Lord High-Admiral which place was taken from him by the late King the Queen who was not well pleased with that Family desired Mercoeur to accept the Place thinking thus to satisfie him and to revenge her self of the rest Orleans and Condé were of the same minde being glad to see Vandosme and Beaufort humbled and they did what they could to perswade Mercoeur to it but he thinking it unfit to accept of what did of right belong unto his Father refused it unless it might be with the Duke his Father's good will The Queen was indued with the place of Admiralty after the death of the Duke of Brets and enjoy'd all the Emoluments thereof and yet she was content to forego them so as the Marriage between the Cardinal's Niece and Duke Mercoeur might take effect She therefore excluded the Duke of Vandosme and his Son Beaufort out of the favour of the Prince of Condé but Mercoeur being constant to his Father's Interests who being reconciled unto the Queen was restored to his Estate in France and was with great submission brought to Court it was not hard for him to overcome the Contrasts of Fortune Vandosme though he shewed the contrary did inwardly rejoyce to see his second Son Beaufort in such favour with the Parisians for he thereby grew more considerable at Court where the Cardinal's Friends continuing to shew the necessity of keeping this Family in obedience to the King they considered that the Marriage of Mercoeur and his Father's satisfaction hapning at the same time they should both have won the good Will of those Princes and have fastned the Cardinal better Vandosme and Mercoeur were well pleased with these Proposals whilst by alliance with the chief Minister of State they might raise up their House which was in a low condition The Cardinal on the contrary knowing what bad effects come usually of Marriages made for Interest and not for Affection seemed to be far from exposing himself to more Persecution and Envie which do usually accompany rising Fortunes but being finally overcome by the reiterated Reasons alledged by his Friends and being much more convinced by the necessity of getting a considerable support in the Kingdom and that he might win Beaufort from the troublesome thoughts that were insinuated into him by the Frondeurs which might cause more disorders he suffered the Treaty to proceed But the Duke of Bullion and Count Chavigni infused Jealousies of this into the Prince's minde moved thereunto principally out of self-interest for Bullion thought that by raising a contrary party in Court he might make himself necessary and manage his return to the possession of Sedan the better And Chavigny being displeased to see himself totally excluded from Government hoped that if the Prince should reassume the government of Affairs he might come to his former condition He therefore durst not at first meddle in dividing the Royal Family nor oppose the Prince to the Cardinal But Condé being very sensible of his own Interests he told him afterwards That nothing could be denied to his deserts and that he might easily obtain the Admiralty if he would desire it That he had reason to pretend thereunto since he was possess'd of the estate of his Brother-in-Law the Duke of Bresse and ought therefore to inherit that as well as his other Possessions and that he might reap great advantage by obliging many in the distributing of Places at Sea and by the Commands of the Fleet. Wherefore the Prince was easily perswaded being like those Plants which being shined upon by the Sun grow strong and lively and when the Sun sets fade and languish for sometime approving and sometime disapproving the designe he seemed not to assent thereunto And yet he made it be known under hand by Monsieur Mazarolles a follower of his That he could be content the Admiralty were conferr'd upon him Nor was it onely the Duke of Bullion and Count Chavigny who sought to interrupt this Marriage but President Peraut Superintendant of the Prince his house and who had been his ancient Servant failed not to inform him of what he thought fit The Prince who had the honour of Arms and the desire of Glory added to the greatness of his Birth approving of such Councels grew full of jealousies and suspitions which lessened the friendship and confidence which he seemed formerly to have in the Cardinal and occasion'd the disagreements which ensued for seeing that Paris had been by his means reduced to Reason and knowing how the people were minded towards the Cardinal he designed to assume unto himself all Regal Power and to make himself sole Arbitrator of all things He therefore carried himself Imperiously at Court making small account even of the Queen and thought wholly to abolish the Frondeurs to the end that their Heads being quell'd and dispers'd they should not be able to oppose him but as the strength of a weak Twig joyn'd to many others gives not way to a great piece of Wood all the Prince's Cunning and his Partakers Wits seemed to aim at nothing but at keeping mens minds and interests divided And the Frondeurs studying also how to keep Condé divided from the Court did all they could to keep Beaufort who was then little less than Idolatrized in Paris from fastning to the Cardinal insinuating unto him that to keep himself in the esteem which he was in he must appear an irreconcilable Enemy not onely to the Queen and Cardinal but even to his Father and Brother as he beyond all expectation did Condé was also troubled to hear that the Cardinal treated touching the having of the Government of Picardy from the Duke d'Elboeufe who was Governour thereof which notwithstanding did not ensue for that the Price was not agreed upon and for that it was not considerable without the particular Government of the City and Citadel of Amiens which were held by the Duke Chaunes as also of Peronne which was in the possession of the Marquiss d'Ochencourt of whom the Court had then some jealousies for having received the Dutchess of Chevereux into that Fort when she returned from Flanders during the War without the Kings permission By reason of two Accidents which casually ensued Ochencourt grew so afraid as made him get into favour with the Cardinal and become his partial friend And thus it was As some of the King's Guards went to the Frontiers of Flanders to joyn with some other Troops of the King 's though they had no order to touch upon Peronne yet being desirous to go thither the Marchioness his Wife was jealous shut the Gates upon them refused them entrance and sent word to her Husband who commanded the Army upon the Frontiers as Lieutenant-General and a Gentleman of the Cardinals coming thither at the same time whom he suspected was come to make him Prisoner he forsook his Command and went to Peronne Which case the Cardinal commiserating and Oquincourt not daring to come neer him the Cardinal chose a place to
been guilty of much Violence and Extortion in the execution of his Commission The President Bailleul was ordered to go to Court with these Instructions who was to be attended by one Councellor out of every Chamber and two out of the Grand Chambre these were the Messieurs Meusnier St. Tot Canaye Camus Pon Casse Bitrult and the Counts Montanglau Mangis and Martmean who set forward upon the 8 th of Iuly towards the Court. There were in France at the same time several Councellors sent from the several Cantons of the Switzers to sollicite on the behalf of their several Countries the payment due by the King unto the Forces of that Nation under his pay the same amounting to a very considerable sum upon occasion whereof many of the Commanders and Souldiers being discontented had in several places laid down Arms and declared that they would serve no longer unless they were paid all their Arrears and secured of their Pay as it should grow due for the time to come This affair was a matter of great consequence in that conjuncture of time and was also very carefully considered by his Majesty's Council who were sensible that 't was a thing of huge importance not to disoblige these Forces which being well paid do serve truely and faithfully on all occasions And the Marquiss of Chasteau Neuf Keeper of the Seal Monsieur de Longue Treasurer and Monsieur de Tillier Secretary of State were therefore appointed to treat and agree with them who after several Meetings and Treaties had between them at last upon the 20 th day of Iune came to the conclusions following First That they should be forthwith paid in ready money 40000 Doublons and 60000 more at three days of payment the first at the end of July then next following the second upon the last of September and the last Payment to be made on the last day of December the same year together with 1000 Doublons more for the Interest of those Sums For the Payment whereof his Majesty was to deposite some Iewels as a pledge for the securing of those Payments Besides which his Majesty was to pay in five years following the sum of 250000 Doublons more by 50000 Doublons at each Payment The first to begin upon the first of January 1651 and that the sum of 66000 Doublons more should be paid in the year 1656. all which said Payments should be secured by assignations to be made upon the Kings Revenues of Lyons Valentia and those of Paris for which the Farmers of those places were to give security As to the payment of the Colonels Captains and Souldiers that should be in his Majesties service there should be a Fond established and 15000 Doublons paid monethly until all was satisfied This Agreement was signed by both parties Registered and Verified by the Parliament in solemn form with which the Cantons were all satisfied and the Deputies returned home highly contented with the Honours and Favours his Majesty had been pleased to bestow upon them declaring that they would continue to serve him faithfully with their Lives and Fortunes upon all occasions The end of the Fourth Book THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The FIFTH BOOK The CONTENTS The King and Court Return from Champagne to Paris The Spaniards raise their Siege from before Guien a Iourney to Guise is proposed and resolved upon The Frondeurs are apprehensive thereof and Mutiny again against Mazarine commotion in Burdeaux at the news that the King is marching that way The Princess of Conde incourageth the Burdelois who therefore joyn with the Princes and prepare to make Resistance something of action insues and soon after agreement is made The Kings entry into Burdeaux who within a few days parts from theme and comes to Fontenbleau The Spaniards besiege and take Piombino and Portolongone in Italy and make themselves Masters of La Capella and of Rethel in Flanders The Princes are carried from the Castle of St. Vincennes to that of Marcoussi The Archduke moves a general peace with the Duke of Orleans his ends and Artifice Mazarine goes to the Army in Champagne Marishall Plessis Pralin takes Rethell gives Battel to General Turenne Routs him The Spaniards take Flix Mirauet and Tortosa in Catalonia The Princes liberty is proposed by the Duke of Orleans and by the Frondeurs Many Treaties are had and many disorders arise thereupon THE Court being returned from Champagne to Paris it was not hard for the Cardinal to free himself from being Prest to Transport the Princes into the Bastile as well out of his great affection which he bore unto the King and Queen as by the instigation of the Princes Friends and Kindred who apprehended Condé's life if he should fall into the hands of the Frondeurs and especially of such as being full of Malice and Revenge made them not a little afraid knowing very well that all of them being fully bent to effect their desire which was to strengthen their Faction the most they could either by totally annihilating the Prince or by winning him wholly over so to destroy afterwards either by his assistance or without his obstacle the Cardinals Authority which made them press the Queen that the Princes persons might be secured rather in the Bastile than elsewhere News came this mean while that the Spaniards had raised their Siege from before Guise whereat the King's Ministers did not a little rejoyce seeing their advice had succeeded so well Wherefore the courage of the Cardinals Enviers failing who saw him grow daily stronger and stronger The Duke of Orleans took occasion thereupon being eg'd on by the Coadjutors to joyn the rather with the Frondeurs so to counterpoize that greatness which did not a little vex him They therefore by common consent resolve to hold up their Authority especially in Paris wherefore the time of choosing the Provost of Merchants a place of concernment especially then when the City was divided into Factions being now at hand they gave out that for the following years they would have Monsieur La Feure have that Office who was a Counsellor of Parliament and in whom they did much confide to the end that being joyn'd in interest with the Inhabitants they might the more freely dispose of the Counsel of the City so as they press the Cardinal now no longer in a fair becoming way but told him boldly that they would be gratified in that person And the Dutchess of Chevereux the Dutchess of Monbazon and Duke Beaufort told him freely that if he would have them esteem him their Friend he must by no means refuse it The Cardinal was much troubled at this he complained much of the Frondeurs boldness which setting aside the respect they ought unto the King they durst so sawcily meddle with that which did not belong unto them but as in a great storm a wary Pilot strikes the main yard and takes down the Masts to keep the Vessel from being exposed to the injury of the winds so the Cardinal the
weak condition of States being considered in the Minority of Princes to keep from breaking with those who perswaded him to clap up the Princes was content to give them satisfaction suffering Feure to be chosen whom the Frondeurs pretending to make use of as partial to them and as an instrument to work their ends so the Cardinal by his innate attractiveness and assisted by Fortune which commonly favours him that can sooth her up knew so well how to handle La Feure as at last he prevailed with him upon the weightiest concernments The Cardinal thinking by the Spaniards raising their Siege from before Guise that they were weaker than indeed they were and consequently less to be feared was the more minded to make the Journey to Guienne to suppress the designs of the Burdelois hoping to reduce that City to obedience within a few days But the more successful he fancied his designs the Frondeurs jealousies grew the greater wherefore they studied all means possible whereby they might either totally ruine him or make him more pliable to their wills So as keeping still close together they gave out that they would never tolerate the suppression of Burdeaux nor yet the Marriages nor his establishment in France and by the way of friendship they made it be insinuated into him that he should not do well to suffer the King to go from Paris and leave affairs in the condition they were in But the Cardinal professing that his main end was to restore the King to his Regal Splendor and Authority which was not a little obscured by the disobedience and exorbitant pretentions of Subjects he minded not the Frondeur's threats but defending himself on the one side from the Treachery of his Enemies and fencing himself on the other side from the infidelity of his Friends he by his wit and simulation rendred all prejudicial attempts vain But for that the Frondeurs pretention to divert the King from his Journey to Guienne which was intended to suppress the Burdelois tasted of insufferable boldness and petulancy and that being no good pretence whereupon to raise novelties it would have wanted the general applause to gild over the indecency thereof they made use of a palliated zeal to the publick good as if they desiring the general peace found no obstacle but the Cardinal who did in several manners divert it though when he arrested the Princes he promised to conclude it and thereby to put an end unto the peoples miseries and these affections were so zealously carried on by Beaufort and his Adherents as if the Cardinal had had the disposal of his Enemies will and as if the Spaniards were to have given way to whatsoever should be demanded by the French Whereupon the Parisians were more exasperated and people murmured in all places not being aware of the art wherewith affairs were masked nor of the cheat which was put upon them whilst the Cardinal wisely knew that to have peace the Kingdom must be in a condition of continuing War and not to discompose Treaties by civil discords it not being to be doubted but that the Spaniards would have cooled in their desire of agreement and would have heightned their pretentions the more by how much they should see France involved in intestine troubles Thus by degrees they began to colour over the breach which they were resolved to make Beaufort coveting popular applause desired a breach knowing that the best way to become powerful with the simple people was to seem to hate what they hated he therefore used all means to be accounted an Enemy to the Cardinal and this the rather for that by reason of the visit which was made him as hath been said he began to grow less in the opinion of the Parisians people ran not after him as they had wont to do when he past through the Streets and many of the Licentious people would call him a Mazzarinian so as it became him to think upon new ways to regain their good will and to remove the opinion that it was not the publick interest but his own private concerns which made him close with the late Revolutions The Journey to Guienne being upon these Reasons resolved upon the Duke of Orleans remained chief Governour in Paris assisted by the Marshal de L' Hospitale the Marquis of Chasteau-neufe and by Monsieur de Tillier Secretary of State The King and Queen the Duke of Anjou the Cardinal with the whole Court and all the Agents of Forraign Princes went from Paris on the 4 th of Iuly towards Guienne and some speech of peace between the Two Crowns being renued the glory whereof was desired by the Cardinal he desired the Venetian Embassador Michiele Morosini to follow the Court that he might make use of his Mediation if the Adversaries should incline to agreement This news coming to Burdeaux the Citizens thereof were much troubled many publick and secret meetings were had to find out what best expedient was to be had Some were for humbling themselves and for submitting to the King rather than to expect force and to dismiss the Dukes of Boullion and Rochfaucolt to the end that they might expect some good by Clemency What can we expect said one that was of that mind but that the King being made more certain of our contumacy by our resistance shall for ever shut his ears against any subjection that we can offer that being berest of all the Prerogatives that this noble City hath ever injoy'd we be forced to receive such hard Laws as are usually put upon the Conquered by the Conquerour Why do we carry our selves so proudly against our King who passing by all the injuries that we have done him hath never shewn himself loth to pardon us there is no doubt but that the Duke of Espernoun exceeding the bound of conveniency hath injured us in many things but these are miseries common to all states which have not their Masters ear And upon this occasion who knows not that more good may be had by humbly acquainting our Soveraign with our grievances than by having recourse to violent means which are always hurtful when accompanied with want of respect to the Soveraign by what forces shall we oppose the whole Kingdom which attributing not only her losses but the retarding of her Victories to our persidiousness will be upon our backs to vindicate the injuries of their betraid Country and the outrages done to Majesty if commerce cease if Traffick fail what helps can you expect from an afflicted City which hates the Authors of her miseries you will not therefore look to do any thing of your selves will you perhaps hope for good from forraign forces say I pray with what heart shall we see the Spaniards within our Walls who from their very Cradles hate our Nation who having been so often beaten by us wish nothing more then to make themselves whole by our losses for my part said he I cannot think that the Heavens mean us so much
next day as the Assembly rose a great noise â—as heard in the outward Hall of the Palace made by divers who were hired to do it amongst which one was so bold as to say and swear to President Mesnies in an outragious manner that they would have justice and a fig for Mazerine which made the President return into the Chamber fearing worse The Duke of Orleans answered to the desire made unto him by the two aforesaid That he would not come to the Assembly for that there was so great tumultuating and that when he should come it should be to the cost of some body who made it lawful to publish that the Princes were removed from Marcousi to Haure de Grace without his consent that knowing they would not meet without he were present to treat of affairs of such importance he would not come to them but let them do what they would nothing was to be done but to remit that business to the Queen to do what she pleased therein and that it had never been heard that the Parliament did meddle in any such affairs That whereas it seemed strange unto them that Monsieur di Bar should guard the Princes let them consider that the late Prince was guarded in the Castle of Vincennes by a Lieutenant of the Navarre Regiment Notwithstanding they continued to treat of the Princes and the aforesaid Dandales moved that a Remonstrance might be made both by word of mouth and in writing to the King that Haure de Grace not being a sitting Prison for Princes of the blood nor la Bar of a sitting condition to be their keeper it being a place belonging to the Guards of the Kings body the Princes might be removed to the Louvre and be there guarded by the Kings Officers Crespin being of the Kings party asked where the Parliaments Artillery was to force Bar to let loose the Princes and whether they had 50000. Ussieri or Serjeants to make an Army and besiege him in case he refused to obey them Thus the Assembly ended without concluding any thing and adjourned till the next day When the Marishal de L' Hospital being in the great Hall and hearing himself called a Mazarinian turned about and said aloud who is he that calls me a Mazarinian one of the insolent people replied I am he that says so but who are you that ask me The Marishal wisely said nothing finding that they were people who desired nothing but to raise Tumults When the Assembly met again the same Dislandes propounding what he had done before added that if the Parliament should think good to fall upon the Cardinals bad Administration of Government he would lend his helping hand but that then the other Parliaments must be invited to co-operate joyntly for the good of the State this being well liked by many afforded occasion to many to commence the discourse Counsellor Brussels seconding Dislandes added that all the Evils that had befaln France for the four last years had proceeded from the Cardinals bad guiding of affairs he imputed unto him that he had appropriated unto himself almost all the Revenues of the King that he detain'd the pay of the Armies and of the Fleets for his own use which occasioned the Soldiers plundering and extortions even to the Gates of Paris That it was a shame for France to tolerate a stranger so long he then fell to speak of the Prince of Conde shewing that in the Kings own Declaration he was charged chiefly with being too ambitious of having the places of Government bestowed upon his Friends which if it were a fault in him it might much more be called guilt in the Cardinal there not being any strong place whereof he was not now absolute master that his going to Rethel was only to treat of Charleville and of Monte Olimpe and alledging divers other examples and reasons concluded that in their Remonstrances they must mention the Cardinal and declare unto the King in writing the unless speedy remedy were taken he went about to undo the State Champound Refuge Meusiner Sevin Coqueley and others continued to inveigh mightily against the Cardinal but nothing was resolved upon for the delight of backbiting spun out the time till it grew late nor was there any thing concluded the Munday following For news coming that the Battel of Rethel was won the Chambers were invited to assist at Te Deum which was no pleasing news to many for that it was altogether in praise of the Cardinal in whose behalf Malnerdeau Champre advancing said that all the good Fortune of France proceeded from the Cardinal who was the cause of obtaining that Victory and of all the advantages gotten by the former Champagnias He commended his Government and joined in opinion with those that were for the King And for what concerned the Prince they were to be given into the Cardinals custody who would have a particular care of them but he was not listned unto The Parliament met the following days and the Coadjutor discoursed vehemently against the disorders of the State not naming any body he said that the Victory being gotten and the Enemy being so reduced as they could do nothing they must think upon home affairs and free the Kingdom from the bad Administration of the Finances but that all things could not be done without setting the Princes at liberty which was a point of State and ought to be done though they should not prove innocent Barine master of the requests Aisne and other Councellors continued still to blame the Government but President Viola was more passionate than all the rest he discoursed largely of the Princes affairs he spoke of the Cardinal as of the common Enemy He quoted a place of Scripture where it is said that Forreigners ought not to be received into the Government of States nor be acquainted with publick affairs adding that all the Kings confederates did abandon him by reason of the bad satisfaction they received from the Favourite when they were to negotiate any thing That the few Princes of Italy who were yet Friends to France were in doubt whether they should continue still so or no that Catalonia which had cost the King above 60. Millions was about to be lost That the English did threaten that all France was full of fire wherefore he concluded for the Remonstrances Blanmenill and Gilbert shewed examples â—out of History of what disorders had besaln States which have been governed by Forreigners and how that all Princes that ever made use of them have been forced to abandon them and to send them away and here amongst other examples he alledged the Declaration made by the late King Lewis the 13 th when the late Prince of Conde was set at liberty after a long imprisonment occasioned by the ambition of the Marquess de Ancere a Florentine Gilbert remembring violences committed by Ministers of State against the chief Lords of the Land added that Favorites thought themselves out of credit when they did
that you will grant a place of safety to Madamoselle de Longueville where she may pay her piety to her Father This Resolution of Parliament which was the first thing that was done in favour of the Princes did much incourage the Enemies of the Kingdom to further their wisht for intent and being backt by the Assembly they betook themselves to endeavour rather the Cardinals ruine than the release of the imprisoned for though their projects were maskt over at first with the pretence of the Princes liberty which was approved of by many as what might impede greater disorders yet the Coadjutors secret meaning being by little and little to ingage the Parliament and Duke of Orleans in the behalf of the Princes and in prejudice of the Cardinal he did what he could to keep off the Cardinal and to bring the Princes to Paris under the judicature of Parliament because unless the Cardinals expulsion had preceded it might have impeded the Princes freedom or that if he had furthered it he might have been upon such conditions as he might have been arbitrator of the Government of the Court and of the whole Kingdom which was the groundwork of all his thoughts as we shall in all his actions observe so as it may be conceived that he had no solid reason for his hatred against the Cardinal but only the Cardinals glory and fortune The Queen who proceeded very considerately in all her Resolutions and who endeavoured nothing but the service of the King her Son sought to gain time hoping at last to make the Duke of Orleans see with what cunning the Coadjutor went about to abuse his natural goodness She defer'd answering the Commissioners eight days in which time she and her Counsel having dived into the Parliaments design she answered them that the Assembly had wont to advertise the King when they medled with any thing touching his Authority before they took any Resolution that they had done so the year 1562. upon the Letters which were sent them by the late Prince of Conde That the late commotions were an example of this when the Parliament would not resolve any thing upon the Duke of Orlean's Letters without knowing the Kings pleasure first therein that now they had altered their course having resolved upon the Petitions of the Princess of Conde and of Madamoselle Longueville and undertaken to make a Remonstrance for the Princes liberty not letting the King know that any such Petitions were presented them That though this was a business whereof the Parliament ought to take no cognizance since it depended soly upon the Kings Authority and that it could not be granted but by his mere goodness regard being had to what was contained in his Letters sent to the Parliament and to all the Sovereign Assemblies and received with applause by the People yet all this should not keep the King from giving the Princes their liberty which he was content they should have without delay provided that the Forces of Steney should cease and that Marishal Turenne would lay down his Arms and to the end that none that were of that party might have any pretence to retard the doing so the King offer'd pardon to all that had been or were yet of that party to which purpose he would order Letters to be sent presently to the Parliament and that as soon as Arms should be laid down the King would free the imprisoned Though some few who had other designs in their head were not well pleased with this yet the greatest part of the Parliament appeared satisfied and it was ordered that some should be sent to the King to make the keepers of the Seal expedite this Decree But whilst affairs past thus between the King and Parliament we must not omit what was done at the same time on behalf of the Princes The Princess Palatine and her friends seeing a general disposition to favour the Princes and an extraordinary aversion to the Cardinal she continued the Treaty which as hath been said was begun and at last concluded it with the Duke of Nemeurs who had both of them full power from Conde It was managed and ended by Croisy a Counsellor of Parliament and subscribed by the Duke Beaufort the Coadjutor President Viola Monsieur Arnaude and by Fosseuse every one ingaging for themselves The principal Articles contained an agreement how to obtain the Princes liberty by the Parliament and peoples means The Coadjutor insisted upon the means how to remove the Cardinal from about the King and that the Princes adherents should oblige themselves strictly thereunto And though some of Conde's Friends were for giving all satisfaction to the Cardinal to interest him in the Prince his liberty yet all were not of that same opinion least if it should be discovered that they should indeavour to pull down the Cardinal the Princes might be plunged into greater difficulties either by hazarding their lives or by losing the hopes they had of getting their liberty by agreeing with the Cardinal yet the Coadjutor insisting that he would do nothing but upon that condition and promising to ingage the Duke of Orleans therein they were forced to consent thereunto and that the Cardinal might not come to the knowledg of this they resolved to keep it from Beaufort left he might communicate it to the Dutchess of Monbason and she to others so as the Treaty being carried by Croisy to the Princess Palatine to subscribe and read it the Coadjutor handled the business so as that this Article was skipped in reading and that Beaufort did also subscribe it without perusal but pretending that the Original which was to remain with the Frondeurs might be delivered to him and that the Transcript might remain with the Princess Palatine whereby they might meet with the same inconvenience they resolved without her knowledg to put them both into the hands of Blanmevell sealed up making him give his word never to give them out but in the presence and by the consent of the Coadjutor and of the President Viola To this Treaty another was added some few days after between the Duke of Orleans the Palatiness and the Duke of Nemeurs wherein they ingaged themselves to use all their power for the Princes liberty And in the same Treaty a marriage between the Duke of Anguien eldest Son to the Prince of Conde and the Dutchess of Alanson second Daughter to Orleans was concluded with obligation that the Prince should not change any of the Kings Council nor place any others therein without consent of the said Orleans in it was also confirm'd the marriage between the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Chevereux wherein there were some rubs put by Conde's friends presaging what the consequences might be But the Coadjutor kept still firm saying this was the only means to win the Duke of Orleans his favour though it was known afterwards that he did not so passionately desire these marriages After these Treaties the Prince of Conde's
be in safety out of Paris And the Frondeurs growing still more wavering being still bent to bring affairs to some extremity strove to raise sedition in the City under colour whereof they might legâ—timate their pretence to remove the Queen from her Regency chose a new Council for the King and that they might take the Government of the Kingdom upon themselves but were it either out of Gods goodness or the innate goodness of Orleans and Conde who were against too violent Revolutions all such attempts were still kept back leaving the Government to the Queen and continuing the Kings Council in their places in peaceful manner The Cardinal went from Haure with about One hundred Horse and with some of his friends marching in long cold dark nights till he came into Picardy where he was received civilly by all but by the Town of Abeville where he was forced to pass over the Some in small Boats which were there by chance and being past over he came to Dorlans a strong Town between Amiens and Arras accompanied by Bar the Governour thereof where he staid a while considering how he might take his journey with most safety for there was danger in passing those Frontiers without a pass which made the Queen write to him to be gone speedily out of the Kingdom The Parliament being assembled on the 20 th of February the King's Declaration was brought unto them which contained that no Forreigners though naturalized should hereafter be admitted into the Council of State which being read it was added that no Forreigner nor French Cardinal should be admitted into the Council which was done not so much in respect of Cardinal Mazarine as to exclude the Coadjutor who disturb'd all things that he might be made a Cardinal and so become first Minister of State Beaufort was one of those that were the Authors of this Addition being distasted with the Coadjutor for having concealed from him the negotiations which he secretly held with other confederates And the Princes friends insisting still to have them declared innocent the Queen being willing to please them was content that such a Declaration should be made the contents whereof were That the King growing apprehensive of the Princes their actions by information had from several parts was forced for the good of his State to secure them that time which matures all things and brings the truth out at last had made him know their innocence and how the Crown was prejudiced by their imprisonment that therefore in an affair of such importance and in respect of the Parliaments earnest supplications and by the advice of his Unkle the Duke of Orleans and others of his Council he had resolved not only to give them their liberty but to take away all pretences that might prove prejudicial to their Loyalties he did declare the said Princes not only innocent of all jealousies which had wounded their Reputations but that all Conde's actions in particular had never tended to any thing but to the establishment and increase of Regal Authority and to the good of the Crown whereof the King was fully satisfied annulling all Letters and Decrees given out against the said Princes and restoring them to their former places honours and dignities this Declaration was verified in Parliament on the 27 th Printed and disperst throughout all Europe And therein were also contained the Dutchess of Longueville Marishal Turenne and all the rest of that party Six days after the Parliament met again and the Decree made against Forreigners though naturalized was read with the addition of excluding all French Cardinals from the King's Council Orleans was the first who spoke being wisht so to do by the Coadjutor and said that after this Declaration the Clergy had made a Remonstrance upon it to the King and that Archbishop Ambrune had told his Majesty that of the three orders which are in France the Ecclesiastick was the first and noblest that no such motion had at any time been made since France had been a Monarchy That the Oath which Cardinals take unto the Pope comes after that which they take to their King and Countrey so as they were injured by being excluded the King's Council and in being berest of serving the State that this exclusion would not be well taken in Rome'â— that they had been Mazarinians that had insinuated this novelty into the mind of some body to revenge themselves of the Parliament by putting discord between it and the Clergy that when this Declaration was made he was present and was against inserting that clause foreseeing the mischief it might occasion by causing division between the Clergy and Parliament The first President said That the French Clergy were not any ways concern'd in this for in the decree all French Archbishops and Bishops were excepted wherefore they had no reason to complain and that the Archbishop Ambrune would be but little praised for his Remonstrance it being well known who it was had excited him to make it Monsieur de Courtine master of the requests alledged two examples to shew that the Clergy ought to content themselves with their callings and not meddle in Court affairs The one of Antonio Perez who being fled into France in the time of Henry the 4 th was one day asked by his Majesty how he thought France might be best governed he answered by three things by good Council rich Finances and by keeping great power in Rome inferring that to be powerful in the Pope's Court they must have many Cardinals there and that therefore they were to be kept at Rome as not being necessary in France The other was the example of the late Archbishop of Burdeaux who going to take his leave of the Pope's Nuncio when he went to command the King's Fleet the Nuncio thunder'd these words into his ears You shall not give an account of the men that shall be slain in the War which you go to make but of those that shall dye in your Diocess during your absence you shall be sure to give an account inferring that a Pastor should have a care of his flock Monsieur Barin la Galissennieve who was also master of the requests spoke against the Cardinal saying he was to be made to give an account of his Administration of Government President Charton said that the Crown had suffered much by the Administration of Cardinals and that worse was to be expected if they were continued in that imployment The Resolution was put off till the next day when much dispute being had thereupon by the first President it was at last decreed that the Cardinals should assist in their Functions in Rome and not meddle in State ' affairs and that her Majesty should be humbly desired to send a Declaration to the Parliament conformable to the Decree of the 9 th and of the 20 th of last February as well against Forreigners as against French Cardinals that they might not be admitted into the King's Council and Archbishop Ambrun's
in this whether they were to have the Queens permission or whether it was sufficient to have leave from the Lieutenant General that the Nobility had Assembled for three reasons for the liberty of the Princes for driving out the Cardinal and for the maintaining of the Nobilities priviledges which were lost by the bad Government of State Ministers That nobody could doubt but that the two first points were contrary to the Regents desire since the Princes had been imprisoned by her that therefore it was unnecessary to ask leave for the Assembling of the Nobility seeing it was contrary to her sense wherefore not being able to address themselves to her Majesty they had be taken themselves to the Lieutenant General who having given them leave to meet the occasion of taxing them for having taken upon them an unjust power ceased That those who sided with the Cardinal said this was a Criminal fact but that they could not shew any other way which was more innocent that they were shut up between two great extreams either to become guilty by complaining or to be opprest by holding their peace and to suffer that without remedy the honour of their Wives and Daughters their Goods their Houses and all they had should be exposed to the insolence and violation of Soldiers Marishals Task-masters and to the avarice of Officers and that their liberties and immunities should be opprest through the jealousie of those who had neither birth nor worth thatthe Kingdom of France was a free Kingdom and that the most noble and freest part thereof ought not to be forbidden lamenting and demanding justice against such excesses and their conclusion was that any thing might be done which was just and reasonable at last the Clergie and after them the Nobility did acquiesce upon the reiterated desires and perswasions of the Duke of Orleans and of the Prince of Conde and much the rather for that they had not met with such correspondences as they looked for from the meeting of the third order without which and contrary to the King's power the Clergy and Nobility could of themselves do nothing So all was husht up upon hopes of the next Assembling of the States General which Orleans and Conde did under their hand assure them of The Cardinal being gone from the confines of France Paris grew weary of keeping continual Guards at the gate for which the Soldiers had no pay wherefore those Guards were taken away so as the Court being at liberty to go into the City and Country the Princes party was thereby not a little weakned who confided much in Armed men Conde began to apprehend a second imprisonment which he feared as himself said more than death wherefore he grew more circumspect than usual The Court began to take courage and to think how to uphold the King's Authority and because the Cardinal at his departure counselled the Queen to recall Count Chavigny who was Conde's friend to keep him from thinking to return by some other means he was sent for back and the seals were taken away by the Queens direction from the Marquess of Chastauneuf who was suspected to be become a friend to the contrary party and were given to the first President Mole which made it be believed that the Queen did all by intelligence with the Prince who was a friend to Chavigny and Mole and an Enemy to Chasteauneuf the next day he took the wonted Oath and the Queen used him with honour and esteem whereat the Duke of Orleans was much amazed in whose House the Prince of Conde Duke Beaufort the Dutchess of Chevereux and of Moâ—bason met together with the Coadjutor and other conspicuous persons of that party and they discoursed long upon the Queens taking too much upon her contrary to their pretentions speaking openly that if the Duke of Orleans would suffer such shame he would incourage his Enemies who would grow the more haughty But because the Council differ'd in their opinions it will not be amiss to lay open the affections of the one and of the other because private interest is more minded in France than in any other Court or Nation and is prefer'd before any publick consideration The Duke of Orleans his Daughter Madamoselle Duke Beaufort and the Dutchess of Monbason minded only their own greatness The Prince of Conde and his adherents cared not much for this mutation as being adversaries to Chasteauneuf and friends to the first President the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Coadjutor as friends to Chasteauneuf were more incens'd against the Queen than all the rest the rather for that they thought they had been upon good terms with her Majesty Orleans broke forth into sore complaints against the Queen for making such alterations without his knowledg Duke Beaufort offer'd to make the people rise in his behalf when he should please Count Montresore a great friend to the Coadjutor said it was no longer time to dally that the people must forthwith take up Arms and force the first President to forgoe the Seals and afterwards go with the like fury to the Queens Court and do as occasion should serve it was thought that this being a violent proposal came from the Coadjutor who was of the same opinion but the Prince of Conde who held private intelligence with the Court declared he would not ingage himself in a War in the Streets of Paris as not being accustomed to fight with stones and that therefore he would leave the care thereof to others That he would be ready to obey the Duke of Orleans if he should so command him in going presently into Burgundy to raise men and make War wheresoever he should please Upon these speeches of so renown'd a man the diversity of opinions ceased and the Marishal de Estampes one that loved not troubles said it was now late and that the business might be defer'd till the next morning which was done The Coadjutor finding Conde to declare thus much intreated the Duke of Orleans to give him leave to withdraw himself from the intrigues of the Court and follow his study and seemed to continue a while thus resolved The Queen was somewhat troubled at the taking the Seals from Chasteauneuf and giving them to President Mole by reason of Orlean's so highly resenting it which the Frondeurs also did so as fearing some extravagancy though she did much protect the first President she was at last forc'd to forsake him and to take the Seals away from him and to deposite them in the Lord Chancellor's hands with promise under hand to the said President by Marishal Grammont that they should be restored unto him when the King should be of years yet was not he well pleased since the Queen had made him accept that place against his will not being able to protect him therein but he was more offended with Conde from whom for his past service he promis'd himself more fervent assistance wherein the Prince failed him to keep from breaking with the
the one of these two Provinces lay towards Spain and England the other seated amidst the Richest and most noble Provinces of France confining upon Flanders and not far from Germany that it was not to be imagined the first should be able to subsist by the backing of Spain and England because it was not to be believed that the Prince of Conde who by blood was so interessed in the Crown would be so foolish as to dismember the Kingdom of so noble a Province to throw it into the hands of the Spaniards who were natural Enemies to France or of the English who were proud foes nor were things so easily done as designed that it was not time for Spain to ingage in new enterprizes and that all the aid was in considerable which could come from England which was not sure to establish her new state by her own Forces much less to send them abroad to purchase new Enemies that reason of State might require that the power of France might be divided and weakned but that the English could not desire that by the lessning of this the power of Spain should be increased which as being apter to raise Naval Fleets ought consequently to be by them more feared that on the contrary Burgundy the Prince of Conde's Government confining upon Germany and joyning upon Flanders which is the Magazine of the Arms of the Spanish Monarchy would be more apt to foment the Male-contents in Paris when that City as there was now great likelihood should declare for their party And that the Princes passing over the Loire to Carita and joyning with Berry the Government of the same Prince and from thence with Poictou Limosin and Anjou all which Provinces were held by his friends and afterwards with Guienne it was to be feared that the Kingdom being cut through the very midst by such a knot the said Princes might not only be able to maintain themselves in Guienne but make good their party in Paris by the assistance of Neighboring Burgundy and by the Forces of Flanders and Spain reduce the King's Dignity to an inevitable precipice it being insidiated by so many seditious male-contents who by such an opportunity might compass their pernitious Machinations That therefore his opinion was that this change might be permitted and that to moderate the great opinion which the Gascoigns have of Conde they should be suffered to see him for that men are apt to worship a great Warrier more when they hear of his prowess in War than when betaking himself to his quiet he falls into those licentious courses as are usual to the military profession and oftentimes those Flowers which are most pleasing to the eye do most nauseate the Nose And the mean while the King's power breaking out in his Majority would like the Sun dissipate those clouds which do darken the luster of this Kingdom and obfuscate the splendor which other Planets exhal'd from thence and the Crown will re-assume that happy motion which hath hitherto accompanied it Wrought upon by these reasons all of them did unanimously concur to the permutation of these two Governments the which being obtained by the Prince made him also pretend to change Champagnia but the Government of Guienne not appearing so prejudicial for the aforesaid reasons as that of Provence it would not be listned to The Cardinal without whose allowance this change was made blamed the resolution weighing that if it made not much for the Prince his interest he would not have pursued it so hotly writ that he thought it would prove too prejudicial unless it were granted him for some more secret and more important respects and for what concern'd Provence he exaggerated much against them who would so much as hearken to it and wish'd the Queen and Council to have a care of it and not to place so much power in the Prince of Conde for that the more power was given to him the more was the King's Authority lesned It had been much better for the Prince to have taken upon him the supream command of the Army as well for the Grandezza of the Kingdom as for his own glory and Reputation but he did not value it as well in respect of what hath already been touched upon as that he did not too much trust the Queen who was jealous of all his ways and therefore considering that putting himself into an Army composed of Veteran Soldiers who were all faithful to the King who reverenced nothing but his Majesties orders he imagined that he could have no other obedience from them but what did merely concern the service of France wherefore he refused that command which the Queen confer'd upon Marishal de Auniont This Army being provided of Officers who did all of them depend upon the Court was considerable both for number and valour but did not much that Summer for want of monies which was occasioned by the Kingdoms disorders lying only upon the Frontiers of Flanders as shall be said hereafter Whereat the Parliament being moved whose designs were to win upon the peoples affection seeming to be their defenders decreed on the 19 th of Iune that the order made before for remedying the unruliness of the Militia should be put in execution and nominated some Commissioners to that purpose who were to go whither they listed but all in vain for they wanted power to make themselves be obeyd the Soldiers making themselves merry with all their resolves which was not unpleasing to the Court whose concernments were Govern'd according to advice given ever and anon by the Cardinal who though he were at Brules in Germany was informed of all that was done at Court according to which the Councils were there regulated and the King did continually assure him by his Letters that he would by all means have him near his person though it should be with hazard of his Crown yet great secrecy was used in this correspondency the Court being at Paris for fear of being again beset with the City Guards if it should be known Amongst these irresolutions of the King's Council the Cardinal's friends sought to win over the Prince of Conde industriously imploying those therein who were known able to promote so slippery a business The Princess Palatine was desired to interpose her self in this accommodation but she being unwilling to break her word given to the Dutchess Chevereux touching the Marriage and to the Coadjutor touching his being Cardinal declared that she would be ready to do any thing that would not clash upon these two points by retracting from whence she might be taxed with breach of promise but the affairs in the treaty of Guienne altering upon the breach of Madamoselle Chevereux marriage opinions also altered and hence began all things to change The Princess Palatine did notwithstanding say by consent of the Dutchess of Longueville that if the Queen would be gracious to the Prince she would quit the Union whereunto she was now annext and would cordially joyn
civil War would without speedy remedy be kindled The Prince of County thinking that the first President 's words aimed at the taking the cognition of these affairs from the Parliament stopt him at the word of Civil War saying he wondered that he should speak of Civil War where the Prince his Brother meant nothing but safety to his own person He wish'd him therefore to give over these speeches which tended only to make the Prince his actions appear contumacious and blameable which were of themselves just tending to the publick good and to the keeping up of the Grandezza of France which consisted in being govern'd by those of her own Nation and not by Forrainers who mind only the undoing of others to enrich themselves The first President repli'd he wonder'd no less to be interrupted it being a thing not permitted to any one and that in that place he was to speak any thing which tended to the King's service and to the common good County answer'd that he had the honour to be a Prince of the blood and that when he heard his Brother ill spoken of he was bound to defend him and that he thought it improper to speak of civil War when a Prince was spoken of who had done so much for the service of the King and State The first President replyed that the Princes of the blood were in that place but mere Counsellors that no notice was taken there of any Prince but the King and that such speeches as these had been heard upon the like occasions in other times but the contention was interrupted by the Duke of Orleans and the Parliament was adjourned till the next day Affairs were kept this mean while on foot at Court and touching giving satisfaction to the Prince it was wholly put over to the Duke of Orleans who holding good intelligence with the Prince it was hoped that by his means some good agreement might be come unto or if that he should further his designs the Court might have just reason to make good her resolutions to the world of humbling the Family of Conde which was grown too great for the King's Authority Orders were sent to all the Governours of Provinces and Towns to stand upon their Guard nor to own any commandement but from their Majesties Marishall Grammont was sent to his Government of Berne a Province bordering upon Spain to watch over whatsoever might be contrived on that side against the King's service to which purpose the Queen used all means to bring the Cardinal back who as a forreiner and not depending upon any faction was known to be requisite for the good of the Government and for the defence of his Master's Dignity and because she found there were few of his friends who spoke freely for him since the very imagination of not being against him was able to make any honest man hated she caused the Abbate of Ondedey to return to Paris who kept incognito as hath been said at Peronne to the end that by his dexterous fidelity he might bring the wisht for indeavours to a good end The Parliament meeting again on Monday another Gentleman appeared from Conde with a Letter wherein he discovered himself more fully touching his suspitions and pretences complaining that the Kingdom was governed by those that adhered to the Cardinal saying that Tillier was made Secretary of State merely by the Cardinals favour that Monsieur de Lyon had the honour to be the Queens Secretary only for having been in the same imployment formerly for the Cardinals service and that Count Serviente had added nothing to what had made him deserve being deprived of the Office wherewith he was honoured by the late King more than hindering the conclusion of the general Peace that if these three were removed from the Court he would forthwith return unto the King These Letters were perused and presently sent by the King's party to the Queen by whom the Duke of Orleans was again desired to interpose in appeasing the Prince and to free him of his conceived jealousies to which purpose the Duke went to Rambulliere not far from St. Antoine where he spoke with the Prince but to as little purpose as formerly for he persisted that he would see the aforenamed three persons removed whom he held to be his chiefest enemies to this he was egg'd on by the Counsellors Croisy St. Germain Count Fiesco with the privity of Chasteauneuf and the Coadjutor who contributed to the business though underhand to avoid the making Conde more jealous who held no good correspondence with them About the midst of Iuly the Duke of Orleans spoke again with Conde at Rene two leagues from Paris which though it appeared to be for this agreement yet the truth was that instead of reducing the Treaty to some fair issue and reciprocal satisfaction as was thought might be done if Orleans had dealt really they agreed to expell the three forenamed Men to the end that the Queen being deprived of their assistance and others who depended upon them being put into their places they might predominate in the Council and obtain their desires They therefore prest the Parliament as much as possibly they could to interest them against the aforesaid three to which the Parliament would not consent Monsieur Tillier the mean while knowing that the whole Caball was against him alone for as for Servient and Lyon he did not think them to be so far out with the Prince as that he should seek their ruine he told the Queen that though his being Secretary of State might dispense with him for not condesending to the Prince his demands and for keeping the Parliament from interesting themselves therein that notwithstanding having no other end but the King's service and the quiet of the State he would willingly yield so to put an end to all pretentions and to obviate new disturbances The other two followed his example so they all got leave to retire from the Court and went to their Country houses wherefore the Prince adding still to his pretences and growing still more haughty came to Paris on the 21. of Iuly accompanied by Duke Rochefaucolt Marishal de la Motte and other friends of his and going to Parliament with the Duke of Orleans he thanked them for their protection and went from thence to visit the King and Queen and because he seemed still to doubt new Imprisonment many men were placed about the Palace Royal. And the Duke of Orleans who upon his word had brought him to the Court shew'd him a Dagger as he went out of the house which hung by his side saying that he would with that kill the first man that should offer to stop him The King was willing to see him but the Queen appeared somewhat cool and avoiding any discourse of interest talked only of what did presently occur whereat the Prince was not much satisfied and as it is usual for men that are apprehensive to interpret all things to the worst he
that he made use of the Cardinals name to foment the divisions of the State he said he had nothing to do in any thing that had been said or done against him before his disimprisonment and that if he had afterwards joyn'd with the sense of all the Parliaments of the Kingdom and with the Votes of all the people it was only to maintain the quiet which might be disturb'd by his return and that if the Kings Council had been so diligent as they ought to have been in taking away the jealousies occasioned by so many sendings to Colen the Parliament should not have needed to be troubled at his return nor to desire a Declaration in confirmation of the Decrees which had been made which it seems was indeavoured to be deluded by that writing which wanting the usual form ought to be of no consideration That though this were enough to say That he had no need to answer that notwithstanding since it had been said in the presence of that Assembly and in the rest of the body of the City and which had moreover been Printed he thought it fit to convince all men of the calumnies which were laid upon him for what concern'd the favours conferred upon his Family by the King he said he had deserved them by the service he had done the Crown That Sfenay and Claremont had been given him in recompence for the place of Admeralty and for the settlement of his Brother in Law the late Duke of Bresse which by his death was lost That the Governments had been justly confirm'd upon him having been held by the Prince his Father that he held his liberty from the favour of their Majesties at the desire of the Duke of Orleans and Parliament that he thought he should be faulty in gratitude if he should partly alledge justice for this obligation and that the Declaration made by her Majesty of his innocency was a sufficient proof of the violence which he had suffered under that he thought it strange that after Thirteen months imprisonment without any known cause his liberty must be acknowledged as an act of Grace and that he did no less wonder that it should be said he was restored to the Kings Council since that place having been given to the Prince his Father by the late King and since the time of Regency he could not attribute that to favour which did of right belong unto him as Prince of the blood and whereof he could be no more be justly deprived without apparent injustice than of his Towns and Governments That it was ridiculous that the Cardinals new confidents who as it was likely had dictated that writing should give out that he strove rather to make himself be feared than loved by reason of thenumber of Towns which he past though he had no more besides Stenay and Claremont than those that had formerly been in his Family no complaint having ever been made of any violence by those that commanded and that he was not troubled to defend himself against any thing that was upbraided unto him had he not in some sort sacrificed his interest and glory to the obedience which he ought unto the King whereof his Enemies made use of now to discredite him and that he refer'd himself to the judgment of the Parliament whether or no these intrigues of the Cardinal were enough to upbraid him with the number of his Governments since the Cardinal and his Domesticks possest Pinarole in Italy Salse Perpignone and Roses in Rosiglion Dunkirk Mardike Bergue Dorlans Bapumes la Bassea Ypre Cotra in Flanders besides Portalongone and Piombino which he had suffer'd to be lost not reckoning an infinity of other places the Governours whereof did wholly depend upon him which was sufficient to denote that more than words were requisite to secure the Kingdom of the absence of one who had so many gates to enter by and when it was experimentally known too fatall to France that his policy was always to make himself formidable to all men That for what was said that the Forces which the King had given him might make a whole Army it was well known to all France that the advantages which his Majesty had gotten over his Enemies were partly got by them that his having changed the Government of Burgundy for Guienne was occasioned by the Queens desire merely for the peace of that Province which could no longer tollerate the Duke of Espernoun that he had preserved the Towns which he held in Burgundy because none were given him in Guieâ—ne and that having bought them it was not just they should be taken from him without having some others given him in charge or at least without having the monies repaid that his Father had given the Duke of Bellegrade That he had not received above 5000 pounds for all that had been assigned to him as well for maintaining the King's Kitchin as for the maintenance of his Troops and all this because the monies were otherwise diverted by the Cardinal and his friends as he could prove unto the Parliament that his having solicited the sending of Count Servient Lyon and Tillier from the Court could not be termed an undertaking against the Regal Authority since the Parliament justified him therein by their Demonstrances and for that he had seen their Majesties but once it was by reason of their new ordering the Council putting in persons newly ingaged in the Cardinals interest without his knowledg or consent it being most certain that none were admitted into the Council but such as did depend upon and were partial to Mazariâ—e wherefore he could not hazard himself any more in their hands who were swaid by ambition and who consequently had given him just occasion to apprehend their Counsels and to declare that whilst they were without his advice of the Council he could have no safety there That for these reasons he had forborn coming to Council not having any other considerations than those which he had declared to the Duke of Orleans in his last Declaration That his having written to the Parliaments of the Kingdom and to several Cities was done to give them an account of his actions and to make them lose the opinion which was given out that he would introduce civil wars into France in consequence of the Letters which the King writ to all the Provinces after his retreat to St. Maure with the faults therein imputed unto him it being false that he had written to raise any men more than usual as also that he had re-inforced the Garrisons in his Governments and fortified them of late forcing the people of the neighbouring Towns to work which had he done ought rather to be commended in him than blamed and that it were to be wish'd that all Governours of Frontier Towns would do the like That the retreating of his Wife and of his Sister the Dutchess of Longueville was upon the consideration that they were to preserve his Family which after so many jealousies
Italy England and Germany being thereunto invited not only by the weakness of France but also by the miserable condition of that City which was grievously visited with the Plague which after having destroy'd 35000 persons had left the rest in so miserable a condition as there were scarce 400 Citizens who were fit to manage Arms to which was added that the people were wearied by the violence and extortions of the French And were inclined to submit themselves under their first masters remembring that in time of peace they were better dealt with than what they now experimented under the Government of the French being too late aware that the change of masters happens seldom without the ruine of the Country This resolution being put on then in the Council of Spain fitting orders were sent to the Governour of Millian to the Viceroys of Naples and Sicily and to all other parts from whence Men Victuals or mony might be expected and from Naples besides Forces Count Ognate sent three Vessels loaded with Corn thitherward whereof there was then great scarcity in Spain to maintain the Army which had much ado to subsist in a Country totally impoverish'd and desolate But these three Ships were taken by Cavaliere Polk who roved upon those Seas which retarded the design for three months Finally all things necessary being prepared and about 6000 foot and 2500 horse being raised in the parts about Lerida by Marquess Mortara who was General together with Baron Sabac Captain Camp-master General Count de Aro Son to the Constable of Castile General of the horse Fra. Giovanni de Marchesi Pallevicini a noble Genuese General of the Artillery Baron de Bontiere a Burgundian Commissary General and other valiant and experienced Captains and Officers they went with sixteen field pieces and four pieces of Battery taken out of Lerida towards Cervera on the 8 th of Iuly and feigning as if they would fall upon Bellaguer they tarried two days before that Town wherein was much Victuals Ammunition of War and fifteen pieces of Artillery which served the Prince of Conde at the Siege of Lerida but the Queens Anjou's Brigades being brought thither by Marquess Marcelly they rose from thence on the 10 th of Iuly for that was not their design and went to Vaglies But because after Duke Mercure's departure Catalognia was without a Viceroy and for that by reason of the Spaniards preparations it behoved them to have another speedily it was much prest for to the Court of France So as in April Marishal de Oquincourt had that imployment given him and was sent for from his Government of Peronne to Paris where whilst it was discust how they might send him well provided of men and monies to keep the field in that Province Conde being bent upon other designs used means to keep him from going upon that imployment who was faithful to the King and a friend to the Cardinal Indeavouring that in his stead Count Marsine should be sent thither who was his inward friend that as it was noised he might by holding intelligence with him dispose of that Principality as he should please So as Count de Iglias Don Giuseppe Fontenella and Don Giuseppe de Pinosa all of them prime Catalonians being then at Paris Conde treated with them and wrought so with them as they managed the business at Court and got Marsine to be chosen Captain General of those Forces with order to be speedily gone for that the Spaniards were already ready to march into the field and to enter Caterlonia many Catalonians having turn'd over to their party but Conde's intention being to win upon Marsine's affection who was a wise and valiant Warrier he procured Madamoselle de Cleremont to him for his Wife with whom he had some little relation in blood wherefore instead of making hast to his charge he kept a month longer about the Court upon pretence of that Marriage and fifteen days longer at Fontenblean where the opinion of the Court was that he treated with an Envoy from Don Gabriel de Tolledo who was then at Paris about a General peace and that they had already agreed privately how to plot all the Prince his designs who was already confederated with the Spaniards And Conde as also the three aforesaid Catalonians desiring that Marsine might have the Title of Viceroy they used means by counterfeit Letters as was discovered from Giuseppe Payssa fifth Counsellor of Barcellona a great friend of the said Fontenella which were written to the King wherein the King was perswaded to grant that Deputation whereunto the King gave way giving him hopes to make him Marishal of France upon the first occasion it was notwithstanding thought preposterous by many to send Marsine back again to that imployment from whence he had been wrongfully removed as well not to afford him means how to revenge himself as also to shun the dislikes which might arise between the said Marsine and those that had arrested him it being probable that there might be jealousies allways between them but the unhappy conjunctures of that Court made those resolves unfortunate Marsine being at last come upon the 14 th of Iuly to Rastello in Barcellona he spoke therewith Don Giusippe Margherite with the Consuls of Barcellona and with the Deputies of Catalonia and having discoursed with them upon the affairs of the War and upon the designs of the Enemies he went to find out the Forces and tarried at Piera where he ordered Don Giusippe de Ardena who was returned a little before from France to Catalonia with title of Lieutenant General to return with his men to where they had been a little before and were staid until the Spaniards after having received a recruit of three Brigades of Italian foot and four of the Irish should march without Artillery which they sent by the way of Villafranca to Taragona towards Barcellona wherein there being but few men and less Victuals Don Giuseppe Margherite and the Consuls were very diligent in causing those who were return'd into the City from the neighbouring Villages which were visited with the Plague to bring in Corn and other Victuals in so much as for eight days so many Carts and Mules were seen to enter by the three only gates which were left open as enabled the Town to hold out fifteen months longer It being in this interim known that the Spaniards marched from Vagliez towards the hill Sodoner Marsine retreated to St. Andrea upon Lobegrate where he haulted till the Spaniards began to descend the hill Lodonner he neither withstood their march which he might easily have done they being to pass down the steep hill for the space of a Catalonian league nor did he oppose their coming into the plain of Lobegrate though he knew that the Van began to fall down on the last of Iuly the Rear was not yet come thither the French Army being then above 1700 horse and 6000 foot But retreating from St. Andrea left only Ardena with
discontentedly towards Burges a chief City in Berry which had declared for the Prince here Croisy met him and proposed unto him a meeting with Orleans which Conde refusing he offer'd that if he would keep quietly in his own Governments till the calling of the States General he should have good quarters assigned him for his Forces to the end that during the Assembly of the said States he might be in a condition of being considered and he further promised him in the name of the Duke and of Chasteauneuf that the States should be kept in an unsuspected place and that if they could get the Queens good will they should be kept in St. Denise where by the neighbourhood of Paris he might have intire liberty The Prince considered the advantage of these propositions whereby he might preserve his Troops and fortifie them during the winter an unfit reason for War foreseeing that he should hardly withstand the King's Forces with his new men and he knew that if the Cardinal should be re-called whilst he was in his Government that finding him Armed and stuck unto by so many friends all that he could desire either for himself or his friends must necessarily be granted him and that if the Cardinal should return without his consent all the Provinces and Parliaments that were the Cardinals Enemies would declare for him And that if the Cardinal should keep away which he could hardly believe all France would acknowledg this satisfaction from him and would be obliged to him for it When he had well weighed these proposals and was willing to accept them he called the Prince of County unto him and the Dukes of Nemeurs and Rochefaucolt and acquainted them therewith but these believing that when Arms should be taken up the Court would grant all that he could pretend unto told him that these were but tricks to weaken him and his faction They wish'd him to consider that Burdeaux was ready to declare and that Spain did with impatience expect this resolution that if he should lose this occasion he should lose all the succour and assistance that he could expect from thence and that he would lose all his chief friends in this diversity of opinion the Prince would put on no resolution till he went to Montronde to debate every particular with his Sister Longueville and willed Croisy to follow him He held divers consultations in Montronde and freely made it known that he was inclin'd to an agreement but being contradicted by all the rest it may be said he was forced to a resolution contrary to his will and as he was walking in his Park he said aloud that since they were absolutely for his taking up Arms not to oppose them he agreed thereunto but bad them remember that he was the last who as inforced thereunto took his Sword in hand but that he would be the last who should sheath it soon after he called for Croisy and charged him to present his respects to the Duke of Orleans and to desire him not to slacken his indeavours and authority in finding out some way of accommodation for he would be ready to accept of peace when he knew he might safely do it But his friends and kindred were so desirous of a breach as left he might agree whereunto they found him willing enough the Prince of County Dutchess of Longueville Dukes of Nemeurs and Rochefaucolt President Viola and divers others agreed privately amongst themselves promising never to separate but to joyn even against the Prince himself if he should agree with the Court without obtaining such-satisfaction for them as they pretended to and this they did to make themselves considerable and not totally dependant upon the Prince So as first Chavigny and then the rest were the impulsive reasons of the Prince his precipice and of all the troubles that befell France afterwards for all things would have been sweetned and the Prince re-assuming the Military imployments of the Crown would have triumphed over his Enemies he not being really corrupted in his will but by the inticement of others so as it may be said that from hence arose the civil dissentions The Prince leaving his Wife and Son in the Castle at Montronde together with the Duke of Nemeurs who followed him and Prince County and Dutchess Longueville staying in Burges went on the 16 th of September towards Vertuile where he found many of Rochefaucolt's friends whose house that was to whom he gave Monies and Commissions to raise men he from thence continued his journey without any interruption and arrived at Burdeaux where he was received with extraordinary applause and upon his coming thither made the first President be told that he should not come before him and that as being partial to the Queen he should go out of the City whereunto he was incited by the Frondeurs and by Blanck the second President but the Prince assured him of his friendship if during these commotions he would keep neuter in his Castle at Rilandraut When Conde came to Burdeaux he sent his trusty servant Lenet into Spain to treat with Spain which treaties were concluded as soon as begun for the Spaniards thought it was not now time to slight a Prince of France furnish'd with friends and one so famous in War the treaty was agreed upon between his Catholick Majesty and him and his adherents with these expressions First that the treaty of Stenay between the Archduke the Dutchess of Longueville and General Turenne should be confirm'd in all parts That the Prince should be bound never to treat of peace without the King of Spains consent who also promised never to make peace with France without comprehending the Prince upon such terms as should satisfie him His Catholick Majesty obliged himself to pay 500000 Crowns to raise men and to keep a fleet in the River of Burdeaux which might be able to secure that City and to keep commerce open with Biscay That he should absolutely command all the Armies of Spain and that all the Towns which should be taken in France should remain in his hands save one Haven which should be allowed the King of Spain for the security of his Fleets at Sea and of the Towns which had been taken from the Spaniards in the present War That the King of Spain should send about 8000 to the Prince his Soldiers who were in Campagnia which should be independantly under the sole command of the Prince or of him that he should send The King promised to pay yearly 600000 Crowns for maintenance of the Forces and the Prince having given hopes upon such ends as hath been formerly touched upon that the Duke of Longueville should enter into the same concernment the King promised that in such a case he would assist him with Arms Money Men and Shipping that he might wage War in Normandy In prosecution of which treaty Conde did what he could to make Marishal Turenne take upon him the command of his Army in Campagnia
extraordinarily devoted to their King the Inhabitants of Burges by the means of Chasteauneuf who was much beloved in that Province wherein much of his estate lay sent a Citizen of theirs speedily away to Fountainbleau to invite the King to their City where he should be lovingly received and faithfully served Divers discourses were had hereupon before their Majesties Chasteauneuf was for their going thither out of three reasons wherein his own interest was concern'd the first for that being no friend to the Prince he sought to bring him lower the second because by such advancement he got esteem amongst the people and thereby made himself necessary for the administration of Government The third for that the further the Court should go from Paris he thought the Cardinals return would be the more difficult as well by the Parliaments animosity as by the bad season wherein he was to pass over fourteen Rivers and by keeping him away he put the Duke of Orleans in Authority which was his chief end the Guard de Seaux opposed this saying that it behoved not to hazard the King's Authority by undertaking what was not sure to succeed well and that the foundation was to be grounded upon his own strength not upon the uncertainty of the peoples favour which was always wavering This design of Chasteauneuf's being seen into by the Cardinals confidents whereof there were but few in the Council though they all appeared to be much his friends they concluded there was no better expedient for the service of their Majesties and of the Cardinal than to make use of their own Forces and to get that thereby which they could not do by reason nor fair means wherefore by orders from the King who by reiterated Letters had sent for the Cardinal back Abbate Vndedey went to Brules to acquaint him with the necessity of this expedient and to acquaint him truly with all that had past assuring him of their Majesties excellent intentions towards him For whose service it was requisite that he should return and take upon him the Government of affairs they being now sensible that none could do it better nor with better affection The Cardinal listened diligently to the Abbate as confiding much in him yet was he doubtful what to resolve upon but at last the reasons alledged by Vndedey prevailing he resolved to raise with his own monies an Army of about 5000 fighting men whom he committed to the charge of the Marishals of Oquincourt and of Ferte Senetre the Count Navailes and Broglia who took upon them the imployment and diligently apply'd themselves thereunto This being thus resolved The Cardinal desired a pasport from the Spaniards to return to Bullion which they procrastinated foreseeing how prejudicial his return to Court might prove wherefore he went unexpectedly from Brules and instead of going to Iuliers went towards Duren a City belonging to the Duke of Newburg and from thence to Aquisgrave Siege Hâ—y and then to Dinan whither the aforesaid Counts of Novailes and Broglia came to agree about their leavies for which they there received monies and in forty days which they staid in that Town they raised their men But because the Male-contents might not in the King's absence plot things prejudicial to the Court the Guard Seaux Guinegaude Secretary of State Marishal Vievelle and the Marishal de L' Hospitalle were left there to whom joyntly the King gave all Authority being assisted by the Duke of Orleans who remained there as Viceroy which was because the Guard Seaux being the first President in Parliament might prevail much by his Authority that Guinegaude might make the dispatches of State Vieville who was the master of the Finances might find monies and the Marishal de L' Hospitalle as being Governour of Paris and much esteem'd in the City by those who loved the Court But the Duke of Orleans who was not well pleased with the Kings going against the Prince as well for the union between them as for fear the Cardinal should return comply'd artificially and palliated his affection as well as he could with the Duke of Arville and with others who were sent unto him by the King to be assistant to him Yet the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Coadjutor who desired the downfall both of the Prince and Cardinal watched the Duke of Orleans narrowly and making use of the credit they had with him indeavoured to stave him off from them both and would have wrought their ends upon him had not Count Chavigny and Monsieur Gaucourt who were the Prince his friends counterpois'd their designs being fomented by Beaufort and the Frondeurs who desired to uphold the Prince that they might keep the Cardinal from Court But Beaufort on the other side considering what need there was of a Commander of the Forces in Guienne who might vye for valour with the Prince wrought it so as the King gave that imployment to Count Harcourt a Prince full of courage and of great esteem in Arms and who was well disposed to the Kings service and a sincere friend to the Cardinal whereupon he went to Fountenbleau after he had received the Patent in Paris the same day that the King went from thence to kiss their Majesties hands and so to go towards his charge The King had with him 4000 of his French Guard and Switzers and for their General the Marishal de Estre whose Lieutenant General was Count Paluau both of them particular friends to the Cardinal and 4000 more were taken out of the Army of Picardy under the Marquess of Castelneau who was also Lieutenant General together with other Troops which were raised in other parts Marquess St. Luke Lieutenant General of Guienne was ordered to take what care he could of that Province and that he should keep in Cohors and Montaubank to keep those Towns in the King's obedience which he did This going of the King to Berry did infuse much fear into all the Prince his friends in so much as they sever'd themselves and withdrew some to Montrond some elsewhere the Prince of County and Dutchess of Longueville forsook even Burges in great confusion when they knew the agreement made between the Inhabitants of that place and the Court but the Dutchess of Nemeurs as not accustomed to the rumor of War went to Vandosme that she might keep quiet there The Court being gone from Paris the tumults which were almost ceased in Paris grew greater than ever as well amongst the people as in the Parliament to impede the Kings journey and keep the Cardinal from returning Wherefore the Dukes of Orleans and Beaufort the Frondeurs Parliament and part of the people return'd to their former commotions not with Arms but by decrees of Parliament and Remonstrances to the Court but Chasteauneuf who still indeavoured to keep the Cardinal away and to make the Court prevent the resolutions of Parliament used this precaution as when he found that any decrees were to issue out from thence contrary to the
Rivers which were deeper then he thought which when Estrades hard he presently mustered all the Garison of Dunkirk viewed the Ammunition that he might the better know how to defend himself if he should be assaulted which he assuredly thought he should be where he found Two thousand Soldiers and Four thousand Inhabitants who wished well to the Spaniards and Victuals for no longer then May. Wherefore he thought it good to rid the Town of Three thousand useless Months which he put out of the Town and brought all the Corn into the publick Magazins And whilest the Spaniards were busied about the siege of Graveling he got in all the Victuals he could from the Neighboring parts sent out Two hundred Foot against a Village called Vulpes between Fernes and Newport where storming a Guard of Fifty Muskettiers he took away all the Corn and Cattle he could find And on the other side of the River Colme took divers Barks loaded with Wine Beer and other things which were going to the Spanish Camp and took several prisoners When the news of the siege of this important place came to the Court their discontent was doubled being imbroiled by the Princes and having Civil War Wherefore they poured out imprecations against Conde the first Author of all the misfortunes that were and that were likely to be But he laughed and laid all the blame upon the Cardinal so as there is nothing which doth more advantage the interest of a third party then discord between the other two The Spaniards were so fortunate this year as even the very French did applaud their proceedings which made them easily active in those enterprises which otherwise would have required longer time and have been of uncertain event The Court did notwithstanding forbear to apply Remedies to the weighty emergencies wherewith it was miserably distracted Marquess Oquincourt after the siege of Estampes leaving the Kings Army to be commanded by Turenne had order to go with Five hundred Horse to that part of Flanders and to joyn with Monsieur Mondedieu who had Two thousand Foot joyntly to indeavor the preservation of the place besieged some Ships were listed in Britanny and some in Normandy and Calice but want of moneys hindred Provisions nor were they to abandon the needs of their own Kingdom Wherefore their applications were so weak and slow and on the contrary the Spaniards were so solicitous and vigorous in their resolutions as the Walls being still plied by Artillery and Assaults the Inhabitants by reason of their small number not being able to hold longer out were forced to capitulate and upon good conditions of War to march out with three pieces of Cannon and about Eight hundred Foot went to Calice Thus the Spaniards with no small glory were masters of one of the most famous Forts of Flanders and which was to make way for the recovery of Dunkirk towards which Don Fernando Solis went with Four thousand Foot and Two thousand Horse within half a league of Dunkirk which he quartered in several parts and fortified himself every where insomuch as the Fort was blocked up at large round about Above Two thousand of the Spanish Army perished before Graveling and divers Officers of which Marquess Sfondrato General of the Artillery was one which sadded all their content He was shot by a Cannon in a sally which the besieged made out on the seventh of May and died on the tenth At the same time when Graveling was besieged in Flanders the Spaniards forgot not to think how they might get the long wished for Casalle the best means how to effect it was looked into by the Spanish Agents and it being hard for the Spanish Army to approach that City whilest all the Avenues were guarded by the French the Marquess of Caracena Governor of Milan knew that it was necessary to have Trino which lying in the way to Casalle as well by the way of Poe to which it is very near as by Land if it should be left in the Enemies hand would have much incommodated the enterprise Wherefore about Ten thousand Soldiers being raised upon the Frontiers together with Artillery and all things necessary for War Trino was assaulted on all sides on the fifth of May. There were Six hundred Foot and Seventy Horse in the Garison under the Government of Catalano Alfieri a Piemontese who commanded there in the Duke of Savoys name Too small a number to defend so great a circuite as was that of the outward Fortifications so as it was undoubtedly lost without speedy Supplies Which the French not being by reason of their weakness able to send the care of preserving the place lay wholly upon the Dutchess of Savoy who presently caused Three hundred Foot to be raised and gave order that they should fall dovvn the stream to recruit the besieged But it proved in vain for the Captain vvho had the charge of them for vvant of Boats as he affirmed staid tvvo days longer then he ought to have done vvhereby the Spaniard had time to hinder the attempt Wherefore the besieged failing of their hopes capitulated and marched out vvith Arms and Baggage Wherefore Caracena returned glorious to Milan but left the Army distributed into divers quarters upon those Frontiers that he might be ready for new enterprises when the approaching harvest should be ripe This acquisition was as acceptable to the Spaniards as that of Graveling For by taking Trino they might assault Cassale and drive out the French as they had hopes by Graveling to recover Dunkirk to the great glory of their nation who not only by valour but by wisdom knew how to make use of their Enemies confusion and weakness Greater disturbance continued still in Paris then elswhere Whether when Conde was come it is impossible to say with what expressions of joy he was received to that degree as the Kings faithful Servants and the Cardinals Friends durst not stir out of doors without great advisedness Which made the Marishal de l'Hospitalle the Provost of Merchants Cardinal di Retz and the Dutchess of Chevereux send to desire their Majesties to come speedily to Paris for otherwise when Conde's faction should be grown stronger they themselves should be forced to forgo all Agreements and Treaties The Kings Council being hereby incited and that they might preserve that great and powerful City resolved to draw near to it There were divers ways to go thither or to S. Germans for the Queen would not trust her self in the City being acquainted with what had past nor would she have been there received having the Cardinal with her The shortest way was by Estampes but by reason the Princes their Army lay about Montargis and might fall upon the Kings men either on the Flank or Rear they took a way which was further about but more safe which was that the King and his Court with some fevv more got to Auxere vvhere passing over the River Tone they vvent to Melune being sheltered by that River and
Kingdom That Marcouse and Vaubecourt should be given for Hostages on the Kings behalf and Count Linville and the General of the Artillery on the Dukes with promise that no Hostility should be committed in his march the treaty was thus stipulated by Turenne much to his glory which being concluded in the face of both Armies the Lorrainers began presently to march towards Bria Whilst things went thus in these parts the Parliament who now that Lorrain was come thought they had hit the nail on the head raising their pretensions still higher sent President Nesmond again to the Court to insist upon sending the Cardinal away the Commissioners being come to Melune made the Parliaments desire known adding that it was a small business for a King to deprive himself of a Servant whereby he was to regain the obedience of so many who had withdrawn themselves from it only out of that respect The King returned his answer in writing That having often heard the Remonstrances made by his Parliament wherein they still asserted their intentions to maintain regal Authority and that they would always contribute their chiefest power to the advantage of his service and that finding the wound did now begin to Gangrene without speedy remedy he desired that their Commissioners might meet with his Privy Council to the end that they might joyntly find some remedy for the threatning mischief and to keep his people from the apparent ruine whereinto they were ready to fall through the capricious unquietness and ambition of some sew and that his Majesty indeavoured nothing more than how to restore his Kingdom to its former splendor When Nesmond had read this answer he reply'd That the only way to satisfie all was to send away the Cardinal The King thus interrupted him and with a serious aspect said You have heard my pleasure no more words The Commissioners returned to Paris where they gave an exact account to their Companions of what had past Many were for accepting the propounded Conferences but Brussels with an appearing zeal to the common welfare was firm that there needed no other Conference or negotiation since all was reduced to one sole head which was the sending away the Cardinal who being the sole occasion of all resentments they must stand upon it for this being had all controversies would be ended And the more averse he found the King to part with him the more he prest it not for that he cared much for it but that knowing how difficult a business it would be he might nourish the diffidences and maintain discord For it was apparent that if the Parliament had believed that the King would have parted with the Cardinal and with that re-unite the Princes to his service he would never have pretended thereunto but would have underhand indeavoured his tarrying for it did not make for him that the Kings Authority should be the more fortified by the joyning of the Princes with his Majesty and that consequently the pretences of the Parliament should languish Brussels opinion being adhered unto it was decreed that the Commissioners without any delay should return again to the King and tell his Majesty that they had nothing to add nor to propose but the effectual dismissing of the Cardinal in conformity to the decrees and Declarations made by his Majesty and to the protestation made by the Princes who were ready to lay down Arms as soon as the Cardinal should be gon out of the Kingdom Letters written from the Queen of Sweeden to the Parliament were given to the Commissioners to be delivered to the King the content whereof was her offering her self to interpose as a friend and confederate to the Crown of France in agreeing all parties The Commissioners came to Melune the 12 th of Iune and had Audience two days after they represented the desolation of the State by the Cardinals return which they said was the only cause of all the disturbances of the Kingdom The business was referred to the Council of State and the answers examined the Cardinal renued his many former desires that he might be dismist saying it was not fit that the peace of the Kingdom should be confounded merely for him This the King denyed saying that he was master and was to be served by whom he pleased and that none but God could prescribe laws to him The next Sunday the Commissioners had Audience again wherein the King gave them a writing saying that thereby they should know his pleasure Monsieur Vrilliere read it and gave it to President Nesmond wherewith he went to Paris the contents of the Letter were these That the King did very much wonder seeing there were so many wise and well advised Subjects in the Parliament that they should not know the desire of dismissing the Cardinal was but a specious and nice pretence since the true cause of all the troubles appeared to be the interest and ambition of those who had took up Arms and waged War when the Cardinal was in Germany dismist from the Court and Government which made it clearly appear that the maladies of a State are not cured whilst pretences are stood upon the roots whereof produce as many mischiefs as by those pretences are desired to be cut off so there was no remedy that would do good but to pluck up the chiefest and deepest evil by the Root That if his Majesty should permit the Cardinal to withdraw himself into some forreign imployment with due respect to his honour how should he be secured that the Male-contents would be quieted since his departure in the beginning of the last year had rather augmented than moderated the troubles so as it was not to be hoped it should fall out otherwise when he should be gone again unless the cause which produced the effect were presently taken away That his Majesty did desire speedy and permanent quiet to his Subjects that they might not fall into the former inconveniences the rather for that he knew well that at the same time when the Princes declared they were ready to lay down Arms if the Cardinal were sent away they provided for the contrary by strengthning their party with Forreigners and by seducing other of his Majesties Subjects from their obedience that what the Duke of Orleans had said some days before to the Commonalty of Paris touching his having no power over the Duke of Lorrains men which he had boasted to have brought was not like to that which he had affirmed in Parliament that the treaty made with the Spaniards by the Prince of Conde mentioned not laying down of Arms if the Cardinal were sent away nor indeed could it be spoken of since he was in Germany when it was made That therefore the Princes were to give real and positive security for performing what they promised wherefore he desired to know whether they renounced all leagues and associations made with Forreigners and all particular treaties had and made with his Majesties Subjects against his Royal service
rather for that he found part of the same Suburbs already fortified by Baracadoes made formerly by the inhabitants for fear of the Lorrainers The Kings Camp and all the Court was already on Horsback being resolved either to conquer that day or to end the War not only in respect of the superiority of their men but by reason of the long way the Prince was to go with his Baggage The Cardinal was so confident of this as having given fitting orders to Turenne he brought the King to the top of Sarone that he might be an eye witness of so famous an action and being upon the point of having the Prince either dead or alive he sent to his friends in Paris wishing them to be of good courage and that they should by all means take care that the Gates might not be opened for the Enemy to retreat nor for succor to be sent them from the City The Kings Army being come to Vilette within half a league of Paris and knowing that the Army of the Princes was gone from whence if they could have light upon them they would undoubtedly have routed them Marishal Turenne going on the left hand past by the Hills of Sarone and came into the Plain the Fauxburg S. Antoyne and Charenton drawing all his Troops out in order whilest the rest stayed on the right hand with Marishal Ferte Senetre And though the Prince being got to underneath the Walls of Paris had the advantage of place yet the Kings men knowing that he could not withstand them and the Court being assured that the Princes their Forces should not be received back into Paris they having been kept out the night before they resolved to advance boldly and to fall upon some Squadrons which were advanced into the Suburbs and who were pursued even into the Houses Here the Prince who with unparalleld valor bore the whole weight of that important fight made use of his wit where his Forces failed and gallopping on all sides divided all his Men in form following His Highness Brigade was placed on the left hand of the Suburbs those of Languedock Vallois and Ligueron on the right Conde and Burgondes Brigades on the right hand that of Languedock and that of Pelleins at the Baracado in the way which leads to the Castle of Vincennes And wanting Foot to furnish all the stations he ordered some of the Cavalry to back the Foot The Artillery was placed at the Heads of the Streets of the Suburbs and all the Avenues were Trenched and Baracadoed General Turenne having drawn out his Majesties Army in good order designed the French Guards to Assault his Highness and Languedock and the Brigades of Picardy and Marine to Assault the Vallois Two Batteries were placed against the Baracado which was Guarded by Tavannes One plaid upon the High-street of the Suburbs and the other on the Street which answers to the great Market Things being thus ordered whilest the Prince was ordering his men how to defend themselves the Kings men came on furiously charging the Eneâ—â— in two places and were valiantly withstood and for a while repulsâ—â—â— But the Brigades of Languedock Vallois and Langueron not being able to resist longer leaned with some loss towards the Market-place to whose relief the Prince himself came in the Head of his Horse Regiment and of that of Anguieâ— accompanied by Nemeurs Taranth and Vallon And here the fight grew hot the Prince gave high proofs of his skill in War and of his incomparable courage he thrust himself is he had been a Common-Soldier into the midst of the Enemy killed many with his own hands and with his Sword repulsed many To his eternal glory those who were formerly affrighted were incouraged and those Brigades replaced in their former stations who were driven away Marine having lost together with some that were wounded forty men here was Monsieur Goville slain but Tavannes and Languis did not play their parts so well For here Marquess S. Magrin gave on furiously on the Head of some Voluntiers and others upon the Princes Forces which he did much indamage and was likely to have utterly routed them had not the death of the sâ—id St. Magrine cooled the courage of his men he being slain the Kings Forces were repulsed but not without much blood of the Princes men who received here their greatest loss Marquess Rochecaufolt and Count Bossue a Dutch Colonel of Horse were there slain and Count Tavanes the Marquess of Ierse Cavaliere la Force Marquess Cogna Count Melune Baron Lorese with others of good quality were there slain In this interim the Count Navailes had taken the Street Rambulliet with some houses and two Barracadoes though they were vigorously defended by the adversary to whose succour came Monsieur de Laudes with a Dutch Brigade the Prince of Conde made good the Street which leads from the Gate to a large Piazza where the Kings men had seized upon some houses the Dukes of Nemeurs and Beaufort came just then to the Prince and these two who were not upon very good terms resolved to attack the Barracado which was taken by Navailes rather out of Emulation than Military wisdom though it were hard to take it which was well sheltered with weary and worsted men Yet Conde who though he foresaw the mischief did never forbear any hazardous bickering was perswaded by reason that though things should not sort according to his desire he should by so generous an action afford the Enemy matter to think upon and spin on the business which made most for his safety so as Rochefaucolt Marsilliack Flammarin and many others of the Nobles coming in unto him Rochefaucolt who saw Beaufort and Nemeurs forwardness joyn'd with them and fell to the assault but the Soldiers being weary and timorous to attack the Barracado marched along the Wall to shelter themselves from the Enemies shot and would advance no further this mean while a Squadron of German Horse being got into the Gardens where they were much incommodated by shot from the neighbouring houses retreated in disorder the Prince taking them to be the Enemy who were come to take that place and to charge him on the Flank and his Genreals finding that their Foot fell not upon the Barracado advanced to charge the same Squadron but finding them to be their own men they forbare any further attempt they and those Horse being exposed to a shower of shot which came from the houses and Barracado and here were Flemmerin Count Castres Monsieur Forneau and others of quality slain Which when the Generals saw they thought of themselves to assault that Barracado and though they went to ingage themselves in an eminent danger of desperate event yet excited by heat of blood and glory they considered nothing but their own boldness Thus did the Three Dukes and Prince Marsilliack themselves alone unassisted by the Foot which staid behind light from Horse-back and with their Swords in hand advanced against the
the French Ships to Callis for they were not free from some new convulsion amongst the people and detained only the Ships and Goods in lieu of the Reprisal made by the French Pirats of Shipping and goods belonging to their Merchants whereby they had much prejudiced the Nation upon the Mediterranean The preparations made at Callis remaining thus of no use Dunkirk wanted its expected succor and the Court of France being much troubled at this unexpected accident fearing least England might break peace with them when it learnt what was true was aware that not only the reprisals but the loss of Dunkirk was that which they intended Thus in performance of the Treaty of the 18 th of September Monsieur de Estrades marched out with 600 wounded and sick men and with but only 500 that vvere whole and in health vvith every one of them a course Loaf in their hand vvhich vvas all the livelyhood that vvas left them in the time allotted them to go to Callis which was but two days above 300 sick Soldiers dyed they marched out with Arms and baggage Four great Guns and one Morter piece and a years time was allowed to the French that inhabited there to alienate any goods they had gotten there or to remove them with safety The Archduke having reposed his Army till the 27 th of September sent some of them toward Terrowan seeming as if he would enter into the Bolognese but went elsewhere and the Prince of Ligne with 4000 fighting men advanced towards the Frontiers of France to second the Princes their interests whose Forces lay about Paris where such as were better minded than the rest to the Kings service remembred how they had been used on the Six and twentieth of Iune last as they went out of Parliament and how unsafe they were in Paris where the burning of the Commons House taught them how violent the Malecontents designs were Monsieur Fouchet the Kings Attorney General who had long before desired that the Parliament might be removed from Paris making use of the present favorable time was one of the chief that occasioned his Majesty to remove the Parliament to Pontois by a Decree of the Sixth of August wherein he declared why he did it and made void all the Decrees made in Parliament as also in the Town-house of Paris particularly those of the Twenty and twenty fourth of that Moneth prohibiting all men to acknowledge Orleans as Lieutenant General of the Crown or Conde as General of the Forces He also charged the Counsellors and Officers of Parliament to come to Pontois whereupon most of the Presidents came thither and five or six Masters of the Requests and about twenty Counsellors whereunto divers honorable Counsellors and Dukes and Peers of France who were at Court being added an Assembly was made able to overthrow the Princes their factions When this new Parliament met the Cardinal bethought himself of retiring since his tarrying was the only pretence of the Princes and Frondeurs so as when he should be gone they would lay down Arms and do their duty So the King would be absolute Master or if they should continue their disobedience the World would know their leud intentions all good men would be weary of adhering to them And the Parliament of Pontois which was already acknowledged lawful by the other Parliaments of the Kingdom would give our Decrees against the Princes and Rebels And when their Majesties should have made it clearly appear that the Cardinal served only as a meer pretence to the Enemies of the Commonwealth they might when they pleased recal him and the people would be satisfied The Cardinal declared his sole endeavors were to serve the King and with much willing zeal prepared to be gone contrary to the opinion of most of his Friends and of the King himself It was added that at this the Cardinals retreat the Parisians were for receiving the King and driving out Conde in the management whereof Father Forts Bishop of Amiens Father Bertaut a Franciscan and Counsellor Pevost imployed much affection and fidelity And the wisdom of this advice prospered for the people who did not discern so much did verily believe he would return no more thither Upon these Reasons their Majesties were perswaded to let the Cardinal go though they needed his presence then more then his departure But before we pass further it must not be forgot that the Privy Council being much troubled at the Parliaments rash resolution in chusing Orleans for the Lieutenant General of the Crown and for their declaring the King to be a prisoner to the Cardinal they declared not only all that till then was done in Parliament to be void and null but whatsoever else they should do and that no Parliament should be acknowledged but that which was lawfully removed to Pontois Upon which the greatest part of the Counsellors who remained in Paris debating amongst which were the most seditious divers Declarations were made contrary to those of the King As that the transferring the Parliament to Pontois was unvalid and illegitimate protesting against it and maintaining that the Parliament was never kept out of Paris though Charles the Seventh did for some occasions of his own remove it once to Montargis they also damned all that was done in the Privy Council touching the prohibiting of Taxes upon the Gates of Houses in Paris They farther ordered that the Salt-Farmers should make their payments to the Parliament and that the goods of such Presidents and Counsellors as were gone to Pontois should be confiscated if they should not forthwith return to Paris to do their service And they would have proceeded further had their power been equal to their will but that failing all their determinations were ridiculous The day before the Cardinal went he caused the King to give Patents of Dukedom and Peerage of France to Monsieur de Crequi first Gentleman of his Majesties Bed-chamber Son to Monsieur de Canaples who was Son to Marishal Crequi as also to the Marquess of Mortmar of the House of Rochefaucolt Knight of the Order and Gentleman of the Bed-chamber and to Marquess Rochelaure Master of the Wardrobe The Cardinal did afterward give unto his Majesty in writing particular instructions touching Government and amongst the rest that he should never agree with the Parliament of Paris unless it should first render obedience by coming to Pontois which was impossible since all would never consent thereunto which proved the welfare of the Kings party For those that remained in Paris wanting means to maintain War and to hinder this removal to Pontois they were forced to give way to all conditions that were prescribed them by the Court He left Prince Tomaso of Savoy Count Servient Count Tillier Secretary of State to succeed him as chief Ministers of State Moreover he left with the Queen for Director in her most important and private interest Abbat Vndedey Thus taking leave of their Majesties he went from Pontois towards Sedam
on the Ninteenth of August passing first by Turennes Army which advanced from Lagny towards Brie and pursuing his journey he came to Bedam and from thence to Bovillon where he stayed Conde hearing that he was gone whereby all pretence of War ceased sent Marquess Ierze to the Lorraine Army whither was come the Succor which Wirtemberg brought the Princes with orders to fall upon the Cardinal in his journey and take him prisoner But the Spaniards who liked it not acquainted him with it so he escaped the danger The very same day the King went from Pontois and that he might win the more upon the Parisians when he came to Campaigne he published an Act of Amnesty wherein after a short account of all that had past from One thousand six hundred forty and eight till then he granted a General Pardon and Abolition of all that had been done against his Majesties service nulling whatsoever had been done by his decrees upon occasion of the present troubles from the first of February One thousand six hundred fifty and one till then as also his Majesties Declarations of September and the eight of October that year upon condition that Orleans Conde County and their whole party should lay down Arms within three days after the publication of the said Amnesty and to that purpose Orleans should within three days send a writing to his Majesty subscribed by himself wherein he should renounce all Treaties Confederacies and Leagues with any whatsoever without the Kings leave and that Conde and County should do the like and that they within the same time should put necessary orders into the Kings hands to make the Spaniards who were in Stenay Burg or in any other places to go from thence as also to make the Enemies Ships depart from the Coasts of France that Orleans and Conde should cause the Foreign Forces which were about Paris to march directly towards the Coast of Flanders and join their Forces to them of Turenne and Ferte Senetre and also all Forces that were farther off within fifteen days declaring that who should not do what was contained in this Amnesty within three days should not partake thereof wherein the King did only except such faults as had been committed between particular people of the same party which he left to the due course of Law This Amnesty with this bundle at its breech seemed a piece of cunning to those who liked it not saying that those not being therein comprehended who had fought Duels or assaulted the publick Pallace on the fourth of Iuly the King might punish whom he would under colour of this Riot It did not withstanding make impression upon those who liked not the cavil of the Princes and Frondeurs but had thought that when the Cardinal should be gone the Princes and Parliament would throw themselves at the Kings feet But though neither the Princes nor Frondeurs had any thought of accepting the Amnesty yet they appeared zealous of the general good seeming very well pleased that the Cardinal was gone Orleans and Conde went to the Parliament where it was decreed that thanks should be sent to his Majesty for dismissing Mazarine all the chief Companies and the whole body of the City did the like And soon after the Parliament resolved to intreat the King to return to Paris and the Princes declared they were ready to lay down arms when a good Amnesty should be granted Orleans sent an express to the Duke Anville who was a friend of his and one whom the King loved and who was very faithfull to the Queen to get Pasports from his Majesty for such Commissioners as were to negotiate a final Peace But Anville having detained the Messenger three days sent him back without an answer for it seemed not decent that the King should enter into other Treaties having supplyed all things with an Amnesty and intended that the Princes should presently lay down arms as they had offered to do when the Cardinal was gone from Court Anville writ therefore back to the Duke of Orleans telling him that he thought his request would be granted if his desire were made directly to the King which being done Marishal de Estampes had a Pass sent him to come to Court not as a Commissioner but as a Courtier and at the same time certain private Treaties were renued between Secretary Goulas Marquis Chasteaneuse and the Dutchess of Aguillon the contents whereof was to slave Orleans off from joyning with Conde whose declarations made in Parliament and to the Court were clearly found not to be real since at the same time that he said he was ready for Peace he protested at Madrid and Brussels that he would alwaies join with the Crown of Spain and continue war and did negotiate in England for assistance in his designs that therefore all assistance in France should be taken from him without which he would be but a bare Captain of the King of Spain and would be able to do but little against so powerfull a Kingdom when it should be wholly obedient to the King The Prince his Forces lay this mean while behind the River between Surene and St. Clou expecting Recruits from Flanders and those fruitfull hills being full of Vineyards and grapes beginning then to grow ripe the Soldiers did very much prejudice the people in these parts at whose requests they were sent to St. Victoire where some Soldiers quarreling with the Citizens upon the Guard five or six of the inhabitants were slain and twenty of the Soldiers which seemed to set them at variance But because the Cardinal knew that the welfare of the Royal party consisted in reducing the Parisians to a necessity of Peace which they began to wish the people Merchants and all others being weary of the ruines which they underwent he advised the King to go Campaigne as being more commodious for the Court than Pontoise and that he should never be allured to go to Paris without undoubted security of not being once more detained there and this was one of the chiefest Maxims which he recommended to the Queen in his absence which he gave in precise charge to Abbat Vndedei he added that the Kings Forces should go to oppose those of Flanders which were marching to assist the Princes and that if they should be too weak they should go to Villeneufe upon the Seene and fortifie themselves and have Provisions from Corbeile Melune and other neighbouring parts by means of the River where whilst they should tarry the Enemies Forces would be necessitated to keep there abouts also so as the Country being sack't and plundered by the Soldiery and Travellers slain the Parisians would without an open breach be in a manner besieged whereby the Princes would become odious as thought the chief occasion thereof that thus keeping corrispondency with their friends that were faithfull to them in Paris the Parisians might easily be brought to resolve upon fitting means to free themselves of their miseries which could not
same time to make his Name famous and to get good store of Mony from the Spaniards and that if he should fail of the appointed payments he might at all times make his Peace with the King upon advantageous Terms and that injoying the Wealth gotten by War which far exceeded what he lost in France he should make the World know that Troubles being the advantage of a Souldier they ought never to be fore-gone by one who professeth Arms. These Treaties being over the Princes and Parliament stood still upon the point That the Amnesty granted by the King and pardon for all that had been done the last five years was not as was desired to wit not general and without condition but that it reached only to the Parisians bearing but little respect to the Princes and Parliament they therefore pretended that his Majesty should give ample and unretractable Authority to the Duke of Orleans to frame another without any exceptions and that it should be Authenticated by his Majesty in the Parliament of Paris whither the Councellors that were gone to Pontois should come Many meetings were had about this his Royal Highness writ some Letters to Court Duke Anâ—iâ—e and Marquess Ioyeuse negotiated with the Privy Council and did many other things which would be too tedious to relate But the Court finding that it would be prejudicial to the Kin'gs Authority Pasports for the Parliaments Commissioners were absolutely denied so as Affairs remain'd intangled as before The Parliament being met on the third of October to hear what News Marquess St. Lambert brought who was return'd from Court Two Boat-men were imprisoned who cry'd Vive le Roy e Mazarino and many more were led to the Concergeria and Process was ordered to be made against them and it was said that this was done of purpose by some that gave them mony that they might move the people to Sedition This being brought to Court and that the Parliament continued to proceed against some of the Assembly in the Palace-Royal the King with his Council pass'd a Decree on the fifth of October Whereby He annull'd all the pretended proceedings of the Parliament of Paris which were or were to be publish'd imposing severe punishment upon such Commissaries or Iudges as should act any thing further therein and commanded all his Majesties People in Paris to see his Orders executed The King's Army lay this mean while at Ville Neuf St. George much straitned by the Princes Troops and those of their Confederates being more than they in number and were in danger to be beaten out of their Quarters and fought with in their Retreat for not only many of their men but many of their Horses perished for want of Victuals and Forrage The Court was much troubled hereat fearing some sinister accident for the Victory consisted in that Armies abode near Paris whereby the endeavors which made for the King were fomented The Princes who knew the importancie hereof and that if the King's Army were preserved all their Plots were ruin'd did what they could to overcome it by Famine but the neighbourhood of Paris and the sickness which besell Conde Wirtemberg and many other of their Chief men which may truly be attributed to an effect of Divine Providence caused the ruine of their Party Together with these sick Princes Lorrain and Beaufort and almost all the Chief Commanders were come to Paris with a considerable number of their best Soldiers for fear of some Conspiracy amongst the Inhabitants and to advise upon what was best to be done in this the Peoples tottering condition who were weary with the length of these troubles Turenne a no less wise than valiant Commander after a short consultation had with his Collegue Ferte Seneterre resolved to get out of these Straits and to remove his Army elsewhere where it might be safe and have whereon to live The 4th of October he past his Baggage and Artillery by night over the Seene by a Bridge of Boats by break of day his Army rise in such order and silence as they past undiscovered by the Enemies Sentinels Tavanes was the only General that was left in the enemies Camp who being aware of Turenne's march though too late sounded to Horse and put his Army in order to follow and fight him But Turenne being shelter'd by the River got soon to Corbeile a place which was guarded by the King's men where crossing the Seene upon a Stone-bridge he escaped danger with much honor and quarter'd upon the Marne between Meieâ—x and Lagny raising Victuals from all the neighbouring parts for the maintenance of his Troops The Princes were mightily amazed at this Conde in particular was scandalized complaining of his Officers carelessness saying That had he been well he would not have lost so favourable an occasion But what is past being past remedy On the 7th of the next Month the Prince's Army advanc'd to the head of the Suburbs of St. Antoine and for the defence of the City incampt near St. Vincents-Castle The King and Court went from Pontois to Mantes that they might pass over the Seene there and so come to St. Germains intending to come to Paris when things should go as it was hoped they would do The Parisians were resolved to withdraw themselves out of those miseries wherein they were plunged and being all of the same mind accordingly as Fortune forsook the Princes they sided with the King wherefore Conde finding the storm ready to fall bethought how to save himself and his Army by removing quickly from Paris and because by his going away and the King's return the good of Paris and the Cardinals return was foreseen many sought to follow the Cardinals re-rising Fortune and some of the Prince's Friends began to wheel about and particularly Count Chavigny Being much vext in mind at these changes of Fortune Chavigny fell sick and died on the 11th of October and this was the end of Lyon di Boutelliere Count of Chavigny aged 44 years one who at 19 years old was admitted into the King's Council and at the age of 21 and 24 was made Secretary of State and in 1642 had the care of all the important affairs of the Crown committed to his charge and when Lewis the Thirteenth died was made Plenipotentiary at the Peace of Munster He was quick-witted of a lively spirit ready counsel and ambitious of Glory and Greatness The Parliament and Town-house met often touching the present occurrences and all good men being grieved to see the poor Country people so wasted by the Souldiers especially by the Lorrainers who left nothing unransackt divers Commissioners were chosen in the Town-house on the 9th of October to go again to Court and to desire their Majesties to return to Paris But because the King intended not to admit of publick Addresses from that Assembly which was held illegitimate since Beaufort pretended Governour of Paris contrary to his Majesties Command was there it was propounded and agreed upon in
over-rate the esteem he thought was set upon himself and remaining therefore in the middle of the City amongst the Citizens his friends and neighbors he continued still impugning of the King's Authority and hoped that by this means they would be forced to make application to him Whereupon this being known by his Majestie 's good Servants to be a pernitious action which was by all means to be speedily redressed there was a long debate between the Prince Thomaso of Savoy who then exercised the Charge of Principal Minister of State and divers others well-affected to his Majestie 's Service touching the means of removing him from Paris and in case that should not succeed to find some other fit expedient to take from the loose people this Temptation which might perhaps engage them in new Disorders The Cardinal had in confidence acquainted the Princess of Guymeny that he was willing to retire to Rome and that coming to the King's knowledge the Princess was charged in some dextrous manner to let him know That if we were resolved upon it his Majesty would assent thereunto And at the same time there was proposed unto him a specious Title with a considerable Aynde de costa That residing in Italy he might protect the Interests of the Crown as well in the life as after the death of Innocent in the Conclave But when it came to the point the effects were found very different from his Expressions for he then answered That the face of Affairs was changed and that he could not now abandon his Friends to the discretion of the Court. The Negotiation of the Princess having failed there was employed therein by the Queen the Princess Palatine who was of a ready Wit and lively spirit and very fit for the undertaking of any knotty business The Princess saw him several times and failed not to represent unto him with much efficacie what was imputed to him by their Majesties Adding That 't was too much for him to pretend to make use of that Dignity which he had by his Majestie 's favour and bounty in a matter repugnant to the gust and satisfaction of his Majesty against whose good pleasure it was a vanity worthy of blame in Subjects to oppose themselves That he should not harbour in his breast these thoughts of trouble and disturbance which by many were imputed to him and that besides there were offered unto him besides Honorable Ayndas de Casta and Assignations sufficient to maintain him at Rome But the perswasions of this Princess availed nothing because he strongly conceited his Reputation was concerned in the Voyage in respect it would be thought he was driven out of France and parting should abandon many of his Friends which by the Rules of gratitude he could not do Finally being convinced by the strong Reasons of the Princess he delayed the time upon the pretence of expecting the Cardinal Mazarine's coming to Paris with whom alone and no other he was resolved to treat of that Affair and refusing the Queens interposition therein which much encreased the suspicions against him And he began then to demand a Government for one of his Dependants a Secretary of States place for another Friend of his and other Employments for divers of his Confidents and discovered his pretensions to be very high and exorbitant The Queen who had refused such things to the Prince of Conde who was at the Gates of Paris with an Army was resolved not to grant them unto a man who had nothing but a tongue to stir up fickle people and such as were desirous of a change the jealousies had of him being therefore much augmented it was thought necessary for securing the Government against his sinister and vagrant thoughts to take a resolution to secure his Person The difficulty of the thing rested in the manner how to execute it because it was not practicable in his own House and both dangerous and full of peril to do it in the Streets of Paris which his Majesty desired to avoid and to do it without tumult as well in regard of his Dignity of Cardinal as because his principal aim was to do all things with great quietness and without confusion But whilst the King's Ministers busied themselves in fitting of such things as might facilitate the execution thereof which they found alwayes full of difficulty fortune or rather the divine Justice offered a means for the effecting of it much more favourable than was expected His friends did represent unto him that the King was resolved to be observed and that it was his duty to pay his Majesty the ordinary Visits or to abandon Paris they told him this manner of proceeding was too scandalous and de Retz being perswaded thereby and Christmas now drawing near was resolved to Preach himself in the Church of St. German of Auxerre whereof the Queen having notice sent word unto the Curate that she intended to be there in person The Cardinal took this for a favour and thought himself obliged to wait upon her Majesty and thank her for the Honour she intended to him in persuance whereof upon the 20 th of December beyond all their hopes or expectations he went unto the Loâ—vre trusting upon his Dignity of Cardinal wherein he so much confided that he said publickly That although he had formerly been in some apprehension from the Court yet since he was a Cardinal he dreaded nothing further from thence Being entred within the Court he found the Queen was not then fully dressed and therefore going up the great Stayres to see the King he met his Majesty about the middle of them by whom he was with great courtesie received and brought into his Mothers Lodgings with whom whilst de Retz complemented and discoursed the King whispered to Monsieur de Tillier and gave order for the Arresting of him which a while after was executed by the Marquess of Villequier Captain of the Guard who seised upon him at the door of the Anti Camera The Cardinal was very pale and much confounded and said What me for what Cause Villequier with some Souldiers conducted him into the great Gallery and from thence into the Duke of Anjou his Apartment where he was shut up about two hours until the Guard to conduct him was put in order and a Coach wherein he was after some time by the Porta del Conferenza carried unto the Castle de Vincennes no Tumult or Disturbance being all this while among the people who discoursing of the News applauded the King's resolution in it There were presently many and various discourses touching this extraordinary Accident happening as 't were by chance Those of the Court said That the King began now to make himself known for such and that this resolution was a thing suddenly taken by himself without the advice or perswasion of his Ministers only for the publick repose and quiet of the Kingdom The Prisoner's Friends on the other side gave out This was a blow proceeding from the
not to answer elsewhere but in Parliament necessitated the Court to condemn him as a Mute which being a thing extraordinary in France and that which was against him being onely grounded upon conjecture against which he made good defence made them resolve to remand his Process to the Parliament either because he might answer before his natural Judges or because the Cardinal being of a sweet Nature was loth to put things to extremity in vertue whereof the Chancellor and first President having sent for and examined him and finding that there was more of suspition than proof against him upon the Report they made thereof unto the Cardinal and by reason of the continual instances made by Croissy That he might be judged by the Parliament it was resolved to free him upon condition he should remain in Italy until the Prince had made his Peace or that the King should recal him This Example above all shewed the Cardinal's moderation there having been no person of the whole Party who had more violently acted against him Monsieur Courtin a Maistre de Requeste was also at the same time imprisoned as a Complice and Friend unto Croissy but defending himself with Wit and Spirit was released There were also taken prisoners in Champaigne upon the Road to Paris the Monsieurs de Vineuil and Ioly with forged Passes accused for going to Paris with Letters of Credence and Instrctions to form some new Party against his Majestie 's Service to scatter Libels defamatory against the Court and his Government to raise Sedition amongst the People and to engage the Friends and Kindred of the Cardinal de Retz into the Prince of Conde's Faction and also with other Dispatches containing the wayes they were to use for Treating to this purpose as well within as without the Kingdome They were strictly kept and their Release absolutely denyed unto the Prince of Conde and the Commanders of the Spanish Army who pretended they were Prisoners of Warr and as such required them from Count Vaubecour Governour of Chalons threatning to use the same Treatment to others as was shewed to them The King denied absolutely to give allowance to those Protests declared their Crimes and shewed That Rebels could never be comprehended amongst the number of prisoners of Warr that therefore if any breach of Quarter should be offered unto those Prisoners which the Spaniards had in their hands it should be corresponded unto in the same terms against those of their Party who were Prisoners with his Majestie There were also several other persons of inferiour Rank seised who against the King's Edicts took the boldness of coming into Paris being of the Prince's Party The Preparations for the next Campagne were after made and divers Sums of Money were delivered by the Cardinal to Colonels and Captains of the old Troops for Recruits and to others for new Levies he thought fit also to have a Strength of German Horse and gave the Care thereof unto the Count Neunteil Monsieur de Milet Contery and others who went for that purpose into Germany as was also done in the Country of Liâ—ge by thâ— Counts of Grand Pre and Beauvais And forasmuch as Piedmont seemed to be much threatned by the loss of Casal and the Preparations for Warr made by the Spaniard in the State of Milan where they expected several Recruits of Souldiers both from Naples and Germany the Duke of Savoy therefore reiterated his Dâ—siâ—es That he might either be assisted by a considerable strength of Souldiers or permitted to agree upon a Neutrality with Spain There were therefore sent from the Court of France into Piedmont 4500 Foot 1500 Horse who passed happily in May unto Annore for the recruit of the Count de Quincâ— Commander General of the French Forces in those Parts there being no Mareschal of France sent to Command them And in regard the Spaniards continued still their Negotiations begun long before in the Court of Savoy either to gain them to their party or at least to perswade them unto a Neutrality upon Terms very advantageous which they proposed some Minister of Piedmont seeming to be well inclined thereto his Majesty therefore dispatched Monsieur au Plessis Besanzon Lieutenant General of his Army a Person of great Understanding and profound Judgment unto the Princes of Italy with the Title of his Envoy to Treat upon all Affairs and Concernments in those Countries Besanzon taking leave of their Majesties and the Cardinal who were then at Fountain Bleau in the beginning of May went forthwith unto Turin where having first assured the Duke of his Majesty's intentions to maintain the Treaty at Chierasco and to protect alwayes that State with the speedy supply of a strength of Souldiers and Considerable Officers He went after unto Casal where the Duke of Mantua then was where being received with such Honours as are due to such as are Ambassadours he reduced his Negotiation unto two Heads The One That his Majesty should be satisfied touching the Interest of Casal so as that Town might not either by surprise exchange or otherwise howsoever come into the Spaniards hands And the other Touching the Interests which the Ministers of Spain under the Duke of Mantua's Name might have against Monferrat held by Savoy the King being ready to pay effectively the Sum contained in the Treaty of Chierasco on behalf of the House of Savoy The Duke answered unto these Propositions That he acknowledged this comeing of Monsieur Du Plessis as a particular Favour to him being a Person in whom he should confide who as a Prudent Man being informed of the necessity which had obliged him to get into the possession of his Towns and being satisfied that no Accident whatsoever should alter him from that Devotion which by reason of infinite tyes and obligations he professed towards his Christian Majesty would also as he hoped be so kind to him as to perswade his Majesty That with the hazard of his Life and Fortunes and that also of all his Subjects he would maintain the possession of those his Towns against the Spaniards and all other persons whatsoever That although perhaps the Money for maintenance of the Garrison might come out of the King of Spain's Purse that yet he neither could nor did acknowledge it from any other hands than those of the Empresses his Aunt and Sister under whose authority the Treaty was concluded That as soon as ever he should be again possessor of that part of the Countrey which with too â—pparant an Injustice was kept from him by the Savoyard and that he could freely make use of those Rents as formerly he had done without being prejudiced by that Treaty against which he had so often protested as a thing never approved of by the House of Mantua he would then maintain the Garrison without assistance from any other and therefore he conceived that for the accomplishment thereof it were more proper to send unto the Court of Savoy and imploy his Majestie 's
enforc'd favours would prove at last but little advantageous to the receivers It being therefore thought that the Parliament could now decree nothing against the Cardinal since they had received whatsoever they could pretend unto the King returned to Paris on the last of October with the general applause of all the people But as by this divorce of the Parliament from the Court all the Male-contents had a good occasion to endeavour their own satisfactions Anne Princess of Bourbon Sister to the Prince of Condé and Wife to Henry Duke of Longueville a Lady as handsome of Body as she was full of generous thoughts and lively Spirits began to contrive not onely how she might satisfie her own pretensions but to make those fail of theirs with whom she was not well satisfied The distaste which she pretended to have received from the Cardinal was for that she thought the Duke her Husband had been deluded by Count Serviente in his Embassie to the Assembly as Munster by hindering him from reaping the fruits of his labour in compleating the general Peace and taking Serviente to be a creature of the Cardinals and one who kept the War on Foot She contracted friendship with the Count d' Avaux a declared Enemy to Serviente and endeavour'd to make him joyn with the Duke her Husband against him which he very wisely refused to do She likewise complained that the Prince her Brother had not received that Declaration from the Court which he pretended to of being Heir to his Brother-in-Law the Duke of Bresé So a◠coming from Munster to the Court embittered against the Cardinal for these reasons She spoke her opinion plainly touching the Peace and somewhat bitterly whereat the Cardinal was much displeased so as their hearts were ulcerated and the Dutchess being resolved to be revenged went about Autumn from Normandy to Noycy where she spoke with the Duke de Rets Brother to the Coadjutor of Paris who was already engaged in the interest of Parliament by which Duke's means she held Intelligence with the said Coadjutor who used all the means he could to draw over the Duke her Husband to side with the Male-contents which the Duke did at first wisely refuse but at last being set upon on the one side by the Coadjutor's forcible perswasions and on the other side by his Wives flatteries and allurements he was perswaded to pass his word wherewith the Duke de Rets acquainted the Coadjutor and he some of the chief Frondeurs that he would be for the Parliament always provided that the Parliament did not fall upon the Court. And the same Dutchess having a great power over her Brother the Prince of Conty a Youth of about seventeen years of age who might be said to enter but then into the world she wrought him to be of the same mind and made him make the same promise though he had no reason to be displeased with the Court nor with the Cardinal But the said Dutchess thinking that it made for her House and Family that they should all enter into this Faction she made the Coadjutor without taking notice that she had any hand therein endeavour to bring her Brother the Prince of Condé also to their Union The Coadjutor undertook the business and went to Noycy together with the Duke of Longueville and some of the chief Frondeurs where they established that Union amongst themselves which did yet more disorder all things The Parliament having obtain'd the aforesaid Declaration grew more considerable and Condé began to make friends therein of whom he might upon occasion make use and become more considerable in Court and with the Duke of Orleans who then discovered the pretences which Abbot Riviere had to be made Cardinal as shall be said in its proper place The Prince knew that the chief of the Parliament did distrust the Cardinal were it either out of fear that he would deal ill with them whilst they dealt ill with the King's Authority or for that they were resolved to maintain the advantages which they had got by the Declaration of the 28 of October pretending to remove him from his Administration of Government as being a Forreigner Condé began therefore to look favourably upon the chief of the Parliament and to let them know that he did not differ from them in their designe against the Cardinal though his true end was to make himself more necessary to the Court by so doing and to oblige the Court lest it might loose him to follow his intents for he found that the Frondeurs Animosity was such as they would allow him but a limitated power and by siding with them he should increase Orleans his Authority who joyning with the Court would become Arbitrators of all Affairs and a powerful counterpoise to his designes Wherefore to win credit with the Parliament he made a publick Visit to Brousel and had many particular Conferences with Longueville who was then in great esteem and suggested to his Companions what they should do President Viola who had highly offended the Cardinal and who was a Kinsman and an intimate friend to the Duke of Chastillion by his means made known to the Prince that he might do well to grow great with the Parliament to the cost of forreign Ministers of State who had many enemies in France He spoke himself afterwards with the Prince who told him as he had done Longueville how he was inclined to joyn with the Parliament in their designe but that they must allow him time to make use of occasions which might happen without hazarding any thing This being somewhat ambiguous they would know what he did really intend The Coadjutor who was of great esteem in the Assembly made a motion upon occasion of the said Declaration of suppressing all the Loans which were wont to be made by the Partisans unto the King under pretence that all the Revenues of France were consumed by the Usury of more than 25 per Cent. his Majesty not making any advantage thereby that notwithstanding the devouring War had obliged the Court to take up moneys from the Partisans upon the same Interest The Coadjutor wrought it so as that the Doctors of Sorbon should give their opinion touching this detestable Usury The Parliament took the same occasion pretending that it was plainly contrary to the aforesaid Declaration The Frondeurs striving to attempt something against the Cardinal under so specious a pretence and which was so generally approved by the publick labour'd by these means to bring the Court to an extreme and inevitable necessity if their machinations should take effect For a long time was required to gather up the King's Revenues and the Expences did the mean while dayly continue So as having propounded unto themselves to send the Cardinal out of the Kingdom they were necessitated to desire Orleans and Condé to assist them Those who hoped that Condé would joyn in the designe of desiring the King to send away the Cardinal thought it good to
should bereave the Queen of her Regency imprison the Prince of Condé and rid their hands of the Cardinal and of all others that should oppose their designes But this Designe being precipitous and undecent the Duke of Longueville who was of a more composed minde appeared somewhat cool and irresolute therein He made some difficulty touching the new half yearly Parliament of Roan which being almost wholly composed of Parisians of such Families as were interested in the Court would never have consented to such Novelties But the old Six months Parliament composed of antient Counsellours who were disgusted for Injuries suffer'd formerly by Cardinal Richelieu seemed readier to accept of all violent Councels The Duke would therefore have the Conspiracy carried on till the first were gone and till the Army being engaged in the Field against the Spaniards way might be made for any Tumult The King's Officers perceiving these designes and knowing that a speedy Remedy must be found out for this spreading Malady the fittest Expedients were propounded and diversly discust in the King 's Privy Council Every one knew that the Declaration of the 28 of October struck dangerously at the Regal Authority since Rebels and seditious people could not be punished nor the War be continued in its wonted Vigour the Revenue being so sensibly diminished when there was greatest need of it and when these destructive designes were plotted by the Frondeurs in their secret Meetings The Prince of Condé being desirous to increase his Reputation in Paris and in the Court as he had immortaliz'd his Glory in the Field prest that the King and Queen might remove from Paris and that the City might be besieged promising that it would be forc'd to comply with their Majesties in all their desires within fifteen days This Opinion was back'd by Secretary Tillier saying That if Pane Gonezza bread from Gonezza were but twice wanting the City would soon be in confusion as not being able to subsist without abundance of Victuals Gonezza is a Town seven Leagues from Paris where there are many Mills and Bakehouses which furnish so great a quantity of Bread twice a week as serves to feed half that numerous people of Paris The Cardinal knowing that Paris did abound in Corn and other necessaries and that all Provisions could not be kept out without a numerous Army considered that the Siege might be a business of length and subject to some bad accidents and that the innocent people ought not to be punished for their sake who were guilty he therefore propounded that the Queen should go to the Arsenal pretending to go to her Devotions in St. Mary-Church which was neer hand that the King should also go thither out of the City as if he meant to go hunt accompanied by all the Princes and great men of the Court as also all the Officers of the Treasury upon usual pretence of Negotiating therein with Marshal Milleray who was Governour of the Arsenal and Superintendant of the Finances and that bringing the Army to several quarters about the City the people should be told that their meaning onely was that some few of the Parliament should come out of the City which when it should be done the rest would easily be kept within the bounds of duty since the Cardinal was not generally hated and that they were but a few who excited by ambition did cavil against the Government This Opinion was seconded by Marshal Milleray a friend to bold resolutions and had been embraced had not the necessity of expecting necessary Troops which were some leagues off and the assembling of the Regiment of Guards which was quartered in several places rendred the business somewhat knotty For at every least stirring the people would have taken up Arms and drawn their Chains as they were like to have done some days before upon the meer Advertisement that six Companies of the Guard were assembled together before the Louvre to receive Captains in the places of those that were slain at the Battel of Lens They were therefore forced to put on such resolutions as shall be said in the following Book Though when the tumultuous Frondeurs heard afterwards of this they grew so bold as to laugh at it declaring That they valued not the King's Forces and that Paris was well enough stored with People and Provision So that as soon as the Decree should have been out there would have been above 50000 men in Arms ready to have put it in execution and if the Court should have attackt the Parisians there would have been two Armies of 50000 men apiece ready in an instant one to have followed the Court whithersoever it had gone and the other to have armed the Frontiers of Flanders against the Spaniards to the end that they might not make use of these civil Discords And these insulting Speeches were utter'd without any manner of shame even by many who were well reputed in War and in civil Government by which it is seen that Humane Judgment hath no more deformed Disease than that which blindes the eyes of the Understanding Whilst Affairs went thus in Paris Mareshal â—antzaw hearing that the Spaniards after the blow given them at Lens were got together at Steinchirk a Village within a league of the Village Furnes marched towards them but not being stay'd for he took the Abby of Duns and drew neer Furnes intending either to take it or to oblige Marquiss Sfondraâ—o who was come into those parts to rally the remainder of the routed Troops to retreat from whence Monsieur di Voubecourt Camp-master advanc'd from Burgues St. Venaux to Bulcamp and the Marquiss di Chastelnâ—au Macuisâ—ere who was also Camp-master fell upon Iaquesburg with other Souldiers taken out of Dunkirk and joyning all the Troops together by Bridges thrown over those Channels he forc'd the Spaniards who were at Steinchirk to retreat from thence by night to Dismuda so as the way being open for the French to assault Furnes they advanced towards it And the Prince of Condé as he went with Erlack's Troops to visit the Trenches which were already open the 4th of September was hit with a Musket-shot the force whereof being spent it made onely a contusion in the upper part of his thigh and did him no more hurt The ninth at night Arnault lodg'd on the right side and Castelneau on the left of the Brink of the Ditch and forthwith began to pass over it and to fall upon the Walls of the Town but the besieged wanting both Meat and Warlike Ammunition capitulated the next day that the Souldiers and Officers should remain Hostages in the hands of Marshal Rantzaw to be exchanged for such French as were taken the year before in the attempt made against Ostend to which effect five Officers of the Garrison of Furnes were suffered to go to Newport to negotiate the Exchange And about 1000 Souldiers went out the same night and were lodged in the French Quarters having good Guards upon them And thus did the
named Charles Paris The Dutchess of Longueville notwithstanding she lay in would always assist in Council nay the people fearing by reason of a false report that was given out that she was gone to St. Germains she rose out of her Bed and shew'd her self at the Window whereby all were appeased and from thenceforth d'Elboeufe's credit decreased and the Coadjutors Faction grew considerable and Conty and his Sister were much esteemed These Princes went the very day of their arrival to the Parliament where one of them sate as Prince of the Bloud the other by way of honour And after some dispute Conty was declared Generalissimo and Longueville equal General with d'Elboeufe but he would not accept of it not so much for that d'Elboeufe pretended precedency as for that he was told the Parliament thought to detain him whereat he was scandalized Wherefore pretending to go to his Government of Normandy he went from Paris thitherward which made the Court suspect that he intended to make himself Duke of Normandy in case things should proceed as he imagined Hence it was that when he came to Paris he began to conceive great difficulties and inclined too close with the Court It is said that he left his confident Priolo at Paris to make his peace with the King to which purpose Abbot Ondedei sent Francis Scappi under pretence of carrying a Procuration to Eluet Advocate of the Parliament to save the moveables of his Chamber which were in the Cardinal's house This Scappi was taken for a Spy and being stopt at the Gate was imprisoned but was afterwards set at liberty by Eluet's means that Ticket not being found about him which he carried to Priolo for he had wisely swallowed it He saw and treated with Priolo often under pretence of speaking with some of his acqaintance of the Switzers Guard but indeed to draw him over to the Parisians Having got a Pasport from the Parliament he went to Ruel and spoke with Ondedei who together with Longueville's negotiations discovered from Priolo whether the Prince of Condé did really hold any intelligence with his Brother The Duke of Bullion being with his Wife and Children at Paris was won over by Longueville to joyn with the Parisians hoping thereby to compose his affairs touching Sedan the better He offered his service which was gladly accepted for his great skill in commanding an Army and being a Prince of high thoughts and various resolutions he fell to improve the confidence which he had long held with the Prince of Condé whom he acquainted with what was done The Marshal de la Motte offered his service also to the Parisians who was a friend of Longueville's and had a particular pique to the Court and particularly to Secretary Tilliere by reason of his long Imprisonment The Duke of Bullion gave his Wife and Children as Longueville had done for pledges of his fidelity to the Parliament The Parliament being encouraged by so many Princes and great men grew more confident and in the presence of the Princes ratified the Decree against the Cardinal ordering all Captains and Souldiers not to come within 20 Leagues of Paris and those that were advanced to retire presently to the Frontier-Towns prohibiting the subministring of Victuals or Ammunition and gave out Commissions for raising of Horse and Foot Monsieur di Berne was made Governour of the Artillery and of the Arsenal of Paris and a Council of War was chosen with a President of the Grand Chamber and two Counsellors who were Brousels and Meverdeau They resolved moreover to fortifie the Suburbs but nothing was done save cutting Trenches at the ends of such Streets where the Corps du Guard were kept without the Gates The City-council besides what was voluntarily given by many particular men imposed 50 Crowns upon every Gate whereinto a Coach might enter or else a Man and Horse armed and upon every little Gate and Shop ten Crowns or else one Foot-Souldier The Bastile was held for the King by Monsieur Trembley who delivered it up to the Duke d'Elboeufe desiring onely for his credit that a piece of Cannon might be brought before it for which he was much blamed and Brousel was put in his place who made his Son Louvieres his Lieutenant The first Regiment of Horse which was raised in two daies was given to the Marquiss de la Bollay And whilst all men wondered that they saw not Duke Beaufort appear he came to Paris on the 13 th of Ianuary galloping through the Streets that he was not known for he had not yet won that reputation with the Parisians which he got afterwards but was rather thought to have made his peace with the Court it being known how much his Brother Duke Mercurio had dealt and obtained at Court for him and for the Duke his Father For the better knowledge whereof we must repeat from a little before what had passed to this purpose The Cardinals friends knowing that his greatness in France was not upheld by his own strength but that it was protected by the Duke of Orleans and Prince of Condé and that therefore depending upon the abitrement of others he must minde their satisfaction so much as not to be able to serve the King so faithfully as one who depends not upon others but onely upon the King they insinuated into him that not so much for his own Interest as for the King 's he must so root himself as not to own his Fortune from others but meerly from the King and from his own worth mens mindes being too variable in Court which he had not formerly considered Since being an Italian Cardinal he propounded nothing to himself at the first but how to serve the King as long as his Majesty should have need of it intending afterwards to retire and peacefully enjoy the Glory and reputation which he had won and make it known how advantageous it is for the Kingdom to have a State-minister who is unconcern'd in France and a Forainer who having neither Kindred nor Friends minded nothing but the service of the Crown But as this did on one side seem to make his service acceptable on the other side it met with so great oppositions as his friends held themselves bound to let him know that one thing which did authenticate the Male-contents boldness was that he should be in France without any tie of keeping there since that being there himself alone he might at any time withdraw leaving both the publick and particular affairs in confusion So as it being dangerous for Princes to change State-ministers who were already instructed and capable of State-Affairs do serve them faithfully he was to take upon him Charges and Employments in the Kingdom and to bring his nearest Relations into France to give the greater assurance of his tarrying there and of his fidelity to the King He therefore resolved to send for three of his Nephews and one Niece who came from Rome though with no good will of the
Pope's who cared not for the Cardinal for his having backt the Barbarini and hindred the Decree against them for being guilty of great misdemeanours against the Apostolick Sea The Cardinal had but one Brother of St. Dominick's Order who was made Cardinal a little before and two Sisters who were married in Rome the one to Count Girolimo Martinozi di Fano the other to Lorenzo Manzini a Gentleman of Rome One Daughter of the first of these Sisters came into France and two Daughters and one Son of the second 's who were very affectionately received by the Queen so as those Gentlemen were happy who could enjoy their conversation they being likely to be the most considerable Ladies of the Court which occasioned envy and hence grew distractions against the Cardinal's Government not onely in such as thought that the moneys of the Crown would be largely expended in their Portions but which imported more in the French Ladies who seeing Strangers who usually are worse looked upon in France than any where else were scandalized that they should be more favoured by the Queen than they and get richer and better Husbands For the Cabal of Women prevailing much in that Nation there was but few of them who were not mastered by their passions as were also many Lords and Princes So as it was no wonder if this grievance spread further Duke Beaufort and his Father the Duke of Vendosme being Prisoners Duke Mercoeur who was the onely one of that Family that was suffered to remain in France did all he could to get his Brother's liberty but if he should work it underhand and against the will of the State-ministers it would cause no quiet to his Family nor facilitate his Fathers return wherefore he endeavoured by his friends means to let the Cardinal know that he might win over that whole Family to him which was powerful and of high bloud Beaufort was got out of the Castle of Vincennes who made known to the Cardinal by the Marquiss of Ampous that he would be willing to side with his Eminency and that he would ingage himself his Brother should do so likewise The Cardinal embraced the motion and Mercoeur having by his Letters assured the Queen of his zeal to her service divers Treaties were had touching his return to Court her Majesty was well inclined to it for she trusted in Mercoeur's quiet nature but did not as then correspond with Mercoeur's desire because the Prince of Condé was no friend to his Family for Beaufort's having appeared against him in the beginning of the Regency and the Cardinal would conclude nothing in it without Condé's knowledge who returned victorious from the Battle of Lens and seemed much averse unto it when he first heard thereof Wherefore discovering Condé's averseness he let Mercoeur know by means of Madam d'Ampous that he should not advance any further he being come to Anet a Castle belonging to his House lest by Condé's means who was denied nothing the Court might be bound to order something against him Thus Mercoeur was forc'd to keep away and to go privately to Paris to consult with his Friends how he might compass his desire He conceal'd himself in Advocate Bluet's house and resolved to let Condé know that if he pleased he would be his friend and servant and be obliged to him for his return Marquiss Vieville who was then great with the Prince was thought to be a fit Mediator he undertook the business and propounded it to Condé who at first seemed backward in it remembring that Beaufort had not dealt well with him But knowing that he had no reason to be angry with Mercoeur and that he might take his Word he was perswaded by Vieville and did him good offices at Court Which the Cardinal perceiving he let Madam d'Ampous know that the Prince began to be more gracious and that he hoped to work Mercoeur's return to Court within a few days yet it was long in effecting by reason of two things the one that though Beaufort had given it under his hand to his Brother yet he propounded other ways to the Cardinal by his Cousen the Duke of Nemours And having some about him who perswaded him to make his Peace himself without being beholden to others he came incognito to Paris and scorning his Brother's negotiation crost the Treaty by means of Nemours and the Marshal d'Ostre whom he employ'd The other obstacle was because Condé would appear the Author of this Family's return to the end that it might be the more obliged to him which Mercoeur liked not who was desirous to be obliged to the Prince but not to own the whole favour to him because if he should be brought to Court meerly by his means he could receive no favour but by his mediation Whereas if the Cardinal had a hand therein he should receive the favour immediately from the Cardinal without the means of others Mercoeur's Friends were sufficiently troubled to think how they might carry on this business and the means they found was the Prince his own concernment for Vieville told him That if he would take upon him to bring that Family back to the Court he would be obliged to maintain all the Interests thereof and to prefer them before his own which he could not mention till the House of Vendome was satisfied The Prince approved of this reason he promised to favour his return at the present by his approbation and to foment it vigorously if it came to the Council Affairs being brought to this pass Madam d'Ampous continued her desires The Cardinal resolved to end it now that Condé withstood it not and told Madam d'Ampous that Mercoeur was much bound to the Prince for his manner of proceeding with him Mercoeur kept still concealed in Paris but was advertised of all things but being afterwards to return to his Castle d'Anet Beaufort having troubled this Treaty the Cardinal sent Abbot Ondedei together with Advocate Bluet to him who discoursed long with him Ondedei wisht Mercoeur to write to the Cardinal to intercede with the King for his return The Duke answered that he had written often but never received any return and that therefore he need not write again That his actions were caution sufficient for his serving the King faithfully and that though his return to Court would be a particular favour which he would acknowledge from the Cardinal But that notwithstanding he desired he would not be offended if he came not thither unless it were to some purpose for if he came he must sollicite his Father's and his Brother's return which if the Cardinal were unwilling to he was ready to renounce all favour and to return to from whence he was come Ondedei found this to be so generous a resentment as he perswaded him the Cardinal would grant it which not being to be done unless the Abbot should return to Paris to acquaint the Cardinal with it it was thought fit that the Duke should come thither also incognito
that Answers might pass more readily and Resolutions might be more easily taken Being in Paris in the house of Marquiss Vieville he met there with some impediments by the intrigues of his Family but at last having overcome all difficulties and the Cardinal being satisfied with what Ondedei had said he received an Order from the King to return to Court which he did and lighted at L'Hostelle de Vendome from whence Ondedei brought him to the Cardinal's Lodgings who after many Embraces and Caresses brought him to kiss the King and Queen's Hand When he had spoken with the King Condé took him by the hand and was with him about a quarter of an hour in a corner of the Chamber reciprocal shews of good will passing between them But their Discourse was interrupted by the Prince his pretending too neer Friendship and too strong engagements to his friends and Mercoeur not being able otherwise to give satisfaction to the Prince with Loyalty to the Court went presently to Paris and renewed the Treaty which had been formerly in hand touching his marrying Madamoselle de Guise Sister to the Duke of Guise which business if there had been no other Irons in the fire had been accomplished but Beaufort cross'd it who had no minde that his Brother should marry Wherefore the Cardinal by his Friends perswasion began to think again upon what had been proposed by Madam d'Ampous touching the Match between his Niece Mancini and Mercoeur But considering afterwards that it might be more advantageous for him that Duke Beaufort should marry one of his Nieces whereby an alliance with two or three great Families might be made For by marrying Beaufort to Mancini he might reconcile himself perfectly to him and if Mercoeur should marry Madamoselle de Guise and that the Court should approve of the match between the Duke de Ioyeuse and Madamoselle d'Angolesme at one and the same time the House of Guise would be won that of Angolesme gotten and a new Consanguinity would be made with the Prince of Condé who was neer allied to Angolesme All parties were â—ell pleased with this and the Proposal was approved Madam d'Ampous writ thereof to Beaufort he liked it and at the same time answered his Brother and gave him his Word that he would observe whatsoever he should promise in his behalf But then thinking that he might make better advantage by the troubles in Paris instead of going to St. Germains according to his promise went directly to Paris where having concealed himself in President Conieux's house after he was got out of Prison he was sent for by the Frondeurs and hoped to do Wonders So declaring himself still to be a great Enemy to the Cardinal he came to the Parliament where he was gratiously received had place in Parliament as Peer of France and was made one of the Generals under the Prince of Conty Beaufort did very much Caress the meaner sort of People to which purpose he made use of several persons amongst which the Curate of la Flesche and Chappelle who went blazoning forth his Worth and Gallantry through the Streets of Paris Moreover he hired certain people to make Songs and Verses in his commendations whereby he did win the good will of many particular persons For all this he was held by others to be no wise Prince and as being a great friend to the Dutchess of Monbason he acquainted her with all his Secrets which made the other Generals despise him not revealing any thing of importance to him lest he should divulge it wherefore the Regent cared not to negotiate with him for she knew all by the Dutchess of Monbason which caused other inconveniencies as shall be said And because the Marshals of France fit not in Parliament but when the King is present the Marshal de la Motte was made Counsellor of honour to the end that by that Title he might enter into Parliament As for the employments in War places were thus disposed of Duke Beaufort and Marshal de la Motte had the charge of the Western part of the River towards Orleans D'Elboeus Bullion and Marsilliack commanded the East-side towards St. DenÌ„is The Marquiss of Noirsmonstere was made their Lieutenant-General The Prince of Conty who was Generalissimo being in an Ecclesiastick habit and but of a weak constitution went seldom into the Field but assisted onely in the Council of War which was held every day in the City's Palace Count Fiesca was given for an assistant to the Duke of Longueville who was to go for Normandy for he sided against the King as did also Duke Luines Marquiss Vitry and others who went to Paris pretending still to be the King's Servants but Enemies to the Cardinal The Duke of Longueville went from Paris with a Convoy of 500 Horse he travelled all night by unknown ways and concealed himself in a Wood three Leagues distant from Roan treating by some of his party who were disguised to have admittance Which being granted he went presently towards the River-side which was opposite to the Palace together with the Marquiss de Beveron who met him by the way and passing over in small Boats was received together with his Complices and whilst Eghestote was ready to sit down to Supper Longueville and Beveron entring into the house suddenly said they were come to sup with him The Son wondered but seeing his Father and the Duke he was forc'd to be patient The first President Ris was told of this arrival the next morning by Monsieur di Miressa Captain of the Duke's Guard he was much amazed and struck â—o less with Wonder than with Sorrow for he was faithful to the King When Harcourt who by order from the King was advanced with some Troops to keep the Inhabitants in their Duty with whom he treated to be introduced upon this news retreated to Point D'Arke four Leagues off where Monsieur Beaumont was Governour for the King The common people flocking together and desirous to know News ran to the Palace and cried Long live the King Long live the Duke he answering that he was the King's Servant and Cardinal's Enemy came down past with applause through the City came to the Parliament made there his protestations and offers solliciting them all to close with the Parisian party The most of those Presidents and Counsellors and the whole City declared in his behalf some few excepted amongst which was the first President Ris who after having tarried two or three days to try whether he could do any good for the King or no finding all his endeavours vain went to the Court at St. Germains and divers others went to Vernon a City upon the Seine half way between Roan and Paris whither the Parliament was removed by the King's Decree who declared the Parliament of Paris invalid The distastes of the Malecontents broke forth also in Poictou for the whole Province turned against the Court unless it were the Marquiss Rochespossey of the house of
had commanded with much Glory and Honour and his Army remained obedient to the King commanded by General Rosse Turenne kept in the neighbouring Towns expecting some turn of Fortune and though he could perswade none of the Army to follow his perilous Fortune he advanced to relieve the Parisians who were encamped at Vitry and Villeieve and had thrown a Bridge over the Seine somewhat higher where it joyns with the Marne thereby affording means for Victuals which were brought though but in small quantities from Brie and thereabouts to the City the Army being encamp'd abroad on the West-side Marshal Rantzaw's misfortune may be added to that which befel Turenne he was Governour of Dunkirk and being no friend to Condé yet having caused jealousie in the Cardinal he thought good to make him his friend and came to St. Germains where on the 28 th of February he was arrested and sent to the Castle of St. Vincent and Grinoliere his Serjeant-Major as also Priore Pristiere his Secretary were imprisoned in Gravelin This mean while the Conferences between the Kings Agents and the Deputies of Parliament began who though they abhor'd the Cardinal's presence pretending that being declared guilty by the Parliament it became them not to Treat with one that was Condemned yet it being the Queens will that he should be there or that else she would condescend to nothing he was admitted though against the good will not onely of the Deputies but also of some of the Court who intended to cast all the Odium upon him and thereby to gain so much more the affection of the People and to make it be believed that they were onely they who were the Authors of the Agreement Whereunto both sides being well inclined Peace was concluded on the 11 th of March upon these Conditions That all Hostility should cease and that the Passes should be opened That the Parliament should go to St. Germains where the King being in his Seat of Iustice the Declaration and Articles agreed upon should be verified And that then the Parliament should return to Paris to perform their Employments That in the year 1649 all the Chambers should not meet upon any whatsoever pretence unless it were to receive some new Officers and for the Merchants affairs wherein upon such cases nothing should be treated of save ordinary things tending to the Civil Government of the City That the Declarations of May July and October in the year 1648 which were made in Parliament together with those of the 6th of January 1649 and till that present time should be void and null save what concerned Criminal affairs between particular parties That all the Letters under the Kings Seal sent upon the last Commotions of Paris as also the Declarations and Decrees made by the Privy Council in that point from the 6th of January to that instant should be abolished That all the Forces raised in Paris and out of it should be cashiered when his Majesty should have caused his Forces to retreat to the usual parts upon the Frontiers That the Inhabitants should lay down their Arms and not reassume them without the King's permission That he who was sent by the Arch Duke should be sent back without any other Answer That all Writings and Moveables should be restored to those from whomsoever they had been taken That the Bastile and Arsenal together with the Artillery and Ammunition therein should be put into his Majesties hands That the Prince of Conty the other Dukes Peers Princes Officers of the Crown Lords and Gentlemen and all of whatsoever condition should be restored to their Statu quo as if nothing had happened and that their past actions should never be questioned That those who would not be concluded in this present Treaty should receive no favour or assistance whatsoever from the City of Paris nor from any others That the King should return to Paris as soon as his occasions should permit him That those who had raised any Moneys Forces sold any Moveables Warlike Ammunition or Victuals either out of the Arsenal of Paris or elsewhere should be freed from giving any account thereof That the Election of Xantes Coignack St. John d'Angely taken from the Court des Aydes and attributed to the Court des Aydes at Guienne should be restored to the Court des Aydes at Paris where they were before the Edict That in case the Parliament of Roan should accept of this present Treaty within the space of ten days the King would take order for the abolishing of the new Six Moneths and the re-uniting of all the Officers of the said Six Moneths and of part of them to the body of the said Parliament That the Treaty of the Parliament of Provence should be put in execution according to the Form Tenour and Letters sent by the King for the revoking and abolishing the Six Moneths of the Parliament of Aix and Chamber of Requests in conformity to the Articles agreed upon between the Deputies of the Parliament of Paris Concerning the discharge of the Taxes propounded by the Election of Paris the King would be informed of the state or condition of the said Elections as soon as the Forces were retreated and would provide for the ease of the Grievances of the said Election as he should think fit That when Deputies should be sent to treat of Peace with Spain his Majesty would be pleased amongst them to send some of the Parliament who should have the same Authority as the rest According to all Maximes of War or Civil Government the King ought not as then to have made an Agreement since in case the Siege had been maintained yet 15 days the City was reduced to great extremity and the seditious People mought have been punished according to their disobedience yet a deeper and more secret Maxime prevailing it was condescended to though with some prejudice to the Court onely as was believed out of the jealousie of the Prince his actions and that Condé thinking that by the Peace the Besieged's hatred would rest wholly upon him and the praise upon the Cardinal it is said that he endeavoured to get all advantages for the Parisians though they were reduced to so straight terms as they ought rather to beg pardon than to demand Conditions But were it out of this or any other more secret reason many bad effects ensued upon it for the Parisians seemed to be but badly content with the first Articles and much more for that the Parliament had refused to take protection of that of Roan Wherefore when the Deputies of the Chambers were seen to fit in presence of the Prince's and King's Officers as if they had been Commissioners from a free Commonwealth the people were so scandalized thereat and grew so indiscreet as the Decrees which were before reverenced as Oracles became scorn'd and detested And then the Usurpers of Regal Authority were aware that whilst they would have climb'd too high they fell from their own Tribunal and instead of getting
the Government of publick Affairs they lost the lawful right of judging what was particular At the same time when the Parliament began to treat apart the Princes began to Negotiate their Agreements separately every one according to their particular Interests pretending to be totally dis-engag'd from the Parliament whilst they saw that the Parliament which was the primum mobile of the War and with whom they had confederated endeavoured Peace The Frondeurs were very fierce for War till the Conference at Ruel where the chiefest of them were wrought upon Longueville by his Brother the President of Maisonsi Viola by the Prince of Condé Cogneux and others though they were in some sort engaged with the Arch-Duke The Prince of Conty and Dutchess of Longueville broke with the Coadjutor for that he being Beaufort's Confident and having drawn all the Frondeurs and people to dance after his Pipe he went about to blindfold them and make them serve his designes and his proper Interests and not that of their Families Thus during the time of Conference of Peace the Prince of Condé who desired to reunite them to himself and not to let slip so seasonable a conjuncture sent his Confident Monsieur di Mousay to complement them The Dutchess of Longueville confer'd long with Mousay upon the point of Reconciliation and bid him assure the Prince that she would carry her self to his satisfaction when Peace should be concluded After these Treaties though Conty had made his peace with the Court without Beaufort or the Coadjutor yet when they had discovered their discontents they forbore not to do all they could to make Conty stick to them He and the Dutchess his Sister were well inclined thereunto being otherwise unwilling to lose the fruit of their Declaration and that of the Duke of Longueville in favour of the Parisians which consisted in mitigating the peoples hatred of Condé thinking that thereby she might become more necessary to the Court and more considerable with her Brother who till then had not too great an esteem for her Some told Condé that the Court being in the posture it was in the true way to get advantage on both sides would be to let the Prince of Conty head the Frondeurs yet he who then scorned the Frondeurs and who hatred Beaufort particularly by reason of the great esteem the Parisians had of him resolved absolutely to severe Conty from their Interests and by little and little to destroy that Faction which being disperst he might afwards more easily pull down the Cardinal or make him comply totally with him The occasion of the Arch-Bishoprick of Liege which at this time was presented confirm'd him in this opinion believing that if he could procure that dignity for his Brother he might establish his House the better The Canons were divided many whereof had recourse for protection to France against the Elector of Culen who would have his Brother chosen Coadjutor That they might engage the King of France in their Interests they offered to chuse the Prince of Conty who fed his Brother with these hopes to make him abandon Paris and to bring him to Compeigne where the Court then was and where he acquainted the Cardinal with his designe he who received the testimony of his confidence whilst the War of Paris lasted could not but assist him but considering afterwards that it was not good to embroyl France in the affairs of Germany and against the House of Bavaria between whom there was good intelligence held seemed to proceed so reservedly in the affairs necessary to effect this designe that the mean while the Elector making his Agreement all the Princes hopes vanished which was thought to be one of the reasons of his complaints and his beginning to distrust the Cardinal These designes proving vain Conty and Longueville reconciled themselves to the Coadjutor and appeared outwardly to be good friends though jealousies remained inwardly between them for Conty could not depend upon any one The Duke of Bullion seemed somewhat distasted at these Negotiations between the Parliament and Court and their hopes in Paris being revived by the drawing down of the Spaniards Flemish Army he thought it strange that his concernments should be given over He therefore moved the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville not to make the Agreement but to go with their Troops into Normandy and being assisted by the Spaniards to continue the War there hoping hereby to effect his designes and to make the Court grant his pretensions This Proposal being liked by the other Princes they thought to fall upon it but it was laid aside as well for the difficulty which would be found in executing it as for that Bullion made his peace otherwise by the Prince of Condé's means with whom he had still had good intelligence But the Duke of Longueville not being put by vertue of this Treaty into possession of his Towns nor into his Government of Normandy which was a new motive to him and Conty to put on any resolution rather than to abandon the Dukes Interest the Abbot de la Riviere by consent with Condé made a particular Agreement be propounded by Monsieur de Flamerin to the Prince of Conty whereby the Duke was to be re-possessed of all his Towns and Conty should have the Government of Danvilliers for his security if he would yield the name of Cardinal to la Riviere This Negotiation was managed and concluded by the Prince of Marsiliack with intention to let Longueville know that the Prince of Conty was cause of his re-establishment and thereby to joyn them closer together as also to keep la Riviere who was then in great favour with the Duke of Orleans stedfast to Conty's Interest who concurring in all things with his Sister Longueville intended so to establish themselves as they should not be defrauded of their pretensions when the King should be of age Thus was the agreement made between the King and Parliament whereupon the Cardinal seeing the Courts condition bettered declared that he would not now yield unto any of the Propositions formerly pretended unto by the Spaniards since he saw himself in a condition of being able to withstand them unless some new Emergencies should disturb him The Pope's zeal and the like of the Commonwealth of Venice to facilitate Peace in all parts made the Arch-bishop of Tarzo who was Nuntio and Pietro Basadona the Venetian Embassador in Spain to provide against the Evils which the affairs of Paris made them apprehend wherefore they intreated his Catholick Majesty to command his Plenipotentiaries that notwithstanding the novelties that were risen they should not defer nor obstruct the making of Peace They obtained their desires and the Catholick King ordered that the Treaties should be drawn to an end and yielded to all things that were fair and honest The Nuntio Bagin and the Embassador Morosini informed the King of France immediately of this generous act and gave notice to Count Pignoranda
that Count Brienne had signified to them that if he should think fit to return to Munster the Court of France would send a person of quality thither with Plenipotentiary-power That if he would not go thither himself he should send some other with sufficient power and that at the same time others should be dispatched away from the Court of France And that if he himself should please to come to any place upon the Frontier the Cardinal's self would come thither and so a conclusion would sooner be made it being still to be understood that nothing should be altered which was agreed upon at the meeting at Munster Pignoranda answered He marvelled how the Regent had so suddenly altered Maximes varying from what Monsieur Vautort had both insinuated and exprest That this so great a change occasioned a just Scandal since France not making good what she as he said had promised but a few days before the King of Spain should be tied to grant those Articles which he had always held unreasonable Upon the 24 th of April the Nuntio and Morosini answered this dispatch and though Pignoranda would not hear of any Treaty they named Vervins Noyon or Crespy to be the places of meeting Adding that all things might easily be accommodated if the Count would speak with the Cardinal yet they declared in the close of the Letters That the French intended to treat onely upon the points which were undecided which the Spaniards did totally refuse saying That the Kings Agents being gone from Munster without having concluded any thing the meeting and Treaty was consequently dissolved so as all was to be recommenced That if France would agree to this the King of Spain's Deputies should go to any place that should be appointed within a Moneth or six Weeks for which time there should be Truce which the Arch-Duke should readily yield unto and that if the Cardinal would speak with the Count he would send him either alone or accompanied by others as he should be advertised The Nuntio and Morosini sought to promote the business and sent Secretary Lorenzo Paulucci to Brussels to sollicite what they were preparing in Writing Pignoranda was pleased hereat as well in respect of them who sent the Secretary as for the Commission he brought and the Spaniards giving out that they had discovered during the short time of his abode there that the French had no minde to make Peace Paulucci returned without doing any thing Soon after his return to Paris the Mediators writ to Pignoranda and to the Internuntio at Brussels three Letters of the 29 th of May the 27 th of Iune and 10 th of Iuly containing that the French persisted in the proposed Meeting and in the desire of Peace and propounded the building of a place of Enterview upon the confines of the two Dominions where the Meeting might be had And in the first Letter which was written to the Internuntio they mentioned that the French were fully resolved not to alter any thing that was digested at Munster intending to Treat onely upon such points as remained undecided The Spaniard accepted of the Meeting propounded by the Cardinal and of the building of the place for enterview and Pignoranda gave notice that as soon as this should be made he would send Don Antonio Brun who was the King of Spain's Embassador in Holland and Plenipotentiary in the Treaty of Peace and that he himself would advance the next week after towards the Frontiers that he might be the readier to agree unto what the Cardinal should resolve upon and the place for the building of the place for enterview was appointed to be between St. Quintâ—ins and Landrecie This readiness was commended by the Nuntio and by Morosini which they witnessed by Letters from Compaignie but whilst Pignoranda expected answer to what he had written the Cardinal sent Letters by a Trumpeter on the 26 th of Iuly desiring him to send him word to what place he might send a Friend to whom they might reciprocally communicate their mindes touching the principal points of the Treaty adding that he thought it would be convenient he should send a friend of his to him to the end that it might be conceived by hearing both parties whether businesses were in such a forwardness as that a speedy conclusion might be hoped for because if this were not done he thought this Meeting would be useless to the publick and troublesome to their own particular selves and that no time might be lost he thought it would be good to chuse a place upon the Frontier which he should like best for the Meeting and that he should send him a Pass by Monsieur di Lyone the Queens Secretary whom he had destined to that purpose The Cardinal did this for that he found that Pignorandâ— sought to engage him in this Conference not out of any desire he had to make Peace but that he might make the World believe afterward that the Cardinal had broken the Treaty of Peace for his own particular ends and that he might thereby draw upon him the Odium of the people by shewing him to be the occasion of all the War The Spaniards sent him a Pass for Lyone and at the same time that Pignoranda parted from Brussels he sent an Express to the Hague to acquaint the Embassador Brun with all this who came with great speed to Cambrey on the 13th of August whither Pignoranda was come four days before Lyone had audience as soon as he came to Cambrey whom Pignoranda asked What Propositions he had brought Who answered His Instructions were to know what the King of Spain ' s Pretensions were touching the points undecided at Munster Pignoranda found then that his designe was discovered and said They were not to talk any more of the Treaty of Munster for that the Civil War of France had altered the face of Affairs and that they were to begin the Treaty again Lyone repli'd That agreement was made between the King and the Parliament of Paris That all was quieted After a long Dispute Pignoranda demanded That France would abandon the Interests of the King of Portugal and likewise Catalonia That he would repossess Duke Charles of Lorain and restore the Spanish Towns that were taken and that then they would discourse upon other points Lyon was hereat confused and said There was little signes that he desired Peace since four Kingdoms were demanded before the Treaty should begin That to abandon Portugal and Catalonia was to make the King of Spain Master of them for it was certain they could not defend themselves without the aid of France That no mention was to be made of Lorain for that there was no Treaty between the King of Spain and that Duke whereby that Country was to be restored to the Duke He further added That if he intended to end the Treaty he must not dream of the weak condition which he fancied to himself that France was in for that
Oquincourt's liking to speak with him and clearing him of his jealousie Oquincourt was so obliged to the Cardinal as he contracted great confidence with him and was ever afterwards his intimate friend The Court kept thus for a while at St. Germains intimating their intention of coming thither whilst all things were in a peaceful condition But War hapning afterwards in Flanders by the Spaniards falling in upon St. Venant and Ypres it went to Compeigne and though this was a necessary remove the seditious people forbore not to whisper against the Cardinal who the more they murmured against him the more did he endeavour to keep up the Kings splendor and dignity which caused the turbulent Commonalty of Paris to publish defamatory Libels against the Kings Agents to make all men think that the Court intended not their quiet which made the Duke of Orleans go to Paris about the beginning of Iune to certifie that City of their Majesties real intentions which he did to the great satisfaction of all that were well minded And hereupon the Provost of Merchants the Sheriffs Councellors Colonels and the rest who make up the Common Council meeting together resolved to issue out Inquisitions against the Authors of the said Libels and against those that printed or published them They also thanked his Highness for his good affection and beseeched him to use his power in bringing the King to Paris which would be the true means of dissipating all the fluctuations of that wavering people to which purpose they deputed some to be sent to his Majesty to represent this their so general desire The care of the universal Government was not for all this given over but the War with Spain being reassum'd the King was in a condition of raising an Army of 25000 good veterane Souldiers which it being questioned whither they should go some propounded the falling upon Doway in Flanders others upon Avennes in Hainault and others propounded other Enterprizes But the Cardinal being assured that there were not above 600 Foot in Cambray was of opinion that they should fall upon that place which was then in the Spaniards possession which was not any part of the Low-Countries but was in the late War with Flanders taken by the French and was given by the King to Marshal Baligny who possess'd it as Soveraign thereof for some years till Count Fuentes recovered it By which example it was said that the Cardinal hoped to be endowed with it when it should be taken or at least to be made Governour of the City and Citadel Wherefore it was thought he betook himself thereunto out of self-Interest The Prince of Condé was invited to this so considerable business but he being then at his Government of Burgundy refused the employment blamed the resolution interposed many difficulties which were all thought excuses to cloak his aversion to assist the Cardinal in his fortune And at his return to Paris he spoke against the Marriage between Mercoeur and Mancini had often conference with the Dukes of Nemours and Beaufort was visited by the Presidents and chief Councellors of the Parliament and began to swallow that Maxime That much mischief must be done to receiue much good He blamed the Court for rewarding injuries and neglecting good turns as in the case of Vandosme's Family and began to slacken his adherence to the Court and his confiding in the Cardinal which till then he had cultivated He blamed him for aspiring to the absolute Government and gave him signes that he could not approve of his company in Council having found him an hindrance to his secret ends wherefore to render him hateful to the people he strove to make him be believed the Author of all the violences that he endeavoured to raise jealousies between the Queen and him that in stead of defending him with the Frondeurs The Merits of this Prince who had deserved so well of the Court mixt with other representations whether true or false caused such jealousies even in those who were most affectionate to the King's service as use to usher in highest hatreds So as the Cardinal that he might sweeten him studied to keep this first agitation from breaking further forth and though the Prince did not undertake the business of Cambray yet he alter'd not his former design but in lieu of the Prince employ'd Prince Harcourt therein and sent all the Kings Forces which were come from several parts to that affair which as they crost the River Some were found to be more than were believed all of them experienced men and well in order And whilst they encamped sometimes in one place sometimes in another to conceal their true designe from the Spaniards Count Palvan with 4000 Souldiers gathered together in the Maritime parts of Flanders began to scowre the Campagnia as well to secure the Towns which were held by the French as to draw some of the Enemies Forces thither and so to weaken their Army towards which the Arch-Duke marched from Brussels to joyn the whole Army together which was for the most part come then from Doway Valenciennes and Lisle Whilst the Spaniards were a while in this uncertainty the French about the end of Iune sate down before Cambray with much wonder to both parties as well in regard of the greatness of the City which had in it both a Castle and a Citadel as for the difficulty of the Enterprize But the Spaniards appeared to have been so careless of the Town by reason of their undervaluing the French Forces after the troubles of Paris as all men thought that so important a City absolutely lost especially the Governour Count Garce a Spaniard being then absent who at the first news thereof came thither in a Country-fellows disguise The French began to make the Line which because it was to be of a great circuit could not be digged with such diligence as was requisite Cambray is one of the greatest Cities and of most importance which the Spaniards have in those parts distant onely three Leagues from the Frontiers of Picardy It lies on the right hand of the River Schelde five Leagues below the rise thereof which therefore is not there very broad The way of Convoys to the French Camp was very convenient but somewhat long they being to come from St. Quintins and Peronne to Chastelette a Fort not far from thence from whence they were brought to the Camp When the Spaniards heard of the Siege and knew the danger the Town was in by reason of the small number of Defendants therein they forthwith sent 150 Officers thither who being discovered by the French were for the most part taken Prisoners and the whole Spanish Army in a body marched towards Buchein a strong Castle upon the Schelde three leagues below Cambray to provide for the safety thereof which consisted in speed for had they tarried till the French had compleated the Line the succour would have been very difficult The Governour who knew the Enemies Works which
Victuals which were to be brought from afar off the Convoy whereof being encountered neer Quesnoy by 1000 Foot and 2000 Horse commanded by Colonel Bruch they after a lusty Skirmish pass'd happily on the Spaniards being somewhat indamaged and pursued even to the Ditch of Quisnoy losing 80 men and the French losing not above ten and Monsieur de Sassey who was taken Prisoner The Cardinal returned to Compeigne before the Army went into that Island and found the Prince of Condé come thither who prest that the King might return to Paris wherein he was seconded by the Duke of Orleans The Court removed from Compeigne to Paris with such general applause and satisfaction as it might be rather said to be a glorious Triumph than an usual arrival Then the Articles of Marriage were treated of between Mancini and Duke Mercoeur wherein the reversion of the Admiralty was promised him after his Father the Duke of Vendosme's death but when all this was upon concluding the Prince of Condé's jealousies mar'd all The Match between the Duke of Candale Eldest Son to the Duke of Espernon and the Cardinal 's other Niece the Countess Martinozzi was also treated of and agreed by all parties interested but not effected for reasons which you shall hereafter hear The more the Kings Authority did increase in Paris the more did that of the Frondeurs decrease who notwithstanding ceased not to be Enemies to the Cardinal and all men observed Beaufort's proceedings who for his Reputation and to maintain himself Head of the people would appear to be faithful to his party by going to visit their Majesties at the Court without visiting the Cardinal glorying to be the onely man in the Kingdom who made head against him But though he was admitted by the King the Queen to shew that she could not tolerate the little esteem that was put upon her in the prime Minister of State seemed not well pleased with his Visits whereat he in a distasteful manner flung out of the Room saying aloud in a scornful manner That he would return thither no more since he was so badly received And though the Cardinal applied himself to moderate the unquiet Spirit of this Prince who by the peoples adherence might cause new Convulsions to which purpose he made great proffers to his Parents the Duke and Dutchess of Vendosme yet all proved vain for as it was said the Prince of Condé did underhand endeavour to keep them at odds that the Court being weakned by a contrary Faction he might thereby the more increase his Authority and govern in the Council as he lifted And Beaufort by this means got an opinion amongst the people of being undaunted But whilst by often frequenting the House of Monbason as he pass'd to and fro from the Court during his abode in L'Hostelle de Vendosme he exposed himself to the will of the Kings Guards being told of what hazard he ran he changed his Lodging and lodged in the Street of Prâ—velles neer St. Eustace and nearer to la Hostelle de Monbasan whereby he shewed his distrust of the Court the more Now because since the Decree of the 2 d of March the Parliament was not called for publick affairs whereat the Court was well pleased the Frondeurs being back'd by the Malecontents promised to make both that and all the supreme Chambers meet at the usual Audience of St. Martins and though it was agreed upon by Articles that the Chambers should not meet without express leave from the King yet they said these were unsufferable errours and complained much that the Cardinal had replaced Monsieur d'Emery in his former place of Superintendant of the Finances but they were not aware that this was done meerly by Conde's means who having won much favour at Court after the War of Paris saw it necessary to have the Superintendant of the Finances his Friend so as contrary to the opinion of all men and contrary to the Cardinal's pleasure he would have him restored to his Place declaring That none was so fit for it as Emery which made Condé's action the more suspected and more vigilantly observed But Emery continued not long in the place for being seized on by Sickness he died soon after and the Mareshal Milleray succeeded him and though Condé was he who was to be blamed for the replacing of Emery yet he turn'd the fault so cunningly upon the Cardinal as all men attributed it to the Prime State-Officer which made the Court and Court-Officers to be hated by the people who hoped that being fomented by him they might facilitate what they had agreed upon But whilst things went thus at Court the Emergencies which arose in other Provinces were no less remarkable which will occasion us to look a little backwards Amongst several ways found out to raise Moneys the Court had resolved to introduce Semistry which is an addition of as many Officers as were before to the end that they might not exercise their places as before for the whole year but by turns from six months to six months whereby not onely much Moneys might be raised by the sale of Places but the exorbitant authority of Counsellours was thereby moderated Orders being issued forth for the putting the Semistry in practise in Provence as it was in Normandy the Count â— Alets Governour of Provence undertook the work and without acquainting the Court what Novelties it might occasion caused the Kings Commands to be published and gave order for the sale of the new Places wherein some of his Domesticks interessing themselves negotiating their own advantage with the Purchasers considerable Commotions arose whereof one was That one called Lughet that he might make way for others was one of the first that bought one of the said Semistry which did so anger the Counsellours as he was not onely looked upon as a new Companion or Fellow-brother but as an Enemy to his Country and e're long was unhumanely treated for as he was one night at Supper with his Friends certain people came in Masked and slew him whereat the Governour was so scandalized as he caused several that were thought complices to be imprisoned that the Malefactor might be found out which not being done for those that were guilty were escaped he banished those from the City whom he suspected most and particularly those who had most opposed the new Edict in the Parliament who withdrew to their Country-houses many of them going to Carpentras a City in the County of Avignon who though they were asunder held such Corrâ—spondency with their Friends who remained in Aix the Metropolis of Provence and with other Friends in the Country insomuch as a considerable number being assembled together the Count grew jealous who being unprovided of Souldiers and wanting part of his Regiment who were imbarked in the â—leet which went to Naples thought himself not able to withstand the contrary Party if they should attempt any thing So as he treated of Accommodation which was concluded by suspending
Time The Abbot not diving into the depth of the business press'd the Queen continually to use all convenient means at Rome for his preferment but he was not aware that the Instrument he made use of was that which wounded him for the more the Court of France did desire this honour for la Riviere the Pope did the more retard this promotion to avoid giving this satisfaction to Cardinal Mazarine with whose Interest he thought it did comply that the Abbot might be decored with that dignity without which his concernments would be ruined For the Pope was not very well disposed towards the Cardinal for reasons that shall be said in their proper place Yet the Pope had not refuse'd to nominate him and the Abbot received visits in L'Hostelle d'Orleans where he lived from the Pope's Nuntio with great applause and approbation as if he had already been made Cardinal And though many said that this was done by Mazarine's cunning and not with the Queens intention yet as men are easily lull'd asleep with Songs which please them the Abbot wanted the Courts wariness for being free from all suspition he was so well perswaded of himself as he believed that if there were any thing in hand at Court prejudicial to him it would be found out by the Cavalier de la Bene and by others his friends which he kept at Rome as Agents to the Duke his Patron to sollicite this his Promotion This nomination of Cardinalship succeeded in the year 1648 and it was effected by the Queen being withstood much by the Court. When the King was returned to Paris Condé's Family having prevailed with Conty to become an Ecclesiastick they pretended to the name given to la Riviere for Conty were it either that he did really desire that dignity or that by abandoning that pretension he might get some greater advantage Upon the hearing of this the Abbot employed the Duke of Orleans to the getting of what was promis'd him and made him withdraw to Limours threatning that if they failed him he would go into Languedock The Queen was much troubled hereat and was forced to perswade the Princes to yield to the said pretension shewing them that Conty being a Prince of the Blood it made but little for his reputation to be made a Cardinal at the King's nomination as was usual to the Subjects of France but that it ought to be done for his extraordinary Merit and for his Birth So as Condé being willing to satisfie the Queen and yet not to lose his right to the Cardinalship it was agreed upon between them that her Majesty should write to the Pope and desire Conty's promotion as Extraordinary which if the Pope should deny then Conty should be nominated for Cardinal instead of la Riviere and that the Queen should declare that when a Prince of the Blood should pretend to such a dignity all others were to give way The difference being thus adjusted the Duke of Orleans returned to Paris where not long after the Abbot was made a State-Minister and was upon all occasions caressed by the Cardinal and by Condé The third Faction which was Condé's was onely to establish himself upon sound foundations seeking onely some pretensions to effect it He was Governour-General of Berry and of the City and great Tower of Bourges the Metropolis of that Province He had therein many Fee-farms and Vassals besides the strong Castle of Montrond which was well provided and well Garrison'd by him He was likewise Governour-General of Burgundy and of the Castle of Dijon the Metropolis thereof scituated upon the River Ousche wherein he had also many Fee-farms and Vassals besides the Town of Belgarde with the Title of the Dukedom sufficiently Garrison'd upon the River Sone He was Governour of Verdune and of St. Ione de l' Aune places of importance for scituation but meanly Garrison'd and he treated by leave from the Queen to make himself Governour of the important Town and Castle of Ausone as you go from Dijon to Dole He also had the Government of Steney and Clermont strong and considerable places He was Governour-General of Compeigne and had newly obtained from the Queen the Government of Danvilliere a noble Town in Luxemburg lately before won by the French wherein Monsieur di Rochefaucault Brother to Prince Marsilliack who was Governour of Poictou was Governour His Sisters Husband the Duke of Longueville was Governour-General of Normandy and particularly of the City and Castle of Caen and of the City and Castle of Diepe a considerable Sea-Haven and he had therein also many Fee-Farms and Vassals The Marquiss of Beveron who was a great friend of his was Governour of the old Town of Roan and his Couzin Count Mattignon Governour of Granville and of Cherburg both Sea-Havens and these were the two Lieutenant-Generals of the same Province he prest continually for the Government of Pout d'Arck upon the Seine two Leagues from Roan Marshal de Brese Condé's Father-in-law was Governour-General of Anjou and of the Castles and City of Angiers the Metropolis thereof and of Saumeur The Count d' Alets Condé's Kinsman was Governour of Provence who kept in Arms in that Province against his Enemies and being by the Inhabitants made Master of Toulon he kept his Regiment of Foot in Garrison there after Monsieur di Garniere's death and behaved himself as Governour This was the strength of the third Faction to the which many great Lords and Gentlemen of the Kingdom did adhere who were friends to these Princes and who did publickly aver that they did it merely to moderate the Cardinal's greatness upon whom they laid all foules And to make himself yet stronger Condé though he had not first consented to the Marriage of Duke Mercoeur with Madamoselle Mancint yet by means of such as were friends to them both he made the Duke of Vendosme be told that he was a Prince of such Birth and Morit as he might justly pretend to be Admiral without consenting that his Son should marry the Cardinal's Niece and that if he would gainsay it and joyn with his Interests he would carry affairs so as that he should be Admiral and that he being one who loved the Honour of the Princes of France he was unwilling that the house of Vendosme should match so far beneath it self He spoke hereof without any manner of respect though it were a question whether he did it out of ill will to the Cardinal or to prejudice the Duke of Vendosme with whom it was known he was not upon good terms It was also thought that he endeavoured to slave off Candale from considing in Mazarine but the Court being already too much engaged with his Father the Duke of Espernon who was kept by the Cardinal in the Government of Guienne for the reasons aforesaid he could not effect his desire So as considering that the Countess of Martinozza's Marriage could not be effected without restoring Espernon to Bourdeaux he publickly opposed it fomenting
as the like hath hardly been at any time Great was the concourse of the Cavalry Gentry and persons of all sorts to Condé's house who according to his wonted custom speaking publickly and passionately against the Cardinal protested He would never more have friendship with him which Expressions together with his other Carriage gained him the favour of the common people who were possessed with sinister opinions and greedily desirous of new things and also purchased for him the good Wishes of the Parliamentarians to whom divisions in the Royal Family were welcome so as he found himself presently in a condition of being able to make good his pretensions and to disorder and overthrow the whole frame of the Government The Frondeurs were the onely persons who made no application to him although the Quarrel were against their greatest Enemy because having before desired to gain him unto their party he had as you have heard refused them The Prince being a little surprized at it had recourse unto his Sister Longueville to the end she by her credit with the Faction might prevail with them to make application to him This she readily undertook and wrought so as the Duke of Beaufort the Coadjutor and all the principal Heads of the Party came to visit â—and make offer of their service to him they being very sensible of the advantage might thereby accrue unto them in being able when joyned with him to overthrow the Cardinal which of themselves they were not able to perform and therefore entred into a Confederacy with him having in appearance onely the same intentions but in truth desiring to make use of his authority in compassing their own particular designes which were to banish the Cardinal and restore the Marquiss of Chasteau Neuf unto the Ministry Condé found nothing of difficulty in making a total Union with them hoping he might by theirs and his own Forces render himself sole Master at Court and disposer of all Affairs in France onely this jealousie remain'd that he might change the Cardinal for Chasteau Neuf his Enemy which was a thing he no way liked and therefore he caused Beaufort to be sounded by the Dutchess his Sister that he might understand whether Beaufort intended to come with him against the Cardinal without reserve and to perswade him that after the Cardinal's expulsion he would continue to espouse his Interests against all his Enemies The Dutchess endeavoured to perform this but in vain because he declared frankly he intended to engage no farther in their Union but onely for the Cardinals expulsion and the Coadjutor expressed himself also to the same purpose The Prince begun then to be sensible of the Frondeurs drift which was to make use of his Authority for removing of Mazarine and then instead of leaving him the power to deprive him also totally thereof and by the re-establishing of Chasteau Neuf to draw the sole direction of all matters to themselves The Cardinal was grieved the Prince should for so slight a matter become his Enemy and professed that rather than he should be the occasion of Troubles in the Kingdom he would renounce all his Fortunes there and quit his Charge He refused the Visits and Applications of many persons who made tender of themselves and finally he declared publickly That although the Queen should be willing to uphold him against the Prince and desire his stay in France yet he would disobey her in that particular as being more desirous of the Kingdoms quiet than his own advancement In this confusion there wanted not some persons of Quality who interposed for an Accommodation grounding themselves upon their knowledge of the Prince's temper who the more furious and violent he was at first was by so much the more easily pacified with submissions and respectful carriage towards him and they were the rather perswaded of it because they knew his generous mind would not endure the extravagant and undecent pretensions of that party The Duke of Orleans and Abbot de la Reviere who desired not the Cardinal's destruction fearing they should thereby increase the Prince of Condé's power and make the Frondeurs and Parliament more bold and insolent contributed their endeavours hereunto so as the first heats being pass'd over the Treaties for an Accommodation were resumed and as the Prince's minde grew calmer the Cardinals Friends gained more and more upon him in their Treaties for an Accommodation of the differences between them They represented to him That if Mazarine went away 't was necessary to finde some other person in his room the Queen the Duke of Orleans and even the Prince himself being unable to undergo that perpetual vigilance labour and care which was necessary for the discharge of that Employment and in that case there were no persons could be thought on but the Marquiss of Chasteau Neuf or Count of Chavigny both antient and well-experienced Ministers of State Whereof the later though acceptable to Condé would never be admitted by the Queen who was to allow the person chosen he having been a creature of the Cardinal Richlieu and one who had joyned with him in the persecution of her and Chasteau Neuf liked by the Queen would never be endured by Condé as an antient Enemy to his Family and one who in the Parliament of Tolouse had been a principal person and acted as Keeper of the Seal at the death of Duke Montmorancy his Mothers Brother To these considerations wherewith the Prince was even convinced was added this That he foresaw in case these two should be excluded a third person was probably to be made choice of who would be much more harsh and violent This was the Coadjutor And unto all this was further urged That the Duke de Roan gave the Prince hopes Pont de l' Arche should be granted to Longueville That the dignity of Constable and a good sum of ready Money should be granted to himself And in fine they let him see that if by joyning with the Frondeurs he should banish the Cardinal the Duke of Beaufort as Head of that party would have all the applause and favour of the people and his authority in Paris by such a Rival would be much eclipsed and weakened and that 't were therefore better to agree with the Cardinal from whom a better satisfaction was to be expected than from any other These Reasons were very well approved of by the Prince who was no friend to Beaufort or any other that might stand in competition with him for that Reputation which the nature of his actions had acquired unto him whereupon advising with his greatest confidents he considered that the Frondeurs were willing to joyn with him not out of any desire they had to second his designes but that they might by his means compass their own and therefore took a resolution to agree with the Cardinal which he thought he might then do without loss of Reputation considering he was in this contest got to be Head of that
party as well as of all others that depended on him This was executed with much speed and upon very advantageous conditions the Government of Pont de l' Arche being thereupon granted to Longueville and the Cardinal assuring him he would proceed no farther in the Treaty of Marriage between the Duke of Mercoeur and his Niece Such was the end of this difference the Cardinal kept his Station the Frondeurs were deluded the Parliament confounded and all other the discontented parties were much unsatisfied especially to see so great a change in less than eight days without the least notice given of it to any one of those many persons of Quality who had upon this occasion declared for him whereupon the general hatred which was in a manner laid aside was kindled against Condé much more violently than before and especially in those who having thought the difference between him and the Cardinal would continue had been too forward in the declaring of themselves and being now discovered and abused railed against Condé taxing him to be a person who minding onely his own ambitious designes had no value for his friends nor consideration of the services which they had done him But above all Beaufort and the Coadjutor were most implacably his Enemies they having fancy'd to themselves great matters by his assistance and the rather because the Prince said publickly That he would rather suffer four Mazarines to be Ministers of State than one Chasteau Neuf professing That he had been in much trouble those few days he had been with them their inclinations being so diametrically opposite to his The Frondeurs and all others being thus disappointed of their hopes of banishing the Cardinal that which followed was first the small respect which Condé seemed to bear towards the Queen and the first Minister of State believing the shews of reliance upon him from them were true not counterfeit Secondly the great dissimulation which the Cardinal used towards him And thirdly which was most of all the Curses which were generally made against Condé for keeping in a Minister of State who was generally hated by all persons and many thereupon presaged the time was drawing on which might be seasonable to Imprison him as heretofore his Father had been in the Bastile upon the like conjuncture of affairs by the Marquiss d' Ancre and there was none but thought the Cardinal capable of those Maximes by which great persons are taught to take such courses as that a Subject who hath been able once to dispose of all things at his pleasure should not be continued in such Authority and Power This came to be the general discourse so as in all places there was nothing so much spoken of as of the Princes being clapt up though there were divers persons who said it was not to be thought the Cardinal during the Kings Minority would dare to attempt such a thing against a Prince of his quality because nothing of that kinde could be effected without the knowledge and consent of the Duke of Orleans who was President of the Council and Condé had the Abbot de la Riviere for his Confident who proud of such an Honour from so great a Prince assured him that his Royal Highness resolved nothing and much less of affairs of such importance without consulting first with him and therefore he assured him he would not fail upon any such occasion to give him notice The Cardinal in the mean time was particularly informed of all the Prince's actions and studied nothing more than some convenient opportunity to interrupt his bold designes and the great difficulties which appeared in the performance of it rendered him much more fixed in the resolution he had taken to perform it He considered on the one side the desperateness of the attempt and the extremity of ruine which would fall upon him if the Prince who was extreamly jealous of every thing should come to have the least suspition that he had any thought against him And on the other side how ignominious his management of the State would be if the Authority of the King his Master should during that time be impaired and lessened by the Prince And in this perplexity he resolved that dissimulation was the true Sugar he was to use wherewith to sweeten all his Actions In order hereunto he caused presently all his said Nieces to be removed from Court and shut up in a Monastery of Nuns in the Fauxbourgh of St. Germains and declared publickly that his intentious never had been to marry his Nieces in France for those ends which he was charged withal and therefore he was very glad to give over the thought thereof his onely drift being to unite the Royal Family against those who endeavoured to raise Dissentions amongst them This gave a stop to those Discourses which his Enemies had formerly made against him in Paris upon that occasion But his true end therein was to put them in a place of safety so as in ease he should be forced upon any occasion to retire these Ladies might not be exposed unto the insolencies of an unruly people as foreseeing all those artifices which the malice of his Enemies made use of to procure his Ruine These passages very much troubled the Leading Men of the Frondeurs and all the other Malecontents who saw their party decaying daily by the Residence of the Court which eclipsed all other Authority in Paris and by the agreement between the Prince and Cardinal and therefore they resolved by some extraordinary and suddain attempt to put things unto a hazard before the peoples mindes were wholly quieted and thereupon to take such resolutions as time and the condition of Affairs should suggest to them The Parliament had not in this mean time met since the first of April because all things being quieted by the Peace lately concluded there had been no occasion for their meeting The Great Chamber had ended several differences between the Partisans and their under-Farmers who refused to pay their Rents although it were the order both of the King and Parliament that they should do it In pursuance hereof the Partisans had caused several of the under-Farmers to be Imprisoned in the Town-house where they had been restrained for several days And upon this occasion the Partisans to procure payment of their Money met several times and in great numbers in the Town-house which caused some discourse amongst the people who were very much enclined to Tumults and Sedition The Chambre de Vacance upon the motion of the Procurator-General his Substitute prohibited all kind of Meetings upon any occasion whatsoever without order from the Magistrate The Partisans thought themselves injured by this Order and presently chose several Deputies persons of quality as Councellors and Advocates and Temporal Citizens amongst which were the President Charton the Councellor Iolly the Advocate Portait Monsieur de Constunes a Burgess of Paris and others who had Commission to endeavour the ending of this matter without
of a person who being resolved to sway the Council as he pleased was used to Hector all that did oppose him and threaten to retire from Court and set up for himself the particular affronts he had offered to the Queen and his insolent carriage towards the first Minister of State and the rest of the King's Servants But the difficulty of imprisoning a Prince who was grown so powerful consisted not so much in the seizing of his person as in being able to make it good considering the condition of Paris and the four Factions at Court which kept the Cardinal in great suspence though he were dayly much pressed unto it by the Dutchess of Cheuveuse All the Queens Faction was entirely for him that of the Duke of Orleans had been gained to him by the Dutchess of Cheuveuse by the apprehensions she gave unto his Highness of Condé's Greatness and the suspition he had of the Abbot della Riviere his being secretly a Pensioner to him besides other great promises made him by the Queen As for the Faction of the Frondeurs the Treaties with them were long and dubious as being on the one side grounded upon the mortal hatred which the Duke of Beaufort had publickly professed against the Cardinal and the loss of Reputation he was like to incur by contracting a friendship with him so as 't was probable he might thereby loose his Credit with the Parisians and so be scorned and laid aside by all parties And on the other side being eagerly prosecuted by Condé and upheld by the Court that they might more easily ruine them both there was a necessity not onely for him but also for the Coadjutor the President Charton and Monsieur de Brussels who were the Heads of the Frondeurs either to joyn with Condé or the Court to come off the danger which hung upon them of being thought Complices in the attempt against Condé to make friendship either with him or with the Cardinal And therefore although Condé seemed to be very much animated against them yet the Coadjutor prudently weighing all circumstances and being sensible that the ruine of the Prince of Condé would consequently draw along with it that of their own party it being much more feasible to ruine Condé when they had removed the Cardinal by joyning with him than to carry all things at Court after they had by joyning with the Cardinal destroyed Condé He therefore thought it fit to make an application to him before they joyned with Mazarine and to this purpose he together with Beaufort and the rest by means of some persons of Quality their Friends made all the Promises Submissions and Protestations possible unto the Prince to oblige him unto an Union with him and to take upon them the Protection of them representing to him that being Head of the Frondeurs would be a great increase unto his power and secure him against all attempts that could be made unto his prejudice They also made great protestations of their innocency assuring him The Crime imputed to them was but onely an invention of the Court to foment a difference between them that they might with the more ease ruine both parties But the Prince refusing to accept of any satisfaction answered with much contempt and fierceness That if they desired his friendship the Coadjutor and the Duke of Beaufort should do well to leave the Kingdom and he would then consider of the matter So as the Frondeurs seeing the Prince so violently bent against them resolved at last to joyn with the Court-party to protect themselves against those mischiefs which otherwise seemed unavoidable The Treaties therefore were continued with them which for the better concealing of the matter were secretly performed and therein amongst other things it was by the Coadjutor's means agreed That in regard the Duke Mercoeur had Estate enough by being Eldest Son and Heir unto the house of Vendosme and that the Duke Beaufort his young Brother was poor that therefore he should have the Place of Admiral and the 20000 Ducats pension which belonged to it according to the Agreement with the Duke of Vendosme besides which there was 3000 Doublons by way of advance delivered to him in lieu whereof the Heads of the Frondeurs Faction undertook to keep the people quiet and that the Parisians should not rise or make disturbance upon any occasion whatsoever The Factions of the Duke of Orleans and the Frondeurs being thus joyned with that of the Court against the Prince of Condé and his party it was an easie matter for the Duke of Beaufort to ingratiate himself with the Duke of Orleans who had a great affection for him as being his Nephew and assured him of his favour and protection the Duke of Beaufort promising his faithful and perpetual service which they did for their common Interest The Duke of Orleans thinking it very necessary to be supported by the Valour and Credit of Beaufort against the Court in case there were occasion upon the depressing of Condé and Beaufort thought himself by the Duke of Orleans his protection much more secure against the Plots and Traps laid as he said to circumvent him by the Cardinal with whom he was resolved he would by no means contract a Friendship In this secret Treaty the Marquiss of Bollay's return was agreed unto and a promise made that as soon as Condé was Imprisoned he should be declared innocent in Paris he being fled in a disguise to Flanders not without danger as being very narrowly searched after for what he had done the 11 th day of December before in the Morning But notwithstanding all these Treaties and Agreements the Commotions and Stirs at Paris still continued by reason of the Impeachments which were furiously prosecuted by the Prince of Condé and seemed to be supported by the Queens Authority being carried on by Mole the first President of Parliament a great friend to Condé against the Duke of Beaufort the Coadjutor and the other Heads of the Frondeurs with an intention to make use of this opportunity for destroying the whole party and because Beaufort was upon this occasion always accompanied with a great suit of Friends and Citizens for his defence and safety the Prince did therefore also fortifie himself with a numerous attendance of Friends and Gentlemen of several Provinces that were his Confidents some of which were maintained by him and the rest came as Voluntiers upon their own expences so as there was hardly any thing to be seen in Paris but Officers of the Army and other Cavaliers who professed they were come thither to serve the Prince and certainly had not Condé's Imprisonment which soon after hapned given a stop unto the matter great store of Blood must have been spilt considering the obstinacy of both parties Condé being resolved to drive the Duke of Beaufort out of Paris and therefore pressed to have the Witnesses examined that the Impeachment might be drawn up but the Duke of Orleans who had now
quitted the Prince was privately joyned with the Court by several excuses which he made for his not being able to attend the Parliament delayed the matter so as nothing could be resolved notwithstanding the Prince his earnest Solicitations for a dispatch and the Counsellor Broussel who was by Condé thought to be a person of great vertue being involved with the rest in the charge of the intended Assassinate he sent to the first President to blot his name out of the Impeachment as being fully satisfied that he was innocent but this though several times desired by the Prince was not performed because the first President was no great friend unto Broussel and was besides a creature to the Court and acting nothing but by their direction About this time though no ground appeared for it there was much talk of the Princes being to be committed such rumours being sometimes the forewarnings of the Divine Providence which watches over us but he relying upon the Abbot de la Riviere who had assured him that he would advertise him as soon as he had notice of any such intention against him and taking it for granted that neither the Duke of Orleans would conceal such a resolution from his Favourite nor the Cardinal dare to attempt it of himself without the Dukes concurrence slighted the matter to which he was the more encouraged by the extraordinary court and observance the Cardinal used towards him his Brother Conty and the Duke of Longueville which made him say the Cardinal had never been so much his friend as then he was And besides Condé confided much in Monsieur de Tilliere the Secretary of State a person of great Wit and Understanding who was most faithful to her Majesty and expressing a great friendship towards the Prince rendered him totally secure to as about four days before his Imprisonment the Prince having a hint given that there was something privately in hand against him went to the Secretary and with great confidence asked him if any such thing were and being assured by him that he had heard nothing of it rested entirely satisfied and secure thereby not considering that La Tilliere was by the duty of his place obliged not to disclose secrets of that kinde had he known it But notwithstanding the Princes of Condé and Conty and the Duke of Longueville had agreed amongst themselves not to be all at Court together and therefore onely one of them went to Council at a time that if any accident should happen to one of them the other two might with their countenance and party be assistant to him and the Cardinal on the other side bent all his endeavours to this that he might have them all at Court together because out of that place there was no possibility of arresting any of them The 18 th day of Ianuary being come the Council had notice given them to appear at four a clock in the Afternoon and it was given out that they were there to consider touching Costumes who was Citizen of Paris a very seditious person and one who was accused of having had a hand in the attempt against the Prince and forasmuch as the Examinations of the Prisoners brought from several other parts to Paris made no direct proof of any such designe 't was desired Costunes should be taken into custody upon whose Examination it was believed the whole matter might be discovered and such as were indeed guilty of the Fact might be convicted The Queen and Cardinal were not wanting on their parts to perswade the Prince to a belief of this by all shews of a sincere affection to and correspondence with his Interest and to this purpose told him They were informed Castures lay concealed in a house neer the Horse-market behinde the Palais Cardinal and that 't was therefore fit to seize him presently but to prevent all stir or rising of the people who were much inclined to the Frondeurs and Enemies unto the Prince and Cardinal it would be well to have the King's Troop of Guards mounted and disposed in such places as might be most convenient for that purpose And the Cardinal pretending that in case he gave the Orders it would make the matter to be more suspected desired the Prince to give command that the Troop should take Horse and be disposed in such places as he thought fit Whereupon the Prince himself by Monsieur de Lion sent Orders to the Marshal Schaubargh for the doing of it which was accordingly performed and so far was he blinded by his Passion that without ever reflecting upon the Artifices of the Court he did himself by this means contribute towards his own imprisonment The Prince of Condé was not onely desired to be at this Council but the Prince of Conty and Duke of Longueville were also there upon the occasion hereafter mentioned and the Duke of Orleans having by the Queens consent excused himself from coming thither that he might being abroad be the better able to act any thing that might be necessary towards compleating the designe in hand Condé was much disgusted at it as believing the Duke had an intention to decline his Interest but he took order that the Abbot della Riviere should assist there in his stead And because you have before heard that there was no designe of arresting the Duke of Longueville together with the Prince of Condé it is necessary to let you know how that resolution was altered by acquainting you with this following digression The Duke of Longueville being as you have heard offended at Richlieu's marriage promised the Queen and the Cardinal that he would absolutely espouse their Interests and the service of his Majesty against all persons whatsoever not excepting the Prince of Condé himself who having got some inkling of this Agreement went the next day unto the Duke and shutting himself up alone with him in a Closet wrought so upon him by his perswasions wherein he was most excellently dextrous that he drew from the Duke a promise like to that he had before made to the Queen and an assurance that he would never forsake but live and die with the Prince without any expectation or reservation whatsoever The Prince was wonderfully satisfied with this Agreement and being apt to communicate his thoughts acquainted the Duke of Rohan Chabot therewith who discovered the whole matter to the Cardinal and he thereupon resolved to imprison Longueville together with the Prince as a person who did not in his actions deal so sincerely with the Court as he professed The Duke was by some friends advertised that the Cardinal had gotten notice of what had passed between him and the Prince and thereupon went to excuse himself professing That he was induced unto it by the assurance the Prince gave him of his being strictly united with the Queen and with his Emmence The Cardinal seemed to be very well satisfied though he was not with the excuse and fell to treat of other matters which were the Duke
went in August near to Montronde where he continued for a month still defying the Garrison though it were more numerous than his men but as he returned to his Camp with but only 30. Horse he fell into an Ambuscado of the Enemies who shot at him with Muskets and Pistols wherewith he was wounded in the hand and had his face burnt yet throwing himself fiercely amongst the Enemy he forced them to fly without loss of any one of his men and having slain some of the Enemy with his own hands he returned to his Quarters and was no sooner healed but being advertised by Cavalliere Barada that a party of the Enemies were in the Castle of Garghelissa he presently got on Horseback accompanied by 300. of those of Tsouldon and set upon Garghelissa where the Enemy wanting all things particularly water they yielded the 2d day Eighteen Officers remaining Prisoners and above 150. common Souldiers A Trumpet came in the interim to Paris on the beginning of September with Letters sent from the Archduke to the Duke of Orleans wherein boasting of his good intentions to a general place he invited him to accept of the offer The Duke listned to what the Trumpeter said and he being also desirous of peace sent the Baron of Verderonne Gentleman of his Bedchamber with a gracious answer shewing a reciprocal good will which was not altogether well approved by all men as misbecoming the respect due to the King without whose consent no treaty ought to have been held with the Enemy and the Duke after this having sent a Messenger to Court to crave leave that he might apply himself to the Treaty the King's servants observed that he had ingaged himself further than he ought to have done Yet to keep from irritating the people more who already complain'd that no means was used to make peace and also not to distaste the Duke totally Commission was sent him to Treat but with some others join'd with him It was thought that these projects of the Spaniards tended to two ends the one to increase the peoples hatred yet more against the Cardinal the other to win the good will of the people who were opprest with continual grievances and by insolencies of War And in earnest by this cunning things were reduced to that condition as the Archdukes name was publickly cried up in Paris and he as well as the Spaniards were said to have deserved well of the Parisians nay singing Songs and eucomiums in praise of the Archduke they called him a good Frondeur But the Archduke knew not how to make use of the Parisians applause as he ought to have done for having so far ingaged himself in the aforesaid offers and his after proceedings not corresponding with his beginning it was thought he did not mean sincerely and that he did not really desire peace so much as he seemed to do On the other side the Duke of Orleans imbarqued therein incited by vain glory thinking to win the peoples applause by so good a work he sent Messengers continually to Court the Officers whereof spying into the Spaniards deep designs laughed at the vanity of the business which being built in the Air vanisht soon away in smoak The Count de Avaux knowing how much his power in Court was lessened and thinking how to regain it grew in love with these Treaties and intending to be the guider thereof so to win credit with the people he went with the Pope's Nuntio to Soisouns to confer with the Spanish Commissioners but he found none there for the Archduke as was appointed nay Don Gabrielle di Tolledo at his return to Paris said that Orders were first to be expected from Spain contradicting plainly what the Archduke had said who affirmed that he was Plenipotentiary to conclude all things But the Prince of Conde's Friends finding that the Parisians were pleased with nothing more than with this whisper of peace framed some Libels in the name of Marishal Turenne though he knew nothing of it and on the 4 th of September they were found fastned upon all the Corners of the Streets and the people ran to read them with such delight as the Duke of Orleans striving to have them pul'd down the people did oppose it with so much heat as two men were upon that occasion kil'd The Contents of these Libels were verbatim as followeth The Marishal of TURENNE to the good Citizens of PARIS IF Cardinal Mazarine who is the disturber of publick Tranquillity had not refused to make the most advantagious peace three years since that France could desire the Kingdom would not have been troubled with so many commotions as hath cost it so much blood and Treasure and you should not now grieve to see the fire which is preparing to consume so many fair Provinces unless you extinguish it The Archduke who might justly make advantage of the disorders of France and of the Confusion whereinto it is put by the wickedness of some particular men who prefer their own particular interest before the peace of Christendome comes to your Gates to offer you that peace which till now the Cardinal Mazarine hath hindred This design appears to me to be so generous and so good for the publick as it is fitting to follow it Friends you are invited to receive it he himself presents you with it it now depends upon you Lassure you the intentions of this Prince are sincere his offering to Treat with his Royal Highness and with the Parliament the moderation which he will use during the whole course of this Negotiation will justifie to all Europe his intentions to make it peaceful he tells you that the disloyalty of Cardinal Mazarine which is better known by strangers than by you hath made his Catholick Majesty resolve not to accept of any proposals made by him but to make use of his absence to Treat thereof with the Duke of Orleans and with the Parliament of Paris who are bound to be accountable to the King and to the State of the publick conduct of affairs and of the disorders which the continuance of War will occasion It is you that must solicit your false Tribunes who are become Mazarine's Pensioners and Protectors who have long laughed at you who have sometimes excited you sometimes allured sometimes cooled you sometimes held you back according to their Capricioes and different progress of their ambitions from preferring the publick interest and the general good to the welfare of this States-man whom afterwards when he hath paid them for their friendship they exalt unto the Heavens notwithstanding the continuance of this War The Archduke comes with a spirit of peace intending to facilitate the conclusion of a Treaty so necessary for the two Crowns but he protests that as he will leave nothing undone to effect so noble and so glorious a design to Christendome so he will imploy the Army which he commands to revenge his Catholick Majesty in case these just and reasonable conditions to which he
daily greater answered that he would follow his Counsel but that he must first end two things which were to drive the Cardinal out of Administration of Government and to set the Princes at liberty and that then he would betake himself quietly to his book The Cardinal afterwards thinking himself obliged to put some esteem upon those who had signalized themselves in the late Battle made the King bestow the Marishal staff of France upon Villaquiere who was afterwards called Marishal d' Aumount upon la Ferte Imbault called the Marishal d' Estampes and upon the Marquesses of Oquincourt and of Ferte Senatre the one Governour of Peroun the other of Lorrain He gave the Government of La Fera intending him further honours and he consolated all the rest with hopes and promises he had also promised Count Grance to make him Marishal of France but the Duke of Orleans who growing jealous of the fame which the Cardinal had acquired by so many conquests and seeing that in the Election of the four Marishals there was none chosen that depended upon him but Estampes and that he could not get him to have the first place in precedency though he were the antientest servant opposed Grance his Election So as the Cardinal not thinking it fit to exasperate the Duke any longer hoping to bring him over afterward upon better reasons to his designs he forbore conferring that honour upon Grance who not well contented with the denial of what his so long service had deserved retreated to his Government of Graveling and by causing jealousies afterward in the Court he made Orleans suffer the intended honour to be confer'd upon him Thus every one rejoycing at the Cardinals prosperity either really or in appearance according as they shared therein others were so full of fears and emulation as not governing themselves by what was just or reasonable they fell upon all destructive Resolutions The imprisoned Princes Friends who labor'd their freedom when the Cardinal was absent finding how generally it was desired got the Princess of Conde and Madamoselle de Longueville to present each of them a Petition to the Parliament to move them to protect the Princes and to interest them in their dis-inprisonment The Petition being delivered in the Princess of Conde's name on the first of November by Monsieur Deslandes Payer a Councellor it was read the next day in the Parliament After a Narrative of what had been done touching the imprisonment of the Princes it contained that in conformity to the Laws of the Kingdom and answerable to the Declaration of the 24 th of October 1648. Process might be made and expedited against the Princes and that in the mean time they might be brought to Paris and placed in the Loâ—re with such guards upon them as should be thought fit The prime President said it was a business which would suffer much discussion and moved that it might be put off till the next week so it was put off till the next Wednesday on which day Monsieur Talon strove with a pithy Oration to inform the Assembly that the Declaration of the twenty eighth of October could not derogate from the Regal Authority the Kings Council being concerned in the Princes their affairs that therefore the said Petition should be transmitted to the Queen Regent desiring her to reflect upon it and use therein her accustomed goodness and clemency Monsieur Crespine Dean of the Parliament presented the other Petition of Madamoselle Longueville which concerned the same business desiring that they might be placed in L' Hostell de Soissouns in Paris where she might render the Duke her Father the service and assistance to which she was by birth and nature bound This Petition was not well read when Monsieur de la Roche Captain of the Prince of Conde's Guard came to the Parliament door demanding to be let in for he had a Letter to present from the three imprisoned Princes which he was commanded to deliver to the whole Assembly when he came in the Letter was read which contained the same things as did the Petitions presented by the two Ladies The Letter was written by the Prince of Conde's own hand and subscribed by the other two dated from Cudbouille the 19 th of November after that Teloune had replied that the Letter and the supplications ought to be sent to the Queen the Assembly rose adjourning their meeting till the next Friday Then the Princes their Friends represented to the Duke of Orleans how that it was a strange thing to keep the Princes of the blood in Haure de Grace an unwholesom place scituated in the Sea where they were continually in danger to die To which he answered that they were sent thither against his will and that they ought to be removed from thence The Parliament meeting on Friday to resolve upon these supplications Monsieur de Saintote came with a Letter from the King wherein he commanded the Parliament not to resolve upon any thing till they should know his will this was readily obeyed to which purpose the first President and one other President four Counsellors of Le grande Chambre and two of every Chamber of Inquests met the next morning These Commissioners being brought into the Queens Chamber who for some indisposition of health kept her bed her Majesty told them that by reason of her being ill she could not say much to them but made the Lord Keeper tell them that they should not meet any more upon any whatsoever occasion till she were better for she was resolved as soon as she should be well to take order for all things and to give them all satisfaction That as for the business of the Princes it was of high consequence and that before she could resolve any thing therein she must advise with her Council and with the Duke of Orleans which she could not now do by reason of her sickness when the Commissioners made this report to the Assembly they agreed all in putting off the business but they differed in the time some would have it for eight days some for four but four days was resolved upon Monsieur Crespine moved that publick prayers and procession might be made for the Queens health but was not seconded by above 10. or 12. voices all the rest being exasperated against her for upholding the Cardinal At the next meeting the King sent them another Letter charging them again not to meet as concerning the business of the Princes for that his Majesty would shortly take order therein But the Assembly continued and in contempt of the Kings Commands began to treat of the Princes concernments they read the Petitions of the two Princesses and the Princes Letter several motions being made it was resolved to send Douyat and Maynardau to desire the Duke of Orleans to come to the Parliament for Naiau said the business was such as he could not speak his opinion but in the Dukes presence Thus the Assembly was adjourned till the
Friends put forth a Declaration wherein the Prince promised to second the Duke of Orleans in making the Coadjutor Cardinal All these acts were by Croisy and Camertine intimate friends to the Coadjutor carried to the Duke of Orleans who underwrit two copies without reading them nor knew he what the contents were more than what the Coadjutor was pleased to acquaint him with Without whose suggestion doubtlesly Orleans intended no ill to the Cardinal nor would the Princes friends have demanded more than the Prince his liberty which when it should have been had the Parliament would not have prest for keeping the Cardinal from Court These writings being afterwards carried to the Princess Palatine and to the Duke of Nemeurs to be subscribed by them they agreed that they should remain with Croisy who was to deliver them to the Duke of Orleans or to Conde when he should be at liberty Incouraged by these Treaties the Frondeurs began to solicit the Princes liberties which made the Cardinal aware ere long of Orleans his alienation from him not so much out of any coolness that he found in him as for the bad speeches which many of his Court used concerning him but he was not yet fully inform'd of the secret plots that were a weaving against him and it was strange that so many days being spent in these Treaties he got no perfect notice of them they were too far advanc't before he perceived them so as after having imploi'd many persons in Messages and Proposals he at last offer'd in the presence of both King and Queen to be reconciled but this was rather in appearance than real but though Orleans forbore not the Cardinals Conversation and Dined sometimes with him yet after he had underwritten the aforesaid Treaties he could not so well dissemble as not to discover his inward mind The Cardinal who was not to be parallel'd for wariness finding this and knowing that there could be nothing but the ill impressions suggested by the Frondeurs and of his other Enemies speaking thereof with the Queen in her Chamber on the Twenty sixth of Ianuary at night told her that her Majesty must warily observe the proceedings of Parliament where it might be there were Fairfaxes and Cromwells The Duke who minded nothing but how to execute the Coadjutors suggestions thought the pretence fit to give fire to the Mine so as the Parliament being met on the first of February to think of the fittest means how to get the Princes out of Prison being perswaded that the Court did not desire it and that the Kings promise was only to gain time the Coadjutor being now sure to be assisted by Orleans unmasked himself and spoke more freely than before he shewed how necessary it was to get the Princes liberty as soon as might be and that he had order from the Duke to assure them that this was his opinion which he would imploy all his power to effect The Counsellors wonder'd much to hear this for believing hitherto that the Duke stood well with the Queen they could not discern whence this alteration should proceed Beaufort ratified what the Coadjutor had said and declared that he was of the same mind nothing was resolved upon that day for the Members being astonished at the novelty adjourn'd till the next day and the Coadjutor going to acquaint Orleans how well the Parliament was pleased with what he had told them in his name made him the more inamored with their applause and established him more firmly in the Resolution which he had taken Monsieur Tillier going at that instant to know from the Duke whether what the Coadjutor had said in Parliament was by his Highness permission or no or done barely by the Coadjutors self answered somewhat angrily that what the Coadjutor had said was done by his desire and that he should always approve of what he should say or do The whole Court was much surprised with this answer and made them resolve to send to Treat with the Princes touching their liberty The next day the Duke of Orleans moved thereunto by the Coadjutor sent for the Lord Keeper for Marishal Villeroy and for the Secretary of State Tillier and bad them tell the Queen in his name That he would never come to Court nor sit in Council as long as the Cardinal was there and said further to Villeroy That as Lieutenant General of the State he assigned over the keeping of the King's person unto him which his head should be answerable for On Friday the third of February having with yet greater energie by order from Orleans repeated his opinion touching the Princes liberty told the Assembly how the Cardinal had told the Queen in presence of the King that there were Fairfaxes and Cromwells in the Parliament that it was to be feared that their intentions were to suppress Regal Authority according to the example of England That the Duke not able to tolerate so great a Calumny had assured the King that it was altogether false and that there was none but faithful servants to his Majesty either in the Parliament or City whereof he would become surety both in general and in particular and that the Duke had told the Cardinals self that he was a wicked man and worthy to be reprehended for instilling such ill opinions into a young King against his affectionate Subjects by whom his Majesty was generally loved their hatred extending only to the Cardinal whom they knew to be the only cause of the Kingdoms ruine And that upon this the Duke had sent the day before for the aforesaid Lords and had wisht them to tell the Queen that he would come no more to Court whilst the Cardinal was there At the names of Cromwell and Fairfax they were all highly scandalized insomuch as three propositions were made against the Cardinal the first that he should be made Prisoner the second and this was made by President Viola who was more incens'd against him than all the rest that he should be sent for to the Parliament to give an account of his Administration and for the words which he had said to the dishonour of the French Nation Here the first President interrupted him saying he was too hasty and after some contest between him and Coulin who spoke impertinently against the Cardinal the third proposal was made which was humbly to desire the Queen that he might be sent from Court the meanwhile the Coadjutor's friends having divulged throughout the City the aforesaid words spoken by the Cardinal of Cromwell and Fairfax the male-contents resented it and said they were injured for the French do not only love but even idolatrize their King so as in a moment the whole City which was quiet before grew mutinous the people running up and down the Streets yea even in the Palace it self crying out Let the King live and let Mazarine dye The Queen sent the next day to the Duke of Orleans to know whether he would be content or no that
removed by the removing the cause some others of the Cardinals Domesticks taking offence at the strange proceeding of the Frondeurs and Male-contents said That he was to maintain himself by force and to asswage the tumor before it did more insistolize these said That the King was absolute Master and that the Subjects were to renounce not to censure the Kings actions that all the strong holds Soldiers Subjects and greatest part of the Nobles were for the King Wherefore they ought not to foregoe the Resolutions of suppressing of some ambitious Spirits who were incouraged only by the popular breath of Paris which being a populous City was subject to the fatality of wavering according to the fury of the rabble rout That the strength of the Duke of Orleans of the Frondeurs Parliament and people lay only in their opinion of the Courts weakness which the more reservedly it proceeded against them it made them the prouder and made one contumacious act a ladder whereby to climb up to greater so as to be feared they must appear not to fear that the people seeing a Masculine resolution put on would rather think of saving themselves than of precipitating themselves into a party which was not able to sustain them That the friends of the imprisoned Princes fearing that their lives might be indangered would forbear those attempts which might force the Court to use violence that friends would be incouraged and that it being in the Kings power to bestow all places and honours the desire of merit would prevail more with most men than the unquiet party That therefore they must be no longer in resolving for slow resolutions in such cases shewed weakness and fear which was the only reason of the rashness of the seditious nor did they forbear to say that absolute power might be used upon the Parliament Commissioners yea even to life if their associates should transgress the bounds of duty The Cardinal thought this advice was not to be contemned and had he accepted it it might peradventure have done the deed but the Cardinal though he wanted neither courage nor wit to have done it answered that since the business concerned only himself he would not ingage the Kings Authority in his defence against a Nation to which he intended glory and advantage not misery and troubles being confident that the Duke of Orleans the Parliament and people would at last clearly discern the cunning of those that were Enemies to quiet and that when this cloud should be once over the innocency of his actions would in time appear more clearly he therefore did only feel the pulse of the Provost de Merchants of the Sheriffs Field-Officers and Colonels and finding them readier to obey Orleans than the King he resolved to yield to the Popular violence believing that like an high going Sea it would grow calm when the winds should cease Nor would he indeavour to carry the King and Court out of Paris as well for that it would be very hard to do by reason of the strict guards that were kept in all the Streets as also that the Court being gone that powerful City would rest at the disposal of his Enemies which was the thing they would be at Being thus resolved to be gone he acquainted the Queen with it saying That if the Duke of Orleans and the Parliament would be satisfied with this things would go well the loss of his person not being to be considered if thereby the publick peace might be purchased But that if no good should accrue by his absence her Majesty might then believe there were some conceal'd plots against her service that she should therefore in such a case keep conceal'd and indeavour by all means to get the King out of Paris and that she should not by any means suffer her self to be perswaded to set the Princes at liberty for when he should be gone and that pretences should not thereby cease they were not to be set at liberty unless upon such conditions as that they should owe the Obligation only to the King's goodness and to no body besides He caused a Letter to be sent to La Bar subscribed by the Queens own hand with order to obey what she should command and to set the Princes at liberty if agreement were made with them or else to detain them till they might in time be set free with more safety things being thus setled he left the Abbate Vndedey with the Queen to have a care of what should occur and in the Evening upon the sixth of February he called for Count Brienne the first Secretary and acquainted him with his Resolution of being gone recommending the Kings interest unto him whose Authority he said was several ways plotted against and without more ado went down stairs got on Horse back and accompanied by only three went by the Rue St. Honore toward the gate de Conferance but hearing that many were run before to the Twilleries where Madamoselle d' Orleans then was for they had had some inckling of his departure he turned about and went by Porte Richelieu and got into the Fields where many of his friends waited for him he went towards St. Germans accompanied by the Counts of Harcourt and Palaw by the Marquesses of Ronserolles Brevall Plessis Belliere by Baron Camilliack and by many others of good condition who in all might make about four hundred Horse He staid at St. Germans and sent speedily to Monsieur Lyon who was gone before to Haure de Grace to negociate with the Princes to know what their intentions were touching agreements and to know of La Bar if coming thither with orders from the Regent he should be received and obey'd But Lyons negotiation proved imperfect by reason of the novelties which had hapned at Paris by which the Queen was compell'd to send orders for their Releasement without any manner of conditions She also sent Count Broglio to Tillier with a Letter acquainting him that the Council stood firm to their resolution of not setting the Princes at liberty till that acknowledging their obligation only from her they might have no occasion to reconcile themselves with the Frondeurs but neither did this hit for one of the Lords of the Privy Council acquainted Chasteauneuf that the Cardinal had conceal'd that the Princes should be set at liberty by none but him This man though he were then an open Enemy to Conde did notwithstanding consent to his liberty so to sweeten him and to let him see that he had forgot all former injuries wherefore it being given out that Mazarine was gone to free the Princes their Enemies fell to consider what prejudice might redound to them if Conde should come out meerly by means of the Cardinal wherefore that they might prevent him they began with great ardor to procure his liberty And Chasteauneuf caused President Perault a great friend of Conde's to be let loose out of the Bastile without order from the Queen but howsoever the Cardinal
went to Haure de Grace with firm intention either to agree all things with the Princes or else to keep them still in Prison and here he was aware of the falsehood of many who appeared to be his friends and how he had done ill in not making their Majesties go from Paris before he went away When it was known for certain that he was gone many friends of his went after him causing a noise in the Streets which began in Madamoselles House whose Servants going out armed into the Streets stopt all passengers as well Gentlemen as others whom the common people carried before her and she making them be detained Prisoners gave order with a man-like readiness that all passages should be blockt up suspecting that the King and Queen would also be gone One of those that were stopt was Monsieur d' Estardes the Governour of Dunkirk a man of great loyalty towards the King who was soon released by the Duke of Orleans the noise of their Majesties departure still continuing they suddenly took up arms Beaufort Count Tavannes Monsieur di Chambois and a great many other Gentlemen got on Horse back and ran in hast about the Palace-Royal and the aim of some of the most seditious being to take the King from the Queen and carry him to Pallazzo della litta the City Town house They made it be given out that the Queen was about to go out of Paris and to carry the King along with her which made the people so jealous as being stark mad they armed all the ends of the Streets which led to the Palace-Royal making also some Baracadoes and this rumour being in a moment spred throughout all Paris the commotion was great and the Frondeurs manifested their hatred against the Cardinal with unheard of noise more than before The next morning every one being surprised with this the Cardinals so unexpected departure the Parliament met and ordered that humble thanks should be returned to the Queen and that she should be again desired to give order for the Princes liberty and hereunto they added a desire that she would make a Declaration whereby all Forrainers should for the future be excluded from the Kings Counsel and all those of the Nation who had taken any Oath to any other Prince than the King After Dinner the Queen sent the Guard de Seaux Marishal Villeroy and Secretary Tillier to intreat the Duke of Orleans to come to Council but he by the Coadjutor's Council refused to come saying he could not do it with safety till the Princes were at liberty the Queen did again under her own hand-writing desire him to come but he stood firm upon the negative replying that he would not come till according to his word the Princes were set at liberty and that there was no safety for him there till the Cardinal were gone further off nor could he be induced to please the Queen though those Lords offer'd themselves to remain Hostages if he doubted the safety of his person The Parliament Commissioners came to her Majesty to thank her for the Cardinals departure and to desire her that she would send away her Letters to Haure de Grace to which she answered that she was fully resolved to take all necessary order for the Princes freedom but that shemust first speak with the Duke of Orleans for there were some particulars concerning their imprisonment which were not to be communicated to all That she had offer'd to go to L' Hostelle d' Orleans or to any neutral place as to the Queen of England's Court if the Duke would speak with her touching this affair not thinking that he would refuse to come and take his place in Council after she had satisfied him in the Cardinals departure that if Orleans refused to communicate his opinion to her she should be obliged to call the great ones of the Kingdom together to advise with them of what was to be done and that she could say no more till she had assembled her Council The next day the Parliament met where the first President reported what the Queen had said whereupon Orleans said It was not at all necessary that he should go to the Court to speak his opinion for he would never say but what he had already often said and which he did now again affirm that he was ready to set his hand to the releasing of the Princes and to the sending of the Cardinal out of the Kingdom That the Queen jested when she said that she had sent him away for she had only made him change his habitation going from her Palace at Paris to that of St. Germans where he still plaid the part of chief Minister of State writ Letters gave Council and had ordered imployment as well since he was gone as he did before that when the Princes were imprisoned their Mothers Children Kindred Friends and all that depended on them were sent out of Paris But when the Cardinal was sent away with a report that he was not to return yet his Nephew Mancini and his Nieces staid still at Court and complained to the King of their Uncles departure whence it was easily to be perceived that the Queen had not suffered him to depart but that she intended he should return and that she dream't of nothing less than of the Princes liberty This being said the decree was almost resolved upon which was made the next day Several opinions being given many were for the issuing out of a Decree against the Cardinal his Fautorers and Adherents and against all those that were gone out with him But Orleans said there was no reason to punish his friends for accompanying him since they had therein behaved themselves honourably others moved to set a brand upon his house by declaring him a Perturber of the publick peace Monsieur Landes Payen said a man could not serve two Masters reflecting upon some of the Members who seemed to be for the Parliament and yet served the Court he added that all Cardinals should be forbidden all imployments in State-affairs as those who by their Dignities are sworn to serve the Pope and by being State-Ministers are sworn to serve the King that they could not serve the one without being false unto the other there were some who spoke against having any more Favorites in France to which the Duke of Orleans reply'd we are all of us the Kings Subjects and though I be in a very eminent degree yet I am one as all you are we must not give Laws to our Soveraigns nor force their inclinations by inhibiting them to love one Subject more than another it were I must confess said he to be desired that Kings would never have any Favorite but they are not to forbid it At last the Duke not thinking it sit to make such hast his opinion prevailed and it was decreed that their Majesties should be desired to give order for the disimprisonment of the Princes and that they should declare their intentions
condition with him went Monsieur de Comminges to complement the Princes on the Queens behalf the Duke of Rochfaucolt and Monsieur Arnault to do the like on the behalf of the Duke and Dutchess of Orleans President Viola in name of the Parliament and Monsieur Champlastrux as a servant and friend of Conde's to the people great satisfaction Orleans according to his word given to the Queen the day before went to visit the Queen with whom some usual complements being past he staid not long The Cardinal being come this mean while to Haure de Grace was met two leagues on the way by Monsieur Lyon by whom he was informed of what he had done before his entry he sent the Horse that did accompany him to Harfleur and he came in with only his Guard and family He was welcomed with the going off of all the Guns and by all the Inhabitants in their Arms from the gate to the Citadell at the entrance whereof he was met by Marishal Grammont and Monsieur Bar who knowing now that he could not detain the Princes any longer resolved to be himself the first that should acquaint the Princes with their liberty Then the Cardinal after some short consultation had with Grammont Lyon Goulas and Bar went into the Princes lodgings and addressing himself with a chearful countenance to the Prince said thus I bring your Highness orders from the Queen for your own liberty the liberty of your Brother and Brother in law freely without any condition yet her Majesty desires you to love the State the King her and also me which being said he bowed affectionately towards him not forgetting his degree The Prince with a gladsome but Majestical countenance answered I am obliged to her Majesty for Justice I will serve the King the Queen and imbracing the Cardinal and you also said he The Cardinal reply'd The Gates are open I beseech you go presently forth The Prince of County and Duke Longueville would have gone out immediately But Conde seeming to be in no hast call'd for Dinner and so without any manner of Ceremony the three Princes the Cardinal Grammont Paluau Lyon and Goulas set down at the Table and did eat with the same Domestickness â—s if they had always been good friends Dinner being ended whilst order was taking for their departure some discourse past apart between the Prince and Cardinal which what it was is not known from the Chamber they came into the Court-yard where they got into Grammont's Coach Lyon staying behind to receive orders from the Cardinal touching what the Queen was to do in his concernments Conde was the last that stept into the Coach whom when the Cardinal bad farewell he not answering any thing neither by action nor word bad the Coachman drive on The Cardinal wondred much not finding this answerable to the civilities he had received in the Chamber and found what he was to trust to from him who had shewed such inconstancy in so short a time he was notwithstanding comforted to think that if this mutability should continue they might also alter their minds who were his Enemies and might rely more upon him as indeed many did as shall in due time be said The Princes lay that night at Gromeny four leagues from Haure whither that very night came Rochfaucolt Vrliere Viola and Arnault who knew not as yet that they were delivered They sup'd altogether Coâ—de jested sometime with one sometimes with another of them very merrily according to his custom mingling mirth with seriousness in his discourse He writ from thence to Monsieur Croisy to assure the Duke of Orleans that he was not entred into any Treaty with the Court and that he ought all his obligation to him desiring to know how he was to behave himself when he should be at Paris touching his presenting himself first to the Queen or to the Duke from whom he did acknowledg all his obligation Croisy did as he was desired and talked of the rest with the Coadjutor who found as a medium that Orleans should meet the Prince and carry him to the Queen They went the next day from Gromeny to Roan where they prest the Parliament to make the same decree against the Cardinal as the Parliament of Paris had done saying That they were charged so to do by the Duke of Orleans From Roan they came to Magny and so to Pontoise where they found many of the Court Coaches ready to receive them and it being divulged amongst the people that Conde had bound himself to renew his friendship with the Cardinal the opinion vanish't in a moment when they heard from the Prince his own mouth how small account he had made of him and of the conditions which he had offered him As they came to St. Denis Monsieur de Guiraut complemented them from the Queen and from that Town to Paris the whole fields were covered with Coaches Horses and with a multitude of people with extraordinary applause and Jubilee Orleans Beaufort the Coadjutor and all the other great ones met them at the Croix Penchant where lighting out of their Coaches they complemented them The Prince at the entring of Fort St. Denis caused his Coach to stay and gave the Soldiers fifty Pistolets from thence they went to the Palace-Royal paid their respects to the King and Queen thanked them for their liberty and tarried with them about a quarter of an hour discoursing of things indifferent They then went to visit the Duke of Nemeurs who was sick and so went to L' Hostelle de Orleans where they were expected at Supper divers Princes and Cavaliers sat down with them where in their Cups they forbare not to speak dispitefully against the Cardinal the Prince drunk the Duke of Orlean's health and a fig for the Cardinal they all pledg'd it in the same terms except Grammont and Arville who drunk Orleans his health but would not say those other words touching the Cardinal After Supper Conde went to visit the Princess Palatine professing much obligation to her â—or what she had done for him the next day being the 17 th of February they went to Parliament to witness their acknowledgments where they were brought in by Orleans with great Retinue and applause professing their obligations to their Majesties to his Highness and to the Parliament professing also that they would always serve the King and would be governed by the Parliament The first President after having declared how well the Parliament was pleased with their liberty spoke much in praise of the Prince shewing what prejudice had been suffered by his detention and here some desired that a declaration might be made of his innocency and of all theirs that had adhered to him But to return to the affairs of Normandy those who were of the Prince his party were not a little troubled at the news that was given out that the Cardinal was gone to Haure to secure himself yet better and that the Queen sought all means to
Remonstrance was much spoken against But these discourses had no foundation and were totally false for who knew not that France did never flourish more than when Governed by Richelieu and Mazarine These proposals were known to be mere invectives and calumnies so as though the Decree past it was never executed only a notable Decree succeeded thereupon as you shall hear hereafter against Mazarine who by the delay of Pasports which were expected from Flanders was forced to tarry in France so as the Queen was forced by reason of the noise that was made in Parliament to send Billinghau and Ravigny with new Letters to him to make hast out of the Kingdom The Cardinal's friends and well-wishers were so incensed with this the Cardinals so unlooked for departure and by his being so sorely persecuted as many of them did readily offer him their best assistance to make head against his Enemies amongst which Marishal de Hochencourt Governour of Peroun Count Navailes Governour of Beaupames and Count Broglia Governour of la Bassea did all of them offer him their strong holds and therewith their lives And Monsieur de Bar Governour of Dorlans Monsieur Mondedieu Governour of Rue Monsieur de Faber Governour of Sedam Monsieur de Montigue Governour of Rocroy and Monsieur Rale Governor of Retel and others that were well affected to him offered to raise 10000. fighting men and by means of those chief Forts to defend him in despite of his Enemies which might have been done but not without much prejudice to all France for all assistance might have been expected from Spain as was already offered the Spaniards profering the Cardinal 100000. Crowns a year and to reimburse to him whatsoever he should lose in France in all his moveables and Revenues but the Cardinal did generously declare in publick that he would rather be a wanderer in the world than be at any time so much as in thought occasion of any prejudice to that Crown to which he ought all his fortune and knowing what danger their Majesties and all his friends would run if he tarried longer in France he observed the orders exactly which he had received by these Gentlemen and went presently from Dorlans to Peroun and then went with his Nephews who were there to la Fera and from la Fera to Retel from whence he sent Count Angusshiola of Parma to desire Major General Rosse to come and conduct him on his way but he excused it and sent only 300. of his German Horse from Rethel the Cardinal intended to go to Bovillion a neighbouring place out of France in the Countrey of Leige belonging to the Elector of Collen But the Governor was not able to receive him without orders from his Master he therefore went to Balduck intending to go for Alsatia and as he was going to Nancy a Messenger came to him from the Elector with ample offers not only of Bovillion but of his whole State wherefore he altered his mind and went to Cleremont attended and defrai'd by the Marishal Ferte Senetre who being his faithful friend met him upon the way When he was at Cleremont two of the Prince of Conde's Gentlemen came with order from the King to the Marishal to deliver up that place to them to which he answered that he very well knew that those Commissions were extorted by violence from his Majesty wherefore he would not surrender the Fort unless he were commanded by the Cardinal who had given it him in custody The Cardinal who was present wisht him to obey the Kings commands which he did From Cleremont he went to Sedam where he would have staid had he not received orders again from the Queen to be gon speedily out of the Kingdom which he at last did Many thought it was not politickly done to send so chief a Minister of State who was so well inform'd of all the affairs and secret interests of the Kingdom out of France and that the Crown might receive much prejudice thereby Wherefore the Queen indeavoured by the Princess Palatines means to acquaint the Princes with the importancy thereof and that she would wish them to permit that some safe place might be appointed to the Cardinal to live in in some corner of the Kingdom but they would not be perswaded thereunto The Cardinal being in Bovillion and not able to pass any further without a Pasport from the Spaniards he would not demand one from the Archduke without the Queens leave who willingly granted it he therefore sent Monsieur Baiseman Lieutenant of his Guard to desire Count Fuenseldaglia to procure him one from the Archduke which being readily granted and also another from the Duke of Lorrain he was conducted by Don Antonio Pimontell with a Regiment of Croats from Bovillion to Rochfort a Castle held by the Lorrainers from whence he went to Huy a City in Leige and to Leige it self where he was met by the Governour and by all the Inhabitants in Arms with the going off of Guns and other demonstrations of respect He lay that night in a Village two leagues off and then went to Aquisgrave where he was visited and complemented by Seignior Chigi the Pope's Nuncio and by the Lansgrave of Darmestate who were both afterwards Cardinals from Aquisgrave he went to Iuliers where he was received with as much honour as if he had been the Archduke being thrice saluted with all the Guns From Iuliers he went to Chempen a place belonging to the Dutchess of Chevereux where he staid and refreshed himself and from Chempen he came to Brales whither the Prince Palatine sent Count Fustenberg to Treat him like a Cardinal he was lodged in the Electoral Palace well provided of all things and two days after the Elector came to Bona to visit him as did all the chief men of Cullonia and of the whole Country and particularly Prince Francis of Lorrain Bishop of Verdune and Brother to Duke Charles The Cardinal went afterwards to Bona to return the Electors visit where he staid one night and was sumptuously treated he received Letters from all the Princes of Europe with offers of all possible honours and conveniences The Pope himself answered a Letter of his with expressions of great esteem and affection Upon occasion of the Cardinals being accompanied in his journey by Pimantell a very great confident of Count Fuesendaglia he thought good to enter into some project of a general peace with him which Pimantell accepting of as if God had been the Author of this holy work a treaty was by his means introduced between the Cardinal and Count Fuensendaglia who received ample Authority from Spain to continue and conclude the business but a meeting being requisite to be had between them for the agreeing of all things between the two Crowns without other Mediators The Prince of Conde's sending of Marquess Sillerey into Flanders to establish an Union with that Crown did discompose all things for the Court of Spain building great hopes upon the troubles of
concluded as they were then affraid it would be for I remember they began already to give out that too much was yielded unto and that the Queen who was Sister to the Catholick Catholick King and I a forreigner would content the Spaniards at the loss of France But whatsoever their intentions were therein they should not have consented to the laying down of Arms then when they were so successfully imploy'd against an Enemy who whatsoever agreement should have been made would never have been reconciled to this Kingdom for getting free from the bad condition he was in he would have so ordered his affairs as to re-commence War when he might do it upon best advantage Nor will it be doubted but that their malice extended further if reflection be had upon what they said against the peace of Germany though the Spaniards made it sufficiently appear by their being displeased therewith how much they were prejudiced thereby and left no stone unturn'd but used all their power and industry at Vienna and elsewhere to hinder the conclusion thereof They valued not the acquisition of so goodly large and opulent a Country as Alsatia and of two so important places upon the Rhine as Brisack and Philispburg nor the having re-united the three Bishopricks to the Crown with all that belonged thereunto which had been formerly the occasion of bloody Wars It may be seen by the instructions given to the Plenipotentiaries by Cardinal Richlieu in the late King's time whereof I have the original if there were any pretention of getting any footing in Germany Finally my Censurers and those that do their worst and make the greatest noise have by their contentions diverted the Spaniards from applying themselves to peace and they will notwithstanding have me to be the occasion thereof Let me tell you that to confirm this unto you and to let you know that these are the same tricks used to the same ends with the same pretence that they practised not long since against me and against the State as they did three years since Briefly I make it manifest unto you that they had prepared all things necessary to make me sure and to break my neck whatsoever had insued on my last voyage to Champagnia their design being to reduce me to nothing After the Prince of Conde ' s imprisonment it is evident what means they used to put that Prince into a place where they might dispose of him as they lifted Then descending to the particulars of the relief of Guise when besieged by the Spaniards to the recovery of Retell and to the winning of the Battle against Turenne he ended his Letter and dated it the 24 th of Februaoy 1651. When this Letter was read in the Privy Council there were few who were not sensible of so manifest an injury done unto him who had never offended any and who was naturally given to be civil and courteous but they durst not shew it outwardly it being too dangerous to appear a friend to him so as his Enemies might without any opposition reduce things to what pass they pleased And as the Parliament was forced to proceed reservedly and finally to moderate the addition of the decree made for excluding French Cardinals from the Privy Council by reason of the exceptions taken thereunto by the Coadjutor and the Clergy and backt by the Duke of Orleans so the Cardinal being destitute of all support or assistance and his friends turning with his fortune remained a Butt to be shot at by all his enviers and a new decree was made against him on the Eleventh of March containing that the other decrees made against him on the seventh ninth and twentieth of February last and of the second of this present March should be punctually put in execution that himself Allies and Domesticks should be immediately proceed against as well for not having obey'd the aforesaid decrees as for the reprisals which they said were made by his consent of Forreign Vessels the squandring away of the Finances the conveying of moneys out of the Kingdom the hindrance given to the conclusion of the general peace and for having given bad Council to the King That therefore all his goods as well moveable as immoveable should be confiscated that process should be made against all those who had followed assisted or received him or that had held correspondency with him by Letters or otherwise after the time prefixt by the aforesaid decrees and besides the two Deputies who were chosen to make inquiry into his ways who were the Counsellors Brussels and Munieres the Counsellors Birault and Pithou were also charged to proceed to the drawing up of the said Information and they were to go to Dorlans or whithersoever else it was requisite to make process it was also ordered that all the Commonalty and Officers of the Kingdom should bring him to justice either alive or dead and that whosoever should know where any part of his Estate should be concealed they should make it known upon pain of grievous punishment and this severe and unaccustomed decree was not only Printed and posted up upon all publick places but was not without much scandal approved of by all the Church-men of Paris who instead of opposing it in defence of Ecclesiastical indemnity against Decrees unjustly made by Lay-men against a Cardinal of the holy Church did not only suffer so important a prejudice to have its course but did lend their helping hand unto it permitting that the Official of the Archbishop of Paris should give out a writ of Excommunication against all such who knowing where any of the Cardinals Goods were should not bring them in to the Parliament Commissioners and because their conscience struck them for being Authors of so detestable an act they durst not name him in their Writ but past it in the name of quidem homo a thing which certainly deserved to be severely censured if somewhat were not to be permitted to the misfortune of those times which wrought such strange emergencies in all places and especially in France But nothing was effected either by this process or by any of these Decrees for whatsoever diligence was made nothing was found so as that Ship cannot be said to be a tall Ship which hath not indured some great storm so could not the Cardinal have purchased full glory but by the oppositions and persecutions of his Enemies nor could it be better evidenced how great a friend the Heavens are to Innocency and Piety than by the dangers which the Queen ran which according to humane capacity were unevitable whilst the Coadjutor laboring that the Regency might be taken away from her which peradventure might have been the best advice which could have been taken for the interest of that party the Duke of Orleans the Princes and the Parliament opposed it not thinking of what might happen but contenting themselves with the bare superficies of present affairs left if they should take the Government upon them which could
permission and State-affairs being therein treated of the Queen forbad all that belonged to the King or Court to go thither as did also the Duke of Orleans and the Princes but finally all ended in the aforesaid eager desire that the States General might be called that by the Authority thereof the disorders of the Kingdom might be provided for and it was prai'd that they might be held in Paris But the Queen did withstand it as much as she could and was seconded therein by the said Princes After many contestations not without heart-burnings on both sides the said Convocation was by Letters from the King put off to be held on the first day of October at Tours and was afterwards adjourned to the eight of the said month on which day the King entring into his Majority the Court and Princes hoped to disanull it since it was introduced by the discontent and interest of particular men and not for the publick good as was pretended France never having been in a more flourishing condition then it was then had it not been for these intestine alterations The Assembly finding that the Queens design was to spin on time till the King was of years that he as his Mother hoped might make it vanish those Gentlemen were much confused and were in dispute whether they should obey the Kings orders or no but the Parliament being met in the interim to oppose these Assemblies the Duke of Orleans declared that he had assented thereunto First to obtain the Princes liberty Secondly to Counterpoise the Cardinal and to remove him from about the King and lastly to preserve every mans interest that notwithstanding that these three points were ended the publick quiet could not be secured whilst Count Servient Tillier Lyon and Madame Navailes were about the Queen all which being the Cardinals Creatures he although he were far off did by their means govern the Court disposing of all things as he had done formerly and having disposed of three Abbies of late of no small concernment that he would therefore desire the Queen to remove these four from her and would intreat the Execution of the Decrees That lie and the Prince of Conde had indeavoured to separate the Nobility upon good pretence and to that purpose the Queen had given way to the calling of the States General on the first of October next But that the Nobility having represented that this promise might prove null since her Regency would then be at an end the Queen had promis'd what she was not able to perform unless the King should consent thereunto that as the Queen had been desired to put off the meeting till the first of September next so he desired the Assembly to retard all resolutions till the next Monday in which time he hoped to end the business with satisfaction to all that he was sufficiently informed that the Cardinal's friends had used all their indeavours that the Parliament might make a Decree against the said Assemblies and that they had indeavoured to divide the Prince of Conde from him since the Mazarinians could not subsist but amidst divisions and disorders The Prince of Conde spoke to the same Tune and added that it was not long since they had gone about to pluck him from his Royal Highness but that they had gained nothing therein for that he was constant in the Union agreed upon for the King's service and preservation of Regal Dignity After this the first President spoke against this Assembly terming it unlawful contrary to Regal Authority that they ought to obey the orders brought them by the Marishal de L' Hospitalle not joyn with the Clergy was yet more to contemn the King's Dignity and therefore was not to be tolerated by Parliament that the end thereof was to confound Government and to introduce civil War so as to oppose it and destroy it was to serve the publick good That the Duke of Orleans had promised by the Marishal de L' Hospitalle to cause it to dissolve on last Wednesday and that notwithstanding it still continued that the Parliament was grieved to see the fractures of the Royal family which was fomented by some troublesome spirits who abusing his Royal Highness good nature fed him with false representations and adding one disorder to another did confound all in so much as after the Cardinals expulsion those who stood candidate for the same Dignity afforded matter of new Revolutions the remedy whereof was no longer to be retarded The Duke of Orleans answered That he had not appointed Wednesday with the Marishal de L' Hospitalle that he would resist and not maintain any thing that was prejudicial to the King's service and promised that on Monday next the Assembly should be quietly dissolved The first President replied that he heard another Assembly was held in the Covent of the Carmelites at the Palace Mobert which took upon it the quality of the third Estate and which tended to new sedition that therefore it was no longer time to neglect the King's service and the States interest the King's Authority being so far ingaged and that the business was to be taken into consideration according to yesterdays Decree The Duke answered he did not think the Company would deny him three days at the end whereof he promised to be present in Parliament and to give his consent to all Decrees if the Assembly were not first dissolved The President of Mesmes asked him whether or no he would disapprove the said Assembly if it did not dissolve before Monday And Marishal Grammont to ease the Duke of replying propounded that if the Assembly should not dissolve before Monday his Highness should promise to disapprove it and to oppose it with all his Power and Authority upon which promise the Resolution was put off till Monday President Cognieux Brussells Thou and Charton spoke in favour of the Assembly and Thou said there was of the best blood of France therein to which the first President answered that there were men in France who were twenty times better than they who had not subscribed it whereof those of the Assembly being advertised they presently publish'd a declaration of their pretentions shewing that they were met only for the publick good and this was accompanied by a Letter sent upon the occasion of the Assembling of the Nobility which did contain a declaration against those who said their Assembling without the King's Authority was Criminal they said that all that could be objected to it was that it was done without the King's permission for that the Laws forbid all publick meetings without his Majesties consent that for any thing else what the Nobility did complain of and whereof they could speak was correlative to the Law and what in justice could not be denied that during the King's minority his Authority was in the Regent and in the Lieutenant General of the Crown so as their Authority must be had to make a lawful Assembly that the point lay
Duke of Orleans Before the Seals were taken away upon fear that the Duke of Orleans might withdraw from Court and seduce Conde along with him the Queen being desirous to recompence the first President with as good a thing or better made many gracious offers to him as to make a fifth Secretary of State and give the place to his eldest Son or to buy a Presidents place in Parliament for him or to give him his own place after his life but he not being content with any of these she offered to make him Archbishop of Tolouse and indow him with 6000 pound sterling a year And it was further said that she offered to make him a Cardinal and his Son first President so as he would willingly resign the Seals all which he did scornfully refuse and contrary to the wishes of all his friends who told him that a Cardinal and a first President were never known in France to be of one and the same Family which made it be believed that either he thought very well of himself or that he feared to be deluded or that the place of Guard de Seaux was to be prefer'd before all these A treaty of peace with Spain was this mean while introduced by the Dutchess of Longueville's and Marishal Tâ—renne's return to Paris but Conde foreseeing that if this were effected he should be ruined he resolved to send Marquess Sillery about the end of April to Flanders under pretence of the same treaty of peace but in effect to negotiate his own concernments and to renew the treaty which was held at Steney with the Spaniards by Monsieur Croisy and this was the first correspondency which the Prince had with the Spaniards and which yet continues and was the cause why the Spanish Agents did not agree with France touching the general peace The Duke of Espernoun desired as much as the Court did that he might be permitted to quit the Government of Guien so to shuâ— the disorders which might insue by his remaining in a Province ill afâ—eâ—ted to his name the only difficulty lay in finding out another Government equivalent to that of Guienne It was reported that the Prince of Conde not being well pleased with those of Burgundy for not having appeared in hâ—s imprisonment cooled in the affection which he bore them before Espeâ—â—oun thought therefore that Conde would be easily perswaded to change Governments with him especially being much obliged to the 〈◊〉 for having made head against the King for his liberty wherefore the Duke of Candâ—lle sent Gourvill to propound this unto the Prince whom he found willing to accept thereof upon some conditions which were that he would have Guieâ—ne with all the Towns therein and that he should reserve unto himself in Burgundy the Castle of Dijeon and the Town of St. Iohn de Asne no mention was made of Belgard it being his own particular Patrimony for that Burgundy yielded five or six thousand pounds sterling more than Guienne but these things not being agreed upon the business broke off The Cardinal hearing of this negotiation wish'd the Queen not to permit this change for many reasons which shall be hereafter mentioned The Prince hearing this began to desire that which formerly he had not cared for saying that he would have that change with the aforesaid retentions and that if the Court were against it he would cause new troubles this business was often debated in the Privy Council pro contra Some said that Guienne was well â—cituated for receiving help from Spain and England in case of revolt That the Prince of Conde held intelligence with Spain already which was the only cause why he desired that Government that Guienne and Poictou joyn'd one upon another whereof the Duke of Rochefaucolt was then Governour who was Conde's great friend that the Duke of Rohan Chabot in Anjou was of the same party that Brovages both of them places of importance and the Islands of Olleron and Ree were in Count Ognon's hand who declared against the King that Normandy was under the Duke of Longueville Brother in law to Conde and that Britany was in the Government of Marishal Millerey who was about to ally himself to the said Prince by marrying his Son to Madamoselle de Tremaglia That by reason of so many Towns Provinces and friends back'd by the Spaniards and if need should be by the English France was exposed to apparent danger it was therefore concluded that this evident danger was not to be permitted in so many important Provinces the rather for that the Prince keeping Belgard St. Iohn de Asne and the Castle of Dijeon in his hands should be still as good as Master of Burgundy These reasons were of themselves sufficient not to permit that Province to the Prince of Conde had not Count Serviente one of long experience in Court affairs with strong reasons maintained the contrary he said that in great storms experienced Mariners stood not upon casting part of their loading over-board to save the rest that the King's Authority was in great danger that it was therefore needful not only to watch carefully but even to spend whole nights in thinking how to fence it if not in whole yet in part from the assaults of ambitious people that their Majesties were as Prisoners in their Palace whilst the Frondeurs pretended to take the Regency from the Queen and to take the Government of the whole Kingdom upon themselves That the Assemblies of the Clergy and of the Nobility prest the calling of the States General pretending to keep off the King's majority till he were Eighteen years old and in the mean time to chuse a Governour of the Kingdom That that strong-wound-up Rope composed of the several threads of many friends became strong and not to be broken that destruction was at hand unless this knot were untied by the yielding of one and abating of the other party that he was of their opinion who held that it was not good to grant Guienne to the Prince so to make him greater but that when he considered how great an acquisition it would be to take off a Prince of such esteem from the Frondeurs he was of another mind for that the true means to break the knot of the Enemy was to divide them the Male-contents being then only to be pacified when they see themselves abandoned by great ones that it was true that Guienne was of importance for scituation and for the peoples condition but that it was as true that it could not prove so prejudicial as was supposed That it was well known that the greatest part of the Gascons were of the Prince his opinion and that it was not to be doubted but that they would second his designs as well if he were far off as if he were their Governour so as by giving him that Government that was only given him which was already at his disposal and that by gaining Burgundy made him lose what he had That
who was much distrusted at Court should go into Normandy it would have been suspected that she had kept intelligence between those Princes and given the Court occasion to take the Government of that Province from her Husband so as to keep from doing so she was forced to keep far from him and that she would rather seem discontent than otherwise to the end that if the Prince should imbrace peace she might presently be gone to Normandy The second reason was that the Dutchess governing the Prince of County at her pleasure who was not upon over good terms with his Brother were it either for his being young which would not suffer him as yet to have full cognizance of weighty affairs or were it by reason of his easie nature ready to alter upon any occasion it was consequently requisite that the Dutchess should keep them joyned together wherefore she went to Montrond on the 28 th of Iuly When the Prince was come to St. Maure he sent Duke Rochefaucolt to desire the Duke of Orleans to assure the Queen from him that he was not withdrawn out of any ill intention but to free himself from danger which he apprehended the Duke wondered at this his so sudden departure and answered that he would indeavour to put all things in good order being sure that the Court had no ill opinion of him The Queen sent Monsieur de Cominges to the Duke to tell him that she put the King's concernments into his hands to the end that he might give sufficient caution to the Prince whom she accused of being too apt to believe false and imaginary suggestions When Orleans spoke with her Majesty they resolved to send Marishal Grammont to discover the Prince his pleasure and to offer him all security if he would return to Court The Marishal acquainted the Prince with what the Queen and Duke of Orleans had given him in charge the Prince grew to know his Error but doubted least he might grow less in Reputation if he should so easily acknowledg he had put on a resolution for which he had no ground wherefore to maintain what he had done and to make it appear that he had done it not out of any causeless fear he dryly answered there could be no safety for him whilst the Cardinals creatures kept about the Queen whereupon the Marishal desired to speak with him in private but he would not consent thereunto saying that he was not to treat with him of any thing which was not to be discovered to all his friends so dismissing him with very small satisfaction the Marishal returned to acquaint the Queen with what had past The Princess Palatine went also to acquaint the Prince into what a precipice he was about to throw himself upon vain suspicious suggested into him by such as desired Novelty and desire the ruine of the Royal Family She told him he needed not doubt the Queens word and that she having interposed her self in the first agreement and promised in his name what was agreed upon these retractations seemed strange to her which were grounded upon weak pretentions Marishal Villeroy and Count Chavigny went to him also to the same end but could do no good the Prince said he had been once deceived and durst confide no longer so long as Count Servient Tillier and Lyon the Cardinals creatures kept in the posture they were in with the Queen That the Cardinal would undoubtedly return with whom continual commerce was held notwithstanding the Parliaments prohibition that private negotiations had been had in Sedam and in Brisack to bring the Cardinal into one of those strong holds wherefore the Prince had thought fit to withdraw himself into a place of safety and he sent afterwards a Letter by a Gentleman to the Parliament unto the same purpose The first President answered that Conde had undertaken a dangerous Resolution whilst not many days before the Queen had assured him by the Duke of Orleans that there was no imaginable evil conceived against him that he might go to the Parliament and freely propound his sense that he should find there the same security that County had the Assembly was adjourned till the next day and County being this mean while returned from St. Maure he acquainted his Brother with what had past on Saturday he came to the Parliament where those of the King's party appeared with a writing from his Majesty containing That the Queen did not believe the Prince of Conde would have continued his Iealousies so as to withdraw from the Court after that she had sufficiently assured him that she had never any thought which might make him mistrustful that the Duke of Orleans knew the sincerity of her actions and that he had ascertained the Prince of the Truth of what her Majesty had said unto him that it was far from her to act any thing contrary to the liberty of his person that Marishal Grammont had assured as much to the Prince who might inform the Assembly of what had past That the King had impowered the Duke of Orleans to treat of an agreement and that he would be very glad the Parliament would intercede therein that if the Prince his Iealousies consisted only in his own safety and in the Cardinals return her Majesty declared from the very first her intentions of not recalling him That she had past her word thereupon unto the Parliament which she would religiously preserve and that for what concern'd the negotiations of Sedam and Brisack she might justly think her self injur'd that the Lieutenant of that Government had without his Majestie 's order thrust the King's Governour out that for as much as concern'd those who were of the Privy Council that they being the Queens Domestick servants which she might at her pleasure chuse it was answered that the first had served the late King with such fidelity as the Prince had no reason to distrust them that her Majesty could assure them that she had never had any occasion to suspect they had any intentions contrary to his Majesties service and that none of them was ingaged in the Cardinals return That if the Prince did not admit of what was offer'd him but should still keep far from the King it was to be suspected that there was somewhat else which kept him from waiting personally upon the King which the Queen was infinitely troubled at who desired nothing more than to see a perfect Vnion of the Royal Family which was so requisite for the good of the State This writing being read the first President began to discourse thereupon and turning to the Duke of Orleans said that it belonged unto him to undertake a business of such importance since the Queen putting most confidence in him and that the Prince was more joyn'd in interest with him than with any other he might easily do good He therefore desired him to use his wisdom to grub out those Roots which might bud forth into the unevitable ruine of France wherein
private ends of the King's Council he anticipated them by Letters from the King commanding the same things which he thought the Parliameâ—t would ordain and did studiously apply himself thereunto upon these emergencies with intention to save thereby the King's reputation seeming as if he were the Authour of those decrees changing the aspects of those decrees which tended much to the prejudice of his supream Authority but the Parliament finding out these artifices made no more account of the King's Letters thinking that the Court did not therein desire what it seemed to do and that all was but tricks to make vain their designs And the Queen suspecting not without reason before the Prince departed that Marsine General of the Catalonian Forces was turn'd to be of his party as being much affected to him and that by his concurring with Conde he might much prejudice the King's service she thought she might make him lay aside all sinister opinions by putting some esteem and honour upon him and to keep him loyal out of mere gratitude as he had been till then much to his glory and this was by sending him Letters Patents to be Viceroy of Catalonia but the Messenger who carried them came too late for he had already abandoned the King's service and betook himself to serve the Prince as hath been said and shall be said hereafter Count de Ales was at this time in Paris his Father the Duke of Angolesme being dead who was Governour of the Province where those that sided with him Maugre Vandosme kept the City of Tolon a famous haven in that Province where he was particular Governour and having out of a desire of returning thither consented that Conde's friends should attempt some novelty there The Baron of St. Marke a Gentleman of Aix and friend to the Prince was sent thither with others that related to him intending to raise a party for Angolesme and to interest the Prince therein but after some rather Chimera than undertakings it turn'd all to nothing by the vigilancy of the King's Commanders who diverted all their plots and the City remained as before in obedience to the King wherefore the divisions failing in that Province whereby the Prince had thought to bring Forces into several parts of the Kingdom and to divert the punishment wherewith Guienne was threatned the Male-contents were mightily affrighted and confused The Prince of County Dutchess of Longueville the Duke of Nemeurs and others who were in the Castle of Montrond fearing least they might be therein shut up went out by night with 200 Horse leaving Marquess Persan there with a good Garrison of Foot and Horse afterwards the Town was besieged by Count Paluau with about 3000 men at a distance commanded by Cavaliere Barada and others the besieged were constant in the defence thereof as well against Famine as against the assailants County with his Sister Longueville and Duke Nemeurs went to Burdeaux losing some of their baggage for the Marquess of Sauntbeuf with many Gentlemen of those Provinces was continually upon their backs The King came to Burges to the great content of those people whom he permitted to demolish the Tower which belonging to Conde's Government was interpreted the beginning of a breach and it was known that they were to think of War rather than of Peace which being resolved upon they were treated with to raise men the Towns of Dordognia were secured by Conde he put Garisons into Bergerack St. Foy Libourn and Perigreu good Towns which commanded a great tract of Country All the Towns upon the Garomne till you come to Agen were secured by Conde who treated with Count de Ognone Governour of Rochel Brouages and the Isles of Oleron and Ree and with much ado having drawn the Count over to his party he provided diligently for all emergencies Ognone joyn'd with the Prince hoping to be made Duke and Peer of France by the Prince his means which he had indeavoured to do by the Court but could not at this novelty not only the Kings party was much troubled but all others who wished well to the State It was therefore resolved that the King should go into Poictou to secure that important Province which is esteemed one of the best of all France and to provide against the eminent dangers of Rochel Count de Ognone was second Brother to Marquess St. Germain Beaupre and as one who had been Page to Cardinal Richelieu had contracted a particular friendship with Marishal de Bresse chief of the Navigation he was imploy'd in the Fleet and after made Lieutenant in the Government of Brouage which belonged to the said Bresse and in Rochel Oleron and the Isle of Ree which belonged to the Queen after the said Bresses death it was not hard for him to get to be wholly master thereof though he were not well beloved by the people He entred into Conde's party by the Princess her mediation who was Sister to the said Bresse The King wrote to the Duke of Orleans before he went from Burges that out of the great desire he had of his Subjects quiet he did again refer Conde's business totally to him and desired him to speak with him and to know the reason of his discontent wishing him to take along with him the Marishal de L' Hospitalle Messieurs de Alegre Marguiri Mesmes Menardeau Champre and Chaumont assuring him that he would do what he could to serve him In pursuit hereof the Duke sent Monsieur de Serre Son to Marishal de Aubettere to desire the Prince that he would give him a meeting in Richelieu Conde sent la Serre back with answer that he should hear from him in this particular within three days Soon after the Prince was come to Burdeaux Gurville went thither and told him from the Duke of Bullion that if he would listen to reason the Duke would mediate for him and indeavour his satisfaction and how the Cardinal did much fear that if civil Wars should arise in France they would not be well able to maintain War abroad wherefore he studied how to divert it and that he had declared that he would procure the Government of Blay for him and all fitting satisfaction for his Friends Gourville made this proposal to him but the Prince having then sent to treat with Bullion and Marquess Turenne would not listen to the proposition but said That if he would put the treaty in hand he must first declare in his behalf and that his Brother Turenne must go to head his Forces which were gone into Flanders and that when this should be done he would give ear to what had been proposed The Prince spoke high because he thought that Turenne would not refuse the command of his Army and that when he should have so famous a Commander on his side whom he only feared it would make much for him in treaties of peace or in making War And being that very day assured of Count de Ognons joyning with him as
also of the Messieurs della Forza except the Marquess who was in Normandy and intended to do as Bullion and Turenne should do he sent Gurville back to Paris the same night that together with Gaucourt who attended the Duke of Orleans on his behalf they might tell Orleans that he could not upon any terms accept of the conference desired in Richelieu For that having disbursed much money in raising men and being ready to declare this might suspend their resolution and make his Officers retard the levies which were already begun intending to make use of the monies which they had received in case of agreement moreover his conditions with the Spaniards would be broken and he should be much puzled not being able to rely upon the Dukes constancy who adhered to the Coadjutor his declared Enemy The Duke accepted of the Prince his justification and though he did effectually follow the Coadjutors advice yet he always declared for the Prince against all men except the King's person But Conde and those of his party finding that the Coadjutor did still cross him in all things and that he would ingage with the Court out of the hopes of being made Cardinal and fearing also that if he should close Orleans might by the Coadjutors means fail him he bethought himself with his trustiest friends how he might rid himself of the Coadjutor whom he apprehendedmuch for that he was very bold revengful had many abettors and infinitely ingenious Some were for killing him presently but the Prince who was of a more generous mind would not give way unto it declaring his hatred to all Treachery but he resolved to remove him from Paris and to imprison him somewhere else which being resolved upon Gurville a man of a ready wit and lively spirit had the imployment given him who taking it upon him authorized under the Prince his hand who made him plenipotentiary he sent for some of his friends and kindred to Paris and causing Monsieur della Roche to come from Danvilliers with others that depended upon him and in whom he durst boldly trust feigning afterwards to go from Paris and to go for Germany to take the Elector of Brandenburg's Forces into pay which being to be cashiered by reason of the peace made with the Duke of Newburg he kept concealed in the City and calling his men together he told them that he had orders from the Prince to make a great man Prisoner and not telling them who it was save only two in whom he thought he might safely confide and who always followed the Coadjutor who telling him one night that he was in the Dutchess Chevereux house he placed his confidents between the Gates du Conference and le Guichet commanding them not to stir from thence He moreover placed 15 Foot over against the Louvre and he himself stood near Chevereux her house to observe his coming out hoping that if he went not along the River he might advance his men to the new Bridge and to the Ponte de nostre dame if his Coach should go by the Râ—e St. Honore but the Coadjutor went out in a Coach with Ladies and his own Coach followed without Torches which made them believe he was not yet gone The next day the Coadjutor was not very well and kept his house But Gurville being told that he was the next day in a house at Marets where he used to entertain himself at night he diligently assembled his men but not so many as were sufficient to have all things in readiness before he came out So as Gurville failed in his design Gurville had always a Coach with him to put the Coadjutor into The design was to carry him to Danvilliers with 15 or 20 Horse which was not hard to do but the Heavenly influences having power over mortals actions we must believe that they seconded not these designs for though the Coadjutor suspected not these plots yet being wish'd by his friends to be circumspect he withdrew himself to his house early and went not out by night not so much out of any apprehension of the Prince as of the Cardinal least he should have indeavoured his death and lay the fault upon the Prince who was his more discovered Enemy So as Gurville perceiving that in many days the Coadjutor returned home late but once and then well accompanied he feared that he was discovered and therefore fearing some disaster might befall himself he resolved to return and to put off the business till a more favourable conjuncture of time he therefore sent his men away secretly and he withdrew himself cautiously from all publick Company Monsieur de la Roche went from Gurenne with Monsieur de Fay Lieutenant of the Prince of Countie's Guard as he came from Brussels but he was stopt at Chastres it being thought that he brought the Princes treaty with Spain along with him wherefore he was imprisoned together with a servant of his who being interrogated upon pain of death what company his master had kept since he went from Danvilliers said that he met with many as he came along the River and that he feared Gurville had a design to make somebody Prisoner which was interpreted to be the Coadjutor who did all he could to come by the certainty thereof but though he could have no certain proofs thereof he was perswaded that Gurville would have detain'd him wherefore he also indeavoured to take Gurville in his return but without success Count Tavanes who as hath been said was gotten to Stenay and to the neighbouring places with the Prince his Troops knowing that he could not subsist in those parts sought how to get with his men into Guienne where the Prince wanted old Soldiers But finding the chief passes possessed by the King's Soldiers he sent to Flanders to negotiate with the Spaniards and being promised to be received by them he past with his Troops over the Mause and retreated towards Charlemont where being eyed by the King's Forces under the Command of Marishal Ferte Senetre he with much danger past over part of Luxemburg and going over the River Semoy near Sedam and then by Liege he repast over the Mause at the Bridge of Gives and entred safely into Hamault and so having with these few Forces escaped the King's Soldiers they were received and quartered in the Spanish Towns whereby France was freed of their continual inroads And the Spaniards intentions being to let all other things alone and foment civil war in France they furnished the said Tavanes with monies as well to satisfie his Soldiers who for want thereof lessened daily some running away some dying for want as to make them fit to go through with their design in pursuit whereof the Spaniards failed not to increase the jealousies and distasts which the Parliament of England pretended to have received from France as well for the welcome which the King of great Britain and his followers received there and for their inciting the Scots to go against
had appointed the Rendevouz of the Forces which he had raised in Champagnia and Picardy to be about Laon to joyn with the Cardinal and those that he had raised to come with him into France so as the appointment being made to meet about Dormans and Esperney upon the Marne on the beginning of Ianuary the Marishal went from Peroune on the 18 th of December and accompanied by many other Nobles he past through Han and Fera and coming to Nisis he found there 2000 what Foot what Horse and divers other Regiments wherewith he marched the next day towards the River Aisue passing over the Bridge Arcy and la Merne and staid at Troisy expecting the Cardinal who having left his alliances at Sedam marched towards Esperney whither he came the second of Ianuary with about 5000 choice men and he was met there by several other Forces and three pieces of Canon Oquincourt met the Cardinal at Esperney where it was concluded that Oquincourt should advance with 1000 Horse and possess himself of the passes of the Rivers Aube and Senna which he did then passing over the Aube without any obstacle near Auglure and la Senna at Mery he met with the Foot and Horse Regiments of Monsieur St. Moore Where hearing that the Duke of Orleans had sent out four Companies of the Langnedock Brigade to Pont sur Iona Oquincourt advanced with 1000 Horse indeavouring to get to that Town before the Enemy should be aware of his march On the 9 th of Ianuary he was upon Albā where being informed that two of the Counsellors of the Parliament of Paris Bytant and Cowdrey Genies were come thither to break the Bridge and to raise the Country against the Cardinal he made a party of his men ford over the River to discry some Horse with whom they skirmished and slew some of them and took Bitant Prisoner but Coudrey escaped to Sens. The Marishal being come to the head of the Bridge which the Towns-men broke down he acquainted them with the Kings orders and speaking with Monsieur Morandiere who commanded Orleans his Forces and had orders to resist him he caused some of his Horse-men to light who fell so couragiously upon the Bridge as Morandiere articled to return to his Master leaving the pass free to the Cardinal it was thought that he had secret orders from the Princes not to hinder him though he could for finding their business grow desperate since the whole Kingdom inclined to the King they knew nothing could keep them from ruine but some new pretence whereby to justifie their cause and keep the Subjects from assisting their Sovereign and that therefore they did not all they were able to oppose their march But because Marishal Turenne having honourably disingaged himself of the Spaniards service and had refused all the offers made by Conde and was reconciled to the King Conde gave the command of his Forces in Flanders to the Duke of Nemeurs who in the beginning of the year 1652 went privately from Burdeaux giving it out that he went by Sea into Flanders but came first to Paris by bie-ways where the Duke of Orleans seemed to be very well pleased as having need of opportune succour and he was received with extraordinary applause by the Parisians and because the Coadjutor thought to make the Duke of Orleans foment a third party of French Male-contents and Enemies to the Cardinal he used all his industry to effect it to the end that making the Queen affraid that the Duke might adhere more narrowly to Conde he thought she might be necessitated to keep the Cardinal away for ever in which case the Duke by joyning with the Court interest and strengthning himself by the Lorrain Forces he should also undo Conde for ever But Count Chavigny with other of the Prince his friends held the Duke of Orleans stedfast they made him see that he could not subsist but by joyning with the Prince Nemeurs stipulated the agreement in the Prince his name with the Duke the contents whereof were the keeping the Cardinal away and a general peace The news being known in Paris and the orders given by the King contrary to his former Declarations it is not to be said how incensed those were who were of a contrary spirit but all they could do was to make a noise in Paris for the Kings power prevailed in the Kingdom And though the Cardinal was withstood in one place he was fomented in another The Parliament of Britanny being desired by that of Paris to make the like decree with them in favour of the Princes against the Cardinal did order on the contrary that proceedings against him should be suspended till the Prince should perform his duty and till the Spanish Forces should be gone out of the Kingdom but though the rancor of the Parliament of Paris and of the Frondeurs could not be greater than it was yet could not the Parisians be brought to disburss monies for the raising of men and to provide against the threatning occurrances but were always readier to lay on their mouths than to lay out their monies the noise continued still in the Palace The first week of Ianuary the Parliament ordered the Cardinals moveables to be sold and not to make good the Kings Declarations against the Prince till that against the Cardinal were effected Wherefore the Cardinal must be gone out of the Kingdom again ere the Parliament would pass the said verification to which purpose they made many resolves which were great in appearance but weak in substance and some Deputations were sent unto the King The Court spoke ambiguously and spun out business at length hoping the time would alay the bitterness of turbulent spirits The Queen sent Monsieur Rovigny to exhort the Duke of Orleans earnestly to remove from Paris so to take away the apprehensions which were had of him but it did no good The Parliament added to their instructions given to their Deputies which they sent unto the King that they should press Bitaut's Releasement and that Marishal Milleray should not be made a Duke till he had given satisfaction to the Parliament of Rheims in Britanny and moreover that no Duke Marishal of France or other Officer should execute their function afterwards till the Cardinal were withdrawn from the Kingdom which was thought was done to take away the great credit which he had in disposing of the Offices of the Crown and making those his friends whom he had preferred thereunto But the Nobility made small account of this the more incens'd the Parliament grew against the Court the less did they value any of its decrees since they might be anull'd by the King's Authority And therefore those who sounded affairs to the bottome found it was best to keep the paths of obedience and not walk in the crooked ways of precipice therefore the Princess Palatine who at first was Conde's friend grew a great confident to the Queen and Cardinal The Queen sent for her to
and do nothing whilst the Line was fought for that all lives should be saved that Tallon la Coste Ballet and Marselly who were come thither from Dunkirk to serve the Prince should injoy the same articles but as for the Officers and their places they should be at the King's disposal to whom Count Paluau would write in their behalf that those that came out should be convoy'd to the Princes Camp near Paris and that Pasports should be given to those that would return to their own homes That an Inventory should be made of all the Prince his goods part whereof should be safely convey'd to Chasteaureux and delivered to the Governour thereof and that the rest which could not be convey'd should remain in the hands of the Prince his Agent who was to have leave to tarry there and have a care of them that Monsieur Hautaeville should keep in his place of Farmer as all the rest of Conde's Farmers in Berry The Prince hearing in what danger this important place was sent Count Briole from his Camp on the 19 th of August with 500 choice Horse ordering him to pass over the Loire suddenly in Boats over against Sully and to joyn with the Marquess Levy and Count Colligny in Berry with 300 Horse Briole past over the Loire but not finding his friends so provided as he was made to be believe and the line not to be mastered he retreated speedily to Paris for Count Maipas marching towards him with 800 of Turenne's Horse traced him but Briole got safe to the Prince his Camp and Montrond according to articles remain'd in the King's hands The Kings affairs beginning to better and all wise men knowing that affairs would at last prove favourable to the King the Lord Chancellor being sent for by his Majesty went to Court who by leave from the King had staid in Paris as a private Gentleman but the Princes desiring to Authorise and give Reputation to the new Council Orleans sent to him to come and assist therein as had been intimated to him by Parliament threatning that in case of refusal he should be forced to come upon worser terms the Chancellor being thus necessitated to come to that Council did undauntedly and with such wariness behave himself as not at all wavering from the King's service but moderating those who were swai'd by passion and interest did by his wisdom much advantage the Court-affairs but though it was known he did the King good service there yet it was not thought fit that the unlawful Authority usurped by Male-contents should be authenticated by one that was honoured with so conspicuous a charge he was therefore sent for back by a Capuchine Fryar whom he presently obeyed going out of Paris in a Priests habit and came to their Majesties the Third of September at Campaign where he was very much welcomed but the seals remained with the first President A novelty worth the relating happened in Brisack for the better knowledg whereof we must take the business a little higher and search the beginning In the beginning of the year 1650 did Monsieur Eclack Governour of Brisack dye a man of great fidelity and honour Monsieur Charlevois who commanded a Regiment of Ten Companies there and was the Kings Lieutenant sent the Major of his Regiment to acquaint the Court with it and assured their Majesties that no novelty should succede in the Fort till they should send another Governour which he did believing that the Court would send none But about the end of next February the King chose Monsieur Tiliadet Camp-master and Governour of Beaupames to be Governour of Brisack which when Charlevois heard who hoped to have been chief Commander there himself he treated with Colonel Eclack Nephew to the dead Governour who Commanded a Brigade of Germans in that Town by which treaty they bound themselves to joyn together and not to admit of any Governour They forthwith sent Monsieur de Blois le Shelle one of Charlevois Captains and Cousins to tell Tillier the Secretary of State and Tilliadet that he should not be received into that Government the Cardinal who about the same time was with the Court in Burgundy hearing this sent Messieurs Bausant Fruart and Millet to Brisack to wish Charlevois to obey the King and to receive Tilliadet and writ to the Marishalless Guebrian who had great power with Charlevois to will him to obey Charlevois listned to these Gentlemen and to the Marishals Wife and resolved to receive the said Governour upon promise that he would not innovate any thing in the Garrison and that he would keep his Brigade in the same condition it was in which was granted him by Letter from the King Colonel Eclack finding that Charlevois had confer'd with the said Gentlemen contrary to agreement was displeased Charlevois that he might be of greater power in that Fort perswaded Eclack to go to the Switzers for which he had a Thousand pound sterling paid him Soon after Tilliadet went from Paris and came to Brisack in May Charlevois received him with all the Regalities due to a Governour they lived Four or Five Moneths very well together At last Tiliadet proposing to reduce Charlevoi's Brigade from Ten to Five Companies intending to put the other Five into his own Brigade and so to be stronger than he Charlevois laughed at the proposal and shewed the King's promise that no innovation should be made but Tilliadet persisting in his design Charlevois acquainted his friends at Court wishing them to acquaint the Cardinal therewith Charlevois who thought the Cardinals pleasure had been not to innovate any thing though the truth is he intended to reduce them from a Thousand to 750 Foot and to add the overplus to Tilliadet's Brigade so to keep them equal took courage and declared he would not yield to the Governours desire whilst things went thus the Cardinal withdrew from Court wherefore Charlevois suspecting that Tilliadet might conspire his ruine by making him be detain'd by the first Troops that should come into Alsatia resolved to secure himself from surprize and acquainted his friends with it who were at Court desiring them to preserve his concernments with the Queen assuring her of his fidelity and desiring her to withdraw Tilliadet Her Majesty finding that Charlevois his Authority in Brisack was greater than Tiliadets resolved to remove the Governour as she did to Besanzon in Burgundy but Charlevois knowing that some Officers of his Brigade adhered to Tilliadets interest put them out of the Fort together with some of Tilliadets particular friends and kindred amongst which his Nephew the Baron of Serigliack Wherefore the Queen knowing that Charlevois was a Creature of Marishal Guebrians Wife wished her to admonish him of the respect and loyalty Loyalty he ought unto the King which she did sending Monsieur Rotra to him to acquaint him with their Majesties minds Charlevois seeming to correspond to the good opinion which was had of him writ to the Queen that he would
set on foot thereby to render as it after happened the King's Party in that Province the more powerful In this mean time the Prince of Conty sojourned with his Army in Champaigne where having failed in his Designs upon Reims Soissons and other great Cities full of People War-like and Faithful to their King he came at last unto Vervins a feeble Place without Garrison or Fortification and having left there two Regiments of Foot and a Regiment of Horse sate down with the gross of his Army before Rhetel which in a short time was rendred to him by Monsieur di Kale who was Governour by reason of the weakness of the place and want of things necessary for defence of it as also did Chasteau Porcien which is but little distant from it but St. Merhaud another walled Town with a Castle not contemptible scituate upon the head of the same River Aisne which passeth to Rhetel held out until the 13 th of November and being not relieved by the Mareschal Turenne was then forced to a Capitulation which was honourably granted unto the Baron of Saint Mor who was there Governour and because this Town being scituated between the Mose and the Marne and between the Cities of Verdun and Chalons was of some consequence principally because it was not far distant from Clermont and Stenay places held by Conde he left there a great Garrison under the Baron di Montalt and gave them orders to fortifie pretending by maintaing of that and Rhetel to winter all his Troops in France and thereby not onely to trouble all the neighbouring Frontiers but also to ease Flanders where had not this been he must have quartered and also to give life thereby to the Cabals in Paris which though they were much weakened were not so totally extinguished there but that many of his friends and of the Duke of Orleans his Partisans endeavoured by underhand practises to raise some trouble After which having licensed from his Camp the Troops of his Royal Highness who under the Command of the Baron of Valon their Commander in chief passed into Picardy to the Service of his Majesty but upon ingagement not to accept any Imployment against Conde he marched into the Barrois he took Barleduc with the loss of the Baron de Fougges Lieutenant General to the Duke of Lorrain and after that Lagny and the Castle of Voet all of them places of small strength after which the Winter being far advanced and his Souldiers unwilling to begin any new Enterpise he licensed the Troops of Flanders and Lorrain and gave Winter Quarters to his own Souldiers upon the Mase and the adjacent Country The Cardinal on the other side exercising his thoughts indefatigably about these so imbroiled and troublesome Affairs considered that it was absolutely necessary before putting of the Army into Winter Quarters to dislodge the Prince's Forces from their new Lodgings and to recover the places they had taken he therefore caused the King's Camp to be re-inforced with â—000 Combatants drawn from the Duke of Elbeufe in Picardy and by others from Normandy and the bordering Provinces and in lieu of coming to Paris whither he was by his Majesty earnestly invited went into the Army to redress by his presence those matters there which by the late divisions were much weakened and in great disorder and which without him could harldly have been executed by the Generals because bringing along with him many Friends and Dependents he stopt all those who wearied with the past toyls thought rather of retiring to their Houses than tarrying longer and encouraged the rest to continue in the King's Service being had in great veneration and esteem among the Souldiery by whom he was as much loved and reverenced as he was hated and abhorred by the seditious and base Plebeians in Paris neither was he at all deceived therein because the Souldiery being revived by his presence and the Military Councils being thereby quickned he gained those advantages which caused him shortly after to return glorious and as it were Triumphant into Paris more than ever in their Majesties favour and the Authority of his Ministry The Marquess de Chasteauneuf continued notwithstanding all this while in Paris without Imployment discharged of his Officers with that resentment which is usual unto a great and generous heart like his accompanied with an accomplished knowledge and experience in matters of State and a professed inimitable Loyalty towards his Majesty alone independent of all private interest whatsoever and being therefore unable to contain himself being in conversation among some Ladies from the expression thereof nor from mingling in his Discourse together with his sighs against his own ill fortune some censures touching the persons that then were at Stern he was by the King upon the 12th of November banished from Paris the next day his Majesty appearing in the Parliament caused to be there verified and registred the Decree made in his Council of State against the Princes of Conde of Conti the Dutchess of Longueville the Duke of Rochefoucunt and others who were all of them declared guilty of High Treason against the King The Court continued after to give fitting orders and redresses for the good Government of the Kingdom and the avoiding of these new Machines which had been lately raised in opposition to the Royal Authority and the King's Councel above all things applied themselves to find out fitting means for the quieting the mind of the Cardinal de Retz who being full of lofty thoughts and eminent pretensions was much troubled to see the Cardinal Mazarin re-established quiet in Paris and the Kingdom to which he was much adverse by reason of his particular designes He gloried so much in the lustre of his Purple and the value he put upon himself that hoping with the same Arts he had gained them to overthrow also the glory and the fortune of the other and reimbuâ—se himself the vast expence he had been at during the Broyls whereby he was run far in debt he went continually seeking the means to compass his intent and as he had thrown down the greatness of Conde to ruinate also that of the Cardinal Mazarin He therefore sollicited the Parliament to meet and consult upon the means of restoring their secluded Members pressed the Partizans to demand the Monies advanced by them from the King though they had all the time before never mentioned a word of it to hold correspondence with the Seditious and Male-contents to renew the Troubles and compass his desires And although remorse of Conscience made him at times suspicious yet he fâ—ared not to be imprisoned by reason of his Dignity of Cardinal as he was used to publish amongst his Confidents And if he went not to Court it proceeded rather from the Maxime that he would not be esteemed gracious there and preserve thereby the favour of the people whom he thought apt enough to a Commotion than from the fear of receiving an affront so highly did he
Cardinal Mazarin who neither would or knew how to return to Paris whilst he had so considerable a Rival that was supported by so many Friends who were Enemies unto him That he kept aloof from Paris on purpose that he might not be known for the Contriver of this business and for fear lest the people rising in favour of the Prisoner should make him feel the effects of their long continued hatred and rancour against him But whether it were so or otherwise the Cardinal Mazarin declared he had no part in the action and for proof thereof writ unto his Majesty a very favourable Letter on the Prisoner's behalf he represented to his Majesty That by reason of the Character he bare of the most Christian King he was obliged to defend the Immunities of the Church and therefore he mâ—st earnestly besought him that he would have in this case such regards as were fit for his Royal Piety and the Title he had of being first-born Son unto the Church recommending unto him with all earnestness the Interests of the Prisoner Upon this Letter several Judgments were made Many were of opinion he dealt not therein clearly from his heart but endeavoured to palliate the Crime whereof himself was the sole Author and that this was an Artifice which had been long before premeditated Others who knew the execution thereof to be unâ—oreseen and causual were satisfied that Mazarine was in his nature rather obliging than revengeful towards his Enemies thought it to be an effect of his good inclination proceeding from a desire to oblige that Prelat by so remarkable a benefit to a reciprocal return of kindness and to a generous emulation of corresponding to so noble and ingenuous a carriage These were not any way mistaken because it appeared after that Cardinal Mazarin had used his utmost endeavour to gain Reâ—z and to remove those sinister conceptions which he had of him and that he failed in the Design was an effect of the incorrigible nature of Cardinal de Retz envious of the glory and good fortune of Mazarine Many others of the most considerable Persons amongst the Clergy employed themselves in his favour but Politick respects prevailing before the satisfaction of particular Persons made it evidently manifest his Majesty had no other ends but the happiness and quiet of his Subjects And because the Court of Rome should have no occasion of offence thereby against France for having done an Act so much abominated by the Canon Laws there was a Courrier dispatched unto the Pope to give him an account of the whole business The Friends of the imprisoned Cardinal sent thither also another some few hours after to complain unto his Holiness of that violence and to engage him in the Prisoner's protection The News in a few days after reached Rome and the Pope who had little affection for the French and least of all for Mazarine was wonderfully nettled at it and if he had power equal to his will possibly some things of consequence had been resolved and put in execution He assembled forthwith Congregations of the most able Cardinals his Confidents and although there wanted not some moderate Persons amongst them who failed not to represent that in a matter so delicate much circumspection ought to be used Orders were notwithstanding sent to Monsieur Marini Archbishop of Avignon That he should together with the Officers of his Court transport himself to Paris and there framing a Process touching the Crimes whereof the Prisoner was accused should require to have the Judgment of them left unto the See Apostolick to which only belongs the power of giving Sentence against Cardinals But as at Rome they were most certain That having formerly refused to receive Monsignor Corsino Nuntius Elect into France only because he came without first giving notice unto the King or his Ministers of his arrival they would much less receive the Archbishop with his Commission and that therefore they resolved a thing which could not take effect So it was plainly understood at Paris that this was the advice of those who desired to furnish the Popedom with pretexts of blaming France for want of respect tâ—wards the See Apostolick and to give the Pope occasion to joyn with the Enemies of that Crown there being some in Rome as well as Paris who beliâ—ved the King would not have dared to contradict the Pope in that unhappy conjuncture of Affairs and that therefore this bold resolution of sending the Archbishop Marini into France would add very much to the reputation of his Holiness and splendor of the Ecclesiastical Authority The Prince Cardinal Trivultio who was then in Rome as the Person intrusted with management of the Interests of Spain and as Ambassadour to his Catholick Majesty wisely foresaw the vanity of this resolution notwithstanding that he endeavoured always as a good Minister of State to continue in his Holiness the sinister impressions against France yet he approved not this advice shewing plainly the ill success was likely to attend it This Prince had executed this Function but from the 25th of November the year before which had been put upon him in the manner and for the Reasons following The Cardinal of Arragon being dead shortly after his Promotion which was very much delayed either as not cordially sollicited by the Cardinal Albernaz who desired not that a Competitor of such a Quality and Kinsman of Don Louis d' Aro should prevail or to facilitate the Promotion of the Count d'Ognate the Cardinal di Cuena was at the same time sent or called back unto his residence at Malega whereupon his Catholick Majesty ordered Trivultio to leave the Government of Sardinia and repair suddenly to Rome to supply the Cardinal of Arragon's place who was destined thither and gave him all the Spiritual Promotions in Italy which became void by his death But Trivultio being unable to go the Voyage so speedily because he was first to quiet the Kingdom which by reason of some private accidents was in commotion the death of Don Anthonio Ronchiglio happened whom Don Iohn of Austria at his parting from Sicily had left President there whereupon the Duke Dell. Infantado who was Ambassadour at Rome being appointed Vice-Roy there the Cardinal Trivultio received new Orders to hasten his Journey that he might enter upon the charge of his Embassy The Affair happened directly according to Trivultio his Presage because the proceedings of the Roman Court which had no other foundation but the opinion and desire of those who promoted it was suddenly quashed when the entry of the Archbishop Marini into the Kingdom was stop't by Mazarine who knew the nature of the French very easily inclined to pleasing Novelties but inflexible to such resolutions as threaten them in which they consider nothing but to maintain the King's Authority And the French shewed themselves to be ill satisfied with the Court of Rome reproaching it for partiality for that whereas there had been several applications made unto it the
with Spain that he held private Intelligence with the Court of France retarded with the difficulties he cast the execution of those Enterprises which had been well designed That being altogether intent upon his own particular advantage he had ill treated the Subjects ruined the Countrey exasperated the Neighbours and caused every where a huge aversion and hatred not onely against his own Forces but also against those of his Catholick Majesty who being united with the Lorrainers had their share also in the Countries Curses so as they were in a continual apprehension that he joyning with the French would bring an inevitable prejudice upon his Majestie 's Affairs in Flanders or if he were still let alone would put the People in desperation The Emperour at last perswaded by these Reasons and assured that this aversion was not unto the House of Lorrain but onely to the person of the Duke by reason of his deportments gave his consent that he should be Arrested and writ about it into Spain where a while after the resolution was taken to secure themselves of his person but in such manner as that the same might be dextrously put in execution for avoiding of those Inconveniencies might happen by so scandalous and unexpected an Accident whereof we shall hereafter Treat more at large and give relation of the most Remarkable Passages in that Action The End of the Ninth Book THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The TENTH BOOK The CONTENTS The Cardinal Mazarine returns to Paris Is Received with great Applause There followes a distribution of several Imployments and particularly that of the Great Almoner of France unto Cardinal Antonio Barberini Great Preparations are made for Warr. The Cardinal Francis Barberini declares himself no Friend to Mazarine Gives order to his Nephews to leave France and Marries Don Maffeo to a little Neece of Pope Innocent the 10th Several Encounters passe in Flanders wherein the Prince of Conde's Forces are worsted Monsieur Croissy Fouquet is taken Prisoner The Count Quincè goes to Command the French Forces in Piedmont The Savoy Ambassadour is received in France with the Ceremony due to Soveraign Princes Monsieur de Plessis BesancÌ„on is sent by the King of France into Italy And his Negotiations with the Duke of Mantua and other Italian Princes The Count d'Ognon agrees with the Court And the Count d'Harcourt submits unto his Majestie 's Obedience after several Treaties The French Army under the Command of the Marquiss Plessis Balliere marches into Catalonia succours Roses and makes divers Progresses Gironne besieged by the French is relieved by the Spaniard The Mareschal d'Oquincourt is sent to Command the Forces in Catalonia And his Marches The Warre in Guienne continues The Burdelois have recourse to England for Relief but without effect The King's Forces make a progress in that Province Preparations are made in Spain to Relieve it New Divisions and Factions spring up in Bourdeaux upon several Designs and Interests Many of the French do quit the Prince of Conde 's Party The City of Paris Entertains the Cardinal Mazarine with demonstrations of Affection and Treats him splendidly in the Town-House Bellagarda besieged and taken by the Duke of Espernon The French Army marches into the Field and takes Rhetel That of Spain also marches out with Powerful Forces Enters France Is waited on by the French They Encamp for some time with various Success Some Conspiracies in Bourdeaux are discovered New Recruits are sent from Court into Guienne and the King's Forces take Bourg Libourn and other places and straighten Burdeaux the Citizens whereof make meetings amongst themselves and desire Peace There grow some Tumults which are quieted by the Prince of Conty The Treaties are revived Difficulties are cast in The Propositions of both Parties are debated severally and at last the Peace ensues The Spanish Fleet comes into the mouth of the Garonne and hearing of the Peace concluded cast Anchor and proceed no farther The Princess of Conde and the Duke of Anguien with their Domestiâ—â— take Shipâ—iâ—g and â—o for Flanders The Dukes of Vendosme and Candaâ— enter into â—ourdeaux Several Places in Guienne return to his Majestie 's Obedience The Marches and Encampings of both Armies upon the Frontiers of France and Occurrences happening between the Parties The Spaniards besiege Rocroy and the French Monson and both the one and the other Town are taken The Treaty between the Court and Cardinal de Retz is revived but he refuses all terms of Agreement A Plot against Cardinal Mazarine is discovered and the persons guilty are taken and condemned to death The Mareschal Grancè goes to Command the French Army in Piedmont there is a great Fight between the Armies at Rochetta del Tanaro The Spanish Fleet leaves the Seas of Guienne and returns into Biscay without effecting of their purpose The Siege and taking of Saint Menhaud The Motions of Cardinal Mazarine The Prince Marries the Countess Martinozzi Niece to the Cardinal The Imprisonment of the Duke of Lorrain The Treaties of the French with the Protector Cromwell the Duke of Mantua and the Duke of Modena The secret Negotiations about the Duke of Guise his going into the Kingdome of Naples THE Cardinal Mazarine came into Paris upon the Third of February about Two â— clock in the Afternoon Honoured by the King himself the Duke of Anjoâ— and all the Court who went to meet him two Leagues out of the City His Majesty received him with extraordinary tenderness of Affection took him into his own Coach and entred by the Port of San Deny through a great throng of People and brought him along with himself into the Louvre where his Lodgings were provided as being first Minister of State near to his Majesty where he was forthwith Visited by the Body of the City and by all the other Orders and Magistrates who acknowledging to have received by his means singular Benefits and that all France was highly obliged unto him for his Conduct testified the Content they took at his Fortunate Return It was notwithstanding thought by many That by how much the greater shews of Love were made outwardly so much the less was the Affection which was really born unto him there being no hatred so intense and dangerous as that which shrouds it self under the mask of simulation But I who have with an exact diligence and long experience endeavoured to instruct my self in the Nature of those Persons of whom I write may to the glory of France say I have not met with any People less given to dissembling than they are who being open and free of speech as they think little of what is past so they consider nothing of what 's to come all their Faculties being wholly taken up with intending onely the instant of the present time Whosoever therefore shall consider the Injuries and Scorns which were in September before done to the Cardinal's Name and Memory in Paris and what were now the Honours and Welcome which he received there in February
and from thence drew great hopes of being able to maintain the Divorce they had made from the King's Obedience they sollicited upon that score General Cromwel at London that he would undertake the protection of them and in case that succeeded according to their hopes they thought they should be able to make good their own contumacy and by the assistance of England make themselves free and independant of their own Sovereign This Discourse was dictated rather by Fury and Passion then Solid Reason and accordingly they found themselves in a short time deluded by those vain imaginations All wayes of sweetness therefore used by the Court of France to mollifie the obdurate obstinacy of that fierce untamed people proving fruitless they are resolved to use rigour to prosecute the Warr vigorously against them There were therefore express Orders sent that they should endeavour by all means to streighten the City on every side thereby to enforce them by necessity to comply with their duty since other means would not incline their wills and above all that the Maistry of the River should be made good against all attempts the Spaniard should make which would reduce the City to despair and specially if they could keep things in that posture till the Vintage and if the King's Forces could disturb them therein it would be one of the great damages and punishments could be inflicted on them the Revenues of that City consisting principally in the great plenty of Wines there made by sale of which unto the English Hollanders and others they raise a very considerable profit But in respect 't was also necessary to provide for the Frontiers towards Flanders where the Prince of Conde united with the Spaniards made extraordinary preparations and boasted that they would make a very advantageous Campagne by reason of the Towns he held in Champagne and the intelligence he had in Paris towards which it was the publick talk he meant to march The Cardinal therefore with no less diligence sought to prevent the blow by making all provisions â—itting for it He considered that all consisted in the uniting the Forces of the Kingdome it being very hard to beware of a domestick Enemy and that therefore if he could not reduce Conde whose Mind was carried away with high pretences and the advantages and hopes he drew from Spain unto his duty 't was fit to deprive him of the Credit and Party he had in France which being done he would be then reduced to the condition of being a private Captain onely to the Spaniard The Cardinal therefore bent his thoughts in order thereunto upon two things the one to take from him those Places he held in France and the other to deprive him of those Friends which followed him Upon this design there was a General Amnestie granted unto all persons who repenting their Errour would return unto the King's Obedience Whereupon the Count of Tavannes who had alwaies declared high for the Prince and had worthily performed all parts of a Valiant and undaunted Cavalier being unsatisfied with him left his Party and retired to his own House The same did also several other of his adherents perceiving well that nothing can be an act of greater rashness than to oppose the Soveraign Authority of ones own Prince to submit unto the obedience of a stranger The Prince made shew not to be troubled at it because he had not Forces sufficient to maintain his Friends and repair the loss they suffered for him in their own Countrey and that 't was necessary for him to keep unto himself that little pittance he had from the Spaniard which being far short of the vast promises were made though hardly sufficed to maintain himself in a condition inferiour to his Birth and Quality He would also himself have made his Peace â—if the King's Council would have condescended to his Pretensions which in such case he would have moderated But as it was a thing very desireable to gain him when he had a great Train of discontented French that followed him so now when he was abandoned by all and as it were a private Captain to the King of Spain his Propositions were no more to be admitted he being at that time rather a trouble than advantage to the Spaniard so as he would be able to do less harm abroad than by returning into France As to the first 't was thought that being covetous of Glory and Reputation he would ill suit with the Spaniards who are full of Ambition and Pretensions that the free and open carriage of a French-man would never be well matcht with the reserved and close deportments of a Spaniard that the imperious absolute demeanour of Conde could not but make him odious unto the Spanish Commanders who are all upon punctilio's that the Antipathy between the Nations and difference in Language would presently put him into disorder who knew not how to command and be punctually obeyed but by French-men If his Actions should meet with good Success the Glory of them would make him envied and suspected as a Forraigner in the same manner as Mazarine's had caused him to be in France And if 't were otherwise the damage would be accompanied with scorn there having been as much spent upon his single person as would have served to keep an Army The Jealousie which the Spaniards would alwayes have That he who was not satisfied with being the first Prince of France could not content himself with being a Servant to the King of Spain would keep them in a continual distrust of him which in a short time would destroy the grounds of Friendship And this could not happen but with notable advantage unto France because it would at last be brought to this that either the Spaniards must destroy Conde or he to revenge himself must destroy them so as to leave the Prince in their hands was a great charge unto them which instead of being an advantage to them would puzzle all their Counsels and deliberations As to the second if the Prince should be agreed with and restored to Court and that the Affairs should prosperously succeed all the applause would be attributed only to his Direction so as he would eclipse the Lustre of all others with the splendour of his Glory and re-assuming his first thoughts of giving Law to all without receiving it himself from any would consequently destroy the order of Government which in a Monarchy must depend onely upon one single Person Besides that there would then be no occasion to shew the World that France had other Captains no less Valiant and Ministers of State as Prudent as those the King of Spain could boast of The King would out of his own Clemency have condescended to restore him unto his former degree of Place and Favour if Conde without farther medling with the Affairs of the Kingdome would have resolved quietly to retire himself and enjoy the benefit of his Estate and Revenues in any Country out of France which
with a body of Horse presently yielded without expecting the coming of the Cannon The King who was the first of September come out of Paris and after the Voyage of Amiens had been at Soissons came the 30th of the Month unto Laon to give countenance unto the relief of Rocroy which was intended to have been attempted and for which purpose the Duke of Elbeuf had been sent for from Picardy who with about 3000 men incamped thereabouts and with them also joyned the most part of his Majesties Guards bâ— the Town being rendred before all things were in a readiness the thoughts of that Enterprize ceased and they changed them for another design undertaken by the Cardinal with great courage and undaunted boldness The Court thought good to entertain themselves out of Paris that they might more vigorously assist the Army with Forces and with Counsel The resolutions being soon made and a great number of Nobility following the King besides his ordinary Guards of Horse and Foot both which would be ready to assist on all occasions It had not been amiss that their Majesties had staid in Paris to crush the accidents might happen in that City where the sinister intentions of some against the Government were not entirely quelled principally because the Arch-Bishop being in a declining Age and Retz being to succeed him the same might cause new motions amongst the people upon pretence they could not be without their Pastour who was highly valued and esteemed for his generosity But there being a necessity of going into the Campagne the Court thought that they might prevent all accidents and deprive Paris of that Prelate who had such high and wandring thoughts by offering him his liberty and the King's favour upon condition he would renounce the hope of his future succession and would go to Rome with promise to stay there without returning into France in recompence whereof there was something offered him of equal value although his Uncle were yet living and an Aiuda de Costa that he might live splendidly The Cardinal although he suffered the troubles of a Prison preferred the glory of constancy before his own private gains and being full of hope to see the face of things changed quickly either by the Arch-Bishops death or endeavour of his friends at Rome who were emulous of Cardinal Mazarine was fixed not to quit his Dignity declaring that he would for his Majesty do that or any other thing to the effusion of his blood but that knowing it to be only the Artifice and interest of Mazarine he could not swallow so bitter a Pill presented to him by his mortal Enemy The Pope notwithstanding he inclined not much unto the satisfaction of France declared that the proposition seemed to him fair and fit to be embraced and the Prisoner had notice of it but this would not suffice to make him lay aside the bitterness he had conceived in his mind which by constant suffering of the blows of adverse fortune increased in him the opinion of being more generous and daring and having found means to write unto the Congregation of Cardinals in Rome Letters full of complaint and earnest desires to be assisted by their protection whereof he thought he ought not to be deprived by reason of that prejudice the example might bring unto the Dignity of Cardinals One of the Cardinals of great credit seeing they were about to answer him to think of some expedient in his favour declar'd in givnig his opinion That he could not see any reason why they should ingage themselves in that Affaire which was rather to prejudice the Dignity of Holy Church then advantage the Prisoner since they could give him no other assistance but by words which would perswade much better by the way of sweetness then of rigour He said farther That although the Cardinal Mazarine had fallen into the same and worse intrigues with the Parliament there was nothing done for his assistance although the Service of the King his Master were also concern'd in it and that therefore they had much less reason to interest themselves in behalf of Retz who stood in opposition against his Majesty The said Cardinals advice being considered and approved of as the best the resolution taken was That his Holiness should be desired to exhort the King by Fatherly admonitions to grant his liberty His most Christian Majesty shewed himself most ready to do it and after several Negotiations at last the Dutchess of Chevreux undertook it together with that of Charles Duke of Lorrain and although he was afterwards as shall be shewed arrested by the Spaniard yet that for the Cardinal was not intermitted but was at last concluded upon this condition That he should renounce the Office of being Coadjutor of Paris other benefices of the value of the Arch-Bishoprick of Paris which amounted to a considerable Sum being conferred upon him in lieu thereof This affair was upon the point of being ended and all the difficulty rested only upon two points one was touching the number of the benefices and the other about the security to be given for performance of his Parole The death of the Arch-Bishop his Uncle brought some change in it the Curates of Paris being all of his Faction and his friends having spread abroad some new rumours but de Retz notwithstanding resolved to accept of the conditions offered to him and coming out of the Bois de Vincennes was consigned into the hands of the Mareschal de Mallery who brought him to Nantes to abide there till the conditions were performed after which it was resolved to send him unto Rome and give him money for his Voyage and for an Ayuda de Costa but he going afterwards privately from the said City all things were left at large as in its proper place shall be declared In the mean time Cardinal Mazarine's Enemies seeing all the Artifices and Cabals used by them to ruine him were come to nothing resolved by fraud and treachery to take away his life which being effected and he once out o' th' way they hoped then to compass their ends which by the Cardinal's providence had hitherto been disappointed and 't was a publick report that the Prince of Conde made use of such means upon the knowledge or at least suspition that the Cardinal had made the like attempt upon him which time notwithstanding shewed to be false and an invention onely of the common Enemy For the giving of this stroke there were hired or perswaded one Rigau ' and another called Bertau who being resolved to attempt it began to haunt the Lowvre that they might spy out a fit time and place for puting it in Execution It happened that some Letters were casually intercepted which gave cause of suspition sufficient to seise upon them after which upon Examination they confessed they had resolved to kill the Cardinal by stabbing him with Knives as he went up which he did every night to the King's lodgings by a private narrow pair
speak more freely of those things which he before hinted in Cadillac unto Langlada Saracin found the good inclination of the Court and in consequence thereof after some Journeys to and fro made by him and Langlada the Treaty of Marriage between the Prince of Conty and the Countess Martinozzi Niece to the Cardinal was so far advanced that it was no longer doubted This News being heard by those who were envious of the repose and glory of both Prince and Cardinal they attempted with great malignity to sow tares and foment suspicions between them Some of them representing unto the Abbot Ondedei That all this was but an Artifice That Conty held secret Intelligence with his Brother and the Dutchess his Sister and that the effect would never be correspondent to the appearance But the advantage being reciprocal and the inclinations between the parties equal the spight of those who maligned them was at last overcome and the stipulation of the contract was concluded by his Majestie himself to whose good pleasure the Cardinal referred his will having already wholly sacrificed himself unto his Service and if the execution thereof was delayed it proceeded from the Prince of Conty his good Nature who would not be present at the making of his Brother's Process who was accused and declared guilty of High Treason by the Parliament of Paris The Prince got his coming to Court to be put off until the end of Carneval and then coming thither was received with all imaginable applauses and content the first Friday in Lent the Ceremony of their Hand-fasting and Betrothing was performed with a Dowry of 200000 Crowns given to the Princess by her Uncle and 50000 more by the King's Bounty to which was added a Pension equal to the Church-Livings which being a considerable Summe were resigned by the Prince into the King's hands After followed the Marriage which was honoured by the presence of the King Queen Duke of Anjou and all the Princes and great Lords about the Court where there were none so stung with Envy or possessed with Rancour or ill will that durst find fault with this Conjunction because the Merits of the Uncle from the Crown were altogether unparallel'd and the Beauty of the Bride was accompanied by all those excellent Conditions that are able to enforce Praise and Commendations even from Envious persons and Detractors The Queen her self would needs do that Honour unto the Princess to put her into Bed and by her Incomparable Kindness to give testimony of the Content this Marriage brought her The King after made a gracious Gift unto the Bridegroom of all the Goods and Charges of the Prince his Brother which were Confiscate but he with an exemplar greatness of Mind refused the Favour despising all Riches and Dignities which might accrue unto him by such spoyls to let his Brother know That in his Heart there reigned no other Interest but that of Reputation and Honour which ought to be the onely guide unto the Actions of Moderate and Prudent persons The dayes following were spent in the most lively expressions could be made of general Contentment for the re-union of this Branch unto the Royal Stock which was accompanied with Balls Musick and other Recreations befitting a Royal and Majestick Court And in honour of these Nuptials there followed after many Poems composed by several persons and amongst others by Monsieur Amaltei in France and Monsieur Torcigliani in Italy the two most Famous Virtuosi of this present Age. At the same time that Paris was all in coy by reason of this Marriage and the good Success of the Campagna at Brussels on the contrary all were in Sadness and apprehension occasioned by the fear they had conceived of some sinister Accident by reason of the Imprisonment of Charles Duke of Lorrain which happened in manner following This Prince lived in Flanders with Maximes directed unto the taking of the Common people conversing with persons of mean condition and shunning the converse of Noble-men which by the Nobility was attributed to an extravagancy of humour with the Common people it got a vogue But his courses were much the more observed by the Ministers of Spain because he approved not the Form of their Government To which was joyned a particular difference he had with the Prince of Conde which produced many inconveniences and in particular spoiled all Plots that were well laid one of them hindring alwaies the designs of the other The Count Fuensaldagne in all his Negotiations with the said Duke received ever doubtful answers he was alwaies willing to feed him onely with hopes and promises and making shew of great distrust would alwaies have his money before-hand when he was to do any Service with his Force it was known that Cardinal Mazarine caused him to be Treated with under hand to make him quit the Spaniard and put himself under the Protection of France The Prince of Conde who had particular Information of all that passed by his Friends in the Court of France and served the Catholick King with all fidelity and truth could not endure that any prejudice should be done unto the Spanish Interests more than his own concernments and 't was the common Opinion in Flanders That both he and the Kings Ministers there being advertised of it gave notice thereof unto the Emperour's Court and that of Spain representing to them That 't was necessary to come unto a speedy resolution to avoid the blow might be expected from the Duke unto his Majesty's prejudice After several meetings and consultations in the said Courts it was resolved That they should secure his Person in Flanders as soon as it might be done without confusion or trouble This Order was some time before come from Spain but could not be as then effected Finally In the Campagne 1653 it was discovered that he had made an Agreement with France That in case the Armies came to fight the Lorenois should stand Neuters without assisting either Party And the suspicion thereof was the occasion that when the Armies faced each other the Spaniards as hath been said durst not ingage the French nor make use of the opportunity they had to fight Turenne but the Forces of both sides after the taking of St. Menhaud by the French being gone into their Winter-quarters the Duke being in Brussells an Arrest upon his person was resolved to be executed in manner following First 't was agreed with the Count Ligneville Commander-General of the Loranois who had a particular Antipathy against the French Nation that in cause any change of Quarters should be made among the Spanish Souldiery he would take order that his men should not move and then they caused some Troops to draw near Brussels for the effecting of the Arrest which had been ordered The Duke was advertised of this but said to him who gave him that notice that he valued it not in case those were the Troops who changed their Quarters The King's Ministers being in doubt