the Kings Authority to restraine him from this liberty Hee made of men as an Auditor doth of Counters placing some for hundreds others for thousands some for ten and some for vnits He allowed many petty Companions in his Cabinet who could not remember the condition of their fore-fathers without blushing or disavowing them s Honor meeting with an vnworthy subiect hath lesse luster and esteeme When as the people of Athens saw that Yperbolâ—◠〈◊〉 decayed man and who had nothing to loose was intreatreated equally with good men they dissolued the 〈◊〉 an honorable punishment for those whose vertue was suspected In like manner they tooke it ill at Roma when as Flauius being freed by Appius was made Edilis Curulis But for all that he did not leaue to haue about him and to imploy in great charges Noble-men issued from houses which were then illustrious both by their owne vertues and by those of their fore-fathers Of this number was Iohn of Daillon Lord of Lude The Lord of Lude and Imbert of Baterney Lord of Bouchages They came in fauour with this Prince by diuers meanes and maintained it in like maner The Lord of Lude had been bred vp with this Prince and the affection which begins so soone doth not wither easily Philip de Commines addes this reason that he knew well how to please the King Fortune fauoured the merits of Imbert of Baterney Imbert of Baterney Lewis Dauphin of France retiring himselfe into Dauphiné and going from Moras to Romans hee staied in a valley vnder the Castle of Baterney to take the coole aire and demanding some refreshing in the heate of the season and the tediousnesse of the way the Lord of Baterney sent some things vnto him and came himselfe to doe his duty hee brought with him Imbert of Baterney being then but a youg man who carried a Hauke with the which hee kild some Partridges t The pleasure of hunting which had beene the raâ—ing of his fortune was in a manner the cause of his ruine Claude of Seyell saith that going to 〈◊〉 to see the Dauphin hauing had him to field to see his Haukes flye the king was much incâ—sed thinking that he had a designe to make him see the woâ—ld and to know it The Dauphin tooke pleasure in it and commanded him to come vnto him to Romans for that hee had a desire to see that Hauke flye againe He went and did so please this Prince as he demanded him of his father and from that time he neuer abandoned him vntill his death He made him great in riches and honor as he was in merit and vertue Charles of Artois Charles of Artoix Earle of Eu hauing remained three and twenty yeares prisoner in England returned into France and was much beloued of king Lewis the eleuenth for that he held nothing of the sower arrogant humors of his predecessors he continued in the Kings seruice at such time as the Noble-men left him to follow the Princes Armie He reconciled the King and the Duke of Brittanie and soone after died in Iuly in the yeare 1471. without any children Iohn of Bourgondy Earle of Neuers his Nephew was his heire u The accord betwixt the king and the Duke of Brittany was made at Saumur in the yeare 1469. and the difficulties were decided by the deâ—terity of the Earles of Eu and Dunois Iohn of Orleans Bastard of Orleans Earle of Longueville base sonne to Lewis Duke of Orleans was the greatest and most fortunate Captaine of his time he alone of all the Noblemen of the league of the Common-weale pursued the fruits which France expected of such an enterprise He was chiefe and President of the Commissioners appointed for the reformation of the disorders of the Realme and died before he could see the effects of that which hee had so earnestly pursued in the yeare 1470. Andrew of Laual Andrew of Laual Lord of Loheac Lewis 11. tooke from him the dignity of Marshall of France wherewith Charles 7 had honoured him and rewarded his seruice Hee restored it vnto him againe when as necessity made him know that none was more capable then he For his sake he gaue vnto his brother the Lord of Chastillon the Office of great Maister of the Waters and Forrests Alaine of Albret purchased the surname of Great by the same greatnesse of courage which gaue the sword of France to Charles of Albret his grand-father Alaine of Albret x Charles of Albret was not onely entreated but in a manner forced by the King to receiue the sword of Costable The king pâ—t it into his hand the Dukes of Orleans Burgondy Berry Bourbo girt him with it a little before hee had caried Charles the seuenth vnto the font He left the league of the Common-weale as soone as he was entred into it and remained more constant in the assurance of his word then the Duke of Nemours his great corage found nothing impossible He was often wont to say that he which had force in hand needed no other thing He married Francis Vicountesse of Limoges and was father to Iohn of Albret King of Nauarre Iohn of Bueil Iohn of Bueil Earle of Sancerre presently after the coronation of Lewis the eleuenth was dismist from his Office of Admirally y The Earle of Sancerre was Admirall of France by the death of Pregent of Coitiuy Son-in-Law to Giles of Raix Marshall of France for no other reason but for that he had serued Charles the seuenth He returned to Court and fauour but yet he stood alwayes vpon his guard against that Lyon which strooke with his paw when they least thought of him Iohn of Andie Iohn of Andie Bastard of Armagnac Lord of Lescun and Earle of Cominges was Admiral of France after the dismission of the Earle of Sancerre and then Marshall of France he chased the Brittains from Baieux and was Gouernour of Dauphine Ioachim of Rouvault Ioachim of Rouvault z Hee had done great sâ—ruices vnder King Charles the seuenth and had beene present at the battell of Fromigny and at the siege of Bourdeaux The King gaue him the place of Marshall of France and Monstrelet saith that Charles the seuenth made him constable of Bourdeaux and that hee tooke his oath in the hands of the Chancellors of France Lord of Gamasches serued him worthily and couragiously in the warre of the Common-weale and was the cause of the preseruation of Paris He alwayes coasted the Duke of Bourgondy his Army to keepe it from scattering to the hurt of the Kings subiects and that it should not make profit by the surprise of any places in passing Then he cast himselfe into Paris and by his presence fortified the courages which an accident rather feared then foreseene had much deiected The King gaue him the gouernment with a troope of two hundred maisters and made him Marshall of France Tanneguy of Chastel Tanneguy
Charles the seauenth armes against his sonne the Dauphin and takes S. Maixaint and Niort 9. Estates asseÌ„bled at Clermont euery man seeks to recouer the kings fauour 10 Repentance of the Dauphin and the Princes of his party 11. King Charles the seauenth pardons his sonne and refuseth to pardon them thut had corrupted him 12 A new order in the Dauphins house 13. Instructions which King Charles giues him 14. Seige of Pontoise the Academies of military exercises The taking of Tartas 15. The taking of Diepe The Kings armie in Languedoc 16. Montbeliard taken Basil besieged 17. Suisses defeated at the Hospitall of St. Iames of Basil. 18. Truce betwixt France and England 19. Death of Margret Steward wife to Lewis the eleuenth 20. Life of King Charles the seauenth The idlenes of peace 21 Lewis the eleuenth retires into Dauphiné Refuseth to returne at the Kings command 22 He passeth into Flanders to Duke Philip who lodgeth him at Gueneppe 23. Practises of Lewis the eleuenth 24. Hatred and contrariety of humors betwixt Lewis and the Earle of Charolois 25. Birth of Ioachim of Valois first sonne to Lewis the eleuenth 26. Army of Charles the seauenth The Duke of Bourgondy in alarum 27. Distrustfull and suspicious nature of Charles the seauenth 28. His death with a collection of his principall actions THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE HISTORY of LEWIS the XI ISabel of Bauaria Disinheriting of Charles the Dauphin an ambitious Princesse and a cunning woman but a cruell mother a Humane wisdome 〈◊〉 deceiued in matters which it thinkes iâ— hath foreseenâ— Charles the 5. had desired to seeke an alliance in Germany for his sonne to fortifie hâ—m against the English Hâ— married Isabell daughter to Stâ—phen Dâ—â—e or Bauaria 〈…〉 nature â—anded against Charles her sonne to transport he Câ—owne to strangers had so great power ouer the will and weaknes of Charles the sixt her husband as he disinherited the Dauphin his sonne and gaue the Crowne of France to Henry the fift king of England his son in lawe by a treaty made at Troie the xxi of May 1420. This declaration published at the Marble table was followed by another of the Kings Councell which promised to vse all the seuerities of Iustice against the Dauphin to punish him for the murder of Duke Iohn slaine at Monstereau A murther which making an altar vnto Mars of all France gaue him for offerings not prodigious showes of vices but an infinite number of braue men worthy of a more happy age and a better end He that knowes not the History cannot vnderstand that of the warres which it hath caused betwixt the kings of Fraunce and the house of Burgundy nor of those tragicall effects of malice and hatred which continued all the raigne of Lewis the xi But behold a true Table Charles the vi b Charles the 6. going from Mans in Iuly in the extreaâ—most heat of the day his head being couered with a great hood of scarlet he meâ— with a man 〈◊〉 â—eaded and bare-legged 〈◊〉 in white rugge at the enâ—ry of the forest who staying his horse by the reyacâ— said vnto him King ride no farther for thou art betraid These wordes to a spirit weakened with care watching distemperature and distrust turned his braine and made him mad O what misery did this poore head bring to the whole body of France for the infirmity and weaknes of his spirit Distraction of Charles â—he 6. suffered himselfe to be gouerned by Lewis Duke of Orleance his brother whom he loued dearely Philip Duke of Burgundy Vncle to the king by the father grew first iealous then an enemy to this great authority and his hatred tooke such deepe roote as it died not with him for Iohn his sonne was his heire and sware the ruine of the house of Orleance The two factions are framed Faction of Orleanois and Burgonians and the heads discouer their hearts by their deuises the motto of that of the Duke of Orleance was Ie l'enuie hauing a knotted staffe that of the duke of Burgundy was a Ioyners plan with this motto Ie le tiens th' one shewing how he would maintaine his authority and the other how he would ouerthrow it The Duke of Burgundies designes succeeded both to the ruine of himselfe and his house He grounded himselfe vpon the practice of the Townes and especially of Paris supplanting the Duke of Orleance of all c The credit and confidence which they haue in a man of commandement is the cheife support of his authority for from thence proceeds the loue of the people which is a buckler vnto the 〈◊〉 and a stâ—ong ramâ—iâ—e against 〈…〉 and wicked credit and loue and seeking to make him hatefull in the speeches but worse in the affections of the people who were otherwise incensed against him for some new subsidies which he had raised The first effect of this cruell hatred was that after many combustions both within and without Paris Death of Charles D. of Orleans and euen then when as they thought their minds were least inflamed the Duke of Orleance returning from the Queenes Palace where she then lay in and hauing past most part of the night by her on the 20. of Nouember 1407. fell into the hands of xviij murtherers which slew him It was a spectacle full of pitty the next day to see about this poore sicke King the widow d Valentine of Milan widdow to the Duke of Orleance Charles Philip and Iohn her sons Isabâ—l of Fâ—ance the Kings daughter married to Charles eldâ—st sonne to the Duke of Orleance the Kings of Sicile and Nauarre with the Dukes of Berry Bourbon demaund iustice of the murther and her three sonnes assisted by the three Princes of the bloud imploring iustice They seek out the crime but they finde not the offenders The Duke of Burgundies hatred is a great presumption that these were the fruites of his reuenge The Duke of Burgundy flies into Flanders all mens eyes were cast vpon his which his conscience made him to hould downe He drawes the King of Sicile and the Duke of Berry apart and aduowes the fact he leaues Paris with fiue more in his company and recouers his country of Flanders in great hast so as the suspition was changed into apparant proofe Sone after he e The Duke of Bourgondy returning into France with a great army carried in a table two lances in saltire the one hauing a sâ—arpe head for the warre the other a burrhead for the tourney giuing the choyce of war or peace returnes with a mighty army they that would haue condemned him He returnes to Paris are now forced to seek his friendship Paris receiues him as the Demon Gardian of her wals he maintaines puqlikely that he had caused the Duke of Orleans to be slaine to free the estate from oppressions A Doctor of the Sorbonne vndertooke to iustifie him before the Kings Counsell with so great impudence and flatterie
corpus super humeros recipit et 〈◊〉 hostibus 〈◊〉 ad suos AEneas Sil. Munsterus It is not certaine how many were in the Suisses Army Haluuil the Suisse saith that they were 4000 the Chronicles of France speake of 5000. But whatsoeuer it were neither France nor England had any great cause to triumph for this Battell For they lost as many men as they must kill of the enemies to merit a triumph a A Triumph was not giuen for any victory except they had slaine 5000. enemies Valâ—â—ius saith Neither did they giue it vnto the Victors when as the victorie had nad cost much bloud therfore Titus Liuâ—uâ— ia his 16. saith that it was refused to Artillius The Army that was before Farnsperg hearing of this defeat raised the 〈◊〉 and retired The Dauphin continued three daies vpon the place of Battell and to couer the nomber of men which they had lost caused them to be buried in diuers places as at Arlesheim Reinach and Esch Two Earles were interred at Montbelliard two at Isenheim The grand Pryor of France was slaine at this Battell with many other Noblemen They of Basill demand leaue to take a view of the dead men and to bury b Among the Grecians hee that demanded a dead body to bury it lost the fruit of the victory end renouned the triumph Plut. de Niceas Ageâ—lâ—us them he would not refuse peace vnto the dead seeing he was willing to grant it vnto the liuing c Aeneas said vnto the Laâ—ius who came to intreat him to haue their dead bodies to bury them Pacem me exaâ—â—mis Martis sorte perempti oratis equidem 〈◊〉 concedere velim you pray to men slaine in the warres I peace should giue yea willingly I would grant it them that liue and that there was no likelihood that he would grow obstinate at the siege of Basil nor against the Suisses The begging Fryars were appointed for this act of pietie They made three pits to bury them in There were some that did breath three dayes after the battell They found some halfe burnt in the ruines of the Hospitall many in the hedges and a great number in the Riuer of Birs The Dauphin went to refresh himselfe in Alsacea His Court was at Ensisheim and the Armie lodged so at large in the country as it held from Montbelliard to Haguenaud Counâ—â—l of Basil seekes an accord with the Dauphin The Emperor assembled the Princes of the Empire at Ments to consult of the meanes to expell the strangers out of Germany The Councill of Basill sent d The Counciâ—l of Basill sent the Cardinall of Arles and Bishop of Basill vnto the Dauphin who did mediate a truce for twenty daiâ—s Embassassours vnto him to perswade him not to trouble the assembly to the which France was bound for the peace it had with the house of Bourgundy His Deputies were at Basil to vnderstand the will of the Fathers vpon this accord They of Berne and Soleure came thither yet there was nothing concluded but a truce of some few daies The Emperor Frederick gaue the Dauphin to vnderstand that if he did not retire himselfe the Empire would proclaime warre against him The Nobilitie of Germanie who had drawne the French and English into the country began to bee weary of their guests who dranke their wine without paying and made vergys of their Vines Mulhouse e Mulhouse was sometimes an imperiall â—own the Bishâ—p of Strausburge was gouernor and it was called 〈◊〉 It allied it selfe with the Suisses in the yeare 1464. and then in the yere 1506. it was made fellowburgis with all the Cantons Stump lib. â— of the Suisses commonweale freed it selfe from this storme refusing to receiue the Dauphins troupes When as hee saw that all the Empire began to rise against him The Dauphin retires into Lorraine and that the Suisses were like to haue their reuenge for the battell of S. Iames of Basill he went into Lorraine to see King Charles his Father who was before Mets being resolued to reuenge the King of Sicile who was much incensed against this Towne for that they had fauoured the Earle of Vaudemont against him The English who had refused a peace 1445 Truce betwixt FraÌ„ce and England prolonged tooke such taste in a truce f A truce is the baitâ— and charme of peace It is in the libertie of Princes to make it but when as the people 〈…〉 therof it is hard to 〈…〉 as it was prolonged for fiue yeares Such as tooke delight in the publike miseries for that they were profitable vnto them were not content they would haue the tempest cease but they still desired some winde to raise the storme Wee doe not alwaies finde spirits of that integritie but they preferre their priuate profit before the publike good Men of this excellencie haue been euer ingaged in great tempests the number of them which haue come to a safe port to make others haue been very small They grow like the Phenix at the end of fiue hundred yeares g A wise man such as the Stoicks discribe him neuer was nor neuer will be Quis sapipiens sit aut fuerit nec ipsi Stoici solent dicere Cic. And as great things happen rarely Seneca saith that fortasse tanquam Phaenix semel 500. annis nascitur Sen. Whiles that Rome was well gouerned the profession of Armes was in time of peace for an exercise and in the time of warre for necessitie and glorie euery man returned to his affayres hauing yeelded an account of his Armes witnessing still that hee carried them not for his owne priuate good but for the seruice of his country The ciuill warres troubled this order and therefore they said that Caesar and Pompey were held better Captaines then good Citizens and greater in valour then in integritie France was neuer fruitfull of such spirits as haue willingly made warre to haue peace and haue not troubled the peace to make warre h Marshall disciplin should be wel obserued if it did alwaies consist of men who after the war made no difficultie to return to their trades and labour but the libertie and disorder in warre is so great as it is hard to draw them to the rules of Duty and therefore warre makes theeues and peace hangs them During this Truce a marriage was made betwixt Henry the sixt King of England Marriage of Henry the sixth and Margaret of Aniou and Margaret of Aniow Daughter to Rene King of Sicile The Earle of Suffolk came to fetch her at Nancy the King was there present and the ioy was great but as any great ioy hath still some great sorrow attending it and pleasures strangle when as they imbrace most straightly i Ioy is commonly the beginning of sorow at riuers of fresh water die in the salt sea the sweetnes of life ends with sorrowes that are bitter King Charles receiued so great an affliction for the death
to submit himselfe to the mildest yoake seeing that hee could not remaine free o The miseries of ciuill diuision reduced Rome to that estate as hauing no hope euer to recouer her liberty she sought for nothing but for the mildest serâ—itude Hee left vnto Henry the name of King onely for all the authoritie was in his hands he gaue to the Earle of Salisbury the Office of Lord Chancellor of England and to Richard Neuell his Sonne the gouernment of Callis He disposed of publike charges as he pleased still giuing them vnto those of his faction In the end the king discouers the Duke of Yorkes designe Queene Margaret his wife who had been aduertised thereof le ts him vnderstand that he did temporise but vntill the partie were made to ceaze both of the king and Realme and among his partisans the king was held but for a Tyrant As if his Raigne had been by vsurpation or constraint p Among many differences betwixt a King and a Tyrant they put this that a King raigns with the loue anâ— consent of the people and a Tyrant rules by constraint The king imparted this to his principall seruants D. of Yorke retires from the Court of England who were of aduise to restraine this great authoritie which the Duke of Yorke had within the Realme The Duke beeing suddenly aduertised thereof retired secretly to Wigmore in Wales Richard Neuell to his Castle of Midleham in the North Countie and Richard Earle of Warwicke to Callis so as the cruell seditions in England grew more violent then before during the which the French spoiled the coasts of Kent and Iames king of Scotland inuited by the same occasion entred by Roxborge The same cause which made this warre ended it q The shaâ—pest Ciuill wars are pacified when as strangers meddle to gaine by them The two parties agree against the third and although the Prince be offended yet it is better to remit the punishment The king of England let the Duke of Yorke vnderstand that the ciuill discord and the bad intelligence which was betwixt them had opened a gate to the enemies to inuade England that the common danger did binde them to vnite their forces to defend it and that hee was contented to forget all matters past vpon hope of a better conduct hereafter English cease their ciuill discords to war against the French excusing himselfe that matters had not alwaies gone directly being impossible for a Prince to obserue all the kinds of Iustice and equitie r Many things vniust of themselues are made iust when they are countenanced by necessitie or profit wherfore Plutark obserues That if there were question to accomplish al the kindes of iustice Iupiter himself might not in that case bee a Prince The Kings intention was allowed by all men the Duke of Yorke being loth to be the author of the ruines of the Realme declared that all his affections tended to his greatnes and quiet and to take away all occasions of doubt He came vnto the King to London with the chiefe of his faction The feare of a forraine warre quenched the ciuill s There is no such indiscretion as to hazard ones own to get another mans and to draw forth the bloud which is needfull for the life of the bodie It is more glorie for a Prince to maintaine himselfe them to grow great Preseruation safety is the essence of an estate profit it but an accessary Mens mindes altered with things past grew milder and all their wills were vnited in one accord for the defence of the Realme detesting the discord which had drawne them into a warre which was not necessarie nor could bee happie and made them a prey and triumph to their auncient enemie But as the fire of sedition is neuer so well quenched but there remaines some sparks in the ashes Troubles renewed in England which kindle again if they be a little blowne that there be alwaies some which delights in troubles for that it is their rest t Seditions commonly are fed supported by three sorts of men First the heads of factions Secondly they that cannot liue in safety in the time of peace Thirdly they which are out of the presse find themselues free from dangers and in danger for that they come not neere them being like vnto those riuers which enter into the sea and doe not mingle their streames the Duke of Yorke and the Earle of Salisburie being retired to their houses after this accord were presently forced to leaue them to reuenge an affront done to the Earle of Warwick at VVestminster where he had been set vpon by the kings guard and forced to saue himselfe by the Riuer of Thames with the hazard of his life They said that Queene Margret was the author thereof being very desirous to ruine the Nobility of England and to ouerthrow the cheefe howses u A King should maintaine great families neither can hee suffer theÌ„ to be wâ—onged but hee shal weaken the greatnes of his maiesty wherof the Nobility is the cheese piller In all estates the Nobles haue beene respected and distinguished from others euen amongst the Thracians the genlâ—emen went only vppon horseback and at Rome Noblemens wiues went in Littors who were the pillers of the Realme The warre began as soone as it was declared The three Richards are in field King Henry hauing leuied great forces comes to York Andrew Trollop who was come from Calleis with the Earle of Warwick thinking to serue the King when as he saw their armes turned against him left the Earle of Warwick to follow the King who in moment scattered his enemies and forced the Duke of York to passe into Holland there to attend vntill his Partisans had raised the ruines of that party Battaile before London whereas K. Henry was defeated Presently after the three heads of the faction returne into England with an intent to vanquish or to dye they present themselues at the gates of London they giue and winne a great Battell whereas the Victors saw tenne thousand men slaine and as many prisoners King Henry who seemed to haue beene raised vp to show the inconstancy of Fortune and the misery and vanity of man remained at the Victors discretion The English remembring that his grandfather had caused King Richard to dye in prison began to acknowledge the iudgements of Gods iustice who punisheth the Children for the offences of their fathers x Henry Earle of Harford and Duke of Lancastre tooke armes against Richard the 2. seazed on him puts him into the Tower of London and caused himselfe to bee crowned King and after that he had forced him to resigne the Crowne hee sent him to Langleâ— where hee was murthered In this great prosperity the make falls from the Dukes face He speakes plainely Duke of York declared Regent that whatsoeuer he had done was grounded vppon the rightes of the house of Yorke the
night through the streetes of Barcellona complaining that the Queene his mother in law had separated it from his bodie by the violence of poison The Queene who was come to Girona saw her selfe besieged with Prince Ferdinand her Sonne and the Tower wherein she was retyred furiously battered The king seeing this great reuolt of his subiects entreates Lewis the eleuenth to succour him with men and money hee ingageth the Counties of Rousillion and Sardaigne vnto him for three hundred thousand crownes King of Nauarre demaunds succors froÌ„ the French King The king sent vnto him Gaston Earle of Foix Prince of Berne z Gaston Earl of Foâ—x married the second Daughter of Iohn King of Nauarre and of Queen Blanch his first wife and sonne in law to the king of Nauarre who freed the Queene and raised the siege of Gironna The Cattellanes nothing tractable to endure the humors of their Prince made a proclamation against the king declaring him falne from all the authoritie which he might haue ouer them and a murtherer of his owne sonne and violating the lawes of the country a They of Cattellonia declaâ—ed the K. an enemy vnto the countrey by diuers informations proceedings against his actions and the murther of his son the which they sent to Pope Pius the second They sent to Henry King of Castile to embrace their defence and protection submitting themselues vnder his obedience and offering him the crowne of Arragon beseeching him to adde vnto the iust title which their election gaue him vnto the Realme the right of Armes they alone doe purchase Empires b There are fiue kindes of Titles to Realmes the first by Armes so Cyrus Alexander anâ— Caesar made themselues Monarches secondly by the grace of God and in this manner raigned Moses Dauid thirdly by succession fourthly by election and the fist by the nomination of the Prince Marc. Anthony named Lucius Verus for his successor Dioclesian Maximinian and Gratian Theodosius and being gotten defend and preserue them He gaue them for succors two thousand and fiue hundred horse vnder the command of Iohn of Beaumont Prior of S t. Iohn of Nauarre The K. of Castill aides the Cattellans when the French and the Castillians met neere vnto Ixar they would not fight c No man can dispose as hee pleaseth of Auxiliary troupes they haue respects coÌ„trary to the designe of such as imploy them and the French intreated the king of Nauarre to take it in good part if they sought rather to end then entertaine their quarrels The Earle of Foix who was brother in law to the king of Castill and sonne in law to the king of Nauarre disposed the two Princes to referre themselues to the iudgement of the French king They yeelded sending their embassadors to Baiona where the French king was an honor pleasing to the humor of Lewis who would be interessed in all things and very deere to the reputation of France which was in possession not onely to iudge of the controuersies of forraine crownes but also to giue kings vnto those which had not any d The realmes of Christendome haue taken Princes out of the house of France to raign ouer them Alphonso son to the Earle of Tollousaraigned in Spaine the house of Eureux in Nauarre the Dukes of Normandy in England they of Aniou at Naples and Sicilie The Empire of Constantinople was held three yeres by the French They haue raigned a hundred yeares in Sora Cipres Palestina Charlemain Lewis the gentle haue added vnto the Empire of the Gaules all Italy Bohemia Hungarie and Germany In a word the seat of Popes haue beene in France The king of Nauarre went not from Saragossa Lewis the French K. made arbitrator betwixt the Kings of Castill and Arragon nor king Henry from S t. Sebastians in the prouince of Guipuscoa relying vppon that which their Embassadors treated The king hauing conferred of the controuersie betwixt them and of the causes which had moued the Cattellans to reuolt did iudge in such sort as to reconcile the parties it was necessarie they should meete and speake together vpon the frontier The enterview was at Endaia whereas the sentence giuen at Bayona was read by Aluaro Gomes The Cattellans were not content with this Iudgement saying that as the king of Castille had abandoned them so his Embassadors had betrayed them The king of Nauarre being offended for that hee was condemned to yeeld the towne of Estella to the king of Castille Enteruiew of the Kings of France and Castill to the preiudice of the reuenues of the crowne of Nauarre made the estates of Nauarre protest of nullity King Lewis reaped the greatest profit of this action for he practised and drew vnto his seruice some Ministers of these two kings and made them his pensioners e The King of Castille suffered himselfe to be gouerned by the great master of Castille and the Archbishop of Tolledo King Lewis made much of them to be informed of the state of Castille or at the least to drew them to his deuotion It is the least a Prince can attend of one that comes to see him This assembly did not confirme the affections which the crownes of France Castill had had together f The friendship and alliance betwixt the French and the Castâ—llans haue continued long Vpon which assurance K. Charles the sixt sent his Embassadors to Iohn King of Castill in the yeare 1418. to 〈◊〉 succors against the English The Castillians who could not lodge at Bayona with the French without quarrelling did not forbe are to scoffe at them at this enteruiew vpon the Riuer of Vidasa g The riuer of Vidâ—so diâ—ides the two realmes the Spaniards hold it is all theirs The King of Castill past the Riuer and came vnto the king The Castillians seeing him attired in cloth and very short with a hat differing from the rest and for a Iewell an image of lead imputed it to miserablenes h Apparell doth often minister cause of laughter The Siciliens did not esteeme of Gilippus their generall seeing him simply apparelled in a poore cloake wearing long bayre yet Syâ—â—â—â—s saith that the ancient Kings were knowne and distinguished rather by the minde then the pompe and 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Syn Orat 〈◊〉 regno There are Nations whereas they contemne the Prince if hee bee not so gorgeously attired as if he should show himselfe vpon a theater It is impossible to abstaine from laughter looking vpon the portraites of the Emperors of Greece which are so couered with Pearle and precious stones as they can not bee knowne but by their beards The French finding also the habites of the Castillians vnpleasing their king very hard fauoured and their manners insolent and full of African pride Of all this there could grow no great Alliance for such enteruiewes are alwaies noted more by the alienation of mindes then by alliances of estates
many in their obedience and dutie who suffering themselues to be carried away with this torrent of the league Sedition must be bee smothered in the beginning had become fooles for company and by infection For the people is a sea which moues with the winde yet neuer followes if some one goes not before b This beast the people have so many beads that although it hath great terrible forces yet it is base cowardly if it bee not stirred vp and led vultus sine rectore praeceps pauidum socors Tacit. but the number seemed but too great and it had multiplied speedily if the Kings wisedome had not foreseene it Conspiracie in the beginning is like vnto raine which enters into a small cranny on the top of the house and beeing neglected in the end expels the master thereof The King did consider hereof for being aduertised of his brothers retreat he knew well that the partie was made against him if hee did not oppose himselfe That what appeared not might be greater then what was in show and that besides the Princes of his bloud many Catylines had drunke in the same cup the wine and bloud of this conspiracie c Euery conspiracie hath crueltie and bloud hath been taken for the seale oath that bind the conspirators Salust saith that Catylâ—n mingled wine with bloud in a cup and presented it to his associates Iâ—de 〈◊〉 post execrationem omnes degustauissent sieuti in solemnibus sacris fieri consueuit aperuit consiliuâ—â—â—â— His first resolution was to diuide that which hee could not breake Hee sent to the Duke of Bourbon to come vnto him Who for that hee would vse no dissembling a great and powerfull vertue in these corrupted ages would not disguise his intentions nor represent them otherwise in words then they were in his heart He was the first mouer of all these spheares he had first giuen his voice and vowes to this generall reuolt of France he had offered to hang a bell at the Cats necke d In great resolutions there is danger to giue the first voice and hazard to execute that wâ—ich is resolued It is more safe to follow then to leade Insiita mortalibus natura propere sequi quae piget inchoare Tacit. And if they bee reduced to the conduct of an other it must be wâ—th the restraint of his owne wisdome Ne consilâ—is alterius regi recuses Est illius atque esto tuus tuumque serua In poste tuo velle modum in velle alieno when as euery man expected who should dare to doe it and had more desire to end then to begin If hee had made any show of repentance or feare in this beginning the rest which had martcht in his steps would soone haue turned their backes He answered that he had the same designe with the other Princes for the good and profit of the publike weale intreating the King to excuse him if hee came not to Court and for a greater declaration of his will he ceazed vppon the reuenues of Bourbonois and stayed Iuuenall des Vrsines Lord of Traynill Peter of Oriola and the Lord of Crussoll prisoners making it knowne that Ambition hath no other Law then the fancie of the Ambitious and takes away the maske from all respect When the King saw that there was no meanes to reclaime these Princes and that the Duke of Bourgundy was in armes he aduertised all the chiefe noble men of his Realme and wrote vnto the Clergie to the gouernours of Prouinces Letters froÌ„ the K. to the gouernors of the Prouinces and townes to the Magistrates and townes who faint and lose their courage for a little e As a little feare makes the people to faint so a weake hope makes them returne by nature they are fearefull and do not think what they shall doe to indure but to flye the danger that they should not suffer themselues to bee carried away with the false showes of the enemies of the estate who had suborned his brother to ingage France in those desolations from the which it was but newly freed That if they which had suffered themselues to bee abused in this reuolt did not bethinke themselues there wilfulnes would make them vnworthy the clemencie which he offered them That with the grace of God and the fidelitie of his good subiects hee assured himselfe to abate and disperse these bad designes Then considering that this league did consist of those who had sometimes called the English into France f He that hath two enemies must agree with the one the better to preuaile ouer the other The RomaÌ„ns did neuer fight against two Hercules could not do it After the Parthian warre they began that of the Marcomanians They would not breake with Antlochus who had wronged them before they had ended â—ith Philip. to haue a share of the shipwracke The King seeks to the King of England that the old enemies fauouring the new he might fall betwixt the Anuile and the hammer hee sent to the King of England dissembling cunningly the wrong which hee had done him when as in demanding Bonnâ— of Sauoy k Richard Earle of Warwick was sent into France in the yeere 1464. to demand Bonna of Sauoy in mariage of King Lewis the eleuenth for K. Edward The King granted it but during this negotiatiâ—n the King of England fell in loue with a meane gentlewoman widdow to one Grey a Knight Daughter to Richard Riuers and â—aqueline eldest Daughter to Peter of Luxemburgh Earle of S t. Paul the Queenes sister for his wife he had married an other He intreates and coniures him not to assist this new rebellion the which like to a puffe of smoke would vanish as soone as it should begin to rise Edward beeing already engaged to the Duke of Bourgundy let the King vnderstand that he was a sharer with him Edward the fourth declares himselfe for the Burgundian Hee sent the same letters which the King had written vnto him to the Duke of Bourgundy promising to assist him as constantly as his forefathers l Edward the third King of England wâ—nne the battell of Cressy the 26. of August 1346. France lost 1500. Gentlemen all were not slaine but all were defeated The Prince of Wales his Sonne wonne the battell at Pâ—icters ten yeeres after the 9. of September 1356. had done This young Prince felt a boyling desire in his heart to performe that in France which other Kings of his name had done He was glad to finde without the Iland an exercise for turbulent spirits to entertaine and quench that furious heate of fighting m He that commands a warlike Nation must finde exeâ—cise for his soldiers abroad if hee will not suffer them to take it at home There is not saith Tit. Liu. in â—is thirteenth booke anâ— great and mighty Potentate that caâ— leâ—g continue in peace for if â—ee hath not sâ—me enemie abroad hee shall finde
could not be giuen to any other Plut. where they dranke to his health as to Iupiter the Deliuerer The Assembly of Noblemen and Ladies was great he related his great dangers his diligence and toyle He drew teares of ioy and pitty from the hearers euery man said all is well z The King reported his aduentures and in so doing spake and declared many goodly words and pittifull where at all wept aboundantly Chro Martin seeing the King is wel a The health of a good Prince is the health of his Estate the people said of Alexander Seuerus Saluâ— Roma quia saluns est Alexander Lamprid. Hee assured all his seruants that he would neuer cease vntill he had chased all his enemies out of his realme Yet his designe was to doe what he could to end it other-wise then by Armes He sent the Bishop of Paris to the Earle of Charolois Bishop of Paris sent to the Earle of Charolois to let him vnderstand that he desired to know to what end he was entred into his Realme with so great a troupe for that hee could remember that when as he went into Flanders in the time of King Charles the seauenth his Father hee was not followed with so great a traine He commanded him to let him know the iniustice of his desseine That he vndertooke a warre vnder collour of the publik-weale to vndermine the whole estate and to set fire of the house to driue them out that clensed it That there was no such Phrensey as to make ones selfe sick to vse remedies b Peace is sweet after warre but much more proffitable before It is better neuer to haue beene an enemy then to bee reconcyled being naturall for a sick man to desire health But for him that was found to make himself sicke vpon hope of cure was folly and madnesse The Bishop of Paris went and hauing represented vnto the Earle of Charolois the Kings intentions and complaints Say vnto the King answered the Earle fretting the bitternesse of his ambition with humanity and myldnesse c Princes desirous to raigne haue made seruitude sweete with courtesie and mildnesse By this poysoned mylâ—nesse Caesar ouer threw the common-wealth of Rome that I am not come to doe any ill but to procure the good of his Realme hauing liued in such sort with mine army as noe man hath occasion to complaine that being as I am able to serue and succor my friends and to anoy myne enemies I am not bound to yeeld any other reason of my desseignes But not to conceale them from him I am heere for two reasons the one not to fayle of my word to the Princes which haue taken armes for the publike good the other to haue two men which the King hath fauored and supported against me d Priuat interâ—st are alwaies mingled with the sublike causes of warre The E. of Charolois was an implacable enemy to the Earle of Neuers and the Lord of Croy be added this hatred to the causes of war If I be come well accompanied it is to defend my selfe in France from that harme which the king would haue done me in Flanders That when he came hee was receiued honorably richly and quietly and then was not that done vnto him which hee had a will to doe vnto mee That in a word France had more need of a warlike and armed liberty then of a quiet and miserable seruitude After the Battell the Earle of Charolois caused the whole army to bee lodged at Estampes and there abouts Armes of the League loged at Estampes The commodity of this lodging saued that which one more discomodious had lost e â—f time and occasion giue leaue to chose a lodging to stay there they must consider two things which the ancient Romans haue alwaies obserued in their lodgings The helthfulnesse of the place for one and water with commodity of victualls for the other They knew what places were not helthfull obseruing their scituation the coÌ„plexion of the inhabitants In this place as the Earle of Charolois spake vnto Mounsieur at a window with great attention and affection a Britton cast a squib which strooke against the barre where they leaned and being amazed at this accident they thought it done of purpose to hurt them The lodging was presently enuironed with souldiers to gard them There was a dilligent search made for him that had done it who beeing only couered with his inocency descouered him-selfe and said that it was but a squib which he had cast to shew them pastime wherevpon this great amazement was turned to a iest All their forces being vnited they tooke councell how they shold imploy them Their opinions were alwaies applyed to their passions and desseines Charles the Kings brother weary of the warre An ordinary mischiefe in enterprises where there are many commanders f The pluralâ—ty of heads is alwaies rumous and vnproffitable euery one seekes to prefeâ—re his owne reasons and counsells They doe and vndoe indespight on of another Tâ—ndendo ad sua quisque consilia cum aliud alii videtur ad inuasioneÌ„ loâ—um hosti apperiunt Tit. Lâ—u lib. 4. That of the duke of Brittain was not answerable to that of the Earle of Charolois Monsieur seemed already weary of the warre he lamented those that were slaine hurt or maymed in the army which shewed that matters were represented to his imagination of another collour in the vndertaking then in the executing g Matters wheÌ„ they are conceiued and proiected haue an other fâ—ce then when they are executed He wisht that they were to begin greeuing that they made him the cause of so many miseries h A generous spirit is not sensible of the ruines and desolations which grow by warre and ciuill broyles The Duke of Berry was heauy seeing so great a number slaine and hurt in the Battell of Mâ—ntlehery The first slaughters of warre sticke terror into them that haue not seene them as of humain miseries the most lamentable is that which proceeds from his fault that complaines He had kindled the fire yet could not endure the flame he had begun the tragedy nay rather a cruell game whereas men made but a sport to force spoyle burne and kill He is not esteemed a soldiar that cannot doe al this in ciuill wars the most wicked of all others whereas by a fatall disorder they saw the fathers bury their children i When Craesus was prisoner to Cyrus by this reason that in the time of peace the children buried the frather and â—n warre the fathers bury their children be preferred peace before warre And of all warres ciuill is the most vniust iâ—humaine furious SummuÌ„ Brute naefas ciuilia bella fatemur Luc. These words were well obserued by the Earle of Charolois King of England sends the garter to the Earle of Charolois who from that time perswaded him-selfe that there would be noe great difficulty to reconcyle the
had troubled They propounded a peace with goodly conditions The Princes make show that they desired not warre but for the publike quiet and to liue without wrong They made many truces to treat that they which lasting but little was not much distinguished from warre d A short truce fauours more of war then peace Ignâ—uum tempus nec pâ—ce laetuÌ„ nec bellis exercitum Cognatae induciis Insidie sunt as the middest doth alwaies leane more to one of the extremes then to the other The treatie was begun by diuers but the King ended it who one morning came by the riuer to Conflans Before he went out of the boat hee said vnto the Earle who attended him on the banke Enteruieâ— of the King Earle of Charolois Brother doe you assure me that to whom the Earle of Charrolois answered I as a brother e The word of an enemie is a dangerous assurance K Lewis the eleuenth had no other to goe into the Princes Army which were iust against him If there coÌ„fidence hath vndone some it hath bin successefull to others and Scipio Africanus went vpon this assurance to Siphax who although he were abaroarian a cruell enemie to the Romane name yet the mildnes and generositie of Scipio made him a friend Ladislaus King of Bohemia went freely to Mathias King of Hungary his capitall enemy to end controuersies which could not be determined at Olmutz they became great friends Dubrau lib. 2â— He receiued the King with much respect and the King spake vnto him with great mildnes which made his heart apt for any impression so great is the force of words and so well hee could handle his tongue the which he vsed as a pensill for all coulours He that will haue effects according to his owne heart must not spare words to his liking that may giue them Mens spirits are gouerned by words as a ship is gouerned by the helme and a horse by the bit and wee cannot say what power the sweetnes of words haue ouer the minde of man f Words are the Instrument by the which the minde of man is animated thrust forward and held backe A Prince that knowes how to vse them hath a great aduantage in all that he treates and when it is acompanied with such sweetnes as grauity is not wronged it workes what it lists in the hearts of men The King framing his speech to this tune said vnto the Earle Brother I know that you are a Gentleman and of the house of France why my Lord answered the Earle For that said the King When the foole Moruillier spake so boldly vnto you you sent me word that I would repent the words hee had spoken before the yeare were past you haue not failed and before the time The King spake these words with a countenance so free and full of affection although his heart were full of indignation and spleene as the Earle tooke delight in it He disauowed Moruillier and tooke the seales from him Princes play with their subiects and disauow them when as their negotiations are not answerable to their hopes He did walke long by the riuers side betwixt the Earle of Charolois and the Earle of S t. Paul and heard their Intentions g The King who thought nothing wel done if he were not an Actor went to the Earle of Charolois preferring the necessity of his affaires before the consideration of his qualiâ—â— for he held that the honor and glory of an action depended on profit Yet they had deputed somâ— of either side to treat For the King were imployed Charles of Aniou Earle of Maine The Signeur of Pressigny President of the Acounts 10. Dauuet President of the Parlament of Toulâ—sâ— For the Princes the D. of Calabria the Earle of Dunois and the E. of S t. Paul The Earle of Charolois demanded the Dutchie of Normandie for the Duke of Berry and the riuer of Somme for himselfe little for the publike and much for priuate men The King told him plainely that he would neuer consent to dismember the Duchie of Normandie but he was content to restore him the Townes of Somme and finding that the Earle of S t. Paul was the Oracle of the Counsels and will of this Prince he offered him the office of Constable By these offers the strict bond of this league began to be dissolued for there is nothing so fast bound but it is vndone when as one string begins to slip The King did and spake all things so cunningly mingly offers with threats and curtesies with braueries as the Earle applied himselfe to his intentions The day after this first conference h This conference of the King and the Earle was the end of the war It was not thought fit the King should seeke vnto the Barle but to do his busines hee past all formalities would not comit that to hope which he might doe by discretioÌ„ What doth it import to ascend to any place to vse staires of wood or ston or whether the key bee of gold or iron so as it open the Earle of Charolois mustred his Armie Muster of the leagues Armie in view of the King whether the King came with thirty or forty horse commending those goodly forces The Earle of Charolois speaking vnto them vsed these words My masters you and I are for the King our Soueraigne Lord to serue him when soeuer hee shall haue need of vs. The Kings offers bred a iealousie betwixt the Princes of the league euery man cared for his owne affaires The Earle of Charolois saw one day vpon his conferences and propositions three Councels and three bands whereat hee was discontented saying that there should not be any thing secret in his presence During these conferences and enteruiewe Isabell of Bourbon Countesâ—e of Charolois died the Earle mourned and the King did comfort him This death gaue some more facilitie to the peace for the marriage of the Earle with the Lady Anne of France the Kings eldest Daughter was propounded with the transport of the Counties of Bry and Champagne i In marriages of the daughters of France Kings haue somtimes giuen money sometimes lands of the Crowne vpon condition they should returne Charles the fift gaue to his two eldest daughters a 100000. franks of gold and to the rest 60000. Charls the sixt gaue eight hundred thousand to Isabell married to Richard the second King of England King Iohn gaue the Contie of Somiers in Languedoc to Isabel his daughter married to the Duke of Milan Lewis the yong gaue to Margaret his daughter married to Henry the third King of England the Contie of Vexin for her dowrie and preferment which the Kings Predecessors had neuer done in marrying their daughters The Earle of Charrolois affected nothing more but vpon the doubt which was made vnto him of the alienation of these two Prouinces he sent William Hugonet and Iohn Carandolet to Paris to know if these two peeces
white Damask imbrodered thick with fine gold of Cypres with buttons of gold furred with fables a little black hat of his head with a feather of gold On either side of him were the Cardinall of St Susanne Bishop of Anger 's and Rene Duke of Anjou and King of Sicile o At the foote of the Kings scaffold were set The Vicont of Narbonne George of Pem 〈◊〉 the Lords of Tancaruille Chasttillon Buell Longueuille Lauall Aigle Câ—aon Cruâ—â—ol la Forest The Prince of Piedmont a yong Infant was vppon one of the steps Princes which werâ— about the King and of either side stood the Earle of Foix Prince of Nauarre and the Kings brother in law with the Earles of Neuers and Eu The Earle of Dunois high Chamberlaine of France was by reason of his gowt set vpon a little stoole behinde the King of Sicile with many other Noblemen There were two other places rayled in the one in the middest of the Hall neere vnto the Kings for the Princes of the bloud the Constable the Chancellor the Patriarke of Ierusalem the Arch-bishop of Ierusalem the Arch-bishop of Tours and other Bishops p In the second place railed in were the Marquis of Pont the Earle of Perche the Earl of Guise the Earle of Vendosme the Earle Dauphin and the Earle of Montfort The other being great and spacious which did inuiron the first of either side was for the Deputies of the three Estates Betwixt the Kings Theater and that of the Princes were two formes directly against the King on the one were the Peeres of France and on the other were the Officers of the Crowne Euery man being set q It is obserued that the Earle of S t Paul CoÌ„stable of France was at the vpper end next vnto him Monâ—â—urde Trayâ—ell Chancellor of France in Crimson veluet coâ—es and a little beneath theÌ„ on the same forme the Archbishop of Tours the Bishops of Paris Charâ—res Perigueux Valences Limogis Senlis Soissons Aire Anranches Angoulesme Lodeue Neuers Agen Cominges Bayone and others and all the greatest of the State humbled before the Prince like vnto the rods and Maces of the ancient Magistrates of Rome r In the assemblies of the people of Rome the Magistrates did hold downe their rods and Mâ—ces in signe of humilitie and spake standing the people being set shewing that they had no power to command and all Magistrates dealt by Petition vsing these words velitis Iubeatis the Chancellor rose from his place and presented himselfe vpon his kneee on the right side of the King who told him in his eare what his intention was Oration made by the Chancellor Hee made the Estates acquainted therewith in a long Oration the Deputies beeing prepared vpon the Kings instructions finde that they neither could nor ought to grant vnto Charles of France the Duchie of Normandie for his portion It was said that it should remaine vnto the Crowne and the King was intreated to maintaine the auncient lawes of the Realme concerning his Patrimonie holy sacred and inalienable either by contracts or by prescription of time and against any whatsoeuer and that the Princes of the bloud should not therein haue any more fauour nor priuiledge then priuate men s That which may make an alienation perfect and giue â— title of iust possession doth not comprehend those demands which are inalienable may be reunited although the alienation were made for euer yet the purchaser shall not recouer the price of the thing alienated the King himselfe being bound by oath at his Coronation not to alienate any thing and in doing so to giue vnto his Brother a portion with the title of a Dutchy or an Earledome the which should be worth twelue hundred poundes starling a yeare and a yearely pension of foure thousand and eight hundred pounds starling without drawing it to consequence t This clause of coÌ„sequence was superstuous shewes from what respect it came For the portion was so small as no man would make it a President There are houses in France where the yonger sons would not bee so satisfied for the yonger brethren of the house of France The King gaue the Dutchy of Guienne besides the riuer of Charante Guienne giuen to the Kings Brother the countrie of Agenois Perigort Quercy Xanictonge the Gouernment of Rochell and the Bailewike of Auins hee changed the Parliament of Guienne from Bourdeaux to Poitiers This resolution was carried to Monsieur and to the Dukes of Brittany and Bourgundy his confederates Monsieur was so ill and so desirous to change the ayre as notwithstanding that hee found small profit in the change of his condition yet would he not refuse it the Lord of Lescun perswaded him to reconcile himselfe vnto the King and to accept of what he should giue him The Estates did also resolue that the Duke of Bourgundy should be adiourned to appeare in person before the Parliament at Paris Adiournement of the Duke to the Parliament of Paris to doe right vnto the Earle of Eu u Charles of Artois Earle of Eu dyed without children in the yeare 147â— Hee was taken prisoner at the Battel of Azincourt and remained three twenty years in England for St. Valery and other lands which he detained The King was well pleased with this resolution for that he knew well that when the Duke should see himselfe charged in this manner he would make an answer according to his humorfull of contempt and that some grose-headed fellow executing his commission indiscreetly for profit would moue him and prouoke him to do somthing whereat the Court should bee offended and vrged to seeke reparation The same Court of Parliament sent Iohn Loyselier Complaints for the Pragmatike Sanction x The Deputies of the Court of Parliament let the K. vnderstand that the abolitioÌ„ of this Pragmatick was shamefull and iniurious for the FraÌ„ce had neuer had in like causes Ordinances which had taken their authoritie from the vniuersall all Church That as long as she had obserued this Pragmatick she was full of all prosperitie and feared of her enemies whom she had chased out of Normandie and Guienne and had seene Prelates of such holines as they had done miracles and Iohn Henry Councellors of inquests to represent vnto the King to the Estates the great preiudice which France had receiued by the abolition of the Pragmaticke Sanction that it was depriued of a rule which comprehended all the liberties and freedomes of the French Church approued in the Conciles of Basill and Constance That by the cessation of such decrees France must needs looke for some great confusion of the Ecclesiasticall Order and a generall impouerishment by the transport of gold and siluer beyond the Alpes But the King hauing obtained what hee desired against his Brother and the Duke of Bourgundy hee carried his thoughts to other things then to that which the Estates expected for
reciued shall bee maâ—e ready and laid before the Kings sâ—at vppon a Carpet of Crimson Tâ—ffata or Saâ—ten hanging dâ—wne at either â—nd and the said coller â—obes shall bee perfumed with incense after that the Preest hath perfumed the Altar Art 82. of the amplifying the Statutes of the Order in the yeaar 1476. hauing his hands vpon the Crosse and the holy Euangill which done the said Knight newly chosen shall come reuerently before the Soueraigne The Kings words in giuing the Coller who taking the Coller of the Order shall put it about his necke saying or causing these words to bee said The Order receaues you into this amiable company 〈◊〉 token thereof giues you this present Coller God graunt you may carry it long to his glory and seruice aduancement of the holy Church and increase of the honor of the Order and of your merrits and good â—ame In the name of the Father the Sonne and holy Ghost whereunto the said Knight shall say Amen God giue mee the grace After which the eldest Knight shall lead the said Knight newly receiued vnto the Soueraigne who shall kisse him in signe of perpetuall loue and in like maner all the Knights that are present shall doe the same in order Bonds of Knights reciprocall Besides this the knights are bound to certaine respects one towards another They did promise at their entrie into the Order to serue the King as their head in all occasions both within and without the Realme and the King did promise to maintaine them in their goods Lewis the elâ—uenth bound himselfe not to vndertake any warre nor any other matter of importance without making iâ— knowne to the Knights of the order lands and estates as his Bretheren and companions and not to attempt any warre without their aduise Hee thought to hold those hearts which had been distracted fast bound vnto him but infidelity was so bold and so contagious as all the respects of honor and conscience were too weake to restraine her from drawing them from their dueties who say the lawes of their birth were most bound vnto it It was a difficult thing for good men to bridle themselues from running into ill so licentious was the time To doc well when as vertue raignes good men are honored is ordinary and easie but not to suffer himselfe to bee infected with the corruptians of the time but to haue a good intent to dare vndertake it and effect it in a bad season is the true signe of a generous spirit and so hard a matter it is to do well when as euery man glories in doing ill and that crimes become examples and customes Iohn Duke of Bourbon continued his intelligence with the Duke of Bourgondy and aduertised him of what the King practised vppon the Townes in Picardy The Constable vsed all his practises betwixt the two Princes Intelligences continued betwixt Bourgondy and Bourâ—on fearing that if the Kings Choller found not some subiect to worke vppon abroad it would fall vppon the neerest that were about him That a long peace would cut off the entertainment of his soldiers making him vnproffitable to the King and without reputation in the realme promising vnto himselfe that whilst the warre continued hee should gouerne all The perpetuity of his charge which could haue no other end but with his life held him not in those apprehensions wherewith their mindes are troubled which hold them as a Wolfe by the eare u Charges which are aboue others should be short least they should grow insupportable and insolâ—nt Those which are but temporary hold them that enioy them in ther duties and the perpetuall makes them forgetfull Peace alone makes a ciuill warre in his soule wherefore he assures the King that when he pleased hee would recouer him St. Quentin by the meanes of some places which he held about it and would speedily execute the intelligences which he had in Flanders and Brabant Warre beeing concluded by the Estates at Tours Wars proclaimed it was as soone begun as proclaimed The Duke being at Gand receiued the Citation to appeare in person at the Court of Parliament who caused the Vsher of the Court to be imprisoned hauing adiourned him as hee was going to Masse and beeing madde to see himselfe made equall to the meanest of the Realme he resolued to appeare with his sword in his hand and to transport the warre as neere his Iudges as hee could The Kings practises began then to breake forth many declared themselues French Baldwine Bastard of Bourgundy retired himselfe vnto the Kings seruice The Duke is surprised The Duke of Brittanie had made an accord with him x Accord of the D. of Brittanie with the King at Anceâ—is the 18. of September 1468. The Duke of Guienne was satisfied and if hee could not haue all that hee desired hee was content with that which did suffice him y The ease of great Princes must be considered by their coÌ„tent They haue but too much so as they thinke they haue enough One demanded of Zeleuchus what Reuenewes hee had to whom hee answered As much as I need Plut. The Constable sent word to the Duke of Bourgundy that all was lost that there was no reliefe for him in England being fallen into the same convulsions which had in a manner smothered it in the yeare 1461. Edward being bound to the Earle of Warwicks vertue for his fortune made him a sharer Troubles in England and gaue him goodly peeces depending of the Crowne and the continuation of the gouernment of Calice with fourescore thousand Crownes rent to increase his reuenues Yet the Earle of Warwick did not hold these recompences proportionable to his great seruices beeing moreouer discontented for that the King hauing sent him into France to seeke the Kings Alliance by the marriage of Bonna of Sauoy z The King of England sent the Earle of Warwicke into France to demand Bonna of Sauoy daughter to Lewis Duke of Sauoy the Queenes Sister in marriage had mockt him in marrying with Grayes widdow the which Lewis made sensible to the Earle of Warwicke to the end this complaint might bee as a thorne of discontent in his heart And as Princes take delight to pull them downe whom they haue raised and aduanced and doe not willingly suffer such high heads of Poppie to grow in their gardens Edward grew iealous and an enemie to this great authority which had cherished made speed vnder the shadow of his He brake quite with him and some say that hauing attempted against the honour of a Kinswoman of his a Of wrongs which make the greatest impression in the hart those which regard â—he honor of Lâ—dies are most sensible Polidore Virgil wâ—ites thus of this attempt Nec abhorret a veritate EduarduÌ„ tentasse vt aiunt nescio quid in domo Comitis quod ab honestatâ— omnino abesset cum homo esset qui
facile puellas oculis adiiceret easque deperiret the Earle of Warwick being wounded in so sensible and tender a part began to distaste the seruice which he did him and repenting him of that which he had formerly done hee retired from Court into his Earldome of Warwicke The Earle of Warwick reuolts whereas his hard fortune made him know the difference of his friends b In the disgrace and crosses of fortune friends are knowne Namertes answered him that required a rule to know them by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plut. and where he shews that a great courage had rather die reuenged then liue with the reproch of a wrong or an affront The Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother the Archbishop of Yorke and the Marquis of Montague came vnto him Euery one brought his complaint with him and the vlcer he had in his heart against Edward The Earle of Warwick represented vnto them the miserable estate they ranne into if they did not labour to restore King Henry to his Fathers throne and themselues to libertie To binde the Duke of Clarence to this designe hee giues him his Daughter He makes a league with the Duâ— of Clarence Proximitie of bloud did sufficiently binde the other two being his Brethren whose friendship he might account among the sweet fruits of his felicitie c It is a part of the sweetnes felicitie of life to see Telemachus recounting his miseries amoÌ„g which he reports that he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without a broâ—â—er Plut. The partie was made and the resolution taken vpon the consideration of things present to come was that he should goe to Calice and in his absence they should make some stirres in the Prouince of Yorke to the end hee might haue a subiect to come thither and to arme The pretext of rising was for the deniall of some Corne which they of the Earle of Warwicks faction refused to pay for the entertainment of St Leonards Hospitall in Yorke and there were others which did murmure giuing it out that what should serue the poore was spent by great men d Sedition can haue no iust causes but the most apparant are wheâ— as priuate men make their profit of that which belongs to the publike In a word it is inequalitie and Iniustice This refusall did so incense the people Commotion in Yorkshire as in a short time there were fifteene thousand men in armes which marched directly to Yorke to haue reason of them which refused to pay what they ought vnto the Hospitall But when as they found themselues too weake An Armie at the gaâ—es of London being a multitude of seditious and mutenous fellowes who are naturally cowards and hauing no Canon to force an entrie they past to London to demand Iustice of the King with torches of rebellion in their fists e Seâ—ition is alwaies saint and cowardly and cowards are euer most seditioâ—s QuantuÌ„â—abes ad â—ustinendum laboreÌ„ miles tanto ad discordias proÌ„ptior Tac. Hist. Lib. 2. The Earle of Warwick was no sooner aduertised of these broiles but he parted from Calice with the Duke of Clarence and came and ioined with this multitude who wanted not any thing but a head King Henries presence and the Earles did countenance the faction and increase it with a greater number with the which he resolued to giue Battell to recompence the errors ruines and occasion past f Hee that knowes how to giue a Battell recouers â—is reputation if it were blemished it restores him if he be ruined excuseth all errors which he hath coÌ„mitted in warre for a Battell won defaceth all misfortunes reproch of other precedent actions The Earle of Pembroke whom the King of England had sent not to fight but to punish those rebels was put to route and they had the victory Richard Lord Riuers father to Queene Elizabeth and his sonne Iohn Wooduille with some other Gentlemen lost their heads The King sought to make some accord with the Earle of Warwicke and vpon the assurance which he gaue him neglected to keep good gard in his Campe the which should not bee omitted euen among friends Loue goes naked by day and armed by night g Crates said that loue went al day naked but at night hee caried a Cuirasse that a prince which trusts in the loue of his subiects may by day goe in safety and without feare but by night he should haue his gard The Earle of Warwicke hauing obserued this carelesse guard by his spies he vndertooke to charge him by night â—dward defeated and taken prisoner with so great aduantage as killing all he found in the trenches hee came without any resistance to the place where the King was whom he tooke prisoner and led away But for that they could not make good vse of this fortune they ruined themselues and vndid King Henry for whom they had taken Armes God who hath a speciall care of Kings depriued them of Iudgement for although they knew well that it was impossible to settle King Henry peaceably in the Realme during Edwards life yet could they not keep him so well but hee escaped hauing corrupted his gards with hopes and goodly promises whereof great men are no nigards when they haue need of their inferiors Edward being at libertie recouers Yorke where he was receiued with ioy which was as great as it was vnexpected From thence he went to London to confirme their wils whom his captiuitie had made to wauer and considering that victory doth alwaies fauour them which haue the aduantage both of Councell and force h A prince hath a great aduantage ouer his enemie when he exceeds him in Armes and that hee hath the CouÌ„cels executions sooner readie then he he raised a might Armie and went to seeke out the Earle of Warwicke Earle of Warwick defeated whom he put to rout and returned triumphantly the victorie was made famous by the death of ten thousand men Queene Margaret Prince Edward her Sonne the Duke of Clarence and his wife the Earle of Warwick with their children and friends were forced to flye They came to Calice but the Earle of Warwicks Lieutenant would not receiue them nor scarce suffer them to carrie two bottels of Wine for the Duchesse of Clarence who was deliuered of a Sonne whilest the ship rode at an Anchor This rudenes and indiscretion did so please King Edward and the Duke of Bourgundy as the one sent him authoritie to command as Gouernor of Calais and the other a good pension to increase his entertainement The Earle of Warwicke who was much esteemed in France and in great credit with the King for his worthy deeds which had made his reputation great and not easie to bee shaken i ReputatioÌ„ is a Colosse which is hardly raised by reason of its waight buy wheÌ„ it is vp it staÌ„ds firme and supports it selfe by his owne heauines It is hard to lay the
foundation and to raise it for it canâ—otlast vpoÌ„ light actions That of the E. of Warwiâ—k must needs be great hauing twise changâ—d the estate of EnglaÌ„d and as it were disposed of the Crowne sent vnto the King to receiue him The King seemed to haue a great desire to see him and succour him He landed at Diepe and was conducted with all his troupe to Amboise The people flockt vppon the high-wayes to see those mournefull relikes of Troy Euery man had heard speake of the desolation of the house of Lancaster they did regard them as Prodigies of fortune whom she had chosen to be pittifull examples of her inconstancie Within six monethes the King gaue them meanes to returne into England The K. giueâ— succors to K. Henry with such forces as Edward durst not affront them Hee was forced to quit the partie and seeing how dangerous it was to stay vntill the Earle of Warwick came vnto the gates of London hee retired into Holland to the Duke of Bourgundie carrying nothing with him but a hope to returne k It is a poore equipage for a Prince which goes out of his estate with hope to returne but a retreat of this sort against a Prince that is stronger is honorable Valentinean the second left Aquilea to Maximin and fled into Thessalonica with Iustina his mother where he obtained succors of the Emperour Theodosius who restored him to the Contrie Sigon Lib. 9. Imp. Occident Behold Henry the sixt drawne out of prison and set in the royall throne Henry the sixt 〈◊〉 it lâ—bertie and Edward expelled but he continued but six monethes for Edward being relieued with ships and men from the Duke of Bourgundy returned into England and presented himselfe before the gates of London where he entred victorious The Duke of Clarence left the Earle of VVarwick l The Duke of Clarence being in France was sollicited and wonne by a Gentlewoman which came out of England from the King his Brother and he 〈◊〉 that belong in England he would turne to his side side King Henry was murthered in the Tower his sonne was detained prisoner Death of King Henry the sixt and soone after slaine The Earle of VVarwicke was slaine vpon the place and the Queenâ— was a prisoner Thus the Realme which Edward had lost in eleuen dayes was recouered in one so true it is that Estates change in a moment m The euersions and conuersions of the estates are most commâ—â—ty 〈◊〉 Breui bus momentis suÌ„ma verti possunt Tac. lib. 8. An. that it is hard to make good vse of things ill 〈◊〉 During these Tragedies the King who wisht they had continued longer the more to weaken the Dukes designes and to humble his thoughts continued the warre which he had begun in Picardie The Constable who would needs be a necessarie euill n Hibrea a wise Cittizen of Messala a Towne in Caria said smiling to Eutidianus a man very profitable but difficult and insupportable in the gouerment of publike affairs that hee was a necessary euill to the Towne for that noâ— manâ— could indure him for his roughnes nor â—liue without him for his good gouermeÌ„t to these two Princes was glad to let the Duke vnderstand what he could doe Amiens S t. Quentin taken He took S t Quentin Amiens opened her gates vnto him Abbeuille the Cittadell of Picardy had entred into the same partie if Philip of Creuecaeur Lord of Cordes had not entred The Duke not holding himselfe safe in the middest of the Constables friends retyred to Dourlans and from thence to Arras Being there he receiued a letter from the Duke of Guienne containing these wordes Labour to content your subiects and then care not for you shall find friendes The Duke seeing himselfe thus surprised and dispossest of the Townes which he did so much esteeme intreated the Constable not to presse this warre so hotly nor to doe the worst he could and to consider that the King without any precedent offence had taken armes and broken the treaty of Peronne before that he had disclaimed his friendship o The Romans before they made war Renunciabant amicitiam Germanicus being wronged by Piso Gouernour of Soria sent him word that he was no more his friend The Constable beeing glad to see the pride of his first maister humbled Pollicy of the Constable of S t. Paul makes the danger greater then it was hee threatens him with an ineuitable ruine if he did not open his eyes to those expediments which he propounded vnto him letting him know that in the darknes of his infidelity he did alwaies reserue a good day for his seruice p I neuer knew saith Phil. de Commines that man haue a good end that sought to terrifie his Maister and keep him in Iealousie Yet will he not declare himselfe to be other then a good Frenchman for to mannage his busines with honour the leape was too dangerous from S t. Quintin to Brussels The passage from one contrary to another is neuer made without violence q MeÌ„s thoughts passe not sodainly from one extreame vnto an other they goe by degrees there must be a meane betwixt both to vnite the two extreames He promiseth to serue the Duke in effect in seruing the King in shew and to make knowne the fruites of his seruice by the bad intelligence and diuision which hee would still entertaine and was already framed betwixt the two brethren the King and Mounsire the only means for him to be in safety and his estate in peace r The hatred and discord of brethren is the ruine of States all well as of priuate families This mischeefe hath bin long in the world the examples are borne with it And if two brethren could not agree together in their mothers womb it is no wonder if two brethren being armed quarrell But to end this war which was begun and would continue with such cruell effects Hee councells the Duke to giue his daughter to the Kings Brother against him there was no other help but to win Monsieur in giuing him his daughter in marriage that all his desires should ayme at this marke as the true end of his contentment from the which he might wander by many waies s They say we may come to one end by diuers meanes But to hit one marke there is but one direction the straightest lines are the shortest we may misse by diuers meanes ayming too high or too low on the right hand or on the left It is euen so in the actions of men and could not attaine vnto it but by this Allyance that if he were so resolued hee would follow his party and bring his head to his seruice with the Towne of S t Quentin and a good number of his seruants In a word that he would doe any thing yea set fire of the Temple of peace t There are seruants â—ound sit for all assaies
no more to let him know her constancy and to â—make her not as straw which smoakes x Affliction hurts some and â—rofits others as in the same fire Auruin rutilat et palea fumat et sub eadem tribula stipulae â—oâ—minâ—untur frumenta purgantur We must not consider that which is indured but he that indures and after what manner Tantum interest non qualia sed qualis quisque patiatur Nam pari modo exagitatum exhalat horibiliter Câ—num et sâ—aâ—iter Fragrat vnguentum Aug. but as a precious mettall which shines and is purified in the fire They were so extreame as if in the beginning they had let him see the least part or the choise of a cruell death with what a resolution would hee haue imbraced this to auoid the miseries of the other The most violent torments which a body can suffer are but light scratchings in respect of the burning wounds of the hearts greefe His Conscience gaue him deepe ones for they write that he had offended not onely the Kings Maiestie by this third reuolt but also that of the liuing God by a notable villanie Incest of the Earle of Armagnac marrying with his owne Sister vnder a false dispensation y They say that Ambrose of CaÌ„bray Feferendarie to Pope Calixtus the fourth gaue this dispensation for money for the which hee was accused and imprisoned in the Monasterie of Mont Oliuet A coniunction as abominable now by religion as it was in former times to be desired by the reason of necessitie z Wee reade in the 17. Book of the City of God an excelent passage vpon these incestuous marriages Commixtio sororuÌ„ et fratrem quanto sit antiquior compellente necessitate tantâ— postea facta est damnabilior religione prohibente Presently after the death of King Lewis the eleuenth Charles of Armagnac his brother besought King Charles the eight to restore him to the lands and estats of the house of Armagnac and to bee admitted to answer the accusations layed against his brother shewing that by the seuerity of King Lewis the eleuenth and by the great credit which his enemiâ—s had Memory of the Earle of Armagnac restored hee could neuer obtaine a safe conduct to come and iustifie himselfe King Charles by the aduice of the Princes Prelats and other Noblemen of the Realme graunted it the third of Aprill 1483. and he was restored to the possessions of the house of Armagnac After whose death many pretended the succession a The Pretendants were Catherine of Alencon Countesse of Laual Charles D. of Alencon Charlotte of Armagnac wife to Charles of Rohan Alain of Albret The Cardinals of Luxembourg Louise of Lyon wise to Charls bastard of Bour â—on Seneshall of Thoulouza Francis Philebert of Seissell Afterwards the Court of Parlament by a decree of the seuenth of September 1510. b The Court of Parliament declared the goods of Iohn of Armagnac forfeited to the King and the seuenth of Sept. 1470. Fortie yeares after on the same day they receiue his heires to purge his crime and to rasie his memory receiued them to iustifie the Earles memory Charles Duke of Alençon whose Grandfather had married the Earle of Armagnac's Sister drew his iustificacion from the same reasons by which he was accused They said he had receiued Letters from the King of England and that Iohn Bon had brought them vnto the King with the answere His innocencie therein was very apparant for if he had receiued his letters and would haue made any answere he would not haue giuen them back vnto the bearer They were cunning practises said the Duke of Alençon of such as haue gouerned Lewis the eleuenth to tempt the fidelity of the Earle of Armagnac and to haue a share in his spoile That if Iohn Bon had been a true messenger to the King of England as he made shew to be he had not carried the Letters vnto the king That the Earle of Armagnac was naturally an enemy to the English Earle of Armagnac a great enemie to the English and being at Font arabic he carried himselfe in such sort towards them as men wondred how he could be banished for fauoring them c He that will iustifie himselfe must liue in such sort among them where hee is exiled as his Innocencie may be apparent and his returne more easie There haue been banished men who for the Integritie of their liues haue been more happie among strangers then in their owne houses He would not suffer his seruants to conferre or conuerse with the English which did trafficke in that Contrie and it hapened one day as the yong men of Bayonne were come to dance before the Countesse of Armagnac his wife an English man hauing a red crosse vpon his brest slipt into the hall with the people who are accustomed to follow dances The Earle who held the meeting of an English man with a red Crosse for as bad a presage as the ancients did a Moore with a crowne of Cypres d The ancient SuperstitioÌ„ held it a bad presage to meet with a Mâ—ore as Plutarque notes in Brutus The Emperor Seuerus meeting a Moore carrying a Crown of Cypres on his head Iratus ab occulis remoueri precepit et coloris eius tactus emine et Corona commanded his Gentlemen namely Carbon and pettie Santignem to driue him out and as they ranne after him with their naked daggers Mauleon his Stuard stept betwixt them saying that they were in a strange countrie and that the Townes-men might rise against such an act which the Earle of Armagnac seeing he tooke his Stuards staffe and chased the English man out of his lodging making him to leape downe the stayres That being parted from Fontarabie to goe vnto the Duke of Guienne by chance he found an English man at the Sea side whom he caused to be taken and carried him prisoner to Lestoré onely for that he was an Englishman King Francis the first King Francis quit his pretensions to the Contie of Armagnac e Marguerite of Orleans or of valois the onely sister to King Francis 1. was first married to Charles D. of Alencon and next to Henry the second of that name the 26. King of Nauarre the first yeare of his raigne by his letters pattents giuen at Compeigne in February 1514. resigned vnto the Duke of Alençon and to the Lady Margaret his wife and their children all his interest vpon certaine conditions the which happening it fell to the house of Albret Iohn Duke of Alençon was so wonderfully grieued at the miserable fortune of the Earle of Armagnac as all his affections grew cold to the Kings seruice and carrying alwaies from that time this vlcer in his brest he sought the Duke of Bourgondies protection All which did but hasten his miserie and the losse of his libertie We must end this discourse with these words that the reputation of the seruices of the Lords of the
done any great exploits by sea although that their coast be greater then that of their neighbors and that it is hard for a Prince that is not strong at Sea r To bee strong at sea is much more auaileable the â—t land for the getting and keeping of a great estate The realme of Portugall is growne mighty by Nauigation The Common-weale of Genouâ— had extended her limits farre is ciuill dissâ—ntions had not stayed their designes by Sea euer to ecrease or maintaine his Empire If France had tooke delight at sea she had made the Flower-de-Luce to flourish farre off The French haue contemned Nauigation but this contempt of nauall expeditions hath clipt her wings with the which she should haue flowne so high as all the world had been amazed They did beleeue in those daies that who so was valiant at Land could not be so at Sea A verie preiudiciall errour for a Captaine that hath been accustomed to fight with the windes sea and men will sooner become a Captaine at Land where they fight onely with men then a land souldior will become a good Sea-man When as the King of England was landed at Calice The D. of Bourgundy is prest by the English and found not the Duke of Bourgundy he held it for a scorne and euen then he discouered his weaknes and sent him word that if he did not aduance he would force him to thinke of that which hee did not desire Behold this Prince reduced betwixt two extremes all the wisedome of man could not shew him a meane He found it dishonorable to dislodge from before Nuz and hee found it dangerous not to ioyne with the English God had stroken him with an amazement for the good of France for if hee had attended the English at their passage and not vndertaken the voyage of Germanie those two Armies ioyned together had been able to doe that which diuided was impossible When as the King of England prest him to come with speede the Emperor offered him battell to make him raise his seege from before Nuz At the same time when as both Armies were in view and that Albert Duke of Saxonie who carried the Standard of the Empire and Albert Marquis of Brandebourg prest the Emperor to command a chargr the Trumpets whom they attended to giue the signe sounded the publication of a peace He is forced to raise the siege of Nuz the last day of May. The secret Article carried this condition that the Duke should giue his Daughter to Maximilian and declare her heyre of al his Estates if he dyed without any sonne Munster saith that the Emperor for the desire he had of this mariage did not all the harme he could unto the Duke and that hee gaue him ten thousand florins The Duke said that he did not retire but to obay the admonition which the Pope gaue him by his Legate to whom the place was deliuered to coulour his dislodging with some shew the which was the more troublesome vnto the Duke s It is a disgrace to dislodg after a long coÌ„tinuance which alone should force Townes But he gaue the Duke this contentment that his enemies were not comprehended in this Treatie A conditionibus Pacis exclusi sunt Lud. Franc. Rex Sigismundus Exarch Austriae Out of the conditions of peace were excluded Lewis the French King Sigismond Archduke of Austria Rene Duke of Lorraine and the Suisses for that he knew the towne was reduced to extremities hauing neither patience not bread for aboue ten dayes hauing endured a whole yeare all the attempts of the assailant and all necessities which doe afflict and make desperate Townes which are sharply besieged He came posting with a small traine to Calice He comes to Calice to the King of England being loth to let the King of England see into what estate his wilfulnes at this siege had brought his Armie t The Duke of Burgundies armie had beene weakned at the siege of Nuz with the losse of foure thousand men the remainders did ouerrunne the countries of Lorraine and Bar whilest with a small traine he went to K. Edward to Calice The Constable who had presented a planke to passe the English into France now drawes it back He had promised that as soone as the Armies were ioyned hee would open the gates of S. Quentin and hee shootes at them that approch by the Dukes commandement And yet to giue a goodly name to a deformed thing u It is a great pittie said Cato 〈◊〉 his opinion against Catelyue that wee are come vnto those times where they doe attribute the name of wicked things to good Salust in Catel he seekes to make him beleeue by Lewis of Creuille whom he sent vnto him expressely that he had shewed reason and discretion in the fayling of his word that if he had receiued his men without some kinde of resistance he should make himselfe vnprofitable for his seruice loose the credit which he had with the French and the opinion esteeme which the King made of his fidelitie The Constable assures the Duke of his seruice That nothing could change his affection whereof he would giue him such infallible proofes against all men and without any exception beseeching the Duke that the Letter which he sent him might serue for an assurance of the same intention to the King of England These words vowed and sworne with vehemencie held the spirits of these two Princes in ballance notwithstanding that they doubted the contrarie x There is nothing difficult to beleeue when it is affirmed constantly and boldly sworne by any one although he were held a deceiuer The efficacy of an oath if it do not beget credit in the mind at the least it breedes a suspension and doubt of the contrary Guiceiardin saies in his first booke â—o non credo puâ— quasi â—ssere quâ—llo che multo eâ—â—icacimentes afferma non faccia 〈…〉 negli animi de terminati a credere ill contrarie I do scarce beleeue it can be but that which is 〈◊〉 with great efficacy will breed some doubt and ambiguity even in those mindes that were resolued to beleâ—ue the contrary Charles assured Edward that if they did aduance S t. Quentin was theirs They that presented themselues first with an opinion to enter The Constable failes of his promise to the K. of England and Duke of Bourgundy were forced to returne their backs with speed and retire to the Armie which followed The King of England cryed out of treason and euen then resolued to be mindfull of reuenge y A failing in 〈◊〉 and faith is 〈◊〉 forgotten and the remembrance hath alwaies for assessors Choller and Reuenge Darius for that he would not forget the wrong which the 〈…〉 done him had alwaies a Page 〈◊〉 â—â—uld him in his care when he sale downe to meat Sir remember the Athenians The Duke of Bourgundy gaue excuses and said that the Constable had a good
commends his Councells gaue Eu and Saint Valery to the King of England onely to lodge in during the treaty of Peace But hee had giuen such order as the English in these townes were rather in prison then in Garrison The Constable by Edwards answer saw himselfe almost in dispair with more subiect to be amazed how hee liued then to reioyce that he was liuing apprehending on the one side seruitude and on the other punishment and seeing no other port in this torment of mind but death The Dukes of Bourgundy and Brittanie were comprehended in this truce if they would The Duke of Bourgundy being aduertised of this Treatie came from Luxembourg with sixteene horse to finde King Edward who discouered in his Cousins face the s It is an extreame misery to stand betwixt 2. great powers haue no meanes to maintaine himselfe A little nag betwixt 2. great horses is alwaies subiect to some stripe spleene he carried in his heart and seeming amazed at this sodaine arriuall he demanded of him what brought him I came said the Duke to speake with you will you said Edward that it be in priuate or publike wherevpon the Duke who could not containe his choller and who came to speake what he would not considering that he might he are what he would not t demanded of the King of England if hee had made a Peace No said Edward but a Truce for nine yeares in the which you are comprehended with the Duke of Brittanie I pray you accommodate your selfe vnto it The Duke replyed in English which hee vnderstood and spake That his Armie should not haue past the sea for that this Treatie ruined the reputation of the Kings of England and that he had need of that Lyons heart interred at Rouen u Richard the first King of England was called Coeur de Lion he dyed at Osneyâ— and his heart was interred at Rouen a reasonable good Poet for these times made him this Epitaph * Then he addes I had procured you a good occasion to doe your busines which you shall neuer recouer to get that which belongs vnto you It was not for mine owne interest for I could well passe without it and to let you know how little I regard your Truce Words betwixt the K. of England and the Duke of Bourgondy By S t George I will not treat with the King before that you are returned into England and haue stayed there three monethes Edward taking no delight in these words full of choller left him there He went to horseback and so returned as he came being well content to haue said that which hee would say to him who had not done that which he would doe and carrying in his heart a wonderfull discontent that this Treatie tooke from him the meanes to purchase glorie x To loose the occasion of any great matter by the meane of Armes is a very sensible griefe to a great courage Epaminondas did shew it in causing his sonnes head to be cut off who had won a Battell coÌ„plaining that he had depriued him of part of his glory at the Kings charge and once againe to giue him a Battell * Viscera Carceolum corpus fons serâ—â—t Ebrardi Et cor Rhotomagum magne Richarde tuum In tria diuiditur vnus qui plus fuit vno Nec superest vna gloria tanta viro And this other Hic Richarde Iaces sed mors si cederet Armis Victa timore tui cederet ipsa tuis The King fearing that the Duke of Bourgundies choller and the Constables practises would cause Edward repent or make him distrust the expectation of that which had been promised would make his proceedings free from all suspition Confidence is the true cyment of friendship Good cheer made to the English at Amiens The English entred continually in what troupes they would into Amiens There were long Tables at the gates furnished with good meate and delicate wines and good companions attended to entertaine all that came All the Tauerns and Innes were full The Marshall of Gié hauing charge to obserue how the English liued came one morning into a Tauerne where they told him they had alreadie made a hundred and eleuen reckonings Gran favores comery no escotar and it was not yet nine of the clock Among other commodities the souldiour found it sweet to dine well and not to pay any thing It was in the Kings power to cut the throats of nine or ten thousand who could neither goe on their legges nor finde the gates to returne vnto their quarters they were so full They were content to see them drunke with wine who would haue been drunke with bloud But when they came and told him that it was dangerous to suffer so many men to enter he left his howers which he was saying and the ceremony of Innocents y The Romans did obserue good daies to assaile but all were good to defend Macrob l. Satur. cap. 16. All daies are good and fit to care for defence and safety We must beleeue that which he saies that saw it and hath written it The King being vp and saying his howers one came and told him that there were at the least nine thousand English in the Towne I resolued to aduenture to tell him and entring into his retiring place I said vnto him Sir although it be S. Innocents day yet is it necessarie that I tell you that which hath been deliuered vnto mee and so acquainted him at large with the numbers that were entred and still came all armed and that no man durst refuse them the gates least they should be discontented The King was not obstinate but soone left his deuotion and told me that they must not keep the ceremonie of Innocents z The Christian religion holdes the obseruation of daies superstitious Eas culpat saith S t Aug. qui dicunt non proficiscat hodie quia praeposterus dies est It blames them that say I will not goe forth this day because it is ominious whereby wee may gather that the day whereon the Feast of Innocents fell was for all the rest of the yeare following superstitiously ceremonious to this Prince on which hee would not haue them speake vnto him of any affaires Phil. de Commines hauing been in danger of a disgrace vpon that occasion Yet he receiued this aduice in such an humor as he beleeued that he might referre his deuotion to another time and dispence with it to the end that he might prouide that this troupe should retire quietly The King dines at the gate of Amiens He caused his dinner to bee carried to the Porters house not to shew his distrust but to make much of the English which came in and out He stayed some to eate at his table and made others drinke and withall prouided for the safety of the Towne hauing caused three hundred men to be armed in their Captaines houses and appointed some vpon the Portall to
to moue humours not to purge the bodie It was told Pompey that there were amoÌ„g Stertorius papers many Senators Letters who exhorted him to come into Italy and to attempt against Rome but Pompey did an Act not of a yong man but of a graue setled inâ—gement causing all his Letters to be burnt and not suffring one to be read Plut. but the King who contemned not any thing thought that it was an Arrow shot against the Constable therefore he desired to be satisfied from Edward who dissembling not his great discontentment against the Constable related vnto him the whole History of his preuatications and for proofe thereof deliuered two Letters into his hands After a long discourse accompanied with infinite shews of loue honor and respect the two Kings parted Edward past by the Sea leauing Hostages in the delights and feasts of Paris and the chiefe Noble men of his Court talked of nothing but the Kings bountie The Heralds and trumpets of England at their parting cryed out A largesse a largesse h Liberalitie is like the Sunne amoÌ„g the other lights of a royaltie It is the myâ—rhe which preserues the reputation of Kings incorruptible for the most noble and mightie King of France A largesse a largesse The King went to lie at Amiens by the way he entertained himselfe with that which he had obserued in this Action speaking these words to Phil. de Commines confidently A wise obseruation of the king I found the King of England so willing to come to Paris as it did not please me Hee is a goodly King and loues women much hee might finde some Mignion at Paris who would tell him so many goodly tales as he might haue a desire to returne His Predecessors haue beene too much in Paris and Normandie His company auailes me nothing on this side the Sea but on the other side he is my good brother and friend Being come to Amiens and ready to set downe to meate Haward one of the Hostages thinking to doe him a great pleasure came and told him in his eare that if he pleased he would draw the King of England vno Amiens and it might bee to Patis to make good cheere there with his Maiestie The King who hauing saued the Capitoll i It is good to see an enemies back The Gauls demanded boats to passe the Riuer of Tyber and the Senate commanded to giue them some beeing put to rout they assured them the way to saue them Poliâ—nus Lib. 2. had no care but to make a large way for the Gaules to passe receiued this speech with a good countenance although it did not please him and as if he had thought of other matters he began to wash and to speake of other things Haward remembred him after supper hauing not obserued the Kings intention by the first euasion The King being prest by his importunity said that he was then ready to goe to horse to see what the Duke of Bourgundy would doe and to make him runne the hazard of Armes seeing he had contemned the opportunitie of an accord They that past the Sea vnwillingly would haue beene glad to haue found some occasion to haue stayed longer in France they had some reason for the good of their estate and that Paris might be to London as Carthage had been to Rome k Estates maintaine theÌ„selues by the common feares and iealousies they haue one of an other And therfore Scipâ—o Nasiâ—a did aduise theÌ„ to preserue Carthage notwithstanding that she had put the 〈◊〉 of Rome to comprimise Ne metu ablato aemula vrbis luxuriarâ— felicitas vrbis inciperâ—t Least being freed froÌ„ the feare of a Citie that was enemy the Citie in her prosperitie should fall to â—yot Flor. Lib 2. de Bello Punice They had such hot spirits among them as if they had not some imploiment without the Iland they were capable to beginne the Earle of Warwicks game During the Kings abode at Amiens he was visited by the English especially by those that would not returne without some present The King giues preâ—â—mâ—s to the English The Duke of Glocester who seemed much discontented with this Truce found it good after that the King had giuen him plate and horses This Prince did sow euen in barren groundes the feare of ingratitude did not stay his handes from giuing vnto them who being gone neuer gaue him thankes l They doe not forbeare to sow after an â—â—n fertill haruest hee must not leaue to binde one after ingratitude although the benâ—fit perish with the other he must not suffer it to perish with himselfe He was very well pleased with that day but he was greeued that the King of England had shewed so much passion for the Duke of Brittaine for his desire was not to suffer him in peace Edward declares the Duke of Brittanâ— to be his friend Hee caused him to bee sounded againe by the Lords of Bouchage and St. Pierre but they brought nothing back but rough wordes sweating that he would repasse the sea againe if they quarreled with the Britton m Besides the bond which K. Edward had to the D. of Brittany for that hee had assisted him in his greatest necessiâ—y he feared to discoÌ„tent him least he should set Henry whom he held prisoner at libertie The King seeing that he could not diuide them thought to make him a good friend whom he could not declare a iust enemy Peace betwixt the King and the Du of Brittany seing that he was comprehended in the Truce Wherefore there was a Treaty of peace betwixt them signed and concluded in the Abbey of Senlis the 16. of October 1475. published in the Parliament of Paris and at the estates of Brittaine The King of England was not more content to see his realme againe then the King seemed ioyfull to haue sent him out of his Princes somtimes let slip free speeches in their Cabinets which are obserued and reported againe The King being some dayes after King Edwards departure with his seruants reioyced at the happy successe of his affaires saying that there was nothing to be compared to vanquish without fighting n The victorie which costs least bloud is mâ—st glorious said Alphonso K. of 〈◊〉 Panorm in his life and that they which returned from the place whether they came to make warre without doing any thing were vanquished Words escaped the K. vpon the Treatie of Peace He iested that with wine and money he had sent away the English This flowing of words with more truth then wisedome came to the hearing of a Gascon Marchant remaining in England who was come into the Cabinet to craue leaue to transport a certaine number of pipes of wine Impost free Heard by a Gascon Marchant The King would haue been glad that this man hauing seene the Palace of his Councels bare and vncouered had been blind deafe but he made no shew of it acknowledging
an enemie who departs discontented x Words of contempt or mockery inflame mens hearts to other resolutions theÌ„ are expected Cabades a Captaine of Persia besieging Amida and finding 〈◊〉 that the siâ—ge would be long difficult resoluâ—a to leaue it The inhabitaÌ„ts grown proud thereat came running to the waâ—s calling him coward and mocking at his retreat Wherewith Cabadeâ— was so incensed as â—e returned prest forced and spoiled the Towne The Deputies of either side met but could not agree euerie one seeking to maintaine his owne The King told his that he would not haue so many words and causing the Dukes deputies to come he shut himselfe in with them and before they parted concluded a Truce for nine yeares beginning the 13. of September 1475. and ending the same day in the yeare 1484. The Duke would haue Baldwin Bastard of Bourgundy the Lord of Renty Iohn de Chata and Philip de Commines excluded and to loose the benefit of this Truce the which notwithstanding was not so soone published to saue the Dukes oth who had sworne not to hearken vnto it so soone As they were vpon the Treatie the King of England being discontented that the Duke of Bourgundy treated apart sent Thomas of Montgomerie vnto the King to assure him that be would return in the Spring with a mighty Armie to finish the Duke of Bourgundies ruine but the King who loued him well where he was answered that the Truce which was then in question was no other then what had been made with him without any alteration but that the Duke desired to haue his Letters Patents apart Thus a peace was made both with the English and Bourgundians These mists which were so thick as there was no hope to see the Sunne all the day were disperced in a moment leauing France in the same cleerenes that it was before The wisemen of those times saw and did acknowledge the particular care of Gods prouidence ouer this Monarchy hauing by his singular grace escaped so terrible a storme It was not the first brunt nor the greatest fit which tryed the firmenes of her forces The foundations of this Estate are so well layed y Al the estates in the world haue tried her Inconstancie what are become of the Empires of Assiria of Persia of Media of Egypt of Iudea of Macedon Quicquid in altum â—ortuna tulit ruitura leuat Whatsoeuer fortune hath raised on high is to fall againe And Plato saies that euery thing is in this world as vpon Euripus sometimes aboue sometimes beneath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her lawes haue so wisely preuented all kindes of accidents that although there bee nothing constant in the world and that nature turnes euery thing sometimes aboue sometimes beneath yet it stands amidst the greatest shakings and supports it selfe like a Colosse with his owne waight The composition of this body is so strong and vigorous as it entertaines it selfe euen with his excesse and disorders other Estates with all their good order are not in better case and the least disorder they commit brings their life in danger z Plutark said that the reputation of Sparta was like vnto a body which alwaies tooke a dyet which was distempered with the least disorder The Kings wisedome was the Instrument of Gods prouidence to free this Realme from the danger which did threaten it It is true that if necessitie which hath no law did not excuse the proceedings of this Prince and if the honour of the action did not remaine to him that hath the profit there might be exceptions taken to that which the King did to haue this Peace A wise Prince and lesse fearefull would haue aduentured a Battell rather then be subiect to his enemies pride but these high and generous formes of treating are buried in the ruines of proud and triumphant Rome and there is nothing remaining but admiration which the History represents The Romans neuer receiued condition nor capitulation a As the Romans did neuer receiue offers nor conditions from an enemy so long as he was armed so did they neuer goe whether they called them If thou beest mighty thou maist force me if thou canst not I must goe whether my commoditie leades me from an armed enemie they neuer made retreat in disorder Neuer did Generall of a Roman Armie giue place to any one were he a King Neuer did they in strange Prouinces quit the markes of their authoritie Neuer did they allow a stranger how great so euer to enter into their lodging on horseback b When as Tigranes came to Pompey to yeeld himselfe into his hands the Sargeants told him that he must light for that no man was euer seene to enter on horseback into the Romans lodgings Plâ—t And in a word neuer had Prince his minde and resolutions raised to more generositie FINIS THE CONTENTS OF of the seuenth BOOKE 1 THe Constables perplexitie after the peace 2 The King sends for the Constable 3 The Constable leaues S. Quentin and retires to Mons in Hainault 4 The King seazeth on S. Quentin and summons the Duke of Bourgundy to effect the Article of the Assembly of Bouuines touching the Constable 5 Hee is deliuered to the King and conducted to the Bastille his processe made condemned to die and executed 6 Profit and blame which the Duke of Bourgundy receiued by the Constables death 7 Armie of the Duke of Bourgundy in Lorraine 8 Attempt vpon the Dukes life discouered by the King 9 Armie of the Dukes against the Suisses 10 The Kings voyage to Lyon 11 Siege of Granson The Suisses giue and winne a Battell and recouer Granson with a great spoile 12 The Duke seeks vnto the King for a continuance of the Truce 13 Rene of Aniou King of Sicile comes to the King at Lyon 14 Duke of Bourgundies Army before Morat defeated by the Suisses 15 The Suisses enter into the countrie of Vau and the Duke retires into the Franche Conty 16 Yoland Duchesse of Sauoy the Kings Sister leaues the Bourgundian party 17 Alfonso of Portugall comes to demand succors of the King 18 Henry the fourth King of Castille declared vnworthy of the Crowne 19 Accord betwixt the King of Castille and the King of Portugall 20 Affliction heauines and griefe of the Duke of Bourgundy after the Battel of Morat 21 Rene Duke of Lorraine besiegeth and takes Nancy 22 Armie of the Duke of Bourgundy before Nancy and treason of Cont Campobasso 23 Defeat of the Duke of Bourgundy and his death an obseruation of his courage and a memorable example of his Iustice. 24 Death of Galeas Duke of Milan THE HISTORY of LEVVIS the XI THE SEVENTH BOOKE AT the Treaty of Piquigny the Constable of Saint Paul resembled a Tree beaten with three contrary winds which notwithstanding conspyre all together to teare it vp by the roote The Constable in ill terms with all men a Great wits doe often-times commit great errors and you
shall seldome see a great spirit without some medley of fâ—lly wherof the purest comâ—s froÌ„ the finest wisdom and therefore Thucidides will not haue the choose high aspiring spiriits into the Counceller of Princes nor to the maâ—naging of affâ—ires but those that are meane who are lesse obstinate Hee thought to make a perpetuall warre betwixt the King of France the King of England and the duke of Bourgundy behold he is amazed to see them reconcyled and against him He hath made him-selfe vnworthy of grace with the first of succors and defence with the second and of all hope with the third and in opinion with all three that hee would play the companion b As it is dangerous to contend with ones equall so is it madaâ—sto quarrell with his superior and to seeke to go hand in hand with him with them raise his reputation and merits vpon the ruine of their affaires mingle his ashes with those of their Estates and eternize his memory not in burning one Temple alone Ill with the King but the Estates of them all three The King had done him good not in respect of his person but of the seruices which he might doe him and when as he saw his affections altered his will also grew could making it knowne that great hatred proceeded from great friendship c The fauors benefits of Princes are not for the respect of the persons but in consideration of seruices and merits which they find in their seruants when these qualities change it is not strange if in like manner their fauors and affections alter Hee could not forget the practises which hee had made to keepe France in trouble and combustion nor the arrogant and insolent shew of armes vpon the Causey of Compiegneâ— nor the letters written to the King at the sight whereof he sware his great oath which hee did neuer violate that he should die Nor so many acts of a spirit which made it selfe miserable for that he could not beare his felicity The Duke had neuer pardoned him the taking againe of Amiens and Abbeuille Ill with the Duke the desire of his reuenge was a riuer d Reuenge runnes on still although it appeares not Plutarque compares it to riuers which runne vnder the earth and afterwards hurst forth with more violence which had his course through the rockes of the difficulties of his affaires He could not forget his cunning practise to marry his daughter to the Duke of Guienne nor his refusall to receiue his men into Saint Quentin after that he had caused them to come Moreouer he was incensed e Offences often renewed end with immortall paynes for that he had first made warre in his country by fire the rest being contented to vse the sword for whilest he lay incamped before Amiens the Constable had made a roade into the country of Haynault and burnt the Castell of Seurre belonging vnto Baldwin of Lannoy whome the Duke loued Ill with the King of England The King of EnglaÌ„d was offended with him for that hauing councelled and perswaded him to come into France to tryumph there hee had returned without tryumph All three would rather haue made an other hell then haue suffered such trecheries vnpunished All things seemed to bandie and conspire his ruine hee could not keepe himselfe vp firme seeing so many persons about him ouerthrowne The Constables perplexity after the peace f It is no wonder not to bee mooued in traÌ„quillity but we may be amazed to see a man rise when as all others shrinke and to stand firme amongst them that stuÌ„ble Sen. Epist. 73. The disgraces which fortune hath done him in the publike ruines are augmented by many other priuate crosses His wife the only support of his greatnes is dead Iames of S. Paul his brother prisoner la Scala his nephewe returning out of England was taken by the Kings men and found seazed of daungerous Instructions the Earle of Roucey his Sonne in the duke of Burbons hands The Earle of Dammartin his enemy with the Kings forces neere vnto S. Quentin And the Prince of Orange at liberty carrying the title of Prince by the grace of God g Ielousie and enuy worke strange diâ—â—emperatures in their mindes which martch hand in hand The Constable of S â— Paul could not indure the prosperity of some greate men in court He is grieued that the prince of Orange is set at liberty for thirty thousand Crownes and that the king hath suffered him to carry the title of Prince by the grace of God to coyne money and to pardon all offences except heresie and treason All these things were so many thornes in his bed to keepe him from sleepe he doth not dreame wake nor thinke but how to stand firme against all these violent stormes of fortunes but he seekes to cure his harmes h A pernitious remedy to cure one mischiefe with another and to think to be cured by disorders which caused diseases the intemperance of the Patienâ— causeth the cruelty of the Phisition by other mischefes He is like vnto an earthen vessell which must needes breake if it fall vppon a stone or a stone fall vppon it The nedle of his Compas turnes toward the Kings Clemencie as to his north He sends Rapin his secretary vnto him with silken words humble and milde beseeching him to beleeue that the King of England and the Duke of Bourgundy desired nothing more then to draw him to the extremitie of dispayre The Constable seeks the Kings fauor and to seeke his safty of them beeing that he could not finde it with the King That a desire to bee reuenged of him who had not offended theÌ„ but in that he had not offended his maiestie had giuen way vnto the slanders which had bin published against him and fauoured by the il will of his enemies which were about his maiestie namely by the Lord of Dammartin and Lude who did not loue him and that his heart could not bend vnto that diuine rule to loue his enemies i To loue ones enemies is a diuine Action to loue his friendes humane but to hate his friendes is bruitish But men are of that disposition especially great men they cannot indure the prosperity of their enemies Good workemasters know one anothers worke one line makes them iudge by whome the picture was made The King his craftsmaster in dissembling did iudg that whatsoeuer the Constable pretended to doe was but couÌ„terfeit Aristotle speakes of a rock which burnes hauing oyle cast vppon it that an ambitious spirit dissembles as he list k It is dangerous to giue credit to the wordes and actions of those that haue any designe 〈◊〉 a desire to attaine vnto it makes them to faigne any thing that a wicked man is neuer worse then when hee will counterfeit to be good wherfore all the oyle of his goodly l words doe not allwayes serue to open but to couer the
inuenias Quorsum enim eâ—rei nomen imposuissent cuius ipsi nullum penitus vsum habuissent nec imposterum vilum fore sperabant Quas enim Reginas alii suo quisque sermone nos Regum vxores appellamus Our Elders were so farre from giuing the gouernment of publike affaires to women as if you will examine all words there is not any one to be found with them of a womans gouernment why should they giue that a name whereof they had no vse neither did they hope there should be Those whom other Nations in their language tearme Queenes we call Kings wiues That for these reasons he could not councell the Estate of the Realme to preferre the gouernment of a woman before that of a man not to the Queene to attempt it beseeching her to thinke that they which councelled her did it more for their owne fortunes then for her honour That although her vertues were not vnknown to Scotland and that they must hope well of the vigour of her spirits and the greatnesse of her courage yet they had but two many examples of the ruines which verie sufficient women had brought to States when as striuing to excell their sexe they would exceed the bounds ordained by nature g Zenobia Palâ—â—yrenâ— hauing vanquished the Parthians and valiantly defended the Romaine Empire in the end she saw her selfe vanquished and a prisoner In a moment she lost the realme which her husband had inlarged and inricht This seemes to shew that the enterprises of women beyond their reach are alwaies dangerous His aduice was that they should chuse one or more capable to gouerne the Realme vntill the King had force of minde and body to discharge them This opinion was followed by the greatest part and they that would willinglie haue crost it Councell appointed for the Regency of Scotland seeing themselues ouerswaied by the multitude consented But to the end one faction should haue no aduantage ouer the other they tooke two of either giuing them power to keepe the Prince and to gouerne the Realme They left vnto the Queene the care to bring vp his two Brethren Alexander Duke of Albany and Iohn Earle of Marre and his two Sisters but she died the yeare following The affaires being thus setled in Scotland the King of England made a truce with the Scottish men for fifteene yeares About the sixt yeare of his raigne Robert Bothwell fauoured by the King Robert Bothwell a bold spirit being desirous to haue a share in the affaires found meanes to approach neere vnto this young Prince and told him that hee had beene long enough vnder the gouernment of these old men that it was time to make himselfe knowne and what God had ordained him to be Perswasions to raigne and commaund are alwaies sweet especiallie to Princes who thinke they cannot begin their raignes too soone nor end theÌ„ too late Vpon this discourse the King suffered himselfe to be led to Edingbrough to begin his raigne The Regents of the Realme were incensed at this presumption make Bothwells processe But the King declaring that hee had done nothing but for his seruice and by his commaundement makes him Lieutenant Generall of the Realme and a Companion both in his authoritie and affaires h Tiberius called Seianus Socium laborum a Companion of his labouâ—s he caused his statue to be honored in Pallaces and Theaters Tacit. lib. 4. He commits vnto his charge his owne person his Brethren and Sisters his Forts and Townes vntill hee should come to the age of one and twenty yeares he bindes all the Noblemen that were about him to acknowledge him in this qualitie and he giues his eldest Sister in marriage to Thomas Bothwell the sonne of Robert i The points reserued to Soueraigne Maiesty should neuer be imparted to any Subiect no not by Commission least they open a way to the Subiect to enter into the Princes place That which the King thought to do to assure this breeding greatnesse was that which ouerthrew it Nobility of Scotland conspire against Bothwell for the Nobles of the Realme did so enuy it and did pretend so many dangers in this great Communication of the Royall Authoritie to a priuate person as they coniured the ruine of this house The King had demaunded Margaret the King of Denmarkes Daughter in marriage whereunto they did the more willinglie accord for that by the treatie the controuersie was ended betwixt those two Crownes for the Ilands of Orcades The question was to send one to conduct the Queene This charge was giuen to Thomas Bothwell by the aduice of his enemies to the end that this absence might coole the great heare of the Kings loue as commonly Princes affections fauour that onelie which they see and weaken his faction giuing more courage to his enemies to make their party against him They that had neuer spoken word during his great prosperitie cry now against those Horseleeches of State against those Rauens and Harpies k For a time they suffer and dissemble the publike iniuries and oppressions of priuate men but when as any one begins to cry all pursue them All the complaints which had beene made against the Father for the bad gouernment of affaires were reuiued with such vehemencie as the King saw himselfe in a manner forced to heare them and to prouide for it A Parlament being called at Edinbourg they make a great instance vnto him he cannot bandie himselfe against such wholesome resolutions and they let him vnderstand that the force of his Estate consists in the Accord of his Will with those of his Senate l A Prince cannot shâ—w to much fauour loue and protection to the generall Councell of his Estate from whence goe all the resolutions for the good of the CoÌ„mon-weale Otho speaking of the Senate of Rome said vnto his Armie Quid vos pulcherimaÌ„ hanc vrbem domibus tectis congestu lapidum stare creditis Muta ista et inanima intercidere reparari promiscue possuÌ„t aeternitas rerum par gentium mea cum vestra salus in columitate Senatus firmatur What doe you thinke that this goodly Citty consists in houses buildings and heapes of stâ—nes these dumb sencelesse things may fall and bee repaired againe the eternitie of things the peace of Nations and my health with yours is setled by the safety of the Senate Robert Bothwell is sent for to appeare in person and to giue an account of his actions Bothwell coÌ„demned by the Parliament His flight into England did conuict him His Sonne being ficke and not able to flie away was staied a prisoner and condemned to loose his head in the Spring following Thomas Bothwel being come to Edingbourg with the Queen much amazed after so many dangers which hee had runne for his seruice to see his house thus ruined and vpon the aduice which his Wife gaue him of the small hope there was to returne into fauour he
paine his basenesse was the cause of it and that death might giue him a free passage he changed his patience into dispaire so as on the Thursday after Saint Martins day in yeare one thousand foure hundred foure score and foure hee was found strangled with the cord of his bed This execrable kind of death was kept secret vntill that they vnderstood the Popes minde after which the executioner of Iustice entred into the prison put the body into a pipe and cast it into the Riuer of Rhine c To kill himselfe hath beene held an act of courageâ— Plato forbids it in his Lawes The Thebians detested it and the Athenians did cut off his hand that had slaine himselfe did cast it on the common dunghill The Popes Deputies returned to Basill and the Excommunication hauing beene obserued three daies was taken away and the Towne deliuered from the Popes censures Yet for all this they did not cease to wish that the Pope would earnestly embrace the reformation of the disorders of the Church Desires of this kind are iust but wee may not presse them with heate of passion and indiscretion of zeale An example shewing that it is not reasonable in such sufferings and perplexities of the Church that the pride of any priuate person should presume to reforme it Wee must leaue those thoughts to Princes and Magistrates The simple multitude must attend with patience at the foote of the Mountaine vntil that Moses descend to let them vnderstand the will of God The Ship wherein that holy Family is included which hath neither sight nor day but towards heauen shall in the end appeare most glorious ouer the waues of the deluge and shall come vnto the Mountaine of a happy tranquillity * ⎠* ⸪ The end of the ninth Booke THE CONTENTS OF the tenth Booke 1 VVEakning and alteration of the Kings health in the beginning of the yeare 1480. 2 An Apoplexy seazeth on him His actions to maintaine his authority and to keepe himselfe from contempt 3 Liberty of Cardinall Balue and his pollicy to obtaine it 4 Generosity of the Cardinall of Estouteville to maintaine his dignity and that of the Clergy His death 5 Oppressions of the people 6 Desire of the King to reforme Iustice and tedious Sutes 7 Relapse of his sickenesse at Tours he goes to Saint Claude in his returne passeth by Salins and there setteth a Parliament for the Franche County 8 Death of Mary Dutchesse of Bourgundy wife to Maximilian the Emperour 9 Admonition made by the King to the Dauphin at Amboise 10 Estate of the Low Countries at the discretion of the Gantoies 11 Treatie of peace and marriage betwixt the Dauphin and Margaret Princesse of Austria 12 Death of the King of England and troubles for his succession 13 Earle of Richmond prisoner to the Duke of Brittaine comes to the Crowne of England by the Kings assistance 14 Death of Francis Phoebus King of Nauarre suite for the succession 15 Death of Alphonso King of Portugall 16 Lewis fals into new apprehensions of death and shuts himselfe into his Pallace at Plessis 17 Zizimi son to Mahomet reuolts against Bajazeth flyes to Rhodes and is conducted into France 18 Commendation of Mathias Coruinus King of Hungary 19 Impairing of the Kings health 20 Hee sends for Francis Paulo a Calabrois strange distemperatures of his sickenesse 21 His aistrust of Iohn Duke of Bourbon 22 Publication of the peace betwixt the King and Maximilian of Austria Marriage of Charles the Dauphin with the Princesse Margaret Magnificence at their entrance into Paris 23 The third and last relapse of the Kings Infirmity his last actions His perfect sence euen vnto the last gaspe His death ⧠THE HISTORY Of LEWIS the eleuenth THE TENTH BOOKE IN the beginning of the yeare 1480. 1480. Lewis beganne to dye and to feare death the which comes neuer so fitly but it brings with it terrour and amazement a Life must bee considered by the end If it bee good and glorious all the rest is proportionable Quomodo fabula sic vita non quandiu sed quam bene acta sit refert Nil ad rem pertinet quo loâ—o desinas quocunque voles desine tantum bonam clausulam imponas Life is like vnto a fable It imports not how long but how well it be acted It skils not where thou leauest leaue where thou wilt so thy conclusion be good Sen. His forces grew weake but his courage was fortefied strong vpon an apprehensioÌ„ which he had that they would make designes vpon his graue and that they would not stay vntill hee came to the end of his Carriere Hee desired to end it with the Authority Maiesty and Reputation that he had begonne and would not that they should know him dying nor that they should hold him mortall Hee workes so as in the West of his life the shadow of his reputation and respect is as great as at the Noone-day of his raigne Yet he finds that his iudgement hath not the force and vigour which it formerly had that the remainder of his life is become sower Age is alwaies accompanied that age comes not alone b When as wine and life grow low they become sowre Antiphanes hauing brought him diuers discommodities an incorrigible melancholy agitations of the minde a slow Feuer and the paines of the Emerauds He hath more prouision then he hath way to go he gathers and laies vp when hee should abandon and let go c Age becomes couetous when it hath not any need of goods it feares the earth should faile it One demanded of Symonides why he was so sparing in the extremity of his age for that said he I had rather leaue my goods after my death to my enemies then in my life time to haue neede of my friends His designes are great and spacious and his desires grow yong hee cannot free himselfe from new hopes his soule is as it were hung betwixt the feare of death and the hope of life his vnderstanding is a Milstone which the continuall course of affaires doth turne day and night And although his life passeth away in languishing and griefe yet had he rather endure the paine then not to be desiring rather to be freed from it then from life the which how painefull soeuer it be hath some houre of ease d There iâ— no life so languishing and full of paine but it is supported by some hope freed from the feares of death When aâ— Antisthenes the Philosopher was in extreame paine hee cryed out Who shall deliuer me froÌ„ these miseries Diogenes presenting a knife vnto him said This if thou wilt and that soone I do not say of my life replyed the Philosopher but of my paine For if paines be violent they are short and if they be short they giue no leasure to complaine Going to heare Masse at a little Parish neere to the Forges of Saint Chinon The King suddenly and
his owne bloud z Churches are Sanctuaries but they giue no safety but to Innocents and to them that are wrongfully 〈◊〉 The Temples of the Ancient were a Sanctuary to three sorts of men to Offendours to Slaues and to Debtors God did raise vp the Earle of Richmond Earle of Richmond prisoner to the Duke of Brittany who was prisoner to the Duke of Brittaine all good men desired it to reuenge the innocent bloud and this Tyrant fore-seeing that there was nothing to bee feared but from that part sent Thomas Hutton to the Duke of Brittany to deale with him that hee might not bee set at liberty a Ambition of raigne is not restrained neither by the respect of piety nor the motions of Nature Cupido regni fratre fillia potior The desire of raigne is deerer then brother or daughter Tacit. Annal. lib. 12. seeking the friendship of King Lewis who would not make any answeres vnto his Letters nor heare his Embassadours calling him most inhumane cruell and wicked for the most horrible and execrable murther of his Nephewes The King assisted the Earle of Richmond who being set at liberty by the Duke of Brittany past into England with three thousand Normanes the scumme as Phillip de Commines saith of the whole Prouince and was presently fortified by all them that were offended for the death of their lawfull Prince Earle of Richmond King of England giuing him battell within few daies after his arriuall in the which this Tyrant was slaine and the Earle of Richmond acknowledged for King In all these great reuolutions wee must confesse a Diuine Iustice which doth earely or late reuenge iniquities pursuing them euen in the generations of children who are punished for their fore-fathers offences Henry the fourth caused Richard the second to dye in prison Henry the sixth his Grand-child dyed a prisoner to King Edward the fourth Richard Duke of Glocester murthers Edwards children and Richard is slaine by Henry Earle of Richmond the seuenth of that name Who can deny but there is an Eternall Iustice in all this b When 〈◊〉 ◠wicked man commits any villany hee is presently a prisoner to GODS Iustice and like a fish hee is taken with the baite of pleasure and delight which hee hath taken in doing it which doth punish the wicked by themselues and makes vse of them to scourge others and it deferres publicke punishment for a time the secret doth neuer abandon the crime and is a perpetuall thorne in the offenders soule Francis Phoebus sonne to Gaston Earle of Foix dyed also hauing succeeded to Elenor of Arragon his grand-mother Death of Francis Phoebus King of Nauarre hee being but twelue yeares old and raigned vnder the gouernement of his mother c The Ladie Magdaline of France during her sonnes minority carried this Title Magdaline Daughter and Sister to the Kings of France Princesse of Viana Gouernesse to our most deere and wel-beloued sonne Francis Phoebus by the Grac◠of GOD King of Nauarre The Realme of Nauarre was so diuided as it had neede of a Prince of more greate respect and farre better experience and yet for that hee was neere allied to the Kings of France and Castile the most factious were quiet and tooke the oath of Alleageance when as hee entred with incredible applause into the Towne of Pampelone the tenth of December in the yeare one thousand foure hundred foure score and two Presently after his Coronation Ferdinand King of Castile offered him Ioane his second daughter in marriage The Queene his mother did still protest that her will did wholly depend vpon King Lewis the eleuenth her brother The History of Spaine saith that he had a desire to marry her to D. Ioane a Nun at Coimbra to the end hee might renue the pretensions which shee had to the Realme of Castile as daughter to Henry the fourth and by this meanes hee did alwaies assure himselfe of the County of Rousillon But when as his mother had brought him backe into Bearne hee was poisoned at Pau playing on a Flute Hee dyed with this griefe that his life nor death did not profite any man d As no man should desire to liue to himselfe alone so that death is honourable which is imployed for the publicke Turpe est sibi soli vivere mori Plut. there being nothing that doth more trouble a great spirit then when he liues and dyes not for himselfe Dying hee spake these holy words which the mouth of the Sonne of God pronounced a little before his death My Kingdome is not of this world If hee had liued he was borne to be a great Prince but the world to speake truely is so small a matter as the Phylosopher had reason to mocke at Alexander who had carried the Title of Great e Alexander would be instructed in Geometry to learne the greatnesse of the earth Hee found that the Title of Great which he carried was false cōsidering Quā pusilla terra esset ex qua minimum occupauerat Quis enim esse magnus in pusillo potest How little the earth was wherof hee held the least part who can be great in a small thing Sen. The Lady Catherine his sister succeded him Katherine of Foix Queene of Nauarre and was married to Iohn of Albret Iohn of Foix Vicount of Narbona her Vncle did quarrell with her for the Earledomes of Foix and Bearn saying that these lands lying within the Realme of France whereas women did not succeede Queene Katherine could not pretend any thing and did by force seaze vpon Maseres and Monthaut and besieged Pamiers but could not take it Queene Katherine aduertised King Lewis the eleuenth with this inuasion f France doth furnish many examples against the Vicount of Foix to shew that the daughters being neerest of bloud did exclude the Males that were farther off who sent Commissioners into the Country to forbid the Vicount of Narbona to proceed by way of fact vpon paine of loosing his right This controuersy was of such importance as he himselfe would be iudge thereof Controuersy for the lands of Foix Bern and Bigorre and after him Charles the eighth was Arbitrator In the end they must passe by the censure of the Court Parliament of Paris Iohn of Foix Vicount of Narbona and after his decease the Kings Atturney Generall as Tutor and Gardien to Gaston of Foix his sonne said against Katherine of Foix that daughters being vncapable of dignites by reason of their sexe might not succeed in the Realme g King Charles the eighth sought to make an agreement betwixt the parties and therefore committed it to the Cardinall of Foix and Monsieur D'Alby but seeing they could not agree hee sent them to the Court Parliament All which proceedings in writing were imparted vnto me by Maister Galland one of the most famous Aduocates of the Parliament Dutchies or Counties but onely the Males and that they might not
dispose thereof by Testament h When as they say that women are incapable of dignities it is to be vnderstood of charges which consist in Functions and Offices A Woman cannot be a Consull a President or a Chancellour but when the dignity is patrimoniall and annexed to the Fee such a dignity may belong vnto a woman as wel as the iurisdiction The King caused a Consultation to be made of all the learned Lawyers of his Realme to know what his Neeces right was They found that it depended vpon this Maxime That the Nephew or Grand-childe represents his Father and Grand-father in the right of Primogeniture or first borne That this right is transferred to the children of the elder although hee die before the Father and holds the place of lawfull heire They did also consider the custome and common obseruation of this Realme where the eldest sonne dying and leauing a sonne hee succeedes the Grand-father as his Father should haue done The Grand-fathers second-sonne being excluded from all pretention for the Nephew excludes the Vncle and representation hath place in this Realme in Fees which are not diuisible In the time of King Charles the fifth his Maiesty sitting with the Peeres of France in his Court of Parliament Ioane of Brittany married to Charles of Blois i Charles of Blois and the Lady Ioane of Brittaine his wife did enioy this Dutchy fiue twenty years or thereabouts vntil that Iohn of Montford being succoured by the Forces of England slewe Charles of Blois in battle and expelled his wife out of the Dutchy was declared heire to the Dutchy of Brittany as representing her Father against Iohn Earle of Montfort her Vncle. She was daughter to the Duke of Brittanies second brother and the Earle of Montfort was the third brother Allain Lord of Albret as sonne vnto the eldest Vicount of Tartas who was deceased succeeded his Grand-father in the Landes of Albret and excluded from the succession the Lord of Sancte Bazille his vncle and the Lord of Oruall his Grand-fathers yonger brother k In the house of Albret there are many Earledomes The Earledome of Gaure the Earledome of Dreux the Earldome of Peyragore and many Vicounties and Baronies They held that house in the time of King Lewis the eleuenth to haue sixe thousand pound sterling of yearely rent King Philip in the yeare 1314. did iudge the suite betwixt Maud daughter to the Earle of Artois and Robert of Artois her Vncle and by his iudgement it was decreed that the daughter should succeed as the neerest vnto her father Lewis Earle of Flanders had but one daughter the richest heire of Chrstendome the which succeded her father in the Earledome of Flanders excluding the Duke of Brabant her Vncle and was married to Philip of France sonne to King Iohn and first Duke of Bourgondy l The Treaty of Marriage betwixt the Duke of Bourgondy and Margaret Princesse of Flanders was made the twelfth of Aprill one thousand three hundred sixtie nine the Dutchy of Guienne which comprehends all Gasconie as well that which is of the iurisdiction of Tolouse as of Bourdeaux and more was carried to the Crowne of England by the marriage of the daughter of William Duke of Guienne with Henry King of England m Elenor the onely daughter to William Duke of Guienne and Earle of Poitiers was married to Lewis King of France and beeing put away by him shee married againe to HENRY sonne to the King of England and Duke of Normandy Henry King of Nauare Earle of Champagne left one daughter who was married to K. Philip the Faire and succeded her Father in the Earledome of Champagne The last Earle of Poictou n The County of Poictou and the Towne of Poitiers were vnited to the Crowne by King Charles the seuenth in the yeare 1436. had one daughter named Margaret who was married to the eldest sonne of France and succeeded her Father notwithstanding that the Earle of Saint Valier her Vncle was then liuing Raymond the fifteenth and last Earle of Tolousa dying without Issue Male Ioane his onely daughter succeeded him and was married to Alphonso of France brother to the King Saint Lewis o The marriage of Alphonso of France and Ioane Coumtesse of Toâ—ouse was treated in the yeare 1228. Matthew Earle of Foix dying without children in the yeare 1398. his sister surnamed Isabel succeeded him and was married to Archambaut of Grailly Lewis of Luxemburge Earle of S t. Paul had many children but his eldest sonnes daughter who was married to to the Earle of Vandosme was sole heire of all his lands as representing her Father who was the eldest p They hold that the Countesse of Vendosme did not succeede in the Earledome of Saint Paul by right of succession but by a Treaty of peace and that her Vncles were all incapable of this sucession for that the Landes of Lewis of Luxemburg her father had been confiscate The Earle of Lauragais left but one daughter who succeeded in the Earledome whereof she made donation to the French King The Earle of Castres had one daughter who was married to a yonger sonne of the house of Bourbon Earle of Marche who after her fathers decease succeeded in the Earledomes of Castres and Vandosme and excluded them of Montfort who were her Vncles from the succession Of this marriage were borne two sonnes Iames of Bourbon the elder who was Earle of Marche and of Castres and the yonger who was Earle of Vandosme Iames of Bourbon married Beatrix of Nauarre q Iames of Bourbon Earle of Marche married with Beatrix daughter to Charles the second King of Nâ—uarre the fifteenth of August one thousand foure hundred and fiue Elenor their onely daughter was married to Bernard Earle of Armaignac and Perdiac who after her fathers death succeeded as well in the Earledome of Marche as of Castres and excluded the Earle of Vandosme from the succession True it is that these Earledomes haue remained in the house of Bourbon by transaction r The King made Donation of the Earledome of March to Monsieur de Bourbon and his wife The Duke of Nemours children beeing restored to their Landes there was a sute to ouerthrow this Donation and then an Accord was made by the which the Earledome of Marche remained to the house of Vendosme and Bourbon the Duke of Nemours children being otherwise recompensed William Vicount and Lord of Mountpellier although hee had many kinsmen of his name had no other heire but his daughter Mary wife to Peter King of Arragon Peronelle s Du Tillet saith that this Peronella of Bigorre had fiue husbands 1. Gaston of Bearne 2. Ninion Sance Earle of Sardaine 3. Guy of Montford 4. Raoâ—l Tescu 5. Boson of Mathas daughter to the Earle of Bigorre succeeded her father in the Earledome of Bigorre in the yeare one thousand two hundred sixty foure and was married to Boson of Mathas Vicount of Marsan and
had suffered vnder the gouernment of the Duke of Berrie his vncle hee commanded the Dukes of Berrie and Burgondy to retire and would not haue any other prince neâ—re vnto his presence but Lewis duke of Bourbon his vncle by the mothers side and Iohn of Burbon Earle of March of V endosme whom hee loued infinitâ—y giuing a reason hereof openly That he loued those Princes for that they had neuer serued any other maister and had neuer had any ambition nor design against the state neither had they euer giuen him any occasion to complaine of them This vertue was neuer found in a great spirit but it did purchase power and affection with others Pride is barren humility fructifieth a vine spreading vpon the earth beares excellent fruit the high and straightest Cypres-trees are vnfruitfull Hee was not so bountifull of his fauours to the Lord of Beaujeu but hee was as sparing to the Duke of Bourbon his brother he had an implacable hatred against Iohn Duke of Bourbon sonne to Charles the Achilles of France This hatred was nourished with a fresh apprehension for that this Prince lamenting the disorders of the State the miseries and oppressions of the people and the bad vsage which Charles Duke of Berrie suffered had laid the first foundations of the league had left it by the Treaty of Ryon and re-entred againe into it vpon despight for that during this Treaty the Duke of Millan by the Kings commandement had ouer-run and ruined his Countrey of Beaujolois and Forrest But for that hee was a Prince of great power great courage and great credit in the heart of all France hee would not euaporate this fire of reuenge and indignation which hee had against them and considered rather what he might doe then what he should do And the Duke who was acquainted with the disposition of this King knewe well that all Princes write offences done them in brasse and the seruice which they receiue vpon sand wherefore he remained long in his Dutchy of Bourbonois and would not come to Court The King whose chiefe care was to weaken his enemies and to diuide them gaue him the gouernement of Languedoc dissembling the remembrance of things past Vpon this assurance the Duke of Bourbon shewed that hee did not breathe any thing but the Kings seruice neither had he any greater content then to yeeld him proofes equall to his affection and therefore hee followed him to Peronne and we must beleeue that without him in this voyage hee had giuen his Enemies more courage to execute those dangerous councels hauing resolued to stay him For besides the respectes of Alliance the Duke of Bourgondy respected this Prince who had the two principall partes necessary in great Captaines Valour and good Fortune l The two qualities necessary in the Generall of an Army are Valour and good fortune Duo sunt quae Claros Duces faciunt summa virtus summa foelicitas Lat. Pac. Paneg. Wee haue formerly seene that the Constable of Saint Pol did what hee could to drawe him to the Duke of Bourgondies partie Fidelity of the Duke of Burbon and to make him ioyne with the King of Englands forces and that this braue Prince made it knowne that nothing was able to shake his loialty no not if he should be reduced to the misery of Iob m An extreme oppression is no lawfull cause to arme against the Prince rebels seeke pretexes and coulors to shadow their discontents but good subiects suffer with patience although that the sincery of his actions could neuer wipe away the blemish which distrust had put in this Princes eyes yet would he not trouble the content which hee had receiued by the testimony which his conscience gaue to fidelity and vertue The King also fore-seeing that if his enemies were fortefied with his fauour and forces hee should be much troubled hee coniured him to come vnto him The Duke excused himselfe vpon a resolution which hee had taken to liue quietly in his house the which no man could enuy him hauing purchased it with incomparable toyles and crosses Hee besought the King to suffer him to rest in the port of this tranquility after so many stormes and to content himselfe with the seruice which the other Princes of his house and his Bastard the Admirall did him The King entreated and coniured him to come and to reape the same fruits in Picardy which he had sometimes receiued in Guienne n The honour of the glorious victory of Fromigny is giuen to Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon who then tooke the title of Earle of Clermont for hee charged the English with such fury as with the losse of tenne men onely hee defeated fiue thousand English and tooke 1400. prisoners to the shame and confusion of the English sending the Bishop of Mande vnto him to deliuer his requests and recommendations more confidently and to assure him that the occasion was not lesse glorious then at Fromigny The Duke being loath to faile France in so great an occasion and remembring that his predecessours had not desired a more glorious graue then to die vpon a field of battell couered with the bloud of their enemies o The Princes of the house of Bourbon who haue dyed for the seruice of the Crowne are Peter of Bourbon slaine the 19. of September 1356. at the battell of Poicters Iames and Peter his sonne at the Battell of Brignay neere vnto Lyon Lewis at the Battell of Agincourt 1415. Francis at the battell of Saint Bridget on holy Crosse day in September 1525. Iohn at the battell of Saint Laurence 1557. and Anthony at the siege of Roan 1562. and to free the King from all conceite that he had a will to giue eare vnto the Constable who did solicite him with all vehemency he deliuered the Constables letters into the Bishops hands protesting that hee would neuer carry Armes against the Kings seruice The effects did not differ from his words for seeing the Duke of Bourgundies troupes approach to enter the Country he went to horse and put them to rout The Earle of Conches was slaine there the Earle of Rousillon Marshall of Bourgundy was taken prisoner there with the Earle of Dammartins sonne and the Signiors of Longy de Lisle Digoin Ruygny Chaligny and the two sonnes of the Signior of Viteaux one of which was Earle of Ioygny Being then assured of the discent of the English and that they had passed the Sea he came vnto the King with sixe hundred horse and commanded part of his Army which was neere vnto Beauuais Matters being reduced to those tearmes that the King desired and the King of England hauing repassed the Sea he retired himselfe to Moulins to performe the last duties to his mother p The Lady Agnes of Bourgundy dyed in December 1476. Shee was wife to Charles Duke of Bourbon and mother to Iohn the second of that name Duke of Bourbon to Charles Cardinall and Arch-bishop of Lyon
His Humour disposition 105. Is constrained to grant the Gantois their demand 107. Is forced to raise the siege of Nuz and comes to Callice to the King of England 180. His profite and blame by the death of the Constable 205. His iourney against the Suisses 207. c. He looseth the battell but not his courage 211. Hee seizeth vpon the Dutchesse of Sauoy and her children 214. His affliction after the Battell of Morat 220. His defeat and death 224. An example of his Iustice 227. 227. Charles Prince of Nauarre makes warre against his father 151. Chastity and Beauty are rare companions 27. Choler and Praecipitation are two blind guides 67. Combustions in England 53. Complaints against Lewis the Dauphin 30. Complaints for the Pragmaticall Sanction 135. Confidence is the true cyment of friendship 187. Considerations of the King to haue a peace 179. Conspiracy against King Henry the sixt 54. Constantinople taken 123. Consultation taken to put the Hostages of Leige to death 108. Contention in Scotland for the Regency 230. Contentment of priuatemeÌ„ makes them forget the publicke 96. Councell of Basile seekes an accord with the Dauphin 24. Counsels in perplexity 85. counsels sauor of the passions of counsellours 173. counsell contemned drawes on destiny 223. Courage of the women at the siege of Beauuais 165. Courtesy proffered but not meant 189. Crosse of S. Laud. 179. Croysado published against the Turke 64. Cruelties makes Princes odious 125. cruelties committed at the taking of Nesle 163. cruelty base and villanous 227. D Death of Charles Duke of Orleance 2. Death of the Signior of Contay 108. Death is sweete when it is the end and not the punishment of life 204. Declaration of the house of Bourgundy 36. Delight in publicke miseries for profite sake 24. Desire of rule sets father and son at variance 60. Desire to haue things as we wold makes vs oftentimes accept appearances for the things themselues 87. Dignities change the Maximes of conscience 48. Disability supplyed by Deputy 216. Disobedience rightly punished 81 Displeasure of the Duke of Bourgundy against his sonne 34. Disposition of the Earle of Charolois 33. Distraction of Charles the sixt 1. Dutchesse of Bourgundy drawsher husband to the treaty of Arras 8 Duke of Bourgundy flies into Flanders 2. and is slaine by Taneguy Du Chastel 4. E Earle of S. Paul is made constable of France 97. His naturall affection Ibid. His bad conduct 98. His pollicy 143. His dissimulation to creepe againe into the Kings fauour 168. the manner of his comming to the King 169. His double dealing with the King of England 181 Is abandoned of all his friends 196. His grieuous perplexities 198. Is deliuered prisoner to the King 200. His confessions Arraignement sentence and execution 201. 202. c. Ease found in conference of troubles and afflictions 27. Education is as another nature 16 Edward 4. proclaimed King of England 57. He declares himselfe for the Bourgundian 77. Hee sends the Garter to the Earle of Charolois 88. Is defeated taken prisoner 141. His passage into FraÌ„ce 177. His repentance for his passage 182. Eloqueâ—ce naturall in Lewis the eleuenth 133. Embassage from the Frenâ—h King to the Emperor Frederick 176. Enemies that are ambitious must haue more work made theÌ„ then they can compasse 173. English well entertained at Amiens 187. Enterveiw of the Kings of France and Cistile 62. Enterveiw of the French King and Earle of Charolois 93. Enter veiw of the French King and King of England â—89 Estates assembled at Clâ—rmont 13 Exploits done by captain Salezard at the siege of Beauuais 165. F Faction of the Orleanoâ—s and Bourgonians 1. Famine extreame in Nancy 222. Fatality of names 6. Feare and the strange operation thereof 93. Ferdinand King of Naples seeks the alliance of the Queene of Cyprus 127. Fidelity deuotion of the French towards their Kings 5. France the Sanctuary of Popes 47 G Galeas Duke of Milan his death 229. His cruelties and whooredomes 230. Gantois profite by the Ligeois 110 George Castriot circumcised called Scanderbeg 120. Hee leaues the Turk ioynes with Iohn Huniades 121. Hee demands succors of the Pope 123 his death 124. His force and dexterity Ibid. Gyles of Brittany his Tragicall end 151. Good of a peace and necessity of affaires respect not formalities 9. Gouernement of Venice commended 129 Guienne giuen to the Kings brother 135. H Heirs teares are soon dryed vp 41 Henry the sixt King of England is crowned King of France at Paris 4. Hee flies into Scotland 57. Is imprisoned in the Tower of London 58. Is set at liberty againe 143. Henry King of Castile degraded 217. I Iames the first King of Scotland murdered 7. Iests should end when they begin to moue laughter 28. Iewes probationâ—waters 146. Impatience of the Earle of Charolois 67. Importance of the Office of the Constable of France 205. Indignities and insolences of people reuolted 103. Inequality of recompence after the battell of Montlehery 84. Inhumanity of the Duke of Bourgundy 164. Iniuries done to faith and reputation are not easily repaired nor recompenced 100. Insolence in victory punished 23. Institution of the order of Saint Michael 136. Intelligences continued betwixt Bourgundy BourboÌ„ 139. IntelligeÌ„ces of the Constable with the Duke of Bourgundy 177. Iohn Earle of Armagnac expelled his Country 154. accused by a Welchman 155. Desires a safe conduct to iustifie himselfe 156 Is reconciled to the King 157. And is afterwards slaine vnder the assurance of a Treaty 158. His incest 159. His superstition in holding it a bad presage to meete an Englishman with a Red Crosse. 160. Isabella of Cstaile marries Ferdinand of Arragon 218. K Katherine Cornari adopted by the Venetians 126. King Lewis in danger to be taken or slaine 116. His letters to the Lord of Lude 152. King and Queene of Cyprus driueÌ„ out of their owne Realme 126. King of Scotland giuen to Sorcery 234. and is slaine in fight by his Nobility 235. Knights habite of the Order of S t. Michael and the marke of the Order 137. Knowledge better how to die then to kill is the best and onely part of vallour 17. L League of Armagnac 2. Learning is silent when warre speakes 26. Letters from Amurath to Scanderbeg 121. And the answer ot it 122. Letters of the Soldaâ— to the King of Cyprus 125. Letters of defiance from Edward 4. to the French King 178 Lewis excited against his father by bad counsell 10. He soliciteth the good Townes of France to ioyne with him 12. Is reconciled to his father 14. He desireth rather to be held a bad son then a bad master 15. He takes Deipe 20. Is too true in his threats promises of reuenge 29. auoyding one danger he fals into another 31. Is dispossest of his reuenewes in Dauphiné 32 His wandring being in Hunting 34. His coronation 42. His voyage into Brittany 52. Is made Arbitrator betweene the Kings of Castile and Arragon 62. Is receiued
of all the other members The complaints of the Rigor d When as the people are opprest they dare not accuse the Princes rigor but cast their complaints vpoÌ„ that of the time of the time became murmurings against the seueritie of the Prince Euery one lamented the Raigne of Charles and desired rather the end then the continuance of that of Lewis Great men beganne to make it knowne that they could not liue long in that seruitude shewing themselues more sencible of the contempt e The nature of man is more sensible of contempt then of losse The Senators of Rome were more discontented for that Caesar entred into the Senate without saluting them then for the enterprise which hee made vpon their libertie which was done them then of the miseries which the meaner sort suffered yet they found no better pretext of their priuate interest then that of the publike The King did not attend the consent of the Realme to haue money hee tooke it without asking They were not tributes of Loue f Princes finde pleasing names for things which are bittâ—r and hard Edward the fourth in posed vpoÌ„ the Realme of England a tribute which hee called a Bâ—â—euolenâ—â— Euerie one did contribute as hee pleased and according to his gifts they did iudge of his Loue to the King He that gaue much loued much Edward made vse of this tribute against the French found great succors Polid. lib. 24. 26. but of Rigour and constraint thinking that France was a meadow which he might mowe at all seasons A great sedition troubled the citie of Rheimes against those which had raised customes The Commissaries were slaine and their Commissions cast into the fire The King sent Souldiers disguised like Marchants and labourers who entring by diuers ports ioined with the Lord of Mouy their commander who caused a hundreth of the most seditious to bee hanged suppressed the sedition g The most frequent and knowne causes of sedition and mutenâ— grâ—w from new charges and excessiue impositions reuenged the Kings seruice and setled his authoritie there the which had not beene impugned but for the naturall impatiencie of the people to endure that whereunto they were not accustomed All France was quiet Combustions in England and beheld as from the shore the tempests which were in England and Arragon The King was glad to entertaine the warre farre from him and to assist the house of Lancaster in England and the house of Arragon in Spaine whiles that the clouds and windes prepared to draw the storme vpon his owne head England for the diuision of the houses of Yorke Lancaster saw at that time such terrible changes and accidents as it is a wonder the Realme did not passe vnder some forraine command and that they did not cry quittance with him seeing there is no surer meanes to ruine an estate then ciuill discord h Ciuill Diuisions transport and change estates Spaine vnder the raigne of fourescore and twelue Kings hath beene torne in as many peeces as it hath had Realmes France hath changed thrice England hath been commanded by the English Danes Saxons and in the end by the Normans The Empire hath been past from the East vnto the West Naples hath been vnder the power of the French Germans Arragâ—nois and since of Castitians But France had yet so many bad humors in her body as her disposition was more dying then liuing When as the English ceast to afflict her they began to quarrell and to ruine one another The end of forraine warres was the spring and renewing of ciuil Henry of Lancaster sonne to Henry the fift found himselfe without a crowne notwithstanding that in his infancie he had been crowned with that of France and England Richard Duke of Yorke an Ambitious Prince and who had both credit courage i Good things and which are commendable of themselues applied to il are perâ—itions Sepius industria acvigilancia noxiae quoties parando Regno fingatur Tac. lib. An. lib. â— industrie and vigilancie qualities to bee suspected in an Ambitious spirit became head of a great faction the intentions whereof he couloured with the onely zeale of the publicke good to change the bad gouernement of the Realme to deliuer England from the insolencie of the Duke of Somerset who alone gouerned the helme of the affaires whilest that the King suffered his spirits to be transported not to delights and voluptuousnes but to carelesnes k An idle Prince is a waies contemned Three things saith Zeâ—ophon make him excell ouer his subiects 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His carelesse life incensed his subiects hearts and his idlenes distasted all men of his raigne The estate was like vnto a sicke body which is so prest with his infirmitie as he is forced to trust him that comes to let him bloud and cannot attend the Phisitions which are farre off l In violent diseases wee may not attend far fetcht remedies although they answere him that they will come and cure him Such as were discontented with the present Conspiracy against King Henry the sixt and desired to see some change applyed them-selues to the Duke of Yorks desseigns and intentions and among others Richard Neuell Earle of Salisbury and Richard Neuill Earle of Warwick his brother who had wisdome and courrage rare parties for a great desseigne and therewith such great credit among the people as it was thought that not any one in England durst doe that which these would vndertake The Duke of Yorke hauing cast his bell made the sound thereof to be generally heard hee strake such a terror into the Court and made the wicked so audacious as the King who had neuer tasted of Domesticke troubles his spirit beeing like vnto a ship m Courages tried in dangers are to bee commended A ship is neuer esteemed which hath neuer felt of a storme which had neuer sailed but in a calme was amazed and confounded and not holding himselfe safe in the Citie of London by reason of the inconstancie of the people and the great credit which this faction had gotten resolued to leaue it The Duke of Yorke besieged S t. Albons n The battell of S t. Albons began early in the morning and continued vntil 9. of the clock in the yere 1556 Edmund D. of Sommerset and Henry Earle of NorthumberlaÌ„d were slaine the two armies meet Henry the sixt defeated and the Kings is put to rout with the losse of their chiefe commanders Hee lamented greatly for the Death of the Duke of Sommerset After this victorie the Duke of Yorke who had made declaration thâ—t hee had no other intention then the publicke good of the Realme and that his armes were not to offend the Prince accompanies King Henry to London as a Conqueror and freed from the Rule of the Duke of Sommerset which shewes that he had not taken armes but to free the King and the Realme who was ready
Duke of Berry to the King his brother wherefore he sent vnto the King of England although he were his enemy for that he had fauoured the house of Lancaster he accepted the Order of the Garter which he ware all his life and sought his sister in marriage although hee had noe will to marry her but being ingaged in this proposition he was taken at his word that which in the beginning was but a meere will became necessity William of Cluny a Prothonotary was imployed in this treaty as in many other great occasions to recompence the which the Duke of Bourgundy demanded a Cardinalls hat for him and sent Philibert Hugonet Bishop of Mascon to Pope Sixtus the fourth who seeing the great oppositions which Cardinall Latin of Vrsins made he fell into some hope to attayne vnto that dignity the which he demanded and obtayned A resolution was taken to goe directly to Paris k He that will doe any great effect in an enemies estate must go directly to the hart and not busie him-selfe vpon the fronter the Army leaues Estampes passeth by Saint Mathurin of Larchant and Moret in Gastionis These two smale townes were appointed for the Dukes of Berry and Brittaine The Earle of Charolois was lodged at Piguet in a large medow fast vpon the riuer of Seine The Marshall Ioachin and Saleâ—art could not stop their l If there bee any thing that doth import in the conduct of an army and binds a generall to be carefull it is the passage of riuers which may not be waded through in the which there are a thousand incâ—nueniences Among many meanes which Vegâ—tius sets downe hee aduiseth to carry smale boates of one peece and plankes to â—ay vpon them Vege lib. 3. cap. 7. passage for they had much Ordinance to make their way and there were none but some few horses on the other side to hinder them In all this he was assisted by the wise councel and experience of the Earle of Dunois who was an Vlisses in pollicy and an Achilles in valour Hee caused small boats and wine pipes to be carried in cartes In the midest of the riuer of Seine there was an Iland in the which he lodged through the fauor of his Canon remayning there all night with fifty men at armes Passage of the army into the Isle of France and the next day he finished his bridge vnto the other banke The building of this bridge brought reputation to the army for that Prince seemes either very weake or very fearefull which giues an army leysure to make a bridge As there is shame not to hinder it so there is glory to finish it The Romans who were rightly borne for the conquest of the world were so Iealous of their honor at the passage of riuers as they neuer passed ouer their Legions but vpon bridges m To passe riuers without a bridge was held vnworthy the greatnesse and Maiesty of the Roman people Caesar Nisi poÌ„tibus presidiisque impofitis dare in discrimen legiones haud Imperatorium ratusâ— and after that they had planted gards vpon the approches At this passage the army was fortified by nine hundred horses led by Iohn Duke of Calabria Sonne to Rene King of Sicile foure hundred Crosbow-men Germans and fiue hundred Swisses n The first Swisses which carried armes came to serue the league of the common-weale Phil. de Commines saith that they wan credit for them that came after for they behaued themselues most valiantly in all places where they came They hold that their were an hundred thousand horse in this army They tooke Pont Charanton whereas the quarters were giuen vnto the troupes to besiege Paris The Earle of Charolois and the Duke of Calabria held all the banke of Seine from Charanton to Conflans Disposition of the leagues Armie The Campe was inclosed with a number of carts The Dukes of Berry and Brittaine were lodged at S. Maur and all the rest towards S. Denis The Princes did presently let the Parisiens vnderstand why they were in Armes for the which they gaue such plausible pretexts and offered so many offices o Offers made to a multitude must be of 〈◊〉 things as please them They offer offices to the inhabitants of Paris Phil de Comines giues the reasoâ— That offices are more desired in that Citty then in any other in the world for such as haue them make of them what they can and not what they ought and there are offices without wages which are sold for eight hundred crownes and others which haue final vvages are sold for more then their wages can amount vnto in fifteen yeares and preferments to them that fauoured their designes as hauing let them know that they desired to conferre together to consult of the meanes to reforme the disorders of the Realme the Citie sent her Deputies whereof VVilliam Chartier Bishop of Paris was the chiefe There was some Ceremonie vsed in it The Princes assembled at S t. Maur. Assembly of the league and Deputies of Paris The Duke of Berry was set in a chaire the Duke of Brittanie and Calabria on the one side and the Earle of Charolois on the other with his Cuirasse and a rich mantle ouer it and these three stood p. If this conuersation had beene suffered saith Phil. de Com. the Princes might haue said the Towne had beene won for the people would soone haue turned to their partie for many reasons by coÌ„sequence the whole realme Iohn Bastard of Orleans Earle of Dunois propounded in the behalfe of the Princes that the designe of their league tended onely to the publike good and that it was necessarie to vnderstand one an other and to haue free entrie into Paris to treat and conferre together that the fittest meanes depended of that Conuocation of the Estates intreating them not to bee amazed if they presented themselues before their Citie in Armes hauing no other intent but to cause the King to giue eare q Marc Anthonie saith that although all sedicious bee dangerous yet that is iust and necessary when the people being opprest demaÌ„ss reliese from the whole congregation of citizens lawfully assembled to the good and wise counsell which they would giue him for the publike good of the Realme the which they said was ill gouerned laying many imputations vpon the King If the King Conference broken by the Kings presence who was gone into Normandie to raise his troupes had not come as a Prince should come to fortifie a people amazed and wauering this first conference had giuen the Princes of the league a great aduantage for the Citie yeelded to receiue them and their men paying and liuing without excesse but being arriued no man durst once speake of a conference or an accord and such as delt in it repented themselues beeing forced to depart the Realme The Bishop of Paris liued in disgrace with the King It was not a cloud r When
he haue force and authoritie where he liues ouer others if he bee learned and hath seene or read it will either amend him or impaire him For the bad impaire with much knowledge and the good amend Yet it is credible that knowledge doth rather amend him then impaire him were there nothing but the shame to know his owne euill it were sufficient toâ—keepe him from doing ill at the least not to wrong any man whereof I haue seene many experiences among great personages whom knowledge hath drawne from many bad desseignes and also the feare of Gods punishment whereof they haue greater knowledge then ignorant men who haue neither seen nor read History IT is a great aduantage for Princes to haue read Histories in their youth Lib. 2. Chap. 6. where they may plainely read of such assemblies and of the great fraudes deceipts and periuries which some of the ancients haue vsed one against another hauing taken and slaine them that haue relyed vpon such assurances It is not said that all haue vsed it but the example of one is sufficient to make many wise and to giue them a will to stand vpon their gard And in my opinion one of the greatest means to make a man wise is to haue read ancient Histories and to learne to gouerne himselfe wisely thereby and by the example of our predecessors For our life is so short as it sufficâ—th not to haue experience of so many thinges Besides we are decayed in age and the life of man is not so long as it was wont to be nor their bodies so strong All the Bookes that are written were to no vse if it were not to reduce things past to memory where we see more in one booke in three monthes then twenty men liuing successiuely one after another can see by the eye or learne by experience Although that enemies nor Princes be not alwaies alike notwithstanding that the subiect be yet is it good to be informed of thinges past Nourishment ALl men that haue beene great Lib. 1. Chap. 9. and done great matters haue begun very yong And it coÌ„sists in the education or coms from the grace of God This is spoken by the Author vppon the good education of Lewis the eleuenth without the which it had beene impossible for him to haue surmounted those great difficulties which he had in the beginning of his raigne and to blame that of the noblemen of his time who were not bred vp but to shew their folly in their speach and apparrell They haue no knowledge of any learning and there is not a wise man among them They haue Gouernors to whom they talk of their affaires and not to themselues and they dispose thereof and there are such Lords which haue not sixescore and ten pounds starling yearely rent which take a glory in saying speake vnto my officers thinking by these wordes to seeme great men In like manner I haue often seen such seruants make their profit of their maisters giuing them to vnderstand that they were beasts And if happily any one returnes and desires to know his owne it is so late as it serues him to small purpose A Princes subiects haue cause to greeue when they see his Children ill bred vp and in the hands of bad conditioned men Nature A Naturall wit perfectly good excells al other sciences that may bee learned in the world Example of Lewis the eleuenth who without any knowledge of learning had the reputation and the effects of the wisest Prince of his age Hope ALL well considered our only hope must be in God In the end of the first Book for in him lies all our assurance and all bounty which cannot be found in any worldly thing But euery man knowes it too late and after that he hath need yet it is better late then neuer Age. THe fathers old Age makes him to indure the Insolencies of his sonne patiently Lib. 1. Chap. 2. Example of Philip Duke of Bourgondy who dissembled the bad vsage of his sonne the Earle of Charolois to them of thâ— house of Croy. Foresight VVIsemen discerne so farre off as their life is not sufficient to see halfe of those things which they haue foreseene Lib. 3. Chap. â— Carelesnes and vigilancy MAd and distracted Princes are not to bee blamed if they gouerne their affairs ill Lib. 6. Cha. 4. but they that haue their iudgments sound and are well disposed of their persons if they spend their whole time in idlenes and folly they are not to be pittied if they fal into misfortunes But they which diuide their times according to their age somtimes seriously and in Councell and somtimes in feasts and pleasure are much to be commended and the subiects are happy to haue such a maister An Alphabeticall Table of the principall matters contained in the first seuen Bookes of this History A ACcord betwixt the King of Castile Portugal fol. 220. Affaires of a Prince are then effected with most safety and aduantage when he hath won that person who is most in credit and authority with the other with whom he Treates 166. Affection of Maisters to bad seruants is the cause of much disorder 14. Alphonso King of Portugall comes to demand succours in France 215. But is refused by the French King 218. Alphonso proclaimed King of Castile 217. His death Ibid. Amazment breeds strange effects 80. Ambition hath no other law then the fancy of the Ambitious 77. Amurath puts Scanderbegs brethren to death 120. growes fearefull of Scanderbegs valour Ibid. Army of the Earle of Charolois 79. Articlâ—s of a peace betweene France and England 165. Attempt against the Duke of Bourgundies life discouered by the King 206. B Balue the Cardinall imprisoned in a cage of his owne inuention 132. Basile besieged by Lewis the Dauphin 22. Battell of Firmigny 30. Battell at Montlehery 81. Battell at Wakefield 56. Battell of Varna 121. Battell of Morat 213. Battell of Nancy 224. Beauuais besieged 164. Birth of Charles the eight 146. Boldnesse after danger past 86. Bothwell in great fauour with the King of Scotland 232. C Cadet rescueth the Earle of Charolois 83. Challenge sent to the Duke of Bourgundy 3 Charles the seuenth disinherited by his father Charles the sixt 1. Hee armes against his sonne Lewis the Dauphin 12. He takes the Castle of S. Maxiant 13. His reprehension of the Duke of Bourbon 14. His fragility 26. His Death 27 Charles Duke of Orleans led prisoner into England 3. He dieth for sorrow 69. Charles of Nauarre poysoned by his Mother in Law 61. Charles Duke of Berry retires into Brittany 70. His solicitatioÌ„ of the Duke of Bourgundy to assist him for reformation of disorders in France Ibid. Campobasse his treason against the Duke of Bourgundy 223. Charles Earle of Charolois afterwards Duke of Bourgundy his negligence in trayning his Army 82. Is in danger to be slaine or taken 83. His repast among dead bodies 84. Runs into vnseene danger 94.
Disposition of Charles the 8 th 117 Dispute of the Authority of the Pope and Councell 61 Dissimulation of the Duke of Brittanie 9 E Edict to reforme Souldiers 185 Edward the fourth his death 81 Embassadours of France make Ouerture for a peace 5 Embassages ambitiously affected neuer succed happily 185. Error of learned men not to communicate 194 Estate of Lorraine 49 Estate of the Low-countries at the discretion of the Gantois 75 Estates that are popular haue alwayes some one priuat man more eminent then all the rest 2 Estates vnhappy which are forced to seeke strange Maisters 30 Example is a cleare light in doubtfull things 154 Examples of diuers disorders 114 Excesse esteems nothing but what is rare and chargeable 158 Expences ruled by occasions 176 F Fauours of Princes last not 148 Ferdinando base son to Alphonso of Arragon crowned King of Naples by Pope Pius the 2 d. 52. is ouerthrowne by Iohn Duke of Calabria Ibid. and restored by Scanderbeg 53 Flatterers pleasing to Princes 106 Florence in one hundred yeares changed estate seuen times 3 Formes of warre changed 43 France cannot bee disarmed of foot-men 40. it sends Spaine to the Indies 177 Francisco de Paulo an Hermit of admirable holinesse 105 G Garniers Oke 178 Generosity of a yong Boy of Sparta 47 God the Iudge of hearts 122 Grauity ridiculous 133 Griefe of Pope Sixtus for the peace betweene the Venetians and Ferrarois 57 H Henry the fourth the last French King his worthy commendations 143 Heralds creation 137 History should be free from loue or hatred 89 Hugonet and Imbercourt condemned to dye 15 I Iames of Luxemburg his generous answer to the King 172 Ignorance and Weaknesse feare any encounter 67 Impiety ouertaken by Iustice. 10 Ingratitude and Impiety of Adolph of Guelders 16 Inhumanity of Mahomet 45 Intelligences of the Duke of Brittanie discouered 8 Inuentions are not perfect in the beginning 44 Iudgement transported with choler is like a shippe without a Pilot. 67 Iudgements are free after death 120 Iudgement vpon the recompence of seruices 187 Iustice is the felicity of Empires 154 K Katherine of Foix Queene of Nauarre 84 Kings haue long hands and many snares to entrap their enemies 51 L Lewis counselled to make his profit of the diuision in Italy 1. He declares himselfe for the Florentines 3. Hee seeketh a peace of Maximilian 38. His designes vpon Lorraine and Prouence 48 Hetakes possession of Prouēce 54 He neglects the calling of a councell 57. His waywardnesse and melancholy 69. his visitation of his son at Ambois 70. he fals into new apprehēsions of death 95. his distrust 104. his deuotion 107. his curiosity 108. his last actions 109. he could not indure to heare of death 111. his superstition Ibid. his death 112. his children 115. his pilgrimages 122. the Latine which he would haue his sonne to learne 130. his custome at Ceremonies 134. his contempt of the markes of Maiesty 136. hee knew not how to pardon 144. his rigorus prisons 145. his feare of the reuenge of women 150. he was neither liberall nor couetous 171. his meane borrowings 175. his proper Science 185. his letters pattents wherby he gaue Armes to his base daughter 193. his great popularity 196. his delight in hunting 197. his fauorites and Contemporaries Ibid. c. Lightnesse Choler and Facility do not well become a Prince 37 Loyalty of the Earle of Vandosme 89 Loue of God and contempt of the world 106 M Magistrates should not quit their charge for any respect 153 Magnificence of the house of Burgondy 137 Magnificence of Lewis 11 th 140 Magnificence how far it extends 141. Religious Magnificence 142 Mahomet dies for griefe after the losse at Belgrade 48 Maiesty compared to Moses rod. 133 Mariages of France Sauoy 164 Mathias Coruinus his resolute answere to the Turkes Embassadors 28. his commendation 98. is chosen king of Hungary 100. his valor and conduct with other worthy acts 101. his war against the Emperour 103. his death Ib. Maxime of Machiuel 122 Miscounting in the History 74 Misery of the Duke of Brittanie 11 N Necessity of Horse-men 41 Neighbour-estates haue alwayes some disputes 38 New discipline for Souldiers Ib. Nobility of Hungary discontented 102 O Oath of the gouernment of Florence 3. an Oath should haue three conditions Truth Iudgement and Iustice. 32 Obedience is the Science of Princes 130 Obseruations of the aduantages of foot-men ouer horse-men 39 Offers of Bajazet to the King 95 Office of Heralds at Armes 137 Offices that are great should not be hereditary 138 Offices are to bee maintained if they be good 139 Oppression of the people 68 P Philip Earle of Bresse his marriages and children 165 Policie to bring an enemy into suspition of his owne people 2 Policie in England for the Titles of families 135 Popes bound to the Crowne of France 125 Pouerty of France in the time of King Iohn 176 Practise against the life of an enemy by any other meanes then by Armes is vnworthy of of a Prince 35 Predictions vpon the Life of Lewis the eleuenth 189 Presumption of Oliuer le Daine 12 Pride troden vnder foot 47 Princes rely vpon their Ministers 157 Priuiledges of the Parisians 170 R Relapse of the Kings sicknesse at Tours 69 René of Anjou his commmendation 53 Reputation grounded vpon great and eminent vertues 155 Reuenge taken by a woman 46 Rhodes besieged by Mahomet 25 S Sacke and desolation of Dole 166 Science of Treasure 179 Sentence against the Duke of Alençon 146 Sentence very rigorous 150 Sermons of sedition 126 Silence the soule of great actions 163 Simplicity of the eloquence in old time 129 Sleping for a Benefice 173 Stablishment of Posts 169 Sterrility of Suisserland 180 Suspension of Armes not alwayes necessary to make a peace 7 T Temperance wherein it consists 193. the fruits thereof 195 Treaty of peace and marriage between France Bourgondy 75 Tributes by which the meanes to make war are maintained may not be touched 42 Tristan his barbarous behauiour 145 V Valour is naturall to the French Kings 183 Vanity of iuditiary Astrology 189 Venetians contempt of the Popes fulminations 4. their Accord with the great Turke 6. They proclaime warre against the Duke of Ferrara and soone after conclude a peace with him 56 Vertue enuied for the lustre thereof 10 Vision miraculous 27 W Wisedome of the Lord Hastings 167 Witnesses of our faults and imperfections wee seldome desire to see 65. Workes of vanity and ostentation Z Zizimi reuolts against Bajazet 95. his letter to Bajazet 96. he repaireth to Rhodes and is conducted into France 97 FINIS