béene cast below the méeting of two channels they had béen followed with such violence that they had béen cut to peeces afore they could haue come to Marans It is not to bee forgotten that the King of Nauarre at the same houre caused the regiments of his gardes of Charbonieres and Soubran conducted by the Lord Mignonuile Marshall of the campe to take paines for to wade ouerthwart the Marishes in the water to the knee more then a League and defeated a part of the enemie whome they met in their retyring The Fort of Clousy seeing the disaray of their fellowes rendered immediatly at discretion therein were fourescore men commaunded by Captaine Serre who were all saued the enemies partly made their retire in great haste to Marans and partly fled another way In the towne where it was thought that some resistance would haue been made was such a maze that there was found no body Many of the forces of the King of Nauarre not staying for the setting on of the bridge both a foote and horseback cast themselues in the water The Lord Cluseaulx who did dine at Marans whilest the King of Nauarre did force the passage hearing of the flight of his men as well with them which had remained within the towne as with them who had retired from the garde of the passage with the Lord Tremblay few of the company fled into the Castell because there was no other way nor place to flee to The first which entred into Marans were the gardes of the King of Nauarre followed at hand with the rest of the armie as fast as they could passe ouer at Clousy At the same instant the enemies were besieged in the Castell the quarters parted to euerie regiment and at euening euerie one was lodged vpon the Castell ditch The King of Nauarre followed them at hand with his maine forces and lodged that same night at Marans The same day were summoned all these forts following fortified with Garisons of the enemie The Fort Boysneuf where commaunded the Lieutenant of Captaine Serre with thirtie men with him who yeelded Also the Fort Brune wherein were threescore men commaunded by Captaine Camart who yeelded also The Fort Allowette holden with twentie men commaunded by the Lieutenant of Captaine Roque all yeelded with their liues safe There rested in all the Iland that day being the sixe and twentie of Iune to recouer from the hand of the enemie but the Castell the Forts Bastile and Paulee situated vpon the other entries into the Iland The prudence of the K. of Nauarre is not to be forgotten that before he assaulted the Iland hee placed the Lord Trimouille with all his light horsemen and the companies of the Lord Orges Plassak and Arambure within the town of Saint Ihan of Liuersay in the high way from Niort to Marans that the enemie might not receaue succour through the Bastile The Lord Trimouille had made a Fort in two dayes betweene Saint Ihan of Liuersay and Bastile to cut from them which were therein all meanes to escape away and hope of succour The monday on the seauen and twentie of Iune the Captaine and Souldiours of the said Bastile séeing that all the meanes to auoyde were cut off from them did yéeld and went foorth with like conditions as their fellowes had done the day before being in number fourescore and ten commaunded by Captaine Chapel The eight and twenty the King of Nauarre with two canons and two Culuerines began to approach and in the middest of the day put them in place of batterie The Lorde Clermont there did commaund that night there were certaine motions of Parley The nine and twentie about three a clock in the morning when the besieged saw that the King of Nauarre went to worke in good earnest they demaunded to Parley and in the name of all the rest came forth Captaine Riuiere to require conditions of the King of Nauarre At length the composition was concluded that the Captaines and Gentlemen should goe forth with their horses and corselets the souldiours with their swords that the rest of their armour should remaine within the Castell The master of the campe the Lord Tremblay the Captaines Maron and Toure should remaine in the hands of the King of Nauarre to deliuer him the colours to wit eyght Ensignes for two companies had none and the Cornet The agréement was carefully kept the King himselfe conducted them part of the way they were not iniuried so much as one word although the Lord Cluseaulx had great enemies The same day Captaine Roque rendered the Fort Paulee with the same conditions that the Castell was yeelded vp the Lord Lauerdine sending word that he could not rescue them for because the Lord Boulay was lodged on that side The King of Nauarre kept Cluseaulx prisoner who was brought with great solemnitie into Rochel where he was kept prisoner a long time hauing lisence notwithstanding to goe where he would vnder custodie of certaine Souldiours he was better vsed then many did expect at length he was deliuered and among other vpon this condition neuer more to ioyne himselfe to the League The King of Nauarre also sendeth all the armour which there was taken in great stoare with the colours to Rochel there were taken also many faire horses So in the space of foure dayes he recouered all the Iles and Forts of Maran did rid all that quarter of the filthie sinke of the Leaguers where he did shew no lesse courtesie to his enemies then valour and diligence in the repressing of them It is said before how that after the accursed and execrable rebellion and insolencie of the Leaguers in Paris they perceauing the foule and dangerous errour which they had committed in missing of the Kings person and that hee was now safe enough from falling into their hands againe which might redound to their vtter vndooing they sent three manner of spyalls to him to view his countenance to sound the thoughts of his heart by the way of sorrowing and excusing the desperat fact attempted against his sacred person in Paris It is saide also how they sent a supplication vnto him therein faining a submission full of snares and vnreasonable demaundes It is sayd also how vppon the rumor spread abroad throughout all the realme his faithfull seruantes of all callinges and degrees moued with anger and compassion repayred vnto him most humbly prayed him not to put vp such publike iniury proffered him their seruice goods and liues for the reuengement of such an outragious offence Now agayne many of the Kinges subiects of all qualityes and degrées do repaire a fresh vnto the King most instantly to require him not to suffer such a damnable treason of the Guyzes and their confederats let go vnpunished but that punishment be executed vpon such offenders in such sort as is fit for the greeuousnes of the offence they do promise him againe all aide and succour if hee will resolue himselfe to seeke the
and vpon a sodaine desire of reuengement would haue his peniworth vpon the Countie of Veuese and Auignon which is a part of the de Mains which Saint Peter purchased with his penie that the Fryers might liue like kings after him to wash his hands and to make the world beleeue that hee saw nothing first beganne to chide and brawle with the Duke of Sauoy and findeth great fault in him reprouing him for such an enterprise The Duke of Sauoy playing falshood in good fellowship faineth although that Fryer Sixtus had no finger in that pie goeth about to excuse the matter and did colour this action specially with Fryer Sixtus saying that hee had done all thinges for the aduantage of the holy church of Rome because he vnderstood that the K. had determined to put those places which he had taken into the hands of the Lord des Diguiers and other heretikes which thing would be very daungerous both to him being nigh neighbour as also in tyme very domageable to the holy church and the county of Veues Some of his counsellers also did greatly mislyke his enterprise foreseeing that it would be in tyme as pernitious vnto him as it had béene to his father in tymes past for not knowing the measure of his forces Whilest the King of Nauarre did holde the assembly of the reformed Churches at Rochel as is aboue sayd and that the Duke of Sauoy inuaded the Marquesdome of Saluce the States did continue at Bloys with strange mistrust which did spring from hower to hower among the partakers The pretence of Religion did continually rowle among the Leaguers and Leagued Their liues and state sayd they did hang on a rotten threed In December two great alarums and pannick terrors were raised within the castell of Bloys who did put the whole court in armor and made them stand vpon their guardes The cause of the first was a quarrell which arose betweene the pages and lakeys who did hold with the Bourbons and them which did hold with the League The commotion and the feare was such that the Duke of Guyze tooke the alarum ranne into his chamber shut vp the dore with Cofers and other such like things as were at hand The second alarum was geuen by a souldier hurt which saued himselfe in the chamber of the Duke of Guyze into the which hee was pursued by some of the Kings guardes who went vp with sword in hand whereupon once agayne all the court was in an vprore About the same time also there were great enmities and seedes of quarrels in the court besyde the vlcer of ambition desire to raigne betwéene the Lord of Guyze and many other Lordes of the court by reason of loue for as the Duke of Guyze in the middest of those waighty matters which he went about to compasse was greatly in loue with a Lady of the court there were some Lords also who pretended the like affection to her whether it were that they did so of purpose to pick a quarrell or otherwise but so it was that there passions of loue were openly perceaued The Duke of Guyze about the middle of December did shew himselfe a more contemner of the Kinges authority then euer he had done before for there was seene after him in great security following his trayne and lodged euen in the Kings house a great number of ruffiens and malefactors condemned in diuers places for diuers crymes and executed in picture for contumacy euen many of them which in August before had raised vp a sedition in Engolesme agaynst the Lord Espernon they were in such security vnder his wing that no magistrate durst say any thing to them The said Duke also had shewed himselfe more saucy and malapert in his words and behauiour then euer hee did before For the King hauing intercepted many of his letters by the which hee did shew in open tearms the vilanous intent which he had purposed in his hart called his Nobles willed them to sweare to him that they would neuer consent nor practise any thing agaynst his person he most arrogantly and contemptuously denyed so to doo euen in his presence saying he will not do it and if hee did it there was good lawes to punish him spare him not let him bee punished bould and arrogant speaches were geuen dayly by him and his partakers The Duke of Guyze considering that by these fresh iniuries the King could not be much prouoked calling to remembrance his former attempts and that the stroke which he had long before intended was made knowen to the King began to enter a great fearfull apprehension that the King would not delay his reuenge but will goe about to preuent him And now considering that all his partakers had bent their eyes vppon him and expected some great atchieuement which should farre exceed the former attempts seeing also how the K. of Nauarre by the edict of reunion sworne by the assembly of the States was condemned and disherited that there was nothing left in the way to hinder him of his enterprise and that hee himselfe was now vpon the last step of the stayrs either to be King or first commaunder vnder the name of King of France so that nothing was wanting but either quite to dispatch him or else to take him prisoner Hee resolued himself therefore to hasten one of these two executions least perhaps he might bee preuented hee vndertooke himselfe to do that feat and layed that burthen vpon his shoulder And that such disorder might bee done orderly he called the chiefest of the conspiracy to counsell The chiefest of this counsell and conspiracy were Fryer Ladouik cardinall his brother and Fryer I. Archebishop of Lyons with few other to whom he shewed in what state his matters stood and that all thinges are brought to some good effect that nothing is obstant to obtayne the thing so long and so greatly desired but the person of the King and that their counsels beeing come to light hee was driuen to such extremity as that â—ither he or the King must needes perish Hee propounded vnto them therefore whether the King was to bee dispatched out of hand or else to bee imprisoned till all thinges were confirmed and established for a new gouernment They answere that this matter is not to be delayed but that the King was to be made away and dispatched out of hand their reasons be these for say they fetters and prisons are altogether vnprofitable that no dungeon how deepe soeuer could be able to keep close so great and mighty a Potentate and that so long as he should liue hee would couâ—t alwaies for reuenge If hee were kept in prison it would seeme cruell and strange to the common people and intollerable That they of late after the Kings fleeing from Paris had found and learned by experience that pitty preuaileth more then fauour But assoone as he should be dispatched new deuises should bee practised new counsels taken and that euery man would fall
they became more insolent which they haue shewed in surprising his townes fortresses and in rebelling agaynst him his Officers and Magistrates couering their treasons vnder the name of Catholike religion Therefore he doth declare the sayd Dukes de Mayne and Aumale to haue forfayted all estates and offices honors power gouerments charges dignities and prerogatiues which they haue receaued of his predecessors and himselfe hee doth declare them attaynted of fellony rebellion and high treason commaundeth his Officers to proceed agaynst them by any maner of way and agaynst their posterity as agaynst such as he hath declared them if they do not submit themselues by the first day of March next following This proscription was declared the first day of February The same day also the King pronounced the like proscriptions against the rebellious and trayterous Citties of Paris Orleans Anjous Roen Abeuile and others declaring them conuicted of fellony rebellion and treason in the highest degree willing all his officers to proceede agaynst them and against al them that doo or shall assist them by any meanes and against their posterity as agaynst such as they be declared if they do not returne vnder his obedience by the 14. day of march next following The King intending by these thunderclaps to call them to their dutie purposing yet to haue forgotten all offences for the loue which he had to popish religion common to the rebels with him and for hatred of the reformed religion gaue them as is aforesaid a certayne day prefixed by the which tyme if they did not returne to their duty he determined to chastise them by force and therefore the sixt day of February hee sent forth his commissions to all Nobles Gentlemen and Captaynes to prepare themselues with all furniture necessary to repayre to him the 12. of March following Neither is the sentence of the King an ydle threatning but is as if it were a condemnation of Gods law pronounced by the soueraigne Magistrate whose punishments God hath partly executed and partly hath reserued to execute hereafter in the fulnes of time About the middle of February the King vnderstanding what had passed in Paris how the rebels had enforced the Senat to swear an vnion against him his life person and estate did transport the exercise of iustice and of all his courts and chambers of Parliament from Paris and also all other courts of iustice in the aforesaid townes of Orleans Aujous Abeuile Roen and others to his citie of Tours vpon Loyre deprauing the sayd trayterous cities of al offices dignities charges and priuileges commaunding al his Iudges Counsellers officers of al his courts in the said cities to repaire to the citie of Tours vpon Loyre by the fifteenth of Aprill next following there to execute their charges vpon payne of depriuation of their wages offices forbiddeth also that no apparance be giuen by any officer vnto any suter and also no parties to appeare in any other place saue in Tours onely before his Iudges there vpon payne to be declared rebels It is sayd before how wee haue left the King of Nauarre sicke in bed of a dangerous pleuresie whilest the League haue nigh filled the measure of their execrable treasons and rebellion Now the Lord reseruing that noble Prince if not to restablish the flourishing estate of that Realm yet he hath raised him as it were out of his graue to prolong the vtter dissipation of it and in the middest of the horrible confusions thereof to reunite the hearts and mindes of the godly and vertuous to saue some corner of the sayd Realme for a place of refuge for the remnant of the Israel of God Behold therefore O great King the Lord hath restored thée to health strengthened thine armes to warre and thy hands to fight he hath girded thée with force constancie wisedome and iustice the Lord of Armies doth call thee to restore true religion iustice iudgement Discipline and peace vtterly decayed through the malice of thine enemies be strong and faint not for the Lord will put a great worke in thine hand to execute Followe the vocation of God and the Lord will be a shadowe at thy right hand to kéepe thée from euill doo good things with good meanes and thou shall see thine enemies to fall before thy face thou shalt pitie them and do them good Whilest the King doth so thunder the threatnings of Gods lawe and the claps of his iustice agaynst those Rebels forsaken and reiected of God as is afore sayd the King of Nauarre perceiuing the King to be in distresse persecuted and dispossessed out of his Towns and Cities euen out of his owne houses by his enemies abroade and to liue in great mistrust of his domesticall enemies who did daily eate bread at his owne table did greatly lament his case keepeth himselfe quiet beyond Loyre ceaseth from all acts of hostilitie and exployts of warre least he should encrease his affliction and heauines And desirous greatly to make a proofe of his fidelitie towards the King and to crosse the actions of the leagued rebels proffereth peace to the King and watcheth diligently that his enemies might not set foote in any place where hee had meanes to make sure for the kings seruice as for the ease of them of the religion So that after the taking of Niort as is afore sayd in the latter end of Ianuary the inhabitants of S. Meixant and Maillezay two Townes nigh neighbours of Niort yeelded themselues vnto him The Lord Aubiguy was appoynted Gouernour of that Iland About the 14. of February the King of Nauarre hauing recouerd his perfect health and strength with part of his forces tooke the field marching toward the riuer of Loyre The inhabitants of Lodune Lisle Bouchard Mirabean Chastelerault Vinonne and other places and Castles of the countrey of Turenne and Poytow offered to open the gates of their townes vnto him and also proffered vnto him their seruices He receiued them very courteously and without innouation of any thing he suffered them of the Romish religion to liue with all libertie with their ordinarie exercises onely he commanded them of the reformed religion with the exercise of the same there to be established commaunding them of both religions to liue in amitie and peace About the same time many Townes and places in diuers parts of the Realme which before did seeme to bee at the deuotion of the Leaguers were made sure for the Kings seruice as well in Bourgondy as in other Prouinces and among others the Towne and Castle of Sancerre in Berry was seazed for the King That Towne had béen greatly defaced in the former warres for the walles of the Towne had béen rased by the Lord Chastre Gouernour of Berry who did put a Captaine within the Castle for the kéeping of the same and to bridle the inhabitants there who were all of the religion But after the death of the Duke of Guize the Lord of Requien of the house of Montigny Captayne of
others who were taken prisoners And because the night drew neere apace the Prince thought good with all speede to assault the other companies of rebels who were at Commeaux who were about a thousand or twelue hundred men conducted by the Lord Beaulieu This company had trenched and fortified themselues and therefore the most part of thē were y e cannons priests monks fryers Iesuites of the Citie of Sees and many persons of the countrey round about who would shewe some proofe of their valour and how they could fight better with a Caliuer then with their Portisse but at length it was found that they had more skill in iugling a Masse and making of Gods then in handling their weapons among them was the Parson of Vimonstier a desperate and sedicious Priest The Lord Beaulieu was their captain who at the first onset the sayd Lord Beaulieu was taken among the first in the forcing of the Fort who being carried away by the Captaine Chauuayne before the Prince sayd that there were within that Fort at the least seauen hundred well armed and appoynted The Prince vnderstanding that commanded the Lords Bakqueuile Archand to get into the Fort and for that purpose he left them the Culuering and went that night to Escouche where he arriued about eleuen of the clocke in the night And assoone as he was gone the rebels of Comeaux vnderstanding how their fellowes had sped yéelded with their liues onely saued who were immediatly disarmed and brought to Escouche to the Prince There the Duke soiourned all the next day being the 21. of Aprill to take the view of the prisoners who were in great number of all qualities of persons The same day the Lords Hallot Bakqueuile Beuil Bellefontayn and Archand went abroad with their companies to see if they could méet with any ranging Rebells where they mist not much to haue taken the Baron Vernier The sayd Baron and Brissake with the rest of their complices retyred in great speede to Argenton fearing to be as kindly hit on the hips as their fellowes had béen The 22. day the Prince leauing the Lords of Harcourt of Saint Mary Venoix and Sassay at Escouche went to Courcy where hee vnderstoode that the Lord Pierrecourt was lodged with some Launciers not farre of he mounted straight on horsebacke and went to finde them out but he had dislodged a little before they came to the place Here Christian Reader marke the presence of God in the assisting of a good cause and handled by persons of lawfull calling First thou seest how the King heretofore in the warres against the K. of Nauarre had not prospered but all things haue fallen to his owne charges dishonour and shame because he persecuted him without a cause and such persons were put in trust of his affayres and aduanced themselues forward intending vnder that colour to supplant their master Now when the King hath a iust cause in hand and put men in trust that are lawfully called bearing a true and vnfayned heart to the King kingdome Crowne and Countrey such as bee the Princes of his bloud and other of the true Nobilitie of France the Lord also is of his side and fighteth for him maketh him victorious and restoreth to him his authoritie by steps as it shall appeare hereafter Secondly here is a notable thing happened which neuer did happen vnto any Captaine that euer I haue read saue vnto that noble Athenian Conon that a Captaine had obtayned three noble victories in one day but vnto this noble Prince of ancient and noble rase Thus the Prince Montpencier by these victories gaue a tast vnto the rebels of the cup of their treasons and so did driue them into Townes and Holds that afterward it was rare to see any rebels abroade except it were when they had neede priuilie to steale out to robb their nigh neighbours of their goods Hauing done this exployt he purposed to bring the artillerie from Courcy and returne to the Citie of Caen intending shortly after to be in the field agayne and to carrie by it vntill he had subdued the countrey to the Kings obedience agayne By a pertinent digression I haue shewed what noble and profitable exployts the Prince Montpencier hath done in Normandy against the Rebels now we will returne to continuance of the narration interrupted It is sayd before how the King seeing himselfe in extreame danger made truces with the King of Nauarre and deliuered him the Towne of Saumour for his safe passage and repassage ouer the riuer of Loyre which he committed to the Lord of Plessis Marline Few dayes being expired after the deliuering of the town of Saumour the King of Nauarre went thether to the great contentation and reioysing of all the inhabitants and of all the Nobility round about well affected to the Kings seruice and good of the realme Liberty was geuen by the K. of Nauarre to all the inhabitants concerning religion indifferently as hée had done in other places The King of Nauarre hauing ordered all things at Saumour about the 17. day of Aprill went foorth and besieged the Castell of Brissak the Lord thereof beeing a traitour and a rebellious Leaguer and tooke it by composition The 18. the King of Nauarre passed all his Forces beyond the riuer of Loyre ouer the bridg of Saumour and within few dayes ioyned with other forces which stayed for him gathered out of Normandy Mayne Anjou Perche Beausse and other countries beeing betweene Loyre and Seyne intending shortly to see face to face the army of the rebels conducted by the Duke de Mayne Thus the King of Nauarre greatly iniuried and offended so often and at the request and for the pleasure of the Duke of Guyze assaulted now commeth to rescue out of danger captiuity and death him that had persecuted him so long with all the forces of a mighty kingdome he commeth I say with a chosen army not onely great in number but also in valour so that euery common souldier might haue supplyed the roome of an Officer Goe on O great King put on the armor of God follow his calling this day thou hast obtayned a greater and more famous victory then at the day of Coutras in ouercomming the desire of reuengement which vpon diuers occasions might haue risen by the frailty of mans nature The 21 the King of Nauarre hauing passed ouer the riuer Loyre and ioyned with his forces gathered out of the Countreys abouesayd setteth forth a declaration shewing the causes of this passage First hee sheweth that hee is called to enter into this action by God by nature by the lawe and by the iust approbation of his Prince which causes do moue him to determine to imploy his lyfe his meanes power for the reestablishing of y e Kings authority restoring of the realm and for the defence of good Subiects within the same decayed and oppressed by the treasons of the Leaguers vnder the colour of godlines and iustice Secondly he protesteth
the same moneth by reason of the foule way which hindered the carriage of the Ordinance but hauing sent the Lord Artray certaine daies before he had compassed the Towne and at his first comming tooke the Suburbes and drew them of the Towne to composition Captaine Lago Gouernour of the Towne retyred into the Castle with foure hundred and fiftie Souldiers making shew as though he would defend it The place was very strong enuironed with water and strong wals well flanked and good towers The Marshall of Byron being entred the towne kept so good order in it that it was not seene that it had bin besieged the shops being kept open that day as if it had bin in time of peace and presently caused the artillerie to be brought before the Castle and shot at the defences found meanes to take away their water The 23. of December the King being arriued at Alencon and viewing what was done at the siege of the sayd Castle sayd that the siege would not be long The same day the King caused the sayd Lago who was within the Castell to bee aduertised that he was come and to bee sommoned at which newes he began to bee astonied and the morrowe after he required parley and the same day yeelded the place with promise of safetie of liues armes and baggage The King hauing prouided for the assurance of the place left there for Gouernour the Lord Artrey with a good garison in the towne and castle and departing herehence the 27. of December went and lodged at Sees where the Bishop and his Priests with the Magistrats of the Citie came to méet him and receaued him so well that he trusted vnto the inhabitants of the place without leauing therein any other garrison The 28. of December the King departed from thence to Argenton which is a good towne in Normandie wherein is a Castle of good strength There was in the same Castle three Ensignes of footmen whom the Lord Brissak had left there who with Captaine Picart and his regiment were come from Paris to Man and had promised to shewe himselfe at all the sieges which the King would take in hand and he would empeach him from the taking of any towne in the countreys of Mayne and base Normandie But this great warriour was as olde in courage as he was hot in words for he neuer shewed his face at any siege The inhabitants of the towne of Argenton hauing determined to yeeld to the King came foorth and met him most humbly desiring his Maiestie to receaue them to his fauour which thing he did willingly The Souldiers seeing that retyred into the Castle beseeching the K. to suffer them to depart with their liues and baggage which thing the K. granted vnto them The 29. of December the garrison of Damfront vnderstanding that he had sommoned the towne and that the inhabitants had determined to acknowledge and admit the King entred in consultation what they should doo and being deuided into contrary factions put themselues in armes one agaynst another It happened that they who would submit themselues to the King although they were not halfe so many in number as the other were encouraged and assisted of God for the iustice of the cause had the victorie The Baron of Verny Gouernour of the Castle was slayne and certayne other whereupon as well they of the Castle as of the Towne sent to the King to craue his fauour and clemencie which they obtayned The 30. of December the King sent to the towne to be assured of both partes which thing was done without force or violence The Lord Brissak and his companions rebels being beaten away out of all townes of Anjou Mayne and Perche had put himselfe with the regiment of Captaine Picart into Falaize a Towne situated betweene Argenton and Caen where is a Castell very strong and esteemed to be the best place of base Normandie the Castell of Caen only excepted Thether Brissak had entised many Gentlemen and Souldiours of the Countrey men of his owne humour whose heart did boyle with rebellion and treacherie and also the remnant of the Gantiers who had escaped the slaughter done vpon them before by the Prince Montpencier vaunting that they would repayre the honour of their companions who had yeelded and lost all other townes and that at this place all the spoyle which the King had gotten should be surrendred The night following the 30. of December the King sent the Baron of Byron to enuiron it with certaine troupes of men of warre who came thether the morning following so happily that hee found the Lord Brissak comming out of the Towne purposing to haue burned the Towne of Gybray which is as if it were a Subbâ—b of Falaize The saide Lorde Brissak perceauing the troupes of the Baron of Byron returned back into the Towne in hast and with great terror so that by the comming of the said Byron the Towne of Gybray was kept from burning seazed vpon and the enemies there inforced to râ—tyre into Falaize The 31. of December the King arriued and went presently accompanied with the Marshall Byron to view the Towne and Castell which are both strong The Towne is compassed with a great poole whose water cannot be drawne away the wall is good and flancked with good Towers and hard to approach for the battery of the Ordinance The castell is much stronger fortified with great and strong towers and very good walls with a dongeon separated and compassed with great deepe ditches Besides this the Lorde Brissak was within well accompanied with Gentlemen Captaines and Souldiours and made a great shewe that hee would defend that place effectually with intent to get honour The first day of Ianuaâ—â—e the King sent to sommon the Towne to the which the Lord Brissak made answer with a great bragging of resolution that he had vowed vnto God neuer to speake of any composition for that Towne Vpon this answer the King caused with great diligence and expedition gabions to be made baggs to be filled with earth and al things necessary for the battery to be done which thing was so dil gently followed that the third day of Ianuary all was in a readines and had begon to batter that day but he stayed for three Canons which the Prince Montpencier did bring to him out of the Castell of Caen which arriued at the siâ—ge that same day That sâ—me day the Prince Montpencier came to the King hauing with him about twelue or fifteene hundred Souâ—diours a good troupe of Gentlemen of the Countrey and certaine companies of men of aâ—ms with the three Canons aforesaid They which were within the Towne did neuer all these foure dayes sally out but with great braggings shewed a resolut minde supposing therewith to feare away the King The King hauing put all things in a readines for the battery determined to make one worke of two for knowing that the Castell being won the Towne could not hold out long hee concluded to place three
left side was that of the Marshall Aumont consisting of three hundred good horsemen hauing on his two sides 12. regiments of French footmen The second was the squadron of the Prince Montpensier consisting of three hundred Horses and on his left hand foure or fiue hundred Lanceknights and on the right hand a regiment of Swissers euery company of the strangers forces being lyned with footmen The third Squadron was of light horsemen deuided into two companies the one whereof the great Prior Colonell was the Leader and the other company of the light horsemen was conducted by the Lord Gyurye Marshall of the field of the said light horses hee was able to make foure hundred horses These two companies of light horses were placed a little before the foresaid squadrons and at the left hand of them was the artillerie to wit foure cannons and two culuerins The fourth squadron was that of the Baron of Biron which might bee of two hundred and fifty horses and in the same ranke and order at the left hand towards the Prince Montpensier was a company of light Horsemen The fifth squadron was the Kings which made fiue rankes and in euery ranke sixe score horses he had on the left side two regiments of Swissers of the Canton of Glaris and of the Grisons and on his right hand a great Battailon of two other regiments of Swissers the one of the Cantons of Solethurne and the other of the Colonel Balthazare which amount in the whole eighteene ensignes The Battailon on the right hand had the regiment of Brigueulx and on the left wing the regiments of Vignoles and S. Iohn The sixt Squadron was of the Marshall Byron who had two hundred and fiftie good horses with two regiments of French footmen The seauenth Squadron was of the Rutters who had ioyned with them French footmen like as other companies had Things were so ordered by the King and Lord Marshalls and Baron of Byron plied the matter so that in lesse then an houre all was so fitly disposed that it could not be deuised better And while the King did thus set in order his battell the night before and that morning there arriued vnto him sixe hundred horses vnlooked for to wit the companyes of the Prince Countie both horsemen and footmen there came also the Lord Guiche great master of the Ordinance and the Lord Plessis Morney with their companies to whom vpon deliberation was graunted place in the Kings Squadron The same day also while the King stayed in battell array came companies from the garrisons of Deepe and Arques and other companies and Lords out of Normandie to the number of two hundred horse and more who were placed some vnder the gouernment of the Prince Montpencier some with the King and some with the Baron Byron In the meane time the King sent light horsemen for Spyes on the left side of the battell supposing that the enemie did lye at Iury which is a great towne hauing a bridge ouer the riuer Eure thinking there to set vppon the enemie But when they had scarse passed halfe a mile they vnderstood that the enemie was aware of the matter more then they thought and that the enemie had passed the riuer Eure and that they began to shew themselues in battell array The enemie had passed that riuer not thinking to haue the Kings army so nigh But the king hearing of their going to Verneuille thought to méet them there and arriuing thether found that the enemie had sent his Harbingers for to take vp lodgings euen néere the place where the kings army lay When these newes came to the Campe there was an excéeding ioy among all men of all degrees Betweene the two armies there was a Village in the playne which was holden by the enemie which the King made straight way yeeld to him but for al this occasion giuen the enemie did not stirre But the King seeing that it was nigh Sunne setting and hauing not yet descryed the manner of the lodging of their Campe and considering they might bee at some aduantage was aduised not to march for that time any further whereupon there he stayed his armie for that night All that day the two armies were in sight one of the other There were onely some odd skirmishes betweene them in the which prisoners were taken who reported that the number of the enemie was greater then they were aware off and that they were giuen to vnderstand that the Kings companyes were come thether rather for a fashion then minding to bid battaile The night drewe on which caused the army to encampe there where they were set in battell array It is reported that the night following the third day two armies were seene in the Skye and the lesser number put the greater to flight The King would not departe from the army before hee had knowledge of the enemies lodging and had set all his watches in order The Noble men lodged in the villages about the playne which the enemies thought to haue surprized that day the king was the last at fielde and two howers in the night lodged at Foucraynuille which is a Village at the left hand of the same plaine and there hauing a little refreshed himselfe sent word to his men euery one to be in a readines against the morning and after he had rested himselfe about two howres on a pallet obseruing the auncient precept by Homer giuen to the Princes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very early he sent to enquire for newes of the enemies newes came that the enemie séemed to haue repassed the riuer Eure hee sent the second time then word came that vndoubtedly they had not repassed Eure but that they lay in the Villages about Eure some what further then they were supposed to be These newes cheered the king who desired greatly to come to hand with the enemy Day light being come the Princes and Lords Marshalls came to the king and set their men in battaile aray The king bâ—gan in the presence of his houshold seruants and other present to make a most feruent and deuout prayer to God committing his life and the liues of his faithfull subiects and seruants and the defence of his cause vnto him who is the mightie God of battailes The Princes and Lords Catholicks went to heare Masse and their deuotions done went to refresh themselues The King sent to them of the reformed Religion in like manner to commit themselues to Gods most mercifull protection by prayers went in like manner to refresh themselues The king liueth so in the presence of God that hee is a spectacle of royall godlinesse and vertue to men and to the blessâ—d Angels of God All the kings companies hearing that they should ioyne in battaile that day with the enemies did exceedingly reioyce and by nine a clock the king came into the field and vppon warning giuen by two Canon shot by ten a clock all the companies were in order in their places The placing of
Lords Clermont Antragues one of the Captaynes of the Kings gards who deceased nigh the Kings person The Lord Tischombert who had borne great charges in warre and now would needes serue as a souldier in the Kings Cornet The Lord of Longauluay in Normandy of fourescore yeares of age the Lord of Creuay Cornet bearer to the Prince Montpencier the Lord Vienne Lieftenant to the Lord Benuron the Lords of Manuille Fequers Valoys and twentie Gentlemen more at the most There were hurt the Marquesse of Neste the Earle of Choysy the Lord d'O the Earle Lude the Lords Montluet Lauergne and Rosny and about twentie Gentlemen more without any danger of death The King going to chase the enemie and hauing deuided his companies as is aforesayd left the Marshall Byron with the rest of his forces to conduct them and followe after him Here good Christian Reader thou hast to note certaine fatall periods of things to wit the circumstances of the persons time and place in the execution of Gods iustice vpon his enemies The 23. day of December 1559. Claude Duke of Guize and Charles Cardinall of Lorreyne his brother in the raigne of Francis the second procured Annas du Borg one of the chiefest Senators of the Court of Parliament of Paris to be burned for the Gospell at Saint Ihan in Greues in Paris The 23. of December as their Calender is now which was the day of the natiuitie of Henry of Bourbon which now raigneth in the yeare 1588. the last Duke and Cardinall of Guize were slayne at Bloys when they had concluded to murther the King the next morning following that day The fourth day of March 1561. Claude of Guize father to this last tooke armes agaynst the edict of Ianuary and committed the cruell murther of Vassie by the which breach of the peace were ciuill warres raised vp in France and euer since haue béen entertayned and nourished by his posteritie which warre was his vndoing The same day of the same moneth in the yeare 1585. the last Duke of Guize sonne to the sayd Claude tooke armes against the King which was the beginning of these last ciuill warres of the League by the which they haue procured their owne vndoing and of many others The same day of the moneth the Duke de Mayne brother to the sayd last Duke of Guize and heire of the Captainship of the rebellion made a shipwracke of all his forces at Saynt Andrewes plaine without hope euer to recouer the like forces Claude Duke of Guyze in December in the year 1561. fought the first battell that was giuen in all these ciuill Warres with Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Condie Prince of famous and blessed memory in the plaine of Dreux with an vncertaiue issue but in equall losses so that to this day it is vniudged who had y e victory but well knowen that the Duke of Guyze had the greatest losse The Duke de Maine fought agaynst Henry of Bourbon the fourth of that name now King of France and Nauarre at the plaine of Saint Andrew next adioyning to the other and the places not distant passing a mile a sunder with a reparable losse The Lord Rendan a rebellious Leaguer in Auuergne with such power as he could make in the sayd countrey but specially in the Townes of Rions and Brion rebelled and holden in the same rebellion by the Iesuits besieged Isoire a great and populous towne in the said Auuergne because it continued in the Kings obedience The Lords Chasseran and Rochemayne willing to do some honorable seruice to the King and good to their countrey gathered such power as they could of the Kings subiectes to rescue the sayd towne of Isoire from falling into the handes of the rebels and with a meane power trusting in GOD the defender of his Ordinance and wayghing the right of the cause marched towards Isoire The sayd Lord Rendan vnderstanding of their approach raysed vp the siege and went intending to meete the sayd Lordes Chasseran and Rochemayne and at the same day and time of the battell at Saint Andrewes playne meeting in a playne field not farre from Jsoire tried the quarell by the sword There the sayd Rendan was ouerthrowen and aboue fourescore Gentlemen of his were slayne on the place all his footmen cut to pieces the artillery bagge and bagage with many prisoners taken so the Towne of Isoyre was deliuered from the danger of the enemie retayned and confirmed in the Kings dutifull obedience It is said how after the victory the King deuided his army into foure parts three of them were appointed their quarters to follow the chase and the Marshall Biron to follow after the King with the residue of the army The King hauing taken this order followed after the Duke de Mayne but finding the bridg broaken was faine to go thrée miles about to passe the riuer afoord and in that way he found many straglers whom he tooke prisoners which was a good turne for them or else they had béen slaine by others he came so fast after the Duke d' Mayne that hee did misse him but a little but vnderstanding how he was receaued in Mant the king lodged that night at Rosni as is said very simple The fift day the Duke d'Mayne very early fearing to be besieged there retyred from Mante to Pontoyse where he soiourned few dayes to take some sure order for the safety of the Towne and after went to Saint Denis The same day the King sent to sommon the Towne of Mante which deliuered the keyes of their towne to his Maiesty receaued and acknowledged him their king and prince and continued there vntill the twentie day of March to refresh his army wearied with so many labours and hardnes of winter to take counsel of the course which he was to take hereafter and to expect certaine munition of warre which was comming to him from Diepe The Citie of Paris first author of this warre had conceaued an assured confidence of all prosperous successe by the vaine bragges which the Duke d'Mayne did cast foorth afore hee went out with the army The Friers Iesuites increased this vain confidence in their pulpets by assuring them either of a certaine victory or else of recoyling of the King as farre as beyond Loyre so that euery day they looked for the King dead or aliue and all his spoyles to be brought for a spectacle and to bee solde and bought among them or else to heare of his flight as farre as the riuer of Loyre This great confidence made them to liue very secure and carelesse in prouiding for the Citie besides that they rested much vpon the great multitude which is within the sayd Citie there beeing great bablers and boasters for the Parisien is as Epimenides speaketh of the Cretayns a lyer euill beast and slothfull belly The towns also which then did hold round about their Citie as Pontoyse beneath vpon the same riuer Charonton Meaux Laguye Corbeil Melun Montereau aboue vpon the riuer
him nor good for his master to meddle with the Kings affayres we sayd the Lord Byron hold the King for the true and naturall heire of the Crowne of France That the King maintained their lawes and liberties inuiolable and had none for enemies but fewe straungers thrust forward by ambition who vnder y e pretence of religion sought to ouerthrowe all good lawes to lay downe the foundation of their tyrannie to giue entrance to the Spanish King and for religion to bring in all Atheisme The Frier protested that his master was free from medling in any such enterprises But his doings his practises his ministring of money to the Rebels his conuersation and familiaritie with Bernardine Mendoza was so auerred to the foolish Friers face that he was proued a lying false flattering Frier Thereupon master Frier his stomacke being not yet satisfied would haue a saucie Frierlike fling against the King and demaunded the Marshall Byron how they being professors of the Catholike religion made so light account of his masters holines and purposes to carrie armes against the Catholikes their brethren The Lord Byron answered that they carried armes agaynst rebels and traytors and told him agayne that it were very wisely done for him his master to looke somewhat neerer to his owne estate For if he so encroached and medled with them they would quickly excommunicate him And that there were diuers Bishops in France as good Catholikes as his master who would bee glad to bee made Patriaches in their seuerall Prouinces and would finde as good Scripture to maintaine their authoritie as his master had any to defend his Some reasoning being vpon this poynt Frier Paniguerola was found to be so great a Clark that he could answer little or nothing But at length to conclude the talke he shewed the somme of his Ambassage to wit he desired a good peace to be concluded and some paynes to be taken to bring the King to be a Catholike But he shewed not his intent which was to delay the siege of Paris if the king had intended to besiege it out of hand The other Ambassadour to wit Vileroy was sent by the King to the Lord Plessis Morney a noble man of great wisedome and profound learning who handled the sayd Vileroy very plainly and roughly reproaching vnto him his vnfaithfull and treacherous seruice to his old master Henry the third And when he had denyed these things wherewith he was charged the Lord Beaulieu both condemned his fayre flattering wordes and promises which he brought now full of dissimulation and verified his olde trayterous practises agaynst his olde master it was thought that iustice should haue been executed vppon him for his treasons according to the Kings edicts The King hauing soiourned at Mante fewe dayes tooke his way to Vernon which lyeth between Mante and Pont de larche which also yéelded vnto him From Vernon the Gentlemen of Normandy to the number of fifteene hundred horses retyred to their home about the eight of March The Lord Chartres gouernour of Deepe returned to Deepe sicke in whose absence certaine Leaguers inhabitants there went about to haue seazed vpon the towne for the League who being detected and preuented at his returne were exiled out of the Towne to the number of sixe score among whom were many of the richest sort of all the towne About the same time that the King soiourned at Vernon the Duke of Longueuile the Lord of Tinteuille arriued to the King with eight thousand Rutters The King hauing seazed on Vernon and Mante and stopped the traffique of that riuer with the Citie of Paris on that side and prouided for the safetie of the sayd Townes concluded in his counsell to besiege Paris the principallest Citie of the Realme where it was considered that the Citie being populous and great would easily be woon by famine which would eschewe slaughter both of his owne Souldiers and Citizens whome hée would by all gentle meanes bring to their duetie of obedience and therefore it was thought good to stop the passages of the riuers Oyse Marne and Seyne aboue Paris For in stopping Oyse the Towne of Pontoyse also should bee distressed Therefore the King deuideth his armie as followeth The Duke of Longueuile should haue part of his armie to besiege Beaumont vpon Oyse He sent the Marshall Byron with another part of the armie to scoure the riuer Marne where he tooke Cressie a towne situated in Brie betweene Meaulx and Corbeil where a Parisien named Peter was Captaine for whose raunsome was proffered eight hundred Crownes but the King for some speciall causes commaunded him to be hanged and fiue and twentie of the chiefest of the towne with him The sayd Marshall Byron immediatly after the taking of Cressie layed the siege before Lagnye vpon the riuer Marne right agaynst Corbeil The Citizens required space of time to send vnto the King which was yet in Normandy to craue his gracious mercie which they obtayned The King about the 21. of March hauing receiued certayne munitions from Deepe and taken order for the safetie of Normandy with part of his armie coasted betweene the riuers of Seyne and Eure and tooke the townes of Possie and S. Germain and the Pont S. Clow and marched toward Corbeil to seaze vpon the riuer of Seyne on that side It is said before how the Leaguers had compacted with the King of Spayne vpon some conditions of receiuing a certaine somme of money to haue deliuered the Citie of Marsels a great strong Citie in Prouance vpon the Mediterran Sea but being disappoynted of his purpose as is said in the first Booke that Citie continued faithfull vnto the King vntil the Duke of Guize his death The King of Spayne had corrupted aforehand the chiefe gouernour of the Citie by giuing him pay to the summe of fifty Crownes a day he had also drawne to his faction three score of the chiefest Citizens paying to some forty crownes some more and some lesse a day Thus the hearts of a great number of Citizens being disposed the death of the Duke of Guize was bruted euen to the coast of the Mediterrane Sea The gouernour and his complices hearing of that began to â—nuaigh and bring the City to a wauâ—ring and inconstancy of wills counsels some would haue the Towne to yéelde to the League and some would not so the Citie remayned as neuter hanging neither to Spayne nor to France In the meane time the Lord Valete as is said hauing made peace with the Lord Diguieres and considering the wauering of that Citie had prepared a nauy of Galeys on the Sea before the said City to controule such Ships or other vessels as might come or goe that way to benefit the said Towne whome he molâ—sted as Leaguers The gouernour and the rest of malcontents hired by the King of Spayne practized that the said King of Spayne and the Duke of Sauoy should send Galleys thether in shew to clense the Seas but in déede
him for his sonne and true heire of the Crowne in France in case he doth decease without issue But to come to the matter now here is a blessed daies worke for the Guyzes and holy Church Vp master Frier and get you to Rome the holy Citie once againe to Sir Hugh to shew him what good lucke wée haue and that all thinges do happen as wée would haue them but that we haue néede of his ghostly counsaile Whilest Frier Mathew carier of the Guyzes goeth to do his message as well as he could they of the Guyze with their partakers do dispearse themselues into all partes of the Realme to allure Townes and Cities but especially them that were Malecontentes to their deuotion after the which progresse of theirs with importunacy they do procure the King to call the assembly of the states of the realme at Bloys to the which they had altogether laboured their fauorers and such as did desire nothing more then the decay of the King and increasing of the Guyzes In the same assembly that the King might haue the blame himselfe of the breaking of the peace it was requested First that the edict of pacification should be reuoked and the exercise of the reformed religion forbidden Secondly that the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and all the nobilitie professing the same religion should be exiled out of the realme all others of the same profession should be enforced either to abiure or els to depart forthwith out of the Realme Thirdly that the 8. townes which were giuen them for 6. yeares should be put into the kinges handes alleaging that the time was expired The king being desirous to entertaine his subiectes in peace knowing well the frutes of ciuil warre dissolued the states promising shortly to assemble the best wisest and most experienced of his realme to haue their aduise for the reformation of all thinges About the same time of the states beeing at Bloys the king of Nauarre sendeth new aduertisementes to the king about the intent and open practises of the league willing him to haue some care of himselfe and sheweth him the present danger that he stood in After the returne of Frier Mathew from Rome the Bariesuits in the latter end of September held a certaine Synode or Clandestine conuenticle in Paris in the which the said Frier Mathew as president did rule the rost hauing receaued direction of Sir Hugh vicar of Rome where according to the said directions they lay downe the methode to stirre vp the coles to raise vp seditions and rebellious in all partes but especially to increase the hatred of all men against them of the religion but namely against the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde and for that end they forged an infamous libell as more amply shal be shewed The king according to his promise made to the States at Bloys in the latter end of the yeare 1584. called at Saint Germayn in Faye his chéefest and best learned Senators of all his Parliamentes there to shew him the best and readiest meanes to ease the people and to restore the realme to some good state On the other side the king of Nauarre considering that the time appointed to surrender the 8. townes committed to his custody was expired and that the rage of his enemies was rather increased then diminished and that their meanes their factions and their furie was now greater then euer it had béene and that imminent daungers were at hand assembled a méeting of the Nobilitie which professed the reformed religion at Montaulban a strong City in Quercye where Monsieur Belieure one of the kinges counsaile was present to prouide for their common affaires And whereas the king of Nauarre his enemies had spread abroad both by false rumors and libels that immediatly after the death of Monsieur he was returned to the Catholike religion and was gone to Masse the said king of Nauarre therefore to satisfy all men against that false rumor and slaunder protested openly that he knew the truth to be on his side and that by Gods assistance he would stand to the profession and defence of the reformed religion vnto the end and that hée would acknowledge none other fortune but onely that There by the common aduise of all that assembly it was thought good that considering the great daungers which seeme to threaten them of the reformed Religion and generally all France a supplication should bee presented to the king that of his méere fauour clemencie be would continue the kéeping of the said Townes to the king of Nauarre for certaine yeares more Vpon this conclusion the Lord Laual with other deputies were sent to the King at the assembly which was at Saint Germain and shewing the cause of their comming to the king and complaining of diuers iuiuries daily done to them of the reformed religion by the leaguers the 11. of December 〈◊〉 the king granted them the keping of the said townes for 2. yeares longer charging them that for iniuries done to them they should not séeke to reuenge their owne cause for breaking of the peace But that they would shew their gréefes to the King of Nauarre who thereupon should make meanes to him for amendes Whilest all these thinges were working on euery side the king of Nauarre séeing that neither so many aduertisementes from euery part of France geuen to the king neither that which hée himselfe saw namely the partialities societies fraternities leagues confederacies and preparations of the house of Guyze did any whit moue or warne the king to looke to himselfe and to his affaires which thing he might easily haue done in time The said king of Nauarre had sent the Lord de Segur Pardillan superintendent of his house to the Quéene of England the king of Dēmarke the Princes electors the Lands-graue of Hessen and to other States of Germany for thrée causes first to compound the controuersies about certaine articles of religion not as yet agréed vpon in the reformed Churches y t the enemies of the commō cause might not distoine them by that occasiō Secondly to renue the ancient friendship and aliaunce in that sort as it had véene of old Thirdly to dispose a summe of money in Germany in such order that therby he might there prouide succour if he were assaulted by his enemies The said Lord Perdillane returned home to the king of Nauarre in December 1584. when the king did hold his counsaile at Saint Germayn The end of the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE NOw when the Guyzes do draw néere their time to bring forth that monster of treason which they had conceaued they haue many secret conferences with y t Duke of Parma pety sonne to Peter Aloyse Pharnese the Popes bastard hanged at his windowes by his owne subiectes for his execrable life Also with Bernardine Mendoze Giouan Bardachino the king of Spaine his Coriero the Bishop of Cominges bastard sonne to the Lord Lansake playing Dromo betweene them
assure themselues of those prouinces townes cities and holdes as had not in a maner one of the reformed religion left among them but they either had béen murthered or else so vexed and disquieted by the continuall dangers which euery day compassed them that they had retyred most into those prouinces in France which were safer from the violence of the Leaguers or into forreine Countries So they warre agaynst the heretikes by subduing the Catholikes to their deuotion They warre against the heretikes where none were to make them resistance and dare not looke on the prouinces where the heretikes as they tearme them were in great number But to the matter Although the vniust and inconstant dealinges of the house of Valoys had empayred greatly their honor and renowne and that this king by his own actions at the massacre of Saint Bartholemy had greatly stayned his garments with a spot that would neuer be washed yet did hee alwayes retayne the authority and reputation of a Soueraygne Prince vntill that for hatred of the Gospell hee suffered the ambition of the house of Guyze to encroch too much vpon his royall authority and prerogatiue vnder colour of Catholike zeale Thus hee weakened his royall authority by following the counsell of Italians thrusted into his seruice by the cunning of the Guyzes for that intent These Italian scholemasters did endeuour alwaies to rule him by the preceptes of Machiauell the Italian prophet so that after he came to the Crowne the Guyzes with their adherents interrupted diuers times the peace made with them of the religion made continuall monopols and secret practises and associations with his subiects to the great empayring of his royall authoritie as is afore sayd and still vnder colour of Popish deuotion so that at length hauing by the means abouesayd seduced the harts of the Priestes Monks of many of the Nobillity and people hauing specially woon his Senators and Counsellers and robbed him of the good will and loue of his subiects in the end by this market they haue made themselues equall to him they haue set their seat as high as his so that now the king is nothing which they are not except onely that as yet they do not take vpon them the name of king but suffer him for a while to enioy the same So that the king now hauing not onely lost part of his Princelike strength which consisted in his townes cities and holds but also part of his authority which lyeth in commaunding alone as a soueraygne is become a fellow of the League If you demaund why the question is soone answered because he set himselfe agaynst him of whom he had receaued all power and authority Hee which had giuen him tooke it agayne for his vnthankfulnesse But now let vs returne to the League These articles called the holy League being concluded to the kinges great disaduantage and dishonor the edict must be made thereafter which was published the 18. day of Iuly and is commonly called the edict of vnion wherein the king doth all that it pleaseth the Leaguers to commaund him to do as a good obedient fellow of that holy association Fyrst hee forbiddeth the exercise of the reformed religion throughout all his Dominions commaunding the ministers of the Gospell to depart the realme out of hand Secondly he commandeth all men to professe the popish religion and that the professors of the Gospell without any respect of persons either shall beleeue poperie or else within sixe moneths shall depart out of the Realme with licence in the meane time to sell their goods to their owne vses Thirdly that as many as haue been infected with heresie for so hee calleth the Gospell of trueth or are knowne to fauour it shall bee incapable to be are any office within the Realme Fourthly he dooth dissolue the bipartit and tripartit chambers of iudgements which were ordayned for the indifferent ministration of iustice in respect of religion Fifthly that the townes graunted to the keeping of the King of Nauarre at Saint Germane the yeare 1584. shall bee surrendred into the Kings hands Sixtly that all whatsoeuer offensiue actions haue been committed by the Leaguers their adherents Townes Cities or comunalties of their association shall be hereafter iudged as lawfull good and acceptable seruice to the King done for the defence of the holy Catholik Romain Religion And that all declarations proclamations iudgements prescriptions condemnations and executions whatsoeuer against the Leaguers or any of them for the said offences pronounced shall be voyd as vniustly wrongfully pronounced against them Where note gentle reader that the King is come to that bondage that hee is perswaded to alowe and approue all the murthers exactions spoylings excorsions treasons rapes whoredomes blasphemies and sacriledges as done for his seruice the defence of the Church and aduauncing of Gods honour Will not the Lord reuenge this pusilanimitie in such a great Magistrate with some notable example of his iustice according vnto his threatnings woe be to you which call euill good Last of all he commaundeth all manner of officers and the Nobilitie to sweare the obseruation of the said edict which he caused to be published and sworne in the Parliament of Paris hee himselfe sitting in iudgement the 18. day of Iuly The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde vnderstanding the conclusion and publication of the edict of Iuly appointed a certaine meeting with the Duke of Monmorency at Saint Paule de cadioulx in the Prouince of Albigerys to take aduise together what were to bee done in those extremities They therefore the tenth of August concluded a certaine protestation in the which shewing what the intents driftes and demeanours of the Leaguers haue been also what the Kings iudgement was of them not long since what meanes the King of Nauarre hath sought and what hee hath proffered for the preseruation of the state What his behauiour had been euer since the League did rise how hee hath kept himselfe quiet and vnarmed to the extreame danger of his person when he had great occasions to doo great exploites At last they protest that they are not the cause of al those miseries which are like to ensue out of those troubles and seeing that no reason will take place committing their innocencie and equitie of their cause vnto God doo resolue vpon the defensiue This resolution being made the King of Nauarre returned to Nerak the Prince of Conde to Rochel and Monmorency to Languedock to view the attempts and expect the euents of this new and strange vnion This vnion being concluded the King considering that in some manner hee had been enforced to breake the edict of peace and that it was not the proclayming onely which would cause the edict of vnion to be obeyed but that a certaine cauell warre would ensue and that there must be some sâ—newes to holde it Therefore hee turneth all his thoughts to make some preparation for the warre for the which cause the 11. of
thirtie horses in a companie The first day of Nouember with much payne all the day long ranging and galloping through the Forrest at length they got the banck of Loyre not farre from the towne of Guyen about midnight The Lord Mot for his paynes had many horses but specially one for the which was refused foure hundred Crownes And seeing himselfe disappoynted of his intent afterward he could not dissemble to say that he hoped to haue had fiftéene thousand Crownes of raunsome for the Lord S. Gelays onely which was the cause sayd he that he left the following of other Hugonets whereby he might haue made himselfe rich The Lord Boysduly was in hope to haue passed the riuer by fauour of some friends which he had in that countrey but hee was disappoynted of his hope which thing put them in dispayre both of repassing and of their liues also for the riuer was beset with companies of armed men euery where for at Seuilly was a great garrison which Antragues gouernour of Orleans had sent thether All the boates either were retired to the townes or to the other side of the riuer and the selfesame day commandement was giuen to all Water-men and Fishers vppon payne of death either to sinke their boates or to let them downe to Seuilly The Lord Chastre gouernour of Berry had commaunded to doo the like at Sancerre The Prouost of Borbonnoys and Berry with companies of Souldiers did gallop along the riuer seeking some Hugonets stragling The horses of this small number could go no more but a soft pace and did fall downe for wearines all things seemed contrary to them so that in that dispayre they determined to haue followed the way of Gien or Briare townes situated vpon the bankes of Loyre aboue Orleans where doubtles they had béen all slaine or taken for all was full of men of warre going downe the riuer to Orleans But on a sudden a little boye comming conducted them to a towne called Omiroer they went into an Iune where they sayd they would baite saying that they went toward the Lord Antragues and that they pursued some Hugonets who had passed ouer the water A peasant vpon these words desirous that they should doo some good exployt that way being there sayd There was yesterday a litle boat beyond the water which to morrow must goe downe to Seuilly there it is yet this was about midnight if it could be had you might passe quickly They enquiring how to come by it it was found very hard the riuer was broade the owner of the boate was in bed the winde was great and to call him were in vaine But there was yesterday sayd the peasant a quarter of a league off a boate mill which draweth a little boate if you could get that you might said he two or thrée of you passe ouer to get the great boate Without further delay they forsooke the baite the peasant was their guide the small boate was at land wherewith fewe passed to the mill which was farre in the water The Miller was surprized who at the first resisted for he should bee hanged sayd he if hee ayded them at length hee passed ouer fiue of them in his small boate with their swords and pistols in hand thinking they should be resisted for it was sayd that some Souldiers were on the other side to keepe the boate They tooke the boate and the boatman who withstood them much for it might cost him his life as he sayd notwithstanding being enforced he went to fetch the rest of the companie which stayed on the other side This passage so vnlooked for reuiued both men and horses for neither of them were any more wearie so that without any staying they rode two leagues ouerthwart the fields in Soleigne where they found a Farme wherein they soiourned the rest of that night The 2. of Nouember they aduaunced toward Bourges and separated themselues euery one retiring where he thought good The Lorde Saint Gelais soiourned for a while in Berry and after passing the riuers Creuse Vienne Cher and Cline ariued at Saint Ihan D' Angely and Rochel about the same time that the Prince returned out of England where hee met the said Prince with the Lords Rohan Clermont Laual Boulay other Nobles and Captaines without the losse of one man Considering how these noble men but especially the small companie of the Lord Saint Gelays were pursued through Beause y e Forrest of Orleans along the riuer of Loyre it is a wonder how they did escape without leauing a hare behinde for the hare at Lude was neuer so hardly hunted as this small companie was Here we haue to marke well the worke of God in this Historie of deliuerance first how the Lord set his Angell betweene his Children and his enemies so that the companies of Chasteaudune passed hard by them intending to charge them and yet being within 50. paces they could neither see nor heare them but as if they had been couered with a cloude were passed ouer Secondly heere is to bee considered that the Lorde turned those things by the which they had prouoked God to anger to their good For while the greedie enemies were a gathering the stuffe which was cast away this little weake and â—â—red companie had time to slide off the hand of that enemie which is most insolent filthie craftie and prophane as is the Italian Thirdly how the Lord did delude the dissimulation of the Lord la Mot who vnder colour of amity would haue snared them either to the slaughter or otherwise to their vndooing Fourthly how when they were cleane gone out of hope of their liues and that it was time the Lord should pull them out of the deepe mire with his owne hand he sendeth a boy or rather an Angell I meane a messenger to direct them where the meanes of their deliuerance should be shewed vnto them Last of all the Lord did vse the verie malice of the enemie to wit of the poyson which he did beare to them of the religion to be the meane and the guide how to passe the riuer and to deliuer them out of so many ineuitable daungers and intollerabe labours to bring them to a place of safetie and rest This is also a marueilous thing that the other Souldiours and companies scattered as dust blowne in the ayre repassed the riuer Loyre vpon the bridges of Orleans Bloys Amboyse Tours Saumur and others euen with their armour making any excuse to serue their turne as they would themselues when the said briges were narowly kept Now hauing set the Prince his Nobles and all his scattered armie in safetie who wil returne back againe and see what course the Lords Laual and Boulay tooke It is saide before how that the 24. of October the Lord Laual was sent by the Prince to repasse the riuer Loyre which thing hee did very easilie without daunger or let and how the morrow after the passage ouer was stopped by the boates which came
vicar of Rome against the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde therewithall and with the sedicious inuaighing of the Iesuits and Friers to make them odious vnto the people whose liues they could not touch neither by violence nor by any haynous act It is sayd also how the Senat of Paris gaue their iudgement by the way of admonition to the King against the sayd excommunication the Pope himselfe and the procurers of the same The sixt day of Nouember the King of Nauarre answereth to the said excommunication of that beggerly Frier Sixtus and caused the same answere to bee set and fixed vpon the corners of the streates in Rome where publique writings are wont to be set First he doth hold the sayd excommunication false wrongfull voyd and doth appeale from him as no Iudge vnto the Senat of the Péeres of France whereof he is the first Secondly whereas the sayd franticke Sixtus dooth lay heresie to his charge and presumptuously calleth him hereticke the sayd King in one word doth answere that he maliciously and most impudently with reuetence of his goose cap be it spoken doth lye Thirdly the sayd King doth charge the beggerly Frier Sixtus to be an hereticke himselfe and doth proffer to prooue him so in a generall Counsell lawfully assembled Fourthly he doth declare him Antichrist and as vnto such a one he doth denounce a perpetuall and irreconciliable warre vntill that the miurie done to the house of France be satisfied Fiftly he assureth himselfe in God that as he hath assisted his predecessors and made them able to chastize such sawcie companions as he is when they haue forgotten their duetie and passed the bounds of their vocation confounding the ecclesiasticall power with the ciuill So he trusteth in God that being nothing inferiour vnto them God will make him able to reuenge the iniurie offered to the King Crowne State and Parliaments of France Last of all hee dooth implore all Christian Kings and Potentates all States alied and confederated with the Crowne of France to assist him to represse the raging tyrannie and damnable vsurpation of the sayd Frier Sixtus and of all Leaguers and conspirators agaynst the Crowne of France So much also doth protest Henry of Bourbon Prince of Conde This answere of the King of Nauarre being fixed as is sayd in the ordinary places of Rome where such writinges are wont to be set did not moue Frier Sixtus to repentance but as being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did cast him into feare so deeply that he sendeth not long after a Coriero to the Duke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is one that putteth me together by the cares then runneth his way Momorencye to excuse the matter and to remoue the fault from himselfe and to lay it vpon the Leaguers who as he sayth had deceitfully induced him to do what hee had done praying him to smooth the matter with the King of Nauarre and to pacify his displeasure About the 11. of Nouember the King sendeth forth an iniunction to all his officers to seaze vpon the persons and goods of al them that haue born armes with the Prince of Conde who after the breaking of the army at Saloune had returned to theyr houses or returned to their friends and to proceede agaynst them according to the edict of Iulye and the declaration thereof vearing date the 6. of October Also that such as will be reduced to Popery he is willing to pardon to giue them his patents for the same conditionally that they shal be without armes and horse and also that they shall put in good suretyes to persist in the profession of Popery The 19. of Nouember the Shauelinges Cardinals and Bishops made a long exhortation to the King by Sir Emare Henekin Bishop of Saynt Bryen a citye in Britayne In the same long and tedious oration Sir Henekin first did shew him the duty of Kinges toward the holy Church to wit to magnify it to the vttermost of his power Marke this Christian Reader that by the name of Church he meaneth Note the shauelings and by the duty of Kings toward the Church he although in other wordes goeth about to perswade the King to yeeld himselfe prisoner to their willes and affections and to make it short to let them haue what they would haue and to approoue whatsoeuer they would doe Secondly he teacheth the King that it is the holy Ghost who hath inspired him to make the edict of vnion To make the edict of vnion was to replenish his kingdome with bloud Note murther and desolation and to yeeld his authority into the handes of traiterous conspiratours of the League this is a worke of inspiration of the holy ghost by Sir Henekyn his diuinity Well sayd Sir Henekyn goe too this is good stuffe Thirdly hee blameth the King that heretofore he hath not shewed cruelty ynough agaynst them of the reformed but hath suffered them to haue the liberty of theyr religion by his edictes of peace but now he trusteth that hauing reuoked the edict of peace he would play Pyrgopolynices in Plautus Here Sir Henekyn sheweth whose sonne hee is breathing nothing Note but murther and whose scholler to wit Antichrist of Rome which is the trompeter of all mischieues in Christendome Fourthly after breach of the edict of peace Henekyn hopeth that the King will play the man and that all thinges shall goe well Here Sir Henekyn dooth suppose that all thinges shall goe well Note when the King hath throwen himselfe his Nobility his Kingdome and Subiectes into a heape of miseryes and hath opened the dore to desolation and desperation most miserable this is to haue a new heauen and earth to Sir Henekyn Fifthly he assureth the King that he shall haue power ynough to breake the forces of the Heretikes Here Sir Henekyn knowing not that there is neither counsell Note nor power against God to resist his will warranteth the King like a good diuine that he shall performe what Sir Henekyn wisheth Sixtly hee willeth the King to vse such discipline among his Souldiers as that the Priestes be not molested by them Here Sir Henekyn foreseeing what euilles the breach of the edict of peace would breede is well content that other men perish so that hee Note and his fellowes may liue in all pleasures and voluptuousnes without any molestation Sir Henekyn is a good reasonable and kindly fellow Seuenthly hee willeth the King to publish the counsell of Trente and to reforme the Priestes and to cause them to be good and vertuous The King hath resigned into the handes of the Leaguers a great part of his roiall authority Now Sir Henekyn will haue him to publish Note the counsell of Trente that is to resigne the rest of his royall authority to Fryer Sixtus I thinke that his minde is in plaine tearmes the King to become a begging Frier and to goe to Fryer Sixtus to haue a dispensation to forsake his wife and to
enter into a Fryery But if the king would follow good counsell he should keepe himselfe as he is For the eight point he praieth the king to geue ouer the preferring and placing of Abbots and Bishops to their liuings but to referre that to the Priestes themselues to the Chapters of Canons and Monkes and to leaue the disposition of Bishoprickes and Abbeyes to their elections and discretions Here Sir Henekyn is very carefull for the king he willeth him to forbeare to swallow such big morsels as Bishopricks and Abbeyes for the Note daunger which may ensue which is choaking but to leaue such fat morsels to them that haue throats big ynough to swallow down whole Stéeples The king hath resigned part of his royall authority to the Leaguers now to do well he shall resigne another part to Frier Syxtus and the third to the Priestes and then let him walke carelesse Ninthly he prayeth the king to take some good order that the Priests may be honoured renerenced and capped and that their iurisdiction may be restored to them and not interrupted hereafter Dixi. Here is the fourth part of the kinges authority which Sir Henekyn Note would fayne to wrest out of his hand that the Priestes may execute an infernall tyranny ouer the soules and bodies of men And to conclude his chattering hee doth promise to the king great blessinges here vppon earth and afterward the kingdome of heauen so that he will roote out and destroy them whom hee calleth heretikes Note here that Sir Henekyn doth call them heretikes who doth distroy their vngodly lewd liues and filthy pleasures as dronkennes glottony whoredome and worse then that Also he would haue the King to roote out that is to kill all whom these ghostly fathers shall appoint him Last of all to play the Turke to make hauock of all things to fill the earth with bloud is the way to ascend vp to Heauen quoth Sir Henekin well said sir Henekin by Saint Mary you haue said as well as euer I heard any of your occupation About the 30. of Nouember the King of Nauarre being at Bergerak and vnderstanding that his paâ—iencie had kindled the rage of his enemies and his moderatenes had increased the insolencie of the Leaguers and that after the dispearsing of the Princes armie the crueltie of the edict of vnion and declaration thereof the 7. of October was euery where executed with proscriptions murthers losses of goods dignities and honours dooth make an edict throughout his gouernement of Guienne to be executed wherein hee sheweth that whereas his silent patience and moderatenes had serued nothing but to increase the outragious excesses and cruelties of the seditions and rebells he is inforced to folow the course and order folowing First that all the goods lands rents fruites debts actions and accounts of all the inhabitants of those townes and places where the edict of Iulie and declaration thereof hath been published and executed and also of all Gentlemen or others bearing armes with the Leaguers and their partakers also of all Ecclesiasticall persons wheresoeuer who are contrarie vnto his part and of all whatsoeuer who are contributaries vnto his enemies within the Gouernement of Guienne to bee seazed vpon stayed and put in the hands of his commissioners to bee sould or farmed to him that will giue most Secondly forbiddeth all manner of persons who are indebted vnto such to pay them or their assignes or partakers any debt but commaundeth them to repayre vnto his Lieutenants generall or officers of his receites to declare and reueale al debts vpon paine of death and to pay fourefold that the said goods may be employed to the vse of warre al graines and fruites to be put in such places for store houses as shall be appoynted by his officers Thirdly he commaundeth the like to be executed vpon them who shall refuse to pay the contributions or the worke men at the fortifications and also that shal refuse to be contributaries in the deuiding of their fruites for the prouision of stoare houses which shall be conueniently made for the sustaining of the warre Fourthly the like intertainement to be done vnto the aboue said as the enemies shall intreate them of the reformed religion or Catholicks who haue ioyned themselues to him in that iust cause and necessarie defence charging all officers both to publish and execute the same edict without delay About the 25. of December the King as a man that studied nothing else but onely how to vexe molest trouble torment and vtterly euen with the losse of his realme and estate to roote out them of the reformed religion setteth forth an order of persecution which he commaundeth to be published at euerie court and in euery market wherein to help the memorie of persecutors he commaundeth then to haue books deuided in fiue chapters The first of them that hauing borne armes haue retired back and meant to be conuerted to poperie The second of them who haue or doo beare armes The third of them that according to the edict haue departed out of the realme The fourth of them that haue not departed out of their houses but are returned to poperie The fift of them that haue remained in their houses and doo persist in the reformed religion which he calleth heresie All the penaltie came to this that they shall bee persecuted all to death except they will abiure and all their goods seazed vpon and imployed to the vse of warre Furthermore he dooth promise a certaine forme of abiuration to bee sent into the countrey and willeth the Bishops to appoint in townes of their dioces their vickars generals to receaue their abiuration and to giue them absolution About the same time one Sir William Ruse Bishop of Anger 's did set foorth in his dioces vnto al Priests a forme of abiuration which the said Priests should enforce vpon them that had professed the true religion and had obeyed or would obey the Kings edict Wherein first hee dooth propound vnto them the Nicen simbole Secondly they shall allowe all the traditions of the Apostles and of the holy Mother Church of Rome By the traditions of the Apostles and holy Church hee vnderstandeth Note all the intusiasmes and dronken dreames all the sottish and heathenish devises of the phantasticall frantick dronken Popes Cardinalls Bishops Monkes and Friers which wee must needes to holde for articles of the faith because sir William hath said so Thirdly they shall beleeue that there is seauen Sacraments And why shall we not beleeue seauen thousand as well as seauen seeing Note that the seauen thousand are as well proued by the worde of God as the seauen Fourthly that all rites and ceremonies vsed in the ministration of the said seauen sacraments are good Al the crossings charmings duckings kissings howlings chauntings Note mumblings iuglings coniurings blowings slomberings gaddings turnings moppings c. Are either articles of faith or else as good as the articles of our
whole yeare and wasted a million of Franks which the Priests had contributed toward that warre he hath for his money the villages of Montignak Beaulieu Triles Castets which he bought with the Priestes money Saint Bezile Montsegure Chastilion Puynormand which immediatly came agayne into the hands of them of the reformed religion and were fortifyed stronger then euer they had béen Now if this great Dukes Chaplens will haue more warre conquestes at his handes they must pay for it or else let them goe against the heretikes themselues for he will goe home Thus endeth the tragicall comedie of this Captaine In October the cheefest of the reformed religion in the Iles of Maran perceauing the disorder which was in the gard of the castel of Portmaran and knowing that the Prince before his iourney to Anger 's had determined to put in a Gouernor with a certayne number of Souldiers and that there were many which made sute for that gouernment aduised to demaunde of the Prince some gentlemen of the gouernment of Rochel who had meanes to defende them without oppressing eyther the one part or other which thing being granted vnto them they demaunded the Lord Essars of Montalambert a valiant and expert Captaine who had giuen a notable proofe of his valour experience at the siege of Saint Jhan D'angelie in the yeare 1569. and also at Rochel 1572. and 1573. The sayd Lord Essars accepted it vnder the authority of the Prince with 20. Souldiours appoynted him whom hee vndertooke to pay with his owne hand vppon the payment of a Sous for euery pound of marchandize which should passe through Marans and vpon promise to receaue one thousand crownes for the fortifications of the Castell as he should thinke good and into that gouernment he entred in October But within few dayes after the sayd Lord of Essars began to vary with the inhabitants who were of the religion for the most part For the sayd Lord hauing found the castell wholly vnfurnished of all houshold and necessary commodities required that they would furnish it both for him and his souldiers and also that in case the sayd castell should be besieged they would repayre to it for the defence of the same and also willed them to bring in their moueables Then answered the sayd Lord Essars that with moueables euery one had furnished what they could and that the best of their goods were transported to Rochel As for to retyre within the Castell they thought it not expedient for if the enemie should besiege it and beate it they knew well by experience that it was not defensible They answered aâ—so that they would not put in any more of their goods but such as they passed not greatly to lose as for the fortifications the Prince afore his departing was content to quit them for one thousand crownes considering their vnablenes wherof his receauer had alreadie receaued part This answer the L. Essars did greatly mislyke which misliking continued vntil the Princes returne out of England to Rochel who being aduertized thereof sendeth the L. Resseus and an other to be fully informed of all y e matter And finally to preuent al inconueniences which might ensue thereof vnfit for the tyme place of so great importance thought good that the L. of Essars should surrender y t gouernment into the hands of the L. Iarry nigh the sands of Ollonne who entered therein as gouernor the x. of Aprill 1586. there remayned almost two yeares who was enforced with y e L. Boysduly to surreÌ„der it to Lauerdine the 25. of March 1586. as it shall appeare more playnly hereafter It is sayd before how the Prince of Conde after the dissolution of his army at Solonne in Vendomoys through great daungers and difficultyes repayred to the Iland of Gernesey and from thence into England where he was receaued in most princelyke sort of that gracious great Elizabeth Queene of England During his soiorne there many noblemen and gentlemen passed ouer the sea into England to accompany him home agayne among whom was the Lord Clermont The Queene of England after innumerable courtesies and princelike intertaynment sent him home with a nauy certayne ships also departed out of Rochel to meet the sayd Prince among whom was the Lord Plessis Gettey who conducted two shippes being then gouernour of the I le of Rhe for the king of Nauarre The sayd Prince arriued at Rochel with that trayne the 3. of January about eight a clocke in the night This returne home was no lesse wonderfull then ioyfull to all the Lords who had gathered them selues and retyred to Rochel and Saynt Ihan D' angely and to the inhabitantes of the townes and countrey who shewed great reioysing euery where as hauing by the speciall gift of God receaued this noble Prince of whose health and preseruation they had béen a long tyme doubtfull The Prince being returned home so happely soiorned not long at Rochel but within fewe dayes tooke his iourney to S. Ihan to prouide for the necessarie affayres and to muster the companies which were or could bee gathered Fewe dayes before the Lord Laual was gone foorth out of Saint Ihan with some companies to besiege the Castle of Tours but they which were within stayed not the ordinance which was comming from Saint Jhan but yéelded themselues without any delay The sayd Castle was rendered into the hand of the Lord Caze to whom it did belong At that time to wit after the comming of the Prince to Saint Ihan the Lords Captaines and companies began to order themselues vnder the sayd Prince in forme of an armie where with about the 17. of January he began to besiege the Castle of Dampierre pertayning to the Marshall of Bets nigh the towne of S. Ihan situated vpon the riuer Botonne within the which was a popish garrison which through their insolencie and ordinarie roades vpon them of the religion did drawe this storme vppon their heads The sayd Castle being battered for certaine dayes was surrendred about the 24. of Ianuary There was found within that Castle great quantitie of corne and mooueable goods which the people of the countrey round about had carried in It was hard to let the Souldiers from the pillage considering that they had so long suffered insinite miseries after the breaking of the armie in Vendomoys for they which had reassembled themselues in Poytow had kept themselues within the fauour of the townes of S. Ihan and others which were holden by them of the religion The companies of the Prince after the taking of Dampierre were deuided into three parts which went into thrée seuerall coasts of the countrey The first was the Lord S. Gelays who followed the riuer Botonne and tooke the townes thereupon situated as Arnay Mondeâ—is and Chizay The Lord Ranques with the fourth part of the companies went toward Niort and enterprized vppon the Castle of Sassoy and tooke it from the hands of certaine Albaneses whom the Lord Malicorne gouernour of Niort had
day before what way he would take vncertaine whether it would be through Caumont or Saint Bazile or through the Mas de verdune but they coulde know nothing at all vntill they came within two leagues of Castâ—lialoux For then being in the middle of the heath he declared the way and order which would be kept in his passing ouer the riuer hee seperated the men of warre who accompanyed him he kept with him about 20. gentlemen well horsed and 10. Souldiers for his garde with whom he went toward Cammont He appointed the Lord Roque for the conducting of the rest which were two or 3. hundred horses among whom there was but 15. or 16. wel armed and horsed and about 15. Harquebusiers of his gard hee commaunded the said Lord Roque to passe at Saint Bazile which thing he did without any let although the marshall Matignon was but at 3. leagues from thence The King being ariued at Cammont although he knew the Duke de Mayne to be within 2. leagues froÌ„ that place notwithstanding there he dined with as much leasure as any man could doe in the greatest and most assured peace and after dinner passed the riuer without any let or hindrance of his men The King of Nauarre came the morrow after to Saynt Foy which is a towne vppon Dordonne The Lord Roque also with all them which had followed him aryued there about two houres after His Maiesty soiorned there and at Bergerak a whole moneth These bee two townes situated vppon Dordonne Bergerak is great and rich Saynt Foy is lesser a great deale yet very riche because of the traffike vpon the sayd riuer S. Foy is beneath Bergerak three leagus Chastilion beneath Saint Foy three leagues and aboue Liborne a great strong and rich towne about three leagus of Bergerak and Saynt Foy receaued the Gospel aboue fifty years ago by the man of God Edmond Lauoy who suffered at Bourdeaux for the testimony of Christ These two townes haue alwayes euer since persisted in the confession of the Gospell in these 2. towns the King of Nauarre remayned as is aboue sayd a whole moneth expressely to see the countenance of his enemies All that while his enemies were within 3. leagues of him hee went dayly to hunting and none of his enemyes that euer durst shew their faces which thing did shew euidently that de Mayne had so litle corage in him that hee durst not let him to take his pleasures when he was willing so to do much lesse to execute his enterprises and proued for wayghty and necessary affayres It is sayd before how that by the aduise of de Mayne Guyze came to Paris to require helpe for his brother For as a conscience guylty of greeuous crimes is alwayes timorous and suspecteth all things so the woorm of the conscience gnawed these men and feared them so that hee apprehended Gods iustice and supposed that all them of the reformed religion in France out of hand would oppresse the Duke de Mayne his Brother Therefore hee perswaded the king to diuert theyr forces and to assault them in all quarters of the Realme Whereupon dyuers armies were prepared for diuers countries and namely the Marshall Biron was appointed for Guyenne The Leaguers vnderstanding that the King of Nauarre had passed Garonne did greatly hast the voyage of the sayd Marshall Biron The inhabitantes of Niort hauing sold themselues to the Leaguers to worke iniquity made great sute to haue that expedition performed out of hand to the end that the townes and countries of Marans Annix Rochel and other partes of Xainctonge and Poytow might bee spoyled and wasted before the ariuing of the king of Nauarre into that countrey whom they knew by his valour and wisedome was able to disappoint al their attempts The king of Nauarre vnderstanding of these new preparations and knowing yea seeing with his eies that the most miserable vilages of Guyenne were good ynough to occupy that army and that the tyme of the infallible dissipation was at hand hauing prouided for the principall places sufficiently and vnderstanding of the readines of the army which was to be lead by the Marshal Biron the said king of Nauarre would rather shew a proofe of his valour and courage in opposing himselfe to that valiant old and experienced Captayne then to seeme to striue with that effeminate and slauish army Therefore departing from Saynt Foy in the end of Aprill and passing through Perigord Engomoys Poytow Landimoys went to visit the places of his gouernement vpon the riuer of Loyre Whilest the army for Guyenne is a preparing and the king of Nauarre maketh his progresse into Poytow and the townes vpon Loyre the King vnderstanding that in the execution of the edict of October and of the declaration thereof giuen in December last touching the seazing on the goods of them of the religion and others which did beare arms against the League many creditors others which pretended right in the goods made claime to theÌ„ so that the officers could haue no gayne thereof to the kings vse and aduantage Therefore the king about the 26. of Aprill setteth forth an edict that the sayd goods shall be seazed and sould or geuen to farme to the kinges vse and that after such as did pretend any tytle to the same goods hauing prooued theyr right they then to bee satisfied vppon the fruits of the yeares following And for asmuch as some were returned home from the countries where they had repâ—yred according to the edict of Iuly last past the King the thirtéenth of May sent commaundement to all his officers that such personnes bee apprehended and their processe made and executed also that theyr goods mouable and immouable bee seazed vpon to the kinges vse for the charges of the holy warre During the preparations of this warre the Pirats of Browage with theyr courses did greatly hinder the traffike vpon the Sea which caused them of Rochel to barre their hauen in sinking old ships in the mouth of the riuer replenished with great stones for to make them sinke in the bottome of the water For the performance of this the Rochellers prepared a nauy of twenty ships well furnished three Galiots with other small vessels to the number of 35. or 40. in all Ouer this army commaunded the Lord Saynt Gelays assisted with Captayne Gardeleau and a number also of Gentlemen and Captaynes aswell strangers as inhabitants of Rochel The Lord Saynt Luke vppon the aduertizement which he receaued of this enterprize with all diligence prepared himselfe and would haue stayed all the Galleyes which he had before receaued from Bourdeaux but few remayned there notwithstanding hee made a Fort vpon the banke nigh the place where they would barre the sayd hauen which thing profited him a little for in the keeping of the same hee lost a great number of men Whilest this was a dooing at Browage the King of Nauarre returned from Poytow and fro the Coast of Loyre and entered
that Crowne considering the great strength of the Catholikes and how eagerly they are bent agaynst the reformed religion If she heareth the same answere of him which Sathan heard of Christ then will she take the second weapon of her warre in hand which is Disuniting for if the sayd King will not consent vpon the proffer of peace to abolish the exercize of the reformed religion then she will render him odious with infamous Libels throughout France both to them of the reformed religion and also to the Catholikes for both were desitous of peace so she imagineth that by these meanes she might disunite them from the King of Nauarre laying to his charge that it rested but in him that France was not at rest If this would not serue neither then she thought sure that the third would doo the feate which was to abuse the true intentions of the sayd King of Nauarre that holding him long about the hope of peace and whilest he should labour about it he might be surprized by some poynt of Italian valour and if not his partakers would bee so weakened in the Prouinces with these armies that either he would not be able hereafter to defend himselfe or withstand his enemies or els that hee would bee inforced by this weakning to accept at their hands a most disaduantagious peace And to begin withall she sendeth to the Lords Monpensier and Monmorency willing them to dispose the heart of the sayd King to peace as she sayd which thing was diuersly taken For the Leaguers feared the authoritie of the Prince Monpensier mistrusting that by these meanes the Queene vnawares would vnite him to the head of his house They of the religion feared his facilitie that he was made a meane for peace least hée should ioyne himselfe to the King of Nauarre in this quarrell and warre raised by the Leaguers to destroy the house of Bourbon so that by one thing both parts tooke occasion to distrust this message Assoone as the negotiation of peace began the practizes of the Leaguers began also to interrupt the peace which they greatly feared For after the message of these two Lords the Abbot of Gadaigne was sent to the King of Nauarre for no Tragedie can be wel played without a Priest who being wel entertayned at Rochel by the sayd King euery man began to hope well of that thing which was so greatly desired But when the Q. Mother came to Cheuonceau a towne lying vpon the riuer Chere which falleth in Loyre beneath Tours all this hope vanished away like a lightming For then the hatred and deceitfull meaning of the Q. Mother was discouered which had lien hid vnder those courteous messages For the Abbot of Gadaigne was sent to Browage there to play Symons part if he could but his going thether was much suspected of the Rochelers The victualling also of Browage was taken for a stoare house against their Towne There was a Gentleman named la Roche the lesser who went many voyages betwéene the King of Nauarre and the Q. Mother to agree of the place and other meanes of the interuiew The Q. by little and little did draw nere to Xainctonge the King of Nauarre would haue aduaunced as farre as Champaigne in Tourene so that the Marshall Byron who had passed Loyre to assault Poytow would retire beyond Loyre and that thing he required for his securitie The Queene would that he should trust in her the King willed her to trust in him she aleaged her good will he aleaged his fidelitie innocencie who did neuer breake his word toward any person Shee did lay to his charge that he was the cause that the parley could not be brought to passe He answered that it did stay but in her that France was not in quietnes that he was ready to see her so that it were in a sure place and that his way might be sure Whilest these thing passed so betweene thē by messengers some counselled the King of Nauarre to help Chastilion which was then besieged by the Duke d'Mayne others willed him not to take heede to her deceitefull words and to expect the same courtesies which he had receaued heretofore at their hands It is saide before how that among those fiue armies which were prepated in Aprill and May the commaunder Chastre was appoynted to furnish a Nauie in Britain well prouided And in August as they were taking order for the place and manner of the interuiew this Nauy on a suddaine came before Rochel which thing was the cause that all was on the point to bee broken The King of Nauarre complained to the King by the Lorde Riaulx beseeching his Maiestie to call back that armie shewing that hee could not leaue a towne of such importance as that was in that state without seeking for the quietnes and safety thereof The armie notwithstanding remoued not thence as long as they had any prouision of victuals whatsoeuer meanes the King of Nauarre made for it but at length in the moneth of Nouember the famine made them hoyse vp sailes and not the Kinges commaundement The selfe same day that the Nauie tooke vp ancker Captaine Arman was taken with letters of the Queene to the commaunder Chastre by the which hee was commaunded not to depart or else not to goe farre from Rochel these letters fell into the hands of the King of Nauarre Hee notwithstanding ouercomming with patience all these occasions which hee might take to refuse the parely he offered to see the Queene vpon the conditions aboue said requiring that in the meane time there should no act of hostilitie be done of either sides The Queene required a truce to be taken and published The King of Nauarre answered that he could not consent thereunto for as much as hee had promised to his partakers to enter into no agreement of peace without their aduise and consent shee found to her thinking that answer very strange Thus like the Carthagenians who wept when they should pay tribute to the Romans but were not moued at all when they yéelded themselues tributaries to them For when the King of Nauarre answered to the Kings messengers that he would stay yet sixe moneths for the Kings succour afore hee would employ his friends and that he would first be demaunded of peace before he would resolue himselfe to warre Now when shee findes that hee hath giuen his word she weepeth it had been better to haue wept when the edicts were broken the innocent iudged guiltie the obedient rebels and the iust malefactors After much a doo the Q. Mother graunted certaine pasports which the King of Nauarre demanded for to aduertise his friends what he was in hand to doo At the selfe same time shee caused the truce to be proclaymed which almost mard all for the King of Nauarre suspected that vnder colour of that truce shee would stay the leauie of the Germanes Thereupon the King of Nauarre shewed vnto her that this truce had a respect vnto a
crueltyes should be knowen further And also that the saincts as it were out of the middest of those prouinces which do embrace the Gospel might see that the Lord is the iust reuenger of such abominations and defender of the iust cause And that they may learne to feare him and in him onely to trust and repose themselues Here therefore Adrastia doth stay them to answere vnto Gods iudgement Now let vs come to the euents The King of Nauarre early in the morning being first aduertyzed of this preparation was not mooued at it no more was hee vpon the second warning But at the third tyme he shewed no lesser desire to fight then the enemy to whom twise before he had proffered the occasions He taketh horse rydeth forth out of Coutras to méet y e enemy commaundeth the Lord Clermont master of his Ordinaunce in all hast to passe ouer the canon for he could not do it the day before he putteth his army in battayle array placeth his artillery in the forefront so commodiously that all peeces did seruice without harming any man of his owne greatly did endomage the enemy At length hauing encouraged his souldiers to the battayle whom he found full of desire and readines caused prayers to be made from company to company About 9. a clocke in the morning the artillery began to play on both sides the ordinance of the king of Nauarre was so commodiously placed that it did wonderfully annoy the men of Armes which the Lord Ioyeuse had at his right hand and the regimentes which did flanke those men of armes Many being beaten downe with it some of the heads tooke resolution rather to goe to the charge then to die so miserably without any fight The Harquebuziers in like maner began to ioyne and there was no man on both sides who shewed not to haue a great desire to do well The Ordinance of Ioyeuse did let flye certayne shot towards the company of the Prince of Conde but without any effect saue a horse whereon a page did ride which was slayne The cause of this small effect was a litle rising of the ground which did let the free aspect and ayming of the Ordinance so that many shot did light vpon the ground About nine a clocke the light horsemen of the Lord Ioyeuse to the number of foure hundred horses conducted by the Lord Lauerdine and captain Mercure set on the horsemen of the king of Nauarre but after some fight began to wauer and to make roome The rest of the horsemen of the king of Nauarre consisted of 4. Squadrons distant the one from the other in this wise The Squadrons of the King of Nauarre and of the Prince of Conde were distant about a hundred and fifty paces The Squadron of the Prince of Soissons at the left hand of the king of Nauarre about three score paces The Squadron of y t Vicount Turenne distant so much from the Prince of Conde at his right hand The Lord Lauerdine charged the Vicount Turenne but without any endomaging of him These three squadrons where stoode the Princes of the blood standing fast did behold all this fight vntill the Lord Ioyeuse followed with his mayne force of horsemen and hauing both on the right hand and the left two great hedges of horsemen aduanced to giue the generall onset Then these three Princes marching euery one at the forefront of his squadron close first went a soft pace then began to gallop last the watch word being giuen with a loosed bridle set on so liuely euery one seuerally by himself according to his course vpon that multitude that incontinently the companies were mingled and came to handiblowes The speares which were in great number in the armie of Ioyeuse did but small seruice for they ioyned néerer It is a wonderfull thing that in a moment such a furious troupe as was that of the Lord Ioyeuse armed furnished to the aduantage flanked both on the right hand and the left with two great battaillions of footmen was ouerthrowne and vanquished by a troupe which had neither in number nor in furniture nor in armes nor in situation of the battell any aduantage at all God who gouerneth all things and holdeth in his hands the balance of victories and ouerthrowes made then courage to preuayle against multitude the iust cause against iniurie and the lawfull defence against bragging and the great preparation of warre And as the men of armes were quickly ouerthrowne trodden vnder foote and put to flight so in as little space were the footmen discomfited being set on by the regiment of the King of Nauarre where commaunded as Masters of the Campe Castelnaw Parabiere Salignake and others And at the left hand of the King of Nauarre Charboniere Preau Orges and others who all euery man right forward following the occasion of the victorie cut in péeces all that made any resistance and put to flight the rest which were on the side of copses at the right hand as on the side of the riuer Droune at the left hand And as a little before nine a clocke these two armies came to hands the quarrell was so soone decided that at ten a clock there was found not one onely man of the enemies which stood to his defence nor that was in sight but such as were laied dead vpon the ground or taken prisoners or in flight The place where the battell was fought remayned so couered with men of armes horses and armours but specially of Launces matted so thicke that they stopt the way There remayned the Lord Ioyeuse and also his brother with a great number and notablest Lords The King of Nauarre the Princes of Conde and Soissons with the rest of the armie pursued the victorie There were taken many notable Gentlemen and among others the Lord Belegarde gouernour of Xainctonge the Lords S. Luke and Montigny of Berry who commaunded ouer a companie of horsemen hee was noted in ioyning of the battell to haue pearced further then any of the companie for hee entered euen to the side of the gardes of the King of Nauarre which were at his right hand and there by them beaten downe was taken by some of the sayd gardes God gaue this notable victorie to the King of Nauarre and in that iorney did shine the valour wherewith hee hath indued him in all the speciall graces which may decke a noble and vertuous Prince and great Captain not onely for the counsell resolution diligence and wise gouernment but also in the execution of armes For doing the office of a Captaine Souldier he pressed so farre as to take the enemie by the coller The Prince of Conde also shewed himselfe valiant for he had his horse slaine vnder him the Prince of Soissons also tooke prisoners with his owne hand The horse of the Vicount Turenne was also slaine God made these Princes strong in this dayes worke according to the order of their preheminence by them to doo the execution
after they had stayed for the cannon It was vtterly destroyed Montague abandoned by night ransaked and destroyed The house of Mondesier rendered and after put in the hands of the Uicount Myels who gaue his word for it Monpaun forsaken by night and the wales destroyed no liuing soule left dwelling in They did fortifie it againe The 4. of December the strong hold and towne of Sorzack was rendered by composition after sixe dayes of siege the cannon could not ariue sooner by reason of the foule weather and foule waies The Castell of Greenholds one of the strongest places of all the countrey was surprised and Garisons put therein The house of the Lord Oulmes giuen ouer The Castle Franckes forsaken the fortresses were rased The Castell of Mussidan a strong hold with the towne were put in the protection of Salignak who answered that they shoulde make no warre thence The houses of Herbasses Gaudilak and Mazeroles were put in the protection of the King with the house of the Lorde Brouillet with the house of Viuant and the noble house and auncient Castell of Marsilak The Castell of Saint Pardoux which was belonging to the Lorde of Neufuy was put into the hands of his brother the Lord Foillons The 10. day of December the armie departed from Sorzak to goe to besâ—ege the towne of S. Astier and Bishops Castell distant two Leagues from Perigeulx These Leaguers about the Kings person did cast forth their forcering perfumes to wit if his Maiestie should accept the King of Nauarre his offers first he should put the holy Catholick Romane faith in daunger to be wholy subuerted in few yeares and at length he should be by the Hereticks supplanted deposed and displaced Secondly that there would ensue an vniuersall rebellion of the Catholicks so that the hereticks themselues if they would which thing they woulde neuer carrying alwaies in remembrance the iniuries and massacars by him committed vppon them bee able to keepe him in the possession of his estate Thirdly that the holy father and all other Catholick potentates of Christendome would take it in very ill part and would bend their forces against him so that Iupiter himselfe woulde not bee able to defende him Last of all that it would dot be honorable for him so to doo for it would be thought that after the fresh losse at Coutras feare had compelled him to yeeld to dishonorable conditions and to receaue law of his subiects and so against the honorable actes of his auncestors hee should seeme to haue ioyned himselfe though not in opinion yet in societie with the hereticks and so thought not to haue forsaken yet to haue been himselfe against the Catholick religion Furthermore the heathens did neuer giue so much credit to the oracles of Apollo as this besotted King whome God had endued with good partes if hee would haue vsed them with libertie did attribute vnto his mother being vnto him as Vates fatidica and a shee Priest of Apollo a snare confusion and shame Shee therefore at the request of the Masters of the League sendeth her Oracle ex aurcatripode that by no meanes the King should accept the offers of the King of Nauarre Fearing that if the King had receaued the offers aboue saide hauing the Princes of the bloud about him to helpe by their counsell and wisdome the establishing of the decayed state shee should haue been turned out of gouernement and de Ponte Deiecta commaunded to sit at home to mumble her beades So this great King yet once more traiterouslie was be witched and by the abouesaid counsellers and Mother was sold to his owne ruine and wofull fall The King of Nauarre after the victory obtayned at Coutras became not insolent of the victory but mooued with compassion for the miseries which afflicted France submitted himselfe and searching out the means to pacify the troubles sent Ambassadors to the king theÌ„ being on the South side the riuer Loyre in Berry to require him yet most earnestly and humbly to consider the pitifull state of his realme and to pity and remedy the manifold oppressions of his people And although they might haue considered his good successe for the space of three yeares in beholding so great forces and strong armies prepared and sent agaynst him partly to haue vanished away as dust blowen by the wind and partly ouerthrowen by the singular assistance of the mighty God of battels yet doth proffer with many humble prayers and submission not onely peace to his disaduantage but also his forces with the army of the Germans if it pleaseth him to vse theÌ„ to take reuengement of the iniuries so often reiterated rebellions of the League But the Duke of Guyze head of the League hearing of this message seeing himselfe his practises hope and all that euer he had with his fellows followers and companions to be in a dreadfull precipice like to be thrown down into a miserable headlong downfall taketh order by pollicy to deuise some meanes to auoyd the danger that is to worke by all means possible to let the accomplishing of this ambassage And that this thing may be brought to passe the king is to be enchaunted with that kind of sorcery which in old tyme was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is a â—eluding of mans reason as to make a man thinke to see that which he seeth not Two sorts of witches are to bee employed to wit the Leaguers of his counsell as Villeroy Rets and others but specially his mother whose deuillish and factions craftines was admired of him as a most perfect wisdome These persons must vphold the League or else all wil be spilled It is said before how the King with all the forces he could make gaue his last indeuour to oppresse the King of Nauarre and with him them of the Religion for the which purpose he â—et vp three great mightie armies the one to abide vpon the passages of out of Germanie into Lorreyne there to stoppe the entring the sayd Germanes into France The second the king himselfe should haue about him in his owne person to let the passage ouer Loyre least the sayd Germanes should ioyne with the King of Nauarre The third was conducted by the Lord Ioyeuse into Guienne where we shewed the same to haue beene buried in perpetuall infamie at the battel of Coutras Now remayneth to speak of the other two what they did and what became of them The King had in deede gathered mighty armies but he had no money to maintain them for the Priests would haue no more warre so costly as they had two yeares before the Parisiens would heare no more these words da mihi affer mihi The Kings money either was intercepted by the way in diuers chances or else his Taliages Tributs or subsidies were not payed either by some for lack of good wil or else by some for lack of money Therefore in the latter end of August hauing foure thousand Swissers at Estampes and eight
thousand more entring already into France with foure thousand Rutters which were euery day expected he must needes prouide money for them For these shameles Mercenaries who sell themselues to dye at other mens commaundement neuer considering the iustice of the cause will make no warre longer than they are fed with money Considering the great charge which he through euil couÌ„sell had drawen vpon his armes he gathered a great summe of mony vpon the Courts of his Parlâ—aments wherewith he payed those Souldiers But whilest the K. was so busie to fight against the God of battells his Sonne whome he had anoynted vpon his holy hill Sion and pollâ—d his iudges and Magistrates that they might recouer money with aduantage by peruerting indgement Beholde a preamble of that rebellion which followed against him in Paris the moneth of Maie next ensuing There was a certaine Masse Priest Parson of Saint Seuerine at the lower ende of Saint Iames streate named Preuost who preached most seditiously against the King and certain other Lords who were his faithfull seruaunts without any respect of persons degree or dignitie This Priest being threatned to be had before the King a certaine notarie made a great assembly both of armes and men for to defend the Priest The King being aduertized of this misâ—emeanour commanded one of the porters of his chamber accompanied with two Archers of his garde to goe to the sayd Notary to bid him come to speak with the King They which were assembled in the Notaries house seeing the sayde company to enter into the house set vpon them with great violence and enforced them to saue their liues by flight â—rying arme arme and so put al the side of the Vniuersitie in such a wonderfull commotion that there was nothing else to be hoped but a tragicall euent and afterwarde vntill the 8. day of the sayd moneth the whole Citie was in an vprore keeping watch al night at the corners of the streates Now to returne to the course of the history The King hauing three great mighty armyes and no money to entertaine them turned himâ—elfe to the olde shifts broughâ— into France by the Cardinall of Lorreyne and paltring Italians who came with the Q. Mother and gouernd King Henry the second father to this King at their pleasure when they were disposed to make him a slaue to their passions For the ninth of September the King went to Parliament for to establish fifteene Edicts among the which there were three notable the first was of the establishing 27. Secretaries The second was to choose the sixt chamber of enquests consisting of twenty counsellers and two presidents The third was the creation of the Masters of accounts with two presidents out of the which estates he made his reckoning to pluck two Millions of golde Where thou mayest see gentle Reader in what miserable state France was then from the highest to the lowest The Leaguers secretly agaynst the king They openly made warre agaynst God distroyed his subiectes to bring to passe his owne subuersion and to hide the treasons of his enemies refusing to harken vnto any motion of peace proffered him by the king of Nauarre or to any good counsels and for to maintayne this his enterprises iustice must be peruerted by plurality of offices which is one of the principallest pillers of kingdoms by the which magistracy is vpholden mans society entertayned As concerning the armies which were in hand that which should bee lead by the king himselfe consisted of foure score and eight companyes of men of armes and ten thousand footmen twelue thousand Swissers 4. thousand Rutters he caryed twelue double Canons and two thousand Pioners and about the 1. of September the companies began to repayre to Montereau faut Yoynne with commaundement to stay there abouts about Sens in Bourgony vntill his comming and then to repayre all to S. Florentine there to be mustered The king sent to Marshal Biron to Montereau to view the place where they should campe for the king had determined to campe alwayes and for that cause all the Lords had prouided tentes He tooke for his counsel the Lords Villeroy and Bruslard secretaries the Dukes Espernon Danuile Retes and the Marshals Biron and Aumont The Prince Soyssons was with the king of Nauarre and the Prince County was in NormaÌ„dy Mayne Aniow to gather as many companies as he could to ioyne with the Germans knowing well that these great armies were specially prouided to destroy the house of Bourbon vnder the colour of defending the popish religion The Duke d'Aumaule was appoynted Colonel of the Swissers this armie went not further Eastward then Sens from thence turning South and West ward and crossing the Countrey of Auxeroy and Gastinoys passed Loyre into Berry after the determinatiun of the Germanes was knowne As for the third armies thus is it the Duke of Guize Lorreyne at the beginning of September were at Nancy there they had between 20. and 25000. men among them were many horsemen there they receaued 400. Launces of the Duke of Parma all olde Souldiers 2000. footemen Italians and betweene sixe or seauen hundred light horses they made no great account of the Italians the sonne of the Lord Antragues gouernour of Orleans about the 15. of September brought vnto the Duke of Guize beside horsemen about 700. footemen when a little before all the companies of the Leaguers of Britayn sent vnto him by the Duke Mercure vnder the conduct of the Lord Hault Boys were discomfited by the King of Nauarre nigh Monsoreau vpon Loyre as is before reported The army of Germans for y e king of Nauarre when it departed out of Germany was of fiue thousand Rutters fiue thousand Launceknights armed with corsâ—ets and launces sixteene thousand Swissers foure thousand harquebusiers on horsebacke and about thre hundred horses of French men But after they had passed the mountayne of Sauerne the further it went forward the more it did encrease for the Lord Mouy brought two thousand Harquebusiers French men on horsbacke The L. Villeneufue Cormon one thousandand the Lord Lours one thousand The Lord Chastilion the 22. of September brought to it fifteene hundered Harquebusiers about 200. horses so that the totall summe myght amount to 34. or 35. thousand besides the companies which the Prince County brought afterward They had 16. pieces of ordinance to wit foure great culuerines eight field pieces and three peeces which were taken from Salabrine The Lieutenant of the King of Nauarre was the Prince Bullion assisted with a counsel consisting of these which follow the Lordes Guitri Oneaulx Cleruan Beauuoys la Nocle Vezins Digoyne Louet Ramboillet Laube Cheuorles Huguery and Beauuieu This army was the terror of the one side and the hope of the other and yet both were disappointed of their expectation For God shewed to the one part that he hath means ynough to chastife whom and when he pleaseth to the other part hee shewed that they are not safe who do
did not hold because the sayd Lord Oneau had not taken hostages for the performance of the sayd conditions contenting himselfe with the faith of the Captaine which was within but as the armie marched forward he kept not promise The armie departing from Chasteauuilaine made foure dayes iourney to the riuer Seyne where they arriued about the 2. of October and passed ouer the sayd riuer aboue Chastilion vpon Seyne without enterprizing vppon the towne because the Lord of Guize had put into it the Lord Chastre with a certaine number of horsemen and footmen which made a sallie The Lord Chastilion was commaunded to make the rereward with three companies of light horsemen and seauen Cornets of Rutters and three hundred Harquebusiers The Colonel Berbistroph was a little more toward the riuer to fauour the Lord Chastilion which thing the Lord Chastre seeing he made hast with his horsemen being fauoured with certaine harquebusiers which hee had set in a coppes to charge Berpistroph who incontinently aduertized the Lord Chastilion to the end he might cut off the returne of those horsemen of the Lord Chastre which thing he did The seauen Cornets which were with the Lord Chastilion followed him with a shewe of good will to fight but cōming not in time the Lord Chastilion with the Frenchmen began to charge the harquebusiers of the garde of the Lord Chastre who were all cut to péeces and the horsemen followed vnto the gates of the towne One of the Rutters on a sudden forsaking his band killed a French Launce with the shot of a pistoll From thence they went to lodge at Leyne where they soiourned two dayes The Germans complayned much of their lodgings The Marshalls could not denie but that they had oftentimes ill lodgings but the fault was in the deare yeare as they among the principall Rutters could testifie who in the yeares before in their former voyages had béen well lodged in the selfe same lodgings where they were now In the same place dyed of sicknesse the Countie de la Mark yonger brother to the Duke of Boillon who had hetherto alwayes conducted the auauntgard about the third of October From Leyne they remooued to Ansi le frank to Taulay where newes came that the Duke de Mayne was in a Castle not farre off The Baron of Oneau who was lodged nigh the said Castle wrote about it to the said Lord Chastilion with a declaration of the good will which the Rutters had to assault him if they would send them some number of footmen And if the Duke of Guize would haue approached to the right hand of the said Lord Chastilion they would come to his succour assoone as néede were There was then a fayre occasion as it seemed to enforce the Duke of Guize to battell notwithstanding there was found some difficulties For some of the countrey sayd that the Castle was strong others that it was a wood land fit for the harquebusiers of the Duke of Guize and disaduantagious for the horsemen of the armie and that it would bee hard in camping there to get victuals and therefore they stayed not there From Ansi the armie tooke course to the riuer of Yonne and came to it the second day after About the fift of October the sayd armie passed the riuer at Mally la vile where also arriued the Lord Longa from the King of Nauarre and willed them in the name of the sayd King to direct the armie toward the head of the riuer Loyre where he determined to receiue it Many notwithstanding thought that the Germans would hardly take that way supposing that if they should take y t course many of the Swissers would disband themselues drawing so nigh their countrey considering also that with much adoo the artillerie would passe through the Niuernoys partly by reason of the foule wayes and partly for the great scarcitie of victuals which would be found in Niuernoys and Moruant Vpon this incertitude the armie marched forward the resolution of that matter being referred to the incident occasions This thing mooued the Germans to complaine and to require another gouernment to be vsed in marching The forme of marching which they desired was in forme of a triangle so that the Rutters should make one wing the other wing toward the side of the enemie should be of the Frenchmen and the middle should be the gard of the artillerie and the Swissers which notwithstanding was not so resolued then also began the discommodities to encrease in the armie Thus the matters passing in that armie doubtfully and without any resolution vppon any expedient counsell at length they determined to trye the passage at Charite and for this purpose were chosen both horsemen and footmen but the enterprise being delayed off one day for want of some commoditie the King had leisure to send thether men of armes who arriued there at the same instant when the armie did approach which gaue occasion to retyre without doing any thing The Lord Chastilion with the Marshall of the Campe of Rutters and the Colonell Boke with two thousand horses drewe néere to Cosnes partly to fauour them who were gone to seeke passage at Charite if neede were partly to seeke occasion to see the enemie There they missed the Duke Espernon but a little who had passed the riuer at Neufuy The same night the sayd Lord Espernon set vpon the Campe of the footmen but did very little preuaile and after that returned to Cosnes carrying away with him the Captayne Bonourier sore wounded In the meane while the King with his armie was on the other side of the riuer to oppose himselfe to the passage so that the day being come the two armies could see one another At euening al the army arriued at the riuer side that night the K. made great trenches at the foord of Neufuy fortifyed the same with a garrison of Harquebuziers and Musketters and for to fauour them caused 3. great boats well furnished with ordinance to bee brought The riuer of Loyre was to be passed at foordin many places vntil that time and there was yet in some places foordes yet had they no meanes to passe because the kings armie kept the bancke of the riuer euery where If that army had marched somewhat speedily it might haue passed well ynough in preuenting the kinges armie which came out of Paris somewhat late for the king reposed himselfe vppon the assurance of the Duke of Guyze who assured the said king to stop the passage of that army which thing he could not performe and had not béen done if the king had not opposed himselfe to them at the banke of the riuer The morrow after the Lord Boyllon came to sit in counsell at Neufuy There the Lords Oneau and Huguerie made many complayntes in the name of the Germans by reasons of the safetyes and exemptions which were giuen as wel to y e popish gentlemen as to them of the religion in fauour therof they receaued into
on horsebacke and was then with in a league of the army The Armie marched fiue daies iourney vnto the towne of Lancy in Masconoys where the rendes vous was geuen The Rutters and Frenchmen assembled themselues the 6. day of December The Lords Cormon Lisle and Moriuault came from the Lord Espernon there the heads and the troupes being assembled conferred together of the things which were to be entreated The king fearing greatly that the remnant of that army should escape into Viuarets and Languedock so into Gascoyne to the king of Nauarre Therefore they inuented surmises to increase the terror and impossibility to diuert them if it were possible from going that way which they saw was the easyest and safest to escape the danger into the which they did cast themselues and to cause them to accept of disauantagious offers The Lord Lisle Moriuault being sent by the Duke Espernō opened a rowle in the which was read how many companies of armed men and regimentes of footmen were in the forrest countrey to stop the way to the armie if they should take their iourney to Viuarets he reported also how Mandelot was enforced to retire his armie by reason of the great Snowes which were fallen there so that there was no meanes for them to passe this thing discoraged the army greatly Vpon this deliberation appointed to determine what was to bee done the Lord Chastilion shewed that the hardest most dangerous part of the Forrest was past alreadie that within foure daies they could bee in a place of safetye and shewed them to the eye the mountains of Viuarets where within 24. howers they might haue the Lord Chebault with fifteene hundred Harquebusiers that he knew well the meanes of Mandelot how that he could not gather such companies as could be able to stop their way he warned them to take heed of rumors which were spread abroad by the enemie to terrify them offered vpon his life to conduct the companies into Viuarets without danger The meanes which he proposed were to deuide the army into two partes to put one halfe of the Rutters and Frenchmen in the vaungard with as much of the stuffe as was necessary that which they could not spare and to cut off all the rest but specially all the tired horses which serued for nothing but for lets The other halfe of the armie should march after and that they should resolue themselues to fight against whomsoeuer would oppose themselues in their way either afore or behind And that in so doing he trusted by Gods power that they might ouercome all impediments which might be proffered considering that God had plucked the armie as if it were by the hand out of more and farre greater daungers then they which remayned behinde Thereunto he added that the Lord Espernon was left a long dayes iourney behinde the armie Guize thrée dayes iourney the King was beyond the riuer Loyre and that before the armie there was nothing which might doo hurt He shewed furthermore that there was no cause to accept the disaduantagious and vnhonest conditions which were offered vnworthie to bee accepted of them who professed the true Christian reformed religion On the other side he shewed the small assurance which they might haue of the Kings proffers and the impossibilitie to returne home in safetie the way which they determined to take For first the King did offer safetie to retyre wheresoeuer they would with assurance of enioying their goods as well to them who would repayre to their houses and liue according to the Romish religion as to others who would retyre out of France to liue in freedome of conscience without bearing of armes He did offer also safetie to the straungers to repayre to their countrey with their Cornets and Ensignes requiring onely the Colours of the Frenchmen But now he altereth these conditions and will giue no suretie to returne home nor libertie to enioy their goods but onely to them who will liue after the Popish manner or would promise neuer to beare armes except by his expresse commandement and beside asked all the Cornets and Colours indifferently as well of the Germans as Frenchmen This alteration made him thinke that there was some false dealing euen in the armie it selfe which gaue occasion to the King to reuoke his former proffers and to offer harder considering that it was not vnknowne that the Lord Espernon hath not at this present time fiue hundred horses and not so many harquebusiers on horsebacke so that if he would stay for them which be had on foote he would neuer ouertake the armie going forward But if he should come with them which he had he would be still the weaker and himselfe as wearie as the armie in danger still to be well beaten hauing no reason that hee should doo so now seeing that hee durst not doo it when he had greater forces néerer the armie and in a countrie fauourable to him euery way He concluded therefore that there was nothing so sure for the armie as to passe the Loyre He shewed also that it was impossible to returne into Germany safely for to goe thether they ought to passe the riuer Saosne and that still vpon bridges because it cannot bee passed by foor◠any where He shewed that the bridges and boates were in the power of the Duke de Mayne and that if the Saosne might be passed yet must they go through the enemies lands so that they must needes commit themselues into the Leaguers mercie whose crueltie he knewe the King himselfe were not able to stay Many Germans and others shewed that they approoued well this aduise as the surest way But this is to be confessed that God would not vse the means of this armie and that he would wholly scatter it For although they sawe and approoued the most expedient reasons yet they could not follow them Others thought that they who would returne into Languedock would haue others to followe them for to assure their way Others alleaged the impossibilitie by reason of the Snowes others the barrennes of y t countrey where they should finde foode neither for men nor horses The Rutters thought vppon the losse of their horses when they should passe the downefalls of the mountaynes of Viuarets where the countrey men alone were able to resist them so that easily they were withdrawne from that voiage For then the common sort of them without their Colonels flocked together to heare what the Lord Lisle mariualt would say who perswaded to diminish somewhat of the conditions proposed vnto them or els to carrie away their Cornets and sweare neuer to returne into France except it were for the Kings seruice or the Emperour or els to surrender their Cornets and to goe with libertie and to returne when they would Upon this proposition the Lord Chastilion breaking through y e preace shewed that the Lord Lisle mariuault had no authoritie nor writ to treate with them nor that could binde the King to
entertaine that which he proposed he shewed also how in all that there was no securitie and that the Kings offer was as good as nothing in offering to men of warre Souldiers conditions shamefull and vnreasonable and such as could not bee accepted without forcing both their religion and honour But the tumult encreasing as is commonly seene in such diuersitie of opinions the Germans concluded to accept one of the two proffers and that same day at euening they would shew which of them Upon this resolution the Prince County with his white Cornet separated himselfe and went to lodge at a Castle not farre off They made some proffers to the Lord Chastilion to disswade him from his returne into Languedock amplifying the great daungers which did attend him if hee should hazard that voyage Notwithstanding he went to the Lord Boillon and hauing made a discourse of the dangers whereinto he did cast his life and state vpon the feare which he conceaued shewed him â—ow this delay of resolution would giue leasure to the enemie to stop his passage and taking his leaue from him tooke his way to his troupes which stayed for him This being done there came 25. or 30. Rutters after him to call him saying that they had somewhat to say to him Then hee began to mistrust them as that they would arest him and being in the middle of them vnderstood that they talked among themselues that they had no securitie for their payment that the French men should giue them assurance There some of the princiâ—allest of them sayd vnto him twise in the eare my Lord goe your way fearing the mutinie of the common Souldiers The Lord Chastilion then speaking to the companie of the Rutters it is reason said he that you should haue securitie of your paiment and for my part I am ready to bind my selfe to de what you will But said he I must haue the Lord Boillon whom I goe to fetch to you And vpon these words â—urned bridle and making roome tooke the galop to the forefront of his troupes the which with sword in hand tooke their way with a soft pace about two miles and thence got easily to S. Laurence where was the rendes vous The said L. Chastilion through great daungers with his company arriued the 11. of December at a Castell in Viuarets called Retortou where was a garrison of them of the Religion the fift day after his separation from the army The Lord Chastilion so retired from that armie the Rutters and others who remayned among them concluded the capitulation with the Lorde Espernon as appeareth by the articles which were brought to the King and afterward by his commaundement sent into the Prouinces and gouernments of his realme whereof the tenor followeth Articles and capitulations concluded by the Lord Espernon with the Lords heads and guides of the armie of strangers Baron Oneau Colâ—nels Captaines Writmasters Lords and Knights c. The Frenchmen who are in the armie shall render their Cornets into the hands of the Lorde Espernon to bee sent vnto his Maiestie to whome the King giueth libertie to enioy their goods in safetie in their houses so that they obey the Kings edicts They also shal make promise to him signed and sealed with their hands neuer to beare armes except it bee for his seruice and by his expresse commaundement except it be out of the realme They of his said subiects who will retire out of the realme without obeying his edicts and yet will make the said promise the King doth graunt them libertie to inioy their goods and securitie to returne with the strangers out of the realme but they who will promise nothing at all they shal only haue safety to retire out of the realme with the strangers without inioying any of their goods And for as much as some of the Captaines may make doubtes to surrender their Ensignes the King will that such shall not at all enioy the benefit contained in these Articles As for the strangers the King dooth graunt them passeport vnto the Frontiers of his estate on that side where they are now nearest vpon condition that the said Colonels Captaines Writmasters shall promise to the King neuer to carrie armes in France against the King being thether called by his subiects without his expresse commaundement and shall lap vp their Ensignes in returning to their Countrey Also they shal not take nor carrie away any prisoners of the Kings subiects without his expresse licence neither shall commit any act of hostilitie in his realme in which dooing the King shall prouide them necessarie things for the performing of the premises the 8. of December This was the end of this armie by the which God did euidently shew to his children that it is hee onely vpon whome they ought to cast their eyes in their afflictions that other meanes are altogether vnprofitable except that he will further them neither will he further them except they be well vsed with an vpright minde and intent This separation of the army tooke away from the enemies of Gods people all occasion to swell of the victorie which they may not attribute to their valour who durst neuer looke them in the face and in skirmishes the enemy had alwaies the worst except at Aulneau onely where through their negligence they were surprised Now Christian Reader consider well the vse of this dissolution of the Army The King prepared great power to oppose himselfe to it vsed great pollicy to drawe it into that straight whereinto they wilfully did cast themselues for not following the good counsell of the K. of Nauarre who would haue them to passe aboue the head of Loyre But as men destitute of vnderstanding heedily went into a manifest mishap and knew not wherefore as to close vp themselues betweene so many riuers whose passages they knew well to be holden by the enemyes And as the king vsed great pollicie in snaring them that way so he tooke great care labour to disunite them that without blowes he might throw them downe and at length beeing by themselues weakned sent them away to the slaughter vnder the shadow of a pasport If the King had béen so long at schole with Salomon as he was with his mother the onely furie that hath beene these many ages hee could haue learned that it was an vnseemly thing for a king to speake a lie But marke the fruit that he receaued thereby all this redounded to his vndooing for of euill can no good bee done by man The Duke of Guyze as he had turned all his actions heretofore to his viscredit so did he this for he caused certaine horses which he had taken of the Rutters at the skirmish at Vimory in Gastinois at the surprize at Aulneau to be lead some into one City and some into another almost through all France by his horsecorsers and riders with this song Saul hath killed a thousand and Dauid ten thousands as it shall
all impost now three years after they are taxed to pay y e 10. part of all their goods vntil they be discharged of all taxes and impost And if they should complaine of it no doubt they should heare the answere of the Wolfe to the Crane goe thy way thou maist be glad that thou hast not lost all Secondly they will not put in trust about their tirannous deuises none of the kinges faithfull officers and seruants whom they suspect but such Commissioners as be of theyr owne making of their owne qualities and such as will say to all their dooings Amen The ninth article is that the friendes of heretikes which are of their associate shall be enforced by all meanes possible to buy their goods in abating vnto them the fifth part of the value and when they shall be sold to others vpon their refusing they shall not be receaued afterward to haue any action to recouer them Here be two thinges full of wrong and Turkish oppression First that any man should be compelled to buy other mens goods standeth Note vppon no reason Secondly that the ancient law of aguation grounded vpon the ciuill law of the Romanes and vsed in the Realme aboue one thousand yeares by the which the next of kindred might recouer the land of his kinsman alienated in repaying the money within a certayine time should be altered by new men who within a mans age had no more to do in the realme then they haue this day in Turkie that law I say that the Kinges of France neuer sought to alter neither had been able to do it if they would The tenth article is that the first summes of money that shall be made of that sale shall be bestowed to pay the most needfull debts of the heads of the League and the ouerplus shall bee put in the handes of such as shall be named with condition that they shall not be emploied otherwise In this Article wee may obserue two prety shameles tokens for first these beggerly Lords issued out of the cauerns of the beggerly mountains Note of Lorreine do imitate the beggerly Friers in their Sermons who do exhort their good Dames to geue to their couent so these Lordes being 12. in number hauing spent their goods and other mens also partly in practising conspiracies against the state partly in riots whoredoms and excesse now put vs in remembraâ—ce to fell our landes and goods at what price soeuer for to pay their debts for these good lawes which they send vs out of their vilage of Nancy Secondly order is taken that the ouerplus of the sale of our goods and landes be put in store in such hands as they shall appoint for them least they should lacke to finish their course which they haue begun But what shal we do when y e is done for all wil be but a gnat in an Elephants mouth wee must begin to sell againe and for lack of goods and lands to sell wee must sel our own bodies to be slaues in the Galleys least these men should lack money The tenth article is that the life of any prisoner of the enemie meaning the hereticks as they tearme them be not spared except he wil abiure and put in good sureties to liue Catholickly in paying presently the iust value of his goods if they haue not been sold alreadie And in case they haue béen sold he shall renounce all right which he may pretend hereafter and shall binde himselfe to serue three yeares and more in any seruice that he shall be imployed without receauing any wages or paye This is the law wherewith Mahomet the false Prophet did strengthen his tirannie and superstition for thus hee speaketh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Note if any man shall speake against Corran either the sword or bondage The only difference is that Mahomets lawe is somewhat more fauourable in as much as it is but onely against the speakers against his religion but not against them who shall be taken in warre But this dooth violate the lawe of Nations and right of suppleants which alwaies haue been kept inuiolable and the violating thereof had been alwaies accounted among all Nations worthie to be reuenged with fire and sword By this lawe of Nancy they will make this Nation so famous in the praise of humanitie more sauage than the very barbarous Nations Secondly life here is redeemed onely with abiuration and violating of conscience which is more than the Turke or any other Nation on the earth dooth practise At last followeth bondage which must indure as long as it shall please the Lords and Senators of Nancy This is the nature of this monstrous lawe borne at Nancy The effects of this strange new law were to roote out the Frenâ—h Nation For it maketh the Catholicks without any hope of remission to murther the Hugonets contraius gentium supplicum and it inforceth the Hugonets lege talionis to destroy the Catholicks for the violating of the right of Nations and Suppliants And thus we shall be well recompensed for the selling of our goods lands These articles be such as if a Lord should offer them to his slaues it were lawfull for them to vse all meanes possible against him But these new Gods on earth dare present so vniust so vnreasonable so vnreuerent conditions and lawes vnto one of the greatest Monarkies in the World but what is it that these shameles men dare not presume for aduauntage These articles agreed vpon by these wise Senatours and Law-giuers in Nancy the Metropolitan vilage of Lorreyne were brought to the King to be approued by him but there was some delay in the approbation And as for such as made for the suppressing of the reformed religion hee did accord with them but to the rest he could not by any meanes condesend knowing with a good iudgement that they tooke religion for no other pretence but to couer their ambition and by these meanes to weaken his authoritie and to rid him out of the way by whatsoeuer meanes and also all them whom they knew were able and willing to hold plea for the Crowne against them which thing caused that these articles of Nancy but specially such as touched the Kings strong places and holdes to bee deliuered to them could not be approued by the King It is saide in the first booke how the Guyzes making all hast that they might to vsurp the Crowne thought good to rid out of the way Monsieur the Kings only brother and how at Nancy the shop of al the treacheries in these perilous dayes they hired one Salcedo a Spaniard to haue dispatched him one way or another and for to bring that to passe they deliuered him for an earnest at the beginning 6000. Crownes Now in like manner these Senators of Nancy doo propound in their counsell to search out and how to take away the impediments which may let them to come speedilie to their intended purpose it was found speciallie to
forces which repayred into the Iland out of euery side Hee had also meanes to make fortes and trenches in diuers entringes of the Iland to stop the succour which might come to them within the Castell and in the meane time pressed them hard The King of Nauarre on the other side receaued some forces as well them which had followed him out of Gascoyne as other who repayred vnto him out of Poytow and Xainctonge All these companyes together were fayre and disposed to do well although the forces of the enemy were no lesser notwithstanding he determined to enter into the Iland But hee found in the place which he thought to be most easie which before hee had viewed himselfe that the enemy had so entrenched himselfe there that it was impossible to force them without great losse of men considering y t the most part of the way to come to the sayd trenches the Souldiers should haue waded in the water to the wast the horses to the saddle The enemy also had set some Peeces vppon the bancke of the marsh by the which they might greatly haue endamaged them that would haue gone about to passe they had broken also some bridges to make the entring difficult All these discommodityes considered the King of Nauarre chose rather to saue his men to a better opportunity theÌ„ so dangerously to hazard them without any helpe to them that were within the Castell who might saue themselues some other way so he tooke his forces from Clousy and gaue it ouer Hee kept onely the fort of Brault the passage into the low Poytow which notwithstanding two or three dayes after came in the power of the enemie The enemy waxed stronger and stronger dayly because the castell refused parley and harkened to nothing but to defend themselues seeing no Ordinance At length the Lord Lauerdine had three Pieces brought from Niort which he set against the castell the 24. of March The first battery was agaynst a rownd tower which maketh one of the corners of the Castell toward the towne and with shot did so enlarge a window which was garnished with a Lattice of Iron that he enforced the Rochellers to forsake it they shot also agaynst the tower of the gate and in other places here and there without hurting any man although that place be very ill for the shot of Ordinance They which commaunded in the Castell and many Souldyers lacked no courage although they wanted many thinges necessary to assist themselues in defence of a naughty place but as the affections are diuers specially in a company confused as that was within the Castell so one gaue counsell one way another another way at length they came to that issue that they would surrender the place but vpon such tearms and conditions as should not be dishonorable vnto them The reasons of this resolution were that they had promised and so sent word to Rochel that they might hold eight dayes and no longer without succour The tearme was expired they had no more bread but for two dayes and yet was not there ynough for all Many of their horses were dead for hunger which did infect them with the stinke there happened also that some horses for lacke of fodder had eaten the tayles one of an other euen to the bones They had no saluâ—s to dresse them which were wounded they had no tooles to fortify them selues hauing among them all but one shouell and a maâ—tock The dungeon beeing very little the fall of the walles did quell them and that which was woorst of all they heard no newes of the King of Nauarre but onely what Lauerdine told them who made them beleeue that he was still in Gascoyne and although they beleeued not the wordes of the enemy yet did they see nothing to perswade them to the contrary The enemy on the other side fearing to be forced by the king of Nauarre offered them honest and good suretyes for the performance of the offers so that they did choose rather to take him in that mood seeing that they must yeeld then to expect greater extremity which might â—ender the conditions harder hauing done already that which good souldiers men of war might do therefore they yeelded vp the castell vpon these conditions That there should goe forth all gentlemen Souldiers and inhabitantes with their armor horses and stuffe and should be safely conducted whither they would which was faithfully kept by the Lord Lauerdine in the taile notwithstanding some souldiers were spoiled of their good but few The Iland of Marans being so reduced into the hand of the Leaguers the Lord Cluseaulx otherwise called Blanchard obtayned the gouernment of that place which he kept about two moneths About the same time that these things did so passe in the Iles of Maran to wit the 25. of March not farre from thence to wit in Britayne vppon the North side of Loyre as at Naunts and other places thereabouts happened an earthquake as a presage of such commotions as haue happened do continue there still which was testifyed by Lewis Viuant doctor of Phisike in the vniuersity of Naunts to Duke Mercure gouernour of Britayne as followeth These are to let your Lordship vnderstaÌ„d y t on Fryday being the 25. of March about 11. a clocke in the morning the weather being calme the wind at Southwest at the time of the celebration of the high Masse was heard throughout all the citty a great noyse roaring and groonting with a great shaking and quaking of the earth for that small time that it did continue so that the people which were in Churches with great multitudes were afâ—ard of that sudden noyse except some which thought it to haue béen carte loaden drawen through the streets Other doubted it had béen the Myne of the gate Sauuetour that had kindled they which were in houses thought that the fire had suddenly caught the Chymnies hearing such noyse as when a Chimney is fyred This noyse and earthquake not onely was in the Citty and Suburbs but also at Nozay Eucenis Oudon Mauues Calquefou S. Erbline S. Stephen Bâ—oys la Hay the low Goulene and high Goulene chiefely where the Countrey people were so amazed in those quarters that they forsooke both the Masse and the Priestes that saide it the riuer also was seene bubling at the same time This token dooth presage many calamities and a wonderfull alteration in this estate this earthquake doth admonish vs to search the right knowledge of our offences as also of late we haue been warned by fiery men which haue been seene by the watermen about Tours and Saumur to fight in the ayre Thus farre Doctor Viuaut to Duke Merceur It is saide before how the Duke of Lorreyne both besieged Iamets and also asked the Duchesse of Boillon in marriage for his Sonne the Lorde Vaudimount the Duke of Guize did the like for his This Noble Princesse abhorred their aliaunce partly for their false religion or rather atheisme which was
that in such extremiâ—ie none but a violent remedy would serue Thirdly that the execution could not much increase the punishment of such a dangerous conspiracie Last of all Fortune would helpe their valiaunt courages and that high enterprizes could not be brought to passe but by diligent exploytes These are the reasons which made them haste the execution of their enterprize The meanes to exempt their purpose was to seaze vpon Paris the cheâ—fest towne in the realme and there with the helpe of their partakers to kill or take the King therein and by the selfe same meanes to destroy the Pinces of the blood as many as should come within their reach and all other the Kings faithfull seruants and officers of the Crowne with all others as should oppose themselues to their purpose As for the prince of Conde they had dispatched him out of the way by their paltry pills The Cardinall of Bourbon was the Tree vnder whose shadowe they did worke all their conspiracies The King of Nauarre they made no account of assuring themselues of his life by one meane or other To bring this proiect to a perfect wished and blessed end they needed two things to streng then themselues and to weaken the King Their forces were diminished greatly by reason of the Bastinados which they receiued at a maidens handes at Iamets and Douzie in the teritory of Boillon yet was it easie with a short warning to repaire them sufficiently Therefore the Duke of Guyze sent into those countries and Prouinces which fauoured him to warue his partakers to bee in Paris with horse armour and furniture at the beginning of May and there to attend vpoÌ„ his Mastership for he had a mistical may-game to play wherin he had neede of their seruice For the weakning of the king they vsed this Dilemma we will so work that the king will send his fores into Picardy whereby he will weaken the safety of his owne person and so shall he be easier to be surprized or hee will not send If he send and recall them to Paris to preuent the danger which we will prepare him then will it be a good occasion to the factious citizens to pick a quarrell and to make an vprore against him and so by open violence of many against few he may easily well be dispatched If the King send not his forces from about him into Picardie it may be wrested out of his hand and in course of time the next Prouinces will followe and yet will wee so prouide that in Paris he shall be able scarse to defend himselfe Now let vs consider how they executed euery part of this dilemma The Duke d' Aumale with all theresidue of the forces which suruiued their companions at Iamets and Douzie with other complices of y e Guize who were in the countrey of Pycardie were sent into the sayd countrey of Picardie to make warre not against the Hugonets for there were men to oppose themselues agaynst the Leaguers but agaynst the hereticks of the Romish Church who will remayne faithfull to their King they therefore most furiously did warre against the Kings Cities Townes Forts all was reduced from the Kings obedience saue Calis and Boloigne which was besieged greatly distressed They in Boloigne were worse hereticks then Rochel although they did worship our Ladie with all the Saints and the Saints of heauen and some diuels also among them with greater deuotion then euer they did worship God The like did he in Normandy and in all those countreys the Catholikes without changing of their olde superstition were on a sudden become heretickes the King by many degrées worse then an hereticke The King of Nauarre had béen of good religion if he would haue cast his lot among them and haue had a common purse with them and gone with them to shed innocent bloud About the beginuing of May by the secret aduertisements of the Duke of Guize there repayred into the Citie of Paris out of diuers parts of the Realme Gentlemen and of all qualities beside men light headed rash malcontents and desirous of nouelties aboue 15. thousand Besides this great number of strangers in Paris most part of the citizens and an infinite multitude of sottish and rash people desirous of nouelties who had most villanously conspired the kings destruction and to that intent secretly had giuen the hand of association and oath of obedience to Guize great master of the League in France This accursed multitude was greatly incouraged by the straungers who altogether would haue made a mightie armie and had béen able to match with the Turke both in number and qualities All these were swimming in that citie as in a large and wide sea being not perceaued nor knowne but by their partakers On the other side the King liued in securitie voyde of any suspition of treachery of the people of Paris who made his right hand of theÌ„ as whom he had alwaies cherished loued as himself and more regarded in a manner then all the rest of his kingdome But as counsells which doo drawe after such haughtie euents cannot long bee kept close but doo take winde so the déepe prouidence of the masters of the League could not take so good order being not able to execute any thing alone but distrust began to rise in the hearts of many men who were faithfull to the King so that after diuers mutterings sundrie aduertisements were giuen to the King that there was some great matter in hand against his person and estate And although they could not tell him expressedly that which happened afterward yet experienced of long time in the anatomie of the hearts and counsels of them of Guize began to mistrust the matter determined to remedie it by all gracious waies grounded vpon reason The King in the latter end of Aprill hearing of the commotions of the Duke Aumale in Picardie and Normandy sendeth the Duke Espernon into Normandy with part of his forces and some part into Picardie there to defend his authoritie The Duke of Guize hearing how he was expected in Paris both by the mutinous citizens and straungers who vpon aduertisements giuen them had flocked thether out of diuers parts of the Realme and vnderstanding that the King had sent his forces into Picardie and Normandy resolued himselfe to goe to Paris with a small companie for to auoyd suspition yet assured to finde there as in a little world a number of partakers prouided of all necessarie things and in readines sufficient to surprise a great King The King informed of this deliberation of Guize to come to Paris and desirous as is sayd before to preuent all their attempts by gracious waies about the eight day of May sent the Lord Belieure to the said Duke whom he met at Soyssons to informe him of his will that his comming to Paris would not bee agreeable to his Maiestie willing him in the Kings name for that time not to come to Paris and beside
inhabitants Therein he sheweth in plaine tearmes that he doth not repent of his former actions but reioyceth in them and willâ—th him to warne his friends to come to him speedily with horses and armour without baggage and sheweth the facility thereof saying that the wayes as he supposeth are free Secondly he boasted to haue defeated the Swissers and cut to peeces the Kings guardes Thirdly he braggeth that he was ready to haue besieged the King in the Loure making his reckoning to haue either taken him or slain him there But seeing that the king had beguiled him in flying away by stealth hee referreth that matter till an other time Last of all he sheweth that he hath determined to seaze all that which the king hath in Paris vntill he be called to accounts The copie of this letter was sent the 14. day of May to the Gentlemen of the League in the Bayliwikes of Orleans and Bloys who immediatly tooke their horses to repayre to Boysgency where the gouernour had giuen the rendes vous But the 15. day they receiued a contrary aduertisement by a letter which the sayd gouernour sent them contayning as followeth Our great Duke could not execute his enterprise the K. hauing retyred to Chartres wherefore I couÌ„sell you to retyre into your houses as softly as you may making no semblance to haue seen any thing If you doo not think your selues safe come hether I pray you let this letter serue for the Lord Villecombline and Cigognes of Marchenoyre and haue me excused if I doo not write to you seuerally it is not that I am proude foolish or drunk but I am so glad that I knowe not what to doo With the selfe same pen he wrote also a letter to the Lord Bossempiere in the which he boasteth of his exployt done at Paris First how he hath discomfited the Kings forces of Swissers French men who were bestowed in certaine places of the Citie and after how the sayd companies are beholding to him by sauing their liues armours and goods Secondly he reioyceth of the great good will obedience and reuerence of the persons shewed vnto him in that commotion Thirdly he complaineth how he hath béen assaulted by the practises of the heretickes Fourthly he acknowledgeth to haue béen preserued by the brauerie and valiantnes of them of Paris of whom he assureth himselfe for euer Fiftly he maketh a comparison betwéene the King and himselfe in these words The King gathereth forces and we also the King is at Chartres and we in Paris Sixtly he boasteth how he hath changed the state of the Citie And last of all sheweth that euery where the Townes and Cities about doo send to acknowledge him Also praieth the sayd Bossempiere to come to see him where he shall finde him very lustie with forces courage friends and money enough to make merrie withall To those kinde of people whom he durst trust hee wrote in plaine tearmes with a plaine pen what his minde and intent was But writing vnto some friends in whom he thought that there was some french heart and nature and therefore could not trust them so farre as to commit the thoughts of his hart vnto theÌ„ in plaine tearmes he taketh another pen which could disguise the matter by the which he goeth about so to colour his actions as to make them beléeue that they are all iust and lawfull First hee deriueth the occasion of all the things which had happened from him and his ambition vpon the Duke Espernon whom indéede he knewe to bee one of the faithfullest seruants to the King of all his Catholikes whom hee would faine haue to be put out of countenance supposing that if he were not he might doo with the King what he would and rid him easily out of the way Therefore hee blameth the Duke Espernon to haue searched out the meanes to let the Dukes iourney into Guienne agaynst the King of Nauarre whether he fained himselfe to haue béen desirous to goe and to haue had that charge Secondly to bring these things to passe he chargeth him to haue gone into Picardie and Normandie with part of the Kings forces to picke quarells to refresh olde inormities thereby to diuert the kings power from Guienne Thirdly he accuseth the said Espernon that to that intent he would haue deriued the warre against the Duke of Guize and the rest of the League by reporting and perswading the King that the sayd Duke intended to make a slaughter of the Kings friends in the Citie of Paris and there eyther to kill or to take the King prisoner and to ransacke the Citie to make money to warre against whom he should thinke good Fourthly he accuseth the king of rashnesse for beléeuing those reports and for that thereupon he encreased his forces in Paris and for his stealing away out of Paris Fiftly hee sheweth how thinges passed in that commotion so that hee washeth still his hands and is in no fault and the King and Espernon bée the procurers of all that hath passed of late in Paris and that if it had not béen for his wisedome and care the King had béen vndone and the state in extreame danger Last of all hee hopeth that the King will be a good boy and if not hee will make him a boy indeede With the selfe same pen he writeth to the Townes and Cities of his confederacie and supposing them to be of diuers dispositions to so many as may by his actions enter into his thoughts to them he saith nothing of that which hath passed in Paris leauing the report thereof to such as were his trustie friends in the sayd Cities thereby to colour his actions with lyes and surmises Therefore he specially without naming him imputeth all these vprores which haue béen in Paris to the King of Nauarre who for to diuert the warre from himselfe hath sent saith he diuers expresse gentlemen and also hath laboured to the same purpose them who were at his deuotion about the King who haue gone about to perswade the King to warre against the Leaguers Secondly he exhorteth them at the example of Paris to suffer no manner of garrisons to be put into their Townes and Cities Thirdly he prayeth them that they will ioyne their meanes and willes with him and the Citty of Paris The inhabitants of Paris borrowed the same penne of the Duke of Guyze to write with the selfe same stile as hee had done therewith And namely they do charge the Duke Espernon as a secret friend to the King of Nauarre to haue procured the King first to bring forces and accustomed garrisons within the Cittie of Paris by which occasion the mutiny and commotion had ensued Then to haue perswaded the King in these tumults to suspect the inhabitants of the sayd City and at length to haue counselled him to flee from Paris Secondly they stirre vp the Cities and Towns of their confederacie to make like vprores agaynst the King and his forces as they haue done warning
occupie the whole gouernement of Aunis and to plague the inhabitants of Rochel Therefore he lodged there his regiment which consisted of ten Ensignes whom he deuided in the Forts of the Iland and to make warre out right he ordained the Lord Tremblay to bee in garrison there with a companie of fourtie light horses He caused great store of white Corslets and newe Pikes to be brought thether out of Paris to arme his garrisons there He sendeth Commissioners to the Parishes round about euen to them which lye next to Rochel to haue a number of Pyoners to gather Subsidies and Tallages and to bring them to Marans He prepared a number of Barkes and boates for to hold the Sea and to seaze vppon the I le of Rhe by the intelligences which he had with the Lord S. Luke of Browage He caused the Corne and Wine to be taken vp through the Farmes of the gouernment of Rochel and tooke many prisoners To be short speaking very bigge he omitted no poynt of hostilitie hoping to make there a second Browage and a Blockhouse to famish Rochel The King of Nauarre did beare with him and hauing spied his counsell during the space of two moneths and a halfe the sayd King hauing on a sudden assembled certaine companies of footmen and horsemen made all things readie the 24. of Iune entered the Iland at Charron nigh to Marans ouer the bridges which he had caused to bee made in diuers places In this Iland were holden by the enemie the Forts of Charron and Brault wherein were foure score Souldiers harquebusiers commaunded by Captaine Chautery hee besieged the Fort of Brault as the néerest of greater importance and more defendable by the enemie whose losse drew after it the losse of Charron He drewe by the channell of Seure two shippes set in readines to batter it but at night it was surrendered their liues safe notwithstanding of courtesie he granted both to the Captaine and Souldiers their swords immediatly they of Charron surrendered themselues likewise being in number twentie of the best Souldiers of the Regiment The 25. day he caused a bridge to be made vpon the channell of Brune approaching still to the I le of Marans and went himselfe to view the fort Clouzie and a certaine house fortified by the enemie called the house of Clouzie nigh the méetings of two channels which doo wash the sayd house on both sides These two Forts doo lye vpon a deepe channell which they must needes passe ouer to enter into Marans distant one from the other about sixe score paces and beyond the sayd channell betweene the two forts a newe fort was builded for to let the casting of the bridge if any should be made This newe fort was in the sight of the two forts to wit the fort of Clouzie and the house of Clouzie whereof is spoken of before All things well viewed the sayd King concluded to attempt vpon these fortes the rest of the day passed away in shooting certaine volleys of Ordinance vppon those fortes out of the shippes and in certaine light skirmishes In the euening the sayd King caused the shippes to goe downe the water to the Iland Charron to take from the enemy the suspicion of the thing which hee determined to do the day following The 26. day being the Lords day about three a clock hee came with few of his men before Clouzie made his bridges sure aduauncing forward his Gabions prepared the bridge to bee cast betweene the two forts searched the places where they might enter into Marans causeth his shippes to approach into that place where they were the day before putting his regimentes in battaile aray placing them in the same order that they should march and also his footmen to sustayne the enemy at the entring of the Iland and to serue for such occasions as might ryse he being himselfe in person the formost to see with the eie what should be needeful to be done The morning passed away in such exercises and in the meane while the enemy did what he could to keepe him off At 11. a clock prayers and singing of Psalmes vnto God being ended throughout all his regimentes and troupes of horsemen after hee had appoynted euery man what they should doo hee began to force the passage kept by a companie of the regiment of the Lord Cluseaulx and with the company of light horses of the Lord Tremblay flanked on y e one side with the fort Clouzie and on the other side by the house Clousie which was as is aforesayd fortified and in front defended by the third fort and a trench in the middle Vpon the right hand of the house of Clousy marched the master of the Campe Preaulx who had slyded with his troupes into the reedes to passe ouer the channell in a place knowen and yet not without danger and the Captayne Ferrand with him hee tooke also with him the Captaines Lomeau and Nede into the same reedes A little behind was the Baron Salignak with his regiment to geue the scalado to the sayd house Right against the house of Clouzie foure captaines with their Souldiers thosen out of the regiment of the Lord Granuile did aduaunce the Gabions vppon the banke of the channell and behind their Gabions were in battell aray the companyes of Rochel at the right hand of the sayd Gabions right agaynst the meeting of the two channels the saide Lord Granuile with thirty armed men did push forward the said bridge they were couered from the gunshot of the fort Clousy by the Captaine Valley of Rochel with a great number of targets of proofe and behinde them who did push the bridge marched the rest of the regiment with the troupes of Rhe conducted by captayne Planch At the lift hand going toward Clousy to occupy the enemy all along the channell marched the new and old gardes of the King of Nauarre conducted by the Captaynes Porte and Vignoles and the Harquebuziers on horseback of the Lord Peujas who were al lighted of their horse with Captaine Limalle The horsemen were behind the footmen the troupe of the Lord Peujas behind the regiment of the Lord Granuile and the companies of Rhe which followed the bridge The mayne forces of the King of Nauarre commaunded by the Prince of Soissons were a hundred paces and more behind but a litle more aduaunced vppon the lift hand The enemyes seeing the Kinges forces in that aray and that they had bowed theyr knees on the ground to make their prayers to God afore they went to the battell and calling to remembrance the prayers which were made at Coutras did fall into such a feare as they began to crye they pray they will beat vs as they did at Coutras and beginning to wauer on a sudden fled away in great disorder Here is to be noted that had it not béen for the fault committed through hastines in casting the bridge in a place where the chanell was forked whereas it should haue
if she would not perswade her husband to yeeld to make her serue for a gabion or else to stabb her She answered them that if they would bring her before the Castell she would perswade him to the contrary and that she did hope one day to haue reason of the insolencies of the said Mere who did proffer her such speeches The Lord Espernon had but eight Harquebusiers of his guard they neuer shot without killing or hurting some one or other so that there were killed by them 25. or thirtie persons but this was their euill luck that they had no powder with them but that which they found in their flasks One of the conspirators who was shut vp in the Castel with linnen cloth cut in length and knotted in the endes in stead of a coarde was let down into to the Castell ditche and aduertized the inhabitants howe that his felowes were ready almost to be stifled with fire or quelled with the fall of the house which could not bee auoyded except they were very shortly rescued That moued the Parents to induce the other Mayor named Bourgoyne to goe to the Castell to parley The Abbot Elbeu and the Lord Ambleuille spake with him through a hole of the wall and shewed him the danger wherein the towne stoode to be ransaked at the arriuing of the succour which was at hande That they had in holde the Maior with his conspired felowes whâ—me the Lord Espernon had forgiuen and that easily he mought be moued to pardon the people also which had beene abused And that it they should goe further in their enterprize and assault any more the Castell the Lorde Espernon would stay them all Furthermore they offer themselues to make meanes for the people with the said Lord Espernon They which were shut vp being no more able to endure yeelded vnto the Lord Espernon vpon his faith which he kept to them inuiolable The Maior at the time of his yeelding was gaping for life and within a while after dyed in the castell of the wounds which he had receiued The Lord Espernon caused his prisoners to write to them of the towne in what danger they were of their liues if they should any more assault the Castell Whereupon the inhabitants required the Maior Bourgoyne to returne to the Duke Espernon in the behalfe of them that he would send the Abbot and the Lord Ambleuille to them to intreate of peace The Lord Ambleuille would not forsake the Duke Espernon The Abbot preffered himselfe so that they would giue hostages They of the towne gaue the Kings procurator who entred into the Castell by a ladder by the which the Abbot came downe into the towne The Abbot at the first trenches found Mere and Messeliere two Gentlemen firâ—ts of the sedition accompanyed with a multitude of people who would haue treated with him but the Abbot would not saying that he would goe to treate with the seneschall in the house of the Lord Argence who was an olde Gentleman and of honour who also had promised all friendship to the Lorde Espernon Being conducted thither all the officers and chiefe of the Citie with much people resorted to the place The Abbot shewed them the enormitie of their ofâ—ence so to attempt against such an officer of the Crowne a good Catholick and faithfull seruant to the King that they had made themselues guilty of high treason Hee shewed them also the Maiors treasons whereof they had made themselues rash exâ—cutioners vnder a forged colour of the Kings commandement He spake vnto the officers the nobility and people to euery one sâ—nerally and before all shewing them their fault and their duty and concluded that by such kind of dealing they put themselues in great hazard of the Hugonets their common enemies He so much affected that they were deuided among themselues and found in the end that the kinges officers the cheefest of the cittie and the most apparant of the nobility were not at all priuie nor consenting in the beginning to the Maiors conspiracy who had onely assured himselfe of forty or fifty the vpleâ—â— sorâ— for the execution of his conspiracy and that these at the sound of the alarum had caused all the rest to take armour in hand vnder colour of the name of the Hugonets The common people induced by Mere shewed themselues void of all capacity of reason and intractable Many spéeches and reasonings passed in this conference the people fell to mutiny agayne and bidding the Abbot to make short proffered him like conditions as before The Abbot cut them short and assured them that the day following after noone the Lord Espernon should giue them the law The seditious Leagued Mere whom we haue said to haue béen brought vp in the house of Guyze the schoole of treasons and seditions did heate the people by an assured promise which hee made to them of an infallible succour of the Lord of Aubeterre who as hee sayd was at hand to whom also the Lord Vileroy the Kings secretary had written to that effect The Abbot departing thence went not without payne and danger to visit the Lady Espernon and commended her vnto a company of gentlemen who were assembled there and protested reuenge agaynst them which should proffer her iniury That beeing done he returned to the castel hauing nether sâ—ene the L. Bordes nor any other of the gentlemen which were detayned prisoners in the Towne The morrow after beeing the twelfth day of August the alarum was geuen in the Towne by the Drum and Toxin and as well the gentlemen the people the Leagued and others who were not of the conspiracie were enforced to take armor to go to the breach which they prepared and hoped to make in a weake place of the Castle wall defended neither with any window nor otherwise flanked Some small opening beeing made the people presented themselues where they were receaued and there was flayne the Lord Fleurak one of the Leaguers About three a clocke in the morning the people heard the trompets of the light horsemen of the Lord Espernon which made them beleeue that succouâ— was not farre This asswaged much their fury and on the contrary encouraged much the souldiers of the Citadell which hetherto had done nothing so that they let flee many shot of Harquebuzes and certayne voleyes of Canon agaynst the Cittie The Lord Espernon hauing commaunded them so to doo from the top of the high tower of the Castell At this new thundering from the Citadell they of the Towne began to wauer and to draw on agayne to parley and do desire that the Abbot would returne and that they would harken to the propositions of the said Lord Espernon The Abbot calling to remembrance the danger past maketh some difficulty to goe forth agayne But at length the Lord Espernon writeth and sendeth by the sayd Abbot what he wil require of them of the towne for the acknowledging of their fault Agayne all came together about noone to the house of
alley which was betweene it and the kings chamber encreased his mistrust and would haue gone back yet neuerthelesse he did not He had beene perswaded long before that the Lorde Loignak had vndertaken to kill him so that of all other he hated him most and mistrusted him greatly and entering into the kings chamber he saw the same Lord Loignak sitting vpon a coffer hauing his armes a crosse and supposing that he stayed there to set vpon him for he shewed that hee was touched with a violent apprehension of mistrust although the said L. Loignak did not stir yet the Lord Guize notwithstanding did set vpon him setting his hand to his sword did draw it halfe for he had his cloake as commonly he was wont to haue in scarâ—e wise and vnder the cloake his sworde which was the cause that he could not draw it cleane out of the sheath before that some of them who were there seeing him to enterprize such a violent fray at the Kings chamber doore preuented and killed him there Beholde thou vngratious man thou hast hidden all thy conspiracies vnder a cloake of religion and so hast prophaned a prophane religion say then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thou vnthankfull slaue of ambition hast thou thought to murther thy naturall prince ordayned of God to commaund thee Say then or if thou wilt not I will 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It could not be done without some rumor which was heard out of the counsell chamber whereupon the Cardinall his brother entred into mistrust and conceauing a great feare made haste to get out but he met one of the skottish guardes who had charge to arrest him He tooke that arrest very straunge and made shew to resist but seeing the rumor and daunger hee ceased from his resistaunce and yeelded The Archbishop of Lyons at this alarum went forth furiously and would know more and as he said would succour the Duke of Guyze but he was arrested by some of the guardes and his fury was so cooled that from a woolfe he was turned into the forme of a lambe yet retayning still wooluish conditions so these two Fryers the deuills ghostly fathers remayned both prisoners The graund Pryor was gone very early to awake the Lord Ianuile to to play the match which they had made the day before and found him in his bed and after he had made himself quickly ready but whether it were that he saw the graund Pryor followed incontinently with some of the guardes or some other matter hee began sodaynly to mistrust and went about to slip into a doore of his chamber and to make some resistance seeking to get forth with his sworde in hand against some of the guarde but considering the danger he yeelded him selfe to the sayd guard The graund Pryor seeing that by these new euents the match was broken off went his way At the same instant one Pellicart secretary vnto the Duke of Guyze was taken with al his papers writings by the which many secret counsels of the sayd Guize were discouered to the King with the names of the chiefest of the League as wel of the princes and Nobles as of the priests and townes The king of the Fryers to wit the Cardinall of Bourbon who was at bed was desired by a captayne of the guarde to rise and so was his person made sure The Marquesse d' Albeuf likewise and many other of the partakers of the Lord of Guize were taken and put in places of safety That day the king made a fayre hande for he caught a number of cruell beasts and vncleane foules as Woolues Foxes swine wilde Boars Apes and such like But the loosing of some of them afterward was the cause of his vndooing and death For either through feare of the Popes excommunication or to asswage the displeasure of his subiects or some other cause â—lse he did set at libertie the Archbishop of Lyons which was one of the chiefest counsellors deuisers and procurers of his death These exployts being done at Bloys a gentleman was speedely sent into Poytow to the Lord of Neuers with commaundement to seaze vppon the Lord Chastre gouernour of Berry who was greatly suspected by reason of his great familiaritie with the Lord of Guize But the layd Lord Chastre was aduertized by his friends of all that which happened at Bloys before the gentleman sent by the King arriued at the camp whereupon he went to the Duke of Neuâ—rs saying that he was aduertized how the Duke of Guyze had beene put to death which thing made him beleeue he had enterprized somewhat agaynst the king Hee sayde that he had been alwayes seruant to the Duke of Guize for his particular but that if he had enterprized against the king that hee was neuer made priuie to it And forasmuch as the loue which the said Duke of Guize had borne vnto him might happily make him to be suspected by the king he yeelded himselfe willingly into the hands of the sayd Duke of Neuers for to iustifie his actions Afterward the Gentleman went from the king to the sayd Duke of Neuers who informed him of all that which is aboue sayd and within a while after the Lord Chastre went to the king The King had some speeches with the sayd Lorde Chastre of all that had passed touching the particular of him the Lord Chastre of long continuance which hee woulde forget and vppon the promise which the saide Chastre made to remaine his faithfull seruant commaunded him to make sure the townes of his gouernement to his seruice and to prepare himselfe to goe to Orleans against them of the League which thing the saide Lorde Chastre promised to doo A little while after the death of the Guize the King went to see the Queene his mother and shewed her what was done that morning whereof at the first she was greatly moued yet remembring the iust occasions which the said Duke of Guize had giuen him to seeke reuenge shee prayed God that it might bee well done and willed the King to aduertise the Popes Legat that which was done For a while after the King sent the Cardinall Gundy to shew to the saide Legat the attempt of the Duke of Guize against his person and estate which thing had enforced him to doo that execution he shewed that in it he had followd the Popes his masters counsell who aduised him so to doo if by no other meanes he could auoyde such enterprises Where it is saide that the King dooth aleage to the Popes Legat his masters counsell and consent the matter goeth as the common report gooth It is most certaine that Frier Sixtus and his Chaplines with his predecessors before him had been and were then the chiefest authors setters on and maintainers of the League in France and that by all meanes so that it were not with money for to meddle with the purses of these ghostly fathers is sacriledge and to tirannize the holy Church did fauour foster and further all the
felouies trecheries and treasons of the Duke of Guize The King hauing a perfect knowledge of these their dooings yet by policy he obtained Frier Sixtus and his Priests both his consent and hands to iustifie his actions which he entended to bring to passe vpon the persons of the Duke of Guize and others his adherents if the Pope after the fact if Soltan Solyman out of the capitall of Rome would thunder his vaine boults not excommunication but of proscription which this Antichrist most arrogantly doo vsurp vpon Princes He wrote therefore to Frier Sixtus that he had a number of rebels of all degrees as well of the nobilitie as of others who had conspired against his life and state whether that hee might make such a slaughter of them by surprise as hee made at Saint Bartholmew in the yeare 1571. and kill them by all meanes possible seeing that he could not follow against them any extraordinarie course Frier Sixtus and his harpies about him supposing that the King by rebels vnderstood the King of Nauarre and others of the nobles with him and of other degrees and that he had so fetcht in his head whereby he hoped to drawe them into his snare were as ready to further him to that exployte as the King was ready to doo it Frier Sixtus answered in his name and of his Ianissaries that hee might destroy them by all meanes possible for in extraordinarie dangers extraordinarie course might be taken This is that which he alâ—ageth to the Legat touching the Popes counsell and consent The Legat vpon this newes was wonderfully amazed for beside that hee feared his owne skin hee had also assured all Italy of cleane contrary euents then those which he saw to haue fallen out The same day the Legat was prayed to make intercession with the King for the Cardinall of Guize which thing hee promised to doo Men cannot by any meanes prolong the time of their ende many haue thought that the sauing of the life of the Cardinall of Guize might haue been easily obtained But as a haughtie courage which thinketh to bee nigh to some great and extraordinary prosperous fortune cannot easily quiet himselfe when he seeth himselfe debased and carried away farre from his expectation So this man fallen from so high and moued with his domesticall losses could not quiet himselfe but by hot words hee threatned to performe more theÌ„ euer his brother entended whose chiefest setter on he was This his raging minde wrapped him in the selfe same punishment with his Brother being founde and iudged culpable of the selfe same crime of treason Here marke Christian reader a notable example of Gods iustice for the King would easily haue pardoned him and spared his life but Gods iustice bringing him to iudgement forsooke him in the perturbation of his heart to prouoke his Soueraigne King whome hee had offended in the highest degree against his will to make him drinke of the cup of Gods wrath So that the King seeing his threatnings which discouered plainly the damnable thoughts of his heart caused him the same day to bee strangled as it is reported with a tippet of silke which he was wont to weare about his neck to put a difference between him and the common sort of traitors for they are strangled with ropes of hempe but this traiterens Frier was choaked with a holy tippet of silke in the selfe same place where he was arested prisoner These executions being done vpon the conspiratours the King went to goe to Masse into the temple of Saint Sauiour which is in the court of the Castell There the Popes Legat did walke and talke long with the King sometime smiling in the sight of a great number of people which did marke it Among whom many seeing the ioyfull countenance of the Legat thought that hee was not greatly sory for that which had passed there that morning although that his great familiarity with the house of Guize would haue giuen occasion to expect of him the contrarie But all that was but to make faire weather which the King fearing himselfe vpon the heate of the Kings reuenge to haue sustained the same punishment with his companions which he had no lesse deserued then they had Now we haue to speake somewhat of the conspirators who were of fiue sorts In the euening all things were as quiet at Bloys as they had béen before saue the close and hidden sorrow and murmuring of many who had not foreseene such a suddaine tempest to fall vpon the house of Guize Brissak and others to mollifie the Kings displeasure which they supposed by the guiltines of their consciences the King to haue conceaued of them that in time they might escape out of his clawes made an oration gratulatory for his good successe in escaping that conspiracy but specially did clawe him in that place where he did most itch to wit exhorted him to continue the warre against them of the reformed religion vsing great outragious wordes and inuectiues leauing them no hope of merrie This oration was followed of many such others not for loue to the K. but for three speciall causes First that with such holy water the King being blinded they might flye out of his hand Secondly that by setting the King agaynst the King of Nauarre and the heretikes as they tearmed them hee should haue his forces scattered and his person beeing the weaker by it they might at some opportunity surprise him Thirdly they feared least he would vpon this occasion ioyne the King of Nauarre and so to haue béene able to take reuenge vpon all the sort of the conspiratours therefore they thought good to blow the coales to let all reconsiliation The same day the King sent to the assembly of the states to let them vnderstand that it was his pleasure that the states should continue with a full determination to follow their reasonable counsels in all things The 24. of December the King dispatched diuers messengers into dyuers Prouinces with these instructions following The first troubles raised vp by the Lord of Guyze in this realme in the yere 1585. haue shewed sufficiently an other meaning in him theÌ„ the zeale of the Catholike Religion wherewith he hath couered his actions to abuse them who are more ready to embrace nouelties then wise to consider the euents For hauing couered his entents with the cloake of the catholik religion and the rooting out of heresy all his exploits haue béen executed in the catholik townes and in the best which he could seaze vpon to lay downe a stedfast foundation of the drifts long before notoriously forecast for the â—surpation of the crowne The King sheweth that by the meanes of the rising of the sayd Duke he was enforced to let him haue the best part of his forces and meanes whereby he hath not béene able to oppose himselfe to them of the religion as he was willing to doo whereby heresy sayth he hath taken deeper root in the Realme then euer it had
some afterward haue reported certayne discontentments which he said he had receiued which did discourage him in the performance of that seruice to which the occasions and many other reasons did binde him The Lord Preau on the other side said that the place might be reasonably defended That he was seruant to the king of Nauarre to whom he had promised to keepe faithfully that place so long as the skill of warre would permit him and that his credit did restrayne him from consenâ—ing to the rendring thereof Out of this diuersitie of affections the diuision began which afterward was the cause of the so sodaine losse of the place The Lord Colombieres had on his side y e Harquebusiers on horseback which had followed him were there in garrison The Lord Preau had on his side his soure companies some voluntary gentlemeÌ„ and strangers betweene them both were laboured by each partie of the inhabitants there were few or none â—â—t after long reasoning Colombieres the gouernour caryed it away knowing very wel y t the enemie was not ignorant of that diuision and sent to the camp Captayne Courbe his lieftenant to offer agreement to the L. of Neuers who tooke great pleasure in this occasion For the soiourne of 15. dayes before that plate in so fowle weather in so great scarsitie of victualls as was in that armie was a second wound of his dissipation The tearme of this agreement was so short that the king of Nauarre being vpon the poynt to succour them was compelled to breake his enterprize although it was agreed that the king of Nauarre should haue beene aduertized of it The conditions of the agreement were that the colours should be rendered the souldiers should goe forth with their match out and the gentlemen with their furniture that they should all be conducted by a Herault and a trompet as farre as Saint Albine with condition that they should retyre within three dayes The L. Colombieres conducted all the Garrison about halfe a league and then he asked if y t there were any in the companies that would follow him but almost all refused Captaine Courbe with six or seauen more as well of his houshold seruants as others followed him So he taking his leaue and induced either with discontentment or with some other affection he ioyned himselfe to that armie The rest of the troups were safely conducted nigh as farre as Lussen and Saint Gemmes and were left there vpon the conditions abouesaid by the Herault and Trompet But the Lord Sagonne Colonel of the light horsemen did so cut the time prefixed that desirous as it was supposed to reuenge the death of some friend of his in that armie who had been slayn before in that place surprized those companies who were at S. Albine and charged them so hardly that scarce they had time to get into a church and to shut themselues therein They were without munition of necessary things so that they were coÌ„pelled to render themselues yet once againe hauing little resisted This composition was not like the first for they had onely their liues they were vnarmed and ryfled and some few were slaine With a speedy retire they might haue auoyded that iniurie Montagne so surrendred the towne of Ganache was greatly threatned The Marquesse of Belisle who made his abode at Maschecow desired greatly to be dicharged of such neighbours And besides this place was very fit for him if by the meanes of that armie he coulde haue gotten it This place pertained to the Lady of Landimoys of the house of Rohan who had retired to Nantes obaying the kings Edict concerning the alteration of religion The King of Nauarre had giuen the gouernement of this place to the L. Plessis Gette the which diuers times but specially a few dayes afore the siege had been greatly laboured by the said Lady also by the Marquesse of Belisle with faire and large promises to yéeld the place into their hands to whome he would neuer hearken but determined to keep it faithfully The towne of Ganache being distant from Montagne but seauen leagues the Lord Plessis fore seeing the siege dispatched withall diligence to the King of Nauarre who was at Rochel the Lord Sabloniere and Iesserant to let him vnderstand the small commodities that they had to holde that place against a royall army That notwithstanding the saide Lorde Plessis with the rest of the Captaines with him had determined to doo him good seruice so that he would furnish them with meanes At these newes the King dispatched the Baron Vignoles with all his companies to strengthen that place He sent also by sea two Captaines of the regiment of his gardes vnder the conduct of the Lordes Aubiguy and Robiniere who imbarked themselues part at Rochel with powder pikes and other munition of warre part at Esande But the contrarie windes caused them to cast anker at the Iland of Rhe where they stayed eyght daies for winde during which time many being sea sick were found wanting so that at the imbarking againe in stead of two hundred were found fewer in number The Lord Plessis in the meane time laboured hard in the places where was most neede and caused the victuals as well for men as for horses to be brought in out of the vilages round about The L. Ruffigny arriued there with 50. Harquebusiers on horseback by the coÌ„mandement of the said King in staying y e succor which came by sea Ganache is compounded of a towne and Castell situated in the borders of Poytow and Britayn yet holding more of Poytow it is distant from the sea three leagues with an open prospect on that side of the side of Montagne and Maschecow it is woody and couered There is a great poole which compasseth a great part of the towne vppon the Castell side which with diuers brookes watereth the great medowes about it that maketh the waies to the towne moorish and foule but specially in winter The said poole dooth compasse almost two parts of the towne to wit from the suburb Saint Leonard to the suburb of Saint Thomas which is al the side of the Castell The towne is compassed with an indifferent good ditch cut out of a rock the wall is auncient flancked with small towers and made with loope holes after the olde fashion it was found better to resist the cannon then it was thought it would bee specially on the side where it was battered the which for being too feeble and naked hauing but an olde gate the Lord Plessis had fortified and couered with a spurre assoone as he had the gouernement of that place which did him good seruice during the siege Hee made two bulwarkes more on the other side of the towne toward thâ—suburb Saint Thomas the one to couer a tower of the Castell made after the forme of a horseshoo the other nigh vnto the causie which dooth kéep the issue of the poole ten dayes before the siege which was the fourth of December hee builded another
to hold for enemies onely them who haue declared themselues enemies of the realm by theyr rebellion and outragious insolencies committed against the soueraigne magistrate and iustice promising notwithstanding to receaue to mercy them which deceaued by the enticements of the rebels or feare rather then by their owne malice haue associat themselues to the said rebels Denounceth therfore to all Prouinces Cities Commonalties Church-men Nobles Magistrates Captaynes Souldiers Borgeses Citizens and all other of any degree whatsoeuer to retire speedily from the society of those traitors and rebels and to returne vnder the obedience of their naturall and lawful Prince and King but specially willeth the Church men whereof some haue rendered themselues instruments of the former treacheries and rebellions to loue peace and to keepe themselues within their bounds returning and abiding vnder the obedience of their King Thirdly he protesteth that this his passing the riuer of Loyre by the commaundement of the King is for their defence and therefore taketh all the Kings faithful subiects vnder his protection but specially the Church men forbidding vpon payne of death all his Captaynes and souldiers not to proffer any iniury vnto any of them their goods or places of exercises willing also all the aforesaid persons to repayre vnto the king or vnto him to haue and receaue pasporte and protections that the faythfull may be discerned from the Rebell Fourthly he turneth his speach to the foresaid persons admonishing them to consider the horrible euils which haue already and shall rise out of that damnable rebellion To the Cleargy hee speaketh to consider how godlines is euery where choked in the middest of those tumults the name of God blasphemed and religion despised The Noble men he prayeth to consider how theyr order must needs fall with the ruine of the King Crowne and Estate The Magistrates hee warneth to represent before their eyes what execrable violating of iustice will follow by the examples of the Parliaments of Paris and Tholouse carried away Prisoners as in a triumph by rascals and vilanous persons The commons hee aduertiseth to thinke how they are eased by these tumultes where their goods are exposed to the pray of the vilest sort their traffike interrupted their husbandrie altogether turned into wast and desolation Last of all he exhorteth all men to endeuour themselues to bring what they can to remedy these euils which y e rebels haue procured to the realme which cannot be done without a good peace neither can that be obtayned but by the returning vnder the Kings obedience restoring his royall authority and reestablishing of iustice hee assureth himselfe that God who geueth saluation vnto Kinges will assist him in this enterprise and iust cause Auuergne is a Prouince in France full of hilles and mountains wherein there be three Cityes situated in forme of a triangle and not distant farre one from another to wit Rion Clermont and Monferrant the Kings long before had established at Rion beside other courts a soueraigne court of his treasurers receauers This Citie had receaued the League and had committed rebellion agaynst him in shaking off the yoke of obedience Therefore the King about the 24. of April seeing their obstinacy in their rebellion do reuoke from the said Towne of Rion all his courts and doth transport the same to the Citie of Clermont commaunding all his officers of al his courts in that citty to repaire to the said Clermont and there to execute their charge About the same time also the King doth adiudge all the goods of the Dukes of Mayne Aumale and of the Cheualier Aumale and of the voluntary inhabitants of the cities of Paris Roen Amiens Abeuile Rhemes Orleans Chartres Mans Lyons Tholouse to bee forfaited to his crowne for their treasons and perseuerance in the same aboue the time prefixed vnto them which was the 15. day of March last past and ordained commissioners to sell the sayd goods and lands to his vse The King of Nauarre in the meane time scoureth the countrey and prepareth himselfe to receaue the Kings commaundement and vnderstanding that the Duke de Mayne was lodged at Vendosme and Montoyre the 28. of Aprill he determined to surprize some of the enemies and about foure a clock in the morning taking eight hundered horsemen and one thousand shot on horsbacke went to bait at Chaulx in Anjou ten long leagues from Saumour departing thence hauing already gone forward three leagues he receaued newes how the Duke of Mayne had brought his forces to Chasteaurenault and had sent part of them to besiege the County of Brienne who was at Saint Oyne nigh Amboyse The King hearing of the siege of Chasteaurenault and Saynt Oyne by the enemy hauing him so nigh neighbour and fearing that he would come to lodge in the Suburbs of Tours being in danger to be deliuered into the hands of them by the intelligences which they had wiâ—h the leagued of his Court and of the Citie he did dispatch diuers Postes both to Saumour also to other places to the King of Nauarre And about three leagues from Chaulx toward Vendosme hee was aduertyzed by three Postes that the King sent for him whereuppon the sayd King of Nauarre turned bridle and came that night to lodge at Maille vpoÌ„ Loyre within two leagues of Tours after he had beene 24. howers on horsbacke and immediatly sent word of his comming to the King The King vnderstanding of his being so nigh him did greatly reioyce knowing that the enemy neither would nor durst enterprize any thing whilest he was so nigh his person The enemy sent certayne companies in the euening with a great brauade and tooke a Suburbe of Tours where they defloured a Mayd who had fled into the Church before the high alter in the armes of a Priest but hearing that the King of Nauarre was at hand without any leasure to take breath they retyred presently The King of Nauarre rested himselfe and his troupes the next day but the 30. of Aprill beeing the Lords day in the morning the sayd King of Nauarre iudging that it were necessary for them both to see one another thereuppon to take some certayne resolution of their affayres beeing also requested by the King although his counsell had diuers opinions of that interuiew hee sent to the King by the Lord of Mignouuile that he was gone to set all his troupes in battaile array at the Pont la Mot a quarterr of a league from Tours and thatif it should please his Maiesty to come to the Suburbs he would kisse his Maiesties hands and would receaue his commaundemeÌ„ts to execute theâ— according to the necessity of the affayrs After the said King of Nauarre with all his troupes had stayed about two houres the Marshall Hautmont came to him from the King to pray him that he would passe ouer the riuer to come to him to Plessâ—s les Tours where the King with all the court stayed for him That thing he immediatly determined to
therefore least the smoake of this execrable intended parricide should flee ouer the walles of Paris and so by giuing intelligences their haynous vnnaturall and hellish treason and murther might bée preuented it was diligently prouided that no man should goe out of Paris before the exployt were done Therefore the gates were shut vp and carefully kept and all the issues at the Suburbes end straightly and narrowly watched that no man could goe to tell tales out of the schoole Now the Frier hath on his hypocriticall coate his letters in his hand his lesson in his head his poysoned knife in his sleeue order is taken that no intelligences may be giuen the way is made plaine before this diuellish murtherer euen as farre as to the Kings gate the doores are made open to him by these meanes the execution is to bee performed speedily least delay should disappoynt his enterprise This murtherer accompanied with the other Frier who had confirmed him in his reuelation or illusion wherewith Sathan had deluded him as is aforesayd the 21. of Iuly which by the newe heauen of the Popes making is the first of August out of Paris taking his way to S. Clow which is a Towne vpon Seyne beneath Paris two small leagues and comming to the Campe he tolde them whome hée met first that he had letters from the first President and certaine other Parisiens well affected to the king which contayned matters of great importance and beside that hee had great and waightie things to disclose to the King The King being scarce ready and aduertised of this accursed Friers comming commaunded that he should attend and that speedily hee should be admitted to his speach the Frier did attend with his letter in his hand which he said was from the first president detained prisoner The King being made ready and at such an houre as he was wont to enter into his oratory and when it was not lawfull not for the Princes of the bloud to haue accesse vnto him caused that sauage murtherer to be called to him The Frier came before the King with a bolde countenance the King looking merily vpon him said these words amice ad quid venisti The Frier making a low and humble reuerence euen to the ground gaue the King the letter which he said came from the first president of Paris which letters when the King had read asked the Frier what newes hee brought from Paris the Frier answered that hee had matters of great importance to declare vnto him Whereupon the King commaunded two Gentlemen who waited and serued him at his vprising to goe foorth out of the chamber and sat downe in a chayre to heare what the Frier would say The Frier drew nigh to the King and falling vpon his knées began to tell a tale the King stouping somewhat low to heare what the Frier was about to say gaue more attendance to his words than to his fingers The Frier drawing softly his knife out of his sléeue stabbed the King there with in the lower part of the belly and made hast to get away The King amazed at the suddaine and vnexpected stroak cried out and laying hand vpon a dagger that lay nere him stroak the Frier who partly for the blow partly for feare fell presently down Vppon this noyse the Lordes came running into the Kings chamber and after many woundes slew that cursed Frier Some doo report that the King commaunded that hee should not bee flaine but taken vp and examined which declared who set him on and the authors names of so vile treacherie the wound was presently dressed and as the report went seauen stitches made in it at length the wound being dressed hee was laide on his bed and slept a little vppon his paine and griefe After his sleepe hee made his praiers vnto God and with a loude voyce made a confession of his faith and of the féeling which he had of his redemption adding there unto this feruent praier IF it bee to thy glorie O God and the commodity of thy people graunt me I most humblie desire first pardon of my sinnes and then some longer dayes of life But if it be otherwise I thanke thee most highly O Father that thou doost barre me hence forth from the thraledome of sinne whereby we most oftentimes procure thy wrath against vs and therefore I am ready most willingly to come where thou callest me The King hauing made an end of his praiers sendeth for his brother the King of Nauarre and for the chiefest Lords of his court gouernours and captaines but specially for the heads of the strangers to the intent that if it were Gods will that hee should dye they might knowe his last will First speaking to the King of Nauarre commended vnto him the charge of his Realme the gouernement of his subiects the lawes of France Often times he repeated wordes whereby hee charged the said King of Nauarre to haue a speciall care to keepe Christes flocke in vnity and concord and to preserue the godly and ancient institutions of the realme requested him that by all meanes he would pacify the matter of religion in France and not to alter any thing therein but by the aduise of a generall or naturall counsell lawfully called which things the King of Nauarre promised to doo To the rest of Princes Lords and Noblemen he signified that the lawfull succession of the royall state of France fell not to any other then to the person of Bourbon and declared at that time the King of Nauarre first successor he prayed and exhorted the whole company to acknowledge him and to be faithfull vnto him willed them also to protest in his presence all with one voice the acknowledging of him and to promise true obedience vnto him as to the true lawfull and naturall heire of the Crowne willed them also to cause the like promise and acknowledgement to be made in the Campe by all true and faithfull Captaines and Souldiers that could not be present at that assembly consisting as well of Frenchmen as strangers In all these speaches he shewed himselfe of a good cheere which caused all men to hope that hee stoode in no danger of death The said King sent presently letters to all Prouinces and Cities to aduertise them how things had passed at S. Clow and of his will and last Testament requiring all his faithfull Subiects to protest the fulfilling thereof The second day toward the euening there appeared in the King accidents prognosticating an assured danger not so much through the nature of the wound as through the poysoned contagiousnes of the weapon wherwith the wound was made so that all remedies being vsed by the Phisitions and Chirurgions to preuent the danger and nothing preuailing the King called againe to him the King of Nauarre and other Princes and Lords before whom he greatly bewailed the accursed ciuill warres which had béen the vndooing of his house his nobility and realme and the breeders of so many
we may with admiration celebrate the prouidence of God that cleane contrary vnto the expectation of all men the Lord hath giuen him to France for her good For first the Leaguers in the beginning of their insurrection made him a party Then they vsed for the space of foure yeares all the power of France to oppresse him when force would not serue they procured poysoners to try what might bee done that way But that taking no place they degraded debarred him from his right of succession by a fundamental law of the realme which they sweared sealed and decréed that it should be vnchangeable and should remayne for euer they made him hatefull and abhorred of the common people throughout all France After they had missed of their purpose intended against the King they so vrged their attempts that the King was enforced to yéeld himselfe into the King of Nauarre his hands for his safety at length they murdered the King Then I will aske them what haue you gotten by it They answered that they haue gotten the Crowne either part or the whole Why Because there is no successor Demaunde What are the Bourbons then Answer They are excluded by a fundamentall lawe of the realme sworne by the vnion at Bloys Dem. What saith God to that Ans Beholde the Lord saith that hee will haue the King of Nauarre head of the house of Bourbon to succeede because it is his right for it is not reason that a confederacie of conspirators should make a law contrarie vnto the fundamentall lawe of the realme confirmed by the consent and custome of so many nations by the space of twelue hundred yeares not contrarie vnto Gods word Dem. But where dooth God speake it Ans By the mouth of a Soueraigne Magistrate ordained by him to bée the interpreter of all iudiciall lawes Therefore beholde the meanes which the rebels haue sought to exclude the King of Nauarre from his right of succession the Lord hath vsed to the stablishing of the said King and hath vnited the Princes Péeres and chiefest Lords Gentlemen Captaines and Souldiours of the realme to assist place and defend him in that roome so the arme of fleshe shall not preuaile against the power of God and the hand of the Lord shall be vpon him The Prince Montpencier gouernour and Generall for the King in Normandie then being at Audely a towne vpon the riuer of Seyne aboue Pont de Carche caused all his army to take that oath exhorting them to defend constantly the Kings will according to their oath About the 26. day of Iuly there was an assembly holden at Caen in Normandie of the court of Parliament whereto the late deceased King had transported the said court from the Cittie of Roen after the rebellion thereof of the Nobilitie and Gentlemen of the countrey and of the bodie of the towne and Vniuersitie and of the Citizens and inhabitants of the said towne where the Lord Lizores Lord President of the saide court did sit as head of the saide méeting in whose presence the saide President hauing declared the haynous déede committed vpon the person of the King late deceased and shewed the equitie of the Kings testament and last will on his owne behalfe protested perfect loyaltie to the King right and lawfull successor of the Crowne of France after the publication of the Kings and of y e Prince Montpencier his letters all vniformally with one consent did sweare their acknowledgement and fidelitie vnto the lawfull successor of the Crowne of France and to maintaine al things contained in the will of Henry d'Valoys lately deceased The like declarations and promises were made and othes of fidelitie and loyalty taken publikely in many townes and cities in France euen on the North side of Loyre to the same effect The rebels vnderstanding in Paris what the late deceased King had done and how the King of Nauarre was proclaymed King of France contrarie to their expectation that they were worse hampered now then before like to haue him to be their master whome they had refused and disdained thought good to trie what might be done by treachery vpon the person of the King And because that a Friers coate could not beguile this King as it did the other by reason of the little acquaintance and credit which hée giueth them they suborned a murtherer who vnder the colour of a Gentleman should shoote him through with a Piece but the Lord watching for his annointed brought the murtherer to confusion All thinges falling out so confusedly in France by the death of the last King and the newes thereof fleeing abroad into forreine countries replenished mens harts with admiration of Gods secret iudgements with a maze indignation and feare The King taking counsell what was best to be done in these extremities for to saue the remnant of the realme from vtter subuertion did resolue vpon these three pointes which will follow this miserable murther First the King considering how his enemies long time aforehand had rendered him by slaunderous libels and seditious sermons of Iesuits and Friers by these meanes to make him abhorred of the commonaltie and thereby to make them vnwilling to acknowledge him for their King and to render him fidelity loyaltie and obedience which long practised malice of his enemies would procure him much labour and long continuance of warre betweene him and his subiects Secondly he knew that in the Campe vnder the banner of his predecessor and also in his counsell were many deuoted sworne to the League whom he durst not trust and knowing that they would not do him faithful seruice no more then they did to his predecessor hee determined to licence them to depart so many as would and to liue peaceablie in their houses vnder his obedience whereupon many disbanded themselues and retired some home and some to the enemie Last of all the K. foreseeing that the heads of the League vpon this prosperous exploit done vpon the person of the King lately murthered will double their rage and with great forces which they could quickly set vp in such a mighty and populous cittie would set vpon him and with multitude might greatly distresse him determined to send part of his forces into Picardy vnder the conduct of the duke of Longueuile the Lord la Nouë there to minister play to the enemy and with the greatest part of his army to retire into Normandy there to gather greater forces and if need should require to be nigh and ready vpon the coast there to receaue supply of forces from the mightie Princesse the Queene of England which might bee done vpon short warning considering the small distance which is from Coast to Coast As for the Swissers and other Germans who serued the King his predecessor hee sent their Heads and Captaines vnto their Princes and Signories to vnderstand their pleasure whether they would call their men home or giue them leaue to serue him The said Germans Swissers according to
thanksgiuing to God for his safe returne â—aluted him with this acclamation God saue the King Two thousand horsemen in all of Princes noble men and gentlemen did defeat al this huge army of fiue thousand horsemen and eight thousand footmen the rest of the Kings forces neuer sâ—irring from their places Thus the Horsemen béeing scattered there remained yet Swissers Lanceknights and French footmen The Launceknights and French footmen were charged and about two thousand and foure hundred remained on the place as it were in a moment The rest were taken prisoners and some of them fled into the woods whereof a great number wandering abroad were slaine by the Pesants The Swissers notwithstanding they had lost their Horsemen which were at their wings part beeing slaine and part fled set a good countenance on the matter The King once was minded to set the French companies on them to disaray them and had sent the Baron Biron to that effect but calling to mind the ancient aliance betweene that nation and the crowne of France called him back againe with his companies and offered them grace and mercy so much he did to those companies of Frenchmen who were with them who refused not his gracious fauour but comming and passing by him rendered vnto his Maiesty their Colonels Captains Souldiers and Ensignes The King staying to pardon the Swissers gaue the enemy leasure to auoid by flight And whilest he stayed to do this Princelike act iudging that he was not called to that high degree of Maiesty ad interitum but ad beneficentiam generis humani The Marshall Aumont with a great company which he had assembled from the pursute in like manner the grand Prior and the Marshall Biron who by reason of his great experience for that hee had béen at so many stormes of battails and skirmishes with his horsemen and companies of French footmen was reserued to the last onâ—et if need had béen relyed themselues to the King The companies also of the Lord Humiers Mony and other gentlemen of Picardy came in the middle of the battell and after the victory came to the King The Duke de Maine seeing that the mishap which he wished to others fel vpon him tooke his way with great terrour toward Iury leauing behind his ordinance bagge and baggage and as many beside as could not runne away so swiftly as he did the great kill Deuils Don Pedro Moreo and Don Iuan de Cordoua two Spanish Moores with such as could follow them ran after him Great companies of the enemie had gotten before some followed after and as feare made them hast to presse ouer the bridge of Iury to runne a second course toward Mante it is reported that he killed some with his owne hand to make him a way ouer least he should be the hindermost and when he had passed ouer he caused the bridge to be broken leauing his friendes to shift for themselues and by that occasion many through feare beeing out of their wits cast themselues into the riuer where were drowned aboue fifteene hundred persons Others fearing to be taken by them who followed in the chase killed their Horses to stop the wayes and many supposing to haue saued themselues in the woods fell into the hands of the Pesants and countrey people which vsed them more cruelly then the Souldiers would haue done The Duke de Mayne hauing passed Iurye broken the bridge tooke his way to Mante there to passe ouer the bridge and to retire to Pontoise The inhabitants once had determined not to let him in whereupon some do report that beeing before Mante he swore with great othes that hee had discomfited the Kings forces and had killed the King with his owne hand but when they would not be mooued therewith knowing the contrary hee began to intreat them shewing them the danger wherein hee was they mooued with his prayers to compassion of his estate let him in with condition that his retinue should passe by ten and ten that night ouer the Bridge The Duke of Nemours Bassampierre the Vicount Tauaine Rosne and many others fled to Dreux and the day after to Chartres many who could not follow them went astray and knowing not whither they went were taken prisoners The King hauing played the great Captaine and lusty Souldier in getting the victory now sheweth himselfe a right Generall of an army in pursuing the sayd victory for which well to doe he deuideth his forces as followeth The grand Prior with a great company hee sent to chase the enemy on the left hand toward Eureux The Baron of Biron and with him the residue of horsemen who were gathered together and the companies which were arriued out of Picardie at the instant of the battel he sent at the right hand toward Dreux The King himselfe accompanied with the Princes Countie and Montpensier the Marshals of Aumont and Trimouille with a great company of other Lords and Captayns of the same army followed on the victory and continued the chase fiue howers The King vnderstanding how the Duke de Mayne had entred into Mante tooke vp his lodging at Rosnye two miles from Mante where he was as meanly lodged as the enemy Many were slaine in the pursute many were taken prisoners The King with two thousand horses killed aboue two thousand horsemen and many of them Commanders fiftéene hundred and aboue were drowned at the riuer Iury in the flight The most part of the footemen were cut off in peeces fewe ranne away who were either slayne in the chase or by the people of the country aboue 4. hundred of the enemies were takeÌ„ prisoners The Swissers and the Frenchmen ioyned with them yeelded themselues to the Kings clemencie So that of three and twentie thousand of y e enemie there returned neuer home aboue eight thousand Their bagge baggage artillerie and munition was stayed in the Kings hand There were aboue twentie Cornets of horsemen taken and among them the white Cornet and the bearer thereof to wit the Lord Boysdaul phine taken prisoner by the King The great Ensigne of the Generall of the Spanyards and Flemmings the Colonell Cornets of the Rutters were taken aboue threescore Ensignes of footmen as Flemmings French men and Launce-knights and foure and twentie of the Swiffers that yeelded themselues all these â—ame into the Kings hands Among them that were slayne were chiefest of all the Countie Egmond the Duke Brunswicke Captaine Colin a Spanyard the Lord Chastaigueray and many others Of prisoners taken were the Earle Austfrist who was with the Rutters many Lords Spanyards Italians Frenchmen and Flemmings Of Frenchmen the Lord Boysdaulphine Cigoigne who bare the white Cornet of the Duke de Mayne This is the third time that this Rebell had fallen into the Kings hands within foure moneths and had alwayes found fauour at his hands There were also prisoners Mesdauid Fouteyne Martil Lechant Lodon Huguesan Falandre Tenisay Chasteliere Descuueaux with many others Of the Kings side were slayne the
of the famine the wilâ—ull obstinacy of that damned people who will rather perish like the heathenish Saguntines then to try his clemenâ—y and fauour whom they knew to be therewith indued more then euer had béen any King in France before him hearing also of this sauage and barbarous act of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by some that fled vnto him out of the City was greatly moued so that lifting vp his hands to Heauen before his nobility protested vnto the Lord as Titus did in like case at the siege of Ierusalem that hee was not guilty of those abominations which were there committed neither of the bloud of them that so desperatly perished That hee was their lawfull King ordayned of God to gouerne them that he had proffered vnto them contrary to their deserts mercy that he might haue forced them but to spare their bloud he had delayed it to his great hinderance hoping that néed would haue caused them to consider their duty But contrary vnto duty and nature they had obstinated themselues and committed more abominations then any City euer did among the heathens This good King his eyes full of teares retyred into his Chamber full of compassion admiration and loue of iustice Compassion was not in him only as it was in Scipio at the burning of Carthage an affection procéeding of a milde nature but a true Christian mercy by the which he did féele the griefes euen of his mortall enemies and therefore gaue certaine passeports vnto many to haue dayly out of his campe a certaine alowance of victuals and liberty to his souldiours to sell some victuals vnto the besieged for necessary thinges as shooes hose apparell and other such things which did somewhat relieue them and stopped the barbarous eating one another The admirations of this strange hardnes of hart of that people brought him to consider Gods iust and secret iudgements who in his wrath hath sent euill spirits of Idolomany in the mouthes of their false prophets that as through blindnes of Idolatrie this fiftie yeres past and more they had replenished their streates with burnings murthers and massacres of the Saints and had stopped their eares vnto the voyce of Christ so they should bee replenished with error and idolatrous hardnes by the wicked Friers and Iesuites possessed with lying spirites to bring them to that thraldome and obloquie neither will that Citie euer be restored to peace and iustice vntill that the streetes thereof be washed with the bloud of that damned generation The King considering his office and charge annexed and inseparably ioyned to his Crowne to minister iustice that is to punish the offenders and transgressors and that there began the rebellion there was by the consent of most wrought the death of the King and that by the reioycing and approbation of the sayd death they had rendred themselues accessarie and guiltie of the same euen their walles houses temples all whatsoeuer they had Therefore he considering correlatiuely his office their offence could not giue ouer the siege and seeing that they refused lawfull try all by their rebellion hee would followe that which in such a case God hath ordained that is force violence and warre yet hee determined to trye fashioning himselfe after Gods Image who is long suffering whether they might be prouoked to take pitie vpon their afflicted estate Here we will leaue the King for a time and will passe into other places to see what preparations of warre be made We haue sayd how the Duke de Mayne returned from Bruxels where hee was royally receaued as a poore simple lackie as is sayd into Champaigne thence he sent to the Duke Aumale and the Vidasme d'Amiens into Picardie to gather such forces as they could and to repayre vnto him with as much speede as they might to ioyne with the Duke of Parma who was comming with great forces Wherevpon about the middest of August the Lord Iumeges vnderstanding that the sayd Duke Aumale and Vidasme had gathered forces were going toward the Duke de Mayne to ioyne with the Spanyards comming out of the Lowe Countrey met with them nigh Amiens discomfited them and slewe thrée thousand of them as the common report is among whom was the Vidasme of Amiens The Duke Aumale by flight saued himselfe within Amiens The Duke of Parma in the meane time commanded the two regiments of Spanyards appoynted by the King of Spayne to keepe home and to doo their feate as they should vnderstand when the opportunitie should serue to march forward before him For although leauing the countrey vnprouided of sufficient forces the States would take occasion to do their busines and to surprise places yet according to the prouerbe he consented to some losse for feare of loosing all The Spaniards were very vnwilling to goe to that iourney but hee put them in hope of doing some great and waightie exployts which were not for euery man to knowe and which could not be effected without their counsell and helpe making them beléeue that they were the onely Souldiers of the world At length the Spanyards as a restie horse which striueth with the rider and goeth backward afore hee will take his way forward Vpon their departure hee sent foorth euery where to shewe his iourney into France hee setteth foorth a description of his armie how many thousand footmen how many thousand horsemen how many Princes Dukes and Earles what Caesars and Alexanders there was in that armie And when all came to all there were three which are by him called Princes euen such as he is himselfe such as may be a Knight here in England which do hold some small Dukedomes of small townes in Italy either of y e Pope or els of King Philip such as are holden in flauerie as the Bassas by the Turke to wit the Princes for so hee tearmeth them of Ascoly Castel Bertran and Symay two Princes as obscure as the name of their principalities There were y e Marquesse of Renty the Earle Berlamount There were also Dons of Spayne as Sanctio Layeua Iuan Baptista Tasis Alonso Idiaques Antonio de Zuniga Pedro Gaetano and Capechuca Romano All these Dons were such as might be twentie groates in the bookes of Subsidie so great noble men they were men that could haue shewed great prowesse vpon the naked Iudiens To be short there were three great Lords Pride Vanitie and Folly who were masters of the Campe. There were also fewe Carrowssers out of Flanders Henault and Brabant hee gaue them terrible names as Amutinados that is angry men Mansferidos and other such I wot not what as would make the poore heathnish women in Italy and Spayne crosse their foreheads thinking to heare some names of diuels He setteth foorth his furniture his stable his pages the couerings of his coffers and moyles and why not the belles of his moyles But a great ouersight was committed by him that made no mention of his Curtizans that was not for lacke of good will but
tooke another resolution to wit to defend it to hold them play the enemies passing ouer the riuer vppon a bridge made with boates began to batter it with nine pieces of artillery the breach was made before the King had any notice thereof by reason of the great winde which was contrary and a great thick myst yet assoone as the King had any knowledge thereof he sent succour to haue rescued the Towne but the enemy giuing the assault afore the Kings forces could come and being few against many the enemy carried it away which being entred into the Towne omitted no barbarous cruelty and villany which that Sarrasenicall sauage nation could deuise there were betwéene two and thrée hundred Souldiours within the Towne gouerned by the Lord Laphin who defended that weake towne so valiantly that the enemy lost in that assault the most part of them that were at y e siege all the Garison Souldiours with their Captaines were slaine in like sorte as Leonidas with his Lacoues at Thermopylas The King tooke that losse very sorrowfully and supposing that this beginning would haue cheered and fleshed the enemy commaunded the skirmish to be giuen hoâ—ter then euer before But as the Woolâ—e pursued and hunted hauing gotten his den ouer his head will rather dye there then to get him forth and trie the matter with the hunter so these sauage rauening monsters could not be drawne out of their moore The King perceauing that nothing would encourage these fearefull warriours departed out of the campe with a good company of horsemen with ladders and marched toward Paris and caused certaine companies to draw nere the walls betwéene the gates of Saint Iames and Saint Marcel which being detected the alarum was giuen in the City the Kings Souldiours did hide themselues in the darkenes of the night being a great myst withall The Parisiens returned euery one home the Iesuites who are the most desperat and warlike of all the legions of the locustes of the kingdome of Antichrist watched all the night vpon the wal fearing some surprise and about foure a clock in the morning the Kings Souldiours lying in the towne ditch began to scale the wall the Iesuits fearing to be researched first for their horrible treasons doo sound the alarum and doo kéepe of the Kings men from leaping vpon the wall as well as they can whilest company doo run to helpe The inhabitants doo cast fagots kindled into the ditch by which meanes the Kings Souldiours being discouered did sound the retire gaue ouer the enterprise and so the King returned no more to Paris Here Christian reader thou shalt note in this City the notorious sins of the inhabitants the iudgements of God shewed vpon them and what is yet to come This City hath béen first of all the bulwark and strong hold of all Idolatry and heathenish superstitioâ—s which they haue increased of meere malicious wickednes and as it were to spight the Gospell whose voyce had been heard and had knocked at their gâ—tes many yeares They raised the alarum at the sound thereof they haue murthered the Saintes in the streates they haue shed their bloud vpon the earth like water their bodies they haue drawne by heapes and giuen them to bee meate for the beastes of the field and the fowles of the ayre they haue searched them out as it were with a lanterne that they might roote out the knowledge of God from the earth they haue made the gospel of life a hissing a by word a nodding of the head and a song of despight and contempt among them Therefore the Lord hath giuen them to a reprobate minde to commit among themselues all the abominations of the heathens and hath solde them to seducers and rauing false Prophets For beside the infinit heards of Epicures and idle bellies of idolatrous Priests Monkes and Friers about the yeare 1560. when the Gospell did knock at their gates there crept out of Spayne and Italy the vermine of Iesuitâ—s whome Sachan did burst out as vltimum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by whose desperat rage specially these sinfull people haue béen blinded and seduced to the vtâ—ermost They haue kindled and maintained to the vttermost of their power war against them of the reformed religion They were the first in all France to shew the fruite of their hellish Idolatry that haue rebelled against the King who was of their owne religion as great and deuout a Catholick as any was in the world they stirred vp and inuited to their rebâ—llion all other Cities of France by their example letters and Ambassadors and at length they haue shortned his life by an haynous parricide by the which they haue made their walls their houses their temples and themselues guilty of the damnable crime of treason hated both of GOD and man Now let vs sée the fearefull iudgements of God shewed vpon them the Lord hath executed his iustice vppon that defiled City defiled I say with the bloud of the innocents at all times by punishing them with his scourges of pestilence and dearth But after they had defiled their hands with the Kings bloud the anoynted of the Lord who represented before their eyes the image of God the Lord strooke them with the giddines of Sodome and the darkenes of Aegipt and sent euill Angels among them to vexe them with disquietnes with guilty consciences with vprores and seditions And now when the Lord during the siege had sent them mercy and fauour euen to their gates by the band of his messenger and Lieutenant Henry of Bourbon now raigning Prince of great and famous renowne They as men senseles fallen into a letargy and out of their wits would hearken to nothing but to the voyce of sedition of commotion of bloud and murther being deliuered into the bondâ—ge of â—raitors and tyrants And when the Lord had broaken the staffe of bread among them with greater rigour then in any place which euer was heard of they did not turne vnto the Lord who had giuen them bread wine oyle flaxe as Osea speaketh but multiplyed their idols worshipped diuâ—ls as Iames Clement the parricide and others euen with gréedines They did rather choose to eate the flesh of their sonnes and daughters which by the lawes of that realme is a capitall crime and to bee râ—uenged with fire then to accept grace and fauour at the hands of their King whome law nature and God had giuen vnto them Now let vs consider what by al reasons grounded vppon the stedfastnes of Gods threatnings is like to ensue thaâ— God may powre downe the fulnes of his wrath and iust indignation vppon that accursed City he in whose gouernâ—ment are the hearts of Kings and Princes doth alter the minde of the King to giue ouer that City vntill the day of vengeance Not for that he was not able to haue distressed the same longer and haue kept the Duke of Parma from approaching to it but to that end to hamper his enemies yet more in
the conduct of the Marshall Byron to employ it where he should thinke most expedient About the sixt of Nouember arriued at Compiegne a Towne in Picardie situated vppon the miéeting of the riuers Oyse and Ayne where immediatly after his arriuall he sent to the nobility of Picardy to inuite them to come and assist him to reconduct the Duke of Parma according to the honour and papall nobility of his house who had deserued that fauour at his hand if not for any seruice done yet for the small hurt that he had receaued by him The Duke of Parma departed from Paris and soiorned for some dayes in Brie about Chaust heaut herij there in that fat soyle to refresh his Soulours hungerbitten and weake to proue whether hee might procure any of the Leaguers vpon the misliking of séeking parley with the King to forsake the Duke d'Mayne and to make him their Soueraigne generall whereunto by secret practises he solicited a great number But specially he feared greatly to venture his way alone for being forsaken of the Frenchmen he assured himselfe that he would be assaulted in his retyre by the King who did waite for the opportunity not farre of Therefore hée instantly vrged the Duke d'Mayne that he would rely his forces to kéepe him safe caring little what might become either of the Duke d'Mayne or of the Leaguers so that hée might get out of this lurch that hée sawe himselfe in This feare was the chiefest cause of his long soiourne in Brie But whilest hée was carefull of his safe returne into Brabant the King had appoynted the Lord Gyury a man of great valour policie to make choise of some sufficient number of his best and most approoued souldiours and to march toward Corbeil there to seeke opportunitie to reuenge the cruel iniurie done to his subiects by the Spanyards and Wallons wherof part to the number of one thousand were left there in garrison The occasion of recouering Corbeil was thus The maner of Wallons and Spanyards and popish nations beyond the Seas is to drinke and quaffe very largely the tenth day of Nouember in the worship of that good Bishop S. Martin who gaue halfe of his cloake to the diuell when hee was through pouertie enforced to begge But it is most like that they doo keepe that ryot more in the worship of the diuell who begged then of that good man who in his life time knewe very well that it is not the custome of the Church of God to worship the Saints neither with drunkennesse nor by any other meanes els The Lord Gyury knowing that dronken fashion of them very well tooke that opportunitie to do his feate For he delayed the time to approach the Towne vntill he supposed them to bee so crammed with good cheare and wine that it was time for them to goe to sleepe Then about midnight when that Spanish garrison were vino somnéque sepulti he placed his peeces of Ordinance and on a sudden battered the same breach which the D. of Parma had made which was not yet fully repayred The breach being quickly opened the assault was giuen The Spanyards and Wallons halfe dronke and halfe a sleepe ranne as desperat persons to the walles and made a very forcible resistance which continued all that night vntill nigh seauen a clocke in the morning The Duke of Parma heard the battering of Corbeil and fearing least his Trophâ—e should bee marred sent presently a power of Spanyards to succour them but comming too late were enforced to cast away their weapons as Demost henes did that they might fight another time The 11. day betweene sixe and seauen of the clocke in the morning the Town was throughly taken by the Kings forces and reduced to his obedieuce who entred by the same breach which the Duke of Parma had done and entred before There were found slayne two hundred Wallons three hundred Spanyards and among them the Cheualier Aumale brother to the Duke of Aumale one of the greatest cutthrotes of all the Leaguers was found dead The cause of his being at that banquet was that he was appoynted to prouide victuals for Paris Foure hundred were taken prisoners There were taken also foure brasen peeces and two Canons ready charged There were taken many spanish Ensignes which were made newe and newly displayed vppon the wall in token of victorie and in spite of the King There were taken also two hundred fat Oxen and foure hundred sheep some killed and some dressed and some aliue which the Knight Aumale had prouided for Paris This exployt being atchieued the Lord Gyury with all his companies with feruent prayers gaue thankes to God acknowledging this deliuerance and happie successe to haue been the worke of his right hand and power The newes of the retaking of Corbeil caused diuers and contrary motions in diuers persons the King receauing the newes thereof did admyre Gods iustice which euery where thundreth the claps of his displeasure vpon them who doo resist his ordinance and more and more conceaued hope that the Lord would performe the worke which he hath begun first in cloathing his enemies with shame and dishonour as with a garment and secondly in him to restore that afflicted estate The Parisiens and the Duke de Mayne were replenished with rage and feare together for they feared least by the taking of Corbeil and the retyre of the Duke of Parma the shambles of horses asses and dogges should be opened again The Asses of Sorboun began to feare their skinne least for want of foure footed Asses they should be assaulted and brought to the shambles Therefore they ranne to the sayd Duke of Parma they adiured and coniured him by the name of God yea by Gog and Magog and Beelzebub to returne to the recouering of Corbeil But the Duke of Parma remembring the price that hee payed for the sayd Corbeil would no more of that play specially knowing that he which did possesse it was a man resolute of courage valour and industrie Yet to please them he fed them daily vntill he should receaue supplie of forces to gard him with fat morsels of words to wit that he would take Chasteautherij and Compeigne and in the meane while he walked in Brie and Champaigne in like sorâ— as the Hords of sauage Tartarians doo remooue from place to place to grase vp the countreyes so did this great Crimme saue that his cruelties and villanies which he vsed there are yet vnknowne to the Tartarians Whilest he dooth raunge ransacke and riffle that countrey some of the Kings Captaynes tooke the towne of Lagny another Trophee or monument of the Duke of Parma his crueltie which thing both encreased his feare and hasted his iourney out of France Now we will leaue this omnipotent Cham with his hords of Tartarians to deuoure that countrey whose comming the vnnatural inhabitants had procured to maintaine a most damnable rebellion and contempt of lawfull power and we will see what the king had
Masse of that Holy ghost which appeared to your predecessors at the Councell of Laterane in the visible forme of an Owle goe againe to schoole with your Chaplaines and let vs knowe of you what the Hugonets will dóo all that while or els seeing you haue that power to binde and to loose I pray you binde them hand and foote that we may make quickly an end of them or els euery one will say to the great slaunder of holy Church that Sir Hugh is a great Pazzo for not being able to performe all that he taketh vppon In Italiō a Sot him to doo And of all loue be good to master Francis of Lorrayne deuise some good meanes that when the Crowne is set vpon his head the heauines thereof should not put him to paynes and perhaps breake his necke And then what would the world say beshrew you Sir Hugh for in following your counsell we haue lost a great Captaine and a newe King and then be sure that you will neuer be good after But now to speake in sadnesse by these instructions according to the which all the ciuill warres haue been directed euer since the yeare 1576. vntill the death of the last Duke of Guize we may iudge what wisedome and blessings are to be expected from Sir Hugh and his Chaplaines Whilest these things were at working in Rome the Guizes followed diuers wayes to interrupt the peace but now by the returne of Dauid from Rome with these aforesaide instructions they went to worke substantially and by the collusion of the King they made such meanes as none might be admitted to the States but the professed enemies of the reformed Churches For they caused priuate conuocations to be assembled in the seuerall Prouinces which appoynted such as were farre from peace were of the conspiracie of Guize hauing their secret instructions to be presented at the States without making priuie to their counsels any Townes Cities or Commonalties They spread abroad that the Edict of peace could not bee published nor admitted in Townes and Cities than the which nothing was more desired of all sorts of men except onely them of the conspiracie They caused also infamous Libels to be printed and proposed in their seuerall conuocations being of such men as knowing the reports to bee most false yet were readie to make themselues to be true As that they of the reformed religion requested the exercize of the same not for satisfying or contenting of their consciences but for the maintenance of factious and practizes against the King and to fortifie themselues that vpon opportunitie they might shake off the yoke of obedience due to the King They spread abroad also that they of the reformed religion had surprized Lachorite and many Townes and Forts in Poytow Xainctonge Guyen Languedock and Daulphine and that they had committed sundry murthers and cruelties vppon the Catholikes and therefore in the same assemblies they did denounce warre vnto them of the reformed religion and to all them which would not consent to their vndoing They procured infinite number of iniuries and violences to bee done by their partakers euery where to them of the religion hoping through impatience to cause them to breake the Edict of peace so that the causes being found in them the King arming the Duke of Guize should encrease his secret enemies authoritie and decay his owne Notwithstanding these manifolde iniuries proffered vnto them of the religion and the breaking of the peace they of their part obserued the Edict of pacification without molesting the Catholikes but stoode onely vpon the defensiue The Guizes hasting so much as euer they could their enterprizes by their partakers procured many Townes and Prouinces to rebell and to breake the peace pretending that they of the religion sought the oppression of the Cleargie Besides the practizes afore mentioned these good husbands being loth to leaue any stone vnstirred that happily might any way further their deuised plot did not sticke to attempt euen contrary meanes For in like case they followed the olde tricke of Barcocab they went about closely and vnder hand to drawe into their League them of the reformed religion promising them the exercize of their religion according to the Edict of peace and more if they would They solicited also Iohn Casimier Prince Palsgraue to enter in league with them promising to doo nothing against the reformed religion and to deliuer him Townes in their gouernments for pledges And herein if they could haue effected their desire happily they would not haue pretended so rigorous a course against them of the reformed religion as afterward they did when they perceiued that they of the reformed religion did smell detect and abhorred their treacherous ambition and that they were taken forbeu cozba If they might haue preuailed with the reformed they would haue stoode vppon some plausible Common-wealth For their intent herein was not that they cared or regarded any religion but to bring the King and the Princes of the bloud into hatred and the people into a mistiking of the gouernement And seeing their offers were reiected by the reformed they determined to roote them out assuring themselues generally of the Catholikes vnder colour of zeale of Poperie which they fayned more and more And to begin the Q. Mother according to the Gospell brought from Rome by Dauid as is aboue sayd was sent to bring Monsier her sonne to the States at Bloys which she performed Many fayre words were spent many fayre promises giuen and many sore threatnings were vttered either to entice or els to enforce the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde to the States at Bloys But they refused their companie knowing well what their meaning was During this time they were very busie to make Leagues and confederacies and to erect euery where fraternities which they called of the holy Ghost by such meanes to fortifie themselues as they pretended against the Heretickes but indeede to conspire the subuersion both of the King and of the Burbons which could not bee done as they thought without the rooting out of the professors of the reformed religion The secret Councell of Rome could not bee kept so close but that the King of Nauarre had intelligences what was passed at Rome and therefore sendeth a Gentleman of his to the King with remembrances to aduertise him of the conspiracie already concluded at Rome against him and his estate Monsieur his brother in like manner informed him that there were things passed at Rome against him his Crowne and state Iohn Casimier Prince palatine out of Germany sendeth in like manner aduertisements vnto the King about the same matter and besides by Praillon giueth him notice of the drifts of the Leaguers which were to let the free holding of the States by corrupting of the Deputies and by letting that none of the Princes of the bloud or any that haue cause of complayning might appeare with free accesse Thus the Guizes furthering their busines by all
fayled them that they durst not resist him Entring therfore without any resistance into the towne of Marans hee called the inhabitantes of both religions and told them that hee had determined to place a gentleman within the Castell to kéepe the same in obedience to the King vnder the gouernement of the King of Nauarre gouernour of Guyen for the sayd King which thing if they would refuse hee would burne all their houses into ashes And therefore bid them out of hand to chuse a gentleman of his company such as they would themselues there to commaund to the which thing some with a good will and some vnwillingly but yet all obayed There was a certaine Notary who had professed the reformed religion after a sort hee the day before the Lord Rohan his comming hauing intelligence thereof went to the Papistes from house to house warning them to stand to their defence agaynst the sayd Lord Rohan and to enter into the Castle first to let the said Lord Rohan from the entring By whose perswasions a great number of Papistes and of the most skilfull in warre with their Notary seazed on the Castell But foure Gentlemen of the reformed religion hauing gotten the tower of the gate which commaunded ouer the court of the sayd castell did threaten to shoote against all such as would presume to let the said Lord Rohan enter in or any other whom hee would place there So the Papistes with their Notary began to speake fayre and to open the gate to the Lord Sowsaye of Beauregard whom the inhabitantes had required there to commaund he entred therein with the Lord Mortaygne his brother the 15. day of Iuly and hauing receaued the oath of the inhabitants to be faythfull vnto the King vnder the authority of the King of Nauarre gouernor for the King in Guyene departed and left his brother the Lord Mortaygne there as his lieftenant Whilest these small quarrelinges did so passe at Marans we haue left the Q. Mother with her Counsellers to make the bargayne and to sell to the Leaguers the crowne of France the Kings authority and honor for as litle as they may afoord it that is gratis and for iust nothing The affayres were handled with such faithfulnes that these Counsellers as soone as they came out of their chamber went into another to sit in counsell by them selues to aduertise the Leaguers day by day of all which they had gone about and with the Q. Mother also what was the disposition from time to time to aduise the Leaguers what they should request and how farre they should yeeld at length after long changing and chopping of wordes saeuis inter se conuenit vrsis Certaine Articles are concluded at Chalons in Champaygne the twelfth day of Iuly which do consist of thrée principall pointes First that the King shall make an edict in the which hee shall graunt them all that they requested at Bloys the last yeare to wit 1584. in the assembly of the states there Also all whatsoeuer they demaunded by their declaration bearing date the last day of March and all what was required of them in their last resolution dated the tenth day of Iune at Chalons and that is as much as they would for this tyme. Secondly that leuying of armes all actions of hostility committed since by them or by their partakers or by the townes and cities of their association shall bee allowed and declared good lawfull and done for the Kinges seruice for the defence of holy Church and aduauncing of Gods glory Hereby the actions of hostility are comprehended the murthers spoils robberies ransackinges riflinges of publike or priuat thinges all rapes whoredoms villanyes committed by them of the League which all the King must thinke and publish by his authority to bee done for his seruice and the defence of the Popish Church Here is a King but badly serued Also that all iudiciall proceedinges iudgementes proscriptions condemnations and executions passed agaynst them of the League shall bee reuoked and declared voyde wrongfull and vniust Thirdly before his owne face they enforced him to deuide his kingdome among them and of a King of France for to please the League he hath made himselfe one of the thrée kinges of Colen Now followeth the good bargayne which they when the King had sent to make his market had agreed on whether it be to the kings aduantage and honor let euery man iudge Here is an other point of the Leaguers good seruice to theyr King First the Cardinall of Bourbon the new king of the Friers must bee prouided for and let him be sure that he shall haue the least part For besides the places belonging to his Bishopricke of Roan he shall haue the old castell of Deepe which no body else will haue The Duke moreouer shall haue the gouernement of Britaine and two of the strongest places that he shall name in that Prouince with the admiralty of the same The Duke of Guyze shall haue the citadel of Mets because his gouernment of Champaigne hath no places good inough for him The Duke de Mayn in his gouernment of Burgondie shall haue the castell of Dyjon or the citadell of Chalons vpon Sawne The Cardinall of Guyze shall haue Rhemes and the countrie about so much as he will The Duke Aumall shall haue the holdes of his gouernment of Picardie Wee see how the great masters be indifferently well prouided for now theyr seruantes and partakes must haue part of the kinges spoyle or else they will frowne and tell tales First the Lord Antragues shall haue Orleance The Lord D'ho shall haue Caâ—n and Constances in base Normâ—ndy The Lord Brissacke shall haue the gouernement of Anjou The Lord Saultes shal haue the gouernment of Prouance in the absence of the graund Pryor The Lord Chastre shall haue the gouernment of Bourges The Lord Vailhac shall haue the Castell trompet in Bourdeaux Mandelot Q. Mothers Scullion shall haue Lyons and the Citadel there I pray you masters hold your handes you be well if you could consider it vse him no worse then his granfather Francis the first prophecied of you lethim haue his doublet and his bréech to couer his shame But how chaunce that in your partition you haue forgotten your selues Is Poytow Xainctonge Engomoys Limosin Perigord Quercye Rowarges Viuarets Auvergne Gascoyn Languedocke Daulphine nothing woorth with you Be not these countries worth the hauing If you be such great Captaines as you would seeme to bee there you may haue occasion to make proofe of your valiantnes if your stomacke serueth you but you will say it would cost blowes and that you loue not Here gentle Reader consider the course which these lustie buddes of Charlemayne do follow they will roote the heretikes as they say out of France they will exile them and ridde the realme of France of them yet they seaze vpon the kinges Cities and Dominions and do enforce him to deuide his kingdome among them but specially they
this last lieth vpon the mouth of the riuer hauing a hauen very safe for ships to come to the salins to be laden with salt This towne of Browage began to be builded about the yeare 1550. but increased and fructified to a great and strong towne during the ciuill warres to molest Rochel and hath changed the first name into Iacopolis The Papists haue held in it alwaies since the beginning of the ciuill warres a strong Garison This towne the Lorde Saint Luke kept for the League it is distant from Marennes somewhat lesse then two miles from Hyers lesse then a mile it is strong in situation because it lieth in the salins and by reason of that there is but one way to come to it Betweene Marennes and Hyers there is a little creeke to passe ouer which cannot bee passed on foote but at lowe water which is called le passe d'hiers The Lord of Saint Luk had fortified the same with a barricado intending there to shut vp the passage to Hyers and consequently to Browage there he placed three hundred shot a few horses he himselfe staying at Hyers about halfe a mile distant from Browage to let the approaching of the Prince The 19. of September the Prince being at Saint Just a mile and a halfe from Marennes set all things in order for the siege of the said Browage and about three a clock being low water hee marched toward Marennes commanded his gardes and other Gentlemen who marched a foote to set vpon the barricado which was made at the passe d'hiers where they found some resistance there was wounded Bargnobet Captaine of his garde another Gentleman slaine In the meane time the Lorde Boulay commaunded to charge of another side from Saint Iust tooke his way through the Salins a way not vsed to trauaile through at all and with his band of armed men with a maine force set vpon the towne of Hiers Saint Luk had him vpon his top sooner then he had discouered him and considering that he was feeble and that if hee should lose that force which was with him hee should lose the strength and defence of Browage retyred in hast They which were at the passe d'hiers seeing their Captaine to flee followed him accompanied with terrour and dread They were pursued nigh to the gates of Browage though they were defensed with shot of Ordinance from the townes against them that pursued So that within an houre and a halfe both the passe and towne D'hiere came into the Princes power the Prince lodged at Marinnes distant from Hyers about a mile These easie and prosperous successes and beginnings made the Prince to consider more touching the siege of that towne of Browage considering also that there was not within great power of men neither had they great stoare of victuals candell fresh water neither medicins for them that were hurt The 20. of September there was continuall skirmishes before the towne in the which some of the Princes side were hurt many of the besieged slaine one of the Captaines which the Lord Orges had sent home before a man much esteemed by the Lorde Saint Luk because of his valour The same day was taken the Tower of Mornake where the Lord of S. Luke had put garrison which was besieged by certayne Companyes whom the Prince had sent thether The garrison withstood for certayne dayes but being without hope of helpe and in danger to be forced yéelded themselues by composition There was taken the Captayne Iohn Peter who was in great fauour with the Lord S. Luke About that time arriued to the Prince at Marans the Lord Lauall with his thrée brethren and all his forces The 22. of September the Lord Trimouille who long before had entred in communication with the Prince to ioyne with him in this iust defence agaynst the League came to Marennes with a great number of Gentlemen The Prince receaued these Noble men with great courtesie and reioysing There was a great contentation thereof in all them of the reformed religion for the good hope which they had conceaued of that yong Lord that he would embrace the religion as he did shortly after hauing obtayned great reputation among all men for his valour and modestie The same day arriued to the Prince certayne ships of warre from Rochel so that by these meanes the sea and the riuer of Browage were shut vp which thing doubled the feare of the besieged The Prince seeing his enterprise to succéede better than he had hoped began to enterprise further and determined to presse the besieged néerer knowing that there was not within aboue foure hundred Souldiers whereof some were wounded and therefore not able to doo any seruice they which were taken reported also that there was great scarcitie of victuals and fresh water small quantitie of wine and that corrupt some corne but not great store because thinking not vpon any siege they had not prouided afore hand The Lords S. Gelayse and Boysduly were lodged in the house called Blanchardier out of the Towne of Hyers there appoynted by the Prince to prouide for necessaries and inunition They did what they could but not what they would wherevpon the Souldiers seeing that they were like to stay there some time at that siege began to mutinie and to aske money to buy victuals which were brought there to sell out of the Countrey and for lacke of money began to steale away vntill that a certayne summe of money was gotten out of the Ilands and some Gentlemen also did lend some by which meanes the Prince mustered and the Souldiers taking pay tooke also courage skirmishing daily in the Marsh out of the Towne It is sayd before how the Lord S. Mesmes Ranques and Orges tooke S. Ihan d'Angely and Soubize and discomfited the Popish garison in their flight right agaynst Browage From thence the sayd Lords with their companies passed in certayne ships of Rochel into the Iland of Oleron About the 24. of September the Lord Ranques who was best to commaund there tooke vppon the Coasts of the sayd Iland the master of the field of the Lord Matignon gouernour of Bourdeaux named Beaumont accompanied with a certayne Captayne of Browage named Thiebert there was in that shippe as well Gentlemen as other Souldiers to the number of 22. they came from the Lord Matignon then resident at Bourdeaux about the succour for Browage They were in a ship of warre and were set on by thrée little shippes of the sayd Lord Ranques who enforced them to flée and at length they cast themselues into the Sea to recouer the Iland of Oleron and so seazed vpon a house to defend themselues But being pursued and compassed about by the sayd Lord Ranques at length they yéelded themselues This Captaine Thiebert t was accompted a busie fellowe and factious who also had traffique with the Spanyard for the League they were most part brought to Rochel to be safely kept The 25. the Prince began to fortifie a house a
little aboue the Waren in the high way from Hyers to Browage Wee haue sayd how about the 15. of September the Lord Clermont departed from the Prince at Pons and passed the riuer Loyre at a place called Rosiers thence passing through a place la clousiere des montils to the intent to passe vnknowne did fayne himselfe to be Secretary to the King of Nauarre frō thence he taketh his way to Bange where Rochemort departed from him The sayd Rochemort taketh his way to Beaufort which is situated betwéene Anger 's and the riuer Loyre where he was borne and soiorned there to see his brother and other friends and also to gather as many men as he could in that countrey Beaufort is a little Towne betwéene Loyre and Anger 's which is commaunded by a Castle of a reasonable strength which did hold for the king and was in the kéeping of Captayne Broke Rochemort arriued thether and visiting his friends who were the chiefest of the Towne and among them also Captayne Broke by their spéeches he vnderstood the state of Anger 's and the particularities there about the Castle There was a Captayne named Halot who had the kéeping of the sayd Castle of Anger 's whilest the Lord Bussy of Amboyse liued which had the gouernment of the Countrey Citie and Castle during the life of Monsieur the Kings brother But after the death of the sayd Bussy the Lord Brissack had the gouernment and had put out of the Castle the sayd Halot whereof by all meanes he sought to bee reuenged and to surprize the Castle And to bring this thing to passe he acquainted himselfe with Captayne Fresne who had commanded ouer a companie of Brissack at the beginning of the League This Brissack was one of the chiefest of the League and discharged the sayd Fresne after the edict of vnion was published in Iuly before for the which thing Fresne was greatly offended with Brissack These two Captaynes consented together to enterprize vpon the Castell and repayred to Beaufort to Captayne Broke to haue of him some company of men where they met with Rochemort and after certayne spéeches opened vnto him their enterprize who promised to furnish them with certayn men Rochemort aduertized the Lord Clermont praying him to send him men which shortly after sent him foure stout Souldiers This their counsell was wonderfully disguised as also the euēts fel out to be straunge and tragicall for Halot as he sayd would recouer the Castell for the King of whom sayd he he had letters to that effect to recouer the sayd Castle out of the hands of Brissack who was of the League as is afore sayd but indéede he respected himselfe thinking thereby to get the Kings or the King of Nauarre his fauour Captayne Fresne was desirous to be reuenged of Brissack at any price whatsoeuer These two were sure to haue men for the most part Papists Rochemort was in good hope that if he could get in the Castle he would finde the meanes to make it fall into the hands of the King of Nauarre Halot Fresne doo promise themselues that if Rochemort being the weakest and an Hugonet should attempt to innouate any thing they could easily dispatch him so that vnder the hope of one drift euery man had his meaning vnknowne one to another The enterprize is concluded the day appoynted The 26. of September some doo repayre at the time prefixed to the Suburbe of Pressigny some to the Suburbe called Lisses Captayne Fresne vsed to enter into the Castle easily as well acquainted with the Souldiers of the garde The day therefore prefixed hee goeth to see Captayne Greeke his friend who then commaunded in the Castle with ten or twelue Souldiers The sayd Captayne Greeke biddeth Fresne to dinner Fresne excused himselfe that he had company with whom he had promised to dine that day Captaine Greeke presseth him and prayeth him to bring his company with him Fresne had afore hand woon some of the gard whom he had made priuie to the enterprize he prayeth them of the second garde to let in them of his company whom he assured to be of his acquaintance but some of the souldiers mistrusting went about to shut the gate Rochemort and his companie withstoode them and taking weapons in hand did kill some of the garde Captaine Fresne went vp into the Captaines chamber who hearing the fray would haue gone foorth but being encountred by the sayd Fresne was slaine Captaine Halot seeing the tumult in stead to enter into the Castle ran into the Towne and vpon the rumour of the surprizing of the Castle biddeth the Citizens not to stirre for he had saith he caused the Castle to be taken for the King but incontinently he was taken prisoner by the Citizens Fresne and Rochemort being masters of the Castell the alarme was very hot in the towne notice was giuen euery where in great dilligence Rochemort forgetteth not to send to the Lord Clermont to certify him what was passed desiring him to send greater forces also to send word to the Prince Whilest these newes flye euery where diuers euents happened which deceaued both them and others They of the towne greeued to haue that thorne in their heeles sleep not but take armes beset the Castel and within a whyle haue succour of the Nobilitie of the countrey In the euening the inhabitantes would fayne haue parley with Fresne and vsed the means of Halot for to draw him forth of the Castell hauing placed in the darke of the night nigh the bridge 30. or 40. souldiers with Caliuers either for to take him or else to seaze vpon the drawing bridge when he should come forth Fresne vpon this parley going forth and being yet vpon the bridge one of y e souldiers hasting to shoot Fresne would haue returned in but Rochemort with his company seeing the perill did draw the bridge Fresne not able to recouer the drawing held fast at the chayns they without cut off his handes so hee fell into the ditch which was very deepe and cut in a rocke his Cloke was left hanging on the draw bridge There was a redde Deere in the ditch which tore him with his hornes They of the Towne by the licence of them of the Castell tooke him vp with a coard But the coard breaking hee fell downe agayne and at length was taken vp and buryed in a Chappell nigh the Castell Captayne Halot within few dayes after by the towne was condemned and executed These two being dead Rochemort a Hugonet remayned master of the Castell whereof hee geueth notice to the Lord Clermont who immediatly dispatched a messenger to the Prince being at the siege of Browage The inhabitants who could haue borne it with some contentation because they knew Fresne to be a Papist and that hee sayd he held it for the king after his death asked Rochemort for whom he kept the castel When he had answered that it was for the king of Nauarre they were greatly mooued and
the courses which he ranne the dangers which hee passed through to get to the Ilandes of Gernsey lying in the narrow Seas betweene England France what courtesies and Princelike intertaynment he receaued of that great Elizabeth Queene of England how with a great number of Nobility and ships of war he returned to Rochel also with great reioycing of all men he was receaued by them of Rochell is the argument of an other booke which the tyme shall produce But here be three thinges worthy to be noted First how God doth lay heauy crosses vpon his children and do compasse them with ineuitable dangers after mans wisedom both to make them see with the eye how weakly man is stayed which trusteth in the arme of flesh and worldly power Secondly to make them vnderstand how nigh he is vnto them that repose themselues in him and how safe that man is who resteth vnder the shadow of his wings by an assured trust and confidence in his promises Thirdly to shew how many wayes hee hath to deliuer his children out of those dangers which in mans reason cannot bee auoyded as this was to that end to make them tast how sweete his deliuerances bee to warne them thereby to amend their liues and to walke more circumspectly in his wayes and to bee more watchfull in the inuocation of his name and thanksgiuing Of all ancient histories this hath a similitude and liknes of the returning of the Greeks from Persia brought into their countrey by that noble Philosopher and Captayne Xenophon reported by himselfe in expedition Ciri minoris But to returne to the matter By this tyme are the Lords Laual Boulay Rohan the Prince of Conde the Lords Trimouille and Auantigny by Gods special fauour deliuered and brought as if it were by the hand into certayne places of safety Now there remayned the Lordes Saint Gelayse Clermont and others with them left in the clawes of the Lyon and a pray to the enemy to trye the selfe same presence of God and to be led by y e hands of his Angel out of all danger into a hauen of safety The head being gone the rest within a while vanished away as dust blowen in the ayre that which is marueilous without the losse of any one man of account or any other that euer could be knowen euery one had his life for spoyle which hath made ridiculous the lying pamphlets spread bâ—oad in Paris of the terrible dreadful ouerthrow of the Prince of Conde But this short discourse doth represent all thinges passed in that army For the discipation of that armye is not to be attributed neyther to the King neither to the Duke Ioyeuse much lesse to the Duke de Mayne or to any ather of that side For none of them al approched nigh to the Prince of Conde since his departure from Lude not by fiue or sixe leages neyther did they euer draw Swoord agaynst him Wheras that night resolution was taken that y e day folowing the Lord Saint Gelays should take his iourney toward Meare a towne vpon the riuer of Loyre betweene Boysgencie and Bloys in so dooing he disappoynted greatly the enemies and gaue great aduauntage to the Prince to auoyde their hands for the scape of the enemies was his person more then all the rest for they cared not for any thing else so that they might haue him dead or a liue so eagerly were they bent against him But the companies being deuided some tooke their iourney toward Orleans others toward Normandie some toward the Mayne by which meanes the enemies knew not which of them the Prince was in and so the chiefest power of the enemie was in doubt still which way to take to folow after him and in the meane while he and his little companie did slide into Briâ—ayn and from thence ouer the sea into England The Lorde S. Gelays to saue the remnant of the armie exposed himselfe as a pray to the enemie that could catch him notwithstanding without the losse of any one man but he escaped with his companie which was with him with incredible labours and losse of theâ—â— carriage and stuffe That night therefore about twelue a clock one houre after the departing of the Prince with the gardes of the said Prince who were about threeshore Harquebusiers he tooke his way to Vilelnisant where the rest of the companies were lodged to take their iourney to the Chapell Saint Martin and from thence dislodging together came to the saide Chapel one houre afore day There were about 500. horses of all sorts but not aboue 200. fit to fight and yet of them who might haue fought many should haue been faine to fight on foote for their horses were readie to fall vpon their noses and the men but a little more worth The 31. of October they ariued at the Chapell Saint Martin verie easilie and because they needed to baite their horses and refresh themselues the inhabitants saw their doores broken afore they were called vp In that vilage the Lord Saint Gelaise learned that the euening before there were two men on horseback which saide that if there should ariue any men of warre they should not stay there but passe further to Orges And as the day began to appeare the Lorde Saint Gelaise receaued letters from the Lord Aubigny wherein hee willed them to take the direct way to Ralsy where he should meete him And when they came thether the said Lorde Aubigny reported that there were no boates nor any hope to repasse Loyre for there was 800. Swartrutters of the League who had lodged at Saint Die a walled towne three Leagues aboue Bloys vpon the high way to Orleans where they thought to haue found passage There were also all along the riuer at Mir de Nonain Saint Laurence other vilages about the riuer three or foure regiments of footemen seeming therefore to them an vnpossible thing to passe Loyre that way the Lord Saint Gelays consulted with the Lorde Tiffardiere and others who concluded to goe to Orges and to some vilages thereabouts with commaundement to soiourne there not aboue an houre and a halfe There was in the Castell of Orges an olde Gentleman Papist who hearing that the Lord Saint Gelaies was in that companie desired to see him and to speake with him and knowing that his companie was wearie and weake and weather beaten asked him whether he went and what he meant to doo with his companie and swearing with a great oath told him that hee was vndone and that if hee had three times as many men as hee had within an houre if he soiorned there he and his would bee cut in pieces This Gentleman was very stout because of the Kings the Leaguers forces which hee knew to bee thereabout hee shewed him that there was great companies as well on the side of the riuer as on the side of Beause not distant from him aboue halfe a League nigh the Forrest of Marchenoyre with this
intent to charge that remnant of the armie which was with him how all the commons had the watch word and looked to haue some warning to begin There was no hope to escape being few and they wearie and weatherbeaten without any hope of succour The Lord Boysduly met nigh Talsy two Gentlemen papists of his acquaintance who shewed him the selfesame daungers abouesayd and yet more that neither hee neither they who were with him were farre from spoyle The Lord Boysduly perceiuing that a Gentleman called la Mot in whom he had much confidence knew very well the amaze of that companie after assurance of amitie for himselfe and the Lord S. Gelays hée certified them that they were in a worser case than they knew and that the Prince perceiuing that hee had so great forces agaynst him had dissolued his armie and that his person was alreadie in place of safetie and almost all his armie and that there remayned no more but that which hee sawe with the Lord Saint Gelays who at all aduenture had vndertaken to saue the rest La Mot then offered him friendship his houses for to retire with such of his friends as hee would but his house was distant from thence eight leagues which his courtesie the Lord Boysduly accepted In these terrors all the troupe being on horsebacke marched at large in a plaine field not farre from the Castle Orges of one side and neere the Forrest of Marchenoire on the other side no man knewe which way to turne himselfe too nor what to followe for a present daunger was on euery side The Lord S. Gelays and other Captaynes with him were long before they could conclude of their way The enemies did approach and held that small companie in sight of which being aduertized they marched within the Forrest of Marchenoire and being somewhat entered within the sayd Forrest in the high way to Chasteaudune the Lord S. Gelays shewed them the ineuitable danger whereunto they were fallen he shewed them that the enemie was to be beguiled and for that intent it was expedient and necessarie to deuide themselues into small companyes and to followe diuers waies and that the Lord would conduct the parts aswell as the whole wheresoeuer it should please him The Lord Aubigny vndertooke to conduct one troupe one way Captaine Ryeux went another way some tooke the way to Orleans others drawed towards Paris A Genâ—leman Papist which was with the Lord la Mot tooke with him the Lord Tifardiere and the other Gentlemen of Poytow to whom he shewed great courtesies The Lords S. Gelays Boysduly Campoys Chesmi and others to the number of ten or twelue went vnder the assurance of the Lord Mot the way to Chasteaudune in Beausse As it was a straunge thing to see the dissipation of that armie without blowes bloudshed or losse of any man by the fight of the enemie so it was a pitifull sight to see the separation of the Souldiers from their Captaines of the seruants from their masters the seruants did cast away the things which they had gréedily gathered to saue themselues vppon their horses The waies were full of good stuffe armes baskets males apparell and other things of value euery one did cast away the things which they had taken from others more willingly than when they tooke it God did then require an accompt of many disordered persons in whose hands Manna did rot which they had greedily gathered And it is to be confessed that God testified from heauen that he will haue his worke aduanced by other meanes than by such armes for a great companie of this armie were not accompanied with pietie and Christian modestie On the other side God tooke away all matter of boasting and glorying from the enemies for it was a straunge thing that considering the small distance of places where these companies of the enemie were the great multitude of lustie fresh and well furnished companies which they had the Countreys and Townes thrée or foure score leagues round about all fauourable to them hauing compassed the others round about yet not one after this separation appeared to fight nor to assault these vanquished few men as he which durst not come nigh the skinne of a dead Lyon The Lord Saint Gelays with them of his companie had scarse gone a League in Beause when he discouered three cornets of Launcers of Italians and Albanoyces who were from Chasteaudune marched in good order and came trotting forward at the end of the Forrest where the separation was made The Lord Mot who lead the Lord Saint Gelais and his companie did feare and felt himselfe in great daunger as he saide with such companie of Hugonets after him and faining to discouer he forsooke his guests and got to a village farre before them The Lord S. Gelays and his companie beléeued certainly that those troupes came vpon them and thought themselues as good as dead But behold the eyes of these armed men were so blinded by the power of him which blinded Bilham the sonne of Beor and Elimas the Sorcerer that without perceiuing him or any of his companie they passed by within the distance of fiftie paces from them there was onely a barne of a Farme betwixt them and the Lord S. Gelays stood still in the high way before the barne It was a wonder that this companie was so carried away inuisible out of sight of that multitude as if it were in a clowde and that none of the enemies went through the high way whereby they might haue béen discouered These companies of Italians and Albaneses went into a village not farre of where they perceiued some horses and Harquebusiers they set vpon the house where the Lord Aubigny was with others who neuerthelesse tooke their horses saued themselues without any domage These horsemen found much spoile by the way without any man to claime it The Lord S. Gelays riding along in the champiane countrie of Beausse toward Chartres with the Lord Mot without kéeping any high way the night being rainie and darke began to enter in suspition of the sayd Mot being a Papist So the Lord Mot returned backe with this opinion that the Lord S. Gelays with his companie would goe to Cheuroles toward Orleans but he tooke his iourney to Ianuile lying betwéene Chartres and Orleans and there crossing the high way from Paris to Orleans passed through many companies of armed men who were lodged in Beausse and so recouered vpon him the Forrest of Orleans The returning backe of the Lord Mot as is aboue sayd was to play a popish tricke with the Lord Saint Gelays for perceiuing that he was not strong enough he went in the night to gather companie to haue set vppon them at Cheuroles and so to haue taken them prisoners to his aduantage as he did not dissemble afterward to speake openly So that his professing of amitie was an allurement to drawe them into his snare for afterward he followed them as farre as Ianuile with
downe from Saumur The 25. of October the Lord Boulay also and his companie passed at Saint Maturine beneath Saint Maures Abbey but that passage also was stopped the next day after with boates which descended thether The 26. day Captaine Serpent skirmished all the day long as hee had done all night before out of the Abbey Saint Maure with the enemies who were in the boates The Papists of high and low Poytow vnderstanding how the Prince of Conde was compassed on euery side beyond Loyre and supposing that hee was alreadie made sure enterprised to doo the like of the Lord Laual and these few companies which were with him Whereupon Captaine Serpent seeing that the Prince did not repasse and that the enemie was armed vpon the riuer being out of hope of his returne that way dislodged out of S. Maure Abbey where the enemie soone after lodged and ioyned himselfe with the Lord Laual the 17. day The Lord Laual notwithstanding y t day earlie in the morning marched toward the passage for to vnderstand newes of the Prince but considering the impossibilitie of repassing and foreseeing that he would take ouer the Countrey and that if he should stay there any time he was like to be hemmed in by the troupes of high and lowe Poytow which hasted to set vpon him hee therefore with Captaine Serpent tooke his iourney to Saint Ihan D' Angely The same day the Lord Boulay seeing as much as is aforesaid folowed after the L. Laual and ouertooke him two Leagues from the riuer These two companies ioyned together made about 150. horse and about 300. Harquebusiers on horseback for many of their companies had not passed and some had retired where they thought to bee in securitie They marched with reasonable iourneys passing aboue Niort to Saint Ihan D' Angely without any resistance The 29. of October they came to Saint Massure about Niort where they found the bridge which they must needes passe ouer broaken for the raine was so great and continuall that it had made little small brookes great riuers and hauing none other way to passe there they made a bridge with cartes and other such things as were at hand The 30. of October the Lord Laual lodged at Fo rs and his companies in the vilages thereabouts The 31. of October in the morning parting thence as they tooke their horses to goe on their iourney there apeared vnto them some Launcieres of the enemie conducted as it was afterward knowne by Captaine Mercer Albanese who issued out of Niort The Lord Laual marched alway in battell aray the way to Saint Jhan onely hee sent some to view him which thing Captaine Mercure perceauing retired without bickering The second day of Nouember the Lord Laual aryued at Saynt Ihan where y t company of the Lord Boulay retyred euery one where he thought good A thing happened worthy of remembrance the pestilence being very hot in Saynt Ihan D'Angelye when the Lord Laual arryued there yet afterward there dyed not so much as one of his companyes nor of the inhabitantes of the towne As all thinges are gouerned by the prouidence of God disposing of the counselles and actions of men after his owne will so he turned all thinges to the benefite of his children and the preseruation of his Church For the Prince as is aboue sayd hauing sent the said Lord Laual to passe to Loyre before to fauour the passage of the rest of the army delaying his owne returne and in the meane time the riuer being beset by the enemy so it fell out that the sayd Lordes Laual and Bowlay could not repasse to the Prince agayne This great good therefore the Lord did draw out of this disiunction of the army First here appeareth euidently the gracious loue fauour which God beareth to his children For the power of man which was so great the rancor and hatred so hot the stomacke so eger the enemy spread so thicke euery where round about lying in wayt for them and making their full account to haue them as in a net yet could they not take away one hayre of their heads whom God had taken vnder his protection Secondly the same Lord was disioyned from the Prince by a certayne counsell of God to confirme the townes and strong places in Poytow and Xainctonge and to let them from reuolting to the enemy to resemble the companies scattered and beaten with the breaking of that army to hold the enemy in awe so that in such great dismay and feare of all the countrey the enemy durst enterprize but very litle or nothing at all For euen the Duke de Mayne with his strong and puissant army passing nigh the gates of Saynt Ihan D'Angelye durst neuer stay there although he knew well that the towne was not well prouided and his army being for Guyenne there hee might haue begun to do some more honorable exployt by winning Saynt Ihan then by Castilon By the which euents it appeareth that the presence of the sayd Lord and other of his company did greatly bridle the rage of the enemy there Now hauing placed the Prince his Nobles and all his scattered army in safety and rest from the great dangers and labours which they sustayned during the moneth of October we will returne backe to see what in the meane time is done at the siege of Browage and tell you the true report thereof The tenth day of October the Lord Saint Mesmes who was left there to continue the siege by the appoyntment of the Prince receaued intelligence how that the gouernor of Xainctes Coignak Engolesme and other forces of the countrey did flocke together to set vppon them who were at Hyers where they continued the siege of Browage and supposing himselfe not strong ynough to resist suchforces as he expected specially for lacke of horsemen forsooke Hyers with all his regiments lodged at Marennes Which thing amazed greatly the Countrey hee sent also the Lord la Hay at Saynt Iust to aduauncethe retyre The same day about foure a clocke in the euening aryuing at Saynt Just the Lord Saynt Disan and Captayne Bordeaux with their companies of footmen who seeing the inhabitantes of the countrey runne away and knowing what had happened went to Hiers and they there arryued about midnight where they found many souldiers of Saynt Luke who issued out of Browage had set the fire on some houses and were busie in rifling and ransacking the others they were so heauily charged by the Souldiers of Saint Disan and Bordeaux that they were all eyther slaine or taken prisonners The Lord Saynt Mesmes aduertized what had passed at Hyers and of the new supply come to him returned with the companies to Hyers and continued the siege twenty dayes longer during the which tyme were geuen many skirmishes and many on both sides slayne and taken But at length the sayd Lord Saynt Mesmes knowing that the Prince had passed Loyre and looking not for any succour and that many reportes going abroad
Nauarre ioyned themselues with the Lord Turenne who within a short space grew to the number of sixe thousand With this power the Vicount Turenne kept the field in Limosin Perigord and about the time that the Prince departed from Browage to his iourney to Anger 's letters came vnto him from the Prince by the which he willed him to drawe néere Browage to fauour the siege thereof Vppon the receipt of these letters the Lord Turenne called his counsell together to knowe what was to be done There was then reasoned among them of the necessitie of his presence at that siege On the other side aduertisement was giuen that the armie of the League vnder the conduct of the Duke de Mayne was drawing nigh toward Guyenne although it was not yet scarse out of Paris and that the same was beaten with diuers disseases and among others the Swissers which made them conclude that occasion might be giuen to worke some good exployt vpon that armie and if not discomfited yet greatly it might be molested Agayne he had receaued letters of the King of Nauarre who aduertized him that he was at the poynt to depart out of Bearne to Bergerake ward in Perigord and therfore warned him to be in a readines that if néede should be he might ioyne with his Maiestie So that considering all these waightie occasions hée could not succour the siegr of Browage staying for the Duke de Mayne and expecting the King of Nauarre his comming He had many good occasions to enterprize vpon certaine Townes in Limosin as vpon the Citie of Trile Brune la galiarde and others in those quarters Trile is a Citie in Limosin a Bishops seate situated in a valley compassed about with high hilles which doo commaund the Towne It hath thrée fayre Suburbs about it and there is a little riuer named Vestere which washing the walls passeth by the Suburb which is greater than the citie Therein is a Frierie of the Franciscans which is inclosed about with a strong wall and for that cause the inhabitants had retyred and committed their goods to the Friers keeping which thing fell out very ill for them The high suburbe is like the first in greatnes the third is lesser than the other twaine The 8. day of Nouember the Lord Choupes with a great number of Gentlemen and Souldiers set on the lowe Suburbe The Lord Turenne who commaunded ouer the Harquebusiers which came out of France staying at the Franciscans house which is situated at the ende of the Suburbe set the gate on a fire and vppon occasion entered further euen to the Trenches which they of the Towne had made and after long skirmishing and killing of some of both parts wonne the same The high Suburbe at the same time by other companies as they were appoynted was also assaulted which they of the Suburbe did resist at the Trenches but at length enforced did retyre within the Towne They of the Towne being besieged all round about defended themselues vpon the walls without issuing out at all for the space of sixe daies The 13. day of Nouember were applied two péeces at the gate which made some way to enter in but they of the Towne did their endeuour to defend the breach which being not assaultable the assault was giuen ouer The siege continuing many of the Towne were slaine which caused the rest fearing to bee forced not to refuse the perswasions of Amaury who counselled them to capitulate Hostages being giuen of both sides the Kings Lieutenant with some of the chiefest Citizens came foorth to the Lord Turenne who was lodged at the gray Friers the agréement was long debated and at length concluded The 16. day of Nouember they of the Towne consented to redéeme the Towne and the ransaking of their houses with a certaine summe of money Furthermore it was agréed that a Captaine stranger with such as were left of his companie for most of them had béen slaine should goe foorth out of their Towne and they should receiue Captaine Amaury This Captaine Amaury was he of all the armie whom they feared most and yet did they requested to haue him whom they receaued for their gouernour and there he remayned in that charge vntill the comming of the Duke de Mayne About the 10. of December considering that the place was not sufficient to resist such an armie he gaue ouer the Towne into the hands of the Citizens and within fewe dayes after was slaine as followeth Within a while after the taking of this Citie the Lord Turenne retired his companies in garrisons in places of greater importance The 25. of December Amaury was aduertized that the Lord Sacramore of Birague this is that Sacramore whom after the Duke de Mayne killed in his anger with his owne hand one of the Leaguers was not farr from Turenne with a companie of Harquebusiers to lay in ambush and as he aduaunced himselfe one of his owne Souldiers too hastie to shoote with his péece hit him by misfortune and killed him and after they retyred to Turenne The Duke de Mayne sporting himselfe made good théere at y e Priests costs but it was no matter for holy Roode did pay for all and doth conquer Kingdomes in Perigord and Limosin and about the 27. of December tooke Montignake le conte an olde Towne and ruinous Castle belonging to the King of Nauarre He tooke also Beaulieu such a Fort as no man which hath any skill in warlike affayres would make any accompt of And ten daies after the inhabitants who were al of the reformed religion redeemed their Towne with one thousand Crownes which were payed to Antefort About the 17. of December the Duke de Mayne recouered Trile which the Lord Turenne had caused Amaury to surrender into the hands of the inhabitants about ten daies before because that place was not defensable The D. de Mayne at length perceiuing y t his practises against the Cities and Townes of Limosin Perigord would not frame determined to passe the riuer Dordonne at Souliake into Quercy leauing behind him Monfort a strong place and many other Townes and Holds because hee could not carrie them away with him It is sayd before how that the King of Nauarre in August last went into Languedock to S. Paul de Cadeioux where he met with the Prince of Conde and the Duke of Monmorency to aduertise them of their defence The sayd King remayned afterward in Bearne in great silence and quietnes viewing how farre all this league and vnion would proceede expecting the producing of some lamentable euents and as if it were out of his watch would become of the thrée great armies prepared for Guyenne Languedock and Daulphine and being hidden vnder the wing of the most high mused what would bee the end of the fierie threatnings and bragges of his enemies bearing patiently their insolencie euen to the danger of his owne person It is also sayd how that the Leaguers had procured an excommunication from Frier Sixtus
put there in garrison That castle by situation is very strong the garrison did great iniuries to them of the religion about Rochel Saint Jhan Marans other places and high wayes by their ordinarie courses The Lord Ranques knowing the nature of the place searched out the meanes to obtayne it he accompanied him with nine or ten gentlemen and certaine resolute Souldiers to the number of two and twentie he carried through the marish a little boate on a cart wherewith he went through a channell which watereth the garden of the Castle To this garden doth answer a gate of the sayd Castle through the which he thought to surprise the sayd Castle Notwithstanding the day before the taking of the same the garrison hauing intelligences of the purpose of the sayd Lord Ranques by one of the reformed religion who entertayned himselfe with them of the garrison they stopped that gate with brick dung and other things which were at hand and doubled their gards and so thought to haue well prouided the surprizing of the sayd place Notwithstanding their thoughts beguiled them for the sayd Lord Ranques following his enterprize applied a petaird against that gate which issued out into the garden the sayd péece opened the gate and brake their rampier and gaue the alarum to the garison whereof part ranne to the great gate other were surprised within the Castell and slayne other leapt ouer the walles They who had retyred to the great gate yeelded themselues with promise of their liues which thing was also performed The place was by the sayd Lord Ranques put in the keeping of Captayne Faueran and Vaunean who within a while after being sommoned by Captayne Merceur to render the same and for not so doing being threatned of the Canon put the sayd place in the hand of Malicorne gouernor of Niort About the beginning of Aprill the Lord Saynt Luke enterprised vpon the I le of Oleron where were certayne companies of the religion commaunded by the Lord Aubigny and Captayne Luuaille his Lieutenant For to bring to passe his enterprise bearing impaciently that neighbourhood conuayed certayne companies into that Iland among these was the regiment of Tierceline consisting of foure hundred harquebuziers fifty Muskets and two hundred pikes resolute Souldiers The Prince aduertyzed how this regiment of Tiercelyne had passed into that Iland the Fryday before Easter being the first of Aprill he tooke his way to Marennes nigh Browage where he thought that the sayd Tierceline was returned and went all night to surprise him more easily but finding them not hee returned to Taillebourge with the Lords Laual and Boulay and other Lords and Captaines who had accompanyed him The 3. of Aprill being Easter day the said Prince had aduertisement that the saide Treceline with his regiment had repassed from Oleron to Marennes for to returne to Xainctes vpon these intelligences the saide Prince departed intending to stop their passage in a place not farre from Xainctes At his ariuing there issued out of the towne about 16. or 20. men of armes with a certaine number of Harquebusiers who were charged by the Lord Chargroys which conducted the forrunners of the Lorde Laual he passed them so hardly that they could not retire within the reach of their Harquebusiers afore one of the enemies remayned on the place and many were hurt After this skirmish the Prince seeing that Treceline remoued not that day for that it was Easter day or otherwise retyred for the second time to Taillebourg without dooing any thing else Treceline was aduertised that his returne was spied but hee made no account of it trusting in the force of his regiment and resolued as hee saide to fight against whome soeuer would let his way as well in the field as in a strong place So the fourth day of April being Easter monday departing out of Marennes he tooke his iourney toward Xainctes marching in good order with countenance of men resolute to fight whereof the Prince being admonished about two a clock in the after noone speedilie tooke his horse accompanied with the Lorde Trimouille his brother in law the Lords Bowlay and Auantigny to the number of 30. horses so many Harquebusiers of his garde and some other who could bee found at hand with that small number he went the ready way to Xainctes where he found the enemie in the selfe same place where he had stayed for him the day before which was not much more than one thousand paces from the suburbe he found them too farre passed toward the towne and were couered with hedges and ditches yet he set vpon the rereware of them whereat the first he laied on the ground about 30. or 40. of the enemies the rest put themselues in battell aray being fauored with the hedges and high way In the first onset the horse of the Lord Trimouille who did lead the aduenturers was beaten downe with the shot of a musket and he also vnder who was in no lesse danger then the Lord Batardiere which being strooke with an Harquebush shot in the shoulder was slaine in that place the Lord Chanterelles also was wounded and dyed shortly after with Captaine Trauarre who being wounded on the head died also shortly after the Lord Auantigny was hurt in the hand and in the knee The Lord Laual who with great speede was gone to fetch his companie which was at Port d' Anneaulx and scatteringly lodged approaching to the lane of this skirmish yet timely enough galloping with 35. horses of his by the commaundement of the Prince set vpon them on the side of the hedges ayming stil to the Colonells Ensigne for there was no more which was compassed and couered with a squadron of Pikes whom he discomfited after he had spent all their shot he fought hand to hand with him who carried the Ensigne which at length hee gaue ouer to him thinking to saue himselfe with slight The Ensigne taken the Souldiours were quicklie put in disorder and discomfited although that they had been often supported vpholden by them of the citie There remained vpon the place about three skore many were wounded Captaine Peschays was taken Tiercelin himselfe was hurt in the arme The Lord Laual had three bretheren whereof the Lord Taulay a little before died of sicknes at Saint Ihan the Lord Sailly his third brother in that skirmish was hurt in the head whereof he died the morrow after the Lord Rieulx his other brother also was wounded in the belly with a pike whereof hee dyed the sixte day of the same moneth The Lord Chargroys Lieutenant of the Lord Laual was hurt with shot in the knee the Lord Monsche likewise in the Legge fewe Souldiours of the Princes garde were hurt and few slaine During this skirmish the Prince hauing gathered his companie together set on a fresh vpon such of the enemies as flocked together againe but especiallie vpon the horsemen of the enemie who made shew to aduance themselues The night interrupted the fight and
them of the Religion as Sorges and others hee was more moderate and voyde of crueltie and sauagenes yet at length seeing that as he had taken one place he left andther and that warre was an endlesse thing there and that with long toyle of warre and lack of money his army was scattered as at length it went inuisible leauing his brother the Lord Valete there with such forces as he had left to doe what he were able so he went to the King againe and not without cause considering he was one of his most faithfullest about his person The young Ioyeuse in Auuergne walked at liberty tooke his pleasures spent the Kings money francklie and when that was done for lacke of more returnd from whence he came as wise as when he went out Thus we see that within the compasse of a yeare 6. armies haue beene sent with great preparation of all necessarie things into seuerall prouinces to warre against heauen and earth and to oppose themselues against all that is good and godly and how they are all fallen to pieces as though they had been smitten downe by the hand of the God of armies as the Lapithes and Centaures are reported by the Poets During these lamentable tempests the which did so tosse France with these sixe armyes in diuers prouinces The Princes and certaine cities in Germanie moued with compassioÌ„ pittying the miserable subuersion and ransaking of France their next neighbours sent an Ambassage to the King to perswade him if it were possible to extinguish that coÌ„bustion raised by the league by peace to restore the state of his Realme to some good stay The Ambassadours were sent by the Princes Electors of Saxony Palatine and Brandenbourg and by other Princes of the sacred empire as the Noble Princes Ioachim Frederick Marquesse of Brandenbourg and administrator of Magdebourg Iuly of Brundswik and Lunebourg William Lewis and George Landgraues of Hessen brethren Ioachim earnest Prince of Chatten with the foure principal imperial cities Strasbourg Vlmes Mersebourg and Frâ—nckefort with the ambassadours of Vtten and Issenbourg they al came except they of Vtten Issenbourg which vpon certaine vrgent affayres went back deliuering their coÌ„missions to their fellowes to Saint Germain in Laye had audience the tenth of October First they offer the commendations and seruices of their Princes and commonwealths vnto him Secondly they recite how they had beene aduertized euen by the letters of Mandolet gouernour of Lyons for the King that his Maiesties intention had been to preserue the edict of pacification stablished vpon the faith of the Maiestie of a Prince Thirdly that they vnderstand that hee had beene enforced contrary to his godly intention to reuoke the said edict of peace and by way of armes to persecute his most faithfull subiects euen the chiefest of the Princes of his blood which thing they would hardly haue beleeued if it had not beeâ—ne made knowne by his owne letters sent vnto some of the said Princes by the Lord Schemberg hearing daâ—e the 22. of October 1585. Fourthly protesting of the good affection of their Princes and common wealths toward his Maiestie they doo in their names in most humble wise beseech him that considering into what pitifull state France had beene reduced by the former warres and the good benefites which haue ensued the last peace he wil not be induced by the perswasioÌ„s of the Pope to bring in againe blood shed hatred of the Crowne of France losse of so many Princes Lords and Nobilitie and of so many his faythfull subiects which haue done to hâ—m and his predecessors so many notable seruices which thing vndoubtedly will ensue if not worse if he do not defend the edict of peace considering that by his owne declaration he confes seth that the reformed Religion will not be rooted out by the sworde Fiftly wheras he had shewed by his declaration that the edict of peace was made by ripe deliberation and counsell and published with all soleÌ„nities requisite thereunto and that the sayd edict was sworn by his brother of happy memory Duke of Alançon by the Princes and Lordes in lifting vp their handes to heauen and that hee himselfe would haue that peace to be called his peace which he made as he said voluntarily without any compulsion for that would haue it kept inuiolable there was no reason why the benefites of that peace should bee cut off by raysing warre at the Popes pleasure Last of all they doo shewe that there will ensue of the reuoking of this edict of peace a most certaine and assured subuersion of the state and Crowne of France And by the way of conclusion they beseech his Maiestie that considering the reasons by them shewed taking some pitie of his poore Realme it may please him to reiect the perswasions of the Pope and Leaguers and to preserue the edict of peace offering vnto him in the names of their Princes and Commonwealths that if there bee any meanes in them that may further a good peace and restablish his estate his Maiestie shall vnderstand how they are affectionate to procure all things which pertaine to his honour and greatnes and if it pleaseth him they will employ all their faithfull seruice in the assuring of his dignitie and royall Crowne and to the benefite of all Christendome but specially to suppresse this warre whereunto in their iudgement he had béen enforced Hauing made an ende of their ambassage they deliuered him their instructions both in Dutch and 〈◊〉 The King giueth answere the 11. of October but such an answere as he seemed rather to be offended with them for their duetie and good will of their Princes Commonwealths than to be mooued to any moderate counsell It is sayd before that in Aprill of this yere 1586. the King made great preparation of warre in prouiding fiue armies all at once at which time also they made a motion for peace vnto the King of Nauarre By this it was an easie thing to iudge that they who disposed themselues to warre so furiously could not bee brought to condescend to any moderate counsell or reasonable peace But whilest al these armies were readie and marching to doo some great exployts and to inuade the Prouinces whereunto they of the reformed religion had retyred and were strong the Q Mother also marched toward Guienne in hope to obtayne a greater victorie in assaulting the King of Nauarre with a parley than al those armies with force For she tooke with her out of the stoare of Italian trickes temptation disuniting and weakening For first she will trie the tricke of Sathan in the 4. of Mathew when he tempting Christ proffered him all the kingdomes of the earth So shée thought to win this godly and noble Prince in shewing him that if he would forsake the Sonne of God he should be declared the right heire of the Crowne in case the King should decease without issue otherwise it would be impossible to him to attayne vnto
Montlimart went foorth with a good parte of the forces there to fauour his passage The sayde Lord Chastilion and Diguieres passed ouer the Rosne the first day of August and soiourning long there they gaue leasure to the Lord Valete to seaze vpon the banck of the riuer Lizere and so letting their passage had opportunitie to doe what hee did Whilest the L. Chastilion soiourned in Daulphine the said L. Valete practized a secret execution vpon the towne of Montlimart so began to drawe his forces thither ward but the inhabitants mistrusting his approches prepared themselues which caused him to retyre back againe yet he set such an order that the Lord Balathye surprized the towne but the Castel remayned still in the hands of them of the reformed Religion The L. Valete did greatly feare that the sayd towne would be surprized again by the Castell and would haue prouided a greater power to put in for the keeping of the same But the said Lord Balathye answered that he was strong enough to defend the same towne This was done the sixteenth of August The seuenteenth day at 9 a clock in the morning the Lord Chastilion and Diguieres vnderstoode of this exployt done though they were more then twenty leagues off The said Lord Diguieres dispatched speedely the Lords Poet Blacons Sales and Sousbrochet with their companies they tooke also the Lord Vacheres with some other companies In the mean while the gentlemeÌ„ of Viuarâ—ts which doe lie right against it on the other side of the Rosne vndeâ—standing of this surprize did send forces into the Castell by two Noblemen of the countrey to wit the Lords Mirebel and Allard When the enemie had possessed the said towne of Montlimart three dayes the Lord Poet with his companyes being about three hundred men and fiftie horses entred at night into the Castell and proposing what was to be done determined to set speedily on the towne and the 19. day about 7. a clock in the morning he assembled all his forces which were about two hundred pikes and one thousand Harquebusiers issued out of the Castell into the towne with such fiercenes that they forced their trenches and Barricadoes and cut in pieces aboue two thousand men and among others the countie of Suze the Lords Ancone and Logieres Teil the sonne and Dupuy Saint Martin with many others Noblemen Gentlemen Captaynes and men of fame remayned dead vpon the place There were a great number wounded among whom were Ancone and Saint Fereol Many were taken prisoners among them men of name which were these the eldest sonne of the Countie Suze the Baron Garde Chemlak gouernour of Viuarets Straung Teil the Father Pracontat the young Cossans the young Vauterel Balathye the Captaine of the enterprize vpon Montlimart all Noble men The Lord Ramfort had ariued in the towne but foure houres before not willing to flie away shamefully found the meanes to get into a tower of the towne where hee defended himselfe three dayes but at length seeing the peeces yeelded himselfe to them of the reformed Religion there died not many more than twenty among whome was the Lord Tissieres there was about sixe and twenty hurte This blow did greatly weaken the Papists in that Countrey so that afterward they were more flexible vnto a reasonable peace than they had beene before This was the worke of God which vsed the valour diligence good gouernement of these Noble men but specially of the Lord Poet chiefest gouernour of the said place There excelled also the valiaâ—tnes of the Lord Blacons Vacheres Mirebel and Allart Gentlemen of Viuarets the which being in so small number to wit about twelue hundred men forced more than three thousand men of warre furnished lodged aduantagiously within their Barricadoes flanked and defended in front with three Cannons to reuenge the cruelties which they had vsed and to beat downe their pride The Lord Chastilion had procured certaine regiments of Suissers to come out of the Lordships of Berne to descend along the lake of Losanne and to repaire into Daulphine there to assist them of the Religion against the Lord Valete and to bring that countrey and the next prouinces about out of the bondage of the Leaguers and Catholikes The Lorde Chastilion came as is saide before into Daulphine the first day of August and went accompanyed with the Lordes Diguieres and Poet to receiue them at the riuer Lizere But the Lord Valete hauing left Balathye in Montlimart for the safe keeping thereof went with speed ouer Lizere to let the L. Chastilion with his coÌ„pany to passe ouer that riuer to ioyne with the Swissers The Swissers being two thousand Pikes fiue hundred Corstets three hundred Harquebusiers two hundred Musketâ—ers and foure hundred Frenchmen gathered on the frontiers of Suisserland being all in number three thousand and foure hundred men drew neare to the riuer Lizere to haue ioyned with the said Chastilion But the Lord Valete accompanied with Alphonse Corse hauing intelligences of their comming with fiue hundred Harquebusieres and foure companies of horsemen set vpon them defeated them and tooke eleuen Ensignes which hee sent to the King and one Coronet of horsemen This ouerthrowe was giuen the same day of the recouering of Montlimart and in the sight of the Lords Chastilion and Diguieres who were on the other side of the riuer and by no meanes could passe ouer to rescue them There were slayne about one thousand men twelue hundred taken prisoners and were sent to Valence to worke to the fortifications there a greatnumber saued them selues in Daulphine God maketh the number and armes preuaile as pleaseth him They which were prisoners were redeemed by exchaunge of them that were taken at Montlimart Thus thinges passed on both sides the Lord Chastilion at length hauing intelligences of the Germans comming with his companies tooke his iourney to meet them whom he met in Basignye nigh ChaumoÌ„t the 22. of September next following as shall be noted hereafter The 31. of August the eldest sonne of the County of Grignan at the solicitation of the Lord Diguieres tooke part with the king of Nauarre agaynst the League and seazed vppon the towne of Clausures and Monsegur townes well situated in the County of Grignan wherein the Lord Valete had put garrisons few dayes before About the same tyme the Lord Blacons tooke the town of Suze which after it was ransacked was geuen ouer because the castell could not bee taken The first day of September the Lord Diguieres accompanied with the Lordes Gouernet Brikmaut and the yong Morges besieged Guylhestre and battered it with foure meane peeces and two litle field péeces so that after hauing sustayned two hundred shot and the breach being reasonable the enemy forsooke the towne and retyred into the castell the which also after certayne volyes of canon shot rendered themselues the 5. of September by composition by the which it was agreed that the Gascoynes should depart and be sent away with a
white staffe in their handes and they of the countrey to remayne vpon discretion The tenth of October the Castell of Quyras besieged since the 25. of September was surrendred to the Lord Diguieres assisted with y e Lord Brikmaut and Morges where is a thing worthy of remembrance that the wayes being so high and difficult for the artillery to be caryed ouer the mountaynes contrary to the impossibility which wee thought to be and the expectation of the Papistes yet it passed ouer They were sixe hundred Souldiers 15. hundred Pioniers in drawing the same ouer the mountaynes but foure Leagues in the space of 15. daies At the same tyme the Lord Diguieres knowing that the enemy fortifyed a temple in the towne of Saynt Peter in the Marquisat of Saluces sendeth thether y e Lord Brikmaut with his companies who forced that place in the middle of the day the twelft of October tooke the captaine prisoner and cut to pieces the rest this was the first exployt beyond the mountaynes The eight of Nouember the Lords Ramefort Espornakes and Signak through intelligences which they had in Ionquieres had seazed vpon al the towne saue one tower onely the newes were brought to Orange to the Lord Blacons the which three howres after the taking thereof appeared before the towne with 30. horses This his sodaine and vnlooked for comming did so terrify the footmen who were within the towne calling to remembrance the entertaynment which they had at Montlimart that they sorsooke the place the captayne being not able to hold them although they were in number foure hundred footmen and sixe score horses which were not yet entred into the towne whom the Lord Blacons let goe without any pursuing content onely to enter into the towne for to chastize the traytors In the moneth of Aprill the States of the countrey and Senate of Grenoble had some speeches of peace as is aforesayd but it was delayed Decemb. from tyme to tyme the people being not willing to conclude any thing without the good will and aduise of the King of Nauarre knowing him faythfull to the king louer of the good and prosperity of the realme and that he desireth nothing more then the wealth and quietnes as well of the State in generall as of their prouince as also to be a true Prince of the blood a Prince true and faythfull in his word hauing neuer altered his word in respect of any person whose singular valiantnes mildnes and gentlenes if there were no other thinges in him might mooue the people to honor and acknowledge him according to that degree which he hath in the realme of France These were the causes which moued the States people of Daulphine to conclude nothing without his direction The Articles proposed in the prouinciall States of Daulphine were three First that protestation be made to the obedience due to the King and to the issue male which it shall please God to giue him And that for lack of yssue the king of Nauarre be acknowledged as head of the Princes of the bloud first successor of the crowne and after him the other Princes according to y e primâ—geniture of their degree with detestaon of the manifestes and other such libels whereby they of the League haue gone about to alter this succession Secondly that the reformed religion be receaued throughout all the Prouince of Daulphine indifferently and that they of the reformed religion shall permit the Romish and suffer the church men to enter and enioy their goods and liuinges on both sides they do promise to acknowledge the court of Parliament of Grenoble and to obay the Lord Maugyron that whatsoeuer alteration may happen to the State the king of Nauarre shall imploy his authority present and to come to the obseruation of the agreement namely in that which doth concerne the dignity of the court of the Lieutenant of the King and of the church men Thirdly that in expecting a peace in more ampie maner euery one shal keepe that which he holdeth shortning notwithstanding the garrisons as much as shall be possible This was concluded and agreed in the prouinciall States of Daulphine with an agreement vppon their common defence about the 20. of December Although the Lord Espernon be a most zealous and deuout Catholike that he did agaynst them of the reformed religion all that euer he could yet with some moderatnes he had committed the gouernmeÌ„t of his charge to the Lord Valete his brother which vsed the same valiantnes with the like modesty God did so blesse the good intents of these two noble Catholikes indeede as issued out of an ancient and noble stocke without any degenerating that hauing well rid that Prouince of Daulphine of seditious and factions Leaguers afterward the Catholikes and reformed haue fallen to a good and peaceable composition by the which they haue entertayned themselues in amity and kept their countrey from ransacking and subuersion So wee see now these two great and large prouinces Languedock and Daulphine the one through y e sauage cruelty of Ioyeuse the other through the faithfull seruice and modesty of the Lords Espernon and Valete bretheren to be set in good peaceable state It is sayd how the king of Nauarre had certaine meetings and parleys with the Q. Mother and how the last parlâ—y appoynted was interrupted by the conspiracies of the Leaguers seeking to lay the foundation of their greatnes vnder colour of defending the Romish religion after the which interruption the King of Nauarre retyred into Rochel where he continued vntill the end of Aprill Now let vs lay downe what the sayd King of Nauarre did from this time to wit the latter end of Aprill vnto the end of December and then we will take the course of those things which haue passed in other countreys and by the setting downe of other men About the ende of Aprill the King of Nauarre departing from Rochel with certayne péeces of ordinance tooke Chizay by composition and Sassay by assault where he commaunded certaine robbers of Niort who had obstinatly resolued to withstand him to be hanged From thence he went to S. Mexent which yéelded vpon composition after they had seene the Canon From thence fayning to goe somewhere els departed in the euening and in the morning earely was before Fontenay and on a sudden without great resisting tooke the Suburbe called Loges and at the same instant compassed the towne on euery side least any succour should enter in But seeing that he had neede of more ordinance than he had speedily departed to Rochel to haue more which thing the Rochellers did very willingly and speedily graunt so that within lesse than fiue dayes he returned and began to batter Fontenay with nine péeces The Prince also brought certaine peeces from S. Jhan d' Angely so that Captaine Rossiere who commaunded there ouer the Albaneses and inhabitants were enforced to yéeld by composition almost at the discredition of the said King of Nauarre who
vsed them very courteously performing inuiolably whatsoeuer hee had promised them From Fontenay the King of Nauarre sent the Prince of Conde to Manlion a little towne with three peeces of ordinance which notwithstanding was taken with ladders before the ordinance had played The morrowe after the King of Nauarre arriued thether who had retyred to Lusson after the taking of Fontenay fayning to retyre to Rochel The King perceiuing that his Mother could neither execute her secret practizes nor bestowe her Italian figges vpon the King of Nauarre nor the Prince of Conde immediatly after her returne to the Court to please the Leaguers and to entertayne their fauour for that he was so much beholding to them immediatly he determined to send a mightie armie into Guyenne against the King of Nauarre and of them of the religion And supposing that the Marshall Byron had gone too slowly about his matters in the last armie he was desirous to trie what another Captaine of a hotter spirit could doo And because the Duke Ioyeuse the Kings brother in lawe was somewhat famous not for his valour but for incredible monstrous excesses of crueltie which he had shewed the yeare before at Lodeue Saint Ponce and Marueiolx and other places in Languedock for the true description whereof newe tâ—â—rmes and words had néede to bee deuised The King I say supposing him a fit iustrument to execute his choler vppon them of the religion which so valiantly had heretofore resisted the iniuries of the Leaguers and despised their forces for the great wrongs proffered to his Maiestie by the Leaguers sent him with a mightie armie to passe ouer the riuer Loyre The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde were in the low Poytow with their companies very braue and lustie though very small in comparison of the multitude of the enemies And as some companies of the Duke Ioyeuse had passed Loyre and aduaunced themselues vpon the King of Nauarre his men the said King of Nauarre wholly discomfited a band of the enemies which thing being done he caused his companies to retyre some to Saint Mexent others into Xainctonge to employ them as occasion might serue to the ouerthrowing of that newe mightie armie But not long after it happened I knowe not by whose fault committed that two regiments to wit the regiment of Charboniere and of Captaine Debory were left within the towne of Mote Saint Eloy nigh Saint Mexent being not assured of the Castell but only by the promise of them who did hold it Which afterward seeing the enemie assault the said Charboniere and Debory did not fauour them but tooke part against them and that more is deliuered two pieces of ordinance to the enemie wherewith they brake the Barricadoes of our men so they were discomfited by the Lord Ioyeuse Debory was taken prisoner Charboniere was then at S. Mexent where hee did good seruice at the siege which the enemy shortly after laied before the saide towne Among other examples of barbarous and sauage crueltie in diuers places by the said Ioyeuse executed deserueth a speciall note of infamie that the posteritie may discerne men from monsters The Souldiours of the said Charboniere and Debory to whome vpon his faith he had promised safety of life yet contrarie vnto the same hauing caused them to be stripped starke naked and so they falling vpon their knees crying vnto God for mercie and vnto the enemie for compassion without any pittie or feeling of humanitie commaunded his Souldiours to trie their strength of their armes and the sharpenâ—s of their swords vpon those naked bodies destitute of all defence After that he besieged Saint Mexent which resisted the furie of his armie and of all his ordinance for the space of 15. dayes and about the 22. of Iune the towne was surrendered by composition which the King of Nauarre did greatly mislike because that L. Iarriete being knowne and stayed at the gate as he went forth among the rest was brought to the Lord Ioyeuse which committed him to the hands of the Marshall with commaundement to put him to a shamefull death This learned and godly man had faithfully and vertuously executed the ministery in that towne and there he confirmed the doctrine which he had preached with a most constant and Christian death which was vnhappie to them who without a cause put him to the same For they themselues who executed that vniust commaundement would not dissemble to say after they had heard the earnest confession of his faith and praiers which he made in the end of his life that certainely God would reuenge the death of so good and godly a man in whome there was found no cause of such punishment and in deede the Duke Ioyeuse and his armie did not suruiue him long After the taking of Saint Mexent the Lorde Ioyeuse came to Niort with shew to sease vppon Marans as well to cut the way into Poytow to the King of Nauarre as to shut him vp into Rochel and by these meanes to besiege Fontenay with lesse danger which as yet was but slenderly fortified also to sease vpon Talmound hauing al the rest to his deuotion which thing seemed to him easilie to performe For although the King of Nauarre fayned that he would defend Maran against that armie as he did the yeare before against the Marshall Byron at the selfesame season yet notwithstanding hee had not determined so to doo as also it was a thing impossible to defend it for the Marishes and ditches and channels were so dried vp and the earth so hardened that the footmen could easilie goe thorough euery where there was some more discommoditie for horsemen by reason of the steps but yet it was accessible euery where In the meane time the King of Nauarre sent in the regiment of Captaine Preau with some other companies who shewed great diligence in fortifying the holdes of Bastile Brune Poyneuf and Clowsie as for the Fort Brault the King made it in forme of Sheeres on the side of the land and had determined to defend that onely and the Castell The others were only to holde the enemie in hand and in the meane time that this resolution might be stayed the heads hauing commaundement to retire into the towne and not harden themselues obstinately in the defence of the said Fortes After that the Castell was furnished with necessaries Captaine Preau should retyre to Fontenay the Lord Iarry with a number of Souldiours should retyre into the Castell when he should be enforced to forsake the towne and there to abide the force of the enemie for eyght dayes which thing he could doo well enough In the which space the King of Nauarre and the Prince hauing assembled their forces woulde haue giuen so many crosses to the Duke Ioyeuse that perhappes he should not haue needed to take the paine to goe to dye at Coutras notwithstanding for these considerations or other the Duke Ioyeuse set not on Marans but at the request of the
which is in the middle of the Towne where was great confusion in going ouer The Lord Chastilion was commaunded to goe to trye the passage at Gien but many inconueniences let that enterprise although he had gone part of the way In the meane time the enemie aduaunced in such sorte that the forerunners did charge the Launce-knights and vnarmed about one thousand or twelue hundred did hurt a great many tooke the artilterie and munition About 25. horsemen did all that The Launce-knights did retyre in good order toward Buissiere as also the wagon men with their horses and other such stuffe as they could saue The Lord Chastilion went also to the sayd Buissiere who did incontinently sende to the horsemen on euery side for to take aduise what was to bee done for they were like to haue the enemie very shortly on their backes but the companies went to the rendes vous which was appoynted at Bouuy The Lord Chastilion hauing stood in battell aray at Buissiere to receiue the Launce-knights who did passe in order made the retraite hauing not with him aboue three score armed men and sixe score harquebusiers on horsebacke at the most The same long soiorning which the Lord Chastilion made at Buissiere gaue time to the enemie to followe him so that in marching the high way to Bouuy the enemy appeared marching along the parke at whose discouering hee put his companie in battell aray foure and foure by reason of the narrownes of the place The Lords Morinault and S. Albine did leade the forerunners who discouering that the enemie was of more then two hundred horses sent word to the Lord Chastilion who strengthened them of ten men of armes which were with the Lord Byramont and willed them to march a small pace after the companies But a little after they were so pressed that they turned their faces against the enemie with sword in hand who then staied and after in that manner followed the Lord Chastilion more than three leagues The said Lord Chastilion geuing to vnderstand to the Prince County that the enemy was at hand the Duke Boyllon went backe to the said Lord Chastilion with 2. hundred horses and going backe to a litle brooke which they had left behind thought good to stay there for the enemie but the Lord Monluet who alwaies had remained behind gaue to vnderstand to the Lord Chastilion that he doubted somewhat and for to know better what it might be they went toward the enemies and at the discouering of them began to speake either to stay them or else to make them come nearer but at length the enemy began to retire vpon which occasion the Lord Monluet and Chastilion pressed them so farre that they pursued beating them beyond the Brooke where they left dead of the enemie seuen or eight vpon the place The Lord Chastilion pursuing the disorder of the enemie was aduertized by the Lord Boillon that the Rutters were more then fiue leagues before with the rest of the Frenchmen that the companies which he pursued was the whole power of the enemie where were the Lords Espernon Nemours and Mercure that necessity required to march forward without any further delay which thing staied the Lord Chastilion who in returning passed by a little wood where he spied about foure score Harquebuziers of the enemie who hid themselues in the said Wood whom the said Lord Chastilion made countenance to charge that in the meane time hee hee might retire his forerunners whom the said Harquebuziers made their rekoning to surprize in theyr returne but they came againe without any damage The truth is that there was in all those troupes but onely the Dukes Espernon Nemours and Mercure who were greatly amazed when their forerunners so fearefully did cast themselues in their armes That same day they went to lodge fiue leagues from thence and the next day they began to enter into Moruaut which is a wood land and so thicke that with much adoo they could not goe aboue two and two They appointed the rendes vous for the chiefe of the army to heare what commission the Lord Cormon had brought which was that the King would geue such surety vnto the Germans as they would to retire into Germany and to the French men Papists who would liue Popishlie in their houses safetie with their goods Others of the religion which would retire out of France might enioy their goods so that they would beare no armes against him requiring furthermore in token of their obedience and good intentes by the which they had declared to haue borne armes onely for his seruice that all the French men should surrender him their Cornets and Colours All these thinges being debated on both sides it was aduised not to dispise these offers but for the sureties and ensignes to take further aduise The reasons which induced them were the great amazednes wherein the whole armie was and to that feare there was such negligence ioyned that there was no more meanes to keepe any order neither among the Germans nor Frenchmen Many French gentlemen had and did dayly resort home there was no assurance that any great number would stay any longer There was no resolution to fight against the enemy the wayes were full of stuffe and armes as well of Germans as Frenchmen the Horses were weary they had to make long iourneys to goe farre from the enemy when they came they found no guide to lead them the way to the Vilages so that they trauelled some time one or two leagues after they were arriued at the rendes vous for to take their lodginges The most part of them remayned either in the woods or else in the first houses which they met men without bread horses without fodder many horses were tyred for lacke of shooing There was foure daies iourney to goe through woods The Harquebuziers and footmen did diminish on both sides all the regimeÌ„t of the Lord Villeneufue had disâ—anded themselues not passing thrée daies before because the master of theyr campe was prisoner there was almost no men left in the regiment of the Lord Mouy They whom the Lord Chastilion had brought out of Languedock for lacke of horses could not follow or else for to follow in so long iourneyes were inforced to cast away their armors most of them had no powder nor meanes to recouer any Their Peeces were either broken or vnprofitable for lacke of workemen to mend them There remayned not aboue two hundred Harquebuziers They which rested of Launce-knights being about two thousand were vnarmed all these reasons made them conclude that it was better to saue the men to do seruice another time then to loose them and geue the praise to the enemy to haue wholly destroyed that army Vpon these deliberations they dispatched to the king the L. Cormon In the meane while the army went forward followed still by the Lord Espernon accompanied with seuen or eight hundred horsemen and with as many Harquebusiers as he could put
without any other care then to conferre louingly with them about the necessary thinges for the preseruation of their Cittye The Maior had in his possession all the keies of the Cittie the inhabitantes made their accustomed watches and by halfes with two companies which were vnder the commaundement of the Lord Bordes whereof the most part were inhabitantes of the Citty Vppon request made vnto him by the Maior and Aldermen concerning the necessary fortifications for the safety and increasing of their Cittie the said Lord promised to lend them to that effect such a summe of money as they should thinke good And to aduaunce the worke the said Lord commaunded the Maior and the Lieutenant Nesmond to make the proiect by the counsell of Captaine Ramel son of Augustine mayster of the Kings workes In the meane while the said Lord caused the edict of reunion to be published in the Cittie and according to the same did prepare to war agaynst them of the religion to let them from gathering subsidies and tallages to represse their courses furthermore had made an enterprise agaynst one of their best places And for a beginning of y e performance of these things had commaunded his cosin the Lord Tageus to take with him all the companies of his light horses and the companyes of the Lords Sobelle and Cadilan with all the footmen and troops which he had brought with him And besides all this for to win the hartes of the inhabitantes he caused euery day all sorts of publike exercises of Romish poperie to be done in all their chiefe Idoll Temples in the Cittie He had also promised to the gray Fryers to helpe the reedifying of their couent and temple of the same For the warre defensiue and offensiue agaynst them of the religion hee obmitted no meanes he had no indsturie nor diligence For his pastimes he would go euery day without mistrust of any man to the Tenis court situated in one of the furthest partes of the citty Euery morning he would get vppon his horses himselfe to exercise them in the sight of great assembly of people with a very small company of his men about him It is sayd how the King to conuay the Lord Espernon his trusty and faythfull seruant out of the ielousies dangers of the Leaguers haâ— sent him into Guyenne to keepe such townes there as did wauer into his obedience The towne of Engolesme was aboue all the townes of that Countrey inclyning to the League so disposed by many Gentlemen therabouts who were leagued and deuoted to the Duke of Guyze The Duke Espernon as it is sayd went thether to make it sure to the kings obedience The newes comming to the towne of the determination of the saide Duke the complices of the conspiracie of the League considering that neither to admit him nor to exclude him was a safe way for them considering that the King might recouer the town at all tymes by the citadel which was kept by the L. Bordes a faithfull seruant to his Prince did immediatly send one who was y e Maiors brother to the court to know by the Oracle of the Leaguers what was to be done in such a doubtfull matter The Duke of Guyze with his counsell to wit his brother the Cardinall the Archbishop of Lyons did sit vpon the death of the Duke of Espernon they did condemne him to die They answered to their partakers to admit him and bid him welcome but to rid him out of the way if it can bee done by any meanes the reuenge they neede not to feare for they are in good hope that the master shall followe him shortly and if not yet they wil finde out some shift to excuse the matter and will find him guiltie of his owne death else they will so worke that the King shall haue little leasure to thinke vpon the reuenge They writ also to their complices gentlemen of the countrey as to Mere Massilieres Maqueuile Boucheaulx to the Baron Tonnerak Caze and Fleurak They caused also Vileroy the Kings Secretary to write his letters to the Lord Aubeterre to repaire to the Maior of Engolesme with al his power at such time as they should haue warning by the â—aid Maior in the meane while they expect the Oracle of the Leaguers the Duke Espernon is lulled a sleepe and cast into a dangerous security by the Maior and the rest of the conspiratours they make him beleeue that they loue him as their owne soule by the which dissimulation hee vnarmeth himselfe sendeth his forces abroad to warre agaynst Christ At length Souchet long desired commeth from the court geueth the answere that Espernon must die by all meanes possible biddeth them to put asyde all feare of reuenge for the causes afore shewed Now then it must be executed out of hand afore the returne of the Lord Tageus with the Dukes forces for then shall they not be able to put in execution y t iudgement hauing any forces about him or else because he will goe forth to war agaynst the heretikes according to his deliberation The tenth day of August the Lord Espernon very early got him on horsbacke to goe to his ordinary exercises with few of the nobility with him The maior with certaine of the inhabitants of the cittie were all that morning with him The sayd Lord lighting downe of his horse embraced the Maior and with great curtesy asked him whether hedelighted in horses Thence the sayd Lord returned to his lodging and went into his closet to change his shirt intending to goe deuoutly to Masse in the Chappell of Saint Laurence in the church of Saynt Cibert where his Almoner had prepared all the tooles ready to finish that misticall play this was about 7. a clocke The Maior on the other side with his complices who were gone to see his riding onely to spie what strength he had about him went home to put on his armour to charge his pistoll to take order about nine of the clock that the toxin should be rung and to appoynt at the same time certaine firebrands of sedition to goe about the streates crying that the Hugonâ—ts had seazed vpon the Castell The Maior also did craftily entice the Lord Bordes gouernour of the Citadell into his house vnder colour to discouer him a certaine enterprize against the king and when hee had him in his house kept him as prisoner Betweene eight and nine a clock the Lord Espernon being in his closet and knowing that the Abbot of Elbeue and the Lord Mariuault were in the next wardrobe staying there to accompany him to Masse sendeth a Page to call them to him into the Closet which when they had done hee â—hewed them a place in a booke sent him from Paris full of defamations against the honour authoritie of the King lamenting the vnbridled licence of this age hee prayeth them also to sit by him to vnderstand out of his own mouth his resolution and platforme of war against
them of the religion assoone as the Lord Tageus could returne from this exployte whome he would leaue there for the preseruation of the Citie Behold Christian Reader this noble man indued with good gifts raised vp to high degree sent out of the danger of his enemies to keepe the kings subiects in peace and iustice vnthankfull of Gods good graces doe meditate how to turne that power wisdome and graces receiued of God to persecute his Church and whilest hee is laying downe his plott God sendeth him a warning to wit murtherers to execute the rage of Gods enemies vpon him For as they concluded vpon the resolution of this warre which he purposed against the Children of God the Abbot of Elbeu sitting next vnto the doore of the closet heard the sound of a pistol shot within the wardrobe and some crying kil kill At this alarum the said Abbot ranne first to the doore nigh the closet where he found the Aulmoner of y e said Duke who had rushed in had shut vp the doore and thought it had neither lock nor boult but held the said doore with his back very pale and frighted The Abbot enquiring what it was speake softly sayd the Aulmoner there be armed men which seeke to kill my Lord. At the same instant the said Lord Espernon the Lord Mariuault and the Abbot heard two other pistolls shot in the same wardrobe with manie voyces crying kill kill comming to the said doore cryed yeeld my Lord for you are but a dead man The Abbot and Mariuault then counsailed the sayd Espernon to keep within the closet where was a second doore very narrow hard to get in At the same time the Toxin began to ring in all Churches of the Citie and they of the faction ran into the streates crying that the Hugonets had surprised the Castell and willing all men to run to succour it according to the instructions giuen by the Maior These tokens being giuen the people ran on euery side to their weapons and went toward the Castel they lodge themselues in the house next to the Castell The Maior that morning intending to bring to an end their conspiracie had perswaded them of his faction but especially 40. or 50. of the vilest and most desperat persons of all the Citie that his brother in law Southct came from the Court and had brought with him an expresse commaundement from the King both by letters and word of mouth to seaze vpon the person of the said Lord Espernon dead or aliue and to assure the citie some of them he had appoynted to run through the citie and to giue the alarum as is afore said some should seaze vpon the gates of the Castell when hee should haue entred the saide Castell and some should goe with him to execute this murther This vile traitor then head of the conspiracy entred first armed into the Castell through the great gate hauing two men booted with him which as he saide were Purseuants whom he brought to speake with the Duke and followed with ten men going vp into the hall and passing through it saluted the Lord Couplieres who sat vpon a table and thence passing through the Lord Espernon his chamber went as farre as the wardroabe supposing there to finde him and there to execute his damnable conspiracie there he met with on Raphael Gyrolamy a Gentleman Florentine Rouillard and Segnencio Secretaries and one Sorline the Kings Chirurgion The Lord Aubine one of the Kings Magistrates in the Court of Engolesme who was expressely come to aduertise the Lorde Espernon that there was some practise against him in the towne and there he stayed for his comming foorth to doo his message The Maior therefore entred as is said first of all armed with a Corselet into the wardrobe with a Pistoll in his hand ready charged and the cock downe came to Sorline first who set his hand to his sword and did hurt the Maior a little on the head Another man great and strong with a Pistoll set vpon Raphael who immediatly taking him by the coller cast him downe vppon the ground and with his sword wounded him as he did three more as they haue confessed after and beate them out of the chamber crying still my Lord is not here but being wounded with a Pistol he fell downe and then they made an end of him with their swords The others who were in the wardrobe saued themselues as they could Sorline running into the kitchen gaue the alarum to the cookes who ran with their broaches but the conspirators being in the hall and hearing the noyse in the kitchen stopped the way out of y t kitchē into the hall In the meane time while these things were dooing within the wardrobe by the Maior his partakers went about as they had receaued instructions aforehand of the Maior to seaze vpon the great gate of the Castell for to bring in the people who were already in armour but they were let by some Gentlemen who were in the Court of the Castell staying there for the Lorde Espernon his comming forth The first were the Lordes Ambleuille Beaurepayre Sobelle and others in defending of the said gate the Lord Beaurepayre was slaine with the stroake of a Halbeard the Prouost Baretes likewise and one of the gardes the Lord Clauery was hurt certaine Gentlemen entred into the said gate afore it was shut vp as Captaine Baron Artiges the Countie Brune brother in lawe to the Duke Espernon the Lords Goas Mirane Coste Emars and others They beleeued then that the Lord Espernon was dead so that being astonied and looked one vpon another they knewe not what to doo nor in whome to trust vntill that the Lords Ambleuille Myran Sobelle and Emars acknowledging one another and giuing hands with promise to dye together gathered as well Gentlemen as Souldiours of the garde close together and ran to the Chamber doore of the Lord Espernon through the which the conspiratours would haue gone forth to seaze vpon the tower of the Castell but they were let by the Gentlemen and gardes who wounded the Maior through the doore where of he fell downe they shot also against the residue of the conspiratours with these threatnings you shall dye traitors Seguencio the Secretarie whome they detayned prisoner reported that at that threatning they began to be amazed and to say among themselues we are vndone if we doo not saue our selues some where and thereupon carrying away the Maior went out through a little doore of that chamber which issued to a little paire of staires that did lead vp to a chamber nigh the tower but they were followed by the said Gentlemen and at the same time the Lord Espernon the Abbot Elbeu and the Lord Marinault who vnderstanding the voyce of Sobelle went forth of the closet with Pistolls and swordes in hand The conspirators were enforced to saue themselues in that Chamber nigh the great tower to y e which no man could go but by a
payre of staires so narrowe that but one man alone might passe there were none armed neither the Lord Espernon nor any of his were at all which thing caused them to stay their going vp At the same instant a maidseruant aduertised the Lord Espernon that the Maiors brother with a number of armed men did enter into the castle through a hole in the wall on the side of the Curtine The sayd Lord Espernon ran thether who found alreadie the Maiors brother entred with another which both were slaine there and a gard was put at the place At the same time the complices of the conspiracie and among others the foresaid Souchet the Maiors brother in law who had come lately from the Court with some other gentlemen of the countrey seeing that they could not fire the first gate where they found resistance as is sayd before ran to another gate of the Castle with fire to burne it preparing also giâ—s to breake it vp But the Lord Espernon with fiftéene of his men whom he had gathered together ran also to the sayd gate to defend and fortifie it with earth stones boords and such like leauing his gard to keepe the dore of the chamber where the conspirators were locked vp the which endeuoured themselues to issue foorth but notwithstanding were repulsed by the sayd gardes and the Lord Espernon himselfe who hauing deuided his gardes vpon the entries into the Castle went too and fro as néed required and where hee iudged his presence necessarie so that resorting to the foresayd doore he killed one of the sayd conspiratours with his own hand as he went about to issue foorth The inhabitants in the meane time did bestowe their shot freely vppon the chambers of the Castle because they were so great and wide and because the inhabitants had seazed vpon the next houses and among others vppon the house néerest to the Castle called the Quéenes house The diligence of the Lord Espernon and other gentlemen which accompanied him was such that within two houres they assured themselues of the Castle so that it had béen hard for the gentlemen and others who were within the Towne to force it without Canon The labour bestowed in fighting fortifying and breaking the staiers of the chambers and in fiering the narrowe staiers which went vp the chamber where the conspiratours were locked vp had béen quicke and violent The L. EspernoÌ„ desirous to make the gentlemen which were with him to drinke there was found in al the house but foure flagons of wine which were brought in that morning for his breakfast there was no water at all and very small store of bread for the inhabitants had seazed vpon the well which was in the other court and also the way to goe to it which thing did greatly trouble them that were besieged the space of two dayes and a halfe that they were inclosed therein But the discommoditie was little in comparison of the constant resolution which they tooke rather to dye then yéeld themselues vnto that sedicious multitude It is sayd before how the Maior afore hee began to execute his enterprise had by false surmises entised the Lord Bordes gouernour of the Citadell to come to his house making him beléeue that hee would discouer him some great practise against the King whom when he had in his hands he kept prisoner in his house This thing did greatly amaze the Lord Espernon that he heard not the Citadell play against the Citie the cause was that when the fray was begun at the Castle immediatly men appoynted by the Maior brought the sayd Bordes before the Citadell to cause the Lieutenant to surrender it or els to stay him from discharging the Ordinance against the towne which in case hee should doo it they threatned to kill the sayd Lord Bordes The Lieutenant desirous to saue the life of the sayd Lord Bordes promised to doo their request and so kept promise with them The Lord Espernon ignorant of all these things was greatly dismayed fearing least the Citadell had béen in the hands of the conspirators or els had fauoured them The conspirators closed vp in the high chamber of the Castle did affirme the same and when they were summoned to render themselues they answered that it was for the sayd Lord Espernon and his to yeeld that they should quickly see the Canon of the Citadell before the Castle There was an other mischaunce that happened The Ladie Espernon before the coÌ„motion began was gone to Masse to the Dominican friers WheÌ„ the alarum was giuen she went about to go forth to get the citadel ouer her head beleeuing that they were Hugonets that had attempted against y t town she was lead by y e armes by 2. gentlemen to wit Seguency not the secretary but an other of that name Pial she was arrested prisoner and her two Gentlemen slaine by these two Catholicks within the Church doore not permitting the Priest to make an ende of his iuggling game They tooke also many Gentlemen among whom were the Lords Curee Mesme Blere and Captaine Ramel the Baron Coze and many others of all degrees of the traine of the said Lord Espernon The Lords Curee and Mesme went about to get into the Castell but the people with Holbards kept them back although they saide that they would go fight against the Hugonets when they assaid to haue entred the Castel The Lord Haultclerie a man of that countrey of great estimation with much adoo saued their liues Captaine Ramel fell into the same daunger of the people in going about to get into the castell by the Curtine of the towne wall but he saued himselfe by taking the Bishops house In the middest of all these discommodities the Lord Espernon sendeth a Lackie to the Lord Tageus who was at Xainctes with all his horsemen to make haste to succour him The Lacky was let downe the wall of the Parke ioyning to the Castell but he was incontinently taken by the inhabitants Notwithstanding the Lord Tageus was aduertized of the commotion by two Gentlemen who in a good houre went forth of the towne to goe on to hunting who hearing the Toxin did gallop vnto the gate of the Citadell where they caused immediately all the bread and prouision which was in the subburb to be brought in and the selfe same day at night came to Xainctes to warne the Lord Tageus of that commotion The people in the meane while continued in their rage assisted and conducted by diuers gentlemen of the couÌ„try who were of the league among whome was one brought vp in the house of Guyze Messeliere Makuole and Boucheaulx and others who two houres after the commotion summoned the Lord Espernon by a drumme to yeeld and to deliuer the place into their hands promising him and his life and baggage safe That proffer he disdayned and gaue them no other answere but that he would within few houres make them change their language They threatned also the Lady Espernon
fort which dooth couer the gate of the towne towards Maschecow without the which the enemy euen the first night of the siege might haue lodged hard to the wall that place being not flanked with any thing The worke began to goe forward after the succour ariued by the sea with the munitions of warre of whome a part was sent to Beauuoyre by the commaundement of the King of Nauarre to wit they which were of the regiment of Valirant who had embarked themselues with them who were sent to Ganache The Baron Vignoles a Gentleman of Gascoyne entred into Ganache as also the Lord Saint George by the King of Nauarre his commaundement with his companie of 50. Harquebusiers on horseback There was then none of all the forts of sufficient defence vpon which occasion they deuided y e quarters as wel for the defence as for to labour about the fortifications euery one in his quarter with such diligence as necessity required The Baron Vignoles with his captaines Piue and Solas tooke on him the keeping of the fort of the causy right against a broaken chappel of Saint Thomas suburbs This fort was commaunded by a little hill couered with fruitefull trees and also by the suburb for which cause they couered themselues with barricadoes and Gabions The two companies of the Kings gardes which were commaunded by the Lordes Aubiguy and Robiniere vndertooke the keeping of the fort of the tower which we haue saide to haue the forme of a horseshooe The Lord Ruffigny with his companie vndertooke to keepe the fort of the suburb Saint Leonard which was the best hauing the ditches full of water of the height of 9. foote Captaine Beauregard who commanded ouer the company of the Harquebusiers on horseback of the ordinarie garison vndertooke to make a fort at one of the corners of the towne but it was a worke of long time and serued but a little and cost much to keepe and was not begon but in hope that Montagne which was already besieged would debate longer then it did notwithstanding they laboured about it continually and whereas the Captaine Beauregard had not aboue 18. Harquebusiers of his owne halfe of the companie of the Lord Saint George was giuen him The two captaines of the two companies of footemen ordained for the ordinary gar ion did drawe the lots to whome should remaine the fort which was begun at the gate so it fell to the lot of Captaine Ferriere who laboured so hard that euen in ten dayes during the siege it was made defensible and serued to good effect The other companie of the garison vnder the commaundement of the Lord Forestiere a noble man of Britaine was appoynted for the garde of the Castle and the Doue house which was in the garden The charges so deuided euery man doth labour some doo pull downe the Suburbs others goe about the Countrey to get men to labour for there was none of the inhabitants left in the Towne not so much as an artificer but only a butcher The Lord Plessis aduertised of the surrendring of Montagne sent foorth his forerunners to scoure the countrey they reported the 14. day of December that part of the armie was alreadie lodged at Lege The morrowe was discouered a great troupe of horsemen who appeared aboue the mils of Porrieres to view the Towne The Lord Perrine Lieutenant of the companie of the light horses of the Gouernour who had retyred before to his own house supposing there to passe part of the winter returned into the Towne about three daies before the siege and went out with foure or fiue light horses to view them The 16. day of December againe very early he went out on horseback but he had not passed aboue halfe a mile when he found the forerunners of the enemie whereof he aduertised the Gouernour About 11. of the clocke there marched a great number of horsemen conducted by y e Lord Sagonne followed of many regiments of Chastiagueray Brigueulx Leslele and ohers who in hast aduanced to get the Suburbe of S. Leonard These troupes discouered by the L. Perrine hee turned face to them to hold them play to giue time to them of the Town to prepare to receaue them which thing could not be done so timely but that when the bel began to ring for the alarum the enemie was at the entring of the Suburbe The L. Ruffigny went to meete them with sword in hand resolutely followed by the Lord Vignoles and Maretes sons to the Lord Sabboniere and some other Souldiers of their companies with them approached nigh them But the L. Ruffigny for not hauing had leisure totake his Corslet entring into a house where he sawe the enemies lodge receiued a pellet in his stomacke whereof being carried thence two houres after he dyed This his death was occasion that the Suburbs were lost vnto the Chapell sooner then otherwise it had béen Captaine Iahn and fifteene Souldiers besides them who were wounded of the enemies side were slaine aswell within the sayd house as in the Suburbes as afterward some of the enemies reported For to rescue them who did fight came the Baron Vignoles with Captaine Forestiere and 40. Souldiers harquebusiers who defended all the day that which rested of the Suburbe betweene the Chapell and y e towne There was wounded Captaine Mote Standard bearer of the Lord Vignoles with a pellet in the highest part of the thigh whereof he dyed fewe dayes after There was before the towne gate beyond an olde hollow way certaine houses somewhat ruinous The Lord S. George the alarum being giuen went to lodge within the same ruinous houses assisted aswell of his owne as of some armed men of the companie of the Gouernour to helpe the harquebusiers if they should be forced There also the enemie presented all his forces and sent to begin the skirmish which was sustayned and continued vntill night so that the enemie was not able to lodge within the sayd ruinous houses without great losse and seeing the obstinacie of them within lodged in a village vpon the way to Maschecow They of the towne lost a souldier and the Lord Coulee was there wounded The night following the regiment of Brigneulx and Chastiagueray who had gotten the Suburbe of S. Leonard lodged in the houses nigh to the Chappell which were pulled downe Notwithstanding they could not set vp any Barricadoes by reason of the continuall shot which did raine out of the Forts and Curtine so that they could not get out of y e houses All the dayes following to wit from the 16. vnto the 29. of December passed away in continuall skirmishes as the enemie made his approaches for to lodge but specially at the comming of the regiments of the Countie of Beaupre who went about to lodge at the Planches for there commonly began the skirmishes which neuer ended but commonly by the death of some of commandement of the side of the enemie Like skirmishes were daily fought on the side of the
the enterprise so that the said King hauing geuen order to the men of warre which should be at the execution and appointed them who should conduct them to wit the Lordes Parabiere HaraÌ„bure Preau and others the Lord S. Gelays Ranques with twelue horsemen onely departed from S. Iahn and making toward Villeneufue within a league from Saint Iahn met about 40. Harquebuziers on horse backe of the regiment of the King of Nauarre his guards who were conducted by the Lord des Listres with this troupe the said Lords Saint Gelays Ranques went the way that goeth to the left hand of the Forest Thence beeing yet day the Lord Ranques accompanied with ten or twelue Harquebusiers left the Lord Saynt Gelays and went the way to Foys he was far gone on his way when he met with ten or twelue horsemen of the enemies who were thought to bee Albaneses hee charged them and one was flaine the rest saued themselues in the forrest of Chizai In the meane time while the Lord Saint Gelays with the rest of his troupe went the crosse way nigh to the towne Saint Plausiue where the Lords Parabiere Harambure Preau with others who folowed him to the nuÌ„ber of 350. men with sixe mules carrying the ladders other necessary thiÌ„gs which met y e said Lord S. Gelays ther they staied awhile for the rest of the troupe all assembled together which might be in number between three and foure hundered men Harquebuziers and three or foure score armed men All this companie tooke their way toward Niort with as much silence as could be to the gate Saint Gelays The Lord Ranques separated himselfe as is saide before to scoure the countrey the way which goeth to Saint Jhans gate of Niort to see that no man might goe into the towne to giue aduertisement of the things which were done abroad There were left behinde all the companies two seruants of the Lord Saint Gelays who went on foote they followed their master the way of County to Niort A countrey man was sent to Niort by the Lord Ferriere Lieutenant of the companie of the Lorde Malicorne who then was in his house at County This countrey man did cary letters from the saide Lord Ferriere to the gouernour or to the Lieutenant of Niort a man Leagued turbulent and at whose beck all the inhabitants did tremble with aduertisement that already he had warned them twise to take heede for although the report went that the Hugonets were going to Coignak it was fained for certainely they had returned back and went straightly to them And that he feared least his men had been taken seeing that he had not receaued since any newes which thing caused him to send to them the third time that countrey man to aduertise them carefully to take heede These seruants of the Lord Saint Gelays asked the countrey man whether he goeth He answereth to Niort and we also say they but we feare it will be too late to come thether in time for it was sunne setting care not for that saith the countrey man for I can get in and if it were midnight for I bring letters to the Lord Malicorne The seruants hearing that and perceauing that the countrey man had the letters within a ball of earth which he carried in his hand forced him tooke his letters from him and lead him with them and meeting the Lord Ranques at the rendes-vous at the winde mill tooke him the letters with the countrey man When he had read them hee shewed the same to the Lords Saint Gelays Parabiere and others when they came This had been enough to put them out of heart but in vaine dooth the garde of the citie watch when God will surprise it there is neither safety nor counsell against his power The insolency of the inhabitants of Niort against the King of Nauarre and them of the religion was come to a full measure For notwithstanding the great doubt least they of the towne had been aduertised of their enterprise at the instaâ—t request of some they determined to goe through The troupes had already lighted a great halfe league off in the valey nigh Vouilay and had left their horses made fast with certaine seruants to keepe them they caused the Mules which caried the ladders and other necessarie things to goe through the fieldes vnto a quarrie of stone nigh the towne and distant onely from the wall a bow shoot there were the ladders vnloaden and destributed to them that should occupie them There were prepared the petar shy two Gentlemen named Vilesan and Gentil who being very industrious in such things should vse them which were brought within a stones cast of the wal and the ladders also and all in the high way that leadeth from Chiçay to the gate Saint Gelays all this stirre passed without any perceauing of them within the towne The Moone was not downe nor went not downe foure houres after which increased greatly the feare of them who did enterprise least they should be discouered yet they determined to abide patiently in silence both the great and extreame cold and also the going downe of the Moone at whose shining many lying vpon the frosen hard ground did sleepe being wearie of their long iourney more swéete then if they had béene in their beddes In the meane while the Lordes Ranques Valieres Gentil and others went to view the ditch and the place where the ladders should bée set vp and the gates where the Petars should be applyed When they had viewed all and sawe that nothing did stirre in the towne and had made their report they began to let downe the ladders into the drye ditch by an easie path and also to set the Petars to their places The first company ofskaling ladders was conducted by the Lords Ranques Valieres Ionquieres and others guided by a Souldier named Reuaudiere At the second companyes of ladders were the Lords Preau Arambure and des Listres followed by the men which they had in their companies The Lord Saint Gelays and Parabiere went to the gate of Saint Gelays where the Petars should play The scalado was set vp at the wall of the towne distant from the saide gate of Saint Gelays about thirtie or fortie paces They who caried the Ladders were not so soone descended into the ditch but the Sentinel which was vpon the wall farre from the place of the scalado about forty paces demaunded furiously who goeth there they without held stil without answere He which commaunded the guard of the towne which was vpon the gate of Saint Gelays came forth and asked the Sentinel who is there The Sentinel answered I heard some noyse but it is nothing There happened then a great darknes as commonly doth after the going down of the Moone which did fauour greatly them which were without to steale away from the eyes of the Sentinel for without any knowledge of the said Sentinel the Ladders were placed safely It had been concluded betweene them
otherwise could not withstand if they should be pressed All things being well considered they determined to hearken to so aduantagious proffers with hope thereby to make the K. of Nauarre priuie to their affaires and for that intent to send Captayne Robiniere with a passeporte that was concluded and sealed on both sides the sixt day at night The seuenth day the truce was agreed and hostages were giuen on both partes and all acts of hostilitie ceased The same day the Lord Robiniere departed with a trompet of the D. of Neuers to goe to the King of Nauarre The gouernour in the meane while was greatly carefull to take heede that no man should goe foorth to visit or frequent with them of the armie and also that none of the enemies should enter into the towne To preuent all inconueniences hee made a diligent watch both day and night vpon the breaches so that hee himselfe tooke his meales and did lie thereon notwithstanding the hardnes of the winter The eleuenth day of Ianuarie the Lord Robiniere returned from the king of of Nauarre and brought with him the Lord Rinuile to the Lord of Neuers who after he returned to the king of Nauarre obteined leaue to enter into the towne with the Lord Robiniere By them they within the towne were enformed how the king of Nauarre had marched forward very nigh intending to succour them and to venture a battel for that end but that he fel sick with a dangerous disease which had hindred the execution of his enterprize They reported also howe that the said King of Nauarre had sent the Lords Chastilion Rochefocault Trimouille Plassak with the greatest partes of his armie to trie how they might enterprize vpon the enemie but considering that nothing could bee attempted without great disaduantage they were faine to returne backe For the Lorde of Neuers had lodged and trenched himselfe in so aduantagious a place that the towne could not sayle but fall into his hands except it were rescued by the winning of a battell which thing the time prefâ—xed could not permitte being already almost expired Notwithstanding the twelfth day at night the Lords Chastilion Plassak Trimouille went to view the armie so nigh that in the darke night some shot of Ordinance was giuen out for a token of the alarum toward the Porrieres The Duke of Neuers vpon this alarum feared greatly least the Lord Plessis seeing that helpe nigh would haue receiued some succours within the town interpreting the tearmes of the agreement to his aduantage But the saide Lord Plessis would haue done nothing of dangerous consequence much lesse against his promise The 14. of Ianuarie the Lord of Neuers perceaued that they within the town went faithfully to worke for euery man disposed himselfe to depart also he vsed much courtesy toward theÌ„ who were besieged prouiding carts for them whereof they had need to carie as well their bagage as theÌ„ which were wounded caused them to issue foorth out of the sight of y e army least they should bée molested by any man The said Lord of Neuers was in his own at their comming forth with a small companie he commaunded their matches to be kindled saluting very courteously euery man There were some souldiers hurt whome they could not carrie away he commaunded them to stay with assurance to be dressed and otherwise courteously vsed All the companies were safely conducted vnto the Abbey Brilleybant the companies of the King of Nauarre being lodged at Palneau halfe a league thence to whome they ioyned themselues easily the regiment of the Câ—unty of Beaupre was left there in Garison So then the saide Duke of Neuers hauing receaued the towne of Ganache as is aboue said on a sodaine that great and furious army was broaken to pieces as smitten with the finger of God Many there dyed many were hurt they of the League liuing in great mistrust either did dissemble their actions or retired to such places of safetie as they thought most fit the artillery returned into the places from whence it was taken The Lord of Neuers went to Bloys withall the rest of the armie as remained with him whereof a part was sent to the Marshall Haulmont who in the Citadell fought with the inhabitants of Orleans within a few dayes after the Lord of Neuers went from the court to his house of Neuers So all the lowe Poytow which had béene terribly threatned with that tempest was deliuered by this sodaine and vnexpected alteration For the execution which was done at Bloys vpon the person of the Duke of Guize was as an horrible thunderclap not onely vnto the leagued which were in the army of the L. of Neuers of whom the most part did consist and to others who were in multitudes in most partes of the realme but also vnto all others of that confederacie which were out of the realme For the newes fléeing as farre as Lorreyne the forces of the Duke of Lorreyne which had blocked Iamets in y e soueraignty of Boillon euer since the moneth of Aprill before were so amazed by the vnexpected losse and surprise of that support that they taking sodainely bagge and bagage as men frighted out of their wittes brake the siege and retired away so that God there deliuered his Church after a long and daungerous triall which shall induce the posteritie to feare and admire the iust iudgements of God who within a moment and by euents not forséene by mans wisdome dooth turne vpside downe the counsels of the wicked to the ioyfull deliuerance and comfort of his saints Righteous O Lord are thy iudgements all thy waies are righteousnes and trueth The army of the King of Nauarre returned to Niort and Fontenay It is said before how after the surprising of Niort the King of Nauarre repayred to the saide towne the 27. of December and soiourning there a while there he gathered the greatest part of his forces and about the 6. day of Ianuarie in this yeare 1589. the said King departed with such forces as he had from Niort toward the towne of Ganach intending to succour them who were besieged therein or else to fight with the Duke of Neuers if he would haue let him But God who gouerned all things with an vnsearcheable wisdome disappointed that enterprise by that dangerous sicknes which fell vpon him The cold was very extreame and as he is a most laborious Prince after he had béen long on horseback all armed a great cold came vpon him so that he was enforced to light downe of his horse and goe on foote with a swift pace and violent motion to get him some heate and a little after hee had eaten a strange extraordinarie cold tooke him with a great feauer About the 9. day of Ianuary it was incontinently perceiued that it was a pleuresie This happened at a little village called S. Pere there he was enforced to stay without any meanes to transport him to any other place by reason of the
agaynst their Soueraigne and benefactor and parricide among bretheren one to preuent another The newes of the death of Guyze beeing brought into the Prouinces the most part of Towns and Citties from the riuer of Loyre West North and East being already surprised aforehand and seduced from the Kings obedience by the Leaguers vppon the rumor of that execution were so greatly mooued the Duke of Guyze beeing accompted the onely piller of Popish religion by the perswasion which the Catholikes had conceaued of him that they began euery where to wauer and kindle to a manifest rebellion by the setting on of the Leaguers who were the greatest part in number euery where They did greatly by their inuectiues make heynous and odious that execution vppon the persons of Guyze and the Romish Priest his brother tearming it the Massacre committed at Bloys And thus the iust iudgement of God iustly taking vengeance for so many murthers shedding of innocent bloud and innumerable villanies committed vppon the saintes of God and for stopping their eares at the cleere and lowd voice of the Sonne of God who so louingly hath called them by his word promises by his threatnings and plagues ofpestilence famine and warre gaue them ouer to a reprobat sence with a senceles rage to fall to commit such cruelties among themselues that no enemy would or could haue desired or deuised greater their towns and citiesbeeing euery where replenished with massacres robberies banishments and proscriptions not committed agaynst them of the religion but euen of popish Catholikes against popish Catholikes of Idolaters against Idolaters of murtherers agaynst murtherers so the Lord hath sent euill Angels among them Paris the capitall cittie of the kingdome as they more hoped vppon the Duke of Guyze then any other did so they shew themselues most offended There were firebrands which kindled the sedition to the vttermost to wit the Duchesses of Guyze and Nemours who with their outcries and lamentations did animate the people to a raging madnes Thereunto also added the Iesuits and Fryers set on by the aforenamed all their inuectiues insolent and vnreuerent wordes in their ordinary tragicall outcryes in their Pulpits and philippicall sermons to make the people obstinate desperat and vntractable to be hereafter reduced to any obedience Other Cities followed the example of Paris as Orleans Roen Anieus Abeuille Reymes and Tholose whereby the conspiracy and setting on of the Bishop of the place in most cruel maner they tooke the first president of the court of Parliament there hanged him vpon a Gibet and afterward dragged his dead body about the streets beeing one of the most zealous romish Catholikes which then could liue in this world the onely cause was that he would not allow their rebellion The King vnderstanding the great sturres perilous flames of rebellion in most part of the townes and cities of his realme supposing by impunity which he calleth clemencie and gentlenes to quench that fire which was already too far kindled writeth his declarations emporting an obliuion of all iniuries to be published in all his Parliaments and other courts in Prouinces First he sheweth how oftentimes hee hath borne with the perturbers of his realme not onely in forgiuing them their offences whome hee might haue iustly punished but also by winning them by all fauours possible to be shewed onely thereby séeking the preseruation of the peace of his subiects and of the Catholick religion vntill that hee was certainely informed that they had conspired against his person life and estate so farre as he was inforced to make that execution extraordinarily Secondly he sheweth that although many had béen of that conspiracy whome he might haue iustly punished yet for the loue which he beareth vnto all Catholicks hée hath stayed the punishment vpon the two chiefest authors of the euill Thirdly he protesteth that he will haue the edict of reunion obserued in all poynts burying al the former offences in perpetuall forgetfulnes commaundeth his iudges and officers in all his courtes to make no inquisition of the former offences willing all men to liue in peace vnder his obedience and if not hee chargeth his officers to make exemplary iustice of the offenders The King hauing assembled his estates as is saide before supposing by their help and assistance to haue repressed the outragious attempts of the house of Guize sawe himselfe in the middest of them compassed with a company of mortall enemies to his person life and state Whereupon destitute of authoritie counsell and help through pusillanimity was faine to spare the liues of them who were in his power and of others whome he might easily haue apprehended who had their hands as déepely in the trespasse as the chiefe authors themselues This was the worke of the Lord to bring him to the consideration of his great errors in refusing so often the wholsome and brotherlike aduertisements of the good K. of Nauarre and other Princes both within and without the realme his louing and faithfull friends The more therefore he goeth about with impunity of most grieuous offences which in his declaration hee tearmeth clemency to bring that people of Paris seduced from his obedience to their duety y e more that miserable people condemned of God and in his wrath appointed to hauock and thraâ—dome for multiplying rebellion murthers and confusions vpon their former murthers Idolatries and abominations dooth rage and like mad dogs as out of their wittes doo run headlong to worke the full measure of their desperat rebellions accounting the Kings clemency cowardlines which they might haue called pusillanimitie in deed as though hée feared either to haue them his enemies or else to loose them from being his subiects Therefore hauing committed greeuous crimes all manner of wayes euen with greedines at length hauing concluded to withdraw themselues from their soueraignes obedience the chiefest players in this tragedie of rebellion to colour their diuilish passions with the authoritie of Gods law as though they would haue asked Gods wil out of his owne mouth adressed them themselues to the facultie of Theologie there commonly called the Colledg of Sorboune For that purpose they sent one Vrban one of the Magistrates of Paris to the sayd Sorboune hauing framed in manner of supplication two questions to be resolued by them First an populus regni Galliae possit solui liberari à sacramento fidelitatis obedientiae Henrico tertio praestito Whether the people of France may not be discharged and setfree from the oath of allegeance and obedience made vnto Henry the third Secondly an tuta conscientia possit idem populus armari vniri pecnnias colligere contribuere ad defensionem conseruationem Religionis Catholicae Romanae in hoc regno aduersus nefaria conscilia conatus praedicti regis quorum libet aliorum illi adherentium contra publica fidei violationem ab eo Blaesis factum in praeiuditium praedictae religionis Catholicae edicti sanctae vnionis
argument to walke in they cryed out that he serued himselfe of the forces of heretickes no maruel if they cry out now when they see a whip prepared for their backes and that now they are further from bringing to passe theyr wicked thoughts thâ—â— euer they were By these execrable outragious and seditious inue ctiues of these damnable Iesuits and Fryers hyred to sound the trompet of rebellion in a maner throughout all France but specially froÌ„ the riuer of Loyre north west and east and among other Prouinces Normandy was so infected with their poysoned and detestable rebellions that there was not so much as a Uillage to bee found where there was not some of all qualities dronken with their cup of abominations It is sayd before how the King had pardoned Brissak Boysdaulphine and Chastre with many others who within a while abusing the Kinges facility and ascribing their impunity to the Kings puâ—â—llanimity fled and reuolted to the League agayne After this reuolt Brissak and Boysdaulphine went to Anger 's as it is sayd and procured that great Citty to rebell but after the reducing of the sayd Cittye to the Kings obedience by the Marshal Haumont the said Brissak and Boysdaulphin fled and in their flight caused by the meanes of their partakers the Citty of Mans which was already wauering to rebel against the King To these 2. manipuli furum resorted the Lords la Mot Serrant Touchet Angeruile and Normandiere who by theyr treacherous solicitaâ—ion procured almost all the townes of Normandy to rebell and to open their gates to them as Roan which was reuolted long before Luseulx Falaize Newhauen Seas Bayeux Argenton and afterward Alcencon all these opened their gates to the rebels who afterward a most in a litle space consumed them There remained Caen Constances few other towns in base Normandie in the kings obedience by the good and prouident counsel of the Lord de la Veaue Beuuron the Presidents Aulbiguy and Lizeres and some other loyall and Noble men We sée how the cities of Normandie for the most part at the solicitatioÌ„ of Brissak Boysdaulphine and others whose names shall be knowne hereafter and by the preaching of the furious and frantick Iesuites and Friers are brought from the Kings obedience to a damnable rebellion The countrey men also and pesants were induced by the selfe same meanes to rebellion vnder colour of the defending the Catholick religion and hope of libertie There is in high Normandie a certaine place called la Chapelle Gantier thereupon the perswasions of the desperat Iesuites and Friers to countrey men were stirred vp to rebellion both against the King and the Nobilitie and began to commit horrible excesse and cruelties by reason of this beginning all the rebels in Normandy were called Gantiers these Peasants ioyned to themselues a number of Priestes but specially the Priestes of Sees and a great number of bedlem Friers furious Iesuites Parsons and among others the Parson of Vimonstier the most pestiferous desperat and seditious firebrand of all Normandy About the 19. the King vnderstanding of this rebellion in Normandy and foreséeing the mischiefe which might ensue if this euill were not in time remedyed thought good with all spéede to send the Prince Montpensier generall Lieutenant for his Maiestie into that Prouince to reduce them into the true way of their duetie and obedience and commaunded the Lord Saint Cire one of his counselers and Master of the requests of his house to accompany and assist him The King to bring this seduced people in the right way of iust obedience gaue charge to the saide Prince to offer pardon and impunity vnto the rebels in case they woulde liue quietly and peaceably vnder his gouernement Secondly hee discharged them of the third part of all taxes due vnto him hoping to haue a better opportunity and more happie season woulde come when he might gratifie them in some greater matter Thirdly hée gaue a forme of an oath to the said Prince to commaund all men to liue peaceably vnder his Gracious gouernement and to forsake all Leaguers and associations whatsoeuer and in case they would refuse either to returne vnder his protection or else to take that oath he gaue him authority to chastise them with strong hand as traitors and rebels About the 30. the saide Prince departed from Tours accompanied with the Lords of Backeuile and Archant and came to Luce where hee vnderstoode that Boysdaulphin and la Mot Serrant and other rebels had surprised the towne of Mans and purposed to méete with him to stop his way The 31. day this noble Prince of the house of Bourbon passed hard by the nose of the enemies and came as farre as Alencon where hée found the inhabitants amazed for the surprising of the towne of Mans by the enemy whome the rebels also had enueigled to enter into their rebellon and confirmed them in their obedience and duetie toward his Maiestie There this noble Prince with great deuotion and solemnitie kept his Easter and hauing taken order for the safetie of the towne appointed the Lorde Reuty gouernour of the said place with two companies of shot on horseback to kéepe the towne and Castell and to make roades in the villages about to repulse the rebells when they should come to forrage and constraine the inhabitants to pay them taxes and other tributes due to the King The 4. day the Prince vnderstanding that the citie of Sees were minded to ioyne to the rebels and had refused to take the oath according to the prescribed forme of the King purposed to passe that way and sent worde before to the Bishop and inhabitants that they shoulde open the gates for him who vpon a short consultation answered that they were ready to receaue him and being met by the citizens a great way out of the towne hée accompanied with the Lordes of Bakqueuile Archand and their troupes passed through without any stay The said Prince shewed vnto the Bishop and the inhabitants that he came from the King to offer pardon vnto the rebels and that the King ment to deale fauorably with his subiects to make account of them according to their duety and obedience towards him to chastise the rebels obstinat The inhabitants protested though with fained lippes of their loyaltie affection and obedience toward his Maiestie The departing from Sees met with the Lordes de Hallot and Creueceur his brother with a good and honorable tronpe of nobilitie to whome they proffered with many protections faithfully to serue the King as long as breath was in their bodies The 5. of Aprill the Prince departed from Escouche had intelligences that the Lords Touschet Angeruile Normandiere Captaines of the rebels with many Laâ—nciers and a good number of footemen haue come forth out of Falaize and marched on to stop the Princes way and went as farre as a village called Perrefit distant two miles from Falaize where they being met by the Lords Bakqueuile Archand Creueceur were
so charged that they stood little to the fight for the Prince leading the maine Battaile beginning to appeare they fled and left behind them Touschet Angeruile and Normandiere their chiefest leaders who were taken prisoners and brought before the Duke who were redeliuered into the hands of those that had taken them till such time as hée should call for them againe All the companies of these rebels were hewen in pieces the Prince lost not one man there was none hurt of his side but only the Lord Chammont in the head and in a short space after cecouered That same day the Prince Montpencier came to Falaize where the enemies made a shew as though they would haue set open the gates for him intending some surprise against him The Prince hauing no Ordinance to force theÌ„ tooke his way to Caen where he entred about y e seauenth day of Aprill all the faithfull Citizens welcomming him with these salutations often reiterated God saue the King and my Lord the D. Montpencier in token of an vnfained ioy they kept that day holy day The Lord Beuuron accompanied him to his lodging which was the house of the presideÌ„t Aubigny thether came the L. Verune to do reuerence to the Prince who receaued him courteously and highly commended him for his loyall seruice to the King in kéeping the towne within his obedience The said Prince soiourned in Caen about ten dayes to set all things in a readines as well for the safety and defence of the Citie as for to assault the enemy and to scoure the country During the Princes soiourne there ariued the County Thorigny and afâ—er him the Lord Longannay with a great troupe of Gentlemen who were courteously receaued and imbraced with great thankes for their good affection toward his Maiestie promising to aduertise the King of their duetifull seruice and to requiâ—e it in particular as occasion would serue About the 15. of April the Prince Montpencier hauing done al things that were there to bée done and gathered such forces as hée might and by the aduise of the Lord Saint Cere he concluded to warre vpon the rebels and to make them to leaue that which they hold so fast in the countrey and because they had the chiefest townes he resolued to carry a long some pieces of artillery to force them if possible he might Therefore he sent away before Monsieur de Hallot Batreuile Archand with the regiment of Monsieur Tracy the companies of the Captaines Saint Denis Maillot Radier Chauuaine Daulphin Roqueuile Glaize and other voluntary Captaines to attempt vpon Falaize The Sonday to wit the 16. of Aprill hée like a good Catholick caused a procession to be made and a sermon and a certaine forme of prayers to bée dayly said for the safegarde of the King and the good successe of his affaires against the rebels The 17. the Prince hauing appoynted officers ouer his treasure money victuall and artillery departed with two Canons and one bastard Culuerine hoping at the least to drawe the enemy to the field ariuing at Falaize he lodged at the Abbey Saint Iahn On the other side the ringleaders of the rebels as Brissak the Lords of long Champ the Barons of Eschaufour and Tubeuf assembled the flower of their rebell forces within the towne of Falaize The 18. of Aprill they laid their Artillery to batter and hauing beaten downe thrée towers they sent a Sergeant and ten Souldiours to view the breach but séeing that they would haue enticed them to enter into the towne to haue intrapped them and considering that the wall was yet too déepe the Prince sounded the retraite And vnderstanding that the rebels had taken from about Aigle Orbeck Sees Argenton Vimonstier and other places néere thereabout a company of more then sixe thousand Gantiers wel appoynted for Muskets and Harquebuses as might bée among these peasants they intermingled some seauen or eight hundred good Souldiours such as they could come by some also of the Nobility of the weaker sort to these companies of rebellious robbers resorted a great number of Priestes CaÌ„ons Monkes Friers Iesuites and such stinking poysoned vermine the Lord Brissak accompanied with the Barons of Eschaufour the Lords Vieupont Roqueuual Beaulieu and Annay and other Captaines receaued them and conducted them the right way to Falaize to them repayred the Baron Vernier with his forces from Damfront The Lorde Pierrecourt also came with such forces as hée could make out of Ponteau de mer and Ange and Houfleur supposing to haue inclosed the Prince betwéene the Towne of Falaize and these great forces and so to haue surprised him and his power The Prince hauing intelligences of the enterprize prouided for them remooued his artillery from the trenches and sent away his cannon to Courcy and with the Culuerine resolued to encounter the enemie in the plaine field The enemies had lodged in three seuerall villages not farr distant a sunder betweene Argenton and Falayze to wit Pierrefit villiers and Commeaux The Prince Montpencier appoynted the County of Thoriguy and Longaunay and the Lord Vickes the elder brother to lodge betweene the said villages and Argenton there to stay them if they should seeme to recoyle back He sent also the Lords of Bakqueuile Archand and Benuron with their companies to enuiron them on the other side The 20. day y e prince himself ayded with the L. Hallot Creueceure his brother with the whole armie and being on the top of a hil commaunded the Lords of Emery and Surene Marshalls of the field to aduance the infantry which was on the left hand with the Culuerine which they did these footemen were lead by the Lords of Saint Denis Maillot Radier Roqueuile Chauuayn Daulphine Glayze and others all so well resolute to encounter with that rabble of rebels that they made no delay but skitmished straight with a hot on set on both sides but assoone as the culuerin had begun to play in their faces they began to bee amazed and Brissak himselfe caused his Cornet to turne bridle and retyred from the danger with a number of horsemen as hardy as himself The rebels notwithstanding stoode to the fight but when the Culuerine roared once againe and they sâ—w the Lord Vaumart one of their chiefest leaders with fifteene others carried away with the shott they began to quauer Then the prince commaunded a fresh charge hee marching formost of all his companies which was giuen so hot and fierce that al the rebels were put to the chase to yeeld and to fall downe before them whom God had armed with authoritie and force to reuenge that most damnable rebellion This first encounter was vpon two thousand who were lodged at Pierrefit they were all slayne or takeâ— prisoners few onely excepted The prince hauing assemblâ—d his troupes agayne immediatly set vpon the third village named Viliers where were another company of rebels conducted by the Baron Tubeuf they were all put to the sworde saue the Baron Tubeuf and a few
was made in the Citie in Ianuary last they had appoynted a Captain for euery warde of the Citie which be eightéen which by turnes should haue out of his warde twelue hundred men to march to the Boys of Vicennes nigh Paris to keepe that Castle from surprizing by the Kings friends Captaine Aubret his regiment was appointed that day to that charge to wit to conduct the Ordinance to whome was added the companie of Captaine Compan they leauing for that day the kéeping of the Castle Vicennes their baggage apparell and prouision of victuall which was gone before through the gate S. Anthony went through S. Martins gate where the Ordinance was gone before vnder the charge of one Brigard Procurator of the Towne-house They arâ—iued with these three pâ—eces at Seulis the sixt day of May in the euening At their arriuing they saluted the Towne with a peale of that Ordinance At the noyse therof they of the Towne on a sudden came to the Towne walles and offered to make as great a breach in the wall as they would demaund and so to ease them from taking so much paynes as to vse the Canon shot The Duke d'Aumale presently sent to summon them to yeeld vnto composition they within promised to make an answere the morrowe following Vpon this answere a Post of the Towne went to Paris to bring them good newes which encreased greatly by the way as the manner is there the report went that Seulis had proffered thréescore thousand Crownes some multiplied that to one hundered thousand for their rauâ—some The 7. day they of the Towne gaue their answere both by portraiture and by mouth for they all night had portrayed on a cloath the Dukes de Mayn Aumale hanged on gibbets the Dutchesse Montpensier kneeling at the feete of them with her head all vncouered weeping and wailing and tearing her haire which they caused to be set on the morrow being the 7. of May to bee spread vpon the walles the people crying with vile and reproachful speaches that the same was the portraiture of the composition that they demaunded Vpon the sight of this picture and words spoken out of the wall they sent agayne to Paris for more Ordinance to beat the Towne to dust for they had sworne so to doo The Parisiens made excuse that they lacked Bullets and such Pieces as they demaunded The cause of this excuse was not lacke of will to do so much mischiefe as the other intended to haue done but for feare of the ielousies betweene the Duke de Mayne and Aumale for the Duke Aumale had béen greatly and oftentimes desired after his departure from thence to returne to Paris which he denyed to doo The Parisiens therefore fearing that Aumale hauing such forces as hee had at Seulis and expected dayly from the Lord Balagny and hauing store of Ordinance and munition either might turne all these forces agaynst them or keepe them short from hauing any victuals out of Picardie or to make a third faction and to striue with the Duke de Mayne about the state and so weaken their party to expose them to be a pray for the King The Duke d' Aumale seeing that there was little succour to bee expected from Paris sent to Peronne where he had sixe pieces of Ordinance and out of Anjous one which were conducted to Seulis by y e Lord Balagny gouernour of Cambray About the 13. day of May they of Seulis made a sally out of the Towne with a hundered horsemen whereat they that besieged the towne were so amased that they thought best to flee so the Parisiens casting away their armor fled and hid themselues in bushes on euery side Of these hundered horsemen fiftie returned into the towne and the other fifty kept the field for to ayde any that might come to succour them About the 15. of May the Lord Balagny with his companies of Wallons Cambresines and Picardines came and ioyned to the D. Aumale with sixe pieces of Ordinance which hee had taken at Peronne and Anjous as is aforesayd The 12. day of May they began to batter Seulis with ten pieces of battery and within a while hauing made a great breach the enemy confusedly gaue the assault who was repulsed with some losse The same day about noone word came to the enemy that the Duke of Longueuille accompanied with the Lordes of Humieres Bonniuet la Nowe Giury Mesuiller and Tour and other nobles of Picardy were at hand to the number of a thousand horsemen and three thousand footmen to rescue the towne of Seulis Whereupon the Lord Balagny pitched in campe the best power of his men and beeing then accompanied with the Lords of Mainuile of Saisseual Mezieres and Congy with others approched somewhat neere to the Duke of Longueuille in good hope to discomfit him The horsemen of Cambray and the Wallons also first charged the footmen of the Duke of Longueuille The said footmen departed themselues in the middle gaue roome for the ordinance to shoot which at the first volye made a great flaughter of the Cambresines and Wallons who lyking not that play recyred backe with greater hast then they went to it but afterward they came all to a set battaile fought stoutly on both sydes and with great courage but the Ordinance of the Duke of Longueuille made still so great spoite of the enemy that conceauing a great dread they began to wauer neither could the Duke d' Aumale nor the Lord Balagny by any perswasions encourage them nor bring them to good order agayne so the confusion and terror encreasing the whole army which besieged the towne fled away presently The Duke of Longueuille his power with the power which was in the Towne issuing forth did so follow the chase that with handy blowes they killed as many as they could ouertake There remayned slayne of the rebels vpon the place betweene fifteene hundred and two thousand as many were slaine in the chase besides them who were slayne in the Villages by the countrey people All the Ordinance and munition of warre bagge baggage was left behind The Duke d' Aumale had a blow which did him no good the Lord Balagny had an other which did him no great hurt hoth of them fled to Paris in lesser company then when they went to Seulis The Duke d' Aumale the 19. of May went out of Paris fearing there to be welome and mistrusting the snares of de Mayne mutiny and factions of the Parisiens he retyred to Saint Denis Balagny remayned in Paris faining there that hee would take order for the gathering of the Souldiers breathing out cruell threatning what hee would doo and promising to the Parisiens that a new supply of Wallons would come out of the low Countrey he cheareth the people of Paris who were smitten with the dread of Iericho The selfe same day the rebels of Rion in Auuergne had an ouerthrow no lesse then this but the particularityes are not knowen vnto me for lacke
to examine him nor to aske him Domine quo vadis The newes of this exploit so happily brought to passe arriuing at Rome filled the Citie with Gaudeamus the Churches with Te Deum and the court of Rome with Curtizans Thereuppon that Fryer Sixtus may fill the measure of iniquity and that he may leaue a testimony to the world to be knowen whose Vicar hee is he called together all his Chaplains into the Consistory and telleth them the happiest newes that euer came to Rome since the day that it was taken and ransaked by Charles of Bourbon to wit that Henry the third K. of France was slayne by the hands of a Frier and that hee may giue some ground to his oration flourished with Monkish eloquence he taketh a text out of A bacuck I haue wrought a worke in your dayes and no man would beleeue it though it be told them Vppon these wordes the lewde lying Frier taketh vppon him to make the articles of our Faith as touâ—â—ing the incarnation and resurrection of Christ and the execrable parricide of this accursed murdering Fryer to bee equally miraculous and wrought by the will counsell finger and power of God and by the inspiration of the selfe same Spirit which guyded the Prophets and Apostles and wrought in them the measure of all wisedome righteousnes and holines conducted this Fryer through all the difficulties of the way and directed him and his hand in committing such a damnable Parâ—icide The Lord reproue the lying spirit of blasphemie Thus may we see the hellish diuinity which Frier Sixtus which sitting in his Consistory in his Pontificalibus cannot erre spueth out by the inspiration of Sathan This impudent Frier the other day being Sonne to a Swineheard lying in Ouens for lacke of better lodging though he be neither Prophet a spudevp-prophet let him be nor the sonne of a Prophet yet telleth to his Chaplayns that hee prophecied to the red-cap Priestes called the Caroinals Joyeuse Leuencourt and Paris how the King should be the last of his name and should die an infortunate and violent death By this prophecie euery man may see how deeply this murthering Fryer Sixtus had his fingers in the conspiracy of the Kings death Thirdly because the King would not yeeld himselfe to be slayne by the Leaguers according to the secret counsell of Rome Also by reason that he suffered the execrable murtherer to bee slayne and willed the King of Nauarre and the Princes with him to make exemplary iustice vppon the authors and accessaries of his death Frier Swineheard otherwise Sixtus sweareth by his cornerd cap that as when it is vppon his head there lyeth vnder it the foure quarters of a false Frier so the King shall haue no Masse of Requiem of him but shall souse burne and broile in purgatory vntill he be as cold as a Frogge So Fryer Sixtus hauing taken so great paines for the holy Church as he did that day his belly began to call him to another worke And all the red cap Priestes making their abashio vpon their knées began to whistle with his mouth and with his two forfingers and his thumb hunting flies ouer their heads blessed them voto milesorum nemo vestrum frugi esto get you to dinner edite bibite cras moriemini Not long after at the solicitation of the rebels who had promised in case Fryer Clement should bée slaine in such good seruice to the holy Church to make him a Saint Fryer Sixtus for why should not a Fryer doo for a Fryer euen a greater thing then that made him a holy martyr who suffered for the Catholick faith and Deum tutelarem of the Citie of Paris Then his Image was set vp in euery Church Massing sensing offring kissing kneeling and ducking is dayly done to the Idoll there was neuer so much a doo about the Idoll of Molok there was neuer so much crying about the Altar of Baal as there is ora pro nobis about this new Saint there was neuer so many flyes about Beelzebub as there is Idolaters in Paris about this new Idoll Now before we do enter into the narration of King Henry the fourth we will represent an image of the miserable confusions which are in the realme by a comparison Henry the fourth Emperour of the Romains by the mothers side was of the royall bloud of France a man of great wisdome and integrity The holy Empyre was set on a fier of sedition by the Bishops Priests and Monkes by the procurement of the Popes which then liued seditious rebellions and commotions were raysed vp by the Shauelings throughout all Germanie about the bestowing of Bishoprikes and Benefices First they stirred vp Saxonie after Suobland they set vp an vsurper to wit Radolph but to his great harme Then they set vp his owne Sonne against him to wit Henry the fift Last of all the Bishops Priests and Monkes by treason oppressed him this noble Emperour could neuer be ouercome by force but had alwaies the victorie against the Shauelings and their partakers his age was blinded with grosse ignorance and a vaine feare of the Popes vayne craking excommunication Henry of Bourbon the fourth all one in name in number in vertue and force and prosperous successe is all one with that noble Emperour issued out if we should well consider the histories of the same famely as the other was by the mothers side his Kingdome is all set on a fire of rebellion the Priestes and Fryers haue blowne and kindled it religion is pretended but in very déede ambition is the procurer of all these euills This age is not so blinde if they would but men are more malicious they vse now the old rusty sword of the Popes excommunication as they did then not that they doo passe for it but to serue their owne turne to bée the trumpet of all rebellion he hath sustayned the fury of the Priests and Fryers and of their partakers for the space of these 14. yeares and had neuer any foyle but hath had alwaies the victory on his side The Emperour Henry the fourth was oppressed by the treasons of popelings this I hope will beware of such Chaplaines Popery then did preuaile but now the Gospell shall florish mauger all the religions of idolatrous Fryers and all the route of Antichrist We haue left the King on the sea coast of Normandie there to view the preparations and attempts of the Leaguers where vnderstanding that the Leaguers did insult by the good successe which they had in executing their traiterous felony vpon the Kings person and that they had prepared a mighty army of such rablement of rebels as Paris could afoord them and had receaued certaine swart Rutâ—ers vnder the conduct of the Duke of Brunswick He was aduertised also that the Duke of Lorreyne had sent his sonne the Marquis d'Pont with certaine companies of Horsemen and that they had receaued certaine Wallons out of the Low Countrey conducted by the County Egmond The
Ambassadors into Spayne at one clap and there the causes were shewed which moued the King of Spayne to hearken vnto their petition how he sent to the Duke of Parma to goe into France with such power as he could conueniently make to relieue and rescue Paris Now wée will shew the intent which the King of Spayne kept vncommunicable to himselfe The King of Spayne hauing placed the Duke of Parma as regent in the Low Countries and perceauing that he being setled in the Country and hauing purchased friends and partakers there began to suspect him as that hée should not bée able to haue him out without some wrangling and wrestling 〈◊〉 that the Duke would keepe that countrey in recompence of the Kingdome of Portingal whereof he thought himselfe vniustly defrauded This suspition made the King oftentimes to play the Phisition with the Duke and to minister him spanish phisick afore he was sick as boles pills and potions But the said Duke being skilfull in Italian Phisick prouided such counter phisick that by boles pills and potions he preuented the druggs of Spayne The Spanish King therefore séeing that his Phisick would not work tooke occasion by this Ambassage to rid his hands of him either by some blow y t he might receaue or else by preuention therefore he commaunded him to take such regiments of Wallons Italians as he knew well to fauour the said Duke such Lords as had any amity with him to go with all spéed to ayde the Leaguers y t by these meanes the Spaniards remaining in the countrey while another gouernour should be sent might seaze vpon the holds and forts of the land so to shut him out and exclude him from that gouernement to be sent into Italy from whence he came there to be a petty Duke and to busie his head about the prouiding of a Galey if the Turke should chance to inuade Italy But the Duke of Parma hauing learned this Latine in his youth fraudeÌ„ fraude fullere laus est thought good to obey his masters commaundement though little to his aduauntage for beside his commission hée purposed to take with him the two regiments of Spanyards that were appoynted to remayne in the Countrey and to haue shut him out of the doores The Duke of Parma had béene long sicke of the purre the pockes the murre the cough and the glaunders and yet his teeth were scarse fast in his head And beeing most resolued en his iourney then seemed hee coldest and most vncertayne The Spaniards hauing already through a brain sike imagination conquered France did vrge the iourney the Dukes friends did excuse the delay by his weaknes There was dayly quarrels betweene Spaniards and Italians some Spaniardes were so bold to call him Viliago tradidore The Duke did dilay his iourney to terrify the Duke de Mayne and to driue him of necessity to come in his owne person to begge his helpe The Duke de Mayne as is before sayd hauing taken some order to stay the Kings power from forcing the citie of Paris posted to Bruxels in Brabant there the Duke of Parma entertained him as a gentleman would entertaine a lackay There the D. de Mayne afore he might be admitted to come in the presence of that great Potentate was put to learne so many Italian abassios so many duckinges and Spanish ceremonies by crouching to euery rascall Spaniard that at length when hâ— had learned well to make a legge afâ—â—r the Italian or Spanish maner he was let into basiare las manos There he vrged and prayed very deuoutly for speedy helpe she wing the extremity that Paris stood in if it were not with speed relieued farewell all the League Leaguers and Leagued and Catholike fayth Vppon this extremity the Duke of Parma who had all things in a readines sent the D. de Mayne before him to put such forces in a readines as he could make vp against his comming that entring on the frontiers they might ioyne their forces together The Duke de Mayne returned into France put all the Leaguers in great hope of good successe reuiued y e hungry Parisiens with fair words sent to the Duke de Aumale and Vidsame d' Amiens who were gone into Picardy to relye such forces there as they could and to repaire into Champaigne to him Now hauing brought the Duke de Mayne from Bruxeles into Champaigne againe there we will leaue him to prepare for the comming of the Duke of Parma and returne to the siege of Paris Now in the latter end of Iulye the famin did so preuaile in the Citie of Paris and encreased more and more daily that they dyed by heaps euery where sinking downe in the Streetes starke dead They who were able to buy oaten bread were allowed no more but sixe ounces a day By the end of Iuly they had eaten in the Citie aboue two thousand horses and eight hundred Asses or Moyles great warre was denounced in the Citie agaynst Dogges Whelps Catteâ— Kitlings Rats Mice and other such thingâ—s which the bellie could deuise There was no wine in the Citie nor graine to brue beare They who had money did drinke Tisen made with water and liquorice which was to be sold in wine Tauerns in stead of Wine They who had no money did drinke with the Cow out of the riuer Sein which for the space of thirty yeares they had defiled and coloured red with the bloud of the Saints and now of late with the bloud of the royals In the beginning of August they sought all hearbs and weedes which could bee had and sed them in water without salt which they did sell for a Spanish Royall a pound to them which had money A bushell of wheat was sold for 70. crownes and more Blind Bernardine Ambassador of Spayne one of the chiefest workers of all these mischiefs hapned to tell in a company how he had heard say that in a certain fort of the Turke besieged by y e Persians in like case they did grind bones of dead men and made bread thereof Some who heard this tale told tooke that for a counsell tooke bones whereof is great store in Paris specially in the Churchyard of the Innocents ground them and made bread of that kind of stuffe Some did take the small dust of worm eaten posts mingled with a small deale of Oaten meale wherewith they made bread From the latter ende of Iuly vntill the time that the King raised the siege this miserable people did shift with that kind of poore fare About the 29. of Iuly the asses of Sorboun Monks Friers and Iesuits considering now that asse flesh could not be had any more or that they had no money to buy any and also that it would not bee had neither vpon credit nor for begging Considering also that the 50. thousand duckets which the Pope had sent which they thought to haue had either wholly or in part was bestowed vppon men and Souldiers not vppon Asses and
moneth Possonnes the Duke de Mayne his gouernour there considering the state of the Duke of Sauoy his affayres seeing the Canon planted and the Lord Diguieres fortified with newe supplies all the commonaltie bent against him and being without any hope of ayde or reliefe the 30. of September yeelded the Towne of Essiles by composition that his Souldiers should freely depart with bagge and baggage So by these meanes the passages into Piemont doo remayne in the Kings power and the countrey of Daulphine is limitted with his olde limits long before fortified by the French Kings during the warres of Italy Sonnes generall of the Duke of Sauoy had prouoked the Lord Morges his nephewe to fight fiftie agaynst fiftie on horsebacke and appoynted the place which thing the Lord Diguieres vnderstanding conducted the sayd Morges vnto the place where the sayd Morges remayned with his forces readie to accept the offer from nine a clocke in the morning vntill three a clocke in the euening and at length came a Trompetter with a letter from the sayd Sonnes carying an excuse The Lord Diguieres in attending the comming of y e enemie had espied a passage néere Iallon where the enemie had entrenched himselfe and there lodged eight companies vnder the conduct of Captaine Venust and perceauing that there was no more hope of Sonnes comming to the combat appoynted he determined to spend the rest of that day in doing some exployt and to assault the sayd companyes who did lye vpon the hanging of the mountayne betweene Suze and Noualize and hauing found meanes to place one hundred Musketters who battered the enemie vpon the side of their fort the trenches of the enemie were forced and fourescore of them slayne among whom were Captaynes Venust Gassard and Charband Captayne Vilars with some other was taken prisoners and foure companies of Senton master of the Campe were so scattered that they came neuer together agayne This exployt was done the first of October This being done the Lord Diguieres returned again to Essiles and sent backe the foure Canons to Ambrun and caused two great peeces to bee drawne from Gap to Barcelona a place situated in the County of Nice and pertayning to the Duke of Sauoy hee sent his forces before to besiege the sayd Barcelona and when hee came himselfe about the eleauenth day of October and had made a breach the same day the enemie did parley and yéelded themselues with safetie of their liues leauing behind them their armour colours horses and baggage the Captaines were permitted to depart with their swords vpon an hackney The inhabitants had graunted them to enioy their goods abiding vnder the Kings obedience as the rest of his subiects vpon condition to pay sixe thousand Crownes for the army and the fraight of the Artillerie The 13. day the gouernour called Coreloere departed with three souldiers with him and as many of citizens and countrey men who repayred to their houses vnder the Kings safegard The 14. day the Lord Diguieres layd batterie before the Castle of Metans which he slenderly battered the 15. day only to view the enemies countenance But they being greatly afrayed the next night did steale away and so saued themselues except thirtie of them who were intercepted by the watch In this way of Piemont the Lord Diguieres had neuer aboue three hundred horses and twelue hundred shot and found no greater enemie then the inaccessible height of the mountaynes where ouer he was forced to passe the Canon but chiefly in his iourney to Barcelona The Citie of Grenoble in the land of Daulphine notwithstanding the truces and good entertaynment from time to time receaued of the Lord Diguieres had been seduced after the King last deceased and did hold still after for the League though not with such desperat madnes and insolencie as many others had done Now the L. Diguieres hauing well repressed the madnes chastized the rashnes and folly of the D. of Sauoy and hauing in a manner subdued and pacified that countrey forsooke the Duke of Sauoy and determined to scoure as much as he could all the remnant and ragges of rebellion out of that prouince which thing to bring to passe he thought good to begin at the head to wit the Citie of Grenoble and as by the euent which followed it seemed that he did besiege distresse that Citie which thing caused the inhabitants to consider that the Lord Diguieres had in a manner all the land of Daulphine at commaundement His power was increased and returned out of Piemont with few victories of many they weighed also how they were out of hope of any succour as well from the Duke de Mayne as from the Duke of Sauoy who being taught by the schoolemaster of fooles which is experience would not haue hereafter great lust to returne in haste into Daulphine These circumstances caused them well to consider the danger wherein they stoode which thing moued them to make a motion of peace by the which they were reduced to the dutifull obedience of their lawfull Soueraigne This peace was concluded in the suburbs of Saint Laurence by Grenoble the two and twentith of December betweene the Lord des Diguieres one of the kings priuie counsell and of estate captayne of a hundred men at armes of his Ordinances and generall of the armie leuied for the kings seruice in the land of Daulphine on the one part and the court of Parliament the commonalties of the countie and the Consuls of the same First that the exercize of the Romish Religion shall remaine frée both within the towne and suburbs thereof as hitherto it hath béen and that the Cleargie in all the prouince shall enioy the full possession of their goods in any place in the prouince vnder the kings protection Secondly that the frée exercize of the reformed Religion may be publikely celebrated within Trescloistre suburbs of the sayd citie without any let trouble or molestation Thirdly that all dwellers in the same towne that will continue therein shall personally protest and acknowledge Henrie the fourth king of France and Nauarre for their Soueraigne and shall yéeld to him the oth of fidelitie in like cases requisite in the hands of the Lord Saint Andrew president of the court of Parliament and Chastelard counsellor in the same court in the presence of the Lordes of Blemew and Calignon and vpon the same oath taken the sayd inhabitants shall bée maintayned and restored in the full and peaceable enioying of their goods offices priuiledges and franchizes Fourthly if any man of whatsoeuer calling or condition soeuer it bée shall be vnwilling to take the sayde oath and shall be desirous thereupon to departe else where hee shall be safely conducted to any place that they will go and may enioy their goods offices and dignities either by sale or by receauing their annuall fruits or stipend thereof at their choyce prouided alwayes that they enterprize nothing against the Kings seruice Fiftly that the custodie and
gouernment of the said towne shall be referred to the Kings good pleasure who shall be requested to prouide it of such a gouernour and so sufficient garrison as he shall thinke meete for his seruice and the preseruation of the towne Item that in the meane time as the Lord Arbucy hitherto gouernour of the sayd towne vpon some considerations cannot as yet resolue to take that oath that the sayd place shall remayne in gouernance of the Lord Rochegiron and that the Lord Arbucy shall haue three moneths respit to resolue vpon the same oath which thing if hee doth the King shall bee requested to graunt him againe the gouernment of the same towne Sixtly that generally all the inhabitants of whatsoeuer calling or degrée they bee shall stand discharged and acquited of all leuying of the kings impost or coynes bearing of armes treaties and practizes euen with Forreiners or any other acts of hostilitie and that the Lord Diguieres hath vndertaken within two moneths to deliuer vnto them sufficient prouisoes for the same from the King Seuenthly that the memorie of all the offences past in all these troubles shall be extinct as matter not happened And that the Lord Diguieres with all other gentlemen of his partie doe promise that by themselues and by their meanes such matters shall neuer bee reuiued and that it shall not be lawfull to call such things to remembrance and that it shall be forbidden to argue or quarrell about it that al the kings subiects may liue together in peace like brethren friendes and fellow citizens Eightly that for a more perfect vnion of the hearts of the Kings subiects the Lords of the court of Parliament who by the Kings commandement had retired and are yet resident at Rouan or elsewhere shall returne with conuenient speede to Grenoble there to follow and continue their charges Last of all that within two moneths there shall be summoned a generall assembly of the states after the manner accustomed for the hasting of the meanes to discharge and relieue the people and establish the common bodie of the countrey Now Christian reader I beseech thée to consider both the euident and sencible mercie and iustice of God the difference which is betwéene the vessels of glory of wrath for this honourable L. des Diguieres in all the wars of Daulphine euer since the rising of y e execrable League hath neuer shewed any point of crueltie vpon his enemies in which there might appeare any small token of particular anger or appetite of reuenge but alwaies hath shewed good gracious entertainmeÌ„t euen vnto the very enemies in whom he hath marked some simple dealing had not vsed any â—normities or proud insoleÌ„cies If he hath shewed somtime some extremity yet did he neuer so much as he might haue iustly done hath knowen in such alwaies some notable iniuries which he w t a iust prudent wisdome hath thought to haue deserued some sharpe punishment To be short it may bée sayd of him In consilijs sapiens prouidus in aciâ— fortis in pace foederibus iustus fidus constans Therefore the Lord hath guided his armes hath made him victorious in all conflicts and méetings and hath endued him with such strength of the bodie as beyond all expectation to haue surmounted the inaccessible Alpes and at length hath not onely suppressed and rooted out the naturall rebells of the countrey out of Daulphine and Prouance their confederates of Spayne Italy and Piemont but with an incredible felicitie hath restored the afflicted state of that countrey and established peace iudgement and iustice On the other side whereas it is the dutie of Christian Princes not to rauish other mens kingdomes to enuade their landes and principalities to robbe spoyle and murder their borderers and neighbours but to gouern their Dominions in peace with piety iustice and discipline to liue friendly with their Neighbours but specially to relieue other Estates afflicted to assist Princes neighbours when through disobedience and rebellion of vnnaturall subiects they are disquieted and tormoiled But it fell so otherwise with France for when through the sinnes of the people and euill counsell of Henry the third the Kingdome was so torne with dissentions and rebellions that it seemed as in a shipwrack the pieces did flye abroad exposed to euery man that could catch hold First the King of Spaine who had beene this day a Muscleman and not a Catholike if it had not beene for the kinges of France with his Gold thought to haue all Secondly the Duke of Sauoy who whithout the goodnes of the Valoys had beene a pety and a poore Duke made his reckoning to goe away with the Prouinces of Daulphin and Prouance bordering vpon him for his part Thirdly the Duke de Mayne who without the gratious fauour of the Valoys had layn obscure in the Mountains of Lorrein there a digging for brasse in the cauerns thereof made his accampt of some scambling among the other as to haue carried away all that bordereth to Lorreyn d' Aumale made his reckoning of Picardie and Merccur of Britayn Last of all Fryer Sixtus and after him Fryer Gregorie the fourtéenth thought by these meanes to maintayne their tyrannie in that Realme All these I say were so farre from dooing the duties of Christian Princes and Pastors of the Church in assisting the right owner of the Crowne and in preseruing that Realme as one of the chiefest members and ornament of Europe that euen as the Edomites in the sacking of Ierusalem crieddowne with it downe with it euen to the ground so haue they not in words but in kindling and nourishing the flame of rebellion assaulting by all meanes the said Realme haue encreased the plagues and multiplyed the sorrowes of that aflicted state Therefore behold the Lord hath accursed their armes and as for the Duke of Sauoy his owne hand hath weakened him so that he durst neuer come to see the said Lord Diguieres in the face one way but he is gone out of the field seauen waies He did neuer in all these warres any thing with valour but by treachery and treasons as the taking of Carmagnole and his practises in Prouance doo testify thousands of his most approoued and skilfull Souldiours and Captains haue béen killed by few not only in their inuasions attempted in Daulphine Prouance but also at home where the said Lord Diguieres hath forced their strong holds hath put them to the sword and cast their carcases on their mountains to bee meat for the beasts of the field and fowles of the ayre See therefore how contrarie licours do flow out of contrary vessels and how the Lord protecteth the vertuous and iust according to his promise and clotheth the wicked with calamity shame and dishonor as with a Cloude Here endeth the eight Booke THE NINTH BOOKE I Haue declared in the former booke those euents which happened in the yeare 1590. and how the King conducted very curteously the Duke
cause and wisedome and mistrusting the quarel of his side conceaued a great terrour and perceaued to haue cast himselfe so deeply into the Mire that if pollicy doth not plucke him out hee is like there to sticke fast a good while Therefore considering the small company which was about the King determined to assault him with many and for to bring to passe this his intent supposing the better to depart froÌ„ Monconter in time then to enioy it a while to his great domage he departed from Monconter about 11. a clocke in the euening with two hundred and fifty horsemen and sixe hundred Harquebuziers and trauelling all night came to Londiak by sixe a clocke in the morning beeing the twelft day of May. The King being at Londiak vnderstanding of the enemies coÌ„ming delayed no time but went immediatly to the field to receaue the said enemie The enemie perceauing the K. to haue determined to bid him battel to be already in the field left part of his footmen to force the trenches barricadoes of Londiak and this being done the enemie brought his horsemen and part of his footmen into the field to encounter the King there he deuided his companies into two troups in the one there was fiftie horsemen and in the other two hundred The King had but six score horsemen whome he deuided likewise into two troupes in the one thirty and in the other â—ourescore ten horsmen The King hauing set few footmen in battaile array called with a feruent prayer vpon the name of the GOD of armies and cheered vp his souldiers encouraging them to shew themselues men in defending such a iust cause as they had in hand which being done both armies ioyned and the enemie hauing made a verie small resistance was strooken with a sodaine terrour as if it were with a thunder-clap from heauen so that they began to wauer The Kings Souldiers perceauing this sodaine dread vpon the enemie gaue such a fresh and hot charge that they turned their backs and fled The King pursued them two miles from Londiak to a towne holden by their fauourers where these horsemen saued themselues There were fiftie horsemen slayne as many more taken prisoners many footmen slaine on the place and many both horsemen and footmen wounded The rest of the footemen saued themselues by flight into the woods which were neere at hand and there hid themselues Lo how there is neither strength nor counsell against the Lorde Lo howe the wicked is snared in his owne counsell The news of this foyle being blazed abroad throughout the enemies troups came also to Monconter by meanes whereof there rose such a sudaine feare among them that immediatly they retyred from the saide Monconter with al possible speed leauing the town frée from any strength of the enemie The Lord Tremblay being in the Castell and molesting the enemies daylie by sallies and slaughters of them as is sayd seing how wonderfully God had terrified that rebellious route went foorth of the Castell with his forces followed them and immediatly charged them so roughly that they were all slayne and taken prisoners by meanes whereof hee got both bagge and baggage from the enemie So was that accursed company enemies of mankind vtterly rooted out It is said before how the Lord D'ombes had gone from Renes into hase Britaine to a Towne called Quinpercorenten and in departing out of the sayd Towne to returne to Renes the garrisons of the enemies in townes about holden by them charged vpon the sayd Prince but were so receaued by him that there was slaine of the enemies side three Captayns of name and of great estimation among the Rebels seauen gentlemen of great account were taken prisoners all the rest in the pursuite were put to the sword Here thou mayst see Christian Reader that all these blowes slaughters and ouerthrowes euery where receaued cannot make these damned rebels consider the wrongfulnes of the cause which so obstinatly agaynst all lawes of nations agaynst nature and agaynst God they do defend As the rebels haue been beaten euen with a rod of yron by the Lords hand in his wrath both in Picardie and Britayn so now haue wee to consider an other example of Gods iustice executed vppon rebels in the Countrey of Caux in Normandie In this Moneth of May victuals beeing deare wares in the Citie of Roan one regiment appertayning to the Duke of Lorreine and the other to the Lord de la Lownde departed out of Roan planted themselues in a village called Cinqcens determining there to abide and to surprise such victuals for their maintenance as they could come by vntill the next haruest should prouide more plenteously there they fortifyed themselues with Trenches and Barricadoes this place is distant 9 Leagues from Diepe They fearing to be molested from Diepe had placed a troupe of horsemen in a wood distant two leagues from the place which they had fortifyed being fully in the high way from Diepe supposing if any forces should come from Diepe vpon them they might retire backe to geue intelligence vnto the sayd Regiments or else by making resistance should geue leasure to prepare themselues and to procure a fresh supply from Roan to back them if occasion should serue The Lord Chartres commaunder of Malta gouernour for the King in Diepe and Sir Roger Williams an English gentleman of great valoure and experience in militarie affayres who lately came thether hauing receaued intelligence of that fortification of Cinqcens and intent of the enemy resolued speedily to depart from Diepe in the euening the 19. day of May and trauailing all night came to the wood early in the next morning hauing with them four hundred French men and three hundred Englishmen There they found a troup of horsemen to stop their passage vpon whom they made a very fierce assault But they that came from Diepe gaue such a hot charge vpon them that all those horsemen were so slaine that none of them escaped any way Thus they leauing the dead bodies of the horsemen in the wood and taking some of their horses the Gouernor and Sir Roger Williams passed a long to Cinqcens and beeing come thether before noone they discryed the enemy with their Ensignes displayed within the Fort. The Gouernour of Deepe perceauing their fortification so strong alleaged that it was vnpossible to enter it therefore went about to perswade Sir Roger to goe backe agayne considering that the enemie was two to their one Sir Roger answered that it were a great dishonour for him so to doo and determined to set vpon them with his own thrée hundred men though it should cost both him and them their liues and with this resolution aduanced his Colours marching toward the enemie intended by the assistance of God to enter vpon them or els to lose his life in that place The Lord Chartres seeing that most honourable resolution of Sir Roger was wonderfully encouraged to the enterprise and thereupon protested to take
two thousand Harquebusiers French considered howe daungerous a thing it was to engage his armie before a towne vntill he were master of the field the enemie being farre stronger and fauoured of the countrey who on a sodaine might be assisted with a multitude of Pesants long before armed and addicted to him considering all these difficulties the sayd prince made a stay about the towne of Guingcamp as well to repayre the fortifications of the said towne as to attend the bringing of two Canons and two Culuerines drawen from Brest to Lagnon with certaine powder and munitions brought from England to Pinpoll to the ende that these things being in place of safetie the said Prince might sollow the better his other enterprizes The seauenth of Iune the Duke Merceur arriued at Corlay distant three Leagues from Guingcamp There is a Castell belonging to the Lady Guimeney sister to Boysdaulphine Lieftenaunt to the Duke Merceur they fayned as though the sayd Castell did holde for the King intending thereby to haue drawne the Prince to some disaduantage for the eight day the Castell rendred without the sight of the Canon and the gouernour remayned with the enemie From thence the Duke sent a trompeter to the Prince about certaine prisoners taken at Corlay who signified to the sayde Prince that hee had charge from the Duke to entreate him to appoynt some day and place for the battaile The Prince did greatly reioyce to heare these newes and would not returne answere by the mouth of a Trompetter which might be disanowed but by his writing signed with his owne hand in the which the said Prince least the Duke should alleage any matter either to delay or auoid the battell doth referre to him the choise of the place for the encounter so that it might be able to receaue both armies The Duke Merceur remooued from Corlay the eighth of Iune and came to Saint Giles two small leagues from Chasteau Laudran The same day also the Prince departed from Guingcamp about three a clocke in the morning and lodged that night at Chasteau Laudran where the Duke Merceur his Trompetter met him and deliuered an answer to the sayd Prince from Merceur signed with his owne hande wherein this malapert companion hauing altogether troden vnder foote all reuerence of superiority sheweth the cause of his rebellion to bee both to withstand the Prince called with lawfull vocation and an hereticall King for the defence of the holy catholike religion do assigne the thurseday next at ten of the clocke in the morning and the place most fit for that action betweene Corlay and Guingcamp The Prince to prouoke this cowardly Captaine through impaciency or otherwise to battell sheweth the causes of his comming into Britayne to be to punish him and his complices for their traiterous rebellion against the King and for the opprobrious imputations and tearmes which he geueth to the King and to him hee saith that therein he lyeth this was the ninth day Merceur hauing receaued this prouocation fell to sweare fume brag that he within three dayes would geue the Prince battell And on the ninth day of Iune beeing Wednesday dislodged and that day encamped himselfe at a Village called Quelnec a league and a halfe from Chasteau Laudran situated at the foot of a hill which by deepe ditches hedges and inclosures bordereth vppon a little Heath of two miles compasse The Prince hauing discouered the enemy mounted on horsebacke and goeth to make choise of the place for the battell findeth about three quarters of a mile from the saide Quelenec a large playne skirted with copses w t a little hill and the ground raysed with ditches aduantagious to the enemies who by three large passages might enter into the same heath The tenth of Iune the enemie within a quarter of a league of the Heath sheweth his whole army in order of battaile vpon the top of an hill The Prince on the other side put his troups in order within the heath and by the aduise of Sir Ihon Norris disposeth the same in three battails wherof the English footemen made two and the Launceknights the third that day was spent in light skirmishes wherin the Princes men followed the enemie euen into the maine of their armie The eleuenth day the enemie drew his armie to the foote of the hill and placed his artillerie vpon the side of the heath in a place of such aduantage as commaunded the whole heath and bordreth all the hedges with shotte By that time the enemie had done all these things the Princes armie marched into the heath in order of battaile and presently sent two hundred footemen to view the enemies countenaunce whome they charged put them from their hedges and barricadoes and slew diuers of them Vpon the retraite of these two hundred men the Duke put foorth fiue hundred Frenchmen and three hundred Spaniards to repossesse the places whome he followed with the great of his armie The Prince perceiuing this and remayning on the heath with the L. Hunaulday commaunding the auangard hauing his regiment of horse on the right hand and Generall Norris the Lords of Poigny Pruneaux Mommartin and Bastenay gaue order to put foorth three hundred footemen commaunded by Captaines Anthony Wingfield and Murton and the English horsemen lead by Anthony Sherly The Prince also commaunded to be drawen out of the battaillon of the Launce-knights one hundred men shot and pikes and one hundred and fiftie shot lead by the Baron Molak backed with fortie light horse conducted by the Lord Tremblay appoynted to force y e enemie from the place which they had taken All these set valiantly vpon the enemie whom they enforced to flee many were slayn and the rest saued themselues within the defence of their artillerie where the whole strength of the Spaniards with the rest of the armie was placed During this skirmish there was a great number of shot placed vnder the hedges which hauing meanes to doe hurte stoode quiet as though they had fallen asleepe or else had béen placed there onely to keepe the hedges least the Prince should come to cut them downe and cary them away In this skirmish don Roderigo chiefe marshall of the Spaniards and a Spanish captaine two hundred French Souldiers and threescore Spaniards were slaine The Lord Tremblay tooke the Lord Guebrian Colonell of the foote men of the enemie This charge did so amazethe enemie that the Princes men were suffered to disarme the dead and to leade away prisoners within ten paces of their canon and retired at their â—ase without any proffering to follow Long Lieftenaunt to Captaine Dolphin receaued in his body fiue Harquebuses shott the English men behaued themselues valiantly in that charge the residue of that day they spent in light skirmishes The twelfth day the enemie made a great shew to come foorth to battell but at last sent out some number of shot to skirmish agaynst whome Anthony Sherley with fifteene horse and few footemen made head and
part of them had béene slayne in the assaults geuen to the Cittie and how the King was strong and not like to bee enforced to depart afore hee had the vpper hand ouer the sayd Towne And vnderstanding that the Duke de Mayne was come to Han with Forces in hope to relieue the sayd distressed towne and that the Lord Rosne who led the Duke de Mayne his army towards Lorreine was returning backe to Laon in Champaygne he delayed the time of composition to see what succor they would geue But at length seeing no reliefe comming and the King vrging the towne the sayd Lord Vile concluded an agreement with the King in this maner following The Lord Vile as well for himselfe as for the Gentlemen Souldiers and inhabitants of Noyon hath promised to yeeld the sayd towne vppon monday next following being the eighteenth of August together with all the munition for warre artillerie and victualls which at this present was therein conditionally if sometime of the day the Duke de Mayne doo not giue him a battell or by force put not within the towne one thousand souldiers or by some meanes doo not raise the siege Also that the sayd Ville Gentlemen and Captains shall depart with armour horses and baggage and the Souldiers with their weapons and horse And that the inhabitants shal be receaued into the Kings fauour entreated as good subiects in rendring him their duetifull obedience but specially and namely that the Lord of Ville his mother may freely remaine there enioy her goods in performing the submission of loyall fidelitie as other subiects Item that if any of the inhabitants be desirous to depart they shal safely passe among the men of warre Item that the Lord Ville shall be permitted to send the Lord of Brouly to the Duke de Mayne to aduertise him of the condition of this capitulation and that the King shall safely conduct him to that effect And for the accomplishing of the premises the sayd Lord Ville hath promised to sende hostages to the King the Lord Rieulx the Abbot of Genlis with foure of the towne such as the King shall choose whom the King doth promise to deliuer vppon the performance of the sayd conditions The King also doth graunt to send two Captaynes into the towne to keepe and see during the time from labouring to the contrary It had pleased the most famous and renowmed Queene of England during this siege to send a new supply of men to the King to assist him in the recouering the possession of his right vnder the conduct of thâ— most honourable and famous Earle of Essex whom the King leauing his power before Noyan went to meet at Gysors in Normandy whom hee receaued in most courteous sort accepting most thankfull her most excellent Maiesties gracious fauour and the said Earle his good and readie will for hazarding himselfe in such a dangerous iourney for his seruice After the death of Frier Sixtus which was hastened by the Spanish faction with a little slubber sauce was elected a newe Vicar of Rome of the house of Sfondraty if I remember well and is as much to say as burst bellie naming himselfe Gregory the 14. This Frier Gregory being set on horsebacke will ride as the prouerbe is vntil he breake his neck First in Ianuary he sent a Legate into France agaynst whom the King procéeded as agaynst an enemie of the publique peace of his subiects and in March last the sayd Frier Gregory pronounced a Bull agaynst the King his Princes Nobles subiects and realme Then not long after it is reported that he sent certain forces mustered out of the Stewes of Rome to the Duke of Sauoy to inuade Prouance conducted by some bastard of his and that Superstition Folly iniury and wrong might goe together he must coniure and charme the Standard of holy Church as all the sort of such idolatrous Antichrists haue bin Coniurers poysoners and Sorcerers many yeares together To play this Comedie he sitteth disguised in his Pontificalibus the Standard of holy Church holden before him he hisseth he bloweth hee mumbleth he crosseth he charmeth he stinketh but behold he that did hold it rather by some presage and token of the fall of that idolatrous rabble than by negligence let the Standard fall vppon the braynesicke Frier Gregories head which not onely did beate downe his triple Crowne from of his head but also gaue a knocke vppon his foolish pate All these companies shortly after were cut to peeces and the charmed Standard taken by the Lord des Diguieres as is reported Fryer Gregorie not content with all these iniurious prouocations sent one M. Marcilius Laudrianus by name an Italian by surname a Britaine but by sawcines and desperatnes a Iesuite vnder the name of his Nuncio to publish a certayne infamous libell full of impietie heresie and sedition vnder a Maske of religion in forme of Bulls against the King his Princes Nobles subieces but specially agaynst the French popish Church which this sawcie companion enterprized to publish at Pont de Larche in Normandie whereupon the K. finding himselfe sore iniâ—ried at the hands of this tyrannous vsurper commaunded his courts of Parliament to proceede by law agaynst these iniuries and so the Kings generall attourney in his court of Parliament holden at Caen in Normandie requiring iustice to be done vnto the King his Princes Nobles and subiects The court of Parliament therefore al Chambers assembled the third day of August did proceede agaynst Fryer Gregorie his person his vsurped tyranny his Nuncio and his Bulls First they doo declare the sayde Fryer Gregorie an enemie vnto the peace of Christianitie a troubler of the Catholick Romane Religion enemie to the King and Estate of France a conspiratour and associate with the rebells within the realme and accessary to the death of the late deceased King most trayterously murthered a firebrand of sedition and stirrer vp of warres and procurer of murthers Secondly they doe condemne his vsurped power vpon the state and Church of France to be vsurped abusiue and wrongful contrary to Gods worde holy decrees and liberties of the French Church commaunding all Primates Archbishops Bishops Colledges Couents Chapters Communalties bodies of Cities Curats Parsons and seruing Priests not to acknowledge any superiority or power of the same Fryer Gregorie nor to render him any obeisance neyther to assist or fauour anie excommunications publications or readings of any thing that should proceede from him The court also dooth forbid not to pursue or receaue of him or anie other whatsoeuer qualitie or conditioÌ„ they be his complices adherents any collations confirmations or prouisions for benefices graces dispensations or other expeditions nor to answere beare or cause to be borne by way of banque or otherwise any gold or siluer to y e court of Rome neither to pay any thing or render obeisance to the Archbishops Bishops his adherents who haue put in execution any of the pretended diffamatory libell
in forme of excommunication or interdiction in payne of confiscation of bodie and goods as infringers and perturbers of the publique peace The court doth commaund the Ecclesiasticall persons by vertue of the Kings letters directed vnto them that they shall not suffer the liberty of the French Church to be in any sort diminished but beeing assisted by their K. their soueraigne Iustice to oppose themselues against all the Popes enterprises Thirdly the court doth declare the foresayd Marcilius Ladrianus Fryer Gregory his Nuncio acommon enemy of al men a kindler of hatred and a sower of sedition commaunding the sayd pretended Nuncio to be pursued taken and apprehended aliue or dead and to be deliuered to iustice if it bee possible to receaue the punishment according to the greatnes of his offence But if he cannot bee apprehended within three daye â—to be summoned by the voice of the publike Cryer in the towne of Pont de Larche that there it may bee proceeded against him according to the Lawes of the Realme The order of the courts of France is that after a man is summoned at 3. seuerall tymes if he doth not appeare he is condemned as conuicted and then executed in picture Last of al the Court doth declare Fryer Gregory his excommunication and Bulles infamous libels full of impiety heresie deceit and slanders condemneth the same to betorne and burned publikly in the place of execution by the publike executioner of iustice forbidding all men to receaue allow reade fauour or conceale the said infamous libell vppon payne to bee attainted conuicted of high treason commaundeth also all manner of persons quickly to reueale to the court if they should know any such to bee kept secretly on the paines aforesaid This sentence of the Popes banishment and of all his tyrâ—nnie out of France was pronounced the third day of August at Caen in Normandie The selfe same proceedinges were vsed in all Courtes of the Realme whereuppon ensued the burning of the sayd Bulles in diuers and sundry places of the Realme but diuersly but euery where in as infamous maner as could bee It was burned at Tours in this maner The Magistrats and the common people of Tours being assembled before the Pallace gate there a piller was crected a little distant from the foot therof there was a fire made by the common Hang-man of the town then did he take the Bull and hanged it on the top of the Piller which beeing done he kindled another fire at the very foot of the Piller which by degrees crept vp vntill it tooke hold of the Bull which presently was consumed with fire to the great ioy of all the beholders Now Master Fryer I ween you be one of them that did drop out of the horses belly of Troy but I will thinke rather that you dropped out of an Asses bellie because you haue an Asses head Did not a little before your Standard reproue you to your face and told you what would follow your saucines and to put you in consideration of your folly gaue you a souse vpon the pate And you beeing of Asses brood will goe about to get Bulles and lo your Bulles bee turned into gydie Calues You neuer read for reading belongs not to your occupation but scortari crebro crebro conuiuarier that it was writteÌ„ in the horse of Troy sero sapiunt Phryges but it shal be hereafter in Asino Romano scriptum erit sero sapiunt Romanenses You knew not when you were well now haue with you to Auignon The towne of Noyan being surrendered according to the agréement betwéene the King and the gouernour of the saide towne the King went to receaue the right honorable Lord Earle of Essex as is said in the towne of Gisors and from thence returned into Champaigne to ioyn with the Germans who approached the borders of France leauing the Marshall Byron to reconduct his army into Normandie During the siege of Noyan the Lord of Pierrefont had béen taken prisoner and had promised vpon his deliuerance to surrender the Castell Pierrefont a place situated vpoÌ„ a rock and inaccessable almost on euery side The said Lord of Pierrefont being a desperat Leaguer had rather breake his faith with dishonor then to fulfill his promise with honour whereupon the Marshall Byron layed the siege before the saide Castell and battered it with nine skore shot of Ordinance wherewith hee made but a very small hole the stuffe wherewith the said Castell is builded being of such qualitie as resisted the shot euen to admiration which caused the said Marshall Byron to breake off his enterprise and march toward Normandie who ioyned with the English forces conducted by the right Honorable Lord the Earle of Essex the ninth of September and the twenty one of the said moneth laide the siege before the towne of Gourney It is saide before in the seauenth booke how after the cruell death of King Henry the third and last of the rase of Valoys the authors of that murther vnder the conduct of the Duke d'Mayne with great bragges and confidence went with a mighty army into Normandie hoping to oppresse the King who with a small power had retyred to Diepe for the causes there alleaged It is said also how the Duke d'Mayne in that iourney tooke the said towne of Gourney and the Lord Rubempre which his companie therein This Towne is distant from Roan ten Leagues from Gisors fiue from Beauuoys sixe and by estimation somewhat bigger then Diepe The Leaguers had fortified it with fortifications munition of warre and strong garrisons for Leagued Gentlemen of the Countrey to the number of foure skore and such power as they thought good to entertaine had settled themselues therein and from thence issuing dayly made courses to the gates of Mante Vernon Pont de larche and Gisors spoyling and wasting all that was in their way and taking prisoners such as trauailed on the high way to Diepe This towne being besieged the enemy put on a stout countenance at the first and being summoned to surrender the said towne they answered that they had receaued it of the Duke d'Mayne and for him they intended to kéepe it neither would they render it but to him onely This answer being giuen the English forces intrenched themselues within a stones cast of the gate and in making and kéeping the said Trenches they had sixe men hurt and one killed The enemies attempted diuers times to put men into the towne but they were in such sort looked to by the English men that they durst neuer approach The 25. day of September at night the Marshall Byron planted nine pieces of Ordinance before the towne the 26. in the morning hee began to batter it and a breach being made the English men were called to the number of one hundred shot to giue the assault who with great gladnes approached within sixescore pases of the wals the breach was scarse assaultable the ditch was more then halfe full of water it is reported that they had within certaine sluces which they might haue opened and greatly molested the assaulters the French men were very vnable to giue the assault because of their long toyling and wearines yet on a suddaine the enemies demaunded parley which being graunted they yeeldéd to foure dishonorable conditions such is the fainting of rebels First that all Souldiours should depart without bagage and armour with a white rod in their hands But the Lord Earle of Essex excepted the Queenes Maiesties subiects therein was found none but one Irish man who was executed The second was that the Gouernour Captaines Lieutenants and Gentlemen of quality should remaine to his mercy It was thought that the Gouernour and some Captaines should be executed The third was that the Citizens should haue their liues but their goods rested at the Kings pleasure The fourth is that they should receaue such garrisons as should bee thought good The taking of this towne is a great ease to the Countrey and preparation for the siege of Roan About the 28. the army tooke his way toward Caudebeck a smal towne situated vpon a rock on the banck of Seyne betweene Roan and Newhauen entending to cleere all the coast round about Newhauen of all filth of rebellion FINIS ¶ Imprinted at London by Thomas Orwin for Thomas Woodcock and are to be sould at his shop in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the black Beare 1591.
bee the King and the Princes of the bloud but among them chiefely the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde Therefore they must bee made away by one meanes or another and whereas warre and violence were neither the safest nor the surest way they concluded that poyson must bee tried But to bring this to an happie end they must haue the helpe of the Q. Mother she must be one instrument to commit parricides for it is to be thought that if she would not spare her owne Sonne Charles the 9. she would not spare them whome she neuer loued for she neuer cared what shee did so that shee might not doo good she is therefore easily won to doo that which she greatly desired Poysoners are hired they haue their drougges and instructions with them some are sent to minister their Phisick to the King of Nauarre if by any meanes they could But howsoeuer it be either that they which were hired to poyson the King of Nauarre did altar their mindes or had not the meanes to execute so vilanous an act so it is that his death was bruted in Lorreyne and at the Court about the same time that the Prince of Conde dyed But it hath pleased the Lord to haue deliuered him from their snares to punish them in time according to the measure of the treacheries and innumerable enormities by them committed As touching the Prince of Conde they had their mindes vpon him for at length the diuel furthering their treacheries procured some of his owne houshold seruants to bee wonne to take the matter in hand and among others one Brillant and a Page vpon whome he had bestowed great benefits to giue him poyson the third day of March at supper he fell sick of a great paine of the stomack about an howre an a halfe after supper that paine was followed incontinentlie with great vomiting comming at sundrie times with continuation of the said paine and with a great thirst hee was assisted by Nicolas Poget his master Chirurgion At the same houre was called Master Bonauenture de Medicis Doctor of Phisick which considering the accidents did helpe the vomitings following therein the motions of nature The sicknes notwithstanding continued all the night hauing inuaded the inferiour bellie with swelling and hardnes of the same with such difficultie to take breath that he could not lie in his bed but was faine to sit still in a chayre The morrow after were called to counsell Lewis Bontempts and Ihan Pallet Doctors of Phisick who altogether did indeuour to helpe his Excellencie with all diligence and fidelitie by all the meanes which they iudged fit according to the accurrant accidents The fift day of March and second of his disease about three a clock in the after noone all things went from worse to worse so that there came a suffocation of all the famolties of nature in the which he rendered his soule to God halfe an houre after In the death of this Prince God did shoote an arrow of his wrath against the vngratefulnes peruersitie of this world but speciallie against France in plucking this Noble Prince out of so many labours into the societie of the inheritance of his Saints in light Henry Bourbon Prince of Conde Sonne vnto Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Conde whose famous name shall bee in the euerlasting remembrance of the righteous was borne and brought vp in the Church of God whose preseruation was as deare vnto him as his owne life God had endued him with noble vertues he was faithfull vnto God duetifull in the true worship of God true vnto his King louer of his Countrey and of the libertie and honour of this realme enemie vnto the perturbers of the peace of the same and of them all whome he knew to be coniurators against the King and state His generositie und valour with the greatnes of courage had been shewed in many noble exploytes done by him but speciallie in ouercomming many assaults labors perils and miseries during these miserable ciuill warres to be short God hath plucked him in all the course of his life out of many daungers His death was the more to be lamented because it was vyolent and in the flower of his age which happened the fift day of March 1588. at S. Jhan d' Angely in Xainctonge to the great griefe of all men among whome from age to age the remembrance of him shall be honorable For the death of this Prince was hurtfull to all France but gainfull onely to him who chaunged a vaine and paynfull life into one onely true and stedfast life immortall quiet and euerlastingly blessed in the assurance of the which hée died in our Lord Iesus Christ This sudden and vnlooked for accident gaue occasion to the sayd Doctors Phisitions and Chirurgions to thinke that this sicknesse came thorowe some extraordinary and vyolent cause For the sayd Phisitions gaue out vnder their hand and seale as followeth After his departing about two houres there began to issue out of his mouth and nostrels a froth thicke and white which gathered by little and little to the bignesse of ones fist and out of the same place a little after did issue yealowish water in great aboundance On the Lords day being the sixt of March by the commandement of his Counsell we Phisitions and Chirurgions haue beside called Peter Mesnard Focault Chotard both Masters Chirurgions of S. Ihan d' Angely to make the anatomie of his bodie and to search altogether the causes of a death so sudden And first wee haue found all the body blewish and leadie the bellie in a strange manner swolne stretched and hard In the opening of the body we found in the lower bellie all the parts thereof with the inwards blewish and blacke and the hollownesse of his bodie full of yealowish waters After searching diligently the stomack we haue also found it blewish and in the right and vpward part of the same an inch or thereabout vnder the Orifice of the sayd stomacke we haue found a round hole eaten through and through that hole had fallen the waters and liquours which we found within the capacitie of the inferiour bellie Then hauing diligently taken vp viewed cut and emptied the sayd stomack we haue seene euidently the whole bodie of the sayd stomacke as well without as within specially on the right side blacke burned vlcered and gangrened in diuers places but notably about the hole aboue sayd So that wee cannot iudge that it could bee done otherwise then by a notable quantitie of burning vlcering and caustick poyson which had left euident markes of his passing in the Oesophage The liuer also in the place ioyning to the sayd hole was found altered and burned the rest of the substance of the sayd liuer blewish as also the lights There was no part of y e bodie of his Excellencie which was not of a very good constitution and very healthfull if the vyolent poyson had not corrupted y e parts aboue sayd All
the premises are according to trueth and for the certitude of the same wee haue sealed this report with our hands andseales at S. Ihan d' Angely the 6. day of March 1588. Medicis Bontemps Pallet Poget Mesnard Chotard About the same time the King of Nauarre came out of Gascoyne who being aduertized of his death commaunded that such as were suspected of that villanous fact should be pursued Whereupon a page suspected saued himselfe by flight many more were apprehended The processe was made vnto many with all the solemnities requisite thereunto whereof within a while after the condemnation of one Brillaut ensued the page also was condemned vpon centumacie executed in Picture Brillaut was drawne vpon a hurdle through all the streates of S. Jhan and in the chiefest place of the sayd towne was torne in peeces with foure horses Now we see how the Leaguers when they haue not been able to destroy the Princes by valour haue vsed treacherous procéedings For first hauing treacherously shortned the life of the Duke of Alençon by poyson as it is saide in the first booke and seduced the Cardinall of Bourbon making him dreame of a kingdome in his old doting age and to oppose himselfe to two Kings to wit the King and the King of Nauarre and to all the house of Bourbons out of which God had made him that honour as to haue issued one of the chiefest as is sayd in the second booke They also haue condemned the King of Nauarre to dye by their Italian figges and there uppon proclaymed his death which they had promised to themselues both in Lorreyne and in the Court and in Townes and Cities of their fauourers but God hath disappoynted them of their murtherous purpose At length by the long suffering of God to plague France they haue preuayled agaynst that good godly vertuous famous Prince of Conde and that vpon such a day as hath béen fatall to the house of Guize to work mischief murther and rebellion The death of this noble Prince amazed all men in Xainctonge knowing that God had some heauie iudgements to execute vppon France and that GOD had taken that noble Prince least he should see euill dayes as the Prophet Esay saith It is sayd before how the Lord Lauerdine who was master of the Campe saued himselfe by flight out of the slaughter of Coutras betooke himselfe to the towne of Niort to the Lord Malicorne his vncle where hée soiourned as his Lieutenant Here Christian Reader wee haue to obserue that although the King and the Leaguers hated in wardly one another and in outward appearance did deepely dissemble their affections yet wee doo see that as Herode and Pilate did excercise priuie hatred betweene them and at length in persecuting Christ did well agree as friends so in men of like degrées and in like actions the like affections are boyling in their hearts For the rumour of the death of the King of Nauarre and Prince of Conde which the Leaguers hauing set some secret price vppon their heads had promised vnto themselues did cause the King and the Leaguers in outward apparance to be great friends and to promise vnto themselues an vtter rooting out of them of the religion and a sure subduing of all things beyond the riuer of Loyre With speede therefore they sent eight or nine regiments conducted by the Lord Courbe to the Lord Lauerdine Lieutenant of his vncle the Lord Malicorne at Niort in Poytow who with al the forces which he could gather both in the lowe and high Poytow the 16. day of March about two a clocke after midnight descended into Marans by boates through the marishes of Beauregard and with fiue hundred footmen seazed vppon the house and farme of the sayd Beauregard hauing found no resistance but onely of two of the inhabitants of Marans with a little boate who were gone to discouer the Iland Cicoigne these two discharging their peeces vpon the enemies retyred to the trenches of Beauregard there they found but fiue or sixe Souldiers as well of the inhabitants as others who also discharged certaine shot vpon the enemie who notwithstanding aduanced and came to land The cause why the Lord Lauerdine subdued these Ilands so easily was first the certayne newes of the death of the Prince of Conde and the rumours bruted abroade touching the supposed death of the King of Nauarre which thing caused great amaze and discouraging among all men Secondly the ill order and prouidence of the gouernour for if he his troups and inhabitants had done their duetie Lauerdine had not entered that Iland at that price or els had been chased out to his dishonour and losse The Lord Iarry had béen aduertized three dayes before of the enterprize of Lauerdine and might haue put into the Ilands forces sufficient to resist the enemie for the companies of the Lord Trimouille conducted by the Lord Boysduly returning from Cotaudiere were very nigh him to wit at S. Radagond Champaigne and Puyreneau who desired nothing more then to enter into Marans But the gouernour and the inhabitants fearing the preace of Souldiers which was excessiue indeede would not admit them but sent to Rochel the Captaine Plaute Lieutenant of the Gouernour to request them of Rochel to send them about fiftie Souldiers whom they would entertayne vntill they might see what the enemie would doo which thing they of Rochel could not doo for that time Notwithstanding this refuse and that the gouernour was well aduertized that he had not sufficient forces to let y e enemie to take land yet the companies of the Lord Boysduly passing through the Brault were sent further as farre as Esuand through foule wayes ouerthwart the Marshes whereas they should haue been stayed to be vsed as the necessitie had required They sent notwithstanding the same day at euening to the said Boysduly but arriuing not before ten or eleuen a clock in the night was the cause that succour could not come in time although that the diligence of the sayd Boysduly and his companies was wonderfull for without any leasure to lodge and without any respect of the indignitie proffered him and his troupes the day before they departed presently and repayred to the fort Brune one houre and a halâ—e before the enemie tooke lande at Beauregard But whilest the gouernour and the inhabitants made some difficultie to let in all his troupes being not willing to receaue aboue 50. or 60. the enemie on the other side entred at Beauregard as is sayd so that the entrie into Brune was not opened to the sayd Boysduly nor his troups afore that the enemy had already gotten the farme house of Beauregarde There had beene meanes to driue back the enemie if speedely the troups who were entred at Brune about three a clock after midnight had gone to meete the enemie as some did giue their aduise to doe For the L. Lauerdine was not yet well accompanyed and it had beene an easie thing to cut the way to the