said Flamend whereupon he being in an indignation went and performed homage to the King of Germany the eldest sonne of the Emperour for the County of Flanders Richard also Duke of Aquitaine second sonne of the King of England began to dis-acknowledge the King whereupon the King made warre against him and tooke some Townes from him but they were immediately accorded by the Popes Legate by whose perswasion they entred a League upon an expedition for the Holy-land But this agreement was incontinently broken upon new differences which happened betweene the Kings of England and France during which the King tooke into his possession the Counties of Mans and Tours whereupon King Henry of England tooke a conceite and dyed in the Castle of Chinon whereupon Richard his sonne undertaking the Kingdome marryed Adele Sister to King Philip and they both went to the Holy Land where arriving they tooke the Towne of Acre the twelfth of July 1191. After upon some jealousies conceived betweene them Philip returned into France leaving the charge of his Army to the Duke of Burgundy And because Philip Count of Flanders was deceased the King retained to himselfe the County of Artois which hee gave to Prince Lewis Whereupon England made warres against him which were ended by the death of Richard to whom John being substituted and losing the battaile at Bonnivel the King caused his sonne Lewis to be proclaimed King of England which hee afterwards left to Henry the sonne of John After that King Philip sent his sonne Lewis against the Albigeois and as the said Philip held a Parliament at Nantes he deceased of a Feaver in the 43. yeare of his Reigne in tbe Moneth of July Anno Domini 1223. This King being to joyne battaile with the Emperour Otho having caused a gilt Bowle to be filled with Wine and sopps of bread hee said Princes and Lords of France heere with me assembled let every one that is resolv'd to live and dye with me this day shew his resolution by taking a sop out of the Bowle of Wine and eating it as I have done which words being spoken the Cup was presently emptied and afterward the battell being joyned the King got the victory Being informed by his Courtiers that some Royall Jurisdictions belonging to the Crowne were usurped by the Clergy his answer was I had rather connive at some petty injuries than commence Suits against the Semitears of God and his Church This King having put away his Queene Gelberge the King of Denmarke complained to the Pope of this wrong done to his Sister and a day of hearing was appointed before the Popes Legate in the Bishops Hall at Paris Philips Case was well defended by his Advocates but when none appeared to plead for the Queene a young man unknowne steps forth of the presse and demands audience and having deliver'd the truth and pleaded against the King for the Queene and when his Speech was ended hee returned into the presse againe and was never seene more neither was it ever knowne from whence he came The amazed Judges remitted the Cause to the Councell and King Philip did ride presently to Bois de Vinennes where Gelberge was confined and having embrac'd her receiv'd her into favour and lived with her afterward in nuptiall love And heereby it may bee discerned that no man can bring Nature to any perfection for this worthy Prince was much troubled in minde and divided in his thoughts by loving this Gelberge whom he could not forsake for she had got such strong possession in his affection that he could not turne her remembrance out of his heart pass'd away to her by deed of gift Thus hee that could overcome his Enemies could not conquer his passions He reigned 44. yeares and by his vertue governed the State with such wisedome that all his troubles had a happy faire end from whence this conclusion may be drawne That a vertuous King is in the end happy howsoever hee bee compassed in with difficulties Lewis the 8. and 43. King of France Anno 1223. LEwis the eldest sonne of Philip succeeded to the Crowne Anno Domini 1223. Hee together with his wife Blanch sister to the King of Castile was Crowned at Rheimes the 6. of August to whom afterwards the Surname of Montpensier was given because he dyed there In the beginning of his reigne he renewed the ancient consideration and allyance which was betweene France and Almany and upon his returne he led his Army into Guienne where in a set battaile he overthrew the English whereof Savary of Maleon had the command by meanes whereof
Church of God Keepe the good customes of thy Kingdome carefully abolishing those which are evill Impose no Taxes on thy Subjects but upon great occasion Favour those that feare GOD love Justice and hate Covetousnesse Let not thy Judges be impartiall against thy Subjects Keepe the Cities and Townes gotten by thy Predecessors preferre good and sufficient men to Benefices and Offices Be an Example to thy Subjects moderate the expences of thy Court and so God blesse thee These were the good instructions which this godly Monarch gave unto his Sonne for the leading of an upright life and to abandon all worldly delights and pleasures so as hee might both please God and be a patterne to his inferiours Philip 3. the 45. King of France Anno 1271. AFter the decease of S. Lewis Philip the third surnamed the Hardy his eldest sonne having beene proclaimed King in the Campe before Tunis in Africk tooke his journey in his returne through Italy directly to Viterbe to make an agreement betweene the Cardinals who in two years space were in a dissention upon the Election of a Pope Hee was Crowned at Rheimes by the Bishop of Soissons the thirtieth of August Anno Dom. 1271. He after incorporated the County of Tholouse to the Crowne upon the decease of the Count Alphonse his uncle He went to aide Gerard of Cassebonne his Subjects against the Counts of Armigna and Foix by reason whereof the Count of Foix submitted himselfe to his mercy He restored the Countrey of Navarre to the obedience of Ioane daughter of the late Henry King of Navarre deceased The King marryed Mary the daughter of Henry Duke of Brabant who was suspected to have poysoned Lewis the eldest sonne of the King by his first wife Isabelle of Aragon She was found innocent by the report of two Bishops who were sent to a Nunne or rather a Sorceresse to know the truth The yeare after Peter De la Bresche great Chamberlaine of France and superintendant of the Finances and affaires of the King was hanged being accused and convicted for having discovered the secrets of France to the King of Spaine together with the death of the Kings sonne Anno Domini 1282. the Sicilian Evensong were executed upon the Frenchmen upon an Easter day or as others report on the thirtieth of March or thirteenth of April whereupon Charles Uncle to the King offered battaile to Peter of Aragon the author thereof but he refused it Afterwards the King having caused Ioane the onely daughter of the late Henry King of Navarre to be marryed to his eldest sonne Phillip he marched with his Army for the Conquest of Aragon which by the Pope had been given to Charles de valois the second sonne of Philip who conquered the County of Russillon after that the City of Gennes And after that having in an Embuscado slaine the King of Aragon he forced the Towne of Gironne to be yeelded up He went to conclude his Fate at the Towne of Perpignan of a Malady which surprised him in his Campe Anno Domini 1285. the 6. of October This King as it appeares in the whole course of his life would engage himselfe in all businesses and was therefore called the Hardy but his desperate Father would not undertake his Neighbours quarrells nor seek to make betwene them any agreement unlesse it might be done by safe and quiet means The reigne of this King was much disturbed by the warres maintained by Peter and Roger for the Isle of Sicily and after much effusion of blood Charles dyed and also Peter though politicke could not deceive death but having received a great overthrow concluded his Act of life with griefe and sorrow At last this King was by Roger Admirall of Arragon friend unto Peter set upon him lying sicke a bed at Pepignan yet in extreamity he exprest a noble courage and with his sicke weake voyce so encouraged his Souldiers that Roger was droven out of Pepignan the City held by Philip so distempered with this alarum that he grew sicke and dyed the fifteenth of October two moneths after Peter Pope Martin the fourth dying the same yeare 1286. to shew great Princes that their chiefe designes are crost by death It was now decreed in a Counsell at Lions that the Cardinals meeting after the Popes death should not come out of that Conolme untill they had chosen the Pope which begun upon occasion of the tedious Election of the former Pope and the Decree is still observed Thomas Aquinas now dyed being a subtile disputer But Bonaventure John Duns called Scot and Gabriel Biel succeeded and were famous schollers And to conclude hee was a Prince borne for a testimony to that obscure age and for corrupted times to bee a patterne to all Kings and Princes of religion equity clemency wisedome valour magnanimity patience and constancy to love piety justice order and peace to joyne the love of sanctity and modesty of manners with Armes and State Having shewed that it is very fitting for a King to be a good Christian a good warriour a good husband a good father a good governour a good Iustier and to know how to make war and peace That it is very necessary to joyne unto the Majesty Royall piety clemency and authority to gaine the low respect and obedience And lastly that the best guard and most assured revenew of a Prince is the love of his Subjects Thus he was worthy of that venerable name wherewith posterity hath justly honourd him being the Honour of vertue Philip 4. the 46. King of France Anno 1286. PHilip 4. surnaming himselfe The Faire King of Navarre succeeded his Father An. Dom. 1286. After that he had withdrawne his Army from Parpignan hee was crowned at Rheims the sixt of January He caused the Palace to be built at Paris at that time Edward King of England pretending to lead his Army to the aide of the Towne of Acre which the Saracens had now beleaguered made some incursions upon the Sea-townes of Normandy thinking to have surprised Rochell whereupon ensued the second Warre which the French had against the English Heere the French Writers shew themselves most shamefully partiall and false yet I am bound to follow my Authors they being of that Nation who notwithstanding their alliance with the Emperour Adolphus were valiantly repulsed as well by Charles of Valois where the Lord of St. John was taken as by Robert of Artois who gained the victory upon the fresh Army which Edmund brother to the King of England had led to Bayonne yea and the Count of Flanders who declared himselfe on the English party lost the battaile at Furnes against the Count of Artois who went to joyne forces with the French who besieged Lisle and the Lords of Mont Morency and Harcourt tooke the Towne of Dover The English perceiving that demanded a Truce which was converted to a peace by the Marriage of Madam Marguerite of France Daughter of King Philip with the King of England Afterwards the
Horsemen ran themselves upon the sharpe poynted stakes At last the French maine Battaile was put to flight and then King Henry gave thankes unto God the giver of all victoryes This Battaile was famous triumphant and fortunate the successe whereof was celebrated with great joy at the Kings returne into England Princes being then most amiable as well as private men in the sight of their subjects when Fortune smiles on their attempts and Victories such as this was at Poictiers makes their vertues more apparant Afterward Truce being made with the French and by them broken hee invades France againe and takes the Towne of Harflew in Normandy and Cane Then proceeding in his Conquest of Normandy takes Fallais after a long siege and Articles of agreement confirmed by the King he besieges also Roane and the Lady Katharines Picture was sent to King Henry to move him to pitty Roane Hee grants them peace and receives of the Burgesses of Roane 356000. Crownes of gold upon the sixteenth of June Anno Domini 1418. Afterward many Townes were surrendered to Henry At last a peace was concluded betweene King Henry and King Charles and the Duke of Burgogne Afterward Henry goes in person to Trois where he was met by Iohn King of France the Queene and the Lady Katharine to whom hee was contracted and by their marriage peace was established in France and the Crowne of France was entailed to England and the Subjects of France were sworne to duty of allegeance unto King Henry as also the two Crownes of England and France were united and confirmed to King Henry by his marrying the Lady Katherine for marryages have alwayes beene the happy conclusions of Tragicall Warres as may appeare by happy marriage Afterward the French growing rebellious King Henry besieges Paris and takes it Bicardy afterward sweares fealty and obedience to King Hen. Matters being setled all the Warres was concluded with joyfull Solemnities at the marriage of King Henry and the Lady Katharine with whom he returned afterward into England where every Subject exprest his love and loyalty to him each one contending who should be the forwardest for the entertaining of so Noble and victorious a Prince and his most Royall Consort Afterward King Henry being at the siege of Meaux his wife was delivered of Henry of Munmouth his last joy on earth for not long after sickning at at Melum and his malady encreasing at Bois De vincennois hee cheerefully rendred his Soule to GOD who received him to immortall joy where he remaines Crowned with Caelestiall glory while his body being conveyed into England was with all pompous Celebrity interred in the Church at Westminster where on his Tombe are ingraven these Verses Dux Normanorum verus Conquestor eorum Haeres Francorum decesset Hector eorum Here Normans Duke so stil'd by Conquest just True heire of France great Hector lyes in Dust. Charles 7. the 54. King of France Anno 1422. AFter the decease of Charles the 6 Charles 7. his sonne began to style himselfe King of France notwithstanding that his Father had dis-inherited him and given it to Henry King of England In the beginning of his Reigne having made Count Arthur brother to the Duke of Bretagne High Constable of France sent him against the English who in a manner were Masters of all France and had now beleaguered Orleans contrary to their promise made to their Duke who at that time was prisoner in England whereupon the King sent the Count of Dunois the Bastard of Orleans Pothon Hire all valiant Commanders to relieve it At that time the French lost the Battaile of Harens whereupon the King being enraged and not knowing which way best to betake himselfe was encouraged by Joane the Maid who miraculously drove the English from before Orleance and having recovered many lost Townes and gained the battaile neare Patay and conveyed the King to be crowned at Rheims but upon a Sally which she made out of Champagne upon the English she was taken and put to death at Rouen In the end a peace being made betweene the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France they first drove the English out of Paris nineteene yeares after their enjoying it into which the King made his entry the twelfth of November Anno Domini 1437 to equall which there presently ensued the Praguery Faction The quarrells also of the Houses of Orleance and Burgundy were extinguished by the Marriage of Charles Duke of Orleance with Mary of Cleue neare to the Duke of Burgundy The English also lived promiscuously with the French but the Truce being broken by an English Captaine who took in the Castle of Fougeres the King imployed his uttermost to quit France of all the English and thereupon hee to this designe appointed his Franc-archers or Boemen and began with Normandy which he reduced wholly to his obedience after that Guienne and the Citty of Bourdeaux insomuch that the English could retaine nothing on that side the Seas but Cales and the County of Guiennes The King enjoying this repose of peace was much troubled with the absence of the Dauphin who for sixe yeares had betaken himselfe to the Duke of Burgundy and thence into Brabant where hee remained till his Fathers decease which was the 22. of July Anno Dom. 1461. This King being unfortunate in his Warres grew so behind hand both in fame and estate that amongst other afflictions hee was burthened with reproach and poverty so that he dined in his Chamber attended on by his houshold servants where Pothon and la Hire comming to Chusteandun to require succours found him at Table with a Rumpe of Mutton and two Chickens He was reproached for the love of faire Agnes but the History of St. Dennis reports that hee loved her onely for her pleasing behaviour eloquent speech and beauty and that he never used any lascivious action unto her nor never touched her beneath the chinne Joane a Virgin or rather Witch professing that she had a Revelation how to succour the King and chase the English from Orleance was brought by the Lord of Baudie Court Provost of Vancoleurs to Chinon attired like a man The King takes upon him the habite of a Countryman yet shee goes directly to the King although they told her shee was mistaken Shee had Armes and Horse given her with a Troope to enter the City accompanied by the Admirall and Martiall of France Shee comes to Orleance they rejoyce to behold the Maiden Warriour whereupon Joane sends threats to the English by Letter subscribed Vnderstand these Newes from God and from the Virgin Orleance was assaulted by her counsell The Virgin entred the Fort first crying Montjoy St. Dennis the Fort is wonne The English grew amazed at the Virgins exploits In memory whereof a Monument was erected King Charles the seventh armed and Joane the Virgin armed kneeling on their knees before a Crucifixe of Brasse which is still to bee seene upon the Bridge at Orleance Lewis the 11. and 55.
first or second of that Name succeeded to the Crown and was consecrated at Rheims the 26. of Septem An Dom. 1350. In the beginning of his reigne hee caused the Lord Ralph of Nesle Cōstable of France to be beheaded for Treason and in his place hee jnstituted Charles of Spaine Count of Angolesme The Truce being broken betweene him and England he betooke him to S. John d' Angely and in his returne he instituted the Order of the Starre in the Noble and Royall House or S. Owen Afterwards Charles King of Navarre caused the Constable to be massacred upon a jealousie which hee had conceived against him on the sixt of Ianuary 1353 and the Lord Iames de Bourbon was substituted in his place In the meane time the King of Navarre whom the King of Prance had pardoned instead of acknowledging his fault complotted against the State of the said King which being discovered he entred into an Amity with the King of England By meanes whereof King Iohn having surprised him sent him prisoner to Paris Hereupon Philip of Navarre his brother in an indignation caused the English to come into Normandy against whom the King intending an opposition was enforced to turne it upon the Prince of Wales in Poicton where having lost the field through his temerity hee was taken Prisoner In the meane time the Parisians at the perswasion of Stephen Martel mutinyed against the Dauphin who tooke upon him the Regency of the Realme and appeased the tumult having first restored the places of Normandy to the King of Navarre who had escaped out of prison Afterwards upon a treaty made at Bretigny the eight of May 1360 a peace was concluded with the English and ratified at Calais the 24. of October In the meane time Philip Duke of Burgundy deceased at Roucere neere Dijon without issue by reason whereof Iohn the King declared himselfe to be his Heire After that he making a preparation for a beyond-sea voyage first came to London intending to make a strong peace with England and dyed there the eighth or ninth of April 1364 leaving Charles the Dauphin Lewis Duke of Aniou John Duke of Berry and Philip Hardy Duke of Burgundy This King shewed magnanimity in his most adverse fortune for Apparet virtus arguiturque malis Vertue will apparent be In the depth of adversity which was verified in this King John who sitting in the English Campe at a Supper prepared for him by the Prince of Wales who had taken him prisoner in the Battell of Poitiers said I purposed to have bestowed a Supper on you this night but the fortune of the War hath made me your Guest The Englishmen for a summe of money having got by composition the Castle and Towne of Gwines King Iohn complaining to the King of England that the Truce was broken contrary to their compact and agreement King Edward answered That Trafficke or Merchandise the surrender of the Castle being by money procured did not breake the former Truce This King when King Edward required homage for the Realme of France as held of England answered that hee could not justly alienate a right inalienable received from his Ancestors and therefore he resolved to leave it entire to his children for affliction might engage his person but not the Crowne of France while hee was King who would sacrifice his life for the preservation of France Hee dyed in England Anno 1364 being a good Prince but infortunate wise in ordinary matters but not in great affaires just but too confident in trusting others temperate in his private life but violent in the publicke government For great vertues meeting with Wisdome doe on the Theater of this life give unto Kings a Crowne of applause and commendation Charles 5. surnamed the Wise the 52. King of France An. 1364. AFter the decease of Iohn the first this Charles 5. surnamed the Wise was crowned the 19. of March Anno Dom. 1364. At the comming to the Crowne hee gained against those of Navarre a very memorable victory under the Conduct of the Lord Bertrand du Guesclin in favour whereof he gave him the Dukedome of Longueville From thence the said Guesclin went to aide Charles of Blois against whom Iohn of Monfort relying upon the English had begun warres for the Dutchy of Bretagne where he was taken fighting valiantly before the Castle of Aulroy against Iohn Lord Chandos High Marshall of England but a peace being made betweene the Duke of Monfort and the Countesse of Blois the King likewise made a peace with those of Navarre and after sent Guesclin to ayde Peter King of Arragon against Peter King of Castile in favour of Henry Sancho and Telco his naturall brothers and also in revenge of the death of his Wife Blanche the daughter of the Duke of Bourbon whom hee had caused to be slaine Peter of Castile being deposed of his kingdome and Henry substituted hee retired to the Prince of Wales who restored him to his former estate After returning into Guienne he imposed upon his Subjects unaccustomed taxations and imposts which caused the Lords of Armaignac and of Albert to appeale to the King of France as to their Soveraigne Lord which was a cause that moved Charles to give an eare to Henry who offered to hold his kingdome of Castile from him so that hee would ayde him in the re-conquest thereof Whereupon the King sent him Guesclin who gained fixe battells against his Enemy and in the fixt Peter of Castile was taken by the Lord de Villaines a French Knight of whom Henry ransomed him and put him to death enjoying by that meanes the kingdome of Castile In the meane time because the King embraced the appeale of the Lords of Gascogne the Prince of Wales denounced warre against him which the King managed so well by the assistance of his brothers that repairing the losses of his Father and Grandfather received by the English hee reconquered Guienne Poictou and Bretagne and deceased in September Anno Dom. 1380 leaving Charles and Lewis under the tuition of their Unkles This King had many vertues shining in all estates both in happinesse and adversity and when the Realme was in the heate of troubles he saved it from ruine so that his fame was spred abroad leaving an honourable remembrance to his posterity Hee favoured Learning and the learned preferring the Schoolemaster Nicholas Oresme He caused the Bible to be translated imitating therein St. Lewis and tooke great delight to read the Scripture and Philosophy and he made Aristotles Ethicks and Politicks and many places of Tully to be translated into French and his favour shewed to learned men cherished their fancies and made them seeke unto the forsaken Muses for witty inventions Hee would heare Suits in open Court and redresse the wrongs of the oppressed and tooke pleasure to advance his houshold servants and gave them meanes for bringing up their sons and marrying their daughters And as he was a favourer of Learning so Bartholl Baldus Petrarch