seuere and difficult so euer The Duke of Bourbon 1411. who would make his profit of this diuision betwixt the father and the sonne Charles Duke of Bourbon and who was discontented to see the King contemne and reiect the Princes to fauour priuate men practised this diuision The Dauphin who was bred vp in the Castle of Loches vnder the charge of Iohn Earle of March y The Earle of March was gouernour to the Dauphin He wrought meanes to get out of his hands and to bee at libertie They said then that King Charles should not haue married him so soone to entreat him like a child saw him carried away by the bastard of Bourbon and was content to goe and to be ridde of his gouernor who suffered him to enioy conuenient libertie thinking it vnfit to treat the first sonne of France seuerely being now great and married Hee was led to Moulins whereas the Duke of Bourbon attended him Thither came the Duke of Alençon and Chabannes Earle of Damartin beeing incensed for that the King had called him Captaine of Bandilieres These were men who after the peace of Arras like vnto some after the treaty of Bretigny z When as treaties of peace are concluded they must prouide for the retreat of forraine troopes elâ—e they wil ouerrun the Prouinces After the treaty of Brâ—tigny in the yeare 1360. the English trooopes did ouerrâ—n and spoile France and defeated them that sought to stop their violencâ—s at â—regnay neere to Lyon did ouercome and spoyle all the whole country leauing the peasant nothing but his shirt There imbarked in the same ship the Earle of Vandome the Earle of Dunois Bastard of Orleans and the Lord of Chaumont Tremouille Boucicaut and Prye There resolution was not to yeelde him vntill that an order were setled in France the Princes in Authoritie and the malecontents in fauour If their intention had appeared in her true and naturall forme her deformitie had displeased all the world for it was nothing but a meere conspiracie of great men who abusing the youth of this Prince ingaged him in an vnnaturall ingratitude and thought to make him greater then eyther nature or God himselfe had yet ordained that vnder his shadow a He that wil enioy the shadow of his Prince must reioyce at his greatnes so as it be not raised vppon a foundation of Iniustice and ingratitude they might liue at their ease and make their profit of the publicke ruines To giue some forme to this illusion they deuise supposed members and giue it for a face the b All deformities and imperfections are so foule being seene bare as like vnto them that haue both their armes and â—egs cut off make other of Ironâ— or wood euen so they that haue had deseignes do couer them with some goodly pretext maske of reformation of disorders protesting that they had no other intention but to settle the Dauphin to the end that all things might bee done by his authoritie with the aduise of the Princes of bloud They had sought to imbarke the Duke of Bourgundy with them Duke of Burgundy refuse to enter into the league but he who would not reuiue a quarrell if not altogether quencht yet at the least smothered And knowing the folly of this designe sent them word that he would liue in peace and that at the end of the course whereinto they were entred there was an ineuitable downefall c of rash designes we may easily foretell theâ— vnfortunate euents and hopes whcih haue vniust foundations cannot long continue That they should doe wisely to returne into the way which they had left for that they more they went into this the more they should wander that of all the miseries that would fall abundantly vpon them they should not be d He that is the cause of his owne misery hath small reason to complaine and few men pitty him lamented of any for that they were knowne to bee the causers That although there were some disorder in the state yet could it not be so great as that which should grow by this diuision and France should be little beholding for her help to those which had made her so sicke to cure her e It is a desperatee cure when as healtâ— must be beholding to siicknes and peace to Ciuil warre for that neither the disordred gouernement of affayres nor the vaiust commandement of the Prince would not cause so many ruines and inconueniences as disobedience and rebellion f Ruines and miseries grow not by them that command but by such as obey Obedience hath made Estates to prosper and florish vnder vniust and tiâ—ranous commâ—n â—ementâ— The common weale of Spaâ—ta was happy not for that their Kings commanded wel but for that this subiects obeyed well Theopompus That for his part he could not seperate himselfe from the King his Lord without forsaking himselfe That his armes and forces were alwaies at the Dauphins commandement so as his designes were not disauowed and that he would more willingly employ himselfe to bring him to his fathers presence then to withdraw him The Princes of this league were very sorrie for this declaration For they considered that if they could haue kindled a hatred betwixt these two houses they would haue beene more violent and yet they made this yong Prince beleeue by reasons fuller of oftentations then truth Letters of Lewis to the good Townes that all would doe well They dissembled the g In enterprises of 〈…〉 â—onsiâ—er the ground and iustice of the cause rather 〈◊〉 the issuâ— and successe The Romans had this glory neuer to enter into it wrongfully They did not so mucâ— glory saith Titus Liuius in the prosperous successe as to hauâ— beguâ— it vppon a reasonabâ—e and lawfull occasion Iniustice of this warre and flatter him with sweet hopes of the euent They write letters in his name to the townes of Auuergne and other prouinces whereas they thought these designes would be well liked of and this Innouation pleasing But they were reeeiued of the wise with more amazement for this defection then desired to adhere vnto them and although there be no cause so bad but it findes some refuge and some one to fauour it and that which is held a crime h All the actions of men are taken by two ends some commend them others blame them Coesar is commended for that he attemptâ—d against the liberty of Rome Brutus iâ— blamed who opposed himself to his deseignes to reuenge his contries libertâ—es Some blame Cateline for that hee would haue done and others commend Caesar for that hee did in some is commended by others as a publique seruice yet all the townes did abhor this rebellion They held it impossible that such a diuision could prosper and that France would bee made a Theatre of a new Tragedie that the reasons whereof they did ground it were like vnto false stones which haue some transparant shining like
He assembled all the Princes The King rewards his serâ—ants Noblemen and Captaines he commended them that had done well z After a victory a Prince must take knowledge of such as haue done him good seruice honor recompence valor blame cowardize Luce orta saith Liui. in his 6. Booke vocatis clafico ad concilium mili tibus Manlius primam ob virtutem Jaudatus donatusque and thanked theÌ„ for the fidelity and proofes which they had showne he made many knightes and gaue to the Lord of Iâ—longe the place of marshall of France and a pension to him that entred first into Pontoise by the breach If the History knew his name she would giue him a murall Crowne and would doe him the like honor as the Parthians did to him that mounted first vpon the walls of Seleucia a The names of such as go to apparant dangers for the publicke safety should not be forgotten in a history and yet they remaine vnknowne 〈◊〉 they be not noted by some other quality then a simple soldier Plutarch remembers the name of Surena who first sealed the wall of the great Citty Seleucia the reason is for that hee was the second among the Parthians next the King The King led the Dauphin to Tartas being assieged by the English and then to Limoges teaching him stil that wisdome and temporising surmount all difficulties The Dauphin besiegeth Tartas and that it is a more excellent thing to settle his estate in peace then to spoile and wast his enemies contry With the instructions and maximes of his father who had giuen him in his infancy good gouernours and in his youth good councellors b Great Princes hauing had good maisters beeing little wise Counsellors being great haue effected great matters he made him capable of the actions of a Prince to command well and to cary the commandements of the King his father into Languedoc to frustrate the practise of the Earle of Armagnac Bastard of Armagnac fauord by Lewis the eleuenth The Bastard c This Bastard was made Admirall of France by Lewis the eleuenth who gaue him the Earledome of Comminge and the gouerment of Guienne whereof bee disposest Iohn Duke of Bourbon his Brother in law of this house aduertised him that the Earle of Armagnack treated of some alliance with the English Ielousie vpon such aduertisements are alwayes excusable and there is nothing that doth so much bind the wisedome of Princes as to foresee that great houses doe not ally themselues against their liking and transport vnto strangers the goods which should remaine in their estates which cannot be carried away without preiudice vnto them Such practises are more easily preuented then broken when they are made The house of Armaignac is ancient ritch and mighty in Guienne and her beginning is found in that of the Crowne of d D. Sancho surnamed the great King of Naturre hauing conquered some land in Gascogne on this side the Pyrenees gaue it vnto Garsias his sonne Earle of Armagnâ—c in the yeare 1013. he made his second sonne Arnold Garcias â—arfe of Estarac whose dissent is entred into the house of Foix and a branch of Candalle Nauarre Iohn 4. Earle of Amagnac Constable of France had bought of Iohn Duke of Bourbon the Earledome of Lisle Iourdain in the yeare 1421. for 38000. crownes of gold of 64. to the marke He had married Isabell of Nauarre The greatnes of his house and that of his alliance made him presume during the troubles of France when as euery man cast his eyes vppon the peeces of her shipwrack to qualifie himselfe Prince by the grace of God and to seeke the allyance of the English by the marriage of his daughter The King who made no difference betwixt treason and such allyances sent Commissioners to make the Earles processe as guilty of high treason hauing offended against the Lawes of France e Marriages treated with strangers without the Kings permission haue been dangerous for them that treates it Valeran of Luxembourg Constable of France was disgract by King Charles the fifth and King Charles the sixth dislikâ— the treaty of the Duke of Berries daughter with the Duke of Lancaster Philistus for this reason was banished out of the estates of Denis King of Sicile which forbids any Nobleman to make any marriage with strangers without the Princes consent The King sent the Dauphin thither who besieged Lisle Iordain and tooke the Earle of Armagnac Earle of Armagnac a prisoner at Lisle Iourdain His sonne fled into Spaine Iohn de Meaux second President of the Parlament of Toulouse had heard the Earle of Armagnac vpon his practise and had drawne from his owne mouth the truth of the principall points He thought that he should be quit for this confession f Natures wel bred are â—asily bound by fauors they would haue corâ—upted Lewis King Charles his father giues him part of the gouernment of the estate and of his affaires by which meanes he was drawne from thoughtes contrary to his duty and the peace of the estate and that the President hauing no other force then that of Iustice could do him no great harme but when hee saw himselfe a prisoner in the Dauphins power hee said that whatsoeuer hee had confest was against his owne conscience and the truth hauing onely spoken it with a desire to recouer his goods which the King had seazed on After hee had expiated this offence in prison the King restored him his liberty giuing the Earledome of Foix for a caution The Dauphin at his returne from this voiage was sent into Normandy with the title of Lieftenant Generall But we must obserue that he was twenty yeares old before he had any gouernment and that the King gaue it him only to disappoint the deseignes of such as would haue drawne him elce-where and did busie themselues more then he himselfe did in the estate wherein he was He chased the English from Deepe The Dauphin takeâ— Deepe and this victory did presently carry the generosity of his courage and the happines of his conduct throughout all the Prouinces of France whereas nothing did diminish the greatnes of this growing reputation but this reason that being sonne to so braue a father it was not strange to see him so valiant The French said that the father had need of such a sonne and the sonne had need of such a father The King glories to haue made him with his owne hand and to see his instructions so well followed he augments his authority and praiseth his command and sends him into Languedoc The Dauphin goes into Languedoc with a thousand Lances whereas his sword made his way He staid not his courage at small g A Prince must flye vanity and seeke the effâ—ct â—f a soâ—lid and true glory nam vt â—â—uitatis est in mem aucupart rumorem omnes vmbras etiam falsae gloriae consectari sic ieiuni est
they were able to resist the most violent stormes of Enuie Vertue and good fortune had alwaies held the helme and sailes of his nauigation The troupes which he led had been well beaten vpon the fronter of Bourgundy The Dauphin said vnto him by way of iest yet without bitternes for he knew that this spirit would be easily moued g Euery iest that containes truth in it offends although it he spoken by a superiour The more mens cour ages are raised vp the lesse they endure and the longer they remember it 〈…〉 facenis irridete follius quarum apud praepotentes in longâ—â—â— memoria est Tac. An lib. 5. 〈…〉 wont to scoffe at Tiberius 〈…〉 neither did he dwell vpon it for iests should end when as they begin to moue laughter How now Earle of Dammartin by the faith of my bodie the Marshall of Bourgundy hath vnshod you he doth contrarie to other Smithes who shooe horses and he vnshooes them You say well answered the Earle but I haue gotten ten thousand crownes to make new shooes for my horses He was very inward with him and of that credit as meaning to be reuenged of any one that had offended him Reuenge against the Seneshall of Normandy he imparted his deseine vnto him and gaue him mony to execute it h The Chronicle Martinienne speakes plainely of this proceeding A rack which euery Prince should shun if hee will not make shipwrack of his reputation To cause an enemy to be slaine is an act of feare and not of brauery It is a proud abstinency to refuse his prince but a great misery when it is for the recompence of a seruice which subiects the consience vnder the tyranie of repentance and remorse Iames of Chabannes Lord Steward of France blamed his brother for this match making by the which he gaue his friends cause to repent themselues for the esteeme they had made of him i He that doth an act to ruine his reputation forceth many to repent themselues of the admiration esteeme they haue had of him The King was aduertised and not able to dissemble an Act so vnworthy the generosity of the blood of France Excuse of the Dauphin to accuse Chabannes which knoweth not how to shed blood neither for delight nor reuenge but onely for necessity k Tyrants saith Seneca shed blood for pleasure and Kings for necessity reprehended him bitterly The Dauphin to excuse himselfe accused the Earle of Dammartin saying that it was by his counsell The Earle desuring rather to wrong his fortune then his honour did not accord with the Dauphin but tolde the King that therein he had but giuen eare and obayed The Dauphin seeing himselfe discouered and contradicted saide vnto the Earle reseruing my duty to the King my Lord you haue lyed The reproch of a lye is the most sensible offence that may be done by words but it is neither weaknes nor basenes to endure it of his prince it were indiscretion to be moued therewith Yet the Earle of Dammartin sought to reueÌ„ge those words with this speach Reseruing the respect I owe vnto the King if you were not the Kings sonne I would make answer with my person against yours The Dauphin leaues the Court. but if there be any gentleman of your howse that will charge me with this matter I will make him say the contrary The King iudging by their countenances the truth of their intentions commanded the Dauphin to absent himselfe for fower Monthes l A Prince which hath many Children great capable to command should not keepe them about him hee must giue them some obiect to consume their ambition The idlenes of Court giues them vitious inclinations had deseignes Wherefore Tiberius absented himselfe Vrbano â—uxu laseiuientem His spirit began to grow disordered by the excesse of the City and idlenes which make men humerous from Court and to go into Dauphine The Dauphin going out of the Kings Chamber bare headed and his heart full of reuenge and collor spake these words By this head which hath no hood I will be reuenged on those that haue cast me out of my howse And he kept his word for he was too true in his threats and promises of reuenge He did neuer loue that which he had hated and his disposition was far from that generous precept that wee must hate to loue more ardently m We must not 〈◊〉 hate but we wâ—st so dispose of hatred as it may be conuerted into more ardent friendship Whether the Kinges iealousie or the dislike of faire Agnes the wordes of the Earle of Dammartin or spies or flatterers had caused the absence of Lewis the father bare it with much greefe and repented himselfe that he had no more regarded his owne age then the age of his sonne and that he had neuer showed him his face but fraught with waiwardnes not opened his heart but full of wrath and disdaine n The youth of Primers hath their lawes and priuiledges The fathers seuerity should not seeke to breake them quite but to bend them gently He that had nothing refused to his owne youth should not deny all thinges to his sonnes Time which should haue cured this wound The Kings griefe for the Dauphins absence did but augment the griefe He is victorious ouer forraine enemies but he hath in his heart ciuill war which is more cruell He hath giuen peace vnto France and his soule is in trouble It was a great griefe not to see himselfe assisted and serued by a sonne so great and so valiant in those goodly occasions which hee ended so happily to make all France French Battell of Firmigny The siege of Rone and the reduction of all Normandy in one yeare and sixe dayes hauing remained English the space of 30. yeares the battell of Firmigny o The Battell of Firmigni the 15. of Aprill 1450. whereas there were slaine in the place and put into 14. pits 4574. english except 12. or 13. that were prisoners Our Histories report this battel diuersly we must giue credit to that geadly ould peece of tapestry which is at Fountainble au whereas the whole is represented A thousand fighting defeated 6000. English which for the death of 8. or 10. Frenchmen gaue the victory against the English of whom there were 4574. slaine vppon the place The Conquest of all Guienne The siege of Chastillion whereas Talbot p The English called Iohn Talbot their Achilles Hee is interred at VVhitechurch to whom they haue giuen this Epitaph Orate pro anima praenobilis Domini D. Iohannis Talbot quondam Comitis Saloprae D. Talbot D. Furniual D. verden D. Strange de Blaemere at Marescalli Franciae qui â—biit in bello apud Bourdeaur the 7. of Iuly 1453. the Achilles of the English was slaine whose name doth yet terrifie the little children in Guienne The taking of Bourdeaux with other great and goodly occasions which should haue beene as
disposition suspitious h Suspition and facillistie is to beleeue all things Suspitionum credendi temeritas Taâ— ruins friendships and the most firmest affections and boyling made them of Croüi to feele the indignation which hee durst not euaporate against Lewis who fauoured them It burst forth at such time as they setled the estate of the Earle of Charrolois house The Duke would haue Philip de Croui Sonne to Iohn de Croui set downe for the third Chamberlaine in the absence of the Lord of Auchy the first and of the Lord of Formelles the second Chamberlaine The Earle of Charrolois entred Anthony Raulyn Lord of Eimeries The house was diuided some followed the Fathers will and others the Sonnes i A controuer sie between two priuate Noblemen is able to diujde the opinione of a whole Court That which was betwixt Chimay of Emeries who should haue the first place in the absence of the L. of Auchy first Chamberlaine to the Duke was so affected as the father was for the one the son for the other The Duke seeing the danger which might grow by this adoration of the sunne rising made it knowne that he was both master and father commanding his Sonne to bring him the Rowle and in his presence cast it into the fire and then willed him to goe forth Monstrelet saith that the Duke commanded the Earle of Charolois to cause Croui to martch in his ranke I will not answered the Earle they of Croui shall neuer gouerne as they haue done and that the Father being offended at an answer so bold and of so little respect he would haue fallen vpon his Sonne but not able to get him he commanded him to auoid the country The Sonne departs full of murmuring and despite the Father comming to himselfe and seeing that his Sonne returned not Displeasure of the Duke of Bourgundy to his Sonne goes to horseback all alone sad and pensiue in a raynie night rides through the country to let the Dauphin know the griefe hee had and his Son the choller wherin disobedience had drawen him k Whatsoeuer the Sonne doth yet must the Father alwaies show himselfe a Father matters are very foule strange when as hee is forced to forget the dutie of a Father He lost himselfe in a wood and lay all night in a Collyars cabbin with hunger in his belly and choller in his head He came the next day to Seuenbergh a little towne of Brabant whereas he found one of his huntsmen who conducted him to Guinneppe where as the Dauphin the cause of all this trouble besought him to pardon the Earle of Charrolois The Duke would haue held the refusall of so iust a request cruell being made by and for a person so neere vnto him l As it is vnpleasing to intreat a stranger so is it a very sensible discipleasure to bee refused of his owne for he could not but loue his onely Sonne in despight of his youthfull wayward affections He required no other satisfaction but that hee should dismisse two seruants William Bithe and Guiot of Vsie who retired themselues into France Soone after the Earle of Charrolois bred another subiect of choller in his fathers hart Wandring of the Dauphin being a hunting he was come from hunting without the Dauphin and had suffered him to wander in a wood thinking that hee had been before When the Duke saw him returne alone he blamed him sharpely and commanded him to goe presently to horsebacke to seeke the Dauphin They sought him long by torch-light and found him on the way to Bruzells conducted by a Pesant m The Dauphins wandring was in the night abeue eight leagues from Brussels The Duke caused him to bee sought for with torches the next day hee gaue a crowne to the Pesant which had conducted him The Duke was exceeding glad to see him returne for he knew that he should be alwaies bound to yeeld an account of so precious agage and that he might be assured whilest he held him he might haue what he desired from the King Birth of Mary of Bourgundy the 13. of Feb. 1457 God sent the Earle of Charolois a Daughter for the first fruits of his marriage the Duke intreated the Dauphin to christen her Mary This birth did moderare the grief which the Lady Isabel of Bourbon her Mother had conceiued six monthes before for the death of her Father Charles Duke of Bourbon n Charles the first Duke of Bourbon dyed in the end of the yeere 1455. he was Sonne to Iohn the first Duke of Bourbon and of Boâ—na of Bourgundy daughter to Philip the hardy Hee married Agnes of Bourgundy Daughter to Iohn Duke of Bourgundy and had fiue sonnes and fiue daughter His sonnes were Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon Lewis who died yong Peter Lord of Beauien Charles Cardinall of Bourbon Archbishop of Lyon and Lewis Bishop of Liege The Daughters were 〈◊〉 Princesse of Orange Catherine Dutchesse of Gueldres Margaret Countesse of Bresse and Dutchesse of Sauoy Isabel wife to Charles Duke of Bourgondy and Mary married first to the Duke of Calabria and afterwards to Gaston de Foix. The King was offended for that hee did not yeeld him his Sonne and desired some occasion to let him know his discontent the which hee did not dissemble when as the Duke sought to punish the Gantois for a rebellion commanding him to suffer them to liue in peace as being vnder his protection The Dauphin thought the time of his returne into France long and had sworne that he would not make that voyage vntill his Father were past vnto another world 1459. The first yeare of his abode there Charlotte of Sauoy Daughter to the Duke of Sauoy was brought to Namur to consumate the marriage which had beene concluded fiue yeares before o One of the goodliest parts of ciuill society is marrage the first gate to enter into it is loue there is none to go out of it but that of death And for that in the marriages of Princes they regard more the interest of subiect estates then their own content It happens that their loues are not so pure and free A marriage which being made vnwillingly was continued without loue When the Duke of Bourgundy gaue the Dauphin his pension of 12000. Birth of the Dauphins sonne at Gnenneppe in Iune 1459. Crownes Oliuer de la March writes that it was vpon condition that he should marry her which shewes that he had no great desire She was deliuered of a sonne who was named Ioachim the Duke of Bourgondy was so glad of this newes as he gaue a thousand Lyons of gold to Ioselin du Bois which brought it He was the Godfather and the Countesse of Charrolois the Godmother The Insant dyed presently after and left the father very sorrowfull who being not then in those distrusts which age brings desired to see him great knowing well that the Children which were
the twelue peeres were set on either side the King At the end the Duke of Bourgundy kneeled downe intreating the King to forget the iniuries of such as had offended him during his Fathers raigne f This request is reported by Monstrelet in these termes When the tables were taken away the noble duke of Burgundy vsing his accustomed gentlenes in the nobillity of his courage kneeled downe before the King and intreated him for the honor passion and death of our Sauior that he would pardon all those which he held suspect to haue set discord betwixt his father and him which request he granted reseruing seauen persons He answered there are seauen which I cannot pardon Reuenge had mounted with him to the Royall throne he had not trod it vnder foote he carryed it in his head it was in his mind like vnto those starres that were fixed about the pole Hee findes it not so sweet to recompence the good as to reuenge the bad The King cannot forget the iniuries which they had done vnto the Dauphin g A royalty should make meÌ„ forget forepassed iniuries The Emperour Adrian being come to the Empire said vnto his enemy which was before him Euasisti thou hast escaped Quos in vita priuata â—nâ—micos habuit Imperator neglexit AE Spart And Lewis the twelfth said generously it is not fit that a King of France shold reuenge the iniuries done to a duke of Orleans Two daies after the ceremony of the Coronation the Duke did him homage for his countries which held of the crowne of France and offered him others which he held in Souerainty h The Duke of Burgundy was receiued to fealty and homage by King Lewis the eleuenth and to be Peere and Deane of the Peeres of France by reason of the Dâ—â—â—ie of Burgundy the 17. of August 1461. From Rheims the King went to Meaux then to Saint Dennys and made his entry into Paris where they did number twelue thousand horse which followed him All the pompe and magnifficence which was made at this entry did represent aswell the simplicity and ignorance of those times as the greatnesse and State of Paris Good witts in such occasions do not represent all things so plainely to the eye as there doth not remaine some thing where-with to content curiosity by the paine it hath to seeke and the pleasure to finde and to deuine at the intelligence of their inuentions Brokers were then more necessary then paynters for they did only set persons of diuers ages and sexes for all kinds of histories A Virgin was sufficient to represent the Citty of Paris as we finde not any more in bookes nor in auncient medalls for Rome nor Athens and there were fiue to signifie Paris euery one carrying a letter of it name They were conducted on horsebacke by a Herald towards Saint Ladros Church and there presented vnto the King The Cronicle saith that they had all personages fitted to the signification of fiue letters making Paris and that all spake vnto the King as they were appointed The Frontispice of S. Denis gate was beautified with a great ship in the which were the three Estates in three Persons which made the Prosopopeia Ridiculous representations and Iustce sate in the prow who spake vnto the King On the toppe of the Mast there was a Lilly out of the which came a King conducted by two Angells At the fountaine du Ponceau they gaue wine and Ippocras to them that past i The Chronicle vseth thee wordes in this place A little within the Towne at Foâ—taine du Ponceau were wild men and women which did fight made many countenances and there were also three fairâ— maidens representing mermaides naked where they might see the faire white pap seperated round and hard which was a pleasant sight and they had pretty speechâ—â— and neer vnto them were certaine fâ—ll Instruments which made great melody And to refresh such as entred into the said Towne there were diuers pipes in the said Fountain casting mike wine and lippocras wherof euery man dranke that would And beneath the said Fountain right against the Trinity there was a passion by men without speech Christ being hanged on the Crosse and the two theeues on the right and left hand There were also three Virgins like Mermaides all naked and at the Trinity was the passion of Iesus Christ represented by a liuing man being tyed vnto a Crosse betwixt two theeues At S. Innocents Fountaine there was a Hinde put forth beeing followed by a great cry of Hounds and Huntsmen At the Burchery was the Bastille of Diepe as the most glorious trophee of this Princes youth Passing ouer the Changers Bridge which was couered ouer head they let flye two hundred dozen of small Birdes The King went to pray in our Ladies Church he supt and lodged in the Pallace and the next day he went to the Tournelles in St. Anthonies street where hee made a new world changing his chiefe Officers The Duke of Bourgondy and the Earle of Charolois made a great part of the pompe they and their traines being so ritchly appointed as there were not any more stately The King made shew of great loue both to the father and sonne but there was so great a diuersity of manners and humors betwixt Lewis and Charles as this harmony lasted not long k Enâ—y and Iealousie which trouble great men will not suffer the one to reioyce at anothers good Themiâ—tocles not able to indure Cymons prosperity dyed through Impatiencie Into their most sincerest affections Iealousie which is the poison of friendship did alwaies creepe There was nothing pure nor perfect the prosperity of the one was a troublesome crosse vnto the other The King came vnto the Crowne like a new heire to his fathers possessions Lewis seeks for the rights of the Crown who doth not so much affect his kinsmen and tutors as he desires to see his Registers examine his accompts and know if he doth enioy all the rights of his successions from these first wordes they iudge what his designes and actions would be l Not onely by the first actions but by the first wordes of a Pâ—ince comming to the Câ—owne they iudge of the future so the word which Seuerâ—s spaâ—e Lâ—boremas and that of Pertinax militemâ—s were taken for signes of warre or peace in the Empire AElms Spart The Pompe and magnificence of this publike ioy being ended the Duke of Bourgondy and the Earle of Charolois tooke their leaues of the king to returne The Duke went into Flanders and the Earle of Charolois to Diion Death of Mary of Aniou Queene of France and then to St. Claude the King to Ambois to see the Queene his mother whose dowry he assigned vppon the County to Xaintonge and the Towne of Rochell shee did not long inioy this assignation passing from this life vnto a better Her death aflicted them who knowing that this King did all of his
to his head with foure nayles f The Emperor Henry the sixt beeing in Sicile discouerâ—d some conspiracie against him and his estate He caused the chief of them to bee apprehended to punish his ambition he set a crowne of copper vpon his head caused it to be fastened with foure nayles Nic. li. 2. Queene Margaret to effect her designe had drawne some succours from Rene King of Cicile her Father The King lent her sonne two thousand pound sterling at Chinon vpon condition that as soone as King Henry should recouer Callice hee should deliuer the gouernment thereof to Iasper Earle of Pembroke or to Iohn of Foys Earle of Candalles paying him moreouer fortie thousand crownes But all this preuailed nothing the King remained a prisoner and the Queene had much adoe to saue her selfe with the Prince of Wales her Sonne g Monstrellet saith that Queene Margaret her Son La Varenne were met by theeues that she said vnto a theefe that met her bold my friend saue the son of thy King that shee went to Scluce and from thence to Bourges and that the Duke of Bourgundy caused her to be coÌ„ducted to her Father The Princes of the house of Lancaster retired themselues whether their feete and dispaire carried them Some were seene in the Duke of Burgundies Court in miserie Misery of the house of Lancaster begging their bread Fortune how cruell soeuer can doe no worse vnto a Prince then to reduce him to the apprehensions of hunger h Ph. de Commines saith hee had seene a Prince of this house of Lancaster follow the D. of Bourgundyes traine and without hose begging his bread from house to house and that being knowne they gaue him a small pention to liue on The beasts are freed from it The fishes pay no tribute to passe from Riuers into the sea Swallowes flying through so many regions dyed not of Hunger It is a pittifull thing that men and the chiefe among men haue difficultie to liue and to finde what to eate and drinke and wherewith to cloth themselues i Nature comprehends all the necessities of the world in these three words Non esurire Non sitire Non algere not to be hungry thirstie and cold all the rest is superfluous Edward in this great prosperitie of affayres troubles not his iudgement but considers that the house of Lancaster was ruined without hope of recouerie and the Red Rose withered That it was impossible euer to rise againe if it were not assisted with the forces of France Wherefore he desired to make his alliance with the king and sent the Earle of Warwicke to demand Bonna of Sauoye the Queenes sister in marriage Edward fals in loue with a Widdow But during this negotiation Loue which may be held a kinde of furie k Loue is put in the ranke of Melancholly diseases and kindes of fury it peruerts the iudgement and confounds the good with the euill for that it troubles the iudgement carried the affections of this Prince to the seruice of a Ladie who would haue held her selfe much honoured to haue serued the Queene of England and yet she had the ambition to be so Fortune agreed with her beauty Being widdow to Sir Iohn Grey her age bound her to follow rather the life of the Doue then of the Turtle l The Empresse Barba wife to Sigismond the Emperor being told after the death of her husband that she should imitate the Turtle If I must said shee initate beasts why rather the Turtle then the Doue or the sparrow Aeneas Sil. de dict Sigismondi et Frederici Imper. for her first marriage had scarce touched the flowers of her beauty nor of her youth Edward did not liue but for her his heart receiued no law but from her eyes to whom he did submit the full disposition of his fortunes She being powerfull in the charmes of loue let him presently vnderstand that she did not accept of the sacrifice of the hearts of Kings but of the Altar of honour that he might not hope to haue her for a Mistris if he would not assure her to make her his Queene They that loue ardently are easie and tractable m Hee that loues refuseth not any thing In loue there is force and pleasure force constraines the will and pleasure deceiues the iudgement they spare neither wordes nor oathes Edward transported with this fury forgets the sute which he made in France and changeth all his wills into the obedience of this Lady who seeing her selfe to command ouer the Kinges heart assures her selfe to raigne soone in his Realme He is not capable to refuse her any thing The wind of her disdaines and the couldnes of so faire a mistris may well quence the fire in the beginning but being once kindled it giues it nourishment and increase In the end Edward promised to make her Queene and his promise was presently followed with the consumation of the marriage to the great amazement of the Nobility of England who thought the King was bewitcht n Beauty and grace are the mighty charmes of loue said Olimpias the mother of Alexander Loue which growes from amorous drinckes continues not Plutarch gueth these Epithites 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 short toublesome changeable And he saith it doth easily change into hatred and disdaine and wisht him a more honorable alliance Lewis tooke it ill and the Earle of Warwick was so greeued as from that time he was wholly the French Kings who by his counsell plotted a reuenge which shall shew it selfe in the yeare one thousand foure hundred seauenty one Marriages and alliances vnworthy of the greatnes of Princes cause murmurings and discontentments in the people o The people which loue their Princes reioyce at their victories and prosperities They are aflicted at their losses especially if they do any thing which may impaire their honor as when they treat of alliances vnworthy the greatnes of their houses Tot luctibus funesta ciuitate pâ—rs maeroâ—is fuâ—t quod Iulia Drusi filia quondam Neronis vxor dempsit in domum Rubelliâ— Blandi cuius Auum Tiburtem equitem Romanum plerique meminerant Rome did mourne generally when as Iulia daughter to Drusus the sonne of Tiberius and widdow to Nero son of Germanicus married with Rubellius Blandus whose Grandfather had carried no other title then of a Knight The great Calme which was in France King Lewis goes into Guienne did notwithstanding presage a great storme and gaue the King meanes to visit some of the prouinces of his realme he went to Burdeaux whereas he treated of a marriage betweene the Lady Margret his sister and Gaston of Foix who was sonne to Elenor of Aragon daughter to Iohn King of Aragon and Blanch Queene of Nauarre He accepted this Alliance for that this yong Prince was valiant and coragious and that the successions of the Crowne of Nauarre Foyx Berne Bygorre and other Lands lying in
France did belong vnto him The Earle of Foyx sent his Ambassadors and Deputies to the King being at Bordeaux to conclude the treaty p The cheife condition of the Marriage was that the children which should be borne without distinction of malâ— or female should succeed in the counties of Foix and Bygorre He past to Bayonne to end a controuersie betweene the 2. Kinges of Nauarre and Aragon 1462. and Henry King of Castile his Nephew A controuersie begun with great spleene and was continued with the like and had not ended without excesse if he had not dealt in it for the parties flattered themselues in their pretentions were blind in their interests and found that the obscurenes proceeded rather from the thing then their owne blindnes But behold the causes and the effects After the death of Charles the third q Charles the third King of Nauarre taking delight to build at Olîta died suddenly in September 1425. the threescore and foure yeare of his age and the thirty nine of his raigne he was buryed at Pampeluna King of Nauarre the Crowne past from the house of France and Eureaux into that of Castile and Aragon not without trouble and discord Iohn second sonne to Ferdinand of Aragon married Blanch Infanta of Nauarre presumptiue heire of the Realme of Nauarre and widdow to Martin King of Sicilie and it was agreed by a treaty of marriage that in case she should die before her husband hee should raigne the rest of his life in Nauarre after king Charles the third his father in law Of this marriage was borne at Pegna Charles Prince of Viana born Charles Prince of Vianna a title belonging to the eldest Sonne of the King of Nauarre r Charles the the third King of Nauarre ereected Viana into a principalitie and did affect it to the eldest son of Nauarre in the yeere 1421. as Dauphin to that of France The Asturiez in Castille and Wales in England Charles the third his grandfather made him to bee sworne heyre of the Realme by the Estates after the death of Iohn his Father Charles being dead Iohn was declared King of Nauarre by some and Blanch his wife was acknowledged Queene by others yet both were crowned at Pampeluna Iohn had great warres with his brother the King of Castille Marriage betwiâ—t the Prince of the Asturies and Blanch of Nauarre who did confiscate the lands which he held in Castille Iohn Earle of Foyx reconciled them by a marriage betwixt Henry Prince of the Asturies sonne to Iohn King of Castille and Blanch Daughter to Iohn king of Nauarre s By the constitution of the marriage of this Princesse which was of 42112. Florens of gold wee may iudge in what estate K. Charles the third had left the Realme of Nauarre The marriage was celebrated with great pompe and solemnitie but the Prince was vnable to consummate it The which the Princesse did long dissemble Shee had great cause to complaine of this want and to wish her selfe to be a widdow or her husband vnmarried t The dissembling of couiuâ—all imperfections is very seemly especially in a woman Tullia a great Romane Lady is blamed for her ordinarie complaints murmùring at her husbands disabilitie De viro ad fratrem de sorore ad viruÌ„ se rectius viduam illuÌ„ caelibem futurum Tit. Liu. but like an other Eusebia shee did long suffer for the disabilitie of Constans desiring rather to wrong her youth and beautie then her modestie A while after Blanch Queene of Nauarre died and king Iohn married againe with Ione Henriques Charles Prince of Viana fearing that his alliance would keep him back from the hope of raigning and from the inheritance of the Queene his Mother did not dissemble his discontent u A desire to raigne makes the father iealous of the sonne Plutarc saith in the life of Demetrius that the greatest and most ancient of all Alexanders successors did glorie that he feared not his sonne but suffered him to approch neere his person holding a Iauelin in his band pretending that by the lawes of the Realme his Father by marrying againe had lost the fruit of the Crowne Behold all naturall affection is altered betwixt the Father and the Sonne The desire of rule makes them enemies the Father growes iealous and would not suffer his Sonne to come neere him armed On the other side this second wife seeing her selfe mother to Ferdinand did what she could to show that she was mother in law to Charles x What will not an ambitious mother doe and vndoe for her children D. Ioane lying in the bed of death by reason of a Cankar which did consume her remembring what she had done to assure the Realme vnto her Sonne spake often these words with sighes which are reported in the 21. booke of the history of Spaine O my Son thou hast cost me deare For him she had caused Don Charles to bee poysoned and neuer ceast vntill this young plant were quâ—â—â—ht by the nipping cold of her bad intentions seeking to haue a share in the regencie of the Realme in the absence of the king who had reuiued the warre in Castille Hence sprung those two great factions Factions of Beaumont and Grandmont that of Beaumont which followed the intent of of the Prince against the King and that of Grandmont which was for the father against the sonne so as presently the Realme was diuided into two kings two constables Lewis of Beaumont Earle of Lerin was Constable to the Prince and Peter of Perault was Constable to the king The kings cause as the better and more iust remained victorious the Prince beeing twice ouerthrowne is forced to flye to Alfonso king of Arragon Valencia Sardinia Maiorca Minorca and Sicile hee had recourse vnto his clemencie and besought him to pardon him The king who could not forget the loue of a Father vnto him who shewed the dutie of a Sonne receiues him but hee had new aduertisments that hee made secret practises to trouble him wherefore he sent him prisoner vnto the Alferie of Saragossa from whence hee was drawne by the Cattallans who tooke armes for his libertie Charles of Nâ—uarre poisoned by his mother in law but he went out of the prison to enter into a graue y Charles Prince of Viana died being forty yeares old a valiant Prince a great Historian a subtill Philosopher and a good Poet hee translated Aristotles Ethicks into the Castilain tongue and hee wrote the History of Nauarre vnto the time of King Charles his Grandfather For the very day of his deliuerie he was poisoned and dyed with much repentance for that hee had rebelled against the king his father The Infant Don Ferdinand was acknowledged heyre of the crowne of Arragon They of Cattellonia tooke armes to reuenge the death of Prince Charles The seditious who blow the cole of this desection said that his soule walked in the
kill him The Earle of Charolois being at the Hage in Holland Rubempre staid at the Hage Rubenpre lands with three other disguised like a Marchant The Earle caused him to be stayed and gaue it out that he had attempted by the Kinges commandement to take him or to kill him At such time as the Duke was at Hedin with the King it was generally bruted and the king was blamed for this designe in open pulpit by the Preachers of the multitude who intermixt their discourses with matters wherewith they should not meddle e It is an insupportable abuse to make the word of God an instrument of seditioÌ„ to moue mens mindes to follow the passions and interests of the world beeing onely ordained to guide them in the waies of saluation Of such Doctors or rather busie bodies we may say with Laâ—â—tantius lib. 3. cap. 30. Facessant omnes isti qui vitam humanam nâ—n instruunt sed turbant Let all these be silent which rather trouble then instruct mans life Oliuer de la March the Dukes cheife steward hauing made many voiages vpon this occasion could not hold his peace but spake what he thought to the preiudice of the Kings honor The Duke vppon this aduertisement fearing to be staid parted secretly from Hedin without the kings leaue or priuity The King was offended at this iniury done vnto Rubenpre and at the repors which were diuulged vpon his voyage into Holland Complaints and discontents of the King It had been a timiditie both dishonorable dangerous to dissemble f In fearefull and induring humâ—rs contempt is infallible They feare not to wrong him who hath no care to reuenge it He sent Moruillier his Chanceller the Archbishop of Narbonne and the Earle of Eu to the Duke of Bourgundy to complaine of the detention of the Bastard of Rubenpre and for that he had suffered his Maiesties name and respect to bee wronged publikely and taxt That Oliuer de la March and a religious man had spoken il of him and that the Earle of Charolois had allied himselfe vnto the Duke of Brittany These were the complaints whereon their embassy was grounded Moruillier represented the Kings intentions with much bitternes and passion quallifying this intelligence of the Duke of Brittanie and the Earle of Charrolois with no milder name then crime and conspiracy adding that he could not conceiue why it had been made but for that the Earle of Charolois was discontented for that his pension was not paid him g The Earle of Charolois was much moued at that word which imputed his discontent to a matter due which the greatnes of his courage made him to contemne thinking that Moruillier would inferre thereby that hee could not liue without his pension The Earle of Charrolois thinking that his silence would preiudice himselfe and wrong his friends defence Impatience of the Earle of Charolois did still interrupt Moruilliers discourse The father who had bred him vp more to heare then to speake h staid his impatiencie to giue Moruillier leasure to discourse of the Kings complaints with the like heate as he had begunne them The Duke hauing heard him with patience answered coldly and wisely that the bastard of Rubempre being charged with crimes had giuen his sonne cause to doubt of his stay in Holland where hee had been taken a countrey which did not acknowledge any other Soueraigne then himselfe i laqueline Countesse of Henalt Holland was wife to two â—usbaÌ„ds the Du. â—oâ— Glocester brother to the D. of Bedford and the D. of Bâ—abant Being dâ—famed for her adulteries shee declared Philip Du â—f Burgundy heyre to her countries Henalt Holland and Zeland in the yeere 1426. The first cause of the bad intelligence which was betwixt the BurguÌ„dians and English and reconciled Philip and Charles the seuenth That Oliuer de la March was borne in the Franche County k Oliuer de la March was son to Philip de la March who serued the house of Bourgundy fifty yeares and is author of the obsâ—ruations which are published in his name and was not answerable before any Iudges of France That if he had erred against the Kings respect hee would cause him to bee punished And as for the preacher of Bruges he knew not what was become of him and that he was a man of that condition as his conscience would not suffer him to lay hold of him The Earle of Charolois did still interrupt Moruillier in his discourse who told him that hee was come to speake to the Duke his Father and not to him Whereupon the Earle entreated his father to suffer him to speake I haue answered said the Duke for thee as in mine opinon a father should answere for his sonne yet if thou hast so great a desire thinke of it to day and to morrow speake what thou wilt He would not haue his sonne carried away with those blind guides Choller and l Ia affaires of consequence especially when one that is more mighty is to bee satisfied nothing is to bee answered suddenly nor with choller They suffer troubled water to settle that it may bee cleare Choller precipitaâ—ion are enemies to Counsell Precipation Moruillier persisted in the bitternes of his discourse forgetting nothing that might be said to blemish and disgrace a Prince Hee shewed that the Bastard of Rubempre had been sent by the King to stay the Vice-chancellor of Brittanie returning out of England That hauing landed at the Hage in Holland the Earle of Charralois had been too suspitious The Duke answered that the Bastard of Rubempree had been found faulty As for his Sonne the Earle of Charolois if he were suspicious hee had it not from him but from his mother who was a very suspicious and distrustfull woman and yet notwithstanding if hee had been at the Hage at the passage of Rubempre he had done no lesse then his sonne m D. Isabella Infanta of Portugal daughter to the King Don Iohn was married to Philip Duke of Bourgundy in the yeare 1429. and was mother to Charles Moruillier coÌ„plained also that the D. went from Hedin without taking leaue of the King and against that which he had promised Ha said the Duke with some little perturbation and heate finding himselfe toucht with the breath of his word n Nothing can be reproched more sensible to a Prince then the breach of his word who should rather faile himselfe then his promises wherein he should be 〈◊〉 lesse iâ—dicious then constant I neuer promised any thing but what I haue kept And fearing that in speaking this they should finde that he was moued he added smiling that hee had neuer failed of his word but to Ladies that hauing promised the King not to goe from Hedin he had added this condition if there came no other newes That the discouerie of the Bastard of Rubempre and other important matters had caused him to goe to horse Hereunto Moruillier The
D coÌ„plaines of the Kings breach of his word seeing you haue alwaies shewed such affection and goodwill vnto the King let him not now beleeue the contrarie in refusing so small a thing as hee demands It is true said the Duke I haue neuer failed in my affection and loue vnto the King but I may well say that he hath neuer granted me any thing that I haue demanded and hath kept nothing of that which hee hath promised me o WheÌ„ a Prince hath an opinion not to hold any thing that hee promiseth hee may say that â—e hath put himselfe out of the commerce and negotiation of all sorâ—s of aâ—â—aires for no man can treat with him that hath nothing valuable but words There is nothing but distrust and iealousie of his actions detracta opinione probitatis witnes the townes engaged which he should haue suffered mee to enioy during my life And for that Moruillier did still infist to haue Rubempre the which was a matter of consequence against the Dukes soueraigne command Peter of Goux a knight and master of the lawes said that although the Duke was vassell vnto the King for some lands yet he had others that did not acknowledge any other Soueraigne but himselfe holding of the simple grace of God who had honored him as well as the King with the Image of his eternall gouernment p A royalty is the figure of eternall gâ—uernment and the Image of the Diuine monarchy And therfore Kings haue been held as the fathers of the people Aristotle in the third booke of his Polâ—â—â—ckes saith that a realme is the power of one that doth gouerne the coÌ„monwealâ— not seeking his own pâ—iuatâ— profit but that of his subiects That the Duchies of Brabant Luxemburgh and Lotrech the Earledomes of Bourgundy Henalt Holland Zeland and Namure were soueraigne countries Yet he is no King said the Kings Embassadors to whom the Duke answered I would haue the world know that it was mine owne fault if I be not yet will I not tel how or by what meanes The next day the Earle of Charolois presented himselfe vnto his Father in the presence of the French Embassadors kneeling vpon a Cushion of Veluet an exemplary act of Reuerence and Humilitie of a Prince of thirtie yeares old vnto his Father and which assures this truth That who so will be honored of those which be vnder him should not faile to respect and honor those that bee aboue him The scope of his discourse was to iustifie himselfe for the taking of the Bastard of Rubempre and the confederacie betwixt the Duke of Brittaine and him wherein hee protested hee had no other designe then the Kings seruice and shewing that his condition had wherwith to content himselfe with his owne contempt of an other mans there beeing no lesse glorie in the contempt then in the possession q It is for great courages to contemne Riches The shortest way to riches is to contemne Riches It is easier to disdaine then to possesse all hee added that it was not for any discontent he had for the taking of his pension from him for that with the fauour of his father he could liue without the Kings bounty Whereupon Departurâ— of the FreÌ„ch Embassadors the Duke intreated the Embassadors to tell the king that hee besought him not to beleeue any thing lightly against him and his sonne and to hold them alwaies in his fauour r An Embassador must neuer supprâ—sse words of brauery nor threates which be heares spokâ— by the Prince vnto whom he is sent They presented a banket vnto the Embassadors the History saith wine and spices When they tooke their leaues the Earle of Charolois spake these words vnto the Archbishop of Narbonna Phil. de Com. lib. 1. one of the three Embassadors recommend me most humbly vnto the Kings good grace and tell him that hee hath sought to disgrace me by his Chancellor but before the yeere bee past he will repent it From these little sparkles grew that great fire of the warre of the commonweale The Duke of Burbonne s The visits of great persons are suspitious Iohn Duke of Bourbon making shew to go see the Ladie Agnes his mother at Bruxells treated the league of the publike weale with the Duke Periculosae suÌ„t secretae coitiones who was the intellectuall agent The D. of Bourgundy comes to see his mother at Bruxells faining to goe see his Mother at Bruxells conferred with the Duke but did not discouer the secret saying onely that the Princes had no other intent but to present a petition vn-the king to reforme the disorders of the state and to haue forces readie to the end hee might know how many were interressed in this reformation Such as entered into this league knew one another by a silken point which they carried at their girdles Although the king had spies in all places yet knew he nothing of these coniunctions and assemblies Princes are within and not aboue the world to see all that was done They must bee aboue the heauens to know the ecclipses by themselues and not descend low to see the effects t The effects of great designes doe often break forth before the causes are discouered A vigilant Prince doth alwaies vse peruensions and diuersions The league was borne before he knew the conception hee did not apprehend that it should show it selfe on the Burgundians side for he considered that although the sonne were violent and ill affected towards him yet the father wanted no iudgement to restraine him and iudging that the ayre could not be troubled but towards Brittanie he assembled both the Princes of his bloud and the chiefe of his Noblemen at Tours about Christmas 1464. and propounded vnto them the great occasions he had to preuent the designes of the Duke of Brittany u The King as Montstrelet saith made this assembly to coÌ„plaine that the D. of Brittaine had said that he had a designe to make warre against the Princes and to dispossesse them of their lands It was at this assembly that Charles Duke of Orleans could not forbeare to speake for the Princes of the bloud See Claud. Saysell in the life of Lewis the twelfth beseeching the king not to doubt of their loyalties and affections The king was offended at this remonstrance and reiected it with words full of spleene bitternes and contempt The Duke of Orleans being thus roughly handled and grieued that in an age of threescore and ten yeares he was not heard by him whose grandfather had vouchsafed to heare him in his youth could not endure them not considering that they came from the mouth of his king who was not bound to fit them to his humor and that he must swallow them sweetly without murmuring for the demonstration of the offence doth but augment it He died for sorrow two daies after the fourth of Ianuary 1465. Hee was interred at Bloys his bones were carried
by Religion The receit was made in a little house called the Toll-house The most seditious who would eate their bread with all libertie x A multitude neuer remaines long in an estate which seemes vniust intollerable vnto them Wâ—ere there is no will there can be no bond That which is done by force lasteth no longer then the present necessitie Haud credi potest vllum populuÌ„ in ea conditione cuius cum peniteat diutius quam necesse sit mansurum Tit. Liu. goe not to the Duke to demaund abolition of this impost but vnder coulour of a procession which they made the day after his entrie they take the case with the bones and relikes of a Saint of their deuotion come to this house and strike the case against it saying that the Saint y People haue often couered the causes of their mutinies with some respect of religion to cut off a great circuit of the Procession would passe through the house wherewith in an instant they ruined it to the ground The rest of the mutines were in Armes in the market place to fauour the passage of this Saint and to oppose against any one that would hinder it The Duke aduertised of this tumult comes to a house whose window did open vnto the place The Duke comes to heare of the sedition where he spake vnto these mutyns and commanded them to carrie the relikes of their Saint vnto the Church Some take it vp to carrie it away and others hinder it Hee desires to know what they would haue and not any one dares speake alone a In the coÌ„motion of a people if there be not one head that leades them there is not any one that dayes answere when the people of Rome retyâ—ed to the holy mountaine the Senate sent to know the cause of this retreat Not any one had the courage to answere and Tit. Liu. saith That they wanted not matter of answere but they wanted one to make the answers but altogether They were but confused complaints and insolent answeres demanding Iustice against some priuate men as in these Commotions there is alwaies some one charged to be the cause of the publike miseries He promised to doe them Iustice commanding them to disarme and to retire But they grow obstinate and continue their eight dayes at the end whereof they present themselues vnto the Duke demanding that all which the Duke his Father had taken from them might bee restored which was the threescore and twelue banners of their trades and the renewing of their priuiledges To refuse this was to hazard himselfe to their furie and they let the Duke vnderstand that whether hee would or no the Councels were taken beeing resolued to take that which they demanded for hee had no sooner spoken the word to grant them b They must somtimes grant vnto the people that which â—hey desire as they doe vnto childreÌ„ 〈◊〉 cry to mad men which rage But wâ—en a seditioÌ„ is pacified they take away iustly which they had allowed vniustly their banners He is forced to grant them what he will take away but at the same instant they saw them planted on the market place Thus the Towne of Gand from whence the Duke would draw examples of fidelitie and obedience seemed to the rest for a mirrour of reuolt and sedition for seeing that the Gantois had sped well with this boldnes many other Townes did the like and slew some of the Dukes Officers who was forced for the time to seeme to be ignorant c It is a gracious kind of pardoning not to take knowledge of an offence of that which these mutyns had done who deserued to bee intreated with such rigour as they should haue nothing remaining free but the sights of their repentance With the like wisedome and dexteritie as the King had diuided the forces of the Princes that were in league against him The King separates the heads of the league d It is an act of great prouideÌ„ce in a Prince to breake off the communication intelligence which may bee betwixt tow personages which are mighty of turbulent spirits he labors now to breake their intelligences He sets such good gards vppon the passages as the Duke of Brittanie is forced to cause such as he sends to the Duke of Bourgundy to passe first into England and then to Calice In this great circuit before their aduertisements be giuen the Councels be vnited the occasions lost and the mischiefes without remedie He hath his eyes open on euery side as he is seuer e They must punish crimes when they are committed and hinder conspiracies in the breeding to punish crimes when they are committed so is he vigilant to breake conspiracies before they bee made Hee resolues to plague them one after an other and to let them know that he repents soone or late that attempts against one that is more mighty The Duke of Normandie beeing retired into Brittanie bare and naked was sufficiently punished with the Councels of his youth The Duke of Brittanie held himselfe too weake to support him against so mightie a brother the Deputies which he had sent vnto the King to intreat him to moue him to pittie had brought nothing back but that they saw much discontentment in the King for that his brother demanded a portion with his sword in his hand The King who was then towards Mont S t. Michael sent an Armie of fiftie thousand men into Brittanie The King sends an Armie into Brittanie As the Duke of Alençon had giuen passage vnto the Brittans so his Sonne the Earle of Perch yeelds the same towne of Alenâ—con vnto the French whereat Monsieur was so offended as hee called him the right Sonne of his Father f Infidelitie is so odious as it makes the Actions of the children which are borne of them which haue beene attained to bee suspected and suspiâ—ions in others are crimes in them Brittanie was ouerrunne aboue thirty leagues compasse The Duke of Brittanie coniured the Duke of Bourgundy to succour him but he could not doe it beeing ingaged with the Liegeois who rather tired with warre then vanquished had made a new reuolt and spoiled Liny vpon the assurance the King had giuen them of his protection He had sent them foure hundred lances vnder the command of the Earle of Dammartin of Salezard of Conyhen Leigeois supported by the king and Vignoles and six thousand Archers The Constable of S t. Paul came and ioined with them with some troupes They played the madde men and did not consider the danger their hostages were in whom they had giuen for the assurance of their obedience and fidelitie The Duke held a Councell whether he should put them to death Consultation to put the Hostages of Liege to death The question require good deliberation for if he had beene constant in his first resolution they were vndone And therefore in such difficulties a
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
which he ware about his neck and which resisted poyson but the Chancellor kept it to present it vnto the King This disposition beeing made they led him to a great seaffold from the which they did ascend to an other which was lesse but higher where he should receiue an end of his life u Death is sweet when it is the end not the punishment of life And they say it is a troublesome thing to die before one be sick for a punishment Vpon the greater were the Chancellor the Siegneur of Gaucourt and some other of the Kings Officers all the place and all windowes were full euen to the tops of houses He went vp vnto the Scaffold with his hands vnbound He is executed at the Greue the executioner bound them with a little cord They presented him a Cushion of other stuffe then those be wheron the Constables x The Chancellors Constables of France take their oth vnto the King kneeling vpon a cushion of veluet here they offer the Constable one of wooll with the Armes of the City of Paris of France take their oth vnto the King He remoued it with his foote and set it right and then he kneeled downe with his face towards our Ladies Church There in the sight of heauen and of two hundred thousand people the fire-brand of warre was quencht the 29. day of December 1475 He dyed much amazed but full of deuotion and repentance He dyed trembling To dye trembling after that manner was not to dye like a man who had carried the sword of France The executioner should not haue been more hardy to strike y In what place soeuer death assailes a generous man hee should die generously The generosity of courage doth something abate the infamie of the punishment Rubrius Flauius being condemne thy Neâ—o to loose his head when as the executioner said vnto him that he should stretch forth his neck boldy he answered Thou shalt not strike more boldly then I will present my head then he to offer his neck to receiue the blow Thus he who had no care nor thought but of diuision had his head diuided from his sholders the which as full of winde goes into the Ayre and the bodie fals to the earth the life which remained caused some little motion which makes the head to moue apart and the bodie apart but it is without soule for that is not diuided The Franciscane Friars carried the bodie to their Church and they said then vpon the dispute which they had with the Curate of S. Iohn at the Greue that two hundred Friaâ—s had had their heads cut off Wee must conclude this discourse with so certaine a Maxime as whosoeuer shall affirme it cannot lye Neuer any one that dealt craftily with his Prince but in the end he was deceiued and there is nothing more certaine by considerations of presidents experience and reason that who so keepes his Master in feare forceth him to free himselfe This place remained vnsupplyed aboue fortie yeares ImportaÌ„ce of the office of Constable for the command is so great ouer all the forces of the Realme and the name of such lustre as if it fals into the hands of an ambitious man that is able to make his authoritie march equall with the Kings if of a Prince of the bloud he is the Kings King if of an other the Princes and great men of the Realme will not obay him and his commandement as Bertrand of Gueschin said z Berâ—rand of Gueschin refused to accept the Office of Constable for that he was but a simple Knight and durâ—t 〈◊〉 presume to command the kings bâ—others Câ—zins 〈…〉 not your selfe by this meanes for I haue neither Brother Cozin nor Nephewes Earle nâ—r Baron within my realme but shal obay you willingly if any one should doe otherwise hee should displease me Froislard doth concerne the great rather then the lesse The Constables goods beeing forfeited were restored to Francis of Bourbon Earle of Vendosme marrying Mary of Luxembourg Her slender and small stature brought into this house the smalnes of bodies of those great Princes who before were of that goodly and rich stature The first beauty of men admired and desired in Kings As the King had shewed an example of his Iustice in the Constables death Duke of Alencon set at libertie so did hee one of his bounty to the Duke of Alençcon a The D. of Alencon was coÌ„ducted from the Louure to the house of Michel Luillier on Thursday the 28. of December 1475 at six of the clock at night by Iohn Harlay Knight of the watch with foure torches as the Author of the Chronicle doth obserue whom he suffred to go out of the Louure where he was a prisoner and to be lodged in a Burgesses house of Paris The fortune of this Prince was to be pittied and the consideration of his birth bound the Princes to commiseration Hee was of the bloud of France and the house of Alençon was a branch of that of Valois Charles of France Earle of Valois had two sonnes Philip of Valois King of France and Charles of Valois b Charles of Valois Brother to Philip of Valeis King of FraÌ„ce had four sonnes by Mary of Spaine his second â— wife Charles who was a Iacobin and then Archbishop of Lyon Peter Earle of Alencon Philip Archbishop of 〈◊〉 and Robert Earle of Perch Earle of Chartres and then of Alençon who dyed at the Battell of Crecy He was father to Iohn first Duke Duke of Alençon who married Marry of Brittanie and by her had this Iohn the second of that name Duke of Alençon his sonne Rene Duke of Alençon married Margaret of Lorraine by whom he had Charles the last Duke of Alençon married to Margaret of Orleans the onely Sister of King Francis the first and died without children By the Constables death the Duke of Bourgundy receiued from the King St. Quentin Profit and blame of the Duke for the Constables death Han and Bohain and the spoiles of the dead which might amount to fourescore thousand crownes He was sorie that he had lost him who had made him haue so good a share in France He was blamed to haue giuen him a safe conduit and then c Behold the iudgment which the Lord of Argenton makes vpon this deliuerie There was no need for the D. of Bourgundie who was so great a Prince of so famous and honorable a house to giue an assurance to the Constable to take him which was a great crueltie the Battel where he was certain of deth and for couetousnes deliuer him 1476. and to deliuer him to him that pursued him after the assurances of Protection and defence This breach was noted for an infallible presage of the ruine of his house The Annales of the Franche Contie of Bourgundy adde an other cause which was that the Duke had seazed of a great sum of money at Aussone
Frontier I finde that Guerin le Groin Baliffe of Saint Peter le Moustier and Robinet of Quesnoy Either of them Captaine of a hundred Lances tooke a great Conuoy of Money which came to Doway and with a small Troupe defeated a great number of Horse which did gard it If the King of England had declared himselfe for the Princesse of Bourgundy there had beene a great alteration and she had lesse apprehended the power and hatred of the French King who had wisely preuented it Lewis entertaines friendship with the English He knowing that King Edward loued his ease and that he would not shew himselfe too passionate in his Neighbours quarrels caused his Embassadours to obserue him and entertained him often with Visits and Presents d To send wise and polliticke Embassadours to Princes whoÌ„ they feare vpon diuers pretexes is the true meanes to preuent their designes but especially with the hope of a Marriage betwixt his sonne and his daughter Whom in England they called the Dauphine He caused the fifty thousand Crownes due by the Treaty of Piquigny to be paied at the day in the Citty of London which the English called the Tribute of France He gaue great Pensions to the Chancellor Chamberlaine Admirall and Maister of the Horse in England This made some to speake and others to hold their peace touching the affaires of France e To cast Gold into a Princes Councell is a great charme for greedy minds Gold is a medecine which at one instant workes two contrary effects To speake and to be silent There neuer came any Embassadours but commended his bounty at their returne and held themselues in a manner bound to fauour his intentions by which proceedings hee held himselfe in a manner assured on that side This made the Princesse of Burgundy resolue to marry to follow the counsell of the Lady of Haluin Princesse of Bourgundy wil haue a maÌ„ to her husband her first Lady of Honour which was to take a man and not a child for she was capable to beare them f There was a great disparitie of age betwixt the Dauphin and thus Princesse who was mother of three children before the Prince was a eleuen yeares old Shee refused the king of Englands brother It was thought that if they had propounded the Earle of Angolesme father to King Francis the 1. she would haue hearkened vnto it g The Annales of Aquitane speake thus vpon this occasion King Lewis wanted indgment in this action for if he had not hee wold haue married her to Charles Duke ef Angolâ—sme father to King Francis that now is her affections inclining to haue a Prince of France although she were much discontented for that the King had beene the cause of the death of her two good seruants Hugonet and Imbercourt The Emperour Frederick sent his Embassadours vnto her to put her in minde of the letter which she had written by the commandement of Duke Charles her father carrying a promise of marriage to the Arch-duke Maxamilian his son The Duke of Cleues who had another designe instructed her to referre her selfe to her Councell h In a Councell held vpon the reception of the Embassadours the Duke of Cleues said that after they had deliuered their message the Princesse of Burgundy should say vnto them that they were very welcome and that shee would referre it to her Councell and no more Phil. de Com. and not to say any thing to the Embassadours but at the sight of this Letter and a Diamond which did accompany it she declared that she had written the Letter and giuen the Diamond Princesse of Bourgundy marries Maxmilian by her fathers commandement The marriage was treated and Maximilian came into Flanders to consomate it and before the yeare was expired Philip father to Charles the 5. was the first fruits of this marriage Maximilian was then but twenty yeares old i When as Maximilian came into Flanders he was but twenty yeares old Hee was borne in the yeare 1458. Elenor daughter to Edward king of Portugal was his mother desiring to shew that the loue of the Princesse of Burgundy was not blind in choosing him among so many Corriuals he sought to recouer that which she had lost The King sent Craon into Bourgundy Kings Army in the French County k Peter or George of Tremouile Lord of Craon Liuetenant of the Kings Army in Bourgundy who hauing a power and being assisted by Iohn of Chalons Prince of Orange reduced the Towne of Dijon vnder the Kings obedience The Prince of Orange seeing himselfe deluded by him and that he did not deliuer vp the places vnto him which he had taken according to the Kings commandement grew discontented reuolted and recouered in a manner all that Craon had wonne in the County and then cast himselfe into Gy. From thence Craon besieged Dole Dole besieged contemning them that were within it as men whom he held to be without courage or defence This contempt accompanied with carelessenesse made him to loose his honour the Kings fauour and the Towne which he might haue taken for the besieged made a sally in a night that was windy darke and rainy with such aduantage as they surprized him and forced him to ritire with the losse of some of his Ordinance and of three thousand men l The fault of a Generall of an Army is sufficiently punished by the losse of his honour and his Princes loue and fauour The Romanes had no punishment for such errours to the end their Commanders should not haue their minds troubled with the dangers and ordinary Inconueniences in such charges and with the examples of such whose faults had bene punished with death For it is impossible to resolue iudiciously betwixt feare and suspition Charles of Amboise Lord of Chaumont was substituted in his place who aduised the King to renew his aliance with the Suisses and thereby to weaken the house of Bourgondy The perswasion of this counsell was not difficult the King thought nothing more fit for the safety of his estate then to make his enemies weake of Intelligence and Friends He sent some to practise this league and pursued it with great vehemency He had receiued so great content in the ruine of the most obstinate of his enemies as after the Battels of Granson and Morat hee did nothing but speake of the Suisses valor m Lewis the â—1 greatly aduaÌ„ced the reputation of the Suisses After victories which they had wonne against Charles Duke of Bourgondy he caused them to bee much esteemed Hee sent Embassadours with rich presents hee gaue them after the battell of Granson vntill his death aboue a million of Florins of the Rhin and esteeme their Friendship He put them in greater reputation then euer they had beene although they had much honoured the establishment of their liberty with a triumph of nine or ten Battels and that we may say of them as Titus
The Kings intention was that the Riuers should returne vnto the Sea from whence they came and his reason was grounded vpon the Law of the Realme which giues no part of Reuenues of the Crowne in propriety to the Females and portions giuen to the Princes of France passe not to their daughters when as they leaue no sonnes s In old time the Infants of the House of France had their Portions in Soueraignty This was abbrogated in the third race and so ordered as the yonger sonnes could not pretend any thing to the Succession of the King their Father but a prouision for their entertainement the which hauing no Heires Males returned to the Crowne Heereupon there was a Sentence giuen to the benefite of King PHILIP the third for the Earledome of Poitiers and Lands of Auuergne against CHARLES the first King of Sicile brother to Saint LEVVIS in the Parliament of Tousaints 1283. Finally vpon that Maxime That the reuenues of the Crowne are Inalienable and not subiect to prescription For men cannot prescribe any thing against God nor priuate men against the Estate To apply the square vnto the stone and the Hypothesis vnto the Thesis the Kings Deputies did shew that the Dutchy of Bourgondy the Franch-County with the Earledomes of Flanders Artois and Henaut were peeces of the Crowne If their discourse was not in these tearmes it was so in substance The beginnings of the diminution of Flanders as they of all the great Empires of the world haue beene weake vncertaine and fabulous t Estates as all other things in the world haue three times the beginning the decrease and the declining The Countrey was peopled by a Colony of Saxons whom Charlemaigne brought thither gouerned vnder the authority of the Crowne of France by their Lords Forresters u The Gouernors and Guardiâ—ns of Flanders saith M r. du 〈◊〉 before Baldwin surnamed Iron-Arme were Officers mutable at the will of the Kings of FraÌ„ce although that some sonnes haue succeeded in their fathers Offices for that that they were heires of their vertues were called Forresters not that their charge was onely vpon the land being fall of Forrest for coles but the guard of the sea was also commutted to them The Estate began by Baldwin suruamed Iron-arme and continued in his posterity but as it ended by Maud daughter to Baldwin the fifth Flanders past vnder the commands of the Dukes of Normandy then of Thierry Earle of Alsatia who married Sibilla daughter to Foulques of Anjou King of Ierusalem and had but one daughter who was heire to the Earledome of Flanders and married to Baldwin the fourth of that name Earle of Henaut of this marriage came Baldwin Earle of Flanders the eighth of that name who was Emperour of Constantinople who died at Andrinopile who left but two daughters Ioane who died without children and Margaret Countesse of Flanders x Margaret Countesse of Flanders who raigned thirty yeares had two husbands the first was Bourcher an Englishman by who she had one sonne which dyed yong and William of Dampierre second sonne to Archambauld Lord of Bourbon Father to Guy Earle of Flanders Father to Robert of Bethunes who married William of Bourbon Guy Earle of FlaÌ„ders sonne to Archambâ—uld Lord of Bourboun He was father to three sonnes William who died without children Guy Earle of Flanders and Iohn Lord of Dampierre Guy Earle of Flanders married Maud daughter and heire to Robert others named him Fegard of Bethunes Robert of Bethunes by whom hee had fiue sonnes and three daughters Robert of Bethunes his sonne who hath deserued the surname of Great as well for the greatnesse of his vertue as his fortune succeeded him Charles of Anjou King of Sicile brother to Saint Lewis gaue meanes to acknowledge his valour more gloriously hauing set two Crownes vpon his head by the Victory of the battell of Benevent y Battle of Benevent the 10 of February 1565. where as Manfroy bastard to Conrade whom he had poysoned was slaine whereas the Parricide Manfroy ended his tyranny honour and life Hee had enioyed them longer and more happily if hee had followed the councell of this Prince z Robert of Bethunes Earle of Flanders did not allow of the death of Conradyne The History which detests it reserues him this honour Vtrique nouâ— ac regio nomine indigno crudelitatis in or be Christiano exemple fecuri vitam eripit frustra Flandriae Comite monente generosum victorem decêre moderationem clementiam Sed vicit vox cruenta vita Conradini mors Caroli mors Conradini vita Caroli Hee tooke away both their I was by an example of cruelty which was new in the Christian world and vnworthy the name of a King the Earle of Flanders â—â—lling him in vaine that moderation and clemency did become a generous victor but that cruell voyce preuaâ—â—d The life of Conradine is the death of Charles and the death of Conradine is the life of Charles who found the death of Conradine and Frederick of Austria Prisoners taken in the warre barbarous and inhumane Of this Marriage Charles was borne who dyed yong a Charles of Bethunes son to Robert Earle of Bethunes dyed at a eleuen yeares of age They write that he brought from his mothers wombe the figure of a Crosse betwixt his shoulders and Lewis who was father to Lewis the second Lewis the second of Bethunes Earle of Flandes Hee married Margaret of France daughter to Phillip the Long who treating of the conditions of this Marriage would that Robert of Bethunes his Grand-father should declare the children that were to be borne of this marriage Earles of Flanders This Lewis of Bethunes surnamed of Cresse for that he dyed at the battell of Cresse Lewis the third of Bethunes left one some called also Lewis and surnamed of Mallaine These so diuers names haue but one Spring Mallaine is Bethunes and Bethunes is Flanders The greatest Families of Europe haue forgotten their first names to continue them of their portions and successions So we see Bourbon for France Austria for Habspourg and in this Genealogy of the Earles of Flanders Dampierre for Bourbon Bethunes for Flanders and without any other distance but from father to sonne Neuers and Mallaine for Bâ—thunes Lewis of Bethunes or of Mallaine married Margaret daughter to the Duke of Brabant and had his onely daughter Margaret who was first married to Phillip Duke of Bourgundy and afterwards to Phillip the Hardy sonne to King Iohn From this truth we must conclude that the Crowne of France had the right of homage and of Soueraignety ouer the Earledome of Flanders before this marriage The like is said of the Townes of Lisle Douay Orchies and Bethunes Consequently Artois cannot bee separated from France no more then the Earledome of France from whence it is come County of Artois for the parties follow the nature of their whole King Lewis the ninth performing the will of
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
honors and deserued great aduancements in the house of Bourgondy he receiued the Coller of the golden Fleece when as D. Charles did first solemnize the order at Bruges after his fathers death f Charles 〈…〉 should haue stood with these words which are read in a Chronicle M. S. of the Kings library The Earle of Neuers being adiourned by the letters patents of the most high and most excellent Prince my redoubted Lord the Duke sealed with the seale of his order of the Fleece to appeare in person at this present Chapter there to answere vpoÌ„ his honor touching witchcraft and abusing the holy Sacraments of the Church hath not appeared but hath made default And to auoid the sute and depriuation of the order to bee made against him he hath sent back the Coller and therefore hath been and is declared out of the order and not called in the offring when as the Earle of Neuers was degraded more vnworthily then the respect of his house made him to hope from a Prince his neere kinsman The Duke gaue him the gouernment of the County of Boullein afterwards of Artois He came vnto the Kings seruice and deliuered into his hands the Towne of Arras after the Dukes death It seemes that Philip de Comines would not speake all he knew nor call a Fig a Fig. He knits it vp shortly in these words He could not mistake in submitting himselfe vnto the Kings seruice vnlesse he had taken a new oath to the yong Lady of Bourgondy and in yelding vp that vnto her which he held of hers They haue and will speake diuersly hereof wherfore I referre my selfe to the truth Tristan the Hermit whom the rigor of this reigne hath made so famous for the suddennesse of his executions was high Prouost Tristan the Hermit King Charles the 7 th made him knight after the siege of Fronsac g After the siege of Fronsac there were made knights Iohn of Bourbon Earle of Vendosâ—ne Iohn of â—ourbon his base brother the Vicount of Turaine the Lords of Rochefautaut Commery Rochechouart Grignaux de Barres Mommorin Bordeilles Fontenelles and Estauge The name of Tristan was giuen to Princes borne in some great affliction Iohn of France was surnamed Tristan for that he was borne at Damiete during the Imprisonment of S. Lewis his father In like manner the sonne to the King of Sicile was called Tristan for that he was borne in Catelonia when his father was a prisoner Philip de Commines Lords of Argenton Philip de Commines Some haue thought that he freed the king from the danger of Peronne and that it was the cause of the great fauour which he had purchased with the king I haue wondred why the king did not adde the honour of the Order of S. Michael and how it was possible that it should faile a man who wanted not any thing and who was so much fauoured and so familiar with the king as he did often lye in his Bed eate at his Table sit at his Councell and carried his most secret designes to Princes treated q Wee doe often finde the 〈…〉 of the secrets in Lawyers books Procopius sayth that the wâ—ters of 〈◊〉 were called a Secretis Honor qui tunc dabaâ—ur egregijs dum ad Imperiale Secretum tales constet eligi in quibus reprehonsionis vitium nequeat inveniâ—i An honour which was then giuen to worthy men whilst such are chosen to the secrets of the Empire in whoÌ„ no vice of reprehension can bee found happily but by them that know them by the beginning Secretarie of state a necessary Office progresse and effects by whose eyes and hands they see them and then dispatch them Sufficiency Experience and Fidelity serue as a lampe in obscurest deliberations and giues them Ariadâ—es threed which keepes them from meeting the Minotaure of repentance r The Venetians whose state is Aristocraticall change all their Officers yearely and some euery two moneths but the Duke the 〈◊〉 of S t. Marke the Chancellor and the Secretaries of State are for life the which the Florentines ordained in their state whâ—â— as Lewis the twelfth freed them from the tyranny of Count Valentine in the intricate Labyrinth of Enterprises For this reason in some well-gouerned Common-weales where as Offices are annuall that of Secretary is perpetual to the end that one alone may be Register of that which is concluded by many and an inviolable Guardian of Secrecie which is the soule of affaires and returnes neuer when it is once let slip s Secrecie is the soule of affaires and as Valerius calles it Optimum ac 〈…〉 agendâ—rum vinculum The best and safest hand for the managing of Affaires France cannot passe without the Counsell and experience of him who for that hee hath serued foure Kings in that great and painfull charge is held by all Europe for the Oracle of all resolutions and reuolutions There is not any thing vnpenetrable to his Iudgement who entring into the most confused and obscure affaires doth presently draw light But it is time to go to land This name so famous and renowned throughout all the world is the rocke of Adamant which drawes my ship Hee is the Port of this Nauigation which I finish he shall be the North-starre of another which I continue The profit of them shall redound to all in generall the thankes vnto the King and the glory vnto God The end of the History of Lewis the eleuenth MAXIMES IVDGEMENTS AND POLITIKE OBSERVATIONS OF PHILIP DE COMMINES Lord of Argenton VPON THE LIFE REIGNE AND ACTIONS OF LEWIS the eleuenth and of diuers other occurrents PLACES AND TITLES of these Maximes Prouidence of God Princes Realme Salique Law Enter-view of Princes Gouernments Councels and Councellors Court of Parliament Embassadors Treasure of the Prince Assemblies and Treaties People and Subiects Townes and Nations House of Bourgondy Enemies Enterprises Battels Warre Souldiars Sieges Victories Changes Prosperity and Aduersity Diuision Tumults and Sedition Liberalitie Iustice and Iniustice Punishment Iniury and Offence Wisedome Secresie Experience Knowledge Historie Nourishment Nature Hope Age. Fore-sight Carelesnesse and Vigilance Pride and Presumption Treacherie Dutie A good Man POLLITICKE MAXIMES PROVIDENCE OF GOD. ALL well considered our onely hope should be in God In the end of the first booke for in him consists all our assurance and all goodnesse which cannot bee found in any other thing in the world But wee do euery man acknowledge it too late and after that wee haue neede yet it is better late then neuer Grace and good fortune comes from God Lib. 1. chap. 4. In all enterprises wee must haue God of our side Lib. 2. chap. 1. God hath alwaies loued the Realme of France Lib. 4. chap. 1. To see things which God hath done in our time Lib. 4. chap. 13. and doth daily shewes that he will leaue nothing vnpunished And we may see plainely that these strange workes come
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.
of the Arsacides it was discouered and preuented by the Scotchmen of whom afterward he made his guard of his royall person She past notwithstanding the ambushes of the English more by the prouidence of God then the foresight of men for whiles the English were busie in fighting with a ship which was lade with wine for Flaunders the Scotts vessell past freely and landed the Princesse at Rochell f Reuenge runnes alwaies against the enemie that hath most offended and in the contention of three Nations there is alwaies one that saues himselfe and does his busines She was conducted to Tours whereas the marriage was solemnized the 24. of Iune Murther of Iames King of Scotland But this ioy lasted not long in her fulnes newes comming of the death of the king of Scotland being miserably murthered with sixe and twenty wounds by his Vncle and Cousin in the sight of the Queene his wife who presenting herselfe vnto the murtherers and making a buckler of her body to defend her husbands receiued two wounds The thoughts of Lewis were in those dayes more inclined to Armes then to Ladyes Nature did dispence them from their seruitude and his breeding had diuerted him from all intemperance which makes men inferior to beasts and bound him to the exercise of vertue which makes Princes superior to Men. He had learned by the infancie of King Charles the 6. g Charles the fift meaning to try the generous disposition of his sonne did set a crowne of gold a scepter vpon a veluet cushion and on another an helmet and a sword Charles made choice of the sword and the helmet his Grand-father to lay hould of a sworde as soone as of a Crowne They did gird him with it sooner for necessity then to grace him more to defend himselfe then to adorne him So it is fit that a Prince should carry an honorable marke h In places whereas armes are in a degree of excellencie and necessitie the Prince and they of his bloud should make great esteeme of them which make profession of the most excellent and necessary profession of his estate He could no more draw it but against the English the French and the Burgundians were in the way of an accord The Dutchesse of Burgundy Duches of Bourgundy drawes her husband to the treatie of Arras Infanta of Portugall a good Frenchwoman was the cheef instrument She tould the Duke that he should be generally blamed if he refused a peace offered with honor and profit that indiscretion would not excuse the repentance of so preiudiciall a refusall She drew the heart of this Prince to her intention making it knowne that burning iron is not soner quencht in water then the heat of coller and reuenge is lost by the perswasion of a milde and moderate spirit and that nothing is vnpossible to Princesses of courage when as their vnderstanding hath power ouer their husbands i The effects are 〈…〉 they 〈◊〉 good to good and bad to bad Tamerlâ—nes wife flaid him long fâ—â—m making warre against Buazet but being incensed by an iniurious wish which hee had made shee did animate her husband by an extreame fury against him Chalcondylas By her perswasions the Duke yeelded vnto the Kings youth the blowe which he had caused to be giuen being Dauphin and the excesse of his offence to the greatnes and maiesty of the King considering that forgetfulnes is an Antidote against the deadly poyson of Iniuries which may ruine the soule when it doth too egerly seeke reuenge and that it is a great folly to continue immortall hatred amongst mortall men k Reuenge continues iniuries makes them hereditarie A strange distemperature of men Quid iuuat tanquam in aeternam genitos it is indicere breuisfimam aetatem dissipare Sen. libr. 3. De ira What doth it auaile to make hatred eternal and to leade a short life The Counsell of Basil imployed it selfe seeing that whiles France was not in peace Christendome should be still in trouble They sent two Cardinals to mediate this peace to exhort the Kings of France and England and the Duke of Burgundy to cause their discords to cease to accord their wils for the defence of the Church To strayne their courages and tackle against the force of the winds that did shake that vessell that they should haue pitty of themselues and of their subiects The English growing obstinate not to leaue any thing had no part of this peace There is nothing so difficult in a Prince as restitution they left the Dutchies of Guienne and Normandy l King Charles the seuenth offered to the K. of England the Dutchies of Normandy and Guienne to hold them by homage of the Kings of FraÌ„ce as soueraignes and vpon such conditions as the Kings of England his Aneectors had enioyed them in the beginning to the King of England to quite the rest but the prosperity of his affaires doth preiudice him of the possession and the desire to continue a reueng trouble the soules of so many persons as reason had no more commaund Wilfulnes of the English opinion held the scepter A Royalty endures no equall The great God of peace who is all spirit all light all eye all seeing all hearing all m Treaties of peace are concluded when as men hold them broken and impossible they bee the effects of the eternall prouidence of that great God whom Clement Alexandrious cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 totus mens totus luâ— totus oculus all minde all light all eye knowing inspir'd the hearts of these two Princes with the holy resolution of Concord and a ful forgetfulnes of iniuries so as the Duke seeing the King of England too difficult made his treaty apart They contented in euery degree the interests both of dead and liuing The Kinge transported to the Duke of Burgundy the Townes vpon the riuer of Somme whereof mention shall be often made st Quintin Corbie Amiens Abbeuille and others vpon condition to redeeme them for the summe of foure hundreth thousand old Crownes of gould The marriage of the Earle of Charolois and of Catharin the Kings Daughter was the seale of this treaty n The marriage of the Earle of Charolois with the Kings Daughter was the seale of this treaty hee was then but two yeares old and when he come to age he married isabel of Bourbon The Lady Catherine who was promised dyed at eighteene yeares of age the 28. of Iuly and was interred at Brusseis in S. Gould Charles Duke of Bourbon and Arthur Duke of Brittany with the Earle of Richmond Constable of France craued pardon of the Duke of Burgundy for the death of his father in the name of King Charles the vij It is a cruel thing when he must take a Law from his inferior but the good of a peace and the necessity of the Kings affaires forced him from all these formalities without this satisfaction a peace had not
such as are malecontâ—nt of his actions These reasons pierst the harts of the most distracted The Princes fearing to be abandoned Euery one desires grace of the King their partie growing weake and decreasing dayly they sued for grace vnto the King Hee offered it them by the Earle of Eu who did negotiate their accord and did perswade them to goe to Clermont to receiue his commandement wherevnto they yeelded so as they might bee assured The King was so good as he gloried to be vndeseruedly offended by men who reduced to their duties very profitable hee gaue a pasport for the Duke of Bourbon and Alençon but not for Tremouille Chaumont nor Prye whom hee held to bee the Authors of this trouble and of the assembly at Noion u An assembly at Noion of the Duke of Alencon Anthony of Chabanâ—s Earle of Dampmartin Peter of Amâ—oise Lord of Chaumont Iohn de la Roche Seneshall of Poictou and of the Lord of Tremâ—uille They complaine that they are abandoned and inflame the bloud of this yong Prince in such sort as seeing the Dukes of Bourbon and Alençon returne to conduct him to Clermont hee swore that hee would not goe x A Prince must haue care of them that haue followed him Monstrelet vppon this occasion writes those words When the Daupâ—in vnderstood it hee said vnto the Duke of Bourbon My faire Gossip you haue no thankes to tell how the matter was concluded that the King had not pardoned them of my houshold but would seeke to doe worse When the King saw that he came not that the prefixed day was past and that the English who besieged Harfleu called him into Normandie hee would temporise no longer but suffered his Armie to spoile the Duke of Bourbons Countrie His foreward did besiege and take Vichy Cusset and Varennes yeelded The whole countrie of Rouanna obayed Clermont and Mont-Ferrant persisted in their fidelitie from the which no Towne may in any sort separate y He cannot be held faithfull that for any respect wâ—atsosoeueâ— hath ceased to bee so Senec. it selfe but it presently looseth the glorious title of faithfull The wilfulnes of this Prince ruined the countrey euery man found his desseigne vniust and the affection he bare vnto his seruants vniust the consideration of whom should bee of more force then that of the publicke good for the which they might sometimes straine Iustice it selfe z To obserue Iustice in great maâ—teâ—s they must sometimes leau it in lesser Wherefore the Duke of Bourbon and Alençcon perswaded him to submit this affection to the Kings will and the interest of his seruants to his discretion intreating the Earle of Eu to bee a meanes that the king would be pleased that might bee done at Cusset which was not performed at Clermont The King grants it The Daâ—phin restored to fauour They come and present themselues vnto him bending their knees thrice vnto the ground before they approch beseeching him to pardon them This humilitie a Humilitie only pleades for great peâ—sons Monstrelet speakes in this sort of this pardon Being come into the chamber where the King was they kneeled thrice before they came vnto him and at the third they intreated him with great humilitie to pardon them his indignation did wipe out of the kings heart the feeling of such sensible offences Hee imbraced them and said vnto the Dauphin Lewis you are welcome you haue stayed long goe and rest you we will talke to morrow with you But hee protracted no time to reprehend the Duke of Bourbon Reprehâ—nsion of the D. of Bourbon drawing him a part b Great men will be praised in publike and reprehended in secret he put him in minde of his faults hee notes him the place and the number being fiue hee reprocheth vnto him the iniustice and indiscretion of a designe which sought to put the father vnder the sonnes gouernment adding that if that loue and respect of some did not withhold him hee would make him feele his displeasure What could hee answere The very feeling of his fault did presse him The offender must yeeld to the iustice and the Innocent to the force of the stronger He renues all the vowes of his obedience and affection and submits his will vnto the kings hee commends his bountie so apparant by the number of his offences and so necessarie for them that had offended whose preseruation did serue as an increase to his glorie and a trophee to his clemencie c They to whome the Prince giues life liue not but to the glorie of his clemencie The next day the Dauphin presents himselfe vnto the king who did not entreat him as nurses doe children which flatter them when they fall Hee did let him vnderstand that his fall had carried him to the ineuitable ruine of his honour and fortune if the bountie of a father had not as much will to retire him as the iustice of a king had reason to punish him In a word he said he would cease to be a good father vnto him if hee did not begin to be a better sonne d Hee that is good must striue to be betteâ— for when hee doth not begin to gâ—ow betâ—er theâ— he ends to be good and that he desired not to be held good for not punishing the bad The Dauphin assuring himselfe of his fathers bountie and clemencie speakes no more but for his seruants The Dauphin will not leaue his seruants to whom safe conducts had beene refused The king declared that they had made themselues vnworthy of his grace that they had deserued to bee made an example to others as the authors of this rebellion which had made the wicked impudent and brought good men to despaire Yet there must bee a distinction e A Citizen of Sparta 〈◊〉 Châ—rilaus highly coÌ„mended for 〈◊〉 bounty And how sâ—id hee can hee bee good seeing hee is not seuere vnto the wicked It is as great crueltie to pardon all the world as not to pardon any Senec made betwixt the effects of clemencie and bountie that for their punishment he was contented not to see them and that they should retire themselues vnto their houses The Dauphin held firme against these torrents of his fathers choller lets him know that if there be no grace for his seruants he desires not any for himselfe From this opinion f Opinion is the falling sicknes of the minde that is the Caue which coÌ„taines the windâ— fâ—om whence the tempests of the minde come that is to say disordinate passions which is they Caue from whence the windes issue which torment his soule or rather from the impression which his seruants had giuen him that in being resolute he should haue whatsoeuer hee desired Opinion causeth terrible motions in the soule he drew this yong and rash speech I must then my Lord returne for so I haue promised To whom the King answered coldly Lewis goe if you
should not be curious to lay open matters which are distastfull Modestie of the History 〈◊〉 the Kings loâ—es hath beene so carefull of the Kings respect and of the honor of this Ladie as it hath spoken very lightly of that which in those daies was knowne to all and published by few It onely saith that for that shee appeared alwaies richly attyred was one of the Queenes maides and that the King saw her oft they thought she was wholly the Kings x The fayre are easily suspected of incontiuency for that chastitie and beauty doe not alwaies agree That her eyes were the Altars whereon he made his vowes vnder the vales of Night and secret The Author of the Historie of S. Dennis saith that by the duty of his charge The Historie of France in those dayes was written by Monkes as it was at Rome by the High Priests y By the policy of Rome the charge of the History and the Anualls did belong vnto the High Priests Res omnes singulorum aunorum man dabat literis Pont. Max. Cic. 3. de Orat Penes Pontifices scribendae Historiae potestas suit Fla. Vopis He informed himselfe most curiously of his most inward seruants making some of them sweare whether the common brute were true from whom hee had learned what hee had written That Charles loued her onely for her gallant humor Shee was excellent in many pleasant conceits but especially in her speech and incounters which is one of the gestures of Loue. Strangers whose testimonie in these Occasions is as free from flatterie as it is subiect to Hatred haue spoken no more plainely Oliuer de la Marche saith that in the yeare 1444. the Duches of Bourgundy passing into Flanders saw the French Queene at Chalons Where they had great and priuate conference together z There is some kinde of case in the conference of troubles and afflictions For they had one griefe and one disease and there were reasons for their iâ—alonsies for that the King had giuen vnto Agnes de Soret a traine comparable to that of great Princesses and the Duke was very louing and had many base children both sonnes and daughters But who sees not that flatterie hath falsified the Annales of those times And that the little which they report is sufficient to assure that Charles and Agnes knew where to meete and to haue newes one of another they were not troubled to write vppon the marbles of Churches and on the Mercuries of the high waies Pithius is on the right hand and Pithias on the left Princes who thinke they may say if it please it is lawfull haue sometime greater want of enterprises then of fortune The King which held a peace miserable which gaue not some rest stole some howers in his affayres to imploy them in his loues gardeus He went no farther to seek for palmes and bayes he would not haue any but from the hands of this Lady Shee had a daughter Mont strellet saith that she was not auowed a Charlote Base Daughter to Charles the seuenth and Agnes Sorter was married to the Earle of Mauleurier sonne to Peter or Iohn de Brese Seneshall of Normandy and the Author of Lewis the eleuenths Chronicle writes that she was married to the Seneshall of Normandies sonne Yong Princes haue alwaies discoursers which speake of euery thing not to dispute thereof but to taxe it who carrying their thoughts to the future neuer speake of the present but with distaste and disdaine b Pleasures are enemies to libertie Wee should bee our owne if they were not ours These droanes buz continually about the Dauphins eares and raise vp in his soule vnlawfull murmurings against the Kings delights They made him beleeue that Charles could neither loue himself nor any other so long as he loued faire Agnes The Dauphin could not dissemble his discontent The Dauphin enemy to fayre Agnes c A malicious spirit looscth no occasions to doe ill they seeke them and this cunning woman for the safetie of her fortune did all shee could to seaze vpon the fathers loue And that hee should not receiue any grace but at her discretion least that her disgrace should grow by their accord The King by the bad offices of this Lady who incensed the Fathers wrath against the Sonne and sought occasions to content his dislike who by the iealousie which hee had conceiued that a sonne of thirtie yeares of Age did tread vpon his heeles saw him no more but with an eye troubled with way wardnes and despight Princes who haue children growne to age should not vse towards them the austere grauitie of fatherly authoritie whereby denying them the honour of their familiaritie they depriue themselues of the sweetest conuersation of d Princes should breed vp their children in a liuely and not a falned and constrainted affection towards them they may alwaies cause themselues to be feared but they were better to purchase loue There are saith Michael de Montagne so many defects in age so great weaknes and it is so subiect to contempt as the best purchase item make is the affection and loue of his owne command feare are no more his armes life For whom doe they keep this loue and proofe of affection Feare they that it will shorten their power and that God and Nature and the Lawes haue not well prouided to maintaine it If they haue loued them in their infancie when as they could not distinguish of the force and respect therof why doe they take from them the knowledge when as age giues them the feeling and commands them to yeeld vnto this loue the tributes of the same loue feare and obedience Many young Princes dying haue left vnto their Fathers this troublesome griefe nay rather this reproch that they haue neuer let them know that they loued them amidst these austere courses The Dauphin by reason of his age and his disposition being tractable and quick was carried to sodaine alterations during the which hee onely considered the qualitie of the first Sonne of France and not the authoritie of the King e Although the father stray in many things froÌ„ that which he ought yet the sones ought rather to think of that which hee is bound to doe rather then of that the father hath not done nor the reuerence of the Father R. Gaguin He strikes her writes that during these impatiencies he stroke fayre Agnes at Chinon They adde to these discontents an other occasion which made him leaue the Court. Anthony de Chabanes Earle of Dammartin a man valiant but not able to endure was in the greatest fauour in Court and these fauours had taken such deepe rootes f The fauour of Courtiers must take deepe rooting before it be setled This seed of a Princes fauour lies long before it springs It seemes often to flourish when it hath no roof so as the first paffe of choller or disgrace ouer throwes it as
so many fields of Marathon to Lewis The king seeing that he made no hast to returne Complaints against the Dauphin grew easily into a conceit that he had some desseine he is glad they should flatter his iudgements and allow of his apprehensions Princes haue alwaies about their eares men-pleasers which haue wordes for all incounters and know how to make maskes for all faces and buskins for all feete They make complaints vnto him of the rigorous commands of his sonne oppressing his people with all sorts of charges to haue wherewith to maintaine himselfe They told him that hee sent aduertisements to the Dukes of Bourgundy q The Counrty of Dauphiny did long feele of the discommodities of the Dauphins abode there for the King held him short and would not heare of the complaints he made of his necessities so as for his entertainement he drew rigorous subsideis out of Dauphine Alençon and Bourbon and that he receiued from them that the cloudes were gathered together for some great storme The poore father beleeues all and feares all making proofe that there is nothing more insupportable then the infidelity of his owne blood and as the Lyon is neuer mooued more furiously then at the sight of his owne blood so when this yong Prince sees his bloud r Conspiracies which passe beyond the respects of nature are cruell Of mans blood may be made a most violent poison against man diuerted from the veines and spirits which nourish the hart he enters into extreame passions of greife the which he doth hold cruell for that they do not cause him to dye soone enough He is aduertised that the Dauphin hath sent into Sauoy for men and money The Earle of Dammartin sent into Sauoy He sent the Earle of Damartin to the Duke to let him vnderstand that he would hold the succours which he should giue him for an iniury The Duke answered s The Annulles of Bourgandy report that King Charles being at Feurs in Forest Levvis Duke of Sauoy came to see him where there were two marriages concluded the one of the Dauphin and the Lady 〈◊〉 of Sauoy the other of the Lady 〈◊〉 of France the Kings daughter with Ame Prince of Piemont That he did not carry his affections against his duty and knew how to order his desires to his power and that he had no other but to his maiesties contentment The Dauphin had married his daughter and yet the Kings respect was greater with the Duke then the consideration of this alliance The King sends to the Dauphin to haue him come and the Dauphin promiseth at a certaine time but the terme being come the effects of his promise are excuses and delayes The King sends the Earle of Damartin to seaze on his person and the Lord Chastillon to comand in the Prouince The dilligence in the execution of this comandement put the Dauphin in danger to be taken at Oranges but hauing made shew to go a hunting he deceiued the ambush which the Earle had laid for him t The Dauphin did rely in two noble men who did counsell conduct him Lewis of Chalons and Iohn de Lestore a bastard of the house of Armagnac He was at Oranges when hee was aduertised of the Earle of Dammatius comming and escaping their snares he tooke another way and with sixe or seauen gentlemen recouered St. Claud. If he had fallen into his fathers collor hee would haue vsed him with more rigour then he thought But he went nor without making it knowne that hee would one day make the Earle of Dammartin repent it u The offence which Princes receiue are deeply ingrauen in their memories in brasse gratia onori vltio in quaestu habetur The Dauphin had a feeling of that which the Earle of Dammartia did him in executing his fathers comandements and was reuenged so soone as hee came to the Crowne And that it was not the respect of his father made him flye from his fathers wrath but the very weaknes of the Earle of Dammartin saying that if he had had halfe his forces hee would haue met him Being at S. Claude he 〈◊〉 vnto the King that he desired with his permission The Dauphin retires into Flanders and the meanes that he should giue him to make a voyage against the Turke It was at such time as all Christendome did mourne for the losse of that Citty which had beene sometimes the Metropolitane of the world x After the example of Rome Constantinople was called the head of the world and new Rome and was honored with the like dignities and prerogatiues lib. 1. de priuil Vrb. Sid. App. Salue sceptrerum columen Regins orientis orbis Romatui The Emperor Constans nephew to Heraclius resoluing to restore the seat of the Empire to old Rome said that they must honor the mother more them the daughter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zonarasin the life of Constans and the common starre of the vniuerse The Queene of all Realmes the faire daughter of that faire mother Rome the new Rome Constantinople which at the the time of her desolation was nothing but a great masse of stone made subiect to the Tirant of the East who hauing filled it with all impieties and cruelties hath made it the vnexpugnable dongeon of his tirranny and cruelty Charles sends word vnto his sonne that if the desire of glory reputation carried him to this enterprise he had lost great and goodly occasions against the enemies of France the Dutchies of Guienne and Normandy hauing beene reduc'd during his absence as for the voyage of Turkey he might not vndertake it vnlesse he were assisted by his Nobility the which hee had cause to employ elsewhere And to speake the truth Lewis lost much time which hee should haue imployed to serue the King and the Realme or to make new Empires tributary to France Hee should not haue beene in any place but in armies and the father should no more meddle but with the Counsell of affaires and to command bonfires to be made for his sonnes victories Nature gaue vnto the one wisdome and experience for his part and to the other force and execution y Age should resolue youth execute The one hath sorce the other wisdome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist. Polit. 6. Lewis auoiding one danger fell into another and as Caesar found himselfe among Pirats thinking to flye from Scilla He trusts his enemy so he saw himselfe at the discretion of the Marshall of Bourgondy after that he had escapedthe ambush of the Earle of Dammartin who loued him not and had charged his troupes when as they aduanced vpon the marches of Bourgundy whereof the Duke was so iealous as hee could not endure that the French should approch them knowing well that a Prince looseth much of his reputation within which doth not stirre when hee is set vppon without z A Prince which suffers himselfe to bee molested vppon
his frontier may also prepare himselfe to endure the contempt of his reputation among strangers and of his commandements designes amoÌ„gst his owne subiects And Caesar commends the Germans for that they would not suffer any one to approch neere their frontiers A power which is not feared by strangers is not well obeyed by subiects But he was in that estate as hee thought it safer to trust his enemies then his Fathers seruants Who conducts him into Fladers He is found to plant his foote vpon the precepts which fortune presents vnto him and to get out of this Libia he trusts himselfe vnto Rauens a Alexanders armie being in Egipt had Rauens for their guide Plutarch saith that they followed the wandring souldiers and neuer ceast crying and flying about them vntil they had brought them into the right way he was beaten and pursued by the Puttocke the protection was sacred and it is inhumanitie to deliuer a suppliant Wherefore they assured him and then they conduct him with safety vnto Brussels Duke Philip beeing aduertised of his comming He is honored as the sonne of France hee dislodged from Deuenter hee sent the Earle of Estampes vnto Louuaine to meet him and soone after the Earle of Charalois to accompanie him The Duches of Bourgundy the Countesse of Charolois and the Lady of Rauestain receiued him at Bruxelles A day or two after the Duke arriues and the Dauphin gets downe the staires b The Princes of the bloud of France go equal with others how great and mighty so euer they be Oliuer de la March saith that the Duke of Bourgundy went to meet the Emperor Frederick when as became to Bezancon that seeing the Emperor come a farre of bee vncâ—uered his bead and approching neere he bent himself downe vpon his saddle powell with all the reuerence that might be Adding a reason for that he did not light that he was the third Sonne of King Iohn of France to salute him for the which the Duke was very sorry and held this honour greater then hee should receiue of a Sonne of France the presumptiue heyre of the first crowne of the world And hee knew well that they that were issued from thence did not conceiue any thing greater then themselues and did not humble themselues to other Princes but by eurtesie This Ariuall was in the beginning of the yeare 1456. He is lodged in Gueneppe The Duke lodged him at Gueneppe neere to Bruxells and sent his Ambassador to the King to aduertise him thereof and to beseech him to pardon Lewis The King made no other answere but that the Duke should haue a care not to feede the Foxe which would deuoure his hens Many thought that the Father and Sonne had intelligence one with another and that Charles was glad that Lewis should discouer the desseignes and obserue the actions of the Duke of Bourgundy and his sonnes Whatsoeuer it were they kept him carefully as an hostage of the quiet and prosperitie of their affayres c A Prince assureth the treaties affaires which hee hath with one that is more mighty when hee can draw into his power some one of his children or his neerest kinsmen They be gages and hostages which they alwaies respect and feare to loose Time now teaching them that it was more profitable and more safe to maintaine themselues in the estate wherein peace had setled them then to seeke the increase thereof which is not done without paine nor preserued without danger The King beleeuing that if he were prest by necessitie in a forraine country He is disposest of his reuenues in Dauphiny hee would returne the sooner to his fathers house went into Dauphiny to seaze vpon the Townes and meanes wherewith he might be relieued All men came vnto him such as had promised to hold good said that they would not offend the Father to content the Sonne d The people consider but the present whereunto they accomodate their thoughts and affections at the sight of their first master they forget the new But fearing that the same necessitie would bring him backe in furie as he had gone away in choller and that he would fortifie himselfe in some place He assured himselfe vpon all the passages and frontiers he did prohibite the gouernors to receiue him with any strength and did punish Iames Caeur very seuerely who had subiected his heart purse and fortune to his wils and had made himselfe too passionate a minister of his youthfull affections e Iohn de Seres saith that the Signiors of Loudun and S. Ponâ— Gentlemen of Viuarez dying very old said that they had beard the one of his Vnckle the other of his Grandfather both houshold seruants to the Dauphin that the true cause for the which Iames Coeur was so intreated was for that hee had beene too familiar with Lewis as one of the Ministers of his youthfull delights Others haue told mee that faire Agnes â—ad ruined him Charles Earle of Charolois He agrees not wel with the Earle of Charolois the Dukes Sonne bred vp also as Lewis in the French libertie more then in a Laconicall discipline f The laconical discipline saith Plut. was hard and painefull but it taught childreÌ„ to obey and therefore Sparta is called the Tamer of men had not alwaies his affections conformable to those of his Father neither did he accord well with Lewis He had been much gouerned by them of the house of Croüi the which was one of the most apparant in the country as drawing their extraction from the crowne of Hungarie Lewis a great Prince to insinuate did not cease till hee had wonne and drawne them to his affections The Earle of Charrolois found it and aduertised the Duke his Father who would not beleeue it and if hee did yet hee dissembled the beliefe applying himselfe to the humors of this Prince for we must not feede a Lyon or we must please him g It is indiscretion to bandy against a power which we haue supported and raised Aristophanes brings in Pericles ghost aduising the Athenians not to feed the Lyon or to please him The Earle of Charrolois from that time frowned at them of Croüi and there grew so great an Antipathie of wils in the minds of these two Princes as all the remainder of their liues they were but fained friends They of Croüi made an altar of refuge of the Dauphins fauour against the Earle of Charalois and thought that notwithstanding that they were great both in Alliances and meanes yet they had need of some greater support as the heauens how excellent soeuer they be haue need of the motion of the first mouer Disposition of the Earle of Charolois besides the Nature and assistance of their owne intelligences Lewis could counterfet and dissemble his passions so cunningly as the Duke who had an excellent iudgement could not discouer any thing But the Earle of Charrolois being of a harsh
which belonged vnto him The Parlament did then consider the iustice not the fortune and respected the Maiesty of the King though hee were a prisoner intreating the King to rest satisfyed with the Regency of the Realm and to assure the succession to his house after the death of Henry He accepted the declaration of the Parlament but considering that Queene Margaret had a great Army on foot to set her husband at liberty Battell at Wakefield he resolued to fight with her He gaue her battell at Wakefield against the aduise of his Councell who intreated him to stay vntill the troupes which his sonne Edward Earle of March brought him were arriued Presumption troubleth his spirits with a motion contrary to that of Reason which should haue diswaded him from fighting y The violence of courage is dangerous vppon the point of a battell for it darkens the clearenes of Iudgement doth easily change it to the trouble of reason and to that perturbation which the Philosoph call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â— Some haue written that the Queene caused the head of the Duke of York to bee cut off carrying a Crowne of paper others say it was the Lord Cliffords deed for their forces were not equall although in the courage of the Commanders there was no other difference but that of sexe No no it shall not be said that the Duke of York who had so often fought in France without any other trench or defence then his owne armes is shut vp that he attends a woman and doth not go forth to fight with her He spake this and went forth with 5000. men and met her The Combate in the beginning was terrible and furious The Queen cuts off the Earle of Salisburies head The Queene shewed her selfe among the troupes exhorting the Souldiers to honour glory Richard Duke of York was slaine Richard Earle of Salisbury whose head soon after the Commons who hated him cut off the which with many others of the same faction was set vpon the walles of York to bee a terror and an example to other Rebells After this victory the Queene whose courage was eleuated vppon the apprehension of all sorts of dangers 2. Battell at St. Albons and who held them lesse then the captiuity of her husband resolues to loose her life or to restore him to liberty She goes directly to London and comming to S. Albons she encounters the Earle of Warwick who aduanced to succour his generall with the same courage that she had defeated the Duke of Yorke shee chargeth the Earle of Warwick puts him to rout and frees the King a The excellency of courage shewes it selfe when as the soule is carried beyond all showes and apprehensions of dangers fortitudo contemptrix est timendorum Senec. Epi. 89. Edward Earle of March being aduertised of the death of the Duke of York his father refused not to tread in his steppes and to imbrace the toile Edward Earle of March succeeds the Duke of York his father in his authority from whence he expected his greatnes and glory He staid in the Prouince of Wales and expelled Iasper Earle of Pembrooke The Earle of Warwick ioyned with him and with all their forces he came to London where he was receiued with incredible ioy and acclamations He was one of the goodliest Princes of his time and in great reputation his bounty courage and liberality were powerfull charmes to winne mens hearts the English thinking that hauing him they had all and that their felicity was tyed to the long continuance of his Raigne b A Prince can desire no greater proofes of the affection of his people then when hee beleeues that nothing can saile him so as hee faile not them From thence are come these goodly acclamations Augusto Constantine Dâ—te nobis seruent vestra salus nostra salus â—od Theod lib. 7. tit 20. In te omnia per te omnia Antonine habemus A El. Lamprid Dion reports an excellent one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we haue all in hauing you He is proclaimed King and for that hee would haue no companion in his royalty hee resolues to fight with King Henry and marched directly to York lodging in a little village called Touton Henry being prepared to receiue him would not shew himselfe for that it was Palme sunday desiring to spend that day in the seruice of God but the souldiers seeing themselues so neere would not referre the partie vntill the next day They come to hands the combat continued tenne howers and the victory hauing beene long doubtfull and in ballance betwixt both Armies sodainely inclined to Edward The King and Queene seeing all their troopes put to flight they saued themselues in Scotland with their seruants c The Regent of Scotland led K. Iames the third to meet with King Henry the 6. and Q. Margaret The good reception with the succor which he receiued caused him to restore Barwick to the Realm of Scotland and from thence Margaret passed into France to her father to demand succors Henry the 6. flies into Scotland Edward returned triumphing to London and caused himselfe to be crowned King at Westminster the 28. of Iune 1461. he called a Parlement where all that had bene decreed by King Henry the sixt was reuoked After that Henry had gathered together some forces in Scotland he returnes into England being followed by a great number of his ould seruants The Iustice of his cause gaue him good hope d Hee that hath reason on his side is alwaies accompanied with good hope hee pursues his quarrell with more courage and assurance be exposeth himselfe to all dangers and his subiects serue and succour him more willingly and in all accidents the iustice of his cause doth comfort him but he was repulsed with great dishonor by Iohn Marques of Mountague King Edward beeing aduertised of the practises of Margaret both in France Scotland and England to restore her husband to his crowne he sets guards vpon the Ports and passages of Scotland to stop her entrie but as there is no miserie more insupportable then the remembrance of what we haue been King Henry bare this change of condition so impatiently as not apprehending the danger neither of his life nor of his first captiuitie and not considering that fortune had neuer done him so much good but might doe him more harme e Miseries doe but begin when as they seeme to end There is not any man but may haue more harme then hee hath had good Neminem eo Fortuna pronexit vt non tantum illi minaretur quantum permiserat Sen. Epi. 4. he returned into England in a disguised habite where hee was discouered taken and presented to Edward Hen. the sixt put into the Tower of London who lodged him in the Tower of London If he had thought that he had gone forth as hee did to get the crowne hee would haue giuen him one of copper made fast
The two Princes are obserued by two Nations that which pleaseth the one disliketh the other i 〈…〉 King said that hee deserued to be Emperor and called the Emperor a little man a 〈…〉 Prince Saâ— lib. 15. They are contemned sometimes euen by them that follow them when as they obserue in the other something that is more gallant Thus France fortified and inlarged her frontier with the County of Roussillion notwithstanding that it was sufficiently assured on that side both by the great rampiors which serue for bounds and by the weaknesse and barrenesse of those prouinces k An army cannot come out of Spain on this side the Pyrâ—ne mountainâ—s out it will be halfe defaâ—ed the Prouinces wher it shall be 〈◊〉 and by wâ—tch it shall passe are so â—arren as 〈◊〉 can hardly feed tâ—e inhabitants But she lay open towards the Low-countries The duke of Burgundy holding in Picardy by ingagement fiue important townes Amiens Abbeuille S t. Quentin Corbie and Pontheau for the summe of 400000. ovld crownes of gold and of 64. to the marke Although the King found not that in his coffers which prouident and wise Princes should leaue vnto there successors to mayntaine and assure their estate Redemption of the Townes vpon the Riuer of Some l As a body cannot moue without siâ—ewes so a Realme cannâ—t maintaine it self without trâ—asure Wise Princes haue alwaies had care to leaue vnto their successor Cyrus left fifty millions of gold Tyberius 67. Occhus King of Persia 80. millions and Dauid 120. yet hee disposeth himselfe to redeeme them There was some difficulty on either side For the king had no mony and the Duke had no will to leaue these goodly places The Earle of Charolois thinking that his father had beene perswaded therevnto by them of the house of Croii held them for his enemies and made an assembly against them at Cambrey The father supports and countenanceth them he murmures and stormes and quits them both court and credit and so retires to Gaunt The estates of the countrey depute men capable to restore him to his fathers fauour for that this diuision could bring nothing but ruine to the state and content to the enemie m A diuision which grows among persons whom Nature hath vnited giues subiect to 〈◊〉 enemies to make their profit â—â—â—â—ratus being in had termes with his children knew that his 〈…〉 he assembled his councell and 〈◊〉 after this manner I haue desired to reduce my children to reason and to their duties but now seeing that they are wilfull and obstinate I pardon will doe what they will haue me Plut. The Earle of Charolois being accompanied by many Noblemen of the countrey came vnto the Duke being at Bruges craued pardon His repentance and humilitie would not suffer him to be refused They of Croiâ— felt the smart which fals vppon those that sow diuision betwixt persons so neere allied When the king had drawne out of many purses the money necessarie for this redemption Redeeming of the townes engaged he sent it to Hedin whereas the Duke was and came thither presently after himselfe The Duke intreated him to continue and confirme the officers which had beene preferred during the ingagement The King promised it but his intention was not to keepe promise but so farre forth as the good of his affayres did permit nor to assure himselfe in the affection of those which depended of him of whom he could not assure himselfe n Monstâ—let saith that the King gathered together a greatnesse of treasure 〈…〉 for there was 〈…〉 Chancerie nor famous Marchant in France but he did 〈…〉 that commanded for the Dâ— in the townes redeemed were put from their places the Captaineship of 〈…〉 which 〈◊〉 held and that of Mortague which Hault 〈…〉 Many things past which the Duke of Bourgundy beeing impatient could not dissemble He sent Chimay to complaine and to let the King vnderstand that hee was neither of age nor humor to be exercised by the continuance of iniuries in the schoole of Patience Chimay let the King know that the Duke his master was not insencible of his actions and spake of his vertues and courage as of a Prince that was inuincible and incomparable borne of another fashion then other men like vnto the Lunarie women of Herodotus p Herodotus speakes of certaine Lunarie and extraordinary women who layd egges which brought forth men fifteen times bigger then those of the ordinary â—â—ature The which made the King to aske him if hee were of harder steele then other men Yea Sir answered Chimay for if he were not harder hee neuer durst haue attempted to haue nourished you fiue whole yeares against the threates of a great King such as your father was The Earle of Charolois did not beare this restitution so patiently as his Father hee cannot diuert his thoughts Amiens is the obiect of his eyes in his Feasts and Bankets his heart is still vppon Peleponesus q Cleomenes King of Lacedemonia being at a feast where there were two Orators one demanded of him which of the two had discoursed best for my part said bee my mind was vpon Peloponesus After the King had redeemed the Townes ingaged and changed the officers and Gouernours which the Duke had placed there not being able to trust them who had bene made by one who had giuen so many crosses to France r There is no treaty of accord or alliance that can free the hearts of Princes froÌ„ the distrust they haue one of another he would see Arras and lighted at the towne gate going on foot to our Ladies Church He remained eight dayes in the Citty and had some cause of discontentment for that they had refused lodging to his Harbingers saying that they were not bound by their priuiledges before that all the Innes were full Entering there were many banished men presented themselues to haue Pardon but he told them that it depended vpon the will of the Duke his Vncle wherein hee would not attempt any thing He visited the Church and Abbey of St. Vaste in those times Kings went to see religious men for religious men went not out of their Cloisters to see Kings The King goes to Arras s Charles the 6. besieged Arras in Iuly 1414. Lewis Dauphin of Vienna his first son was there with the Earles of Orleance Bourbon Barre Baùaria and Charles of Albert Constable of France The Towne was yeelded by a treaty of peace published on twesday the fourth of Sept. following without the Towne hee also saw the place whereas king Charles the fixth his Grandfather had incamped and lodged when as he besieged Arras in the yeare 1414. 1463. They obserue that hee would not lodge in the Bishops Pallace but in the Officialls house taking more delight in small lodgings then in great From Arras he went to Tournay where he was met by 3000. men euery one carrying a Flowerdeluce
to the toombe of his Father at the Celestins at Paris the 21. of February 1504. by the commandement of king Lewis the twelfth his sonne After the battell of Azincourt he remained fiue and twenty yeares prisoner in England The English would not deliuer this Flower-deluce without ransome and to redeeme him the D. of Bourgundy payed three hundred thouthousand crownes What a change Iohn Duke of Bourgundy depriues Lewis of Orleans of his life Philip Duke of Bourgundy his sonne giues libertie to Charles of Orleans and to make the bond perfect he giues him the golden fleece and marries him to his Neece Mary of Cleues shee was the third wife hauing before his imprisonment married Isâ—bel of France widdow to Richard King of England and Bonna of Armagnac x The afronts which are receiued from great persons must not onely be disgested patienâ—ly but also after a constant manner murmuring auailes nothing Many haue made of scratchings incurable wounds oftentimes the iniury is doubled and renewes when as they make it knowne that it is receiued according to the designe of him that doth it x By Mary of Cleues hee had Lewis the twelfth his onely sonne and two Daughters Mary was promised to Peter of Bourbon and afterwards married to Iohn of Foix Vicount of Narbonne father to that Achilles of France GastoÌ„ of Foix Duke of Nemours of Germaine Queene of Arragon Anne of Orleans was Abbess of Fonteueâ—aud The Duke of Bourbon hauing opened the passage to this designe of the warre of the common-weale The Duke of Berry retires into Brittany they attended no more but to see the head Charles of France the Kings brother beeing at Poictiers and making show to goe a hunting whiles the king was in his deuotions steales away and goes vnto the Embassadors of Brittaine Iohn of Rommille vice chancellor of Brittaine and Tanequy of Chastell who were come to haue a Prolongation for other three monthes to make answere to the kings demands carried him away speedily by the meanes of the Lord of Lescon a Gascoine and led him into Brittanie y The King being gone in deuotion to our Lady of Pont in Limosin the Duke of Berry retires into Brittaine He was but eighteene yeares old hee held life so short and that of Princes which liue in subiection so troublesome as if he did not speedily know what it was to bee a master the knowledge would euer come to late He was welcome for this was the firebrand which they must cast to set France on fire The Duke of Brittanie promised him the seruice of his person and all the succors of his forces Hee declared the cause of his departure by letters which hee wrote to the Duke of Bourgundy and to the other Princes of their intelligence The most apparent was drawne from the bad gouernment of the affaires whereof the Princes of the bloud z It concernes the Princes of the bloud to look into the disorders of the estate and to assist the King faithfully to rearesse theÌ„ whiles there is heat in tâ—is bloud wee may hope for the life and continuance of the body which haue the chiefe interest and care of the whole bodie should apprehend the dangerous euents and had subiect to complaine to see vnworthy men without honor or merit to deale in that which should passe by their hands and to leap ouer their heads to great offices That his armes and his desires had no other obiect but to restore order vnto the Realme and there withall to ease the people of their oppressions the which he could not otherwise hope for but in making the King know in the beginning of his raigne a At the Câ—mming of new Pâ—aces they make demands and pursuits for that which they dâ—sire the rest of the Raigne for when they are well settled they will no more beare speake That 〈◊〉 Petcennius hauing prepared his companions to mutine hee said Quando ausuros exposcere remedia nisi noâ—â—m et nutantem adhuc Principem vel armis adirent Tacitus lib. 1. Annal. the extreame necessity whereinto it was brought His will was manifested more amply by his letters to the Duke of Bourgundy which Monstrellet setts downe in these termes Most deere and welbeloued Vncle I recommend me vnto you I let you vnderstand that of late I haue often heard the clamors of the Princes of the blood my kinsmen and other Noblemen of this Realme in all estates of the disorder and pittifull gouernment which now doth raigne by the councell of men being about my Lord full of all lewdnes and iniquity who for their owne profit and priuate disordered affections haue drawne my Lord into iealousie and hatred against you me and all the Noblemen of the said Realme yea against the Kinges of Castile and Scotland so long allyed vnto the Crowne b The most ancient alliances of the French haue beene with the Scots and then with the Castilians The Crowne of France hath had pretentions vpon Castille at the inheritance of the Lady Blanch of Castile mother to St. Lewis as euery man knowes In regard how the authority of the Church hath beene kept Iustice done and administred the Noblemen maintained in their rights and priuiledges and the poore people supported and freed from oppression I write no more vnto you for I know you are sufficiently informed and I am greeued at the said thinges as I ought to be as he whom it doth so neere concerne as euery man doth know c The Children of one family are interessed in the 〈…〉 and the Princes of the bloud in the gouernment of the estate and desire to prouide for it by the Counsell of you of the said Princes and kinsmen and other Noblemen who haue all promised to aid and serue me not sparing body or goods for the quiet of the Realme and the publick weale thereof and also to saue my person which I found to be in danger For incessantly and openly my said Lord and they about him spake such wordes of me d The words of such as are neerest vnto a Prince make men iudge of his intentions The Duke of Berry hearing that the seruants of the K. his brother spake freely against him thought that their discourses were framed vpoÌ„ his Good words entertaine friendship and bad dissolues theÌ„ as I might with Reason haue cause to doubt I therefore left my said Lord and am come vnto my good Cosin of Brittaine who hath giuen me so good and commendable reception as I cannot sufficiently commend it and is resolued to serue me with body goods and all his power to the good of the said Realme and publicke weale And therefore my most deere and welbeloued vncle my intention and desire is to imploy my selfe with you and the said noblemen my kinsmen whose counsell I will vse and not otherwise to restore and redresse the said desolate Realme knowing that you are one of the greatest of the Realme whom
Cardinals hat which Martin the fift had giuen him The masters pouertie forced him to take another He placed himselfe with the Bishop of Noara but seeing that hee was in like manner persecuted by Pope Eugenius hee left him and did serue Nicholas Cardinall of S t. Croix and followed him to Arras when as he was sent by Pope Eugenius to reconcile the French King to the King of England and the Duke of Bourgundy At his returne finding that he was in no grace with Pope Eugenius His dignities commissions he came to Basill where he was imployed in the goodliest actions of the Councell he had the charge of Abreuiator Secretarie President in the chamber of the faith l In the Councell of Basill there were foure chambers or foure assemblies which they called four deputations that of the faith of Peace of reformation and of common affaires Euery chamber had a president which was changed euery three monethes and Orator in diuers sessions When there was Question of an embassage to any Prince or commonweale there was not any one but He fit for it He was sent to Amedeus Duke of Sauoy then to the Emperor Frederick to Pope Eugenius to Philip Vicecount Duke of Milan and to Alfonso King of Arragon It was he which perswaded the Emperor Frederick to goe to Rome to be crowned there Frederick sent him to Sienna to receiue Ellenor of Portugall his wife and afterwards into Bohemia to pacifie a controuersie which was growne for that the Emperor Frederick did not restore them their King Ladislaus m The Emperor Frederick seeing the troubles schismes in the realme of Hungarie seazed vpon the yong King Ladislaus gaue him in charge to Eneas Siluius He was sent to the dyet of Ratisbona whereas Philip Duke of Bourgundy assisted His oration to arme against the Turke he laid open the necessities of a warre against the Turke with such efficacie and eloquence as many Princes resolued to employ both their liues and goods But these suddaine resolutions went presently into smoke n Platina saith that all which heard him were wonderfull resolute to this war Verū hoe natura cōper tum est eorum animos cito residere quorū affectus facile mouentur But it is found true by nature that their minds are soone changed whose affections are easily moued Hee also pacified a great complaint which Germany made against the Pope and the which hath been since continued the Princes and comminalties of the Empire being resolued not to acknowledge him in the policie and direction of spirituall things if he did not first grant them the same rights which Italy and France had by the Pragmatick Sanctions The Emperor found their first suite iust and was soone drawne to yeeld vnto it Aeneas Siluius changed his opinion representing vnto him that there was more honor and safety for him to haue good correspondence with the Pope then to fauour those who would diminish his authoritie whereof the Emperors were protectors o These complaints were pacified reuiued in the beginning of the Emperor Charles the fifths raigne when as they presented vnto the Popes Legate being at Nuremborg A. Remonstrance vnder this title Sacri Romani imperii Principum ac procerum grauamina aduersus sedem Romanam He was Archbishop of Sienna His bad affection to Lewis the eleuenth and after the death of Calixtus was aduanced to the Popedome in a manner without thinking of it Hee began with the assembly at Mantua whither all the Princes of the Empire sent their Embassadors Hee made open show that he loued not France as hath beene said and this affection continued after the death of Charles the seuenth for p Ludouieo Gallorum regi aduersatus est quod libertatem Ecclesiae minuere conaretur cum ab eo antea Pragmaticam Sanctionem Ecclesiae Romanae pernitiosissimam pestem extorsisset Platina saith that although he had wrested the Pragmatick Sanction out of the hands of Lewis the eleuenth yet he did not forbeare to crosse him for that hee thought to diminish the libertie of the Church Paul the second called Peter Barbo a Venetian succeeded him FINIS THE CONTENTS OF the third BOOKE 1 THe Wisedome of Lewis the eleuenth vppon the troubles of the League of the common weale 2 Hee sounds and discouers the intentions of the King of England 3 He labours to deuide the heades of the League and beginns with his Brother 4 The order which he set to preserue Paris He passeth into Bourbonois besiegeth Ryon and treats with the Dukes of Bourbon and Nemours 5 Entry of the Duke of Bourgondies army into Picardy that of Brittany musters at Chasteaubriant 6 Battell of Montleherry The victory is vncertaine and in a manner equall The Earle of Charolois is hurt The place of Battell remaines to him with a great disorder of either side 7 Obseruations of that which hapned both before and after the battell 8 The King passeth the night at Corbeil and goeth the next day to Paris 9 The army of the league lodged at Estampes whereas the Dukes of Berry and Brittanny arriue 10 It passeth the Riuer of Seine and besiegeth Paris 11 The Princes let the Parisians vnderstand the causes of their armes and demand a conference Paris sends her Deputies to St. Maur. 12 The Kinges army breakes the Conference and assures Paris yet he resolues to graunt all they should demand and to desperce this Army 13 Enteruiew of the King and the Earle of Charolois for a peace and the needles feare of the Dukes armie 14 Supplies of men and money sent by the Duke of Bourgundy to the Earle of Charrolois 15 The Kings second meeting with the Earle of Charrolois 16 Peace concluded and sworne at Bois de Vincennes 17 The Duke of Berrij is receiued into Roane with the Duke of Brittanie and the Earle of Charrolois returnes into Flanders 18 The King returnes to Paris and makes the Earle of S. Paul Constable of France 19 The Earle of S. Paul cannot liue in peace and takes for a maxime of his conduct to entertaine the two Princes in warre 20 Discords betwixt the Dukes of Normandy and Brittanie THE HISTORY of LEVVIS the XI THE THIRD BOOKE WHO so succeeds a good Prince hath a great aduantage ouer the affections of his owne subiects The loue the children for the fathers sake how rough and difficult soeuer his raigne be They hold themselues so much bound to the fathers bounty a The bounty of a Prince doth so binde the hearts as euen after his death they yeelde prootes of their affection to thier children although wicked Cambises was beloued for the loue of Cyrus his father Cō modus for the respect of Marcus Aurelius as they doe patiently endure the sonnes rigor France did owe her libertie to King Charles the seuenth he had freed her from the miseries of warre shee did acknowledge no other restorer then him This respect retained
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
bad frâ—tâ— and yeâ— wee see that from â—ood fathers come bad children The Iewes prouerb is Homets ben iin vâ—neger is the son of wine Natum crebro tanquam ex industria malis ebonis agrestes â— doctioribus ceteris â—u vic torin Caliguls Impressions were very easie in this lightnesse The rigor which King Lewis the eleuenth shewed vnto him made him giue eare to such as sought to finde their owne contentments in his discontents It is Iniustice in a Soueraigne brother not to prouide for the entertainment of his yonger whom he should put in the number of his forces and felicities They are of the same bloud and grounded vppon part and portion of the successiue rights but they haue neuer prospered which haue troubled the house for this and conspired with the members against the head Twenty yeares before this death France had seene a notable example in Brittaine Tragicall end of Giles of Brittaine There is no danger to lay the History a little aside Giles g Iohn the fift Duke of Brittaine left three Sonnes Francis Peter and Giles sonne to Iohn the fifth Duke of Brittaine and Brother to Francis the first being not well pleased with his portion retired himselfe to Guildo a Castle neere vnto the sea by Matignon The Duke his Brother makes King Charles the seuenth beleeue that he was there to fauour the English with aduice and intelligence h Vpon the first suspition of any ones fidelity they presently ad the communicatiâ—n of friends They doe exactly reuise actions past which deface or confirme the doubt of the present A beliefe which might easily bee setled in the soule of a iealous King for that this Prince had beene bred vp in England and the king had giuen him the Order of the Garter and the office of Constable Proces made to the Prince of Brittany Vppon this first impression the king sends to take him and deliuers him into the Dukes hands who sends him prisoner to Chasteau Briant commanding his Attourney Generall i The Duke demanded of the Atturney Generall what should be done in this processe The good man answered that he did not see what might be done that by the custome the elder had no criminall iustice ouer his yonger brother and that the Duke could not call him to his Iustice. An answer which was more simple theÌ„ true Hâ—st of Brit. lib. 11. to make his processe for treason but there was no crime nor any accuser The hand which had hurt him sought to cure him The king beeing informed of his innocencie laboured for his deliuerance The Duke durst not refuse him but being ready to be set a libertie his enemies suppose letters from the king of England wherevpon the king changeth his aduice and causeth him to bee kept more straightly in the Castle of Touffort There he is made to languish and endure greater extremities then those of the Quarries of Siracusa k The vsage of such as were shut vp in the Iayle of the Quarries of Siracusa was very straâ—ght for they had but two dishfuls of barley and one of water allowed them by dayâ— lut in the life 〈◊〉 for they refused him water and if he had bread they were the scraps of a poore woman who hearing him cry for hunger put them in at a window which was vpon the ditch side His gardes who had vndertaken to starue him seeing it continue to long Gilles of Brittany adiournes his Brother before God strangled him They gaue him leysure to thinke of his conscience hee charged a Friar to adiourne his Brother to heauen seeing there was no Iustice on earth for his innocencie l Gilles of 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 speech charged a Friar to goe vnto D. Francis the first and to tell him in what estate hee had left him the miseries he endured by iniustice that he could haue no right but referred all to the iudgement of God before 〈◊〉 he called him The Duke appeared Death pulling this thorne out of the kings heart gaue him meanes of more rest if his spirit had been capable of rest It carried him into many places m A spirit which is not restrained to certaine designes liues in continuall disquietnes Phil. de Commines speaking of this Prince saies these words The time that he rested his vnderstanding laboreâ— for â—e had to doe in many â—aces and did as willingly busie himselfe with his neighbours affaires as with his owne and thrust him into sundry designes medling with his neighbours affaires as with his owne True it is he had great crosses by them that were neerest vnto him Imprisonmenâ— of the Duke of Alencon Iohn the second Duke of Alençon the first Prince of the bloud was sent prisoner to the Louure for conspiring with the Kings enemies and at the same time they saw other Princes afflicted with the like Domesticke diseases Lewis was nothing sorrie to disquiet them he did what he could to fill vp the measure of their cares hauing no respect to make enemies so as they came to his Mill. Iohn the second King of Nauarre and Arragon had prosperities and aduersities Troubles in Nauarre both publike and priuate so variable and diuers as it could not be said whether he had more of the one then the other his youth was tost and his age was not quiet but still his courage remained inuincible in the greatest fury of the storme n They that make profession of wisedome faint in aduersitie are like vnto Pilots which grow sick during a storme Charles the onely Sonne and presumptiue heyre of the Crowne of Nauarre tooke Armes against him to bee King Charles Prince of Nauarre makes war against his Father Henry the fourth King of Castille who had married his eldest Daughter fauored his rebels of Barcelona and Gaston Earle of Foix husband to Elenor his second daughter seeing him busied against the Castillans sought to dispossesse him of the Crowne of Nauarre D. Pedro of Portugall was chosen King dyed at the siege of Tortosa o After that the Aâ—ragonis had declared K. Iohn vnwortâ—y the crown as the murtherer of his own son they did choose D. Pedro the third CoÌ„stable of Portugal son to D. Pedro D. of â—imbra Rene of Anjou Duke of Lorraine and Earle of Prouence being desirous to recouer the Title of a king which he had lost at Naples accepted the same election by the aduice of King Lewis the eleuenth and sent the Duke of Calabria his Sonne into Spaine with French troupes which ioyning with them of the countie of Roussillon besieged Girone The French besiege Giâ—onne The Arragonois were beaten and defeated and the Prince D. Ferdinand sonne to the King of Nauarre in danger to be taken prisoner p At the Battell of Denia the Prince D. Ferdinand was prisoneâ— Roderic of Rebâ—ledo caused himselfe to â—ee taken in his place to giue him meanes to escape and the King redeemeâ—
march on for the way was such as they must either aduance forward or retire back they charged the Dukes troupes beat them back and force many to seeke their safeties in the Lake into which they waded vp to the chins but they were noe more assured in the water then on the land the fury of the victorious souldiour slue them like Duckes It was presently made red with the bloud of this slaughter many fled to the next Forrest and were slaine there The Duke returned from Suisserland as r He that will see in what equipage Xerxes returned out of Greece wâ—ether he had led a huÌ„dred thousand men let him read the tenth Satire of Iuuenall * Xerxes did out of Greece * Sed qualis redijt nempe vna naue cruentis Fluctibus ac tarda per densa cadauera prora Has toties optata exigit gloria paenas The Suisses hauing continued three dayes vpon the place of Battell they dismist halfe their troupes and with the rest recouered the places which the Duke had taken Petterlingen Romon and Milden they enter at Losanna without resistance and find that all were fled Suisses enter the contrie of Vaux They become masters of all the countrey of Vaux and think to doe as much vnto Sauoy to make it knowne that they that would not be their friends were their enemies s Aristenus saith in the 9. Book of Titus Liu. speaking of the Eâ—oliens Romanos aut socios habere oportet aut hostes media via nulla est The Romans must either haue fellowes and friends or enemies there is no middle way that there was no meane betwixt both The Lady Yoland Mother and Gouernesse to the Duke had broken the Treaties of Alliance hauing fauoured the Earle of Romonts quarrell against them and giuen passage to the Duke of Milans troupes and to the Bourgonians to make warre in Suisserland Geneua compounds with the Suisses The Towne of Geneua paying foure and twenty thousand Florins was presented from the storme which their Bishop of of the house of Sauoy had drawne vpon them The Duke retired into the Franch Contie Affliction of the Du after the Battell opprest with so many griefes and discontents as no man durst come neere him If this great Battell did not draw water from the ayre as they say that after great and bloudy Battels there shall fall great showers t After great Battels follow great showers for that there is som God which doth wash and puâ—ifie the earth polluted with humane bloud or for that the dead bodies and the bloud which is spilt cast vp grosse vapors which thicken in the ayre Plut. it did from the eyes of many widdow women and Orphanes for the number of the dead was eighteene thousand of both sides the Historie of Germany speakes of two and twenty thousand The Duke vexed at this vnfortunate successe the which hee had attempted more to reuenge the iniuries of the house of Sauoy then for his owne and fearing least the Duchesse of Sauoy should reconcile her selfe vnto the King her Brother The Duchesse of Sauoy seazed on by the Bourgundians and that the Sauoyards should follow the fortune of the victory he commanded Oliuer of la March to seaze vpon the Duchesse and her two sonnes He stayed her neere vnto the ports of Geneua set her on horsebacke behinde him and gaue order to them of his troupe to doe the like vnto her two sonnes and two Daughters The Duke of Sauoy was saued and carried to Geneua Oliuer de la March hee went on his way all night past the mountaine came vnto a place called Myiou and from thence to S. Claud and from thence to Rochfort and in the end to Rouure neere vnto Dijon The King drew her from thence by the Lord of Chaumont and caused her come to Tours u The Duchesse of Sauoy being prisoner at Rouure sent vnto the King to beseech him to set her at libertie If she had not bin in these extremities she would not haue done it the hatred had been so great betwixt the King and her whether he went after his departure from Lyon Being arriued there he saluted her with these words Madame of Bourgundy you are very welcome To whom she answered that she was a good French woman and ready to obay his commandements He took her at her word and this first answere was the best x The first answeres of women are commonly the best It is that which Vlisses coÌ„sidered in Homer pressing the soule of a woman to answere speedily Their humors and their passions were very contrarie to extract the essence of true and perfect loue She leaues the D. of Burgundies partie Many things had past in their liues which had as it were losened the Cyment of this brotherly affection Philip de Commines saith that he conducted her to her chamber and caused her to be well intreated True it is that he had 〈◊〉 great desire to be rid of her and she as great to be farre from him The King would willingly that shee had married the Princes her children to his humor but she excused her selfe and wrought so as by his meanes and the mediation of the Duke of Lorraine and the Arch-duke of Austria she retired from the Suisses some of those lands which they had seazed on paying fifty thousand Florins for the charges of warre but it was not possible for the Earle of Romont to recouer his Eight daies after the King caused her to be conducted into her Contrie with her children but before they parted one from an other they would be assured of the promises of loue which they had made and not trusting to bare words they added writings and others They depriued themselues of that content which their wils might haue receiued in producing freely the effects of a reciprocall affection and confidence But they had rather be bound to religion then to Nature From this Flower-de-Luce are issued two Princes which haue gouerned in Sauoy y Aâ—e the 3. Duke of Sauoy husband to Yoland of France succeeded Lewis the second his father in the yeare 1468. Philip the seuenth D. married to Mary of Bourbon Philibert the eight to Margaret of Austria the ninth Charles to Beatrix of Portugall the tenth Emanuel Philibert to Margaret of Valoâ—s the eleuenth Charles Emanuell to Catherine of Austria She was mother to Philibert and to Charles Philibert raigned ten yeares vnder her charge euery one desired to haue this Prince in his power King Lewis as his Vnkle by the Mothers side Charles Duke of Bourgundy as his kinsman and neighbour The Earles of Bresse Romont and Geneua his Vnkles by the fathers side who would exclude Galeas Duke of Milan who had giuen him his Daughter tooke also the gouernment He dyed and left noâ— children Charles his brother succeeded him and married Blanch of Montferrat of them was borne Charles the sixt whose barren raigne was but nine monethes shorter then
was buried in the Monastery of Poblete He was a great Prince like vnto others had past the pikes of fortune It hath beene said before that his son Charles and after his death his subiects of Barcelona and after all that the king of Castille and then the kings of France made warre against him he saw his realme in horrible combustions by the factions of Beaumont and Grandmont which he had seene spring vp neglected to quench them in their breeding About the end of his dayes when as he had more need of a Tombe then a wife and that the law Papia z Augustus in his latter dayes caused the Senate to make the Law Papia it had many heads amongst others a man of 60 yeares old a woman of 50 might not mary This word Buckle was vsed by Seneca and after him by Lactantius Quid ergo est quare apud Poetas salacissimus Iupiter desierit liberos tollere sexagenarius factus est illi â—ex papia fibulam imposuit had buckled him vp being aboue fourescore years old he fell in loue with a yong maid named Francina Rosa which was no helpe for him to recouer his sight which extreme age for the interest of so long an abode in the world had taken from him The yeare before his death he went to see his son D. Ferdinand at Victoria to conferre with him vpon the affaires of the realme which he should leaue vnto him In this incounter the father had not any with him but ancient men aboue threescore years old and the sonne was attended on by the flower of all the Nobility of Castille It was noted that the father in all things gaue place to the king D. Ferdinand his son as the head of the house of Castille from whence he was desended a Alphonso the fifth King of Arragon brother to Iohn the second king of Nauarre would haue his Embassadors giue place to them of Henry the fourth K. of Castillâ— in signing the Articles of a Treatie made at Naples The dispute of this precedence had bin begun in the Councell of Constance and decided in that of Basil in fauour of Castille Alphonso the fift king of Arragon would not yeeld it to his father Iohn the second King of Castille b It is a difficult thing sometimes for the prerogatiue of nature to giue place to that of fortune dignity witnesse the Senator of Venice who would not giue place to his sonne although he were Duke who to binde his Father did alwayes carry a great Crucifix to the which the father said hee did his duty The law of Maiesty was of more force then that of respect and naturall obedience wherof the son how great soeuer many not dispence himself towards his father The Crowne of Castille had alwaies pretended that Arragon depended of it in soueraignty and that if it were free it was by grace The King D. Iohn the second at his returne from this voyage dyed at Barcelona It was by his aduice that a peace was at that time treated Peace and Alliances renewed with Spain of betwixt king Lewis the eleuenth and the kings of Castille to confirme the ancient Alliances that were betwixt the two Crownes d Philip de Comines saith that the Alliances of France and Castille are betwixt King and King Realme Realme Man Man of their subiects The Embassadors of France were the Lord of Lescut and the Bishop of Lombais Abbot of S. Denis they of Castille were Iohn de Gamboa Gouernour of Fontarabie and Iohn de Medina one of the kings Councell This peace being concluded the Embassadors of Castille came into France they were receiued at Paris with great honour on Saturday the third of Iuly 1479. they did the like to the Embassadors of France who went to Guadalupa whereas D. Ferdinand and D. Isabella were busied in punishing the disobedience of the Marques of Villena who had hindered D. George Manriquez from chastizing them of Cinchilla who had reuolted At that time when as the Court was at Guadalupa the Marques of Villâ—na head of the faction being incensed that his enemies had caused six of his Souldiers to be hanged wold do the like to as many of theirs being his prisoners the chance fell vpon a Souldier of Villeneufue of Laxara neere to Allarcon in whose place the yonger brother presented himselfe and intreated that hee might dye for him for that his brother had wife and children who was set at liberty and his offer accepted Hist. of Spa. Lib. 22. The Articles are sworne by the king and moreouer it was agreed that the Towne of Parpignan should be put into the possession of the Cardinall of Spaine that the two kings should name an Arbitrator to decide within fiue yeares what K. Lewis did pretend to be due vnto him After the death of D. Iohn the 2 d king of Nauarre and Arragon D. Ferdinand succeeded in his fathers Estate of Arragon and Sicile and D. Leonora to the Mothers as daughter to Blanche Queene of Nauarre but this succession which shee would haue aduanced contrary to the Lawes of Nature and Humanity beeing blamed by the Histories of Spaine to haue caused her elder Sister to be poysoned f D. Blanch being put away by D. Henry the vnable was carried as it were a prisoner to Lescut in Bearne by Gaston Earle of Foix her Brother-in-law to the end she should not marry againe The Spaniards write that her sister Elenor caused her to bee poysoned did not passe the fifteenth day after her Coronation Shee had by Gaston Earle of Foix many worthy Children Gaston Blanche Countesse of Foix mother of many children Earle of Foix Iohn Vicount of Narbona Peter Cardinall of Foix Iames who serued King Lewis the twelfth in the warres of Lombardy and fiue daughters g Out of this house of Foix were issued four Queenes cousin germans at one time Catherin Q. of Nauarre German Q. of Castille and Arragon Anne Queene of France and Dutchesse of Brittaine Anne Queene of Bohemia Hungary Mary wife to William Marquis of Montferrat Ioane married to the Earle of Armagnac Margaret to Francis Duke of Brittanie Catherine to the Earle of Candalâ— and Elenor promised to the Duke of Medina Celi The peace of Castille did not hinder the warre which the King had against Maximilian of Austria 1479. who to diuert the Kings forces and frustrate his designes besieged Therouenne h Maximilian camped before Therouenne with 20000. Flemings some Troopes of Germans and 300. English It was reâ—ieued by de Cordes with 8000. Franke Archers and eleuen hundred men at Armes the Lord of Cordes came to succour it Maximilian went to meet him and both Armies encountred at Guinegaste The i The Gaules Horsemen were alwaies estemed and feared Plutarch Polibius and Appian coÌ„mend theÌ„ Caesar saith that in the war of Affricke 30 horsemen Gaules put to rout 2000. horsemen Numidians
which did to belong knowledge and they might say that France was betrayed by Asses as Troy had bene by a horse s That age was in the thicke darkenesse of ignorance the which doth weaken all resolutions of wel-doing Diogenes said that Troy had beene betrayed by horses and the common-weale of Athens was lost by Asses petty-fogging did triumph in the Pallace and did plunge them that came for iustice into gulfes of confusion It became insupportable by long and tedious delayes and therefore he vndertooke to cut off the proceedings of the instructions of suites and those long formalities which made iustice like vnto a Vine which not being cut brings forth much wood and little fruit Lawes are made for publike infirmities and yet when there were most lawes the Common-weale was most corrupted and weakest t To shorten tedious sutes and to cut off that which is vnprofitable and superflous in laws hath beene the enterprises of great Princes of Theodosius Iustinian Châ—rlemaigne and Frederick Emperours But such good thoughts came to late they say that the Moule opens her eyes when shee is ready to dye The functions of his soule were languishing and deiected It was no more that great Spirit which gaue life and motion to all the spirits of his Realme that first mouer which made all the spheares of Christendome to work and who remaining in his Cabinet u Wisedome workes great effects without mouing from one place Edward of England seeing that Charles the fift did so much annoy him and yâ—t neuer went out of one place said I neuer knew king that did Arme lesse He doth crosse me mâ—re with his letters then euer his Father and Grand-father did with their great forces Armies kept all his neighbours in awe The remainder of his life was at the discretion of all kindes of languishings This cold Melancholy could finde no heate it was chill in the hottest dayes of the yeare His waywardnesse melancholy and did plunge him into a perpetuall waywardnesse insupportable to his followers and much more vnto himselfe Melancholly and sicknesse drew him by one and the same way vnto death They sought all meanes to cheere him and caused Musitians to play before him they brought many sheepheards of the Countrey of Poictou to sing to make him merry and to keepe him from slumber which drew him to a perpetuall sleepe But as the flame is smothered by smoke so this great desire of life and this base feare of death blemisht the beauty of the goodliest actions of his age x We must drink this cup ioyfully when God presents it He that hath a firme hope of enternall life should not feare a temporall death This careful desire of life retaines nothing of the generosity of the minde Maroboduus non excessit Italia per duodeviginti annos consenuitque multum imminuta claritate ob nimiam viuendi cupidinem Maroboduus went not out of Italy for the space of two and twenty yeares and hee grew old hauing much blemished his glorry by his too great desire to liue Tacit. Annal. lib. 2. A yeare after hee fell into a relapse of his sicknesse at Tours where as he was taken with a more violent convulsion then at the first Relapse of the Kings sicknesse at Tours so as he was held for dead and remained some two houres laid vpon a mattresse The Signior of Bouchage and Philip de Commines made a vow for him to S. Claude and he writes that presently after he recouers his speech A change which the minde of man should consider as all other meruailes of the hand of God by the humility of his zeale and not by the subtilty of his iudgement y The reason of that which is done miraculously depends onely of his power that hath done it S. Gregory saith that miracles debent considerari per studium non discuti per intellectum He went to Argenton to change the aire and remained there a moneth very sicke then hee returned to Tours and from thence past to S. Claude to performe his vow where hee left an euerlasting memory of his piety and deuotion z The Chronicle saith that in this voyage for the safety of his person he led eight hundred Launces and sixe thousand foott At his returne hee past by Salins A Parliament erected at Salins where hee erected the Parliament of Bourgondy which the ruines and extreame fury of the warre had chased from Dole He made ordonances for the gouernment of Iustice the which are yet obserued in the Franch-County Being at Beaujeu in Beaujolois he was aduertised of the death of Mary Dutches of Bourgondy who had fallen from her horse going a hunting and had left two children Margaret and Philip for the which hee was not sorry foreseeing that this death would breed some alteration in Maximilians affaires for the Gantois could not suffer the command of Maximilian nor Maximilian endure the humors of the Gantois a When as Manlius was chosen Consull he said vnto the people Seeke another to whom you may giue this honour for I cannot indure your maners nor you my commaundements Liv. At this returne from this voyage he would see his sonne the Dauphin in the Castle of Ambois The King goâ—s to see his sonne at Ambois where he had remained since his birth and had not seene him neither did he suffer him to be seene by all sorts of men for remembring that at the same age the great men of the Realme had seized on him against his father Charles the seuenth he feared the like attempt b Clauâ— Seissel saith That the King would not haue his sonne seene by the Nobility and men of Estate so as many doubted whether hee were liuing or dead And I thinke it is one of the reasons which made him write that Charles the 8. was supposed One of the greatest griefes and discontents which he might haue at the end of his life was the apprehension of blame which France would giue him to haue neglected the breeding and Instruction of this Prince and to haue so late sought to repaire those defects he would that the admonitions which he gaue him in the presence of his most confident seruants should bee published in forme of an Edict and enrolled in soueraigne Courts to the end his subiects might know that if his sonnes reigne were not answerable to his hopes the cause should not be imputed to his fathers Instructions Lewis Admonition made by the king to the Dauphin by the grace of God King of France Dauphin of Viennois Earle of Valentinois and Dioys to all those to whom these Presents shall come greeting Wee let you vnderstand that considering the beginning of all things and the end thereof euen of humane Nature whose dayes are short And that God our Creator hath giuen vs such great graces as it hath pleased him to make vs the head Gouernour and Prince of the Noblest Region and Nation
vpon Earth which is the Realme of FRANCE whereof many Princes and Kings our Predecessors haue beene so Great Vertuous and Valiant as they haue purchased the name of The Most Christian King c The Kings of France cary the Title of Most Christian since Clovis Charles the Bald is called Most Christian in his Coronation Pope Innocent Honorius the 3 d. in their Bulles to King Philip Augustus and to Lewis the eighth called them Most Christian. The Apostolike Legate and three Bishops named in their Letters write that the Realme of France is Most Christian. Du. Tillet as well for reducing many great Countries and diuers Nations inhabited by infidels to the good Catholicke Faith rooting Heresies and Vices out of our said Realme and maintaining the Holy Apostolicke sea and the holy Church of GOD in their Rights Liberties and Freedomes as for doing many other goodly deedes worthy of eternall memory so as some are held for Saints liuing in the glorious company of GOD in his Paradise which our Realme and other our Countreyes and Signiories we haue thankes bee to GOD so well entertained defended and gouerned as wee haue augmented and enlarged it of all sides by our great care and diligence and by the aid also of our good faithfull and Loyall Officers Seruants and Subiects notwithstanding that soone after our comming to the Crowne the Princes and Noble-men of our Bloud and Linage and other great Noble-men d The Princes and Noble-men of the League were Charles of France the Kings Brother Iohn of Anjou Duke of Lorraine and Calabria Iohn Duke of Alencon Charles of Bourgondy Earle of Charolois Iohn Duke of Bourbon Francis Duke of Brittanie Iames of Armaignac Earle of Marche and of Castres Duke of Nemours Iohn Earle of Armaignac his vncle Iohn Earle of Dunois and of Longueville Bastard of Orleans Lewis of Luxembourg Earle of S. Pol. Charles Lord of Albert father to great Alain and Anthony of Chabannes Earle of Dammartin of our said Realme or the greatest part of them had conspired plotted and attempted against vs and the Common-weale of our said Realme many great practises treasons and conspiracies so as by meanes thereof there hath followed so great warres and diuisions as it hath caused a wonderfull effusion of humane bloud ruine of Countries and the desolation of multitudes of people the which hath continued since our said comming vnto this present day and is not yet fully quenched but may after the end of our dayes reviue and continue long if some good order and course be not taken Wherefore hauing regard hereunto and to the age wherein wee are and to the certaine infirmity wherein wee are fallen for the which wee haue beene in great deuotion to visite the glorious body of Saint Claude so as with the helpe of our Creator wee are much amended and haue recouered health Wee therefore resolued concluded and determined after the returne of our said voyage to see our most deere and well-beloued sonne Charles Dauphin of Vienna and to instruct him in many notable things e Happy are those Princes which learn the formes of Gouerning well by the examples and instructions of their fathers Leon receiued them from the Emperour Basillius and Philip Augustus from Saint Lewis For if the highest knowledge of a Prince bee to know his Estate the knowledge cannot bee more faithfull nor certaine then from those which haue the experience The Booke of the Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenete for the Instruction of his sonne associated to the Empire the which is now remaining in the Kings Library is onely vpon this subiect and as Monsteur Casaubon who hath it in keeping writes in an eloquent Epistle vpon Polybius Sciebat vetus regnandi Princeps ad negotia gerenda in quibus Repub. salus continetur illud adprimè defiderari vtingenia hominum probè nota sint quibus cum agitur siue illi sint subditi siue amici siue socij siue hostes The Prince who was old in Gouernement knewe well that in matters which concerned the safety of the Common-weale it was chiefly to bee desired that the Dispositions of men with whom they are to deale bee well knowne bee they Subiects Friends Allies or Enemies for the direction of his life in good manners gouernement entertainement and conduct of the Crowne of France if it please God hee come vnto it after vs. For the accomplishing whereof after our returne from our said voyage into our Towne of Ambois wee went into the Castle of the said place where our said sonne the Dauphin was whom we haue alwayes caused to bee kept and bred vp there where in the presence of a certaine number of Nobleblemen and Ladies of our Bloud and Linage and other great Personages men of our Councell Captaines and Officers both to vs and said sonne wee haue called our said sonne before vs and haue caused those words and Remonstrances which followed to be deliuered vnto him First after a recitall made by vs of the aforesaid things or of the greatest part of them to our said sonne wee haue let him vnderstand how much wee desire that after vs he might with the aid of God come vnto the Cromne of France his true Inheritance and that he might so gouerne and maintaine it as it might bee to his honour and praise and to the profite and vtility of the Subiects of his Realme Dauphiné and other Countries and Signiories and of the Common-weale f This Instruction regards onely the setling of the Princes affaires and doth not extend vnto the duties of Conscience nor to those vertues which edifie Kings Piety and Iustice. But to what end so many Instructions To make a Princes conduct happy wee must wipe these wordes out of his minde If it please it is lawfull If it may bee it shall bee A good Prince should not will any thing but what hee ought Caesar◠cum omnia licent propter hoc minus licet vt foelicitatis est posse quantum velis sic magnitudinis velle quantum possis vel potius quantum debeas For that all things are lawfull to Caesar therefore they are the lesse lawfull As it is a happinesse to doe what thou wilt so it is a greatnesse not to will any thing but what thou mayest or rather what thou oughtest Plin. Paneg. Traja Item That if it pleased God to work his will on vs and that our son should come vnto the Crowne of France wee haue commanded and enioyned him as a father may doe his sonne that he shall gouerne himselfe and the said Realme Dauphiné and Countries by the Councell and aduice of our kinsmen Lords of our Bloud and Linage and other Noblemen Barons Knights Captaines and wise men of our Councell and especially of those whom he shall know and finde to haue beene good and faithfull to the deceased our most honored Lord and Father whom God absolue to vs and to the Crowne of France that haue been vnto vs good and
Lewis the eighth his father gaue it for a portion to his brother Robert vpon condition that he should not transferre it to the daughters which should be borne of his marriage with Maude daughter to the Duke of Brabant For these reasons the treaty of Arras betwixt King Charles the seuenth and Phillip the second Duke of Bourgundy did expressely reserue the Fealty Homage and Soueraignty of those lands which did hold of the Crowne b King Lewis the eighth disposed after this manner of the Country of Artois Volumus ordonamus quod filliusnoster secundâ—â— natu habeat totamterram Attrebatensemin feudis domanijs totam aliam terram quam ex parte matris nostrae Elizabeth possidemus saluo dotalitio matris suae Quod si idem qui Attrebatensium tenebit sine haeredem decedat volumus quod terra tota Attrebatensis alia terra quam tenet ad filium nostrum Regni nostri successorem liberos integrè redeat The Franch-County hath made a part of the â—state vnder Cloues The Franch-county and Cloâ—ilde The Dutchy of Bourgundy hath alwaies beene one of the goodliest Flowers Henry the first King of France gaue it to Robert of France his brother for his portion His posterity hath held it vnto Phillip the sonne of Eâ—des Phillip the fourth married Ioane the eldest daughter of King Phillip the Long c Phillip the Long had foure daughters by the Lady Ioane of Bourgundy Ioane married to the Duke of Bourgundy Margaret married to Lewis of Crecy Isable married to Guy Dauphine of Viennois who was slaine with an arrow before the Castle of Lapierre and Blanch a Nunne in the Monastery of Louchan neere Paris By this alliance the two Bourgundies were vnited and of this marriage came Phillip Prince of Bourgundy who was married to Ioane daughter to Robert Earle of Bolleigne who died at the battell of Crecy Phillip his sonne surnamed de Roue succeeded in the Dutchy of Bourgundy after his Grand-fathers death in the yeare one thousand three hundred fifty and foure Hee was married yong to Margaret of Flanders the onely daughter to Lewis the third Earle of Flanders and dyed at the age of twenty foure yeares in in the yeare one thousand foure hundred three score and two By his death the Dutchy of Bourgundy came vnto the Crowne by the right of returne and by proximity of bloud King Iohn being found neerest to the succession This proximity is easie to verefie being certaine that Robert Duke of Bourgundy had foure sons and two daughters by Agnes of France daughter to King Saint Lewis Hugh or Hughues Eudes Lewis Robert Ioane and Margaret Hughues was Duke and dyed without children Eudes succeded him Ioane was married to Phillip of Vallois father to King Iohn who onely remained of the discendants of Robert Phillip the Hardy Duke of Bourgundy He caused it to bee vnited and incorporated to the Crowne and gaue it to Phillip the Hardy his sonne by reason of his seruice and recommendation d In the inuestiture which beares date the 6. of September 1363. wee reade these words Ad memoriam reducentes grata laude digna seruitia quae charissimus Phillippus filius noster quarto genitus qui sponte expositus mortis periculo nobiscuÌ„â—mperterritus impauidus stent in acie prope Fictauos vulneratus captus detentus in hostium potestate ibi post liberationem nostram hâ—ctenâ—s exhibuit indâ—fessevero amore filiali ductus ex quibus suam merito cupientes honorare personam perpetuoque praemio fulcire sibi paterno correspondentes â—more spem fiduciam gerentes in domino quod ipsius crescente prouidentia dicti nostri subditi Ducatus eiusdem à suis oppressionibus releuabuntur The Deputies of Flanders were well instructed what they should answere and if they had not beene a deniall had serued for a sufficient reason for in disputes of consequence to consent were base and to deny wisedome They said that reasons drawne from Lawes and Customes obserued did not proue that successions Fees and the place of Peeres were incompatible with the quality of women Iudith daughter to Charles the Bald brought vnto her successors Earles of Flanders the Low CouÌ„tries with their largest limites e The ancient bounds of the County of Flanders were betwixt the Ocean Sea and the Riuers of Escault and Somme The same Prouinces haue beene gouerned in diuers seasons by women Margaret of Alsas Ioane of Constantinople and Margaret of Mallaine The place of Peeres of France hath beene held by woâ—men f In France women are capable to hold the places of Peeres and to giue their opinion in the iudgement of Peeres Maude Countesse of Artois did assist at the Processe of Robert Earle of Flanders in the yeare 1315. And in this quality the Dutchesse of Orliance and the Countesse of Artois were adiourned to iudge the Processe of Iohn Monfort Duke of Brittany The examples are in Normandy Guienne Tholousa and Brittaine Raouâ— married the daughter of Lewis King of France who had Normandy for her Dowry Eliâ—or daughter to William Earle of Guienne had that goodly Prouince in marriage Alphonso brother to King S. Lewis was Earle of Tholousa by his wife Maude of Artois g Maude of Artois caused Robert Grand-child to Robert the second Earle of Flanders to be excluded from the succession by two decrees the one made by Phillip the Faire at Asmeres the 9 of October 1309. and the other by Phillip the Long 1318. by the iudgement of Phillip the Faire succeeded in the County of Artois by this onely reason that the daughters were capable of this succession and that representation had no place in the direct line To all this the Deputies of France answered suddenly Answeres to the obiections That Prouinces once vnited to the Crowne can bee no more dismembred That great Empires should endure great changes and alterations if the Females were made equall to the Males in the right of succession for their Crownes should not be dismembred into many peeces for that we finde in Common-weales in generall and in Families in perticular more daughters then sonnes That if examples had more force then reason and that they must decide the controuersy by the number they might not contradict the authority of King Phillip the Faire who would that the County of Poictou which hee had giuen to Phillip his sonne should returne vnto the Crowne for want of Heires Male by reason whereof when as Eudes the fourth Duke of Bourgundy and Ioane of France his wife daughter to Phillip the Long had pretended the succession of the County of Poictou against King Charles the Faire h Phillip the Faire would that the County of Poictou which he gaue to Phillip his son who was afterwards King of France Surnamed the Long should returne to the Crown for want of Heires Male vpon condition that the King should be bound to marry the Daughters they were
incense Princes a Discourses of affaires of State in a troublesome and difficult time enter into seditious Spirits as burning nailes do into greene wood They be Conduit Pipes saith the President Du Vair by the which destâ—ll the affections wherewith the people are seasoned and afterwards thrust on to good or bad actions and are like vnto the arrowes of Thrace which were shot against heauen to appease it He was aduertised that Frier Anthony Fradin a Franciscan born at Ville-Franché in Beaujollois spake too boldly of the bad gouernment of affaires He sent Oliuer le'Dain to Paris in the beginning of the yeare 1479. to forbid him to Preach The multitude which runnes as it is led mutined against this pursuite and followed this Preacher in troupes to defend him b The people go like troupes and consider not Quo eundum sed quo itur Whether they must go but whether they go yea the women carryed stones and kniues to vse against such as should come to offend him From one liberty they saw diuers spring as faults follow one another and this sedition was ready to cause great tumult c Light faults should be repaired by pardon and great by seuerity and a Prince as Iulius Agricola saith must not alwaies bee pacified with the punishment he must rest oftentimes contented with the repentance of such as haue â—rred Nec poena semper saepius poenitentia contentus esse debet Tac. The Court of Parliament preuented it in such sort as they gaue the King subiect rather to content himselfe with the repentance then the punishment of this silly multitude They commanded the Frier to go out of Paris and not to Preach seditiously in any other Prouince They did consider that France had seene and suffered terrible agitations by the violence of these spirits and that England had beene violently afflicted vnder the raigne of King Richard by the seditious Sermons of one onely man who seeking to confound all Orders by a pernicious equality Preaching alwaies in his Sermons that when as Adam did eate the Apple there were no Gentlemen that Nature the Minister of God had created all men of the same forme and had cast them in the same mould as brethren and companions lodged on the same earth d The Bishops of England hauing forbidden the Pulpit to Iohn Ball an English Priest he went to Preach seditiously in the fields causing himselfe to be followed by the people where in the hearing of 200000. he began with these tearmes and if God would haue made this distinction amongst men he would haue ordained this difference from the beginning A great man of that time spake these words vpon that subiect which are so worthy and true Discourse is a powerfull charme as the History shall not stray to step a little out of the High-way to consider them In truth saith he the force of speech is a powerfull thing especially hauing life giuen it by passion for you would say that it doth in a manner mould and fashion mens soules and that it is a fire kindled which incountring another body inflames and sets it on fire When Adam delu'd and Eue span Who was then the Gentleman how farre off soeuer it bee like vnto Naphte which kindles at the very sight of the fire e What cannot Eloquence do in the mouth of an honest man and of credit seing that comming from a seditious spirit it workes such great effects One word of a man of credite saith Polibius may diuert men from bad enterprises and draw them to good The eloquence of a wicked man is like poyson in a cup of Gold I haue often obserued when not with any eloquent discourse but with words which were scarce intellegible and without any discourse of reason they haue put the people that heard them into choler for that they were so so easily do passions coÌ„municate by words and passe from him that speaks to him that heares The same iealousy which a husband hath for the honour of his wife the feeling which the son hath for the loue of his father the same motions which a faithfull Minister hath for the loue of his Prince a Preacher should haue for the Glory of God he should dry away for the zeale of his house and for the increase of his seruice any other passion that transports him is but fury Next to the seruice of God piety respects the obedience and honour which we owe vnto our parents How Lewis was towards his father It is true that Lewis offended against this Law not onely in his first age whose weaknesse facillity to the impressions of other men might excuse his errour but in his full vitility which made him inexcusable when as hee could not be ignorant that his duty towards his father was so naturall so religious and so strictly commanded by Diuine and Humane Lawes as all other duties yeeld vnto it f All the offices of Piety yeeld to that of the child to the father the sonne which sees his father his sonne in danger of their liues if he cannot relâ—â—ue both he must abandon his sonne to saue his father for the dutie which hee owes him is more ancient then the love which he heareâ— vnto his children Cymon being vnable for his pouerty to bury his father before he had paid his debt sold his owne liberty The ioy which King Charles the 7. had of his birth did not continue so long as the sorrow he had for his disobedience when he was borne he had cryed Noë like others and this word which in the beginning did signifie rest consolatioÌ„ was a presage of the crosses toiles which he endured It is true that this sowre seuerity wherwith he controuled his actions was cause of his disorders excesse g The rough seuere and imperious proceeding of fathers towards their children makes them to grow insolent and disordered It is a Diuine counsell which Saint Paul giues vnto fathers Parentes he prouâ—cetis ad iracundiam filios ne despondeant animâ—m Parents prouoke not your sonnes to anger least they turne away their minds For being vnwilling to dis-ioyne the authority of a father from that of King he chose rather to keepe him in feare and obedience by the seuerity of the one then by the mildenesse of the other He thought that he had no better meanes to enioy this spirit then by keeping him short and restraining the violent motions of his courage and that being in necessity he should be alwaies in obedience He was eighteene yeares old before he had any portion allowed him no not that which did belong vnto him from the day of his birth for the father considered that if at the age of twelue or thirteene yeares when as he had no part in the Estate he should haue beene had of some great faction the increase of meanes and yeares would haue drawne him to great enterprises The first example of his
Aduentures vnto the thirtieth yeare Predictions vpon the life of Lewis the eleuenth hee aduertised King Charles the seuenth of his rebellion and how his gouernment would be wonderfull to men k This man was much esteemed by Duke Amedeus the Pope hee foretold the Schisme of the Church and the warre betwixt France and England Manasses a lew of Valencia continued these predictions vnto the battel of Montlehery Peter of Saint Valerien a Chanon of Paris and a great Astrologian was sent in the yeare 1435. into Scotland for the marriage of the Lady Margaret during his abode in Flanders hee consulted alwaies with Astrologians of future things and these impostors more hurtfull to a Common-wealth then Players l Sights entertaine the people and breed them vp â—n idlenesse And therefore Phillip Augugustus by an Edict banisht Plaiers out of France Nihil tam moribus alienum quam in spectaculo desidere Sen. whom his predecessours had chased away were alwaies in his eares Hee caused many iudgements to be made by Iohn Coleman his Astrologian who taught him to vnderstand the great Almanacke and vpon the great Coniunction of Saturne and Mars which was the eighth of Aprill about ten of the clocke eighteene minutes in the yeare 1464 He spake plainely of the troubles of the League and so did in like manner Peter of Grauille whom Lewis the 11. caused to come out of Normandy Conrade Hermgarter a Germaine left the Duke of Bourgundies seruice for the Kings who gaue him great entertainements But aboue all hee made great esteeme of Angelo Catho a Neapolitan who came into France with the Prince of Tarentum m Iohn Spirink did also foretel the Duke of Bourgundy that if he went against the Suisses it would succede ill the Duke answered that the fury of his Sword should vanquish the course of heauen and had foretold the Duke of Bourgundy and the Duke of Guelders their misfortunes The King gaue him the Arch-bishopricke of Vienna wherein hee could not reside for the great crosses he receiued from them of Dauphiné but was forced to retire himselfe to Rome His Chronicle doth also speake of the death of Maister Arnold his Astrologian during the plague in the yeare 1466. the which hee had foreseene and which vnpeopled Paris of aboue 40000. persons France had other kinds of men which did better deserue the fauour and bounty of the King then these Deuiners God is offended at the rashnesse of this science which vndertakes the knowledge of future things which is onely reserued to his eternall Prouidence and which in regard of man is all composed in with clouds and impenetrable darkenesse Vanity of Iudiciary Astrology The curious are deceiued for they tell them things that are either true or false n Fauorinus with this Dilemma mockes at Iudiciary Astrology Aut aduersa dicunt prospera Si dicunt prospera fallunt miser fies frustra expectando Si aduersa dicunt mentiuntur miser fies frustra timendo Either they tell aduerse things or prosperous If they fore-tell prosperous things and erre thou art a wretch in vaine expectance if they tell aduerse things and lye thou wilt be a wretch in fearing without cause They make themselues miserable in the expectation of prosperity which neuer happens They are miserable also in the apprehension of aduersities which they feare incessantly happen not but when they least dreame of them thinking they haue escaped them and howsoeuer lying deceiues hope and augments feare o Iudiciary Astrologyis forbidden by the reasons which Epiphanius produceth against the Manicheans Basâ—le in his Exameron Chrisostome vpon Genesis Hom. 5. Augustin lib. 4. cap. 3. of 〈◊〉 Cofessionâ— and by the Counciles of Tolâ—do The Church which hath the eternall truth for the verticall Starre of her establishment which doth alwaies looke vnto the Sunne of Iustice and Constancie not gouerning her selfe like vnto the Synagogue by the inconstancy of the Moone hath religiously and iudiciously detested the practice of Iudiciary Astrology which filles the eares with vanity and curiosity and the conscience with amazement If the curiosity had had any reflexion to the aduancement and beautifying of learning Barbarisme had not tyranized so long ouer so many good wits Princes cannot adde goodlier Crownes to the Palmes and Bayes of their vertues then those which good wits do dedicate vnto them as an acknowledgement of their fauours to learning p The glory which a Prince doth get by Armes is great That which comes from the fauour and protection of learning is immortal Intâ—r omnia quae vertute principum ac felicitate recreantur sint licet for tasse alia magnitudine atque vtilitate potiora nihill est tameÌ„ admirabilius haec libertate quam fouendis honorandisue literarum studijs iâ—partiuÌ„t Among all the things which are delighted with the vertue and felicity of Prinalthough it may be there are some to be preferred in greatnesse and profite yet there is nothing more admirable then that liberality which is bestowed to nourish honour the study of learning Eumenes Rhoetâ—r in orat pro instau scho King Charles the seuenth father to Lewis and King Charles the eighth his sonne had some care of the Vniuersity of Paris The first set downe an order for the decision of causes referred to the Court of Parliament The last declared what men should enioy the priuiledges of the Vniuersitie and how they should be inrowled in the booke of Priuiledges But wee do not finde that Lewis hath done any thing either with it or against it The President Thou whose History Europe doth no lesse admire for his eloquence and boldnesse then Italy did Titus Liuius and Greece Thucidides speakes of Iohannes Vulceus of Groningue and saith that he reformed the Vniuersity during the raigne of this King and this reformation shewes that there was some disorder The negligence of men was not so much the cause as the violence of times full of troubles and confusion which did not permit them either to teach or to learne These clouds of Ignorance were as darke in other Nations Barbarisme in in the time of Lewis The misery of that age was so great as who so should represent the potrraite of that Barbarisme would moue the minds of men both to pitty of so great ignorance and to feare that our negligence would bring vs soone into the like The sweetenesse of the Muses was but bitternesse their flowers all withered and their light all confusion the men of those times did not onely contemne learning but they did abhorre her beauty and said that it did not agree with the grauity and seuerity of other Sciences q Barbarisme being banished the schooles whereas the taught good learning it remained long among the Lawiers King Francis the first hauing seene these words in a Decree debotauit debottat commanded that alâ— the Actes of iustice and contracts should be made in Lattine For this cause the purity of
haue not bin exactly and curiously digested if in many places there be found defects it sufficeth to say that the worke hath been made following the Court and printed in my absence To conclude mens mindes should not be more difficult to please then the Gods of the ancients Hee that had no milke gaue them water and he that found no wine offered milke salt for incense leaues and flowers for fruits and fruits for beasts He that giues what he hath and doth what he can is bound to no more They that content not themselues with that which seemes good trouble themselues to seeke for better Whatsoeuer happen all these disgraces shall neuer tire nor daunt me Wee doe not leaue to till and sow the ground although the seasons be bad and the haruest vnfruitfull Hee that cannot content all the world must endeuour to content himselfe AN ELOGIE OF LEWIS THE eleuenth French King LEWIS of Valois only like vnto him-selfe and vnlike to all other Kings was borne at Bourges and presented at the font by Iohn Duke of Alancon he past his infancy in the ruines miseries of France and the most sensible afflictions of his father to whom there was a part of the Crowne remaining At eleuen yeares the greatest of the Realme abusing the innocency of his first age to couer their discontentment and ambition made him the head of a faction which was so vniust vnnaturall odious vnto the French as it was presently abandoned euen by them that were the Authors and lasted but nine months At fourteene yeares hee was married to the Princesse of Scotland at fifteene Generall of a royall Army into Normandy and Languedoc At twenty one hee put all Germany in alarum tooke Mombeliart besieged Basill defeated sixe thousand Swisses ouer-run Alsaâ—ia The bayes of this triumph were all couered with bloud and soone after with tears by the death of the Princesse of Scotland his wife The difficuly which hee felt to submit his yong and boyling humors to the temper of reason and his will to that of his father drew him from the Court and intertained him some yeares in Dauphine whereas he married Charlotte of Sauoy and made warre against the Duke of Sauoy his father in law drawing vnto his seruice some by promises others by fauour and presents but most of all by rigour seuerity oppressing his subiects of Dauphine with vnknowne charges so as the cyment of his designes was tempered with bloud sweat teares The King who was not insensible of Complaints and wept by his subiects teares made it knowne that he did loue his estate better then his sonne He came into Dauphine and at the first glance of his eyes he dispersed the designes of such as would trouble the order of nature and the Lawes of the Realme Lewis desiring rather to trust the enemies of his house then his fathers bounty retires to Bruxelles to Duke Phillip wheras he liued six yeares with Charlotte of Sauoy his wife and there receiued the first blessing of his marriage by the birth of his sonne Ioachim of Valois who dyed presently All this time taught him a lesson of patience being forced to make a vertue of necessity learning to be wise in prosperity and constant in aduersity In the end Charles gaue him place and left him the Realme vnited vnder the obedience of one the English being expelled and hauing nothing remaining vnto them but Calis All the forces of this powerfull house of Bourgondy did accompany him vntill hee had the Crowne set vpon his head which he tooke at Rhemes Paris receiued him as it were in triumph and all France seemed to reuiue againe at the rising of this Starre The contempt of Princes of the bloud the change of officers the seueritie in searching out things past with the oppression of the people were the cause of a league which was made against him betwixt the Duke of Berry his brother and the dukes of Burgundy Brittany Calabria and Bourbon with the greatest of the realme A powerfull and famous faction which abused the simple made the wicked mad and thrust good men into despaire The bad successe of the Battell of Montlehery was not able to shake the constancy and fidelitie of the subiect Paris whose motions had alwaies caused the rest of France to wauer held firme and this great storme fel and was dispersed before her wals The greatest Cities of the realme and the chiefe Prouinces coÌ„tinued constant in their duties the interest of priuat men being contented the pursute of the publike good was staied These arrowes being vnbound Lewis had good meanes to breake them The D. of Normandy is forced to quit Roan the D. of Brittaine auoids the storme by his submission The duke of Burgundy is troubled with the mutinies of his subiects who desirous of innouations change did more affect the Earle of Charolois then the Duke of Bourgundy Lewis to be reuenged kindles a fire in his estate and stirs vp them of Liege yet making shew that he desired nothing more then the obseruation of the treaty of Conflans relying too much vpon his wit and forces he ingaged himselfe indiscreetly in Peronne where the Castle was in show his lodging and in effect his prison he saw himselfe forced to arme against his friends to receiue a law from him to whom he thought to giue it The assembly of the estates at Tours iudge of the iniury of his promises and cannot yeeld that Normandy one of the goodliest flowers of the crowne of France should be dismembred they declare war against the D. of Bourgundy The King takes the towne of S. Quintin then Amiens and seeing that the Duke of Burgundy in the desolation of his affaires was prest to giue his daughter in marriage to the Duke of Guienne he doth not in this prosperitie imbrace the opportunitie but is content to haue amazed his enemy and grants him a truce during the which he sees as from the shore that cruell tempest of England which ouerthrew the house of Lancaster whom he fauoured assured the Scepter in that of Yorke succoured and supported by the D. of Burgundy The Duke of Guiennes death brake the truce and hopes of peace and brought all them to the brinke of death and despaire which had followed his fortune who were reduced to such misery as then the most miserable hearing the discourse found therein consolation and amazement Many families were ouerthrowne and that rich and famous house of Armagnac was full of strange tragedies and reuolutions The warre furiously inhumane began againe and the Duke of Bourgundy armed to reuenge his death vpon innocents The towne of Nesle saw heapes of dead carkasses in her streets and streames of bloud in her Churches Beauuais stayed the torrent of his fury and diuerted it vpon Normandy The D. of Brittany although he were gouerned by another head considering the danger wherein hee was submitted himselfe to the stronger and seeing the K. at
Angiers with an army of 50000. men came vnto him to demand a peace The King of Sicily was disposâ—est of his country of Anjou beeing forced to retire into Prouence with griefe to suruiue his Son Iohn D. of Calabria Lorraine Nicholas Marques of Ponte his grand-child Hee doth represent the estate of his age house in the deuice which he carried of an old stock which had no greene sprout to make it liue it was Rene D. of Lorraine Son to Yoland of Anjou his daughter The Constable who would diuide his heart in two to nourish entertaine the warre thrust the duke of Burgundy into fury the King into distrust of him hauing left the path of moderation wisedome he came vnto the king by that of pride distrust refusing to represent himselfe vnto his maiesty but armed nor to speake vnto him but by a barre vpon a causey well garded with soldiers The D. of Burgondy not able to liue idly during this Truce seekes for worke in Germany passeth to Treues propounds to change his dukes Crowne for a Kings is offended with the Emperor for refusing it He besiegeth Nuze and seeing that the crosses which he had in his affaires proceeded onely from the King he perswades the K. of England to passe the seas to renew the pretensions of his predecessors and to make a fatall combustion of all France But Lewis diuerts this storme and makes a bridge of gold for this King to repasse the sea sending him home as wel content with peace as he was come resolute to war The King reapt both honor profit and by his foresight disappointed the great designes which were laid vnder fauor of this army and although it had diuers pretexts as diuers branches of the same stock of sedition and ambition they were all dangerous all the kinds of this poison were mortall The Duke of Bourgundy was forced to accept a peace of the king against whom he had proclaimed warre The coale which entertained the fire of discord was quenched and this head that made the windes to blow which caused the quiet of France to tremble was cut off at the Greue The Duke of Bourgundy to reuenge a light iniury done vnto the Earle of Romond vndertakes a great warre against the Suiâ—les which by the vnfortunate euent of three battels made him to loose his baggage at Granson his reputation his forces and his hopes at Morat and at Nancy his life with a part of his estate The King reapt the fruit of this warre hauing fauoured and supported the Duke of Lorraine against the great designes of this Conqueror Hee seased vpon both Burgundies and vpon a part of Artois and had forced the Archduke Maximilian to leaue the low countries and to leade the Princesse his wife into Germany with repentance of his mariage if the battell of Guinegaste had not troubled the face of his affaires and changed the designes of warre into resolutions of peace which was confirmed by the marriage of Charles Dauphin of France with Margaret of Austria Age which neuer comes alone suffers not the King to vndertake any long and difficult conqueâ—s and binds him to thinke vpon the meanes to leaue his crowne peaceably vnto his Sonne as it was rich mighty and more assured then hee had receiued it from his father hauing beautified it with many goodly flowers as Burgundy Anjou Barre Prouence and the recouerie of the Townes in Picardy and of some in Artois Being prest with troubles of mind as much as with the languishing of the body and reduced to an estate more lamentable then lamented in the which he could not liue would not dye he straue foure whole yeares against the force of an incurable disease and repulst by strange meanes the approches of death to retaine life which was but too long for his miseries and infirmities as it had beene too short for his designes and hopes He was forced to yeeld himselfe to discretion the 30 th day of August 1483. the 22 th yeare of his raigne and of his age the sixtith He carried nothing from the place which hee left but the proud title to haue freed the Kings of France from subiection or wardship capable to command not a Realme only but the whole world He was interred at our Lady of Clery hauing obtained from Pope Sixtus the fourth an excommunication against all such as would lay his body in any other tombe then in that which hee had built for himselfe and Charlotte of Sauoy his wife He did often visit this last abode and did lye in it soÌ„metimes that by the meditation of death he might descend liuing into the graue The triumphant Chariot of the prosperities of his life was drawn by Wisdome Iustice Liberality and Reputation wisdome made him victorious ouer his enemies Iudge of the controuersie betwixt the Crownes of Castile and Nauarre Protector of the liberty of the Common-weales of Italy Arbitrator of the peace betwixt Rome and Florence and then betwixt Rome and Venice He added the county of Prouence to the Crowne Hee vndertooke strange impossible designes Iustice alwayes in heat by his extreame seuerity did more often put the sword of execution into his hand then the ballance of due consideration hee caused many great men to feele his rigour whose processe he began by the execution Liberality opened him the hearts and gates of townes which hee battered with his money caused many which were distracted from him to come like Bees at the sound of a bason hee vsed it to bind the English to his friendship the Suisses to his succors and the Brittaines to his seruice Reputation hath held all the powers of Europe in admiration of him and hath made him to bee redoubted of strangers and feared of his Subiects Yet the differences betwixt the priuate and publike fortunes of this Prince were great his fortunes were of long Time in fauour amidst his prosperities In his raigne he was a wise happy King a good and a bountifull maister a distrustfull friend a cruell enemy and a terrible neighbour in his house a bad son a bad father a bad husband he had no children by Margret Steward his first wife and by Charlotte of Sauoy his second hee had Ioachim Charles Francis Anne and Ioane The Contents of the first Booke of the History of Lewis the XI 1 Charles the 7. disinherited by King Charles the sixth his father by the perswasion of Isabel of Bauaria his wife A Table of the miseries of France by the diuisions of the houses or Orleans and Bourgondy 2. The birth of Lewis Dauphin of France sonne to Charles the seauenth His breeding and marriage with the Princesse of Scotland 3 Treaty of Arras betwixt King Charles the 7. and Phillip of BourgoÌ„dy 4 Reduction of the Citty of Paris 5 First Armes of Lewis the xi 6. He is carried from Loches Trouble of the Praguerie 7. The Duke of Bourgondy approues not this mutiny 8 King
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
vnto fire but they haue neither the vertue nor the hardnes They found not any spirit well setled that would follow them but euery man stopt his eares at the first brute as if they had been inchantments All were amased i An vniust rash enterprise strikes horror into good men who foresee the miserable euents at the ignorant vulgar holds them fauorable they must stop their cares to their first prâ—positions for if they enter into the soule 〈…〉 it with confusion Claudendae sunt aures malis voelbus et quidem p. imis Nam cum initium fecerunt admissaeque sunt pâ—us audent Sen. at their boldnes and euery man said that fury would draw these wilde Bores into the toyle that the Foxes craft would not free them from the snare The Nobility of Auuergne giue them to vnderstand that if the Kinge came into the Country The declaration of the nobâ—lity of Auuergâ—e they could doe no lesse then to open their gates This name of Kinge and such a King against whâ— they could not arme but the reliques of his victories who had made so great proofes of his valor and courage made the most mutinous to tremble k A Prince whose great actions purchased the name of valiant and wise is alwaies feared and respected This authority disperseth all kind of factions and conspiracies when as carelesnes and contempt giues them life It was an Anuill which would weare all hammers Euery man said vnto the Dauphin I am yours without exception reseruing my duty to the Kings seruice The King could not yet dispatch his affaires with the English The Kinge of England had failed of the assignation made on the first day of May at S. Omer The King armes against the Dauphin to consider of a peace and made himselfe be sought vnto This trouble could not be but to the profit of the enemies of France He resolued to goe himselfe against this conspiracy before that time and the Innouation the auncient Idol m Caesar blamed the Gaules for a curious deâ—iâ—e of Inouations They are said he very inconstant in their opinions most commonly desire change of the French had giuen it more force Hauing fortified the frontiers against the English he aduertised his sonne of his duty but good wordes serue but as oyle to feede the lampe of this yong Princes desires He must vse sharper tearmes to force obedience n Good wordes are of no force to haue a difficult commandement â—bserued He that wil be obeyed in rigorous things must vse seueritie and authoritie So saies Machâ—auel in the third of his Discourses an vnpleasing commaund requires not milde speches He came to Poietiers he sent to the Duke of Bourbon to deliuer him his sonne and to the Duke of Alençon to yeeld him his Townes of Niort and St. Maixant and to both of them to yeeld an account of those combustions to come vnto him and to call their fidellity vnto them They were farre of this storme could not hurt them They were no Children to be afraid of this thunder The Duke of Bourbon would not obey at the first summons without caution for his obedience He had rather haue his absence o To flie iudgement is to confesse the fault but oftentimes the innocâ—nt teach no defence against the persecution of one more mightie but absence a witnesse against him then repent him for his presence He had a good pawne in his possession he had Townes and Subiectes which had sworne to follow his fortune thinking that the war being betwixt the Father and the Sonne all that were actors in it should gaine by it at the least they should be free from danger for the Fathers bounty would refuse nothing to his Sons humility and that oftentimes fidelity was worse rewarded then p There haue beene ages seene so full of confusion as they must haue done ill to reap good If vertue â—ere not of it selfe a great recoÌ„pence to good men they migâ—t haue some reason to repent themselues of doing well when as their condâ—tion is infeâ—iour to that of the wicked rebellion The Duke of Alençon thought he should alwaies haue Niort and St. Maixant to make his peace He had sent la Roche to defend the Castell of St. Maixant S. Maixan taken by the King but the Towne intrencht it selfe and put it selfe in armes against him It was presently assisted with the kinges forces who sent the Admirall Coitiui and la Varenne Seneâ—hall of Poictou thither The Castell being forced la Roche escaped making a shewe to goe for succors and the Captaines which he left within it were hanged The Kinges forces attempted not any Towne but they took it q A Prince that hath to deale with his subiects performes great matters in time how diffâ—cult soeuer Some endured the Cannon and were spoiled Rion and Aigues perces opened their gates at the first summons Clermont and Mont-Ferrand who had neuer giuen eare to the perswasion of the Princes of the league receiued the King The Estates of the Country assemble at Clermont to order this diuision Estates assembled at Clermont which separating the sonne from the father diuided one heart into two The King thinking it fit that a busines of that importance which concerned the safety of them all should be consulted of by many r Although that a soueraigne Prince may resolue of any thing of his own motion yet it is fit hee should commun cate it So Augustus made a pleasing sweet medlâ—y as Dion saitâ— of a Monarchie and a popular state hee appointed this assembly There they represented freely the ruines which threatned the Realme and that the English had occasion to mocke at the boldnes of the Princes of the bloud which had attempted against the head of their house and banded the Sonne against the Father That it was fit euery man should returne to his dutie the King by the way of his bounty and clemencie to them that had offended him by that of iustice to his estate to serue s To raign is to serue Tiberius comprhendâ—d the dutie of a Prince in three words and three kinds of subiects A good Prince who is ordained for the safety of his subiects must serue the Senat serue his subiects in generall and serue euery priuate man To serue the Senate is to follow their Councell to serue all is to procure the publike good and to serue euery man is to do him iustice that demands it the which hee was ordained of God as well as to command and the Princes by that of obedience and repentance with amendment for their faults that although the iustest cause to arme against the Prince were vniust yet the King should consider that a great Prince should apprehend nothing more then to see his subiects ill satisfied t A priuate man is pleased in satisfying himselfe but the condition of a Prince is bound to content his subiects and to saâ—isfiâ—
will the gates are open for you and if they were not wide enough I would cause sixteene or twenty fadome of the wall to be beaten downe to make you a greater passage I am your father your will depends vppon mine g The fathers will iâ— soueraigne ouer that of the Sonne The power of the Father was in old time absosolute among the Romans Persians and Gaules ouer the liues deaths goods libertie actions and honor of their children I finde it very strange that you haue ingaged your word without knowing mine But it imports not The house of France by the grace of God is not so vnfurnished of Princes as it hath not some that will shew more affection then you haue done to maintaine her greatnes and honor This yong Prince desired rather to bee held a bad Sonne then a bad master Wilfulnes of the Dauphin Wee must beleeue that these clouds did not breake without some raine and that this fire of choller and loue was not quencht without teares The Duke of Bourbon who knew how to distinguish h Kings are offended when the subiects wil haue their children march equally with them The high Priests in the beginning of the yeare made publike prayers for the health and prospâ—ritie of the Emperor Tiberius blamed theÌ„ sharply for that they had added the names of Nero and Drusus his successors hearing it impatiently to see youâ—h march equall with his age Aequam adolescentes Senectae suae impatienter indoluit Tacit. betwixt the authoritie of the one and the age of the other and would not that there should remaine any conceit in the Kings minde that this wilfulnes was supported by his Councell at the same time tooke the oath of Allegeance promising to leaue the Dauphin and all intelligences and leagues contrarie to his Maiesties seruice The Dauphin could doe no lesse then apply himselfe to the obedience and humilitie which God and Nature had ordained him He humbles himselfe The King kept him neere him changed all his officers except his Confessor and his Cooke set good gards about him that no bad thing might enter into his eares i Hearing is the entrie vnto the Soule good or bad Counsells haue no other passage When the gardes of these gates are wonne they triumph ouer the sort Ad summam sapiens eris fi clauseris â—ures quibus ceram parum oft obdere Firmiori spissamento opus est quam vsum in sociis Vlissem ferunt Senec. and hee caused them to be obserued that came neere him to the end hee might call them to an account for the bad Impressions they gaue him He gaue him men The King reformes the Dauphins house better knowne and recommended for their wisedome and Integritie then for their cunning and subtiltie k Good men are alwaies necessarie about Princes they must chase away factious spirits who are more fit to disorder then to settle affaires It is also good to haue them that are cunning and politicke to imploy them against deceiuers commanding them to haue a care of this yong Prince who was of a good disposition but very tractable and might easily bee diuerted Many vitious inclinations creepe into mens mindes whereof wee must no more blame Nature then the Vine when as the Wine growes sower or Iron when it rusts How good soeuer the disposition be it corrupts and is spoiled if it be not entertained and education doth alwaies frame men after her owne fashion notwithstanding any lets of Nature They that are about this Prince Hee is watcht least he fall by the Kings commandement keepe him so short as notwithstanding that Will be a prerogatiue of humane libertie l The will which is in her libertie and depends onely on the power of reason aâ—mes at things which are desirable and to be affected The name of vertue among the Grecians came from that of desire for that it is properly and chiefly to be desired hee durst not will any thing contrarie to his dutie And for that the Dukes of Alençon and Bourbon had promised by the treatie to yeelde vp vnto the King the places which they held they hauing no other securitie but the Kings word and clemencie the Armie was not dismist before that all was executed Which beeing done a Peace was proclaimed and this reuolt which they called the Praguerie supprest in lesse then nine monthes The Dauphin remained still neere the King he serued him and followed him in diuers occasions It was an incomparable happines m It is a great contentment for a King to come to that age to fashion his successor and to make him partaker of his experience and authoritie for him to see his way made vnto the Crowne and to learne how to liue vnder so good a father Parts which frame a Prince The practise of warre vnder the conduct and instruction of so valiant a Captaine and so wise a King the essentiall parts which frame a Prince counsell force reputation n The same things which support the frame of an Estate as Councell force and reputation are the essentiall parts which fashion a Prince Councell teacheth him the true formes how to raigne well force consists in the 〈◊〉 of six conditions which make him mighty the which are to to haue his estate louing great armed rich and setled Reputation is the glorious brute of that efficacie as opinion giues it credit and respect amoÌ„g other Potentates and the instruments to raigne which be first knowledge to looke into the nature of subiects secondly wisedome to giue them fit lawes thirdly order of armes fourthly the art to make warre fiftly industrie to maintaine peace sixtly diligence to foresee accidents seuenthly meanes to amplisie his Empire eighthly iudgement to know the iealousies and interests of States ninthly dexteritie to temporise inconuenients tenthly quicknes to resolue eleuenthly celeritie to execute twelfthly constancie in matters resolued thirteenthly force in aduersitie foureenthly moderation in prosperitie fifteenthly and so firme a knowledge of diuine things that superstition make him not fearefull nor libertie rash He led him to the siege of Pontoise the Accademie of the most memorable exploits which had bin seen in those times Siege of Pontoise The English hauing indiscreetly o Eueâ—y man commits errors the FreÌ„ch haue and the English also in the deciding of their affaires King Iohn refused the offer which the Prince of Wales made him to yeeld vp all which he had conquered and the spoile Hee would beside al this haue the Prince and foure of the chiefe Noblemen of his Armie yeeld at his discretion This refusall was followed with the losse of a battell and the taking of the King King Charles offered the English in the confâ—rence at Calais to leaue them all that they held in doing him hâ—mage they refused it and had neither the one nor the other refused the kings offers who left them the quiet possession of that which
embroydered He is receiued with great pomp into Tournay as a signe that their heartes were all French This Towne bragging that they had neuer knowne any other command then French There the Lord of Crouy came vnto the King who made him Lord Steward of his howse and gaue him the County of Guisnes In the beginning of Lent and at the end of the yeare whose beginning was then accompted from the resurrection the King went to Lisle whether the Duke of Bourgondy came to conferre with him of his voyage to the holy land Crâ—ysado published against the Turke Pope Pius the second continuing the designes of Calixtus the third had published a Croysado to releiue the Christians of the East t Calixtus the 3. perswaded all Christian Princes to make warre against the Turke he sent Lewis of 〈◊〉 a â—rier to Vsâ—m Casâ—an King of Persia and Armenia and to the great Tartarâ— hee exhorteth them with such vehemency as they were resolued Platin. Hee inuited all the Princes who imbraced his designe with such resolution as Mahomet was terrified with the great preparation u The deuise of this Câ—oysado carâ—ied these words Dieu la veut God will haue it Mahomet was so amased as writing to Pius the second he said I am not guilty of the death of Iesus Christ do abhorre the Iewes who crucified him The Pope declared that he would go thither in person Croysado published against the Turke But great Cosmo de Medicis said that it was the designe of a yong man in a great age The Kinges of Naples and Hungary were resolued to accompany him The Duke of Bourgondy promised also to be of that party and demanded aduise and leaue of the King who represented vnto him the discommodities both of his age and voyage finding him much broken to beginne such a building x The age must be considered in great and lâ—ng enterprises Marcus Crasâ—us found King Deiotarus in the Realme of Galacia who being very old built a new Citty who said vnto him in mockage O King mee thinkes you build very late beginning at the last hower of the day To whom the K. answered sodainely And you O Captaine came not forth very early to make warre against the Parâ—hians Foâ— Crassus was aboue 60. yeareâ— old But the Duke carried his courage beyond all these difficulties The king propounded so many vnto him as hee diswaded him for a yeare assuring him that after that yeare hee would giue him 10000. men entertained for foure monthes to accompany him The Duke of Bourgondy for that hee would not giue the Pope any subiect of discontent sent Anthony his Bastard thither with 2000. men The king left the Duke of Bourgondy at Lisle and returned to Paris Duke of Sauoy comes into France He found Lewis Duke of Sauoy the Queenes father at S t. Clou who was come to see him and to complaine of Phillip his yonger sonne who for that he had a more generous and actiue spirit then the elder had wonne the heartes of the chiefe of the Noblemen of Sauoy and of his Subiects y The Duke of Sauoy was a simple and a mild Prince Amy Prince of Piemont his eldest sonne was of the same humâ—r and had great inclinations to solitariâ—â—s Phillip his yonger Brother giuing greater impressions of his generosity and courage was followed by all the great men of the Country vppon this complaint the king commands Prâ—â—ce Phillip to repaire vnto him z Lewis Duke of Sauoy dyed at Lyon the 24. of Ianuary 1466 his heart and bowels were interred in the Celestins Church which he had caused to be built His body was carried to Geneua and laid by Ame of Lusignan his wife and he comes with speed beeing arriued hee was sent prisoner to Loches The Duke being well satisfied to see his sonne lodged whereas hee repented him of his ambitious and extrauagant humors returned into Sauoy and two yeares after dyed at Lion whereas hee attended the king who was at Molyns Amy his sonne succeeded him The king being at Paris made it presently knowne that he was not to indure that which the necessity of time had caused his forefathers to suffer to the preiudice of the rights of the Crowne and hauing prepared his designes he made choyce of the occasion to execute them a To haue a will to doe and disposition to know how to doe and yet to attend the occasion of well doing it the act of a Prince of great patience and wisdome he sent Moruillierre his Chancellor to the Duke of Brittaine to let him vnderstand that if he called himselfe any more Duke of Brittaine by the grace of God if hee continued to coine any gold b The Duke of Brittaine as a souâ—raigne Prince had right to coyne â—â—â—uer but that of gold was reserued by treaty to the Crowne of France the great whereof should bee expresâ— Charles the fift gaue it to the Duke of Berry who did coyne peeces of gold stampâ— with a sheepe which Bodin affâ—rmes to be the finest gold that euer was since within this Realme or if he hindred him from leuying of taxes and from the collation of Benefices in his country he proclaimed warre against him The Duke being amazed at this demaund answered that it was so great and of such importance as hee could make no answer without the aduise of his estates intreating the King to giue him three monthes respite to assemble them But this was to plead law to men that were armed c PoÌ„pey being in Sicile pressing the Mammartines to acknowledge his authoritie they sought to auoid it pretending that they had priuiledges and ancient Decrees from the people of Rome to whom Pompey answered in Choller will you plead law vnto vs who haue our swords by our sides Plut. The King had an Army vppon the frontier The Duke was prest and surprised yet resolute rather to loose himselfe then to quit that which his fathers had purchased for him wherefore he thought to make answer vnto the Kings intentions by armes rather then by wordes He aduertised the Duke of Bourgondy of the estate of his affaires and coniurd him to thinke of their common safety seeing that the Kinges designe was to entreat them alike and to ruine them Romille Vice Chancellor of Brittanny made many voiages into Flanders vppon that subiect The King who had eyes and eares in euery place being aduertised thereof commanded the Bastard of Rubenpre d The King sent a sea Captaine and the bastard RubeÌ„pre with him into Holland he landed at the Hage with three others in his coÌ„pany Hee was examined what hee was and wheÌ„ce he came but hee made some difficultie to discouer his name and the cause of his coÌ„ming The Earl of Charolois being their caused him to be apprehended as a Pirate to passe with a ship along the Coast of Holland to surprise Rommille and to bring him vnto him or to
the reproch of flying desertioÌ„ horses the honor to remaine in the fight when as they stale away The Earle had none but horsemen he wanted footmen slings f For the inhabitants of the Islands Baleaâ—res called now Maiorca and Minorca had been held most cunning with slings Hee sola gentiâ—rmâ— sunt et vnum ab Infantia studium cibum puer am tre non accipit nisi quem ipsa monstrante percussit Flo. lib. 3. cap. 8. or bowmen to dislodge the French from the hedge and ditch The King retires to Câ—rbeil A hundred men had beene able to force them He had whole troupes remaining neither were the Kinges all broken If hee had Eagles remaining so had hee not to doe with pies g We must alwaies consider in comparing of forces with whom we haue to deale and not regard the number Nonius after the Battell of Pharsalia said vnto Pompey We haue yet seuen Eagles that were good said Pompey If wee were to fight with Parrats or Popingaies but the night made them take another resolution The King was conducted by the Scottish men to Montlehery there to refresh himselfe for hee had past the day without meat or drinke as hee had done some nights before without rest Hee went to Corbeil to his bed the Earle thought that hee would remaine vppon the field and this beleefe was confirmed by the light of fiers which hee saw there long after for the fire falling into a barrell of poulder had burnt some Cartes along the hedge The disorder was great of either side as it happens alwaies in these incounters Inequality of Recompences after the Battell sooner seene then foreseene What victories were gotten and what battells wonne in those dayes without disorder h None but the Romans could brag that they neuer committed error is warre Absit inâ—â—dia verbo et Ciuilia Bell a sileant nunquam ab equite hoste numquaÌ„ a pedite nunquaÌ„ aperta Acie nunquam equis vrique locis laboraâ—imus Tit. Liâ— lib. 9. The king Lost of his horsemen and the Earle footmen and the number of the dead were 3000. Goodmen were honored cowards blamed and runawaies punished But as Princes are men as well in the distribution of Cowards as in the distinction of punishments i In the recompence of merits as well as in punishing of faults Princes doe not alwaies obserue such Iustice and equalitie but they make it knowne that they are men and no Angels some lost their offices for flying who saw others rewarded which fled twenty miles farther There was a man of quality noted in the kings Army who fled to Lusignan and neuer rested and a Bourgundian as farre as Quesnon The field was couered with 3600. men slaine Repast of the Earle of Charolois among the dead bodies They were faine to remoue foure or fiue bodies to set the Earle downe vpon two bottells of straw and to giue him meat It was a Princely table and a millitary feast which he should desire that will iustly and gloriously carry the title of Generall of an Army k Sobriety is one of the parts necessaâ—y to the peâ—fection of a great Captaine The frugality of Iulian the Emperour is much commended in the History Mamertinus in his Panegyric saith that be tooke delight to eat of the prouisions of the Army to bee sâ—ruca by the fiâ—st that came and to drinke of any cup Gaudebat Castrensi cibo ministro obuio et poculo fortuito Amian Marcelinus saith that hee did sometimes eat such things as would haue dist fled a Pioner Et â—mperatori non eâ— pediae ciborsi ex â—egio more sed sub columellis tabernacuâ—is cenaturo pultis pottio pâ—rabat exâ—goâ— etiam munifici fastidienda Gregatio Hee that is called victorious hath nothing about him but bodies dead or dying among which there are some that call for drink What good cheere could he make in a place all couered with horror in an vnseasonable time and in so generall an amazement To them that said hee had the field and that he held it all night He had reason answered the King to lye vppon the field seeing he had neither Towne nor Castell for retreat A word spoken wittily and to purpose did shew wisedome necessary in the Generall of an Army to disguise the aduantages which the ennemy may haue ouer him to make them lesse and to turne them to another sence then they are commonly taken l It is an Argumâ—nt of a settled iudgement to haue wâ—rds able to disguise accidents which happe in such sort as the amazement which may grow may bee turned into resolution The earth trembles an armie is amazed See you not said Sempronius Gracchus how our enemies are amazed the earth shaâ—â—es vnder their feet At the battell of Cerignoles fire fell among the munition The great Captaine taking it for a good presage said Noi habbiamâ— vinto Idâ—io eâ— annuncia manifestamente la victoria dandoci segno che non ci bisogna piu doperare laâ—tilleria Guic. lib. 5. Many thinges obserued in this Incounter shew that executions are not answerable to Councells Obseruations of this Battell and that there is a great difference to fight by discourse and to command in field The order of the battell was changed m The Conduct of warre how discreet and indicioâ— soeuer it bee cannot command accidents But they must haue a care neuer to change the order of the Armie Philippe of Valois lost the battell of Crâ—cy for that he changed the order the Earle of Alencon tooke it ill that the footemen of Genoua were put in the formost rankes It was said they should take breath on the way and the Earle made them to march speedly through the Corne which was high and strong so as his men were so wearied as they had more need to lye downe then to stand And although the Princes had disputed the victory vnto the last point of valour yet knew they not to whom the trophee did belong and they might say that the Earle of Charolois had lost the Battell but the King had not wonne it Night increased the Bourgondians amazement seeing themselues to haue no defences nor trenches Counsells in perplexity but dead carcasses They were in a great perplexity what they should doe euery man found difficulties and o Feare is a Christall glasse which represents all things to be greater more doubtful and difficult and holesome counsels are not well executed by men that are troubled and fearefull Adde this reason of Guiccâ—ard Nelle coâ—e auerâ—e diuenta ogni di maiore ill timore et le diâ—ficulta di chi estato vnâ—o In aduerse fortune the feare grows alwaies greater the difficulties of him that is vanquished feare made them greater then they were They held a Councell along the hedge vppon a peece of timber The Lords of Crequy and Hautbourdin spake of Duke Phillips the Earles father first carying armes at
was not obserued for the Princes were aduertised of all the resolutions that were taken against them yea of the time and of the sally which should be made vpon their Armie in three seuerall places the first and the greatest towards Paris the second towards Pont Charanton and the third by Bois de Vincennes Wherefore all this siege the king was euer in Iealousie t They watch in vaine for the safety defence of a Town besieged if fidelitie sleepes at the gates the gard must bee committed to them whose loialtie is well assured for that one night he found the Bastille gate open towards the field The Chronicle saith it was on Thursday the 29. of September He was conceited it had beene done by Charles of Melun but he made no shew of it Wise Princes should not lightly call in doubt two such deere and precious things as the reputation and loyaltie of their seruants u It is hard to repaire and recompence the iniuries done to faith and reputation Famae et fidei damna maiora sunt quaÌ„ quae estimariqueant Tit. Liu. Phil. de Commines saith notwithstanding that the king had not a better seruant that yeere then this Charles de Melun and the Chronicle attributes to his care the honor to haue saued Paris The best blowes which were giuen at this siege were drawne from his head and from the wise resolution which he tooke not to haue any thought but to diuide the company he had forces sufficient to fight with all the Princes together without paine or perill they had not yet past their Apprentiship in warre Onely the Duke of Calabria knew something hauing learned it vnfortunately in the warre of Naples The Earle of Charolois had in his youth followed his Father in his Armies and Battels but a long peace had made him forget more then hee knew As for the Duke of Berry and Brittanie the amazement wherein they were when as the Canon played vppon their quarter made it knowne that warre was not their Element The Historie hath obserued that after the Armie had past the riuer of Seine the Earle of Charolois and the Duke of Calabria troubled themselues much to haue the souldiers march in order and represents them so well armed as they seemed to haue a great desire to fight But when it describes the equipage of the Duke of Berry and Brittaine it makes a right Prosopopeia seruing onely for the number and pompe They did ride saith Phil. de Commin vpon little nags at their ease carrying for the most part but little light Brigandins yet some said they had nothing but little gilt nayles vpon Sattin that they might not weigh yet I know not the truth He that goes to the warre without his Armes shewes that he hath no desire to come neere blowes FINIS THE CONTENTS OF the fourth BOOKE 1 Entry of Queene Charlot into Paris She is accompanied by Amé duke of Sauoy her Brother and Bonna of Sauoy her sister 2 Rebellion of them of Liege and Dinand Their Insolencie against the Duke of Bourgondy The seuere punishment of their folly 3 Death of Phillip Duke of Bourgondy greatnesse and felicity of his estate his bounty and reputation in Europe his chiefe Actions 4 Entry of Charles Duke of Bourgondy into Gand sedition for the abolishing of customes 5 Wisdome of K. Lewis the eleuenth to descouer the desseines of the Dukes of Brittaine and Bourgondy His Army in Brittany 6 Newe reuolt of them of Liege They consult whether they should put their hostages to death An Ambassage from the King to the Duke of Bourgondy touching that The taking of the Towne of Liege and the desolation thereof 7 The Ganto is acknowledge their errors The Duke makes his entry there armed The King deuides the Dukes of Normandy and Brittaine from all Intelligence with the Duke of Bourgondy 8. Enteruiew betwixt the King and the Duke of Bourgondy at Peronne his perplexity in the apparant danger wherein he was he treats with the Duke of Bourgondy and accompanies him to Liege 9 The Liegeois beseeged by the King and the Duke of Bourgondy their furious sallie they are surprised spoyled and slaine 10 The King returnes to Paris his wordes leauing the Duke of Bourgondy continuation of the warre in the Contry of Liege 11 A breefe recitall of the chiefe actions life and death of Alexander Scanderbeg King of Albania THE HISTORY of LEVVIS the XI THE FOVRTH BOOKE PARIS was all in Feasts and Ioy for the happie successe of the Kings affaires who had so wisely pacified the windes which threatened his ship with shipwracke but much more for the discharge which he made of certaine souldiers and impositions which the people found insupportable a On Saturday the third of August 1465. the King remitted the fourth peny of the wine to the eight tooke away all impositions except of MarchaÌ„dise of the six farmes in grosse These publike ioyes were doubled by the Queenes entrie into Paris Queenes entry into Paris She went by Bote to our Ladies church past to the Celistins and so to the Tournelles She was accompanied by the Duke Amé her Brother and the Lady Bonna of Sauoy her Sister married to Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan The Historie of these times as curious to represent the order of Feasts that were made as that of Battels b Paul Aemilius obserued a wonderfull order and disposition in feasts saying that there was the like suffâ—ciencie of Iudgement to know how to order a Battell fearefull to the enemies and a feast pâ—easing to friends for the one and the other dâ—pend of good iudgment to know how to order things Plut. as if the knowledge of the one gaue as great proofe of sufficiencie as the other reports the magnificence and addes that in the house of Iohn Dauuet the first President they had made foure bathes they were alwaies acknowledged among the delights for the Queene and for the Ladies Her indisposition and that of the time would not suffer her to bathe One of the bathes was for the Ladies of Bourbon and Sauoy the other for the Daughter of the Lord of Monglat married to the sonne of Nicholas Balue brother to the Bishop of Eureux and Perrete of Chalon a Bourgesse of Paris This woman is particularly named in diuers places of the Historie and here shee hath her share in the delights and pleasures of the bathes The Duke of Sauoy procured libertie for his Brother Philip whom the King married vnto Margarete the third Daughter of Charles Duke of Bourbon and of Agnes of Bourgundie but the content of his libertie was not of such force in his remembrance as the distast of his imprisonment the apprehension whereof made him to follow the humors of Charles Duke of Bourgundy against the King Amé dyed three or foure yeares after in the Towne of Orleans of a Flix c Ame the third dyed at Orleans about the end of Iune 1471. he left 2.
the Bastard was excluded and that they pretended not to change any thing of the rights which he had ouer the Crowne of Cypres as Protector o After that the Christians affaires were ruined in Soria and the East the Kings of Cypres of the house of Lusignan put themselues vnder the protection of the Souldiers of Egypt This reason had pacified him being resolued to quit the Protection of the Bastard But Mahomet sent him word that it was a thing worthy of his greatnes and profitable to their common religion to restore this Prince to his Estates exhorting him to remember the iniuries which they of that Nation and those of Lewis his house had done vnto the Mahometans protesting that if hee had a desire to haue peace with Christians he should be sure to haue warre with him The assistance which the Souldan of Egypt gaue vnto the Bastard was the cause that he was presently acknowledged by them who could not oppose against his power He coÌ„manded ouer their bodies more then their hearts which being full of feare were also so of wishes and desires of his death who made them feare p Feare is a bad gard for them that command For they that feare studie still how they may be rid of him that keepes them in feare Quem metuunt oderunt queÌ„ quisque odiit periisque expedit Lewis was forced to quit the field and to retyre himselfe into the Castle of Cerines where he was besieged by the Bastard who seeing it impossible to take this place and that all the Princes of Christendome were offended at this vsurpation he sent his Embassadors â—ope Pius the second to yeeld him obedience and to beseech him to hold him in the ranke of Catholike Kings The Pope would not see them but sent them away with bitter words Hereupon Lewis saw himselfe forced to retire to the Duke his Father King and Queene of Cypres driuen out of their owne Realme and the Queene Charlotte to Rome to seeke succors but the diuisions of Italy hindred that which they desired and stayed her there during the time of Pius the second of Paul the second and of Sixtus the fourth and Lewis remained at Ripaille Pope Pius the second q It was tâ—oght that Lewis D. of Saucy had some secret spleene against Pope Pius the second for that he had been Secretarie to his father when he was but in base condition and had abandoned him to follow Eugenius his enemie said that hee had beene chased out of Cypres for that his father had failed of his promise at the assembly at Mantoua for the holy warre and that the same Lewis his Sonne being then neere vnto Mantoua and hauing not vouchsafed to see him and demand his blessing hee had saied by prediction vnto the Embassadors of Sauoy that it would happen his Sonne would loose the Realme of Cypres for a punishment of that the father did and that one day hee would demand those succors in vaine from others which his father had denied vnto the Church The Bastard seeing himselfe in quiet possession of the Crowne of Cypres remembred that Marc Cornaro a Gentleman of Venice had assisted him in his necessitie with ships r Good deedes neuer dye in great courages others forget the good remember the ill Quid autem est eo miserius cui beneficia excidunt hereÌ„t iniuriae Sen. money and Councell Catherine Carnaro adopted by the Venetians and had giuen him meanes to goe vnto the Souldan of Egypt hee resolued to marry his Daughter named Catherine whom the Senate of Venice after the death of Marc Cornaro her Father had adopted as their Daughter The mariage was treated with the consent of the Siegneurie who gaue her a great dowrie this marriage was made in the yeare 1466. Iames King of Cypres fell sicke of a bloudy Flix and seeing that his cure was desperate hee had not the trouble which great Princes as well as priuate men haue when they die to know to whom hee should recommend his realme hauing the Senate of Venice wholly at his deuotion but it troubled him what his successor should be which was yet in the mothers wombe s Princes haue no lesse need then mean persons of strong consolations to help them to depart the world to leaue their affaires in some safety Mocenigo assured him that neither the Venetians forces nor his priuate seruice should neuer faile him After his death Charlotte demanded succors of the Venetians the Duke answered that the Siegneurie was bound to defend her who was her adopted Daughter and that King Iames had instituted her heyre with the fruit in her womb That moreouer he wondred that she vnderstood not that rights of Realmes were debated rather by Armes then by Lawes t In former times wheÌ„ they haue demanded of conquerors of Prouinces the titles of their CoÌ„quests some haue shewed them their Canons and others their swords and that the Realme of Cypres had not been solely to her but also to the Geneuois who at that time held a great part The widdow of King Iames was presently troubled with new Combustions within the Realme A Bishop of the house of the Gotholans Tumults in Cypres who had great authoritie and credit in the Iland being Embassador to Ferdinand King of Naples when as King Iames dyed propounded to marry the Bastard of the deceased King of Cypres Many were of his partie but the wiser sort were contented to passe these rockes with open eyes and deafeeares u There are some things which are good to be seene but dangerous to be harkened vnto They saw the ruines whereinto they did runne and did not giue eare to the promises inchantments that were made them The designe of marriage tooke effect x The Cipriòts seazed vpon the Kings Palace and made his base daughter beeing but six yeares old sure to King Ferdinands base son and gaue him the title of Prince of Galilee but that of the royalty was preuented by the Venetians who sent Mocenigo thither The courage of the conspirators quailed their iudgement failed them at his arriuall their last refuge was flight The soueraigne Authoritie remained peaceably in the Queene who in acknowledgement of the succours she had receiued from Venice Presents of the Queene of Cypres to Mocenigo presented Mocenigo with a Target richly wrought and a standard of the same Shee was brought in bed of a Sonne who dyed at the end of the yeare By this death shee remained Queene alone vnder the Protection and defence of the Siegneurie of Venice Ferdinand King of Naples seeing that his first designe did not succeed for the marriage of the Bastard hee sought the Queene widdow for his Sonne imploying in this Treatie Riccius Marineus a Neapolitaine Ferdinand K. of Naples seeke the alliance of the Queene of Cypres a very deere friend to the deceased King and Tristan Cybellet a Cypriot who had a Sister
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
vnto it excusing himselfe vpon his word giuen vnto the English Vpon this refusall the King prouides him worke of all sides He puts Rhene Duke of Lorraine in mind of the iniury the Duke haddone him in holding him prisoner The King stirs vp enemies against the Duke of Bourgondy Rene incensed with this remembrance sent a Herald presently to defie him In like manner the King perswaded the Arch-Duke Sigismond to redeme Ferrete and the Townes of Basill Strausborug Colmar and others interessed in the Duks designes to furnish the money to free the Country from so troublesome a Prince k The King was well serued 〈◊〉 this negotiation by one called Iulius of Silligny a Suisse borne he was Bishop of Lyon and afterwards of Grenoble and themselues from so terrible a neighbour By this meanes the Duke was stript of the Prouinces ingaged and disappointed of the conqest of Germany wherof his people had already made a Mappe l When as Princes make a designe to conquer a Conquer a Contry they which desire the execution talke of it continually and represent it in pourtrait The Atheniens did nothing but talke of the Conquest of Sicile when as the voyage of Niceas being resolued he did draw out vpon the ground the forme of the Iland numbred the ports the meanes it gaue to attempt vppon affrike Plu. in the life of Niceas At the same time that this remboursment was appointed and the money consigned the Arch-Duke Sigismond caused Peter Hagembach the Duks Lieutenant Generall in all the Countries ingaged to be taken prisoner His Processe was made by seauen and twenty Iudges two of ech Town Strausbourg Basill Schletstart Colmar Kentzingem Freibourg Neuuembourg Soleurre Berne eight of Brissac and the President of Ensisheim Their proceedings in Iustice was speedy the fourth of May they committed him to prison and put him to the rack on the ninth they brought him before his Iudges and gaue him an Aduocate Death of Peter of Hagembach Gouernour of Ferette Thy accused him of many violences insolences and concussions and hauing noe meanes to iustifie himselfe they condemned him to lose his head There was noe help he must vndergoe it He caried for his deuice three Dice with this Motto Iepasse m Peter of Hagembach lost his head at Brisach the 9. of May 1474. by torch-light His Laqueis seruants carried his deuice of three dice with this motto Iepasse At that time this distique was published Omnis spes fallax sed fallacissima ludi Hagembach Ich passe spes stulta fuit He past indeede the most cruell in excesse and cruelty His crimes iniustice his cruelty to men and his impiety to God brought him to this scafold to be a mornfull president of the wretched end of an vnrestrayned vniust and vnsupportable power and that to commaund people long and safely it is better to desire to be loued then feared n After that Philip King of Macedonie had vanquished the Citties of Greece they councelled him to put in good Garisons to assure his Conquest I had rather said he be called gentle for a long time then Lord for a short to be good then mighty Lewis made all the instruments of these counsels to worke he was the master-whele of these great motions and thought so to distract the Duke of Bourgundies mind into diuers parts as he would forget the designes which he had in France and that he should be at rest whilest his enemie was in troble The death o The greatest pollicy of State is that which the most pollitick Romaine Emperour did practise Pacem in Vrbe bellum pocull habere to haue peace in the Citty and warre a farre off of Hagembach did much offend the Duke he commaunded his seruants which were in Bourgundy to ouer runne the Countrey of Ferrete Vpon this commaundement the Marshall of Bourgundy of the house of Neufchastel Army of the Duke of Bourgondy in the County of Ferette one of the foure Ancients of Bourgundy p They haue giuen the honor of antiquity nobility valour and greatnes to foure houses of Bourgundy Vicune Chalâ—n Neufchastel and Vâ—rgy came about Montbeliard to haue the place yeelded vnto him and towld the Gouernor that if he did not yeeld it he would bring the life of the Prince of Wirtemberg into danger whom the Duke had caused to be taken neere vnto Luxembourg q Henry of Wirtemberg taken prisoner in the warre in his youth by Charles Duke of Bourgondy in the yeare 1474. Eberhard his vncle held his prisoner in the yeare 1499. Munster saies it was for madnes He dyed in the yeare 1519. and was father to George Earle of Wirtemberg He answered that this Prince was not iustly taken prisoner in any good warre that he had Brethren interessed in the guard of the place and to whom he was bound to keep it A braue answere He that commands a place should not leaue it but like an honest man The bloud of his children spilt before his face should not moue him r In the yeare 1292. Schane Castille brother to Sancho King of Castille beseeging Tariffe sent word to Alfonso father to Gâ—â— man Gouernour of the place that if he yeelded iâ— not he would put his onely sonne whom he held prisoner to death Alfonso answered I will not faile of my duty for a hundred Children and if thouthen beest so greedy of the bloud of mine heere take my sword vse it Soone after being at diner with his wife hee heard a great noyse and supposing it to bee the enemy he went directly to the wall where they tould him that they had seene his sonne slaine I had thought said he that the enemy had bin entred the town so returned without any signe of trouble in amasement An admirable constancy They of Basill being aduertised that the Duke of Bourgundy practised Montheliard to be assured of the passage sent men thither The Marshall of Bourgundie gaue the Contie of Ferrete in prey to his armie Laague made against the the Duke of Bourgundy The Suisses being assembled at Lucerne could not suffer their neighbours to be so ill intreated They declare war against the Duke of Bourgundy and send him the Pattents which they call friends briefe Letters of enemies The Marshall of Bourgundy made answere thereunto and felt the blowes as soon as the threats The first of Nouember the troupes of the Cantons and other Townes their confederates against the Duke of Bourgundy came to Basill which furnished them with Canon and Munition Hericourt taken by the League and then they marched directly to besiege Hericourt a Towne belonging to the Marshall of Bourgundy who presented himselfe with 10000. men to raise the siege but hee was repulst with the losse of aboue two thousand Stephen of Hagembach brother to him that was beheaded yeelded the place vpon composition to haue his life saued Many were carried prisoners to Basill
his life Hee liued six yeares eleuen monthes Philip Earle of Bresse sonne to Lewis and great Grandfather to Charles Emanuel who had been prisoner at Loches succeeded him a great Prince as all they haue been whose fortunes haue been tost and crost z They whom a variable vnconstaÌ„t fortune hath exercised and tryed gouerne theÌ„selues better then others Tacitus speaks it of Caractatus QueÌ„ multa ambigua multa prospeta extâ—lerant vt câ—teros Britannorum Imperato resprâ—mineret Whom many crosses and many good fortunes had raised vp that he might exceed the rest of the Brittish commanders After that Iustus Lipsius to confirme this truth hath spoken of Charles the fiâ—t and Lewis the eleuenth he addes Emanuel Philibert Duke of Sauoy and concludes that the Greeke word is true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I haue learned of them that haue hurt me Miseria brudentiae bona mater Misery iâ— a good mother of wisedome At the Kings returne from Lyon Alfonso K. of Portugal comes to demand succors in France Alfonso King of Portugall came to salute him being at Tours hee came vnto him as to his last refuge being no longer able to resist the power of King Ferdinand and Isabelta The cause of their contention is well worthy the knowing and to vnderstand it wee must remember that it was formerly said that by the peace made betwixt Iohn King of Castille and Iohn of Nauarre Blanche the eldest Daughter of Nauarre was married to Henry of Castille Prince of the Asturies and that the marriage was not consummated by reason of the disabilitie and coldnes of the husband a Pope Eugenius the third gaue a dispensation for the degree of proximitie that was betwixt the married couple and the marriage was celebrated at Madrid in the yeare 1440. The bashfulnes and modestie of this Princesse made her dissemble her misfortune Disabilitie of Henry K. of Castillâ— whereof no man might inconsiderately grow in doubt for the Prince was of a manlike and braue aspect but his actions were faint and languishing They were but fiue and twentie yeares old when they were married At one and thirty he succeeded to his father who died in the yeare 1454 of a quartaine Ague after that he had put Aluaro de Luna b Dom Aluato de Luna abusing the greatnes of his charge and the great loue the King bare him was hated of the Princes Noblemen of Castille they forced the King to banish him six yeares from the Court His faction won the Prince D. Henry who armed against his father wroght so as he was restored to fauor and made Master of the Order of S. Iames but seeking to be reuenged of his enemies and making many enterprises against them Queene Isabel fauoring them made the King resclue to put him in prison to haue him exâ—cuted at Vaile dosâ—t The King did forfeit al his goods they did set a siluer Basin whereas his head was to receiu that which passers by would giue for his entertainment A remarkable example of the inconstancy of Kings and fortunes fauours Al sin 〈…〉 vita a la tarde loa el dia. The life is commended by the end and the day by the Euening his Constable to death and had raigned nine and forty yeares and six monethes Henry succeeded him and Alfonso his second sonne was great Master of the Order of St. Iames hee would willingly haue giuen him his Crowne for the griefe he had conceiued for Henries disobedience His Daughter Isabella was but three yeares old to whom he gaue the Towne of Cuellar and a great summe of money for her mariage All things succeeded otherwise then he had proiected The eternall prouidence which hath written in his tables of Diamond the aduentures of things which are haue been and shall be had disposed after another manner But as the most constant patience is tired at length this Princesse The Pope dissolues the mariage for sterilitie hauing for a long time endured her husbands disabilitie began to murmure and he preuented her complaints presenting a request vnto the Pope to bee seperated from her and shewed that she was barren and could not be a mother and that the affaires of Castille required an heire The Pope dissolued the first marriage and suffered him to marry againe with Ione Infanta of Portugall Sister to King Alfonso and Daughter to King Edward a Princesse exceeding faire who more desirous to bee a Queene then a wife consented to this marriage notwithstanding that shee was fully aduertised of the disabilitie of the husband which she tooke who although he were a great Prince could not haue found a woman where as euery one may haue for his money But shee made it knowne that a politick woman neuer dyes without an heyre On the other side the King held the blemish of disabilitie to be so dishonourable as to make the contrarie knowne and to haue children to succeed vnto his Crowne he consented that Bernard de la Cueua one of his fauourites c Some write that D. Ioane consented therevnto by force but when she had once made this leape she had more need of a bridle then a spurre A wonderfull incontinency and impudency Being at it were confined to the Castell of Alacaes vnder the custody of the Archbishop of Seuelle she had by D. Pedro the Archbishops Nephew two children D. Ferdinand and D. Apostol should lye with the Queene who presently conceiued with child and to the end it should not bee thought to be done by supposition he would haue her deliuered in the presence of Henry Earle of Alba de Lista the Archbishop of Toledo and the Marquis of Vellena It was a Daughter which had for her Godfather the Earle of Armagnaâ— who was at that time Embassador in Castille to King Lewis the eleuenth Wisedome and discretion might haue made this deceit more fortunate then it was Henry the king of Castille degraded for all Spaine made demonstration of incredible Ioy for the birth of this Daughter but there was follie and indiscretion of all sides The King who would confirme this opinion that he was a gallant man sought the loue of other women who soone discouered the deceit The Queene made shew to be iealous entertained her loue securely with D. Bernard so as the great familiaritie he had with her made the world doubt of her chastitie and when as they saw that the King honored him with the chiefe charges of the Realme making him master of the order of St Iames and then Duke of Albuquergue they did imagine that he made him play his part in this Comedie which ended with cruel tragicall effects for the Great men of the realme made a league to seaze vpon D. Alfonso and D. Isabella brother Sister to the end that this Bastard should not depriue them of their rights Alfonso being about twelue yeeres old was proclaimed K. of Castille by them and then did D. Henry shew
Gand to giue him a fauourable end of his suite and to haue infringed the priuiledges of Gand Hogonet Imbercourt condeÌ„ned to die the which may not be changed nor broken without paine of death Vpon these accusations or rather slanders the Maior AldermeÌ„ of Gand condemn theÌ„ to loose their heads In 6 daies their processe was made the number of their freinds nor the appearance of their innocency which in those extremities is the last refuge could not saue them n Innocency is the last refuge of the miserable helps him much that hath nothing else remaining It hath sometimes set the condemned in the Iudges place Neri sonne to Vgucione of Fagiuola Lord of Luga condemned Castrucio to death and the people freed him going to execution and set him in Neris place Three houres after the sentence was pronounced they were executed without any respect to the appeale which they had made to the Court Parliament at Paris Brother in law The Pope and Emperor offended at this impiety at whose instance the Pope and the Emperour Fredericke send vnto Adolph to set the Country at liberty and to yeeld obedience to his father and vpon the contempt of this commandement they write vnto the Duke of Bourgundy not to suffer this impiety any longer The Duke was then about Dourlans he commanded Adolph to come and to bring his father Adolph durst not displease so mighty a Neighbour The Duke heares them in their complaints and confronts them together The sonne accuseth the father of villanous and wicked actions Duke of Bourgundy Iudge of the quarrell whereof he presently purgeth himselfe and by the testimony of Noblemen that were there present at this confrontation the sons slander was discouered and detested then the father transported with extreme griefe presented the single coÌ„bat vnto his son The Duke would not allow it for the vncertaine euent could not be where soeuer the victory fell without a certain crime Hauing conferred of this businesse with his Councell hee ordained that the father should retaine the title of Duke with the Towne of Graue and 3000. Crownes for his entertainment the son should haue all the rest Notwithstanding that this iudgement was so fauourable for the sonne as all men thought that the Iudge was more affected to him then to the father x Adolph had maried Catherine of Bourbon daughter to Iohn Duke of Bourbon and Anne of Bourgundy sister to Phillip The Sig r. of Argenton saith that the Duke fauored Adolph in respect of this marriage yet this vnnaturall sonne straying from all obedience duty y Decius was commended for that hee refused the Empire saying that being Emperour hee should forget to be a sonne Imperet pater meus meum imperium sit parere humiliter imperanti Let my father rule my Empire shall be humbly to obay him that rules Val. Max. lib. 4. would not be satisfied saying That his father had raigned long enough and that he should content himselfe with the pension of 3000. Crownes and that he should neuer set his foote in the Countrey of Guelders To be short that hee had rather cast his father into a Well and himselfe headlong after him then consent to the conditions of this sentence z It is an impious thing saith Plato for any one to force his father and his Country he saith more-ouer that the child should haue a care not to offend him for there is not any praier which the Gods heare sooner then that which the fathers make against their children The Duke being prest to go vnto his Army before Amiens leaues them in this dispute and would not alter his iudgement The sonne fearing that his obstinacy might bring him to the place where he had put his father and knowing that few men affected him stale away in a disguised French habite and tooke the way to Graue Adolph steales away and is taken prisoner But passing the Riuer at Namur with one man in his company he was knowne by a Priest and staied by others and conducted to the Duke of Bourgundy who sent him prisoner to Villeuor and afterwards to Courtray where he remained miserable and no man pittied him in his misery a It is a cruelty and inhumanity to pitty a parricide The punishment which he endures how great soeuer doth not giue so much amazement as the crime causeth horror and execration vntill that the Gantois set him at liberty to be their Generall in the warre of Tournay The father dying had giuen the Dutchy of Guelders to the Duke of Bourgundy The warre being vndertaken by them of Gand against Tournay and the Mutiny growing insolently violent against the Dutchesse of Bourgundy they had need of a Head for without it their hands were not much to be feared He is set at liberty by the Gantols They cast their eyes vpon Adolph draw him out of prison and like mad-men as they are thinke that this cruell wretch who could not loue his father will haue a care of their affaires b What piety can bee expected of him that hath beene impious and inhuman to his owne father Qui fallere audebit Parentes qualis erit in ceteris He that dares deceiue his Parents what will hee bee to other men Casiod They giue him absolute command being resolued to aduance him higher then his Predecessours and to make him husband to the Dutchesse People in such distractions haue played madder prankes and made more indiscreete elections He lead them to Tournay where hauing burnt the Suburbs he was slaine His death was not more honourable vnto him then his life The Princesse was not sorry for this action For if hee had returned tryumphing from this exploite the Gantois had forced her to mary him and rather then to haue had a husband of their choice she would haue taken one by chance as the heire of Bohemia had done Primislaus a Laboâ—er becomes King of Bohemia who marryed Primislaus and drew him from labour to the honour of her Marriage and Crowne c Lybussa daughter to Gracus second King of Bohemia declared in an Assembly of the Estates held in an open field that shee would take him for husband before whom a horse shold stay which she should let go without guide or force He stayed before Primislaus who was tilling his Land They tooke him and led him to the Princesse who made him her husband and gaue him to the people for their King His wodden shoes were long kept in the Cathedrall Church of Prage and shewed to the Kings of Bohemia to make them remember their beginning The Princesse of Bourgundies affaires impaired Many Physitions vndid the Patient The King had a mighty Army which kept all the Low Countries in awe in his absence it was commanded by the Bastard of Bourbon Admirall of France There was nothing attempted by the enemy but was defeated In many exploits of warre which were made vpon this
day The Chronicle reports an example which shewes the little industry and addresse that was euen in the Maisters of this Art for all the Officers of the Ordinance being gathered together on Munday before Twelfth day Bombard made at Tours in the yeare 1448. in the field before Saint Anthonies Bastille to try a great Bombard which the King had caused to bee made at Tours At the first shot it carried an Iron Bullet of fiue hundred pounds weight vnto the Gibbet at Pont Charenton They thought it was not well boared and therefore they would haue it cleansed and charged againe The Caster playing the Gunner scoured it so carelesly as hee left fire in it so as hauing charged it anew and put in his Bullet the Bombard hauing no fire set to the touch-hole discharged of it selfe blowing vp the Caster ino the Aire into many peeces which slew neere and farre off two and twenty men and burnt and maimed many others g The Chronicle addes that the peeces of the Casters body were gathered together and buried in the Church of S. Merry and that they cried in the streets Pray vnto God for I. Maugue caster of the Bombard who is newly dead between heauen earth in the seruice of the king our Lord. Our age more industrious Ordinance of Brasse and subtile hauing caused Brasen Ordinance to bee cast that is to say a mixture of Tinne and Copper softer and more flexible then Iron Artilery beganne to be good in the warres of the Emperour Charles the fift and of Francis the first and better vnder the raigne of Henry the second King Henry the fourth hath brought it to perfection France could not carry the title of Inuincible before her Arsenals were filled with that whose want maketh the mightiest Empires weake Shee may now bragge to haue the keyes of all the forts of Europe and that there is not any one but will stoope and humble it selfe at the sight of this Thunderbolt when as at the first word of Iupiter it shall be cast forth by the Eagle which carieth it and which onely demands where is it If Christian Princes would haue vented out in any other place then in Europe Death of Mahomet 2. that warlike heate which turmoyled them to their owne ruines God had giuen them a goodly occasion to employ both the Camping Troupes of Lewis the 11. and all the forces of other Christian Princes to the ouerthrowing of that of the Turks which was wonderfully shaken by the death of Mahomet h Mahomet the second Emperour of the Turkes dyed the the 3 d. of May 1481. in the 52. yeare of his age Hee dyed at that time in Nicomedia Pope Sixtus was so glad as he appointed three festiuall daies Sixtus the 4. reioyceth at the death of Mahomet in Rome to thanke God for that the Church was deliuered from such a scourge dying hee cursed Rhodes thrice he was a wiser and more polliticke Prince then any of the house of the Ottomans as he who in all his conquests added pollicy to force Hee was thicke synowy and strong of body he had an Aquiline nose and so crooked as the end hung ouer his lip Being yong he beganne to take delight in the actes of Alexander the Great promising himselfe to surpasse or equall him i Mahomet propounded no other patterne vnto himselfe then that of Alexander not to imitate him in his vertues but in his ambition The first day he sate in the Throne of Amurath k Amurath dyed before the Castle of Croy in the yeare 1450. his father who raigned 32. yeares Mahomet surnames himselfe the Great a Prince much beloued of his owne and iust vnto his enemies he would be surnamed the Great In shew he held Mahomets Religion but hauing beene bred vp as a Christian by his Mother who was daughter to Lazarus Prince of Seruia instructed by her in the Prayers Confession of the Christian Faith when he came to the Empire he found himselfe in so great a doubt distraction what he should beleeue as he resolued not to beleeue any thing caring no more for the Gospell then for the Alcoran making a scoffe at Mahomet whom he termed to be a Slaue a Thiefe holding his Prophecies for Fables and his Lawes for Impostures The father dying had recommended vnto him his yong sonne Turcin being but eighteene Monthes old and he had promised not to make him feele the rigor of the house of the Ottomans But as he had no faith towards God so he kept none with men l Wee must not expect any obseruation of faith from a Prince that hath no Religion he forgat this promise for death had no sooner closed vp his fathers eyes but he drew this poore Infant out of the Nurses armes to beate out his braines against the wall saying that hee would not haue his father interred alone Moses one of his chiefe seruants entreated him not to defile his hands in his owne bloud This reason did not moue him but onely to change the executioner for he commanded him to kill him Moses caused water to bee brought and powred such aboundance into the mouth of this infant as he did both smother him and drowne him The mother seeing this Inhumanity fild the house with fearefull cryes and made terrible imprecations against Mahomet who to comfort her said That she sought in vaine to reuiue her sonne with teares that she should conforme her selfe vnto the Law m This custeme is inhumane and vnnaturall But we must not expect iust Lawes in a 〈…〉 it is better to murther some few then to expose a million to death by the warre which should grâ—w in the house of the Ottomans if the great Senior should suffer the Princes of his bloud to liue But where is the Law of the God which they adore that approues a Parricide It is a tyrannous custome but yet ancient The sâ—ccessors of Alexander saith Plutarch did commonly kill the mothers wiues and children with their brethren it was an ordinary custome which would not that a Prince comming to the Empire should suffer his brethren to liue for that there could be but one Head in the Empire nor but one Sunne in Heauen but if shee desired any other thing whatsoeuer it were she should be sure to obtaine it This woman changing her griefe into reuenge demanded the heart of Moses Reuenge of a woman Mahomet instantly commanded that he should be bound hand and foote and with the same knife which she thrust into his body she opened his side pulled out his heart cast it to the dogs and was therewith pacified n The Author of the History of Scandeberge relating this History in the 7 th book addes these words A profitable instruction for those corrupted spiâ—its which prostitute their consciences to the furious passions of great men Amurath had another sonne of sixe months old called Calepin and foreseeing it would be
of his wrath and peace Fussero in potesta d'â—n huomo ambiciosissimo superbissimo sotto posto al vino à molte altre in honeste volunta che la â—ssercitasse ad arbiâ—â—o delle sue cupidita non secondo la consideratione della iustitia o del bono publico â—ella Christianita should be in the power of an ambitious and proud man subiect to wine and many other dâ—shâ—nest lusts and should vse it after his owne will and not according to iustice and the good of Christendome Pope Sixtus hearing of this Accord Griefe of P. Sixtus for the Peace died for griefe He had incensed all the Potentates of Italy at the Assembly of Cremona against the Venetians his courage and resolution went beyond all the designes threats and attempts of his Enemies And when as to terrifie him they declared that they would cause him to bee cited to appeare before a Councell hee made it knowne that hee endured these threats Resolution of Pope Sixtus as the Physitian doth the iniuries of a madde man answering h Sixtus ingeâ—ti animo summaque constantia respondisse fertur Se concilium quidem libenter admissurum vbi speraâ—â—â— se omnium horum Principum criminibus parâ—factis res plurimas Ecclesia ablatas ab ijs repetiturum Vnde qui illum metu expugnare sperabant ab eodem preterriti alia perfugia quaesiere That he would alwaies take the holding of a Councell for a great happinesse when as there should be hope by the discouery of their wickednesse to force them to yeeld vnto the Church the goods which they had taken from it Platina addes that this answere was a proofe of the vigor of this Popes spirit and of the greatnesse of his courage which amazed them that thought to amaze him The Church notwithstanding had great need of this Phlebotomy or letting bloud as the most wholesome remedy for the disorders which time doth breed in the most holy and best ordered things Lewis 11. neglects the calling of a councell It hath serued happily in the first yeares of her birth vnder the conduct and direction of the Apostles i In the Apostles time and in the first Infancy of the Church when as allwaâ—s pure according to her institution there were 4 Councels or Apostolicall Assemblies The first the 34 th yeare after the comming of our Sauiour whereas Matthias was named to the Apostleship and the Assembly might be of 120 faithfull The second in the same yeare for the election of Deacons of which number S t. Stephen was The 3 d in the 48 th yeare according to Onuphrius and 51 th according to Baronius for circumcision and the heresie of Cerinthus The 4 th for the the tolleration of circumcision for a time that they might bury the Synagogue with honor in the 58 th yeare Of these foure Councels the Acts of the Apostles speakes cap. 1. 15. 21. and hath beene euer since vsed The King was not very carefull to procure this remedy being incensed for that which Pope Sixtus had done against the Florentines he forbad the transport of gold and siluer to Rome and commanded the Bishops and Prelates of his realme to assemble at Orleans whither he sent the Earle of Beaujeu to preside But he shewed not the like zeale and courage which his father had done in the Assembly of the French Church at Bourges Where there is question of Gods seruice they must proceed after another maner then when it concernes but the Interest of men Publicke buildings must be made after another manner and of another matter then priuate Moses sustained the peoples cause before God with teares he defended that of God against the people with Armes The King came to Orleans to passe to Clery remaining there but halfe a day to breake off the Assembly hee was satisfied to haue drawne from the Pope that which he desired in fauour of the Florentiâ—es and promised to continue it at Lyons This did but make the sights of good men more vehement who burne with the zeale of Gods house Estate of the Church lamentable and who saw that the wound was â—neurable and that the canker had seized vpon the vitall parts that the Church was at peace with Heretickes and Infidels and in perpetuall trouble with her owne Children I haue nourished said she by the report of S. Bernard Children I haue exalted them and they haue contemned me k Vox plangentis in tempore isto Filios enutriui exaltaui ipsi autem spreuerunt me spreuerunt maculauerunt me à turpi vita à turpi quaestu à turpi commercio à negotio denique perambulante tenebris They haue dishonoured me by the filthinesse of their liues and the foulnesse of their commerse and by workes which are done in darknesse The Chronicle of Basill reports a strange History of the passion or rather furie wherewith a Iacobin Frier was transported whom it names Andrew Archbishop of Krane a man of learning and courage who thrust on by presumption l Presumption carries mens minds out of the common way it followes vnknowen courses embraceth nouelties A spirit presuming little of it selfe remaines in the bouâ—ds of innocency and simplicity a vice diuerting mens mindes from their duties Andrew Archbishop of Krane preacheth against the Pope to wander out of the common way past the mountaines came to Basill and preached in the Cathedrall Church against Rome as against a new Babylon coniuring the Emperour and K. Lewis the eleuenth to procure the Assembly of a Councell against her scandals Pope Sixtus the fourth was no sooner aduertised hereof but he commanded the Magistrate of Basill to deliuer him into the hands of his Iustice. The Senate answered that they had already giuen aduertisement thereof to the Emperour Fredericke and attended his pleasure beseeching the Popes Nuntio to haue patience and to assure himselfe that there should not be any thing done in preiudice of the holy Sea The Archbishop on the 13 of Iuly the same yeare 1482. caused a declaration to be published by the which lamenting the ruines of the Church he coniured and entreated all Ministers Pastors to succour it xcomE nicated by the Pope and by vertue of the Decree of Constance to assemble at Basill m The Councell of Constance in the 39 Session decreed that euery ten yeares they should assemble a general Councell to aduise of the remedies and for that the Pope had declared him excommunicate he appealed against his sentence and hauing no better reason to obiect against this excommunication then the want of power he maintained that Sixtus the fourth had not entred into S. Peters Chaire by the doore but like a thiefe that he made trafficke of holy things and that he tooke delight not to feed but to fley Christs Flocke The Princes and Common-weales of Italy were not in good termes with him all threatned him with a Councell And although
loyall Officers Seruants and Subiects g Bodâ—n writes in the fourth booke of his Common-weale Chap. 4. that K. Lewis the 〈◊〉 made another Edict declaring all offices perpetuall if resignation death or Fortune did not cause some change and hee ordained that a Destitution by forfeite should not take place if the forfeiture were not adiudged Item Wee haue also expressely commanded and enioyned him that when it shall please God he come vnto the said Crowne of France that he shall maintaine all the Noble-men of our Bloud and Linage and all other Noble-men Barons Gouernours Knights Esquires Captaines and Commanders at warre in their Offices and charges and all other hauing the command of men and guard of Townes places and Forts and all other Officers either of Iustice or other of what condition soeuer not changing or disappointing any of them vnlesse they bee duely found faulty and disloyall h An Officer which feares to be disappointed holds all his actions pure and keepes himselfe from failing Yet a Prince should neuer displace without cause and one of the greatest commendations which they giue to king Robert is that he neuer disappâ—â—â—ed any Officer if he had not offended and that there may be a due declaration made by Iustice as is requisite in that case Item Vnto the end our sonne may and will consider of entertaine and accomplish our said Ordinance Iniunction and commandement wee haue laid before him the great miseries inconueniences and ir-repairable losses which befell vs soone after our comming vnto the Crowne for that we had not maintained them in their estates charges Offices i King Lewis the eleuenth coming to the Crowne did suddenly disappoint all his fathers ancient seruants who handled him in such sort as he was ready as hee confest after-ward to quit his Crowne and his estate the which hath continued long to the great oppression and ruine of many of our Countries and Subiects and doth yet continue although that God be thanked we haue not lost any thing of the Crowne but haue augmented it with great Lands and possessions hoping shortly with the pleasure and good will of our Creator to settle peace and tranquility And that if our said sonne should doe the like and should not continue the said Noble-men and Officers the like or worse might happen vnto him and that as hee loues the good honour and increase of himselfe the said Realme and others our Countries and Signiories hee should haue a speciall care not to doe any thing to the Contrary for what cause soeuer Which Remonstrances made by vs to our sonne the Dauphin for the good of the Crowne of France and to the end the said Ordonances Commandements and Iniunctions made vnto him should take effect and bee in perpetuall memory wee haue demanded of our said sonne k A marke of great mildnesse in a seuere Prince and of great bounty in a difficult Father hee doth not vse his authority ouer his sonne for so iust a command Hee first sounds his will then hee suffers him to consult with his obedience the bond whereof is sealed with the Seale of Nature the which hath not giuen to men any Commission to command others and to make them subiect except the Father whom Procles calleth The Image of the Soueraigne GOD. what hee thought and whether he were content willing and resolued to entertaine the same things and other deliuered by vs and especially touching the said Charges and Offices Whereunto he hath humbly made answere and said That he would willingly obey acomplish and performe with all his power the Commandements Instructions Ordonances and Iniunctions which we gaue him for the which he did most humbly thanke vs. Moreouer wee commanded him to retire himselfe with some of his Officers which were there present and conferre with him vpon those matters which hee had propounded vnto him and resolue whether hee would entertaine all that wee had enioyned him The which hee hath done and then he spake these or such like words vnto vs Sir with the helpe of God and when it shall bee his pleasure that these things happen I will obey your commandement and pleasure and will performe and accomplish all that you haue enioyned me Wherevpon we said vnto him That seeing he would doe it for the loue of vs he should hold vp his hand and promise so to do and hold The which he hath done Item After many other things declared by vs concerning the same matter and also of many Noble-men our aduersaries within our realme l A Prince cannot leaue a more profitable and fruitful precept vnto his sonne then to make him knowe the friends of his Estate to cherish them and the enemies to beware of them the one and the other are known by the effects but men regard but the face and God seeth the heart who haue alwayes beene contrary to vs and our said Crowne from whom part of the miseries and inconueniences aboue mentioned haue sprung to the end he might haue a watchfull eye ouer them we haue recommended vnto him some of our good and loyall Seruants and Officers which were there present and some absent letting him vnderstand how well and faithfully they had serued vs as well against our enemies and about our person as also in many and diuers sorts Of which things and of euery their circumstances and dependances we haue ordained and commanded our louing and faithfull Notary and Secretary M r. Peter Parrent to make all Letters Provisions Patents and declaratory clauses of our said will and commandement that shall bee needfull as well during our said Reigne as that of our Sonne and in the beginning of his said Reigne by manner of confirmation to the said Officers and confirming theÌ„ in their said Charges and Offices and we haue so coÌ„manded enioyned our said sonne to cause it to be done by the said Parrent as our Secretary and his Wee also command by these Presents our louing and faithfull Councellours of our Courts of Parliament m Presently after the death of Lewis the Parliament of Paris decreed that the Officers should continue in their charges as they had done before attending the answere of the new King the which shewes that charges are suspended vntil that his pleasure hee knowne according to an ancient Decree made in October 1382. of the said Realme and Dauphine Exchequer of Normandy Maisters of our Accounts Generals and Councellors of our Treasurie of Iustice and of our Aids Maisters of requests of our houshold Prouâ—st of Paris and all Bailiffes Seneshals Provosts and other our Iustices and officers or their Lieuetenants and euery of them to whom it shall belong which are at this present or shall be hereafter in our time or our sonnes that they obserue entertaine and accomplish and cause to be obserued entertained and accomplished from point to point inviolably our present Ordonances and Declarations and all and euery thing contained in these Presents with their
Gabardan Of this marriage issued D. Mathea married to Gaston Prince of Bearne who succeeding her father and mother brought vnto the principality of Bearne those goodly peeces of Bigorre Marsan and Gabardan In like manner by the daughter of Gaston Prince of Bearne named Margaret married to Roger Bernard Earle of Foix all that is come vnto the house of Foix. Examples which serue to confirme this generall custome obserued within the Realme That in all Dutchies Counties Vicounties Baronies Lands and Signiories the daughters being neerest in degree haue succeded and beene preferred before the Males So as if King Lewis the eleuenth had liued he would haue decided this controuersie in giuing sentence for the Neece against the Vncle His iudgement had beene grounded first vpon the right of the first borne and representation secondly vpon the conuentions of marriage betwixt Gaston of Foix and the Lady Magdalen of France making expresse mention that the children which should bee borne should succeed in all the lands of Foix and Bigorre then held by Gaston of Foix her father Thirdly vpon the ancient customes and obseruances of the Realme Fourthly vpon the testament and last will of the Earle of Foix. Alphonso of Portugall died also at the same time Death of Alphonso K. of Portugall hee had his share in the miseries of Kings hee entred a childe into the Realme t Such as God giues the prince such must the people receiue him but the wisest of all Kings saith Vnhappy is that Realme which is commaunded by a child Metius Falconius Nicomachus approuing the Election which the Senate had made of Tacitus being old and broken vsed these wordes Dij auertant principes pueros pattes patriae dici impuberes quibus ad subscribendum magistri literatij manus teneant quos ad Consulatus dandos dulcia circuli quaecunque puerilis voluptas invitet Quae malum ratio est habere Imperatorem qui samam curare non nouerit qui quid sit Respub nesciat nutritorem time at respiciat ad nutricem manum magistralium ictibus terrorique subiaceat faciat eos Consules Duces Iudices quorum vitas merita aetates familias et gesta non nouerit God forbid the Princes and Fathers of the Countrey should be tearmed children whose hands their maisters must hold when they subscribe and who are drawne to giue Offices with childish delights What a misery is it to haue an Emperour which knowes not how to maintaine his fame nor what a Common-weale is who feares his Tutor and is subiect to stripes and terror and shall make them Consuls Dukes and Iudges whose liues merites ages families and actions hee doth not know which was ill for himselfe and worse for his subiects His mother Elenor sister to Iohn the second King of Arragon was depriued by the Estates of the Regency which her Father had left her Peter Duke of Coimbra caused her to bee poysoned Alphonso tooke Armes to reuenge his mothers death Peter was slaine before Lisbone with a poysoned Arrow They would haue married Alphonso to Ioane the supposed daughter of Henry the fourth King of Castille this Tragedy hath beene formerly plaid He died at Sinta being nine and forty yeares old in the yeare one thousand foure hundred eighty two and the three and fortith of his reigne and was interred in the Royall Monastery of the Battell of the order of preaching Friers After the warres betwixt him and the King of Castille and the vnfortunate voyage which he made into France hee did nothing but languish He saw himself forst to passe into France for succors Fortune could not set him in a more wretched estate for there is nothing so miserable as to see a Prince expeld his Countrey and begging Pitty is presently changed into contempt and the consideration of that which is honest doth not ouer-sway that which is profitable They may well say that kings are brethren that one royall bloud cals another that their interrests are common that Rome is his mother the Senators his fathers their children his brethren yet if the aid which he demands doth not benefit him that giues it he shall returne more discontented then he came u In great deliberations profite goes before honesty Demetrius sonne to Seleucus hauing beene giuen in hostage and bred vp from his infancy at Rome intreated the Romans to restore him to his Realme which was held by the children of Antiochus and to moue them thereunto hee called Rome his Countrey and Nurse the Senators his fathers and their children his brethren But for all this the Senate inclined to that which was most safe and profitable they assisted the children of Antiochus being weake and yong suspecting much the great courage of Demetrius who was in the flower of his age Polib Thus behold three Kings imbarked almost at one instant in the shippe of Death Death of the Dutchesse of Bourbon onely God knowes the port whereunto they are arriued hee did call at the same time the Lady Iane of France Dutchesse of Bourbon to the end that Lewis should not be grieued to leaue the world The Chronicle calles this Princesse Most noble Powerfull Holy and the example of good liuers She died in the Castle of Moulins in May 1482. She had laboured all her life to entertaine loue and friendship betwixt the King her brother and the Duke of Bourbon her Husband knowing that the concord of France and the greatnesse of her houshold depended thereon and we may ascribe vnto her the glory of the peace which was made at Ryon by the which the principall fire-brands of the great fire of the league were quenched Whereupon all they that loued quyet cast their eyes vpon those of this Princesse and held them the Pleiades of France whose sweete Influences made the Oliue-tree of peace to flourish x Princesses by whose meanes peace doth flourish are the Pleiades of Estates wherein they are allied Pliny saith that the Oliue-tree springs vnder the Influence of the Pleiades Conâ—ipiunt oleae virgiliaruÌ„ exortu haec sydus illaruÌ„ est Polybius saith that among the Grecians the Caduce and among the Barbarians the Oliue is a signe of peace friendship At the same time dyed Iohn of Bourbon the second of that name Earle of Vendosme Here amazement stayes me suddenly why in all the History of King Lewis the eleuenth Philip de Commines hath neuer made any mention of that Nursery of Caesars and of Alexanders and of that Royall branch which hath brought forth the greatest King that euer ware Crowne or Scepter He speakes of foure sonnes of Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon of Charles Cardinall of Bourbon of Peter Lord of Beaujeu of the Bishop of Liege and makes no mention of Iohn the second Earle of Vandosme who liued vnder the reigne of Charles 7 and continued vnto the end of Lewis 11. wee must not wonder if the Chronicle hath forgotten it it doth often follow toyes and leaues
most famous actions As there are iniuries which are repaired by the quality only of them that doe them y The basenesse of him that doth a wrong defaceth the fearing of the iniurie Crates hauing receiued a blow on the face by Nicodromus a Man of base condition was contented for revenge to set these words vpon his wound Nicodromus faciebat so we see writings of so poore a fashion as it is indiffrent whether they be inserted or not But how comes it to passe that so diligent so exact and so iuditious a Writer had neuer cast his eyes vpon this house which had held all them of France in admiration and had not spoken of the actions of Iohn the second Earle of Vendosme which were no workes of ambition but of vertue and had not glory for their simple obiect but the contentment of his owne conscience desiring rather they should be grauen in the memory of good men then vpon the front of publicke workes An Historian that doth surpasse honour wrongs the publicke and as a sacriledge doth rauish the recompence of vertue z The sweetest fruit of a great and heroicke action is to haue done it they are deceiued which thinke to giue any other glory vnto vertue then it selfe She cannot finde out of her selfe any recompence worthy of her selfe and doth enuy the fruit that may grow thereby For although that men may be borne generous and full of heate for the loue of vertue yet it is needfull that the precepts and Images be often represented vnto them and that the statues which 〈◊〉 set vp in the Temple of memory grauen with the sciffers of eternity should bee shewed them yet it is not sufficient to shew them adorned with the Palmes and Crownes of their Triumphes they would haue them represented in such sort as they may seeme to breath speake and say vnto them a Mens mindes are excited to the loue of vertue by the examples of glory honor which adornes the memory of men whom she hath made famous werefore Polybius saith that they did represent to the youth of Rome their Images as liuing breathing to encourage them to that desire of honour which doth accompany good men Poly. lib. 6. You shall be as we are if you will liue as we did This labour may haue great defects they are found in the most perfect A History should be free from loue or hatred but they shall rather seeme to come from want of Iudgement then of will the which I finde free in this kinde of writing from hatred and loue furious passions which disguise both truth and false-hood They shall rather reproch me with ignorance then with lying and my writings shall alwayes haue more salt then spleene with what face shall they appeare in this age so much bound vnto the Kings glorious actions if they were dishonored as the rest with so iniurious a forgetfulnesse of his Predecessors Iohn Earle of Vendosme great great Grand-father to Henry the fourth King of France and Nauarre was sonne to Lewis Lord Steward of France and Gouernour of Picardy sonne to Lewis Earle of vendosme sonne to Iohn Earle of Marche sonne to Iames Constable of France the yonger sonne of Lewis of Clermont Duke of Bourbon eldest sonne to Robert of France second sonne to S. Lewis His Grand-mother was Katherine heire to the house of Vendosme his mother Ioane of Lauall daughter to Guy of Lavall surnamed dé Gaure b The Signiory of Laual was erected to an Earldome by K. Charles the seuenth at the instance of Lewis of Burbon Earle of Vandosme was the first act of Soueraignety which he did after his Coronation His father dyed in the yeare of our Lord 1447. and this death happened in a time so full of troubles as hee was forced to gird his sword vnto him more for the necessity of common defence then by reason of his quality or for seemelinesse Hee past his first Apprentiship in Armes vnder the braue Achilles of France Iohn of Orleans Earle of Dunois and was at the siege of Rouen Bourdeaux and Fronsac with Iohn Earle of Clermont sonne of Charles Duke of Bourbon and Carles of Bourgondy Duke of Neuers He serued King Charles the seuenth in all occasions that were offered to restore France and to free it from the oppressions of her enemies and did merit the Title of Most faithfull seruant of his Kings will and an inuincible companion of his dangers These two qualities which should haue purchased him loue with his successor Loialty of the Earle of Vandosme were the cause of his disgrace wherein hee did comfort himselfe by the knowledge he had of this Princes humor who did not loue any of his bloud nor them whom his Father had loued This was not able to withdraw him from his duty for hee still preserued the reputation of the ancient fidelity of them of his house vnto the Crowne c This branch of Vandosme hath that of glorious that it hath neuer left their kings in a maner all the Princes of France were of the league of the Common-weale yet Iohn Earle of Vandosme would not hearken to it When as the Duke of Orleans tooke Armes against the Lady Anne of France he drew vnto his party Charles Earle of Angoulesme the chiefe Noblemen of France onely the house of Vendosme remained with the Kings Gouernesse And although that Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon had declared himselfe of the league of the Common-weale for that the King had dispossest him of the gouernment of Guienne from whence he had expelled the English and had reduced it vnder the obedience of the Crowne yet would he not imbark himselfe in the same ship and for that he would not looke vpon this storme from a safe shore he was present at the battell at Montlehery with Francis and Lewis his children one of which was prisoner to the Earle of Charolois As the example of the head of his house did not make him reuolt so the feeling of his owne interest did not make him discontented His father had carried the Staffe of Lord Steward and his great grand-father the sword of Constable of France King Lewis the eleuenth disposed of the one and the other in fauour of men as farre inferiour in comparison of his merites as in qualities of his birth yet he did not murmure nor seeme discōtented considering that it is no more lawful for the greatest Prince of the bloud then for the least Officer of the Crowne to prescribe a law to the Soueraignes will to make it yeeld vnto his passions and that the elections of Kings in the distributions of honors are not subiect to the rules of distributiue Iustice which obserues a proportion betwixt recompence and merit d The King of France holding his Crowne of God only the ancient Law of the Realme distributes honors as he pleaseth It is a great violence to force a a minde full of courage to hate
that which hee loues and to ruine that which he hath raised In the end this charge of Lord Steward is returned into the house from whence it went It did honor others Charles of Bourbon Earle of Soissons doth honor it at this day by the great and goodly qualities which heauen addes to the greatnesse of his birth he restored order in the kings house and reuiued the glory of his Maiesties seruice With the same courage that Iohn the second followed the King against his rebellious subiects he serued him against forraigne enemies e He was present at the great Assembly at Ambois with all the Princes of the bloud and the chiefe Officers of the Crowne to resolue a warre against the house of York in England against the duke of Brittanie where there was a league made for the defence of the house of LaÌ„caster and Edward sonne to King Henry the sixth was married to the Earle of Warwicks daughter and was imployed with the Duke of Bourbon to disperse the storme wherewith King Edward the fourth threatned France being come thither not so much to fight as to receiue the triumph which the vanity of his ambition promised him The proofes of his seruice are not verified by those of recompence and wee may say that this Prince beeing not present at the distributions of the great honours of the Realme had no great share in the Kings fauours and bounty Wee see him hold his ranke at the Coronation and in the Assembly of the Estates but being none of those that were honoured with the first colours of the Order of Saint Michael hee hath remained in the ranke of those great Spirits whose contentment dependes onely of themselues All the Princes of the bloud cannot haue all the honours of the Realme All Planets make not a shadow the refusall of a dignity augments the glory of him that hath well deserued it and the concession doth not make him famous that is vnworthy f They ordained statues for them that had made war in Affricke against Tacfarinates though they did not vaÌ„quish him Dolabella went thither defeated him slue him he demanded the same honours which had been giuen to others which Tiberius refused Taciâ—us thereupon said Sed neque Blesus illustrior huic negatus honor gloriaÌ„ intendis He had sixe daughters Ioane of Bourbon married to Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon Catherine married to Gilbert of Chabannes Ioane wife to Lewis of Ioyeuse Charlotte married to Engelbert of Cleues Earle of Neuers René Abbesse of Paintes and then of Fonteuerard and Isabell Abbesse of Caen and two sonnes Lewis Earle of Vendosme g Lewis of Burbon haâ— 2 sons Iohn Earle of Vendosme and Lewis of Roche-sur you head of the house of Montpensier who married Mary of Luxemburg and Charles his eldest sonne the first Duke of Vendosme married Frances of Alençon and had by her seuen sonnes and six daughters the second of his sonnes was Anthony who married Ioane of Albret Queene of Nauarre and heire of the house of Foix Albret Bearn and Armagnac Of their marriage was borne Henry the fourth king of France and Nauarre their third sonne was Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Condé father to Henry Prince of Condé to Henry Prince of Conty to the Cardinall of Vendosme and to Charles Earle of Soissons and Grand-fahter to Henry Prince of Condé first Prince of the bloud The yonger sonne of Iohn the 2 d Earle of Vendosme was Lewis head of the branch of Montpensier and of Roche-sur-yon whom death hath cut off from this great tree There remains one daughter promised to the Duke of Orleans the Kings second sonne Death freed the Earle of Vendosme from the cares which a longer life had augmented by the iealousies and distrusts which the King conceiued of all the Princes of his bloud which kept him continually in the diuers agitations of hatred and feare It is impossible but that he who by his extreame rigors seuerities hath offended many should feare alwayes hee cannot trust his subiects as his Children seeing he hath not entreated them as a Father h Loue is a strong guard of a Princes person Agesilaus said that he wold liue safe without gardes if he coÌ„manded his Subiects as a good father doth his children He must be beloued of his subiects and feared of strangers Amorem apud populares meâ—â— apud hostes quaerat Tacit. he hath his share of the feare which hee hath made common Wheresoeuer hee casteth his eyes he seeth markes of his seuerity so hee findeth not any one but puts him in feare hee hath feare of his Children feare before him and feare behind and as in his life hee had alwayes desired more to be feared then loued so in the end he found himselfe composed of the same humor fearing more then he loued Hitherto it seemeth he did not trust any man but Peter of Bourbon Lord of Beaujeu his son-in-law in whom he had so great a confidence as he referred vnto him all the care of his affaires when as the pleasure of hunting entertained him in the Forrests not for some few dayes but whole moneths The Author of the Annals of the house of Bourbon who hath seene the originals of many great treaties speakes after this maner This Peter of Bourbon Lord of Beaujeu was in such fauour with the king as his Maiesty desiring to retire himselfe from affaires kept commonly at Chamois and places thereabout a Countrey at that time full of wood and wilde beasts causing the said Lord Peter of Bourbon his son-in-law to remaine at Montereau-faut-yonne to bee chiefe of the Councell to whom all men repaired for their dispatches which had any businesse in Court i A Prince must be feared and loued but for that it is difficult to haue these two things concurre together it were better and more safe to be feared for that Princes which haue grounded themselues vpon the loue of the people haue found that there is nothing more inconstant men do sooner offend him that makes himselfe to be loued then hee that is feared yet must they not in seeking to bee feared make themselues odious The King loued the woods and hunting to free himselfe from cares reposing all vpon the said Lord of Beaujeu His Maiestie also said That hee did hate deadly them of Bourgondy Aniou Alençon and the Dukes of Brittanie for their pride And contrariwise that hee loued Charles of Artois Earle of Eu for that hee retained nothing of the arrogancy of his predecessours and them of Bourbon more for their mildnesse and humility k It is not the first testimony which the kings of France haue giuen of the mildnesse wisedome and moderation of the Princes of the house of Bourbon When as King Charles the â—sâ—h passed from Auâ—gaon where hee had seene Pope Clement the sixth iâ—to Laâ—gueclock to settle an order for the coplaints of the Countrey against the oppressions which they
it selfe to the tyrany of vice hee is not wicked with one kind of crime onely Quisnam hominum est quem tu coâ—tentum videris vno Flagitio What is hee among men whom thou shalt sâ—e content with enâ— villany Iuvâ—n killing his children so soone as they were borne Hee was hanged at Paris and his daughter was burned at Magny neere vnto Pontoise Three Serieants forced a Priests chamber in Paris and did beate him outragiously they were condemned to bee whipt through the Streetes of Paris A Religious man of the Temple had his Throate cut by one of his brethren The great Prior of France being assisted by the Commanders and Knights condemned him to bee kept prisoner in a Dungeon and there to be fed with the bread of sorrow and water of heauinesse A faire Burgesse of Paris who was much esteemed among the women of best fame gaue eare to the Earle of Foix who attempted against her honour suffered her selfe to be wonne and left father mother husband and children to follow him A Hosier being accused of many Thefts cut out his owne tongue for that hee would not confesse any thing There were many scandalous Libels cast abroad in Paris against the Kings chiefe Officers namely against the Constable of Saint Paul An Archer was condemned to be hanged at Paris for e â—he Schoole oâ— Physitions at Paâ—â—s dere an 〈◊〉 to be cut that they might see how the stone is framed and how it lyeth in mans body for that there were many troubled therewith in those daies he was cured and his life saued sacriledge hauing robbed the Church of Meudon A Franciscan Frier Preaching indiscretly was banished the Realme in the yeare one thousand foure hundred three score and eighteene in the month of October a Monke Hermaphrodite vsing both Sexes became great with childe Behold how that in those times as well as in ours excesse and disorders were common The world is nothing but a sincke of all filthinesse O what a vile and abiect thing said an Ancient is man if hee doe not raise himselfe aboue man Wee see few become good men for the onely respect of integrity and honesty If they enter into the Temple of Vertue it is alwaies by some false dore Lewis the eleuenth had three sonnes and three daughters Ioachim died yong Children of Lewis the 11. and this death drew with sorrow from the fathers heart a Vow neuer to know any other woman but the Queene Francis Duke of Berry died in the yeare one thousand foure hundred three score and foureteene This losse caused him to shut himselfe vp for some few daies in the Castle of Amboise refusing to see or to bee seene of any not considering that Kings children were men borne in the cries and groanes of their mothers and bewayling their owne miseries like to other men f Stratonicus an Artificer of Athens hearing that the mother of Timotheus cryed out at her deliuery said How wold she haue cryed if she had made an Artificer Hee mocked at that common slattery which spake of Kings children as of the children of the Gods Atheneus This griefe was humane and should haue beene lamented humanely and comforted by this reason That the thing which is restored to him to whom it belongeth cannot be said to bee lost But it is hard to see a goodly flower die at the breake of day A vaine reason he that maketh it to grow may gather it when and how he pleaseth Louyse his eldest daughter dyed also in her Infancy Anne was betrothed to Nicholas Marquesse of Pont Grand-childe to René Duke of Anjou but hee did not marry her for the Duke of Bourgundy being iealous of this Alliance propounded vnto him the marriage of Mary his onely daughter to draw him by this vaine hope from the seruice of this Crowne Shee was married to Peter of Bourbon Ioane his third to daughter was married to Lewis the twelfth and put away in the first yeare of his raigne So as finding her selfe hatefull vnto her husband and vnpleasing to many shee left the world g Being vnmarried she wedded herselfe to solitarinesse the which shee had desired all her life In her Infancy the King demanded of her of what Order shee would haue her Confessour and shee made choice of the Gardien of the Franciscan Fryers at Amboise Her father loued her not for that Nature had giuen him cause to complaine of her deformity hauing not ingrauen any makes of her fauours neither vpon her face nor on her person for she was blacke little and crooked h Beauty is a peece of so great recommendation as they that are not fauored there-with are lesse pleasing eueÌ„ to them that by Nature should loue them The Signior of Lesguiere her Gouernour did hide her often vnder his Gowne when as the King met her to the end hee should not bee troubled with the sight of her The hatred of King Lewis the eleuenth her father the death of Charles the eighth her brother and the diuorce of King Lewis the twelfth her husband changed all the sweetenesse of her life into the bitternesse of the Crosse and imbarkt her as in a tempestuous Sea whereas shee found no other Port but that of death The children of great men to become the children of God are bound to drinke of the cuppe of affliction i Happy are those paines and afflictions which are to amend saue not to ruine destroy the afflicted The Crosse is the marke of the Cittizens of heauen they whom the hand of God disdlaines to strike are such as he disdaines to amend as well as the meanest The way to heauen is full of Thornes The flaming sword appeared at the entring of Paradice The Land promised to the faithfull aboundeth with plenty of Milke and Honny Milke is first bloud before Milke Honny is drawne from bitter flowers Roses grow among Thornes Her husband loued her not Cause of the dissolution of the marriage of Lewis the twelfth and yet during the time of his imprisonment in the great tower of Bourges he receiued no other succour nor assistance but from this Princesse The cause of their Diuorce was Sterrility and want of consent in marriage CLAVDIVS of Seyssell saith that hee gaue her vnto him to the end that sterrility and barrenesse might depriue him of all meanes to haue children so much he hated and abhorred the Bloud Royall k The cause of this diuorce was fterility and want of consent in marriage Lewis declaring that King Lewis the 11. had forced him to marry her Her consolation was in this solitarinesse for that shee recouered the liberty which shee had long desired The King gaue her the Dutchy of Berry for her portion the Towne of Bourges was her retreate with a yeerely pension of one thousand two hundred pounds Sterling Shee made the Order of the Religious of the Annunciado otherwise called the Order of the Virgin Mary the which was allowed and
confirmed by Pope Alexander the sixth in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred and one and shee caused the Monastery of Saint Laurence of Bourges to be built The habite of her Religious women is a blew or skie couloured Gowne a white Kercher and a red Scapulaire with a Cord of tenne Knots signifying the ten Vertues or Consolations which the Virgin Mary had in her life l The ten Knots of this Cord had relation first to the purenesse secondly to the wisedom thirdly to the humility fourthly to the faith fiftly to the vertue sixthly to the praise seuenthly to the obedience eighthly to the pouerty ninthly to the patience and tenthly to the pitty of the Virgine Mary She dyed at Bourges the fourth of February one thousand foure hundred and foure Her body was burnt and the ashes cast into the wind in the first troubles when as the Earle of Montgomery tooke the Towne of Bourges Charles his sonne succeeded him at the age of thirteene yeares The Histories of those times speake much of the greatnesse of his courage and the weakenesse of his braine They all agree that hee neither had any great vnderstanding nor much wit Two great defects in two little words the which are much dilated in the actions of his life whereas wee see that hee attempts lightly and giues eare to many things which are alwaies preiudiciall to them that hearken to them m A Prince should stop his eares to reports and should flye them Clandestinas existimationes nullisque magis quam audientibus insidiantes susurros Melius omnibus quam singulis creditur Singuli enim decipere decepi possunt nemo omnes neminem omnes fefellerunt Secret suggestions and whisperings which circumuent none more then them that giue eare vnto them It is more safe to trust all in generall then any one in particular A man in particular may deceiue and bee deceiued no man hath deceiued all men neither haue all men deceiued any one man C. PLIN. PAHEG If the felicity of an estate dependeth of obedience if to obey well depends of commanding well if to command well depends of a Princes wisedome what good coÌ„mandement can be expected from a Prince who neither hath a sound iudgment nor hath gotten any thing to make it better What hope is there that hee shall euer be able to command others and himselfe well After that Philip de Commines hath shewed that hee was touched with the like feuer of the braine to Charles the seuenth his Grand-father and to Lewis the eleuenth his Father who both feared their Children and that for this cause hee soone past ouer his griefe for the death of the Dauphin his sonne He addes that this Prince was alwaye little DispositioÌ„ of Charles the eighth both of body and vnderstanding but hee was so good as there was neuer a better creature seene Claudius of Seissill saith That hee was a good Prince Noble and of a greater courage then of body couetous of honour and glory desiring all good and honest things as much as his age could beare and that hee failed in the flower of his youth when as hee began to vnderstand his owne affaires Peter Desrey a Champenois who hath written his Chronicle saith That hauing past the weaknesse of his first Age youth gaue great hopes of more force and vigor of his Spirit and that hee did exercise himselfe in the knowledge of many things which make Princes learned in the difficult knowledge of all n The knowledge how to reigne and commaund is the highest and most difficult of all others Bookes may helpe much for that they furnish examples whereof the shortnesse of life cannot see the hopes But a good vnderstanding doth all The knowledge which comes froÌ„ books may serue for an ornameÌ„t but not for a foundation The Phylosophy of Princes is constancy faith and sincerity other scyences are but as Paintings as Plato saith After the death of his father saith this Chronicler and that hee had taken vpon him the Royall dignity he began very willingly to reade bookes written in the French tongue and had a desire to vnderstand the Latine and to do like a good Prince hee imployed his youth willingly to serue God deuoutly and to heare the councell of wise men desiring to learne how to gouerne well Notwithstanding that the carelesnesse of Lewis the eleuenth to haue him Royally instructed and bred vp hath ministred occasion to the most famous Historian of those times and which hath beene since to write that which cannot bee spoken but of a Prince ill bred and worse brought vp yet let it not displease him for this Charles whom hee giues vs for an Ignorant Man is the same whom hee compares vnto Iulius Caesar for that his comming and his victory in Italy was but one thing o Carlo condotto ad allogiare al Castel Capoano gia habitatione antica de re Francesi hauendo con marauiglioso corso d'inaudita felicita sopra l'essempio di Iulio Caesare prima vinto â—he veduto con tanta facilita che non fusse necessaria in questa espeditione ne spregare maivn padiglione ne rompere mai pur vna lancia Charles being conducted to lodge in the Castle of Capua an ancient habitation of the Kings of France hauing with an admirable course of vnheard of felicity beyond the example of Iulius Caesar vanquished before hee had seene and that with so great facility as in the expedition he had no need either to pitch a Tent or to breake a Launce For it is true that hee strooke more amazement into Italy at the brute of his comming then the Gaules had done by their descent in former times Hee put all the Potentates in alarme Pisa at liberty Florence in feare and Sienna in iealousie and hauing the effects of his desire greater then those of his hopes hee entred armed into Rome with his Launce vpon his Thigh hee planted his Cannon on the Market-place and made himselfe to bee acknowledged and admired of all men for the Deputy of the liuing God for the reformation of the disorders of Italy and without striking stroake or pitching any Tent hee entred a Conquerour into Naples and in his returne hee marched as it were vpon the belly of Italy being all banded against him to hinder his retreate And although that France hath not reaped the glory and fruit which shee promised vnto her selfe by this voyage it sufficeth that the cause was iust and glorious for wee must iudge of things not by the euents and executions but by the causes and motions of their wils that haue done them p He that considereth of things by the euents doth iudge of the whole Image by the heele In all occasions we must settle our iudgements not vpon the issue execution but vpon the causes intentions of them which doe them and the differences of things Polyb. lib. 2. This course might haue carried me vnawares to
vnfold the whole part of the Table Behold by the grace of God wee are come to the banke It is sufficient to haue written the Fathers History leauing the Sonnes to some other But before wee end wee must repasse vnto the Iudgements of the actions of this Prince That done wee will enter into the great Carriere of the toyles and glory the Combates and victories the Vertue and Fortune of the greatest Prince that euer was before or after Lewis the 11 th The end of the tenth Booke THE CONTENTS OF the eleuenth Booke 1 LIberty of Iudgements vpon the life of Lewis the eleuenth 2 A particular examination of his actions his piety his deuotions pilgrimages his good deeds to Churches his behauiour toward the Pope 3 What he was towards King Charles the seuenth his father towards his sonne his wife and the Princes of his bloud 4 Maiesty The care hee had to preserue the respect hee did not affect pompe who were the chiefe officers of his Crowne hee is very wary to confer titles of honor and dignity he contemnes the mark of maiesty 5. Magnificence The order and expences of his house he receiues the Embassadors of forraigne Princes with great state His buldings 6 Clemency He leaues no offence vnpunished his Prisons and Cages of Iron a rigorous vsage of the Dukes of Alençon and Nemours Hee reuengeth old offences which he had receiued before he was King and forgets not them of the league Seuerity in the end makes him fearefull and distrustfull 7 Iustice He institutes the Parliaments of Bourdeaux and Dijon hee loues not the Parliament of Paris a free and couragious admonition made by the President La Vacquerie how chiefe Ministers should carry themselues to Princes Of the Kings Audiences 8 Wisedome He was alwayes accompanied with feare he let slip the occasion to do his businesse in England and Flanders he can choose men and draw forraigne Princes to his deuotion as the Archduke of Austria Cosmo di Medicis and others he drew vnto his seruice the Lord of Lescun and Creuecoeur and Philip de Commines His tongue offends his wisedome 9 Liberality He is neither couetous nor liberall he hath formes to giue which bind much hee entertaines many Pentioners his liberality passeth to excesse empties his Coffers driues him to necessity and to lay rigorous Impositions vpon the people 10 Valour Proofe of the greatnesse of his courage in diuers encounters what care he had of warre His policie and military discipline 11 Knowledge He had more knowledge of learning the sâ—yences then other kings his predecessors The pittifull estate of the profession of learning vnder his reigne his Apothegmes and Answeres 12 Temperance Hee had two base daughters his priuate kind of life his domesticke pleasures his exercises and his confident seruants Diuers other obseruations vpon his life and Historie ¶ THE HISTORY Of LEWIS the eleuenth THE ELEVENTH BOOKE MEN iudge freely of the liues of Princes after their deaths IudgmeÌ„ts are free after death the glistering of their Purple-Robes doth no more dazle their eyes a Themistâ—us 〈◊〉 that the court of the Emperour Iovinian was full of flatterers said that then adored the pâ—rple more then the person and that the Court was an Euripus whose waues did fâ—ow and eâ—be in an instaÌ„t Nicep Cal. l. 10. c. 42. and the Iudgements which are made are purged from flattery which doth alwayes augment the good and diminish the ill which they do That King doth greatly binde him which speakes of his life when he giues him no occasion to lye in commending him For Princes are neuer so perfect but Truth may finde great exceptions in the goodliest qualities of their praises and before that the Statue be made perfect there must much Marble bee taken away and the forme exactly sought in the substance Philip de Commines saying that hee had seene the greatest Princes of his time and in them all there was both good and euill for that they were men he addes for truth freed from all flattery That God had created Lewis the eleuenth more wise more liberall and more vertuous then all they and that in him there were more things belonging to the office of a King and Prince then in any of the other I haue in a manner saith he seene them all and knowne what they could doe wherefore I deuine not This great authority which hee preserued vnto the last gaspe Liberty of iudgment vpon the life of Lewis 11. and carried into death was supported by three mighty pillars which his owne wisedome had raised Seuerity Constancy and Reputation b Maiesty is the inuincible fâ—â—t of a Prince it is better preserued by sâ—uerity then by too great 〈…〉 But for that these good soules are like vnto the Mill-dew of the starres which looseth much of her purenesse passing by the Regions of the aire and by the entrailes of Bees which forme it and that the gold of Princes vertues cannot bee drawne absolutely pure from their liues being alwayes mixt with diuers strange matters we must consider if the piety which was in him hath retained nothing of superstition or hypocrisie his elemency of feare Iustice of cruelty wisedome of subtilty liberality of prodigality and his other goodly qualities of Art and dissimulation Euery man may now speake his opinion without feare of displeasing or blame of flattery c Praises which are not necessary are best Neminem magis laudare Imperatoâ—em decet quam queÌ„ minus necesse est praise may passe on freely and boldly without any other necessity or bond then the respect which euery man should haue to preserue the memory of Princes against the outrages of slander Posterity which vnderstands not things but by the voice of such whom benefites or offences haue bound to remember them doth alwayes receiue flatteries and lies for truth d Flattery or hatred do most coÌ„monly turne an History out of the right way of truth therefore Tacitus protests that they of whom he speakes are not known vnto him neither by offences done nor by benefits receiued Mihi Galba Otho Vitellius nec beneficio nec iniuria cogniti It is fitting in painting to represent Hanniball and Antigonus halfe-faced to hide the eye which they wanted but a History must shew the whole face to the end that Princes may find their owne vices in the portrait of others This hath noted them to shew that there is nothing perfect in this world and if the Tapestry of this Princes life bee faire and pleasing viewing it on the right side you shall finde the backe very much disfigured with knots and seames We must not seeke his Elogies in the Histories of strangers e Buchanan saith that Lewis 11. Tyrannidem exercebat practised tyranny and that there was nothing more common Quam ex vsu suis coÌ„modis sine discrimine â—idem fall re quibuscunque sed precipue agnatis Principibus then of custome and for his owne
disobedience was the trouble of the Praguery which hath bene formerly related when as he suffred himselfe to be surprized and stole away from the Earle of March his Gouernour whom Chroniclers haue called a Prince of the Bloud and erroniously haue taken the husband for the wife For it is true that Iames of Bourbon h The Lady Elenor of Bourbon daughter to Ieames of Bourbon Earle of March was married to the Earle of Perdriac sonne to the Earle of Armagnac Earle of March King of Naples and sonne to Iohn of Bourbon first Earle of Vendosme hauing but one daughter of his first marriage gaue her to Bernard of Armagnac Earle of Perdriac who by this marriage carried the name of Earle of March and Gouernour to Lewis the 11. i They write that Lewis chased away the Earle of March for that hee had aduertised King Charles that the Duke of Alençon was come to Niâ—rt to subborne him For this reason it was late before he gaue him the gouernment of the Country of Dauphine neither would hee that the displacing of Officers should depend vpon his capricious humours this wise father hauing found that his actions were so wandring inconstant and contrary to themselues as it was a difficult thing sometimes to beleeue that they proceeded from one spirit for there is nothing equall k Mens mindes change not according to the motions of reason but according to occasions Nemo non quotidie consilium mutat There is not any man but changeth his minde daily if it comes not from the same resolution wherefore in the Letters Pattents which were granted at Charleiu the 28. of Iuly 1440. the King reserued not any other thing but that he should not displace those Officers which were setled in their charges and that the Chancellour of France should keep the seale of Dauphine For the taking of possession of this Prouince he sent Iohn Signior of Gamaches a Knight and Gabriel of Bernet Signior of Targey a Squite Steward of the Kings house to Grenoble whom he termed his Embassadours they presented the Kings letters and the Dauphins to the Councell of Dauphine in the presence of Iuuenal of Vrsins a Knight Lord of Treynell Leiutenant of that Prouince in the absence of the Lord of Gaucourt who was Gouernour and of the chiefe Noblemen of the Prouince Stephen Guillon President in that Councell made an Oration vpon this subiect but after such manner as it discouered the rudenesse and simplicity of the matter for who so should discourse now after that manner they would wonder why the feete should do the eares so much wrong as to suffer attention l A Babler demanding of Aristotle if his discourse were not strange no answered he but yet a man hauing feet should not giue himselfe so long patience to beare thee They found men in those times who knew how to speake but few were able to discourse eloquently It is easy to iudge of the beauty of the building by the frontespice Behold the first periode of this Oration Seeing it is the pleasure of my Lords the Embassadours to our most redoubted Lord and Prince my Lord the Dauphin Lewis that I should say some-thing vnto you concerning the matter of their Embassage to obey them as I ought I will speake it as well as I can with the help of our Lord of his Mother and also with the good supportation and correction of them and you my Masters and the better to relate it I take for my Theame Fillius ditus est nobis dominator Dominus in manu eius potestas Imperium I say the third and the ninth chapter m In those times publicke actions were performed like Sermons and alwaies they tooke some passage of Scripture for the ground of their discourse The whole Discourse is of the like straine and extends it selfe vpon the Dauphins praises being drowned as it were in the allegations of diuers passages of Diuinity and Law I thinke in those daies they had more regard to deeds then words Simplicity of the eloquence in the old time and that they had more care to do then to speake that their discourses were without pompe or vanity and did not fauour of that bold babling which will make men beleeue that he which is beaten should make reparation and that the vanquished is victor n Thucydides and Pericles had charge of the gouernment of the Common-weale of Athens yet could neuer agree Archidamus King of Lacedemonia termed their contention a wrastling and asking Thucydides who was the stronger he answered When I haue throwne Pericles downe be makes them that see it beleeue that he is not vanquished but that hee stands still But in this action there is neither choice of termes nor choice of reason and for that he would not haue it wholy without inuention he stands vpon the letters of Lewis his name and saith that that in this word Ludouicus there are nine letters the first represents the Liberallity of this Prince the second that he was Vertable the third that he should Domineere and be feared the fourth that he was Orthodoxall the fift Vigilant the sixt a Iustiâ—er the seuenth Charitable the eight Vertuous and the ninth that he was filled with Wisedome Hauing ended the Dauphins Panegericke he fell vpon that of â—his Embassadours and said that the Signior of Gamasche who was called Iohn was a fore-runner to IESVS CHRIST and the other the Angell which did fore-tell his Incarnation to the Virgin MARY for that his name was GABRIEL Such kind of writings are like vnto Medals which men esteeme more for their stamps and for the testimony they giue of the doubts of Antiquitie then for their proper beauty neither doe wee see any but giue some light in the obscurest difficulties and serue in the managing of great affaires We see in the beginning of his discourse o The Dauphin is not acknowledged Prince of Dauphiné vntill the King hath giuen him the power how this President labours to satisfie them who held that Dauphiné should acknowledge the Dauphin from the day of his birth for he maintained That the eldest sonne of France could not bee acknowledged for Prince and Lord of Dauphiné vntill it should please the King to giue him the prouisions and command The History sets downe how he retired into Dauphiné and from thence into Flanders A wonderfull hearts griefe vnto the King Griefe of K. Charles the 7. which did accompany him vnto his graue In either of his vioages he was alwaies accompanied by necessity His seruants purses being emptied in the voiage of Dauphiné they borrowed a hundred Crownes of them of Romans The Bill which hee made is carefully kept among the publicke writings of that Towne It is true that Lewis the eleuenth was such towards Charles the seuenth his father as hee desired not that Charles the eighth his sonne should be like vnto him and doubting that the disposition of his nature
that his wife had beene much altered and distempered with his imprisonment Lewis fears the reueÌ„ge of women and that the weakest are strong enough to doe mischiefe hee said vnto him Hearken Captaine Claude women are bad when they will do a mischiefe behold a paire of perfumed gloues which thou shalt carry to thy wife from me with fiue hundred Crownes which are in them I know that she was much afraid when as my Gossip Tristan went to take thee bid her that shee should not wish mee ill and come againe to mee three Moneths hence with thy Companie I giue thee one of my best Mules to carry thee more easily This was the first French Company there hauing beene none before but that of Scottishmen a The first guard of the body was Scottishmen therefore the Captaine of the Scottish guard carries the Title of the first Captaine of the Guardes of the Kings person he begins the yeare and serues the first quarter and it is called at this day The ancient French Guard Claude of la Chastre who was the first Captaine dyed at the age of 81 years vnder the reigne of Lewis the twelfth After his death fiue of his successors and heires of the same Armes commanded successiuely in this charge It is at this day commanded by Monsieur de Pralins Offences grew not old in his memory and the secret wounds which his Conscience b A Conscience toucht with remorse for his cruelties and inhumanities suffereth terrible torments without dying Such was that of Herod and of Catullus who were terrified euery night with the fights of such as they had put to death had daily their complaints sighes in their eares gaue him in reproach of so many men which had beene beaten and ruined by the lightning of his Iustice Hee pursues old offences made him not more tractable to pardon Hee did neuer forget the displeasure which he receiued during the wrath and indignation of King Charles his Father Three great personages of the Parliament of Grenoble Iohn Bayle the Kings Atturney thâ—â— a Councellor and afterwards a President Guy Pape a Councellor in the same Parliament and held by the soueraigne Courts and Vniuersities of all Europe the Oracle of the Law and René of Tomassin a Councellor also felt in their Age the rough blowes of this Princes remembrance They had all three declared themselues for the Father against the sonne and not willing in this diuision to wauer betwixt Iustice and Discretion resisted his designes and diuerted all those which strayed from their duety to follow this Prince As soone as Lewis came to the Crowne hee remembred all this c A Prince which pardons offences giues a great peace vnto his conscience The Panegerick of Constantine hath this goodly passage Sibi imputet quisquis vti noluit beneficio tuo nec se dignum vita iudicauit quum per te liceret vt viueret tu quod sufficit conscientiae tuae etiam non merentibus pepercisâ—i Sed ignosce dicto non omnia potes dij te vindicant inuitant Let him impute it to himselfe that would not make vse of thy bounty neither did he thinke himselfe worthy of life when he might haue liued by it thou to satisfie thine owne conscience hast spared euen them that deserued it not But pardon me thou canst not doe all the Gods reuenge thee and inuite thee not to make vse of it to the glory of Clemency and to the content of a good Conscience which takes delight to pardon euen them which deserue it not and remits the reuenge to God but to giue new punishments to old offences and as his nature was more prompt to reuenge an offence then to reward a good seruice and more easie to hate then to loue d They are very naturall passions to be sensible of iniuries It is a dulnesse and basenesse to haue no feeling of an iniury and it is folly to hold that for an iniury which is not Irasci in quibus non oporter insipiens est non irasci in quibus oporter insipientis est Arist. in 3. Eth. hee caused a Commission to bee dispatched the two and twentieth day of Aprill in the yeare 1462. and sent it to the President of the Chamber of Accounts and to one of the Stewards of his house to make the Processe for these three good seruants to king Charles the seuenth The chiefe points of the Accusation were That they had assisted and seconded King Charles in the detention of Dauphinè for so they spake from the Dauphin Lewis the true and onely Lord of that Prouince That they had crost the designes of their Soueraigne Lord and that the generall Estate of the Prouince assembled at Grenoble did not grant him a summe of money to supply his wants when as hee was in Flanders That Baylé had imprisoned all his seruants which came about his affaires and depended wholly of king Charles from whom hee had obtained for one of his sonnes the Archbishoppricke of Ambrun and for another the place of Atturney Generall The accused were heard and the Innocency which they felt in their Soules did put such generous words into their mouthes as the Iudges hearing them did not distinguish good men but by the hatred of their Prince and their hard Fortunes holding them more worthy of the Recompence of Prytaneus e The Iudges consulted after what manner they should put Socrates to death Cicero saith that vpon the diuersity of their opinions hee spake after this manner Ego ob ea quae feci dignuÌ„ me censeo qui publicitus alar in Prytaneo then of the Seuerity of Areopage Yet they were forced vpon these Accusations to pronounce a sentence the second of Iune following by the which they were declared conuicted of Felonie Ingratitude and Treason committed against the Dauphin A sentence very rigorous depriued of their Offices Charges and Dignities and condemned to restore the Fees receiued by them since the Dauphins departure into Flanders their Fees Landes Signiories Iurisdictions and other goods depending of the Dauphin confiscate and themselues banished for euer out of Dauphiné with defence neuer to returne againe vpon paine of death They ended the remainder of their dayes vnder the rigour of this Iudgment and and left nothing to their Children but the hope of a milder Reigne hauing not tasted any vnder this Prince f Those which had beene Donotaries of these goods would not leaue them and opposed to the Letters of CHARLES the eighth that of LEVVIS the eleuenth by a Sentence solemnly giuen by the Commissioners in the presence of the Kings Lieutenant dated the eight and twentith day of Iune in the yeare 1484. It was said Priorem sententiam minus debité fuisse latam nec talemeos pati debuisse sed poâ—ius absoluendos The first sentence was not duly had neither should they haue suffered it but were rather to bee absolued M. de Franc
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
with great pompe into Tournay 64. His message to the Duke of Britany 65. Hee separates the heads of the League 107. Two errours which he cōmitted in the assurance of his person 111. 112 His politick dissimulation with the Constable 170. His iudgement to distinguish spirits 183 His message to the King of England Ibid. He discouers the Constables double dealing to the Bourgundian 186. His iests vpon the peace made with Edward 4 th and his feare to haue them related againe 191. Learning disalowed by the Turke 219. Liberty the ancient coulour for innouation 80. Lie especially in a Gentleman how to be punished 169. Leige reuolts against the Duke of Bourgundy 103. Is supported by the French king 107. Submits it selfe and demands pardon 109 Hath her wals beaten downe 110. Is againe besieged by the Bourgundian 114. Loue without regard of honour or profite 58. Loue continued towards children for their fathers sake 76. M Marriage of Lewis the 11 th 6. Misery of imprisonment mittigated by kind vsage 177. miseries of France for 70. yeares 5. Modesty of Blanch daughter to Iohn King of Nauarre 6. Mony leuied vnder the pretext of warre and ill employed 46. Multiplicity of Popes 38. Murder iustified by the Duke of Bourgundy 2. N Nauigation contemned by the French 180. Neutrality in a subiect is meere Treason 98. Normandy yeelded to the King 99 O Obedience in a Souldier is as much commendable as courage 177. Obseruations of the Duke of Guiennes life 150. Occasion which caused an ouerture of peace betwixt the French and English 182. Opinion causeth terrible motions in the soule 15. Opportunity of fight neglected 81 Ostentation of Maiesty not suteable with misery 6. P Paris reduced to the French Kings obedience 9. Famisheth the Army which would haue famished it 91. Almost vnpeopled 99. Parpignan besieged and wonne by famine 154. Parts which frame a Prince 16. Peace of Bourges 3. Peter Hagembach his crimes iniustice and death 174. Phillip Duke of Bourgundy wins Dinan by force and ruines it 104. His death the greatnes of his house Ibid. His bounty courage and moderation 105. Pius 2 presseth the abolition of the Pragmaticall sanction 44. His affection to the house of Arragō and his threat against France 45. He disauowes his own writings 48. His death birth fortune and dignities 72. Plurallity of chiefes is for the most part ruinous vnprofitable 88 Pontoise taken by assault 18. Power which is not feared by strāgers is not well obeyed by Subiects 32. Pragmaticke Sanction abolished and dragged through the streets of Rome 51. Praecipitation is a shelfe couered with the shipwrackes which she hath caused in great occasions 78. Princes are especially to provide that great houses vnder their gouernment ally not themselues against their liking 19 Princes seeme very weake or very fearefull which giue an Enemy-army leasure to make a bridg 89 Princes in marrying regard not their pleasure but the necessity and profit of their affaires 144. They are no lesse bound by simple words then priuate persons are by Oathes 163 Q Quality of Cardinals 50 R Reasons which perswaded the English to peace 184 Reformations of the disorders of the Realme 95 Reception of the King of Portugall into Paris 219 Representations ridiculous 43 Reputation of a generous Father makes a valiant sonne lesse remarkeable 20 Rigor of Lewis in the beginning of his reigne 53 Royalty endures no equall 8 Rubempre staid at the Hage by the Earle of Charalois 66 Ruine and desolation of the Legeois 118 S Sedition ought to be smothered in the beginning 76 Sedition cloked by Religion 106 Siege of Pontoise 17 Siege of Saintron 109 Siege of Nancy 221 Seuerity of discipline is hardly obseruable in ciuill warres 80 Son-in-law against father-in-law 3 Succours of Men and Money sent to the Earle of Charalois 94 Suisses before Zurich 21. defeated 23. they send succours to the Duke of Lorraine 222 Summe of the Pragmaticke Sanction 49 T Talbot relieues Pontoise 17 Temporising profitable 149 Thornes and Roses of Marriage 44 Trechery most damnable 158 Treaty made without Liberty bindes not 119 Treaty of peace between the Frēch King and the Bourgondian 192 Trifles want not their moment and serue many times to driue weightier matters out of the heads of the people 132 Troubles in England 140 Truce betweene France and England prolonged 24 Truth not to be found in an enemies tongue 25 Tumults in Cyprus 127 Turkes make their profit of the diuision of Christendome 46 V Valour and bounty of Lewis the Dauphin 9 Valour and fidelity of the Scottishmen 117 W Water not to bee digged for in a neighbours house before we haue sought for it in our owne 148 Wisedome and temporising surmount all difficulties Words of S. Bernard 49 Words of the Duke of Bourgondy 79 Words of K. Lewis at his departure from the Duke of Bourgondy 119 Words betwixt the King of England and the Duke of Bourgondy 187 Y Youth and Inconstancy are Sisters of one Mother 78 A Table of the principall Matters contained in the last foure Bookes ADmonition made by the king to the Dauphin 70 Age becomes couetous when it hath not any need of goods 64 Alponso King of Castille his death 87 Anaxagoras his speech of the Sunne 11 Andrew Archbishop of Krane preacheth against the Pope 58. and persisteth in his proposition 60 Armies are not to bee entertained without tribute 42. Arras yeelded to the French King by composition 14 Artillery inuented 43 Audiences of Henry the third at his returne from Poland 159 Authority of the King is an Ocean 135 B Balue the Cardinall his policy to get out of prison 66 Barbarisme in the time of Lewis the eleuenth 190 Basnesse aduanced forgets it selfe the fauor which raised it 10. Basill excommunicated by the Pope 58 Beginnings of the diminution of Flanders 76. Bishop of Liege trecherously slaine being abandoned of his owne people 37. 38 Boloigne vnder the virgin Maries homage 13 Bosio's errour in the History of Malta 137 C Changes of gouernment at Florence 2 Charlemaine founder of the Vniversity at Paris 124 Chauvin Chancellor of Brittanie his lamentable end 10 Chronicles often follow toyes and leaue out most famous actions 88 Claudius Seissel his hard iudgement 121. Comandements extraordinary of the King 110 Confession of the fault is the best rethorick to appease iust choler 9 Conspiracy against the life of the French King miraculously discouered 31. 32. c. Contempt is the fore-runer of sedition 65 Contempt of discipline in Souldiers 184 Controuersie for the Lands of Berne Foix and Bigorre 84 Cosmo de Medicis his great riches and bounty 167. his exile and returne 168 Credit of Astrologians 188 Cruelties of Mahomet at the taking of Constantinople 46 Curing of the kings euill 123 D Danger in employing forraigne Souldiers 39 Death of the Lord of Nantoillet 199 Desolation is the house of Bourgondy 161 Discourse of a powerfull charme 127 Discommodities of prouision for Horse-men 39
bene made and it was reason that he which had done the harme should shew some repentance and serue as a table in the history of France that a Prince which wants piety towards God and Iustice towards men falls alwayes into o He that hath pietie iustice for the guide of his actions frees himselfe happily from confusion in all sorts of affaires These bee the glorious titles which Demetrius purchased 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 religious to the gods and Iust to men confusion The Duke said that he pardoned him for the loue of God promising him to be his friend enemy to his enemies and to renounce the aliance of England and the deputies of the Councell dispenst him of the oath which he had made not to treat without the King of England This happie and memorable peace Peace of Arras sworne the 24. of Nouember 1435. was followed with great blessings for the French and great ruines for the English This was the Comet which threatned their ruine in France and which brought the Duke of Bedford vnto his graue Death of the Duke of Bedford Regent in France for the English With the like griefe six dayes after the treaty p Isabel of Bauaria contemned of the English and Bourgundian for whom shee had â—anded her selfe against her sonne dyed at S. Paul house the last of September 1435. she was carried by the Riuer of Seine to S. Dennis and buried without pomp Her tombe was built in the same place where her husbands was and her portrait is yet to bee sâ—ene in the window of that Chappell dyed that old malicious woman the Queene mother stepmother to the king and Realme She wanted meanes to liue before her death for being no more assisted by the Duke of Bourgundy the Duke of Bedford caused her to fast vpon dayes which were not commanded to be fasted lying in Saint Paule house She had alwaies liued full of honors and affayres and now she dyes plunged in miseries and contempts The reduction of Paris was the fruit of the peace she opened her gates vnto the King Reduction of Paris which shee had shut against him for the loue of the Duke of Bourgundy for she hath dealt with friendships as with flowers the new haue alwaies beene most pleasing vnto her The King was at Montpelier when Paris was reduc'd The q The English were chased out of Paris the 27. of February 1436. where they had entred in the yeere 1420. English depart the Lillies flourish and the Kings will with the lawes of the Realme are honored there The King made his entry and was receiued as victorious of his enemies by his valor and of himselfe by his clemencie forgetting so many iniuries whereby the people had incensed him Here I seeke the Dauphin and the Historie doth not showe me him 1437. although it be credible that the father did not forget to haue him seene in this great occasion in his capitall Citie no more then at the assembly of the estates which he called at Orleans But I finde him on horsebacke at the age of fourteene yeares and commanding the Kings armie before Monstreau Faut-Yonne Hee tooke the towne by assault and the Castle by composition and made so good warre with the English that were within it as they gaue him thankes in the Kings presence confessing that hee had giuen them cause in admiring his valor to commend his bounty to the which they were bound for their liues r A Prince which saues his life whom he may kil cannot do any thing that brings him sooner to the height of glory and reputation nec vlla re propius homines ad deum accedunt quam salute hominibus danda Cic. Neither is there any thing which makes meÌ„ liker vnto Gods then by giuing life vnto men This first beginning applauded by some old Knights flattering this yong Alexander who beganne to bee discontented for that his father left him no worke to doe made him to conceiue better of himselfe then hee ought For such flattering opinions s Flattery doth so transport young Princes with a good opinion of what they are or should be as it is easily conuerted into presumption and admits no counsell nor conduct are fruitlesse sproutes and vnprofitable leaues which grow too fast in these yong plants and in the end kils them The Father who had made him Captaine so soon repented as suddainely for he beganne to make showe that hee was not borne to follow but to goe before Martin Gouge Bishop of Cleremont Christopher of Harcourt and the Lord of Chaumont make him beleeue that his valor and courage would not suffer him to stay there that the more he should eleuate his trumpet of fame the farther it should bee heard that he could not beginne any exercise of glorie and reputation to t Alexander at 16. yeares of age defeated the Megariens and was at the battell of Cheronea wherefore Demosthenes called him child Hannibal was but eleuen yeares old when hee made open professioÌ„ of armes Wee must obserue saith Phil. de Commines That all men which haue don gret matters haue begunne very yong Warre is a science which is not learned by discourse It is a troublesome practise for him that hath not accustomed it from his youth Paul Emil. soone and that he should not attend vntill that fortune tooke him by the hand to lead him to the Empire of men but he should goe and meete her These Councellers were spirits that were not capable to command nor to be commanded and which could not liue vnder that great rigor of the Kings authoritie Bad counsell giuen to Lewis who knowing his humors allowed him not what he desired and made him giue eare to such as found no other course for their greatnes and who assured him that there was no other way for his rising then to absent himselfe from the presence of his father An aduise which could not bee commended but by such to whom all wickednes is commendable For of badde counsels such as was neuer giuen by men that were u Integrity or fidelitie sufficiencie or wisedome are the two principall qualities of good counsellors they add a third which depends of the precedent to haue his heart free from passion and priuate interest wise discreete and without any priuate interest three rare qualities but necessarie for him that takes vpon him to counsel another the worst and most pernicious is that which deuides the Sonne from the Father and withdrawes him from the dutie wherewith hee is bound by the lawes of nature and religion x The commandement of the Childrens dutie was halfe written in the first table which regards Gods right and halfe in the second table wherein are commâ—ndements which concerne our Neighbours as beeing partly diuine and partly humane nothing beeing able to extinguish this bond free this seruitude nor dispence him from the obedience due to the fathers commandements how
he was freed from taxes Necessitie in whose schoole hee had learned great experience dispenst with him for the obseruations which are made in the choice of souldiers These were called Franke Archers who being well led did great seruices being able to indure all paine as beeing bred vp in discommodities and wants without cunning or malice They beganne their profession at the siege of Vernon The defects which are obserued in the life of this Prince as the griefes of Kings n The raignes of Princes doe not continue and end alwaies as they haue begdnne The first fiue yeares of Neroes raigne were iust Constant was good ten yeares cruell twelue and prodigall ten doe not alwaies incounter ends like vnto their beginnings His loues and his diuersions could not hinder it but that France hath giuen him the well deserued title of Victorious The end of the first Booke THE CONTENTS OF the Second BOOKE 1 KIng Lewis his going into France His entrie and Coronation at Rheims 2 The Duke of Bourgundy doth him homage and followes him at his entrie into Paris magnificence of the Parisians vpon this occasion 3 Estate of the Kings affaires with Pope Pius the second Reuocation of the Pragmatique Sanction 4 Discontent of the Noblemen of the Realme vpon the Kings first actions An obseruation of his Humors 5 His voyage and designes in Brittanny 6 Oppression of the people by new inuentions of Subsedies 7 Strange and furious reuolutions in England betwixt the houses of Lancaster and Yorke 8 Edward the fourth expels Henry the sixt King of England 9 Hee seeks to marry the Queene of France her Sister and takes a widdow in England 10 The King goes to Bourdeaux and there treates a marriage betwixt his Sister and the Earle of Foix. 11 Troubles betweene the Crownes of Castill and Arragon The Earledome of Rousilion engaged to the King 12 The Kings of Castille and Arragon referre their differences to the King 13 Enteruiew of the Kings of France and Castille vpon the Riuer of Vidaazo 14 The King returnes to Paris redeemes the Townes vpon the Riuer of Somme and visits the Frontiers 15 The Duke of Bourgundy comes to the King at Lisle to demaund his aduise touching a voyage which he pretended to make against the Turke 16 Ariuall of Lewis Duke of Sauoy at Paris 17 The King declareth his pretentions vpon the soueraigne rights of Brittany 18 The Earle of Charrolois stayes the Bastard of Rupembrâ— at the Haage 19 Ambassadors from the King to the Duke of Bourgundy vpon diuers complaints 20 The Duke of Bourbon first author of the league of the common weale Death of Charles Duke of Orleans 21 Charles Duke of Berry the Kings brother retires into Brittany 22 His Letters to the Duke of Bourgundy and his declaration vpon the taking of Armes 23 Death of Pope Pius the second to whom succeeded Paul the second a Venetian THE HISTORY of LEVVIS the XI THE SECOND BOOKE A Death which brings Scepters Crownes 1461 doth not alwaies meete with sorrow and teares When there is a question of the succession of the Realme An heyres teares are sone dried vppe a desire to raigne doth presently dry vp the teares which the law of Nature drawes from the eyes a There is no water whose spring is sooner dryed vp then that which flowes from a profitable mourning Lewis longed too much to be at home to be grieued when as they brought him newes that Charles the seuenth had quit him the lodging Hee had already spent two third parts of his age in obeying hee held the rest very short to command and to end at in great enterprises worthy of his qualitie b Life is very short for great entrriprises and inconstancie makes it much shorter Hee entertained the Iuie of his hopes in the ruines of this old building he did not hope for any light but by the ecclipse of this Sunne and his vowes were no let that his Father was not already among the God c The Romans held their Fathers dead in the number of the Gods and their Images were reuerenced as persons deysied Wherfore among the predictions which Antonin had of his adoption and successim to the Empire they note that In somrio saepe monitus suit penatibus suis Adriani simulacrum inserere Capitol Hee was often admonished in his sleepe that hee should place Adrians Image among his boushould Gods And what can a Kings eldest Son desire but to raigne euery obiect lesse theÌ„ a crown is vnworthy of his birth Lewis comes into France but the wishes are vnnaturall monstrous vpon vniust effects To desire for a crownes cause the death of him of whom he holds his life is ingratitude impiety The same day that Charles dyed Lewis was aduertised of his death d They that haue written that these newes were sent by Charles Duke of Aniou Father in lawe to Charles the seuenth are mistaken both in the name and matter for Lewis Duke of Anion liued since the yeare 1417. He went presently to horse to goe into France fearing least Charles his brother should make his profit of his absence The Duke of Bourgundy and the Earle of Chartolis accompany him with foure thousand horse chosen out of the flower of all the forces of their Estates and the Princes their friends He makes his entry into Rheims Hee entred into Rheims the fourteeene of August e The King arriued at Rheims the 14. August and caused himself to be annointed the next day A remarkable diligence They cannot goe too speedily to so great a Feast The Duke of Bourgundy being followed by the Earl of Charolois the Earle of Neuers the Earle of Estampes the Duke of Cleues the Earle of S t. Pol and many other Noblemen went out of Rheimes to the Abbcy of Saint Thierry to meet the King being attired in white and crimsin damask vpon a white courser caparonessed with the armes of France The next day he was anoynted and crowned The peeres of the Church were there in person The Duke of Burgundy Deane of the peeres The Duke of Burbon held the place of the Duke of Normandy The Earle of Angolesme for the Duke of Guienne The Earle of Eu for the Earle of Tholousa The Earle of Neuers for the Earle of Flaunders and the Earle of Vandosme for the Earle of Champagne The King is anoinâ—ed and Crowned The ceremony of his coronation was beautified with an other which they found very new and strange The King is anointed and Crowned The King drawing his sword presented it to the Duke of Bourgundy and intreates him to make him Knight He gaue this honour of Knight-hood to an hundred and seauenteene Gentlemen the first were the Lord of Beauieu Iames of Burbon the Earle of Geneua the Earle of Pontieu the Earle of Witembergh Iohn of Luxembergh and to the Marques of Saluces Sonne From the Coronation they went to the Royall feast whereas