French men esteemed themselues most happie to fall prisoners into the handes of more gracious Lordes from whose furie hardly could Frances de Montmorencie saue himselfe who onely remained there within lieutenant for the king whom in seeking to couer and defend D'ouartie was sore set vppon and hurt in his presence yet afterwardes hee was knowen and carried prisoner to Binecourt the Emperours Lieutenant The other more apparant prisoners as the Vicount de Martiques Dampierre de Losses Baudiment Bailet de S. Romain the Captaines Grille le Breul and Saint Romane yeelded themselues to diuerse masters as the hazard gaue them leaue and forasmuch as the simple souldiers were the first which entered in and not the captaines or Lordes of authoritie such prisoners as could readily make anye money went out good cheape as the Vicount De Martiques Dampierre de Saint Romane and the Captaine Breul But such as tarryed tardie were knowen and in great daunger there to abide by it long The surplus of the souldiers found at the Spaniards hands to whose mercie the most parte were fallen an honest entertainment taking of such as had meanes reasonable ransome and the poore hauing stript them of their weapons and best stuffe they sent backe safely and oftentimes themselues conducted them Within this little towne was found a great deale of good and grosse artillerie chiefly two verie faire and long Culuerines In this time the great Turke Sultan Soliman carryed himselfe too rigorously towardes the person of Sultan Mustapha his eldest sonne which he had of a slaue Who hauing beene sent with his mother from his first youth into the prouince of Amafia which was giuen vnto him was so well and carefully brought vp as hee there atchieued great honour and amitie not onely of all in that Countrie but thoroughout all the gouernments of his Father This mother beeing absent Soliman tooke another slaue vnto him named Roza of whome hee had foure other sonnes Mahomet Baiazet Selim Giangir the crooke backe and one daughter which was marryed to Bassa Rostan Roza being indued with admirable beautie accompanyed with all the flattering delights and allurements which possibly one could imagine knewe so well howe to plaie her part towardes Soliman who was as it were a man rauished that by the helpe of Muchthy as much to saie as the soueraigne Priest of the lawe of Mahomet and vnder colour of religion shee was not onely made free of condition but lawfull wife spouse of Soliman to which neuer anie before her attayned Raised now vnto such honour and seeing her selfe entirelie beloued she had no greater care than how to establish the Empire vnto one of her children after the death of the father But foreseeing that the singular vertues of Mustapha would bee so farre contrarie thereunto that whilest hee liued shee should neuer haue rest because that he had gotten the loue of the men of warre and how the eyes of all men were vppon him for the great hope of his magnanimious courage and singular dexteritie she studyed as much as she could to make him become odious to Soliman to which her sonne in law greatly aided her for that hee as then gouerned all the affayres Her reasons were how that Mustapha building vppon the loue and fauour which hee had gotten of all men thorough his great liberalitie courage dexteritie of spirit burned with such a longing to raigne as euerie man feared least in affecting the Empire hee would shorten the dayes of Soliman as alreadie Selim had done to his father Therefore shee vrged Soliman and besought him with many and great teares that hee would take order therein thereby to prouide for his owne safetie Now albeit in the beginning shee smally preuailed and that Mustapha had well discouered the crossebarres which shee ordinarilye prepared for him yet shee neuer ceased to continue by the helpe of a Iew a most renowmed inchantresse who hauing giuen vnto her certaine drugs shee caused the amitie of Soliman to bee redoubled towards Roza so well as she assured her selfe of a good euent at the last to her enterprises albeit a delaie might bee for a time Finally after many practises shee found meanes to suborne the gouernour of Mustapha and caused him to write though falsely vnto Soliman howe his sonne meant to take in marriage the daughter of the Kinge of Persia This olde man moued by the continuall plaintes of Roza and Rostan easily gaue credite to these newes and false aduertisements so as in the yeere 1552. hauing caused a bruite to runne of the Persians comming downe into Syria hee sent Rostan thether with a puisant armie for vnder colour of going to meete with his enimies to ceaze vpon Mustapha and bring him prisoner to Constantinople with expresse commaundement to kill him if otherwise hee coulde not take him But Mustapha aduertised of the whole matter and howe that the Persians were not at all in the field came towardes him with seuen thousand men of the best experienced in the warres which caused Rostan to make a quicke returne without dooing ought Whereat Soliman beeing the more prouoked the next yeere caused the same bruite agayne to runne and how hauing leauied a great armie he meant to go himself in person agaynst the Persians Beeing arriued in Syria hee commanded his sonne to come vnto him to his campe Mustapha knowing how it was him alone which they shot at albeit hee was prayed and greatly solicited to auoide the furie of his Father and retire himself into some other part trusting in his owne innocencie and thinking it a matter more commendable and worthie of his greatnesse to die in obeying of his Father than liuing to incurre a note of infamie and treason yea though thereby hee might gaine the Empire of the whole world thinking in like sorte that for that he neuer made anie refusal by his owne presence hee might appease the furie of his father went on his waie thether but being entered within Solimans tent hee was sodainly taken and strangled in his owne presence after at the same instant the Bassa his head of the Prouince of Amasia was stroke off This crueltie beeing come to the knowledge of Giangir the crooke backe one of the rest of the foure brothers hee manfully reiected the gifte and spoile which his father had presented vnto him so that lamenting the death of his brother he could not command himselfe nor refrain from vttering these speeches Ha cruell Traitor I cannot say Father take now to thy selfe the treasures the Horses the Tapistrie and the Prouince of Mustapha and gouerne it at thyne owne pleasure could it fall into thy thought O infamous man and without humanitye to cause to dye against all lawe so valiant a personage as neuer was nor neuer will be the like in all the house of Ottomans Ha ha it shall not bee true and I will take order that thou shalt neuer bee able impudentlye to vaunte that euer thou didst the like
finished their propositions before that the Kinge rose the Cardinall of Sens keeper of the greate Seale kneeled downe before the Kinge bowing downe his head verie lowe Afterwardes rysing vp hee returned towardes the assistantes and saide that the Kinge had commaunded him to vse this speeche vnto all the people That to beginne to restore all thinges into a good disposition for the comforte and repose of Fraunce euerie one of the Deputies of the Townes shoulde set downe in writing all theyr griefes and put those pointes into Articles which had most neede of reformation and then deliuer them into the saide Du Mortier his handes Vppon which the Kinge with the Lordes of his Councell would particularly order euerie one as hee shoulde see needefull and in such time as they shoulde bee made priuie vnto And that the Deputies shoulde not departe out of the Towne vntill they had more amplie vnderstoode the Kinges pleasure This being saide the Kinge arose and after himselfe being retyred euerie man tooke the waie of his retreate Certaine daies after the Deputies of the Townes were sent for to the Cardinall of Sens his lodging where they found the Cardinall of Lorraine with other of the priuie Councell There the Cardinall of Lorraine deliuered vnto the Deputies of the Townes the ende and scope of his assemblie to witte that the Kinge woulde borrow three Millions of Golde and that hee woulde haue found out three thousand persons within his Realme which might lend him euerie man a thousand Crownes declaring how that the Cleargie had alreadie offred a thousand men which should lend euerie man a thousand That the Townes of Fraunce should find two thousand men and that the K. would diminish his taxes for the ease of his common people which was greatly oppressed therewith And that there should bee no more custome put vpon marchandise for the entertayning of traficque charging the saide Deputies to doe one of the two thinges euerie man to giue a parte by him selfe the Roles of such as were able to furnishe money and the other to giue in writing to Du Mortier all such Articles as seemed good vnto them for the reformation of causes At their departure the deputies consulted together and concluded it touching the charge which was giuen vnto them they were not able to giue anie roles of names for that it was vnpossible for them to bee able to know the estate of the perticular persons for such a one is oftentimes reputed to haue money which hath least And for to discharge themselues from giuing anie such Roles they went the same daie to the Cardinall of Lorraine to whome they declared that it was vnpossible to giue vp any such Roles with any certaintie by reason that they were not possibly able to knowe and vnderstande the abilitie and meanes of the inhabitants for as much as some man hath store of goods in apparance which hath no money at all And for the regard of Marchants which worke vppon their credit many a one maketh great show and traficques outwardly which is neere enough at hand to be come bankroute Afterwards they of the priuie Counsell deliberated of the matter Whereuppon considering how that the Deputies of Townes were not able to make vp anie true Rowles thorough the vncertaintie of persons habilities they concluded that they would charge and taske in euerie Towne so many men as shoulde lend money and if they were not able to lend a thousand Crownes then to lende fiue hundred augmenting the number of persons The fourth estate afterwardes gaue vp Articles for the reformation of causes according as the present time required Briefely in the ende the Ecclesiasticall estate garunted vnto the King in a pure guift a Million of Golde besides the tenthes And the fouth estate two Millions of Golde declaring further vnto him that if that woulde not suffice to maintaine the warre and compell the enemie to harken to some good peace they would expose al that remayned of their goods and persons at his seruice Hereupon the King perceiuing all his forces to be ioyned together in one ouer which and his whole Realme throughout hee had already declared the Duke of Guise his Lieutenant generall determined that the conquest of Calais the countie there abouts should be the first exploite thereof and so the aduise of those which councelled him to assaie to recouer such places as were lost was differred vntill a better season considering that they were wel enough prouided to hold out a long time that winter approached on his troupes being come from so farre off especially his men at armes being altogether wearie with their great paines taking the Sommer before And the whole Countrie cleane wasted and especially vnprouided of all victuall and fourage thorough the continuance of the warres passed Now as the gentle harte awakeneth and groweth affected according to the good or euill example of an other and chiefely in seeking to doe best when any hatred or iealousie is intermingled so this Generall being curious to make it appeare that to blot out the Constables disgrace he had no smaller meanes vnder the winges of his Prince then the D. of Sauoie supported by the K. of Spaine endeuored by his long secrete and continuall diligence to take his aduantages as happily as the Prince of Piemont had done in his former exploits of Picardie Therefore vndertaking vpon his honour the conduct and finall execution of Senarpont Gouernour of Boulonnois his olde and so often differred secret enterprises to the pursuite wherof the Constable marched had not the desastre of S. Quintins crossed the course of his good happe and perceauing how all thinges had of a long time beene made ready aduised that the better to take away anye suspition from the Spanniardes of his intente and meaning the Duke of Neuers should carrie halfe the armie into Campagne giuing out that he went to batter Luxembourge Arlon and other places which Frontered vpon his gouerment and that the other part should remaine with the D. of Guise only to hinder any entire victualling which should bee brought to such places as had beene newly conquered But the Duke of Neuers seeing that nothing presented it selfe of suddaine taking that the Spaniard had dispersed his armie in fortefying the places about Luxembourg which were euill enough prouided sent backe his troupes with all diligence to the Duke of Guise who in the meane space bending towards Amiens as it were to victuall D'ourlen and after to strengthen Ardres Bolongne found meanes to vnderstand and learne the passages forces estate and desseins of them of Calais Wher vnderstanding how that al things remained in the same state as they left them with a great promptnes he presented the choysest of his men before the fort of Nieullay on the first day of Ianuarie Where finding at their ariuall a little fort palissaded raysed vp with earth which the English men had builded at S. Agathe a smal village neere hand and at the
of well choosing his aduantage rather then to accept of battaile no lesse assured himselfe to make vaine the attempts of the French in any place which they should goe about to besiege alwaies prouided that his would haue the patience to suffer the first heate of the French a little to euaporate as into smoake knowing that Henry notwithstanding the better to preuaile therein made account to sound Cambray as well for that the taking thereof would be an example to sundrye other of renowne as thinking to prouoke the imperials rather to battaile then that they would lose such a place in which especially he knew his owne credite not to be so deepely rooted but that for a small matter the inhabitants would shake of the yoke which not long before he had imposed of them ioyne that the towne hauing beene alwaies Neuters such occurrents might so happen as he might make it partaker with him or at the least fauourable if they would assist to the recouering of their auncient liberty considering that in terming it selfe Neuter it was not lawfull for him to haue any greater authoritie ouer it then the King and the rather for that the magistrates and popular sorte began to feele themselues outraged by the vsurpation which he had made ouer them hauing proceeded so farre to his own aduantage as to build a citadell to keep them in subiection he feared least they would euen make plaine onuerture to the King being as then the stronger In summe if the Imperialles shewed themselues of good courage the French caused no other brute to runne but of the desire they had to battaile and how the King sought no other occasion then such as the place and time yeelded vnto him to wit being there at hand in so large and spatious a plaine to present battaile or to summon the Towne according to the accord of neutralitie to make him onuerture and giue him victuall or proclaime it as his enemy and so not farre from that place neere to Peronne the French were encamped a two little leagues from Cambray And the next morrow by break of day the King caused his army to be set in order of battaile ready to fight sending a herald of armes to summon the towne of her duety signifying vnto them that he was not come thither to oppresse them but rather to restore and settle them in their auntient libertye which he well knew had beene already corrupted by the Emperour of which if they would be reuenged and leaue that bondage they could not haue better meanes then by his comming that if the Emperour would quarrell for other aduantages hee was there in person both to declare and fight with all his forces to the contrary if they did otherwise they would be an occasion of much mischeefe to themselues first in losing the title and priuiledge of being called Neuters which is not affectionate to either the one or the others quarrels by which meanes they had onely obtained the liberty to be able to traffique in both their Countries Moreouer they should thereby exempt their Countrie round about from the miseries of the warre otherwise they should remaine for euer subiect to imposts loanes subsidies and all other manner of exactions and be besides that in danger to be partaker of the sundrye trauayles whereto a particular Country is abandoned and accustomed to suffer for his Prince In summe they demaunded twise foure and twenty houres of the King to be aduised thereof and to yeelde their answere so the King caused his Campe to retyre a great league further backe being lodged at Creuaecaeur of the appertenances of the Queene and it was proclaimed thoroughout the whole armye that vpon a great paine of corporall punishment no man should dare take ought within the territorye of Cambray without paying for the same During this delay the Emperours partye within Cambray certified him of this summons as then lying at Breuxelles who to comforte and releeue them with hope and courage set downe many thinges vnto them among the rest that they helde of the Chamber of the Empire and that hee was the Emperour to defend and protect them not a King of Fraunce who sought nothing but their ruine so as hauing set before their eyes the example of Metz hee promised the deputies that in case they should be besieged hee would succour them by all meanes whatsoeuer And from thence gaue order to the Prince of Piemont who was gotten with his army towards Valenciennes that hee should yeelde vnto them as much succour as they would demaund or well needfull for them ordaining thereto for cheefe and principall Gouernours the Earls of Bossu and Brabanson The time of delay being expired albeit the King knew well all these newes yet hee sent againe to summon them to knowe their resolution but they sent worde that if it might so please his Maiestie they were all content to remaine his humble neighbors and freends no waies refusing to giue him victuals but that as yet they were not masters ouer their owne goods for that the Emperor spight of their teeth had put men and great garrisons into their towne wherefore it was cleane out of their libertye and power to be able to dispose of any more Vpon this answere and mylde excuse the towne was adiudged for enemy and the same day being the eight of September the Constable with two regiments of men at armes and 3. or 400. light horse and Rirebands followed by the Admirall with ten Ensigns of French fantery went to prie and view round about but in steede of hearing the crowing of Poultrie before now nothing was heard but Cannons harquebuze shot and noyse of all partes especially from the cytadell which made the earth to tremble with the artillerie shot wherewith they played vpon the French souldiers entring therewith as thicke out of the Towne as waspes vse out of the hole of a tree after him that stirreth them but so maintained and the skirmishes so gallantly handled that they continued sixe whole dayes togither in one of which there was killed De Brese captain of one of the French guardes and before the Cytadell Coruet was slaine Captaine of one of the companies of the French footmen Of the Bourgonians there was of reputation taken and brought prisonners the Earle of Pondeuaux of the French Countie De Trelon of the Duchie of Luxembourg and other In the meanetime Bourdillon sent vnto the King by Neuuy Ensigne of his companie two Cornets of Bourgonians broken and defeated at La Haiette neere to Maubert Fontaine the Gouernour of Cimetz one of their cheefe remaining there prisonner the Bastard of Auanes another of their cheefe leaders by his good speede and well flying sauing himselfe Now to returne before Cambray it was perfectly viewed and by the aduise of such as had marked round about from the one end to the other ioyne the reporte of the spyes and such as likewise had viewed it within found to be as
woordes and wrighting Among other meanes and perswasions wherewith hee serued himselfe to bring them to this poynt he vsed these Whilest that you make ciuill warre one vpon another the Turke stretcheth out at large his dominion and hath already taken two fortes by land and Sea to wit Belgrade and Rhodes by meanes whereof hee hath made his way as farre as Bude and is growne maister of the Danube that if God had not raised him vp the K. of Persia for an enemie it is very likely that long since he had put all Christendome vnder his obedience By this occasion many false Christians are so multiplyed in diuers places with such corruption of all kinde of discipline as well ecclesiasticall as ciuill as your power is not great enough to punish and correct them which the mutinies growne in so many places well declare the offices of religion left the schismes and heresies which in the meane time engender and grow throughout all Countries you ought to consider your own dutie and aboue all that you be Princes of christian religion And albeit that God hath permitted Satan the author of all mischeefe who goeth about to sifte the Church like Corne to moue warre among you who are the two most principall and noblest members of the Church yet hath hee not permitted his malice to exceede prophane and ciuill actions for hee hath counter garded you entirely in one religion in one same faith and opinion assembled and vnited in one selfe same body of the Church otherwise it were not possible to finde meanes to set you at accorde And albeit that many other Princes are reuolted from the Church and that the enemye of mankinde hath spread his malice throughout God notwithstanding hath looked vpon you in pittie and brought to nought the attemptes of the Deuill In which as for a certain signe of his bounty and clemency towards you he sheweth that finally he wil be serued by you and vnite you with one fraternall bond together with his Vicar on earth to take away these so perillous discordes and restore againe peace as well in the ciuill as ecclesiasticall estate Pole alleadged many other thinges to this purpose greatly threatning them with the wrath and vengeance of God if they did not leaue of these their passions and take compassion of the poore people so greatly afflicted And albeit that he preuailed nothing yet for so much as the affaires of England came to his wish hee insisted in such sorte as hee caused the Emperour and the King of France to come to this poynte to sende Embassadours on the one parte and the other The Queene of England who carried her selfe neuter in this cause caused a place to bee chosen neate and proper in the fielde betweene Cales Ardes and Graueline Townes vnder the subiection of England France and Burgondie scituate as in a tryangle then hauing made cast a trenche round she caused foure lodginges to be reared vp for the time onely but commodious enough where the three and twentith daye of May the Embassadours assembled On the Emperours parte the Bishop of Arras among other for the French King were the Cardinall of Lorraine and the Constable for England to mediate the Peace was Pole the Earle of Arundel and Paget The brute hereof being spread abroade gaue men occasion to think and hope for much especiallye those who vnderstoode not the deapth of the differences for there was question made of the Duchies of Milan Bourgondie Sauoye Piemont Corse Nauarre Lorraine Luxēbourg of the Townes of Thou Verdun and Metz matters hauing beene long and stiffelye debated as among other difficulties the English mediators were of opinion that the knowledge of certaine of the differents were fitte to be reserued to the deciding of a Councell they all departed thence without doing ought The tenth of Iune Ferdinande and the estates of the Empire besought the Emperour by their letters that in treating of peace he would haue especiall regarde to what the K. of France had taken away from the Empire Now nothing being accorded betweene the Embassadours the Emperour wrote backe fifteene dayes after to the estates in like substance The Emperours letters to the states I Greatly reioyced to see that you tooke pittie of those whom the enemie to my selfe and the Empire hath sacked I alwaies had especial care that they shold be restored into their former estate and before I receiued your letters I gaue expresse charge to my Embassadours and principall Councellors deputed for a peace that they should in any wise presse this without yeelding one inche And albeit that in all the treaties of peace which I haue made I thought in respect of the publike tranquilitie they would not bee to obstinate yet they are departed away without doing ought and notwithstanding I doe not refuse a peace for the good of Christendome so as they make me any reasonable offers and as opportunitie shall be offred I will straine myselfe to get such goods as haue beene pluckt from the Empire restored into their former estate See how God which hath the harts of Kings in his hands making each partie to iudge the others demaunds to vnreasonable would not permit Christendome so soone to enioy a benefit so much desired In sort that each one keeping himselfe vpon feare of a surprisal easily made his neighbor thinke how the cariadges of the Garrisons round about tended to more high enterprises So as these two Princes tickled with the like feare and quickly taking one anothers actions for a sufficient defiance of warre as Henrie deuided his men where he saw it most needfull the Emperour first put his armie into the field of twentie thousand fighting men vnder Martin Roussan bastard of Cleues who after many roades burnings and vncredible wasts all along the Meuse encamped at Deux Giuets minding to build a fort vpon that mountaine at the foot whereof this riuer runneth there by to bridle all the quarters round about make a sure retreate there for al such as were able to endomage the French The D. of Neuers in the meane space hauing taken good order for Maizieres and other places of importance resolued by the K. commaundement to victuall well Mariemburg And to that end hauing speedily and secretly made ready all preparations as well of men as victuals munitions and companies vnder the Comte of Retheloix he sent three hundred harquebusiers as well French as English and Scots mounted to discouer and bring backe word to the cheefe of the eight hundred light horse which followed them what they should discry who with the leader of the vantgard of two hundred men at armes and eight ensignes of fantassins which marched after and a number of harquebusiers close to the winges of the wagons prouided therto whatsoeuer was needfull according to the generals commaundment who led the battell of three hundred men at armes and eight ensignes of fantassins hauing on his backe the arrieregard of two hundred men at armes
sonne Pierre Loys Farneze and in the end obtained the Emperours consent for that in time past they had appertained to the Dutchie of Milan Vpon condition of some recompence and the marriage of his naturall daughter with Octauian eldest sonne to Pierre Louys Who imagining to assure the insolences of his fraile and arrogant life thorough the rigorous carriage of himselfe and his strong fortresses which he there built especially at Plaisance was notwithstanding in the end stabbed in with a Dagger by the Paluoysins his Subiects and others as he sate at dinner But shortly after Ferdinande Gonzague Lieutenant for the Emperour in the Dutchie of Milan was readie to enter both with horse and foote to sease of Plaisance to the vse of the Emperour which made men to thinke that he fauoured the plat So the Pope greatly offended as wel at the losse of his sonne as of his lands and especially by him who had beene so greatly benefited by him and his house to which he was himselfe alied found no more ready way for the defence of the rest knowing that a number of the countrie about Parma yeelded day by day to Gonzague and others for the Emperour then to send Camillo Vrsino one of the Captaines of the Church to Parma being himselfe cleane worne with age his end the rather hastened by so sorrowfull newes And seeing himselfe euen ready to depart ordained by his will that Parma should be rendred to his grand childe Octauian the which was confirmed by Ialie the third before Cardinal of Mont-Aretin chosen Pope after certaine defferents which had passed in the conclaue commaunding Camillo to deliuer vnto him the Cittie which he did Notwithstanding that the Emperour had earnestly required him to deliuer it into his handes as Protector of the substance of the Church and besides as Lord of Millane from whēce these places had bene dismembred declaring vnto him the great charge of expence conuenient for the tuition thereof yea proceeding so farre as to threaten Camillo if he did not deliuer it And seeing he could not by these meanes obtaine it he offered high rewards to Octauian who notwithstanding vtterly despised them fearing like sundrie other he should become cleane frustrate as wel of his certaintie as his hope The Pope for all that deepely pressed in the end thorough the solliciting of the Emperour signified vnto Octauian that he would no longer sustaine the expence which hee had promised towards the protection of his dominions Whereupon he being greatly astonied especially for that the other seemed cleane to forget himselfe hauing receiued his first aduancement from the house of Farneze and considering that his father in law indeuored but his spoyle in the end besought the King of Fraunce to receiue him vnder his protection Who being perswaded that the action was worthy of commiseration and that by the example of his ancestors he ought to shew himself therin ready to succour the afflicted aboue all things a protector of the goods of the Church first comforted him with a hope of succour and not being able to bring the Pope to take vp the matter otherwise he vndertook the defence therof vpon fauourable conditions to the Church of Rome so as the French entred there very shortly after which the Emperour tooke in very euill parte attributing it to a meere and wilfull breache of Peace so solemnelye concluded The K. notwithstanding to make manifest his entente herein which he foresawe would bee euill construed of such as were ignorant of his meaning and chiefely to put out of euery mans head such reproches and backbitinges as by his enemyes might be supposed that he should haue a further end then he would discouer made knowne to all men by two seuerall waies that banding himselfe against the Pope and his partakers he would not be seperate in ought might appertain to the vnion of the church of Rome first by the persecution which he was counselled to sharpen double against the Lutheranes secondly by his protestations which of his own deliberation he sent as wel to the counsel of Trent as dietts of th'emperour and other christian princes touching the first he presently made a most sure testimonie thereof to such as cheeflie desired his enmitie with the Pope and banding against the Chatholick obedience for vpon the complaint which the Cleargy made vnto him of the vnbrideled companie of Lutheranes which encreased to a great eye-sore throughout his Realme he caused a maruellous rigorous Edict to be made for their searching out reuealing condemnation and punishment The which being made at Chasteau-Briant where then he was the 27. of Iune 1551. was called the Edict of Chasteau-Briant by vertue whereof all the ancient Edicts which punished Heretiques were reuiued and made in force the soueraigne knowledge giuen to the Presidiaux to the end to make speedie expedition and among sundry other articles for the punishing of Printers Booke-binders and other sellers of suspected bookes it was enacted that the Estates of Iudicature thereto ordeyned and Regentes of Schooles should bee bound to bring proofe to witnesse that they were well reputed of among good Catholicke Christians that information should be made against the negligence of such Iudges as slacked their punishment from three moneths to three moneths that the Mercuriales should be in force in soueraigne Courtes in which should be chiefelye handled the points of faith especiallye for the purging of such faultes as might be found in any suspected of heresie whereof hee will'd information should bee made the goods of heretiques retired to Geneua to be confiscate to the King except good proofe were made that they were simplie bought togither with sundry other rigorous articles Now for that to the end the estate of Fraunce might be the better assured and maintained the Kings at all times haue beene contented to yeelde this authoritie to that Parlament of Paris being assembled of the most remarqued Frenchmen for their knowledge experience and other vertues as well Clergie as Layetie to iudge whether the letters statutes Edicts and ordinances although they were before resolued of by the Priuie counsell were fit to be put in practise throughout the Realme to the end they should be either receiued published and engrossed of record in their Courte or sent backe againe to the King if they were not found iust reasonable and aduantagious to the estate together with their declarations which they must send both in writing and worde of mouth by some one of their owne body which to that purpose they dispatch The Edict was presently carryed to the Kinges Counsell which are his Proctor and 2. Aduocates ordained for his assistance at the earnest sute of the Clergie requiring to haue it engrossed of record in the Court but it was refused for many considerations which a number of Counsellers alleadged that at that time stoode suspected and since found to bee Lutherans as heereafter I will declare In the end notwithstāding by the earnest and
continuall instance of the Cardinals and other of the Cleargie about the King who besides would make him selfe appeare most Christian throughout all Europe especially for the reasons aboue mencioned the Court was so pressed that all the articles of the Edict were there in publique audience read the 3. of September 1551. in the Chamber called Doree Of all which Pierre Seguier the Kings Aduocate demaunding the ingrossing of the behalfe of the Proctor generall saide that it was well knowne how the Kinges of Fraunce had bene alwaies zealous protectors of christianitie of the faith and vnion of the Church for which they worthily deserued the name of most Christian that there was no doubt but zeale of Religion was one of the principall causes for which it pleased God to maintaine the estate of that Realme in that greatnes it was vntill that day that historyes did witnes among all the misfortunes and vnhappines which fell out betweene the Romaine Kings the raigne of Numa Pompilius to haue beene found most long happie and peaceable because hee was most zealous in Religion And Titus Liuius and Plutarch write Quod Numa Primus condidit templum fidei primus fidei solemne instituit And albeit that the Religion of Numa was not ruled after the worde of God yet hauing had so great an increase of good fortune in his Heathenishe Religion it may verye well cause vs to thinke that the care and zeale which the Kings of Fraunce haue had for Christian religion hath greatlye auailed and helped towards the maintenance and enlarging of the Monarchie of Fraunce Contrarywise negligence of Religion the leauing and apostacie of faith and the scismes and diuisions in the Church are the beginning and spring of all mischiefes and the forewarning of desolation and ruine to a Common-wealth The examples are verye common De neglecta Religione both in Valerius and other our owne Histories as the Bookes of Moses doe testifie that the children of Israel while they helde themselues vnited in the faith of God and precepts of Moses prospered and ouercame all aduersities but when they withdrew themselues from religion they fell into great ruine The most Christian King considering and well vnderstanding these things hath studiously diligently searched by all possible meanes how the error of the Pseudo-christians might bee extermined and cleane rooted out of this Realme and to this end hath commaunded these letters now read to be approued in this Courte and further said that he could not omit to yeelde due thankes vnto the King for his most gracious royall and most Christian will moste humblye beseeching God that it would please him to preserue the King in this charitie deuotion and zeale many yeares and hereupon concluded and required the publication and approuing of the letters enioyning the Prelates and Cleargy in what appertained to their charge to obey the contents thereof Then the Presidente after the counsellers had deliuered their opinions gaue this sentence The Court in obeying of the Kings will ordaineth that vpon the plight of the said letters shalbe set downe Lecta publicata Registrata audito requirente procuratore generale Regis and that the Iudges Presidiaux and such as assist them in iudgement of criminall enditementes shall vpon sight thereof cause the prisoners to be brought before them and heare them speake in person and such iudgements as shall be so giuen by the Presidiaux and their assistantes shall not be helde and reputed for sufficiently concluded and awarded except it passe the consent of two at the least according to the ordinance And gaue in charge to the Court of the said Iudges that after iudgement giuen vpon the said criminall enditements they should make them safely to be kept by such Greffiers as the court should appoint to haue diligent care of the same to the end they might both deliuer answere the same whatsoeuer they should be called vpon Moreouer he warned exhorted the Court the Archbishops and Prelates that resorted thereunto enioyning them to keepe and fulfill the contentes of the saide letters in whatsoeuer might concerne them the 3. of September 1551. Now let vs handle againe the imperials practises against the French you shal belowe see in place fitter for it the second meanes which the King had to iustifie himselfe for his actions in the occurrence of Parma If the Emperor were angry knowing of the Kings resolution in fauour of the Farnezes Pope Iulye made no lesse shew thereof and thereupon the 11. of Aprill hee bitterly accused Octauian by a writing published to that end When said he he receiued Parma at my hands and the estate of Supreame Gouernour hee promised me vpon his faith that he would neuer serue other Prince nor put any Garrison of Strangers into Parma without my leaue and assoone as any apparance was of any change I oftentimes very louingly admonished him by men expressely and by his own brother the Cardinall Alexander that he should remember his dutie But because he answered very strangely I threatned him by letters vnder great paines if hee should forget himselfe hoping in time to haue wonne him But since being aduertised how farre he swarueth from the accord I haue great cause to be extreamelye angrye that one whom I had enriched and aduanced to honor should offer me such an iniurye Now then though it were lawfull for me to pronounce iudgement in so apparante and cleare a matter yet to the end to make him know my curtesie I charge him to appeare at Rome within 30. daies to answere to his accusations and to put in good security for his comming if hereof he make no accompt I condemne and holde him for guilty of treason disloyaltie and other crimes willing and meaning that all his goods shalbe confiscat for which I require aide of th'emperour that he will holde a strong hand to helpe me to punish the same forbidding all in generall to yeelde him any releefe or succour The King of Fraunce in the meane time to appease the Pope and his Cardinals declared by his Embassador Paul de Termes of purpose sent vnto Rome that he was no whit at all to blame for receiuing of Octauian into his protection considering it a matter proper to the office of Kings to succour the afflicted Besides sayth hee he sought no particular profit to himselfe but all for the benefit of the Church of Rome according to the example of his progenitors which had inriched the same more than all other and oftentimes defended it with the sword for considering that Parma was of the patrimonie of the Church he would especially seeke to preuent that it might not fall into the handes of anie stranger which was the verie reason that hee was at so great ordinarie an expence Therfore he earnestly besought him to take it in good part and not to remaine in that harde opinion hee had conceiued of him a matter which should bring great profite to the commonwealth
aliue the first of Iuly 1523. Hereupon Adrian died the 13. of September 1523. to whome Clement of Medices 7. succeeded vnder whome the doctrine of Luther began to creepe in amidst the French among whom albeit couertly and secretly the Lutheranes were soone enough suspected and known afterwards examined of their faith were very often pursued by the Clergie so as the French army being broken vp and the King taken before Pauie by Fernand Daual Marquisse of Pescaire Charles of Bourbon and Charles De Launoy Viceroy of Naples 14. of Februarie 1525. who caried him prisoner into Spaine his mother Loyse regent in his absence desiring in this so great an affliction to entertaine the good fauour of Christian Princes especially of the Pope besides the good affection and singular reuerence which by her letters shee protested to carrie towards the Church of Rome demaunded at their hands succour against such an accident and Councell how shee might staie the course of heresies which were already hatched thorough out the whole Realme Then Clement the seuenth besides his priuate letters full of hope and comfort signified from Rome the 20. of March 1525. to the Parliament of Paris that he had vnderstoode by letters from the regent how those wicked heresies began to slide thorough the whole Realme and whom by great prudence and good aduise they had deputed certaine to whom they gaue charge to see the punishment of such as stroue to abolish the faith and auncient Religion whom so deputed he confirmed by his owne authoritie It is necessarie saith he that against this great and maruailous disorder sprong from the malice of Satan and the rage and impietie of his supporters the whole world should bend their forces to preserue the common health considering that this forcenerie woulde not onely confound and broyle Religion but also all principalitie Nobility lawes orders and degrees For his owne parte he would neither spare any diligence or labor to remedie such an inconuenience that they in like sorte whose prudence and vertue hath euery where beene highly renowned ought to employ themselues to the preseruing of the true and right faith And moreouer that to the end the weale of their Realme and dignitie of their estate should be exempt from the perill and domesticall misteries which this pernitious and pestilent heresie sowed round about they needed not to bee pricked forwards considering how great testimonie of their prudence they had already yeelded yet to make his dutie appeare and shew the good will which he bore vnto them he would doe no lesse then adde this For that which they hetherto had done was most agreeable vnto him and was the cause why he exhorted them from thence forth to keep good watch against so mischieuous a plague of heretiques for the honour of God and safetie of the Realme In some hee assured them that this their diligence should bee greatly acceptable to God and worthy of much praise before men that he in like sorte would set to his helping hand and giue vnto them aide and all possible fauour Vpon this then the Diuines of Paris during the imprisonment of King Francis the first tormented greatly among other Iacques Le Feure of Estaples who hath left behinde him many bookes in Philosophie and Diuinitie In sort that hee was enforced to retire out of Fraunce The King aduertised hereof especially by the recommendation of his sister Marguerite who greatly fauoured Le Feure for his vertue sent letters to the Parliament of Paris in which he signified how hee had beene giuen to vnderstand that they had indited Iacques De Feure and sundry other of excellent knowledge before them at the pursute of the Diuines who deepely hated Le Feure for euen before his departure out of France some of that facultie had highly accused him before himselfe but wrongfully and without cause That if it had beene so saith he he gaue charge to the greatest personages and most notable in all erudition to canuisse out his bookes and writings wherewith he was charged which they diligently executing euery thing thoroughly examined a most ample and honorable testimonie was deliuered vnto him touching the said Feure considering then that the truth is such as hee did afterwards vnderstand that he was highly esteemed among the Italians and Spaniards for his doctrine and vertue he would stand maruailously discontented if they should offer any iniurie or put in any danger so innocent a person And for that at that instant he ment to haue iustice more rightly rigorously administred thoroughout his Realme then before as also for that he resolued to shew all fauour and amitie towards learned men to that end hee commaunded that if they had put any men of knowledge in question since his departure that it should be suspended by his mother the regent to the end he might be aduertised by her and that they should therein attend his intention and good pleasure In the meane time not to proceede any further but surcease vntill his returne which he hoped would be shortly by the grace of God or vntill that he or his mother should bee otherwise aduised These letters were dispatched to goe from Madrila Cittie in Spaine the 12. of Nouember and presented vnto the Parliament of Paris the 28. of the same month Loyse shortly after seeing that she was not able to winde the Emperour to such an accord as shee desired for the deliuerie of her sonne made alliance with Henrie the 8. King of England about the end of August 1525. The first Article purported that they should imploy them selues to the repelling of the Turkes strength and courses together with the pestiferous sect of Luther no lesse dangerous then the Turkes Now as the Emperour perceiuing the King to grow verie sicke in respect the pretended accord could take no good effect feared least by the encreasing of his sicknesse he might loose thorough a suddain death so certaine aduantages as presented themselues he went to see him at Madril comforted him and put him in better hope then euer In the end the 14. of Ianuarie 1526. the treatie was concluded Among the Articles whereof it was specially set down that the Emperours and Kings principall end was to haue the enemies of the faith and heresies of the Lutherans cleane rooted out And that a peace being concluded between them they should settle the common wealth and vndertake a warre against the Turkes and heretiques excommunicate and cut off from the communion of the Church A matter aboue al most necessarie and to which the Pope had often dealt and sollicited them to become watchfull To satisfie then his good pleasure they resolued to beseech him to commaunde Embassadours from all Kinges and Princes to meete at a day in some certaine place with generall charge and commission to aduise how they might well make a war against the Turke and defeate the heretiques enemies of the Church that the Pope would permit euerie Prince according
honour and good reputation and how they should be inexcusable towards all the rest of the Princes when the power of citing should be taken from them or the instrument of the bond in such forme as remaineth in their handes that if perchaunce the Landgraue who neither is prisoner by faith giuen nor by composition but by occasion before specified through the griefe and impatience of his so long restrainte haue sought some meanes to escape and that his men haue attempted ought against the Guardes the Princes beseech that it may turne no waies to their damage but for that by reson of the obligation they are in so extreme distres out of which you alone after the immortall God are able to deliuer them and that you are most certaine how they stand enwrapped in these inconueniences besides that you stand fully assured of their good affection loyalty and seruice for that in your aduersities they neither haue spared their goods nor bloud for your profit according to the example of their ancestors they beseech you as much as is possible that you will succour them in deliuering of the prisoner and that therein you weigh not so much the fact of the Landgraue as their persons who holde you in singular reuerence considering cheefelye that many of their families haue neither spared goods or liues for your ancestors and for the house of Austria and of Burgundie and if perchaunce you feare that when he shall be at libertie he will breake the accorde you doe very well when the matter shall proceede so farre but the Nobilitye and people of Hesse shall promise the contrary vnto you by oath and as the Princes haue made themselues pledges so if you desire any further assurance they haue often offred it and do at this present hauing giuen power vnto vs to doe as much with you as touching such conditions as they haue bene able to accomplish they doe not thinke that ought is lefte remaining and when you shall know the cause for which their fortes haue not beene so soone raised they make no doubt but that you will easily excuse and purge the children of the captiue if there rest any other thing they will in euery respect employ themselues to content you Therefore if they their Fathers or Grandfathers haue euer done seruice to your selfe to the Emperour Maximilian or any your ancestors or if you think that in time to come they may pleasure you in any occasion they beseech you affectionately that you suffer them to taste some fruite thereof and that you will cause them to see some effect of the hope and promise which you gaue them first at Halle secondly at Numbourg and thirdly at Ausbourg to the end in time to come they may haue the greater courage to honour you being able to glory in that the fidelity and seruice which they haue done vnto you hath bene by you acknowledged according to their deserte if they be refused you may well thinke excellent Emperour what inconueniences will ensue when they shall be enforced to appeare and approue their innocencye but they hope well that you will regarde their praiers which they will receiue for a singular benefite and as well they as the Landgraue with his children and alliance shall for euer endure all paine to acknowledge it And forsomuch as this matter toucheth so neerely their honour they haue solicited the rest of the Princes to entreate with them whose Embassadours you see heere present to the end that what themselues haue not bene able to obtaine at your hands vntill this present either by praiers messages or letters these here may obtaine by their credit and fauour beseeching you to take it in this parte After that they had thus spoken they presented vnto him the letters of Ferdinand K. of Romanes of Albert D. of Bauieres of the Bretheren of Lunebourg written in the behalfe of the Landgraue those Princes which made request by their Embassadours were the Elector Frederic Palatine Wolfang de deux pontz Iohn Marquesse of Brandebourg Henry and Iohn Albert D. of Megelbourg Ernest Marquesse of Bade and Christophre D. of Witemberg whose Deputies after hauing shewed their commission spake in this manner The Electors Maurice and Brandebourg finding themselues greatly troubled for the imprisonment of the Landgraue and being minded to make request vnto you for him most mercifull Emperour haue required our Princes to ioyne with them in this their request to the end it might be of greater weight and efficacie on their behalfe which they could not deny vnto them in regarde of that dutie of alliance freendship and coniunction which is betweene them Considering then that the matter standeth on such tearmes as the Embassadours haue at length fully declared and that if the captiue be restrained any long time it may turne to the damage and blame of those which haue pauned their faith the Princes which haue sent vs hither doe beseech you and carefully warne you to weigh all these things for they holde themselues greatlye interessed if the honour dignitie and renowne of them be not countergarded a matter likelye to ensue if the Landgraue be not released They require then most humblye that these their requests may somewhat preuaile with you especially considering that hee hath already acknowledged his fault and besought pardon on both his knees that it is now a long time he hath lien by it and aboue all in regarde that the extreame necessitie of the two Electors demaundeth it who are fallen into this inconuenience for their proceeding herein in good faith and their willingnes to doe you seruice that if peraduenture there may haue bene some fault committed or that some matters haue not bene so well vnderstoode yet it is a matter honest and proper to your mercy to prefer equitie before the rigour of law and not so much to regarde him which is captiue as the ineuitable necessitie of the Electors and to deale gently and liberally with them according to the example of your ancestors who haue alwaies bene carefull to preserue the honour of the Princes of the Empire that will turne to your great honour towards all men and them especially And it will breed courage in them to remaine vnto you singularly faithfull frends and affectionate seruants and to employ themselues in all thinges for the loue of you The King of Denmarke in like sorte had sent his owne Embassadour who made the like request The Emperour made answere certaine daies after that the matter was of importance and required ripe deliberation and for so much as he was aduertised that Maurice purposed to make his repaire very shortlye vnto him for other matters of consequence in sorte as hauing written vnto him he attended him dayly hee would defer it vntill his comming hoping that the matter might then be entreated of most commodiously in his presence for their partes they might returne again to their Princes and tell them as from him that he would well carry
holy Ghost comforter and teacher of the truth of the Church which they saide to bee assembled of all the chosen hauing Iesus Christ for head Of ministers Of the Magistrate whome they confessed ordayned of God to punish malefactors and defend the good to whom it sufficeth not onely to carrie honour but also to pay taxes and Imposts without acception of state whatsoeuer that at the example of Christ who did likewise practise it Of Baptisme which they maintained to be a visible and exteriour signe representing vnto vs the regeneration of the spirite and mortification of the members Of the Lordes Supper which they holde for a thankesgiuing and commemoration of the benefite receiued by Christ Of marriage which they saide was not forbidden to any by how much it was holy and ordained of God Of good workes wherein they ought to employe themselues continually Of mans traditions which they ought to shunne protesting in some that the rule of their faith was the olde and new Testament and that they belieued al which was contained in the Apostles Creede In conclusion they besought the King to giue credit to their saying offering themselues to proue it false if ought else had beene otherwise reported against them whensoeuer it shoulde please him to giue them audience In the meane time the Bishoppe of Aix and of Cauaillon pursued the execution of the arrest so as it was ordered by the Court of Parliament of Prouence that according to the Kings letters pattents master Iohn Durandy a Councellor of the Court with a secretarie and the Bishop of Cauaillon with a doctor in Diuinitie should goe to the place and perswade the inhabitants of Merindol and cause them to abiure those errors which most plainely they should make appeare vnto them and in case that conuicted by the word of God to haue followed and lyued in errors and heresies they would not make recantation that then of all that had beene doone Verball proces should be made to proceede against them as the Court should thinke good But as the Church-men were in hand with them to make them recant their doctrine they refused offering to proue it by the word and truth thereof and offering to renounce if they could be proued heretiques thereby They were questioned with and aunswered simply so as by little the persecution not the hatred ceased against them especially vpon the suddaine death of Cassane the President of Iohn De Roma Monke a seuere inquisitor who woulde fill Bootes with hot scalding grease and after make them to pull them on Of which and such like behauiors Francis the second being aduertised gaue commaundement by his letters pattents to the Parliament that hee shold be arrested his proces made But hauing warning therof he fled to Auignon where being ryfled of his owne seruants and from great wealth become a begger he was tormented with so horrible griefes that nothing could yeeld him any rest So as no man being able to endure the stincke of his vlcers he desired nought but to dye which he did In the ende Iohn Minier of Oppede President neare to Merindol and Cabriers the inhabitants whereof had at an other time made heade against him and put him to his heeles hauing giuen the King to vnderstand that as many of them being assembled as came to fiftene thousand they were gon in armes to take Marseilles and to Cantonise it besides that all the Countries round about were in great danger of being lost being all Lutherans hee obtained letters to enable him to execute the arrest by meanes of the Cardinall of Tournon and other so as he prepared himselfe to the execution of the arrest against Cabrieres Merendol and twentie two Villages Whereof they being aduertised repayred again to King Francis in the yeare 1544. to whom they gaue to vnderstand how from the yeare 1540. his Maiesty hauing perceiued the euident oppression and nullitie of the saide arrest of contumacie had caused the execution thereof to be differred forbidding there should be any more proceeding in such rigour And how notwithstanding many had oppressed them and ment to oppresse them more and more briefly they presented vnto him the whole proceedings as aboue said An occasion that he reuoked the execution of the arrest of contumacie and all such proceedings as had beene before doone and agreed by the Parliament as well from which as from his Proctor generall hee tooke away the Conisance of the cause vntill he might be informed by one of the masters of requests of his house and a D. in Diuinitie of the Vniuersitie of Paris whome hee had deputed to goe to those places to the end they might well and amply inquire of the life faith and conuersation of those of Merindol and the rest This reuocation was published in Parliament and insinuated to the Proctor general in the end of October following The Parliament at the instigation of Oppede commaunded Philip Courtin Husser of the Parlament to make great suite for the obtaining of the K. letters to execute the arrest and notwithstanding the interdiction the Articles and instructions were made by the said president with a request signed by the Proctor generall yea the pursute was made for money which had beene ordained by the Parliament for the charges of the suite Whereupon Courtin did so much by his diligence and subtiltie that thorough the fauour of the Cardinall of Tournon he obtained letters in the moneth of Ianuary following vnder the name of the K. Proctor generall from the priuie councell to put in execution the arrest of contumacy notwithstanding the reuocation aboue mentioned Iohn Minier cheefe President hauing receiued the letters sent vnto him in Ianuary 1545. which he concealed vntill the 12. of Aprill assembled the Court and there recited the K. letters by which it was commaunded that the arrest should be put in execution so as certaine of the Parliament were appointed Deputies for the execution Minier promised to aide them for because in the absence of Grignan he was lefte his Liuetenant in the gouernement of Prouence he had before at the K. commaundement leuied troupes of men of warre to goe against the English but he serued his turne with them against these Moreouer he had sent a commaundement to Marseiles Aix and Arle vnder great paines to all such as caried armes that they should put themselues in readines and march at their first call there came likewise succours vnto him out of the Countye of Auignon a possession of the Churches Their first course notwithstanding was not against Merindol but ouer the Countrye neere to the towne of Pertuis so as the 15. of April Minier accompanied with a number of Gentlemen and Captaines came to Cadenet in the time that some of his companie ouerrunne two Villages neer vnto Durance where practising a thousand pillages and insolences they put all to the fire and sworde except a great number of Cattell which they carried away with them there was no lesse
as well of life as goods which would ensue so cowardlye a resolution would make no other answere but that if the French did assaile him before they would dispatch him behinde In summe seeing them the farre stronger and notable but to curse his life and detest his ill happe hee set a French Gentleman at libertie to be a witnesse of his dutie Afterwardes being retyred with salte teares into his Chamber Strinchant made a Trumpeter goe vpon the side of the trenches to demaund a parle of the Constable which being graunted Strinchant went out hoping of some aduantagious capitulation which could be no other then that of D'anuille so the Earle hauing learnedly and eloquently as hee was very well studied in learning with the knowledge whereof hee honoured the profession of armes bewailed his miserie vnto the Constable was with the rest of the cheefe caried to Paris A notable example said some of the French for all such as reposing themselues in any prosperitie passed or in the merite of their owne valour consider not that the dutie of a Captaine is so inseparably ioyned to theirs which obey him that hee ought to stand no lesse assured and before the blowe come prouide for the same as well as his owne except hee would fall into the like inconuenience that this Earle did All the goods of Yuoy which were very great were giuen vnto the Constable who distributed the greatest parte vnto his owne companye and his sonnes Montmorency at which the olde bands openlye mutined and after that began to breake themselues and to quit their Ensignes So the Towne being rendred vp the three and twentith day of Iune receaued Blaineau afterwards Haucourt for Gouernour Mommedy which rendred it selfe life and Iewels saued had the Captain Baron a Parisian a yong Souldier but olde enough in warlike experience with a hundred horse and three Ensignes D'anuille Yuoy Mommedy Luxembourg and the most parte of the Duchie had beene before taken by Charles D. of Orleans third sonne to Frauncis the first and after rendred againe by an agreement betweene the King and the Emperour but they were not then in so good state D'anuille was as then but a little borough Towne and since all burned and after reedified according to the fortifications at this day with Bulwarkes Bastions and platformes of defence the rampires large and high and of good holde the whole newe repayred with walles of good stuffe Yuoy was strong and not taken by assaulte neither was there any reasonable breache made to enforce it but the Captaine Guelphe hauing inuented and himselfe made a great quantity of Mortier peeces which shot exceeding great bullets from the hyll downe so greatly astonished them that Gilles de Leuant cheefe for the Emperour yeelded himselfe life and iewels saued with some artillerie During the siege of Yuoy the Marshall of Sedan heire to the house of La March besought the King that hee would helpe him to recouer his Duchie of Bouillon which hee saide the Emperour vniustly detained from him at the perswasion of the B. of Liedge who gaue vnto him 4000. men and fiue peeces of artillerie wherewith he battered the castle of Bouillon which was seated vpon a high and steepe rocke going out of a mountaine from which it was seperate by a brode ditch and deepe of an hundred and fiftie pace in diameter made by chisell hammer with long trauell in the plaine and circumference whereof the better parte of the Castle is hewen out within the maine Rocke with like workemanship almost in forme of Ouall hauing on the dich side a platforme so high as it almost ouertoppeth one of the Mountains at the foote whereof is a forme of Casemate well perced to keepe it from any aproches on the other end is the Portall which goeth out of euerye side fifteene foote with lightes to keepe the flankers and which serue for the platforme within it is a core of antient building in forme of a square Pauillion couered with slate which vnderneath hath his sellers vauted within the very rock with an excellent good Well of fourescore fadomme the Castle is perced to so good purpose that a Chicken cannot peepe vp in any place but it will be discouered furnished with artillerie and all other prouisions for a long season receiuing but one way vnto it and that very narrow and painefull the borough is vnderneath in time past a faire towne but so torne asunder by the warres that it remaineth almost vnhabited Semoy which commeth towards Mommedy runneth there with a mighty fall of streame especially when it swelleth by reason of the Winter raines and snowes on the one side it is shadowed with another Mountaine full of woods and craggie rockes so sharpe that it is almost vnpossible to dwell there not to hurte the Castle on that side not able to bring any Cannon the rest of the places are very lowe vallies and dangerous The Marshall notwithstanding to make his troupes appeare greater then indeede they were made his companies to passe and repasse many times in one selfe same place to make it be thought that the whole French armye was there assembled afterwardes hee planted his peeces vpon the Mountaine but so vneasily as they were faine to binde them hard with great and huge Cables for feare of tumbling downe from whence there was not aboue six volleis shotte hauing onely a little scratte the toppe of the wall with small apparance of any breache when as the Captaine Bastard of the house of Haurion very ancient in that Countrie besought a Parley and obtained pardon so as if hee had no succour within three dayes hee should yeelde vp the place life and goods saued the artillerie and other munitions there reserued and his sonne in hostage The three dayes being expired he departed with his Liegers the Marshal confessing that he had vndertaken this conquest at an aduenture Likewise the Captaine had his hed afterwardes strooke of for his so good seruice Bouillon was yeelded vp the very last day of thirtie yeares that the Duchie had beene out of the handes of the right heires and afterwardes the Marshall easilye recouered all the appendances and hauing lefte there Des Auelles with a good Garrison hee returned to thank the King for this so great a benefite vpon this the army drawing towardes Cinets and de Lumes being dead the Castle of Lumes was deliuered vp to Vielle-uille Lieutenant to the Marshall S. Andre by Merembarque who kept the same for the imperials the fortes whereof were vndermined and throwne downe no more remaining but the dungeon which the King gaue with parte of the confiscation of this rebellious vassale to the D. of Neuers and Earle of Retel and the rest to De Conflant a French gentleman who had married the Neece true heire of the Lord the Castle is at the foote of a Mountaine where the riuer of Meuse runneth by it and on the other side a faire Medowe
where a great number of valiant men remayned and alreadye giuen a false assaulte when all the dangers were declared to the D. of Bouillon and withall the irrecouerable losse of so many braue men as were within so vile a place the taking of Teroane seruing them for a fresh example without comparison farre stronger then that Castle wherefore of euerye side were proposed termes of composition the which the Prince of Piemont willingly enough agreede vnto standing assured how the chieftaines which defended that place were men of valour and the souldiers full cunning at such an occupation considering likewise that the time was very short to make any long temporising curious besides to get good cheape whereby afterwards he might the better imploy his army to matter of greater consequence But as the Gentlemen and Trumpetters went from the one side to the other to resolue of the composition already in good forwardnes nothing resting but the deliuerye of hostages on both sides and the signing with the Princes hand two misfortunes happened to the French the one that a Priest not wittingly as since it was knowne but through lack of foresight or some secret malediction set on fire such workes and preparations as they had made ready to abide the assault the other that the Bourgonians greedy of the pray by the sweetenes which they found in the sacke of Teroane gaue fire to the traines of their mines fearing to be frustrate of so great a bootie as they expected so as one parte of the Souldiers being burned and consumed in these fires another swallowed vp and perished in this gulfe of smoaking mines the rest which were a very fewe astonied as if they had fallen from the cloudes without daring to make any resistance in respect they were forbidden to stirre from their places or moue theyr weapons attending the Princes signing and confirmation were surprised and found themselues at the mercy of their enemies before they euer thought them as yet to haue bene entred The Prince of Piemont knowing this aduenture so happely fallen out for him and better thē he hoped for would not afterwards signe what he had before promised forgetting all the precedents through the ioy which he had for the recouering of that place and the prisonners at so easie a rate So as presently mounting vp the great breach he entred the Castle to goe to the D. of Bouillon who as soone as hee perceiued him moued with an extreame choller which made him forget all feare of death said vnto him why how now Sir is this the keeping of your promise will you not send such hostages vnto me as you promised and perfourme what is agreede betweene you and me to whom the Prince answered with a smile sufficient testimony of his ioy how that he had spoken too late and how it was no more needfull to giue hostages when all his people were already within In summe that after many speeches the resolution was that they should remaine prisonners to wit the D. of Bouillon cheefe and lieutenant for the K. De Riou Gouernour La Lobe Ensigne of the Dukes company the Earle of Vilars De Prie Lieutenant of his company De Guenon guidon De Vanze Marshall of the lodgings the Baron of Culan De Marets Lieutenant of De Riou his company of foot with sundry other whome seeing by apparance to be of some mark he would needs haue their names and afterwards more raunsome then otherwise he had so this Castle was againe recouered by the imperials the 18. of Iuly after the death of Horace Farneze D. of Castres whom a bullet of a great peece carried away and hard by him De Magny a renowned gentleman in the feates of armes there died also the Vicecount of Martigues who being deliuered out of prison at Teroane presently repaired to this castle hauing alwaies spent his time in many honourable actions Moninuille of the house of Amboise de Cizeux Cōmissioner of the wars the C. Lusignan ensigne to De Riou De Dampierre who had likewise beene prisonner at Teroane and came againe thither with the Seneschall of Castres and Captaine Vifargent who were sunke within the Mynes the Captaine Malestrot Lieutenant to Maugeron the Captaine Morarque captaine of a company of footmen and the Captaine Coq Ensigne of Captaine Cerf his company of foot were there slaine among the first in the base towne The Emperour most ioyfull of the taking thereof commanded that with all diligence they should cause the Castle to be razed but K. Henry much more redoubled his former sorrow being enforced notwithstanding to run to the most expedient remedy albeit there was before no other brute throughout all Fraunce then leauying of men of warre and all the waies couered ouer with Souldiers he sent againe to hasten all his companies and in as short time as was possible to make ready his army to hinder them from doing any other enterprise thinking it sure that they would as they threatned to Dourlans where the Vidasme of Chartres was a Castle of lesse strength then Hedin which the late King Francis had caused to be dressed vp with earth to serue for a bulwarke and counterfort to Hedin at such time as it was enemy therfore on all sides postes flew about to sollicite this preparation As touching the men of armes and French cauallerie they were by by ready and on foote as well in hauing bene placed in garrisons as for the commoditie and leasure which was giuen to the men at armes to looke for a little time into their domesticall affaires The French fanterie was likewise very glad to be ioyned together the olde Ensignes being compleate in their garrisons and places ordained with such good order as the new captaines had set downe to make suddainly their leuies and thorough the aduertisement which they had giuen to their Souldiers to be ready at the first warning as for the Germanes and Lansknets such as the K. had retained for his seruice hauing alwaies bene entertained and paide were already in the fielde so in very few daies and about the beginning of the moneth of August the K. campe grew far greater greater about Amiens and Pequegny none remaining but the Zuizers and Grisons who as well for abiding far of as being of themselues heauy and massie came but by smal iournies especially to the end they might not be tyred whē they should arriue at the campe but be fresh and prompt to fight suddenly if need so required therefore they arriued not before the end of that moneth after the taking of Hedin all the time while the K. army assembled the imperials did nothing els then raze it to the ground and employ themselues to robberies and burning of Villages all alongst the riuer of Authia and albeit that they had summoned the Castle of Orlan and spread a brute that they ment to besiege it they made no semblant thereof for all that nor that they were willing to attempt any new
of Suranda they found a little forte called Villarcy of earth and timber all voide the which 25. or thirtie Couriers which had been there within had quited vnder the charge of the Captaine La Losse borne at Mesieres which euer since his tender age had beene brought vp in the seruice of Lumes and after his death continually followed the parties of his maister Abandoning thus this forte hee set fire of all the houses and surplus of the rest of the village whereby the Vastadors ordained thereunto by the D. were eased of much paines A Church likewise which the Ardennois had caused to bee fortified called Fort de Iadines was found open and abandoned which in like sorte was all razed and beaten downe sauing a great square tower whose coynes and fastnings in the building were broken and scattered about by the Cannon shot which the Prince in passing by caused to be giuen In somme al the villages faire enough cōsidering the barrenes of the Countrie were burned and destroyed And for that the fort of Iadines was the most hurtfull of all the rest to the French bordering vpon them the gouernours of Mesieres oftentimes assaied to take it but euer in vaine vntill this blow About the last day of Iune the Prince encamped at the village of Valsimont in the bottome of a vallie where a swift streame runneth called Vouye which commeth from the mountaines and falleth into Meuse neere at hand thence he sent the Harrowlde of Angoulesme with his trumpet or to sommon the Castle of Beaurin in the confines of Ardennes vpon the limits of the countrie of Liege which likewise appertained to Barlemont the Emperours fauorite Reporte being made vnto him how the souldiours had brought great booties out of the woods with a number of women and young maydens knowing that in this furie of warre they could hardly helpe and protect them selues he made them all to be shut vp with commandement vpon paine of life not to do them any force or violence but to bring them all into a certaine lodging wher hauing vsed great liberalitie towards the souldiers he made them be safely kept vntill the next morrow that the Campe was departed And then vpon the reporte of the Harrowlde of Angonlesme how they of Beaurin ment not to yeeld except they saw the Cannon they marched thitherwards Hereupon such as were appointed to take the view were receiued by them with the bullets of many harquebuses a croc and muskets willing to shew that they were prouided as well of courrage as other necessaries so attending vntill fower Cannons were presented vnto them readie to giue fire But finding what danger they were in and being aduertised that if they did not yeeld they should all passe at the swords point and such as escaped by the hangmans hand after hauing a while parlied and demaunded to escape life and goods saued they were in the end reduced to this extreamitie that they should yeeld themselues to the good mercie and pleasure of the Prince who caused the chiefe of them to bee kept prisoners and sent away the rest of the pettie companions euery man a white sticke in his hand Iohn Colichart borne at Bains in Heinault Captaine of this Castle was led away prisonner with 40. of his best souldiers Among which was the Captaine of the forte of Iadines named Le Grand Gerard and La Losse of whome I spoke before Captaine of Vilargy who was not put at all to any ransome but sent backe shortly after to Mesieres there to be punished as a traytor The D. of Neuers lodged within the Castle a companie of foote of the olde ensignes and 50. harquebusieres on horsebacke At their departure from this siege each man began to reioyce that he should out of this grieuous and painefull desert and enter into Liege a countrie so pleasant and delectable taking their discent by the ports of Giuets the most renowned vpon the ryuer of Meuse But before I passe any further I will not forget how as wel to render the Nauigation of this riuer which runneth all alongst the countries of Liege and Brabant easie and open vnto them as to enforce the rest of the small Castles and little forts alongst there was left there the Capitane Salsede generall commissioner for all the victuals and munitions with sixe companies of French fanterie and two Cannons Who after that by force he had taken the Castle of Sumet appertaining to the D. of Ascot he cleane abandoned that of Hurge which appertained to Barlemont As the Prince of La Roche Sur-yon burned all Artois and the borders about without any resistance at all made to his little armie so the Constable hauing caused the bruite to be giuen out that his determination was to besiege Auannes so farre as that the light cauallerie had more then once skirmished before it as though they ment to view it albeit it was well strengthened with a Garrison other munitions being notwithstanding aduertised how Mariembourge had but a bare ordinarie Garrison and that small the most couertly that was possible caused the Marshall S. Andre to depart with the Suisers and some companies of French foote assisted with two or three thousand horse and the most part of the artillerie who made so good speede hauing all that night cleared the waies and Lanes which the enemies had stopped and hedged in As the 23. of Iune at ten of the clocke in the morning he was come with all his troupes before Mariembourg Whereat they within being altogether astonished and much more the night after when they vnderstoode that the succours which they attended were driuen backe and no possibilitie for them to enter yet to shew themselues as men not dismaied they played infinitly with the Cannon which for all that would not serue the turne any whit at all to staie these new come guests from beginning their approches and trenches So as the next morrow the Constable being ariued with the rest of the armie and seeing the good beginning of this siege to bring it to a better end he caused the approches to bee continued with such diligence as the third day of the siege hauing made fiue or sixe Voleys of artillerie onely to breake the defences a parley was requested by the besiedged In somme many of their Articles being refused they condescended in the end to yeelde vp the place to the K. liues and goods saued all sauing armor munition and artillerie and De Rinsart remained prisoner with the Captaines and principals of the Cittie Which being well stored with al munition of an inestimable price was thus yeelded vp the 28. of Iune 1554. Whereat the K. much reioysing shortly after departed towards Laon ther to find againe his armie the last day of the month The which in signe of ioye at his ariuall was pitched in order of battell and the whole artillerie discharged yeelding a maruellous report and eccho betweene the woodes and the rockes of
brideled Pont d'Esture and the rest of the places vpon the Pan as farre as the plaine of the Marquissat of Montferrat spreading ouer besides all the bounds of Cazal Therefore the Cauallerie entertaining a hot reprisall of skirmish vpon such as salied out of Pont d'Esture to couer the dismarch of the fanterie and artillerie which they carried for the batterie of Montcaluo as soone surprised as scaled thorough so sodaine arriuall it caused the Imperials to thinke that they had great intelligences therein And immediately the approches beeing made with the furie of the Cannon aboue twentie dayes together vppon the great portall of the Castle which defended one of the flankers to breake the defences and disarme it it was no sooner endammaged the mine hauing opened the bulwarke which made the other flancke but they tooke it to composition goods saued the Ensigne displaied with one peece of artillery three bullets and three shot of powder but all the artillery which was found there dismounted remained The 17. of October the principallest of them being retired to Pont d'esture were hanged for yeelding vp so slightly without any assault the army still remaining about vntill the place was fully repaired Afterwards the winter approching the two armies were dispersed into garrisons who did no great matter worthy to be marked afterwards except it were a running at the tilte with sharp lances between foure French men to wit the D. of Nemours De Classe eldest sonne of Vasse the Captaine Manes Rochepozay his Lieutenant and the Captaine Moucha Ensigne to Pinars against the Marquesse of Pescaire the Marquesse of Malespine Dom Albe a Spanish Captaine and the Earle Charaffe a Neapolitain Nephew to the Pope De Classe and the Captaine Manes were so sore hurt in the necke that they died within fewe daies after the Earle Caraffe was pearced cleane through and died in the place the rest returned without any mischaunce Moreouer as the Marshall Brissac seeing the Winter to come on caused his Souldiers to retyre into the Townes hauing prouided for the victualling and Garrison of Montcaluo vpon the retreate of their companies to their lodginges it happened about the twentith of Nouember that Clermontes company retyring towards Cazal where he was appointed to Garrison was surprised by the Marquesse of Pescaire followed with three hundred Harquebusiers and eight hundred light horse which straight put them to flight all their baggage remaining behinde with fiue and twenty or thirty prisonners the rest saued themselues within Casal In reuenge whereof the eight day of December the Captaine Saluoisin being aduertised how not farre from him there were two companies of Italian light horse departed speedily with a good troupe marching all the night and in the morning entred into the village euen as the Italians were at breakfast whome he discomfited and vtterly defeated by the death of two of their cheefe Lieutenants and well three score other the rest remayning prisonners in the French mens handes who carryed with them more then three score horse and a great quantity of armour Thus they disturbed one anothers rest in Piemont where we will leaue them to handle againe the renewed trauailes of the French and Imperials in Picardie The Imperial army remaining onely but for the fauour and defence of the forces of Giuets and Philippe Ville against those of Mariembourg Rocroy and Mauber fontaine passed away the time of warre without other fruit auauncing the worke notwithstanding the most that the Ligeois and Nauarrois was able better acquainted with the nouriture and tedious aboade of the troupes then all the other the rest of the Imperials remaining to weary the Garrisons and to put the King to charge in entertaining of them and consume the victuall of the Country making account that Winter being come it would be very hard for him to recouer and more hard to put in any more hoping thereby to close them in and famishe them or at the least they promised themselues what aduantage they would desire ouer those that would victuall them anew an occasion that the D. of Neuers resolued while time serued to make a generall victualling especially at Mariembourg but the time being consumed in Sansac his taking of Emery Castle who was gouernour of Metz in the absence of the Marshall Vieilleuille which had beene surprised by the Captaine Beauieu of the Imperiall Garrison at Theonuille Ioynt that the Admiral was not able to bring his men vntill the end of October and likewise the great difficultie to get waggons and cariages which the labourers of Champagne and Retelet wearied with their paines already passed refused whilest that their tillage was to doe was an occasion that they marched not vntill the 30. of October that the Admirall went to lodge at Rocroye with the Vantgarde of fiue hundred men at armes and some companies of French hauing Sansac and Bourdillon for auant couriers with the light cauallerie three hundred Harquebusiers on foote and one Regiment of men at armes to supporte them marching all the night to viewe the woods and giue their aduice notwithstanding the great raines and extreame cold which so benummed the men and especially the draught horses that it was impossible for many waggons turned topsie turuie and broken to reach but from Maubert fontaine to Rocroy things not hauing bin made ready in their time and season Afterwardes there arriued the Duke of Neuers with twenty Ensignes of Almanes conducted by the Reingraue and for that reporte was brought how the Prince of Orange taried them in places very auantagious to stop their passage with his Fantery assisted with his horse men and Reisters they caused not the whole company to aduance forward for feare of being enclosed in albeit that Sansac did since assure how the enemy had no such matter in hand an occasion that there entred but twenty waggons with Wine and Meale So the last day of October the army was deuided into quarters in the sight of the Garrison but so pittifully handled with colde haile and frostes that many of the Sentinels were frozen to death one league and a halfe from the Imperials being encamped on the side of a Mountaine betweene Sautour and Philippeville But the first of Nouember they sent out certaine companies to seaze the passage and streasse the victualers in whose fauour they sent thither a number of companies to reskew them and conduct them to the Campe and there were seene two notable chances the one how a Spanish double reall or twelue pennie peece saued a Souldiers life who had a Harquebuze shot but sixe paces of without any harme being notwithstanding prisonner he was sent back againe with mony in his pursse by the Duke of Neuers to carrye newes to the campe how he alone was escaped of all the company the other a French Souldier seeing his brother to be taken by the Imperials laid about him so lustely against thirtie which helde him that he brought him away sound
be giuen of such as shall be appelants that therin they take some of your Ecclesiasticall Councellors such as shall be chosen or for default of them some other notable and sufficient personages In regard of the inquisition that it be obserued to haue the Popes inquisitor deputed vnder him thoroughout all prouinces to be men of good renowne and of entire life And that the Bishop be at the charge and not the accused vpon condition notwithstanding that the processe being ended the charges be recouered of those to whom it appertaineth These things are proper to bound in and enclose such processe within certaine limits Moreouer for that it appeareth that by the punishments of Heretiques how necessarie soeuer they be they haue not amended them vntill this present but onely it hath beene shewed thereby how detestable the thing is and further for that it is farre better to preuent a sickenesse then to giue it leasure to grow and afterwardes apply a remedie you must herein most gracious Prince follow the customes and pathes of the primitiue and auncient Church for shee was not established either by sword or fire but the diligence of Bishoppes hath alwaies resisted against Heretiques because that they alwaies insisted to preach the word of God shew good example in their life Considering then how the Church was by this meanes confirmed there is no doubt but shee would still be able to maintaine and countergarde her selfe if you woulde therein vse your power causing Bishops and Pastors in their owne persons to gouerne their Churches and likewise all inferiour ministers That they liue holily and teach the word of God or cause it to be taught by persons sit And that hereafter the charge of Churches be not giuen but to men able of themselues to teach without substituting Vicars in their roomes This is the roote whereunto the hand must be put this is the foundation vpon which the building must be framed for by this meanes there is hope that heresies will by little and little vanish away But if no account be made of following this course there is danger that heresies will encrease more and more what Edict soeuer can be made or remedies vsed to the contrarie In summe few of the Lordes of the priuie Councell remaining there which would any waies contrarie the same the Edict which I will speake of else where was engrossed in the end coÌ„cluded and after published thoroughout the whole Realm to the contentment of some and displeasure of many other In this same time Charles of Austria Emperour of the Romanes tyred with the enterprise of humane actions no lesse then pressed with his particular inconueniences resolued to put end thereunto So that as well to appease the violence of his Goutes feeblenes of stomacke megromes headach and an infinite of other diseases which day by day diminished his naturall strength as to see the inconstancie of mundane accidents and small assurance in the fairest desseins of man good fortune the compagnion of manie his actions hauing bene often times enterlaced by the encounter of some Signal desastre Iointe the presages of Vesalins his Phisition and other vpon the breuitie of his daies he determined to exchange a publique life vntill then reasonable well gouerned with a particular and solitarie which rather carryed a Religious deuotion then any mundane managing Therefore hauing from the moneth of September caused his sonne Phillip King of England to come vnto him to whome for sixe weakes together he communicated his most important affaires and the meanes which he ought to holde in the gouerment of his estates hee caused the generall estates of all his low Countries to bee assembled at Bruxelles where hee declared the indisposition of his person the good they had receiued from himselfe and the fauour which they might receiue from his sonne whome as then rising out of his chayre and kneeling barehead before and ouer against the Emperour putting his hand vpon his head he inuested in all his patrimoniall goodes hauing recommended vnto him Religion Iustice he gaue him his blessing Then the Prince rysen vp and due reuerence made vnto his Father and Queene Mary his Aunt in the ende turning vnto the people thanked God for his present aduantages besought him to assist him in all his actions to come rendred thanks vnto the Emperour for the care he had of his person from his first age vntill that day vnto the people for the acceptaunce they had made of him assuring them of so good a gouernement as they should not haue cause to repent themselues of this happe and consent Afterwardes Queene Marye dowager of Hungarie Gouernesse of the Lowe countries seeing the teares trickle downe the graye bearde of the Emperour his pale and earthly face rose vp to declare vnto the people that for thirteene yeeres together while her charge endured which shee had receyued from the Ceasareal and she had employed all the meanes which God had lente vnto her to acquitte her selfe of her duetie that if any faulte happened it was vnwitting and not of any her malice for which shee besought all them to pardon her assuring her selfe that her brother the Emperour rested contente This done the Emperour publiquely acquited all his Subiectes of their oathes made vnto him and rising out of his Throane caused his Sonne to sitte therein who presently receyued the homages and oathes of all his Vassalles Afterwardes all the first Seales of Charles were broken in pieces and in their place King Philips were brought wherewith there were presentlye sealed certayne pardons and other dispatches Thus did hee disseaze himselfe of all his goodes and estates to leade a peaceable life in a house of pleasure which hee had builded in Castilia called Iust reseruing onely to himselfe the vsufruite of Castilia and the superintendaunce of all the commaundaries Afterwardes by his gratious Letters to the Electours and Princes of Germanie he besought them to reconcile themselues together vnfoulding vnto them the small occasion which they had to quarrell one with another aduertising them of his purpose to passe into Spayne and howe he had resigned the Empire into their handes counselling and beseeching them to chuse his brother the King of the Romanes whome they knewe to bee of desarte and age Fearing least if some younge Emperour shoulde bee chosen hee woulde encrease the warres among the Christians a fitte onuerture to the Turkes to empayre Christendome especially vpon his nearest neyghbours In the ende hee recommended vnto them his Sonne beseeching them that if euer hee had done any matter of woorth for them and their Countrey they woulde acknowledge it in the behalfe of his Sonne who beeyng charged with great affayres had neede of his friendes assistaunce At the least that they woulde not bee contrary vnto him though some particularities might turne them from ayding of him Hee sent likewise Sâ—uler a doctour to his brother Ferdinando to yeelde ouer vnto him on his parte
generall against Marye for hee durst not leaue London fearing least the Londiners woulde reuoulte But the Duke of Suffolke refusing to take this charge vpon him he was constrained to goe him selfe the other remayning to serue to giue counsell to his daughter within the Tower of London The mishappe notwithstanding of this poore Lord was such as of a great number of men which hee had in his trayne hee saw himselfe as it were euen in a moment left cleane destitute of them all And as one mishappe neuer commeth alone hauing for want of men sent to London for souldiours from thence to come to his succours and for some Lordes which might serue for hostages and warrant of his lyfe they were no sooner without the Cittie but they declared themselues for Marye Whereof it ensued that the Duke who hoped to see his Sonne Kinge of England sawe himselfe left of euery manne and deliuered into the handes of Marye his enemye afterwardes conueyed to London where his tryall beeing made hee then was condemned to loose his head the iudgement being executed in the moneth of September and Marie being proclaimed Queene at London by the Lords and coūcellors of the whole Realme of England as the lawfull heire apparant therevnto and in the end the miserable princesse Iane of Suffolke with her husband sonne vnto the D. of Northumberland had their heads stroken off at London for that shee would not release as some said the right which shee pretended to the Crowne Thus ceased the trouble on that side within the Realme of England Marie being thus receiued for Queene in England they propounded vnto her certaine points to effectuate as to reestablish the auncient Chatholique Religion the goods of the Church into their former estate then that it would please her to marie with some Prince worthie of her and her Realme thereby to draw a succour vnto the Crowne Whereupon to the end that better and more ready order might bee giuen vnto the first shee was counceled to send for her coussen Raynolde Pole then a Fugitiue at Rome for Religion who comming as Legate and with full power from the Pope might better aduance such a matter then any other within the Realme Pole being sent for and forward on his way with such authoritie as was required was entreated by the Emperour Charles the fift to visit him as he passed by at Bruxelles wher he so cunningly handled any Englishman as he promised him that he would further the marriage betweene his Cossin the Queene of England and his sonne Philippe Prince of Spaine which tooke such effect as you haue seene touching the seconde point which could not be so soone brought to passe The Legate being receiued with great deuotion and magnificence into his Country was in full assembly of the three estates of the Realme begon the 12. of Nouember 1554. restored vnto all his dignities goods and honours whereof he had beene depriued by K. Henrie the eight Afterwards vpon Wensday the twentie eight of that moneth the Parliament of England being assembled and in the presence of the King and Queene hee exposed his Legation and exhorted them to returne to the holy Sea of the Pope deliuering vnto them how greatly bound they were vnto almightie God who now had enlarged towards them his diuine grace hauing bestowed vppon them two such Princes as they had further he shewed vnto them how the holy Father ment to vse his benignitie and accustomed clemencye by him his Legate greatly thanking them for that they had receiued him into his Countrie and restored him in bloud where in hee had beene so long attaint and how in respect thereof hee helde himselfe the more bound to procure that they might be restored into the heauenly Court as his principall desire was That done he retyred to giue the better cōmoditie vnto the Lordes of the Parliament to resolue themselues And straight waies the Chancellour repeating the words of the Cardinall shewed vnto them how much they were to thanke God who had raysed vp such a Prophet of their owne seede to procure their saluation In such wise as al with a common accorde concluded to consent to the vnion and obedience of the Church of Rome So as on the next morrow it was ordayned that the Cardinals motion shoulde be accorded and to present with a common consent a petition to beseech their Maiesties as the head of the realme to entreate the Legate to procure an absolute remission of all their errors passed Promising to repeale all the lawes which had beene in former times established against the authoritie of the Sea of Rome The King sent the petition to the Legate and the daye after the Parliament reassembled in the place where the Kinge and Queene with the Cardinall were set There the Chauncellour rose vpp and with such greate reuerence deliuered alowde the resolution which had beene made by the Lordes of the Parliament beseeching in the name of them all that their petition might bee accepted which was written in Latine formed and sealed by the Chancelour The petition being opened by the Legate was deliuered vnto the Chancelour to publish who read it with a lowde voice and that done put it to the question which they all passed and vpon that the King and Queene arose and presented the petition vnto the Legate who read the same Afterwards hee gaue vnto them the Buls of his Legation to reade where by might appeare the authoritie which hee had from the holy Father to be able to absolue them that done he made vnto the man Oration in English shewing how much repentance was agreeable vnto God and how the Angels in Paradise make more ioye of a sinner which returneth to repentance then of nintie and nine iust And thereupon applied certaine examples out of the word to his purpose Then hauing ended his speech he arose vp and the King and Queene kneeled downe on both knees before him inuoking God and the Saints that it would please him to pardon the penitent people in the authoritie of him whose person he there represented all the faults which they had committed in times passed that done the Legate pronounced a generall absolution Afterwardes they all followed the King Queene and Legate to the Chappell where was song Te Deum And after that the Cardinall had made his triumphant entries he restored on the first Sunday in Aduent to the Bishoppes and other Ecclesiasticall persons all the power authoritie and prerogatiue which had beene taken from them On which day the Bishoppe of Winchester hauing beene before times of the Protestant Religion made a Sermon after a solemne Masse taking for his theame Nunc tempus est de somno surgere that is to say it is now time to awake out of sleepe as if he woulde saie that vnder the Raigne of Edward King of England he had alwaies beene asleepe The Queene had in the beginning sent Embassadours to Rome with commission to kisse the feete of his
a peace with the Spaniarde Who in the meane time determined to plant agayne the siege before Rome not that hee was in anie hope to take it but onely to inforce the Pope to a peace which hee knew was greatly desired by the Catholike king But the Duke of Guise vnderstanding this desseine and the effects thereof fayled not to approach vnto Tiuoli a place scituated vppon the Teueron to front the enemie and to inforce him to leauie his siege The which was the cause that by all the meanes they possiblie coulde they hastned the treatie of the peace sought by the Venetians and the Duke of Florence The Pope sending on the eight of September in his name the Cardinalles Carlo Caraffe Saint Fior and Vitolloce with some Romane Lordes towardes the Duke of Alua who as then laie at Canie a place scituate in the Romane Countrie neere to Pilastrine to conferre of the whole Betweene whome it was concluded and agreed that the Duke of Alua and the Cardinall Caraffe woulde resolue thereof together at Benessan which is not farre from them hauing each of them ample power and commission from theyr master to determine and conclude of all thinges according as the Popes Letters carryed for the Cardinall Caraffe dated the eighth daie of September 1557. at Rome and king Phillips for Don Ferdinande Aluarez de Toledo Duke of Alua dated the fiue and twenteeth of Iuly In summe the peace was concluded betweene the Pope and the Spaniard and such were the Articles That the Duke of Alua dooing all kinde of obeysances due and submissions in the name of the king of Spaine his master should beseech pardon of the Popes holynesse That hee shoulde receiue him as his good and obedient sonne participating vnto him such graces as were common to other That king Phillip shoulde doo the lyke by an Embassadour expresly sent from him to Rome That the Pope as a mercifull and debonarie Father shoulde receiue the Catholique king as his sonne and giue vnto him all such graces as hee was wont to doo and accorde to other Christian kings That his holynesse shoulde renounce the league with the French king and declare himselfe a father to the one and the other of both the kinges wythout anie one more than the other That the Catholique King shoulde render vp all the townes places castles and fortresses beeing of the domaine of the Church which had bene taken since the ouerture of this warre Hee shoulde make bee builded agayne and repayred all such as had beene ruined and dismembred by the Spaniardes That all the artillerie taken on the one side or the other in what sorte so euer shoulde bee restored againe into the handes of his auncient possessour That they shoulde forget all such executions as had ben done by iustice during this warre were it by death or bannishment and all confiscations of what persons whatsoeuer wythout anie mannes researching after into them As also all such as thorough this dissention were driuen out of theyr landes goods and dignities shoulde bee restored into theyr good renowme goods honours states and dignities right actions and Seignouries Prouided that they had lost these thinges by meanes of this warre to the ende this peace might not bee auaileable to Marke Anthonie Colone nor to Ascaigne de la Corne but that they shoulde remayne outlawed at the will and discretion of the holy Father That the Dutchie of Palliane should bee put in such estate as it was then by the consent and good liking of both partyes into the hands of Iean Barnardin Carbon which was the sequestrer who should sweare to the Pope and the Catholique King to keepe faith to both parties and obserue the articles and agreements made and accorded betweene the Duke of Alua and the Cardinall Caraffe Which Carbon was to haue the keeping of the Towne of Palliane hauing vnder him eight hundred souldyers payed by the Pope and the Catholique king These Articles were sworne to in the name of the sayde Princes the Pope and king Phillip by the Cardinall Caraffe and the Duke of Alua according to the Commission and faculties giuen vnto them swearing by the soules of theyr Princes to obserue all the whole without fraude cauelling or anie exception whatsoeuer adding a truce for a certayne time contayning pasport and safeconduct to the Duke of Guise and to all the Captaines and souldyers of the king of France to departe out of Italie and the Countries appertayning vnto king Phillip as well by sea as by land Afterwardes they signed and sealed the whole in the presence of the Cardinals of S. Flour and Vitelle who lykewise signed the present Treatise And forsomuch as it was not set downe therein to whome Palian shoulde appertaine since that the sequestrer kept it in the name of both the princes contracting there were secrete articles agreed vpon between the Cardinal Caraffe and the Duke of Alua. In which it was contained how that it should remaine at the will and discretion of the catholike king either to ruine or leaue that place in her entire without being lawful for him to repair or fortifie it vntill the sayd Lord King had giuen some place of like value and reuenew to the Popes sonne for recompence And anie difference falling out vppon that exchange the Senate of Venice shoulde giue iudgement thereof wythout either the one or the other parties refusing to obey what shuld be ordayned by that Seignorie And the recompence beeing once made by king Phillip hee might then bestowe the place of Palian vppon whom it liked him best sauing anie such as were an enemie to the Church of Rome And that he which should haue Palian in sequestration should bee bound to depart so soone as the place were dismembred Such was the issue of the affayres of Italie and of the armie which the King sent for the Popes succour the which was followed with a strange ouerflowing inundation of Tiber as I will cause you to see elsewhere Now that each partie had of a long time turned his desseignes to the warre couered notwithstanding by the conclusion of this truce yet had the Spanish Councell much better and from longer hande prouided for the preparatiues and inconueniences thereof For Phillip put as soone an armie agaynst that of Italie by which he drew out of the realme the flower of the nobilitie and the most renowmed Captaines and souldiers which were there the most accomplished and best furnished with all necessaries of anie that had beene seene of long time To the end hee would not faile to set forward his first fortune which he meant to proue in the view of all the potentates of Europe especially of the French in whome hee meant to ingraue by the beginning of his enterprises such a dread of his forces means as that for euer after they should bee more stayed and lesse stirring against him than they had beene against anie of his ancestors Henrie on the contrarie as the
thought good the countermines little auaileable because that the Spanyarde being in the Ditche had alreadie gayned the toppe most of the souldiers wauering as well for that day by day they sawe the Cannon shotte redouble to the losse of many of them as thorough the small number of people which were lefte and the badde handling of the matter by the Inhabitantes which discouraged them as much as was possible Hereupon the Prince of Piemont iudging the breaches reasonable gaue order for the assaultes The first was giuen to Captaine Cazeres Maister of the Campe of the olde Spanishe bandes and to Lazare Colonell of fiueteene hundred Almaines who were there much endamaged The seconde to Captaine Nauarres with the Spaniardes and the Compte of Meigue with the Wallons The thirde to Captaine Iulian Romero with three Enseignes of Spaniardes two thousande Englishe who falling downe from the toppe of a breache brake his legge The fourth to Captayne Carrondellette with three Enseignes of Bourguignons who there loste a hande The Admirall in the meane time went and sent to all places to the ende euery man shoulde be readie to abide thē put them backe At the last he discouered three Enseignes at the foote of the Parapet being gotten vp thither without making any noyse or sounde of Dromme at which time he made euery man presente himselfe to fight But they coulde not represse them in that place but that they beganne to creepe and mounte vp by one and one to an high Tower which had bene battered with Artillerie at a corner of the Captayne La Garde his quarter When the Admirall sawe that they tooke that waye hee was very glad for there they grapeled and mounted verie vneasily and from the place where himselfe stoode he mought a little discerne them thorough a Flancker whereby he annoyed them as much as he was able with three harquebusiers which remayned with him thinking verily that it was vnpossible for them to force in that way In the ende he sawe those Enseignes which went vp to the top of the towre put themselues downe but he presumed that it was within some Trenche within the Parapet to be more at couerte vntill they tolde him that the enemies had forced the Breache Then turning himselfe towardes those which stoode about him he tolde them that they must goe helpe to succour it Vpon that Saragosse comming vnto him asked him whether he woulde goe and what he would doe to whom he aunswered that he meant to goe helpe to sustaine the force of the Breache which shoulde be offered where eyther they must all dye or put backe the enemie And thereupon hee beganne to goe downe from off the Rampire Nowe you must vnderstande that he was not as then farre from the Towre by which the Spanyardes entred but there was a long trauerse and a high which hindered them from seeing what was done there The Admirall being come downe from off the Rampire hee sawe all that quarter cleane abandoned without so much as one man to make head by reason sayde they that kept that guarde that they were not able to hinder the comming of the assailante it being not possible to descrie or perceyue them vntill they were come to the breache in such sorte as the Spanyardes aryuing there in aboundance and calling vp one an other it was an easie matter to make them selues Maisters finding no person to make resistaunce The Admirall onely accompanyed with foure whereof one was a Page and going to gather together his Troupes and make head as soone as he was there ariued sawe himselfe enwrapped of all partes Knowing then howe that it rested no more in his power to remedie this disorder the Towne being alreadie full of souldiers the Almaines entring in by great Troupes hee fought as much as hee was able to fall into the handes of some Spanyarde as it rightly chaunced vnto him chosing rather in that place to abide the brunte of a common generall fortune and all successe eyther good or badde then by flying away to attayne an immortall shame He which tooke him prisoner made him a while to repose himselfe at the foote of the Rampire where he was all aloane hauing loste all his Forces from thence hee ledde him and made him to enter into one of the Mines which hee had made to gayne the Ditche where hee founde at the entrie thereof the Captaine Alonce de Cazieres Mayster of the Campe of the olde Spanishe bandes to which place the Prince of Piemont ariued incontinently and commaunded Cazieres to carrie him into his Tente Thus was that fayre and riche Towne of S. Quentins conquered on the seauen and twentie daye of August 1557. in which they founde great booties and mightie riches in that it was the Staple of sundrye Marchaundises which were transported into the Lowe Countries and likewise brought from those places thither thorough the entercourse of trade and traficque Without comprehending besides many good Prisoners which they founde there as well of those of the Towne as of such other chiefe Persons and Captaynes as were come in for the defence thereof D' Andelot was likewise there taken but well remembring the badde entertainement which he had receyued at their handes during his imprisonment in Italy hee chose rather to aduenture his life in seeking to escape then to fall agayne an other time into that calamitie and miserie In such sorte as he crept vnder the fasteninges of a Tente and by night hauing sounded diuers passages within the Marshes hee founde meanes to escape their watches and Corps de guardes and saued himselfe at Han. De Iarnac was there taken Prisoner so were S. Remy De Humes De la Guarde De Cuzieux De Moulins the Captaines Brueile and Bretaigne De Rambouillet Saint Romain Saint Andre Lignieres and Soleil There were slayne there the sonne of La Fayette the Captaine Salleuert Enseigne to La Fayette his Companie the Captaynes Oger Vignes La Barre L'Estang Gourdes with sundrie other After the Sacke of Saint Quentin King Philip making no outwarde apparaunce of his intention caused the King and the Duke of Neuers his Lieutenaunt generall to prepare for all occurrentes the best that they were able and especially to prouide for such places as were nearest to that which was taken But as he was earnestly sollicited to this effecte by euery Gouernour to sende such prouisions as were requisite they were all astonished at the yeelding vp of Castelet which a fewe dayes before the taking of Saint Quentins the Compte of Aremberge otherwise called Brabanson enclosed about in one instaunte with a thousande horse all alongest the marishe and towardes Saint Martins Abbey a little aboue which were encamped three Regimentes of Lansquenettes of fourteene Enseignes with twentie peeces of Batterie planted in two places And albeit that the assurance which the Baron of Solignac who commaunded there had yeelded to the King and his Lieutenaunte caused them to repose on that side whilest
that they hasted forwardes the Swizers and Almaines the Frenche Fanterie and Cauallerie to furnishe out the Rende-vous so as within fiueteene dayes they mought make vp the fourme of an Armie yet euen in the very beginning of September it yeelded vp The which was founde very straunge considering that the place was strong and well prouided of all that was necessarie to a Frontire at the least it was looked for that they shoulde haue tarryed the Assaulte An occasion that the King caused him to be clapped vp Prisoner as soone as hee was come to Paris But hee was set at libertie declaring howe hee had beene disappoynted of such necessarie Succoures as hee required of two thousand men in such sorte as D'Estre the Gouernour in former time had vpon any Siege Besides that the enemies hauing founde the Castle without any ditche on that side where they beganne their principall Batterie and a Bastion fallen downe not yet repayred vp in such sorte behaued themselues as that the ordinarie souldiers of the Guarde of that Bastion were soone constrained to abandon it thorough the great quantitie of Bricke and mould which endamaged them and ordinarily fell vpon them the Batterie beeing so violent and furious as in a small space it made a waye for a horse to be able to get vp vpon the Bastion the waye lying all open to come from thence to the breache which albeit it was not altogether sufficient waxed wyder within two volleyes of the Cannon and enlarged it selfe sixe score pace or more the Wall alreadye bowyng and yeelding of the same length and the earth opening a pace in breadth and in deapth the length of a pike Which the Souldiers once perceyuing who were not in the whole nomber three hundred nor halfe of them in health and strength they were so astonished and despayred that notwithstanding any perswasions which the Captaynes coulde vse many stucke not to saye they woulde not fight at all not knowing howe they were able to doe the King any Seruice therein and therefore they thought it better to reserue themselues for some matter of greater importaunce Howesoeuer it was whether grounded or no vpon the feare which they conceaued the Frenche were in least that the Imperialles woulde pursue further their good fortune and duetie against such an inconuenience King Philip to whome the besiegers of the Castelet came to vnite themselues at Fon-Some attended their aunswere of his aduertisement from the Emperour his Father to congratulate with him his prosperitie beseeching him further to commaunde and ordayne what next hee was to enterprise But as a blade rusteth if it be let lie continually within the sheathe so the souldier which is not employed doeth lightly abuse his rest For the Almaines and Spanyardes quickely mutined among themselues for the bootie of Saint Quentins and raunsome of the prisoners which were taken the day of the Battaile some alleadging among other occasions howe that King Philip and the Duke of Sanoye sought to retyane all the great prisoners which exceeded a certayne summe of purpose to pulle them out of the handes of the Almaine Lordes who without all doubte atchieued the greatest honour of the Battayle so farre forth as they were all readie to departe the rather for that the time of their oath was now expired An occasiō the french did turne the matter to their owne aduantage withdrawing out of that nation as many malcontents as they could finde vpon any occasion whatsoeuer Hereupon the Spaniarde addressed himselfe to Han to erect a stronge place vpon the frontiere which might serue for a succour and support to S. Quentins the which hee determined to make impregnable according vnto such models as the enioyners had prescribed vnto him thereby to establish from his lowe countries easie daies iourneyes of retreat when he would either goe in or come out of Fraunce as it shoulde seeme best vnto him Now as vpon new occurrents alwaies proceed new determinations the D. of Neuers being constrained to chaunge the estate and imagination of his defensiue retired his men of warre from sundry garrisons which he had into such places as were neerest vnto Han to the ende that the imperials shoulde not inlarge themselues into any greater a compasse likewise to the ende they might alwaies wast the country before them and famish them by cutting of their victuailes on all sides the french had deuised to make a remouing Campe which for this effect they might enclose and assure with trenches Palissades and other Romane inuentions but the longe delay of their prouisions and soddanes and their enemies cleane broke of this determination The Cheualier Hely with a number of horse entred within the place to succour it running ouer as many enemies as durst stoppe the passages of Han which hee found open without any thinge to commaande it beinge flankerde on the one side with the Riuer of Some and on the other with a Marish being in diuers places aboue one hundred thousande paces broade hauing very little firme or drie grounde to bee able to set foote vpon There is a village and a Castle the village in the state which it was then in was not able to holde out in any kinde of sorte and albeit that there were certaine foundations and fashions of bulwarkes yet they were so open and euill to bee defended as that there was no account at all to bee made thereof The Castle was of a goodly shewe and represented it selfe furious enough according to the olde fortifications beeing in forme square flankerde with fower rounde bulwarkes with a grosse square towre and massiue of a large thicknes seruing for a platforme to the Courtines which were ioyned vnto it and commaundinge in all and through all the Castle But the whole was of drye stones and Masons worke without any rampiers of earth or other fortifications according to the moderne inuentions to sustaine defend a place long time against the blusterousnes and furie of our Cannons Notwithstanding that the way might not bee altogether open and free to the Spaniarde to enter further in if he found not a stoppe Sepois which was Gouernour had giuen the Kinge aduise to burne the towne in case seege were laide vnto it whereby the enemie might haue no place to lodge in But as for the Castle men might holde and keepe it for a fewe dayes whilest that they shoulde bee the better able to fortefie themselues for it was easie to iudge that hauing taken Han hee woulde neuer ende there but passe on further where he might cast himselfe nowe on the right hande and nowe on the lefte and so daylie addresse himselfe to such places as were weake and likely in a shorte time to be caried to the ende he might not lose and euill employ the season which serued so fitte and proper for him I haue let you to vnderstande how that to bee meete with the inconueniences of the battell of Saynte Quentins among other preparatiues the Kinge had sent vnto
Castellet which they fortified amayne besides the great easance of the better Milles which stoode vpon the Riuer Thus fortifying these two places they passed ouer the moneth of September and beginning of October in roades pilfryes and burninges as well on the one side as the other still weakening notwithstandinge Philips Armie as well through the Englishe mens returne home malcontentes for want of their booties and euill entertainemente as in respect of the Almanes who their oath being nowe expired retyred day by daye to the Duke of Neuers who furnished with them his bandes that were not compleate and erected newe ones of the surplusage The Kinge in the meane space hastened forwardes his armie and to assemble it together at Compienne sente thither the Duke of Neuers who speedily employed himselfe to the makinge that stronge and defensable adding to the naturall all arte possible for that necessarily and as it then stoode it serued for a frontire to Fraunce first causing two large fortes to bee mysed with high and fayre platformes the one to commande ouer all the plaine which lieth betweene the forrest and the towne and the other ouer all the lowe grounde and course of the riuer and alongst the medowe employing besides all diligence to repaire the towne flankerde with bastions cazemates tarresses caualliers and trauerses in such sorte as in case the enemies artillarie had arriued there they shoulde haue founde play for alonge season moreouer he caused the enclosure of a campe to bee appointed out and raysed vp with trenches so large and spacious as that an armie of a hundred thousand men was able to lodge there with all furnitures and prouisions as safely as within a towne together with all easances as well of the Riuer as of the country As hee thus prouyded for the aduancement of these fortifications so spared he his purse no more then his spirit to the entertainement of spies sent out into all partes So as hauing vnderstoode the very force and ordinarie vsage of the twelue hundred horse which lay in garrison at Chauny still ouerrunning without cease and with great aduantages those about Coucy Soissons he gaue the rendeuous to Bourdillon the Prince of Conde and Counte de la Barbize who conducted the Reistres to ambush themselues within Chauny woods whilest that hee woulde sende Ienlis to beginne a skirmish to the helpe whereof such as came out of the towne being no sooner drawne thither then kept backe the light horse gayned both the towne and them so as the Captayne of the Albanois and his whole troupe was cut in peeces But the Spanishe Captayne getting into a house which hee perced through held good vntill that the French harquebusiers had wrapped him in on euery side The which made him in a desperatnesse steppe forth his courtelaxe in one hande and buckler in the other to die honourablie with the rest of his fellowes but as hee was giuing his faith to the Captayne Launay hee killed him harde by the Prince of Conde who had done as much to the French man if the swearing vnto him howe that this Captayne had killed the most valiant of his souldiers and had euer made fowle warre vpon the French especially at the defeate of Saint Laurence hee had not besought him to pardon this his iust chollar which had so farre caried him for the amitie of his countrimen The Baron of Poleuille passing in this time ouer the mountaines of Vaulges and the Countie of Ferrette and coasting Le Bassigni entred within the French Countie betweene the Countie of Mont-Belliarde and Langres where those of the Countie vnder colour that they were constrayned thereunto contrary to their promises and pactions of neutralitie gaue him passage victualles and all other prouisions for his campe Afterwardes hee came downe into La Bresse hoping within very fewe dayes to make himselfe maister thereof through certayne intelligences which hee had with some gentlemen of that Prouince and other of their neighbours which were euill affected to Kinge Henrye So farre as at his first abord hee planted his siege before Bourge which is the principall towne thinkinge to haue founde it vnprouided of all thinges for defence But La Guiche which was gouernour thereof and the Baron of Digoyne his Lieuetenant being aduertised of his comming had already caused La Guiches company to enter in and some other troupes of footmen On the other side you might perceiue aboue how D'Eschenets with his company followed him continually neer hand as also did De Iours with his 8. ensignes of the legion of Champagne who kept him continually so neer a neighbourhood as they were as soone at Bourg as himselfe into which they entred doing therin a great peace of dutie and seruice to the King and so was he founde frustrated of his first opinion Vpon the desseine and pursuite of this Siege the Kings Armie which returned out of Italie ariued at the iumpe so as the two thousande harquebusiers which were ledde by the Vidasme of Chartres entred within the Towne And from elsewhere they caused foure thousande openly to approache thither three thousande Lansquenettes the whole Company which ariued and dayly came beeing stayed and lodged about as well in Bresse as Lionnois and Mascanois being all resolued with full intention to charge when the first occasion shoulde be but offred In the ende after that he had three seuerall times remoued his Campe before the place the sixetenth day of October D'escheuets about the entring in of the night sente fiftie harquebusiers out of the Towne to viewe his Campe together with the countenaunce assurednesse of his men who hauing at their first ariuall killed the Sentinelles thrust in and broke vpon their Corps de guardes whome they massacred in parte and caused the rest to flye putting the rest of the Armie into such a fryght as from that houre it dislodged And it made so great speede to retyre as before that the French coulde haue certaine newes thereof and be ready to follow they were foure leagues off Where leauing many sicke persons victuals and moueables hauing taken agayne the waye to the French Countie from which they were come shortly after the Troupes brake of themselues and abandoned the Baron their Chiefe for that he perfourmed no iotte of what he had promised vnto them Nowe albeit that the desseins of this Baron were thus turned into smoake and the great fire of the Almaine Englishe and Spanishe Armies seemed to smother and decrease by little and little so many Nations notwithstanding being banded against Fraunce coulde not chuse but greatly diminishe the Forces thereof and prepare a most certayne ruyne to the whole Realme had the Frenchmen wanted heart to defend themselues or good will to make supplie to such necessarie meanes as mought best stoppe the course of the Spanishe fortune For King Henrye being no lesse curious in such occurrences to rayse vp and encrease his honour then to preserue his people from the