Extremities of the North to defend those of his Religion in Germany overthrows the ambitious Projects of the Courts of Vienna and Madrid The Emperor trembles and fears to lose his Hereditary Countries and France by the help of a League opportunely made with Sweden forces from the House of Austria part of her ancient Patrimony The Success of the Spanish Arms in Picardy strikes a Terrour into Paris it self The King of France comes out of his Capital to repulse the Enemy and cannot refrain from Tears to see the Fire advanced so near the Gates of his own Palaces The Revolutions on the other side the Pyrences change the Face of Affairs Catalonia surrenders to Lewis XIII and Portugal drives out the Spaniards and replaces the Duke of Bâ—…aganza on the Throne of his Ancestors Philip the IV. in a Consternation leaves Madrid to secure the Country of Arragon and reduce the Catalonians But no soonâ—…r does he begin this Expedition but he receives the unwelcome News that France had seized the Town of Perpigan and the County of Rousillon In this Variety of Events there may be â—…und many eminent Instances of Virtue â—…nd Vice Treachery richly rewarded â—…e highest Posts of Honour obtained by â—…e most infamous Crimes some few beâ—…owed on Merit great Preferments reâ—…cted with Contempt from Motives of â—…eligion and Probity Some great Lords â—…eanly ransom their Lives and Estates by coming Slaves to an Ambitious and Revengeful Cardinal Others threatned to be made a Sacrifice to his Passions and Interest with a Noble Haughtiness continue faithful to their Friends and suffer Death with an Heroick Courage This Fragment of the Modern History of France which I design to illustrate is so curious and full of Variety it would soon tempt a Man who would employ his Time in writing something Diverting and Instructive However the boldness of the Attempt has often awed me and perhaps it is above my Abilities If I praise the principal Actors who appear upon the Stage I am in danger of being censured for Flattery and if I speak too freely I am sure to be charged with Detraction Constant Panegyrick disgusts and incenses most Readers They love to have the Vices and secret Passions of Men laid open This Air of Freedom pleases and diverts them But if I should indulge this natural Inclination we have to heaâ—… others condemned will not the World too say I am making a Satyr and not wriâ—…ting a History I shall endeavour then to avoid theâ—… two Extremes with all possible Care have no Inducement to praise or blaâ—â— Persons who were almost all dead befoâ—â— I came into the World What particular Reason can I have to love or hate them The difference of Opinion in Matters Religion and Government shall not hind the from doing Justice to Merit or conmending what is worthy of Praise I am thanks to God in a Country where every one enjoys a Happiness which is so rare in this World to speak their reasonable Thoughts with freedom If I am not in a Capacity to do my Country Service I have the Liberty to deplore its Misfortunes The State of Europe and of France at the end of the Reign of Henry IV. Before I enter upon the Matter I shall promise some few Things of Henry the Fourth and the End of his Life It s necessary to know the Posture of Affairs in Europe and France when this latter lost one of the greatest Monarchs she ever had He employ'd the first Years of his Reign in reducing by force of Arms or gaining by Treaties all who had formed a potent League against him under Colour of Religion and in carrying on a War against Philip II. King of Spain This Ambitious Monarch had supported the League with a mighty Assistance of Men and Money out of a Design to place a Prince of his House on the Throne of France or at least to dismember that Monarchy whose Power was an invincible Obstacle to the vast Projects he had conceived But finding himself worn out with Infirmities of Body and seeing his Country quite exhausted by the Immense Sums he expended and the great number of Soldiers and Ships which he lost in his Wars against the Vnited Provinces of the Low Countries England and France Philip I say after so many Men and so much Treasure consumed in vain was glad to make Peace with Henry on such Conditions as the State of France not less exhausted than Spain could not give them leave to hope for Elizabeth Queen of England and the States of the Vnited Provinces made loud Complaints that the King abandoned his good and faithful Allies in preâ—…sing â—…o cagerly the Conclusion of the Treaty with Philip. Tâ—â—â— say they is a sure way to lose the favourable Opportunity of taking those Advantages against Spain which its low and declining Condition must have put in our Hands Henry excused this Proceeding of his as well as he could alledging the Incapacity of his Kingdom to support a Foreign War after it had been so miserably harass'd by a Domestick one which had lasted so many Years and was not yet well extinguished The Reason was specious But the King seemed impatient to give himself up to his Pleasures and with ease to enjoy so fair a Succession which he had purchased with so much Hazard and Trouble It must be own'd Henry had good Reason to distrust his Strength for the future The Duke of Mercoeur penned up in Britany would not have made his Peace if he had not believ'd that of Spain entirely resolv'd on Besides the Protestants of France who had served a King bred up amongst them with so much Courage and Constancy took Umbrage and Jealousie His changing his Religion and the Favours with which he purchased the friendship of the Great Men who had been Leagued against him began to Alarm them and his New Engagements to the Court of Rome their crael and implacable Enemy had like to have cool'd them Henry prudently confirmed his best Subjects by the Edict of Nantes which was concerted with great Industry and Deliberation Happy had they been if the Successors of this good Prince had left them peaceably to enjoy what he so justly granted them No sooner was Peace setled at home and abroad but Henry strove to win the Hearts of his Subjects by publishing he would labour incessantly to make them live in Ease and Plenty Several Manufactures were set up and some certain Duties taken off It is probable the great Debts he contracted and the engagement of a great part of his Revenue would not give him leave to take away divers others very burthensom and made him give ear to all Projects for bringing Money into his own Coffers But in all this he had the Address to prevent and stifle all Murmurs by making the French Nation since for a long time accustomed to patience believe his greatest desire was to make them happy The King flattered himself he should check the turbulent humour of divers great
more particular Light into the State of Euâ—â—pe in Levis XIII his time The Czar John Basilovits fam'd for his Cruelties and the War which the brave Stephen Battori King of Poland wag'd against him with so much Glory and Advantage French Mercury 1605. as the Muscovite was oblig'd to have recourse to the Pope's Intercession for obtaining a Peace Basilovitz I say had left but two small Children behind him of seven Wives which he had Theodorus and Demetrius The eldest stupid and heartless succeeded him Whilst he diverted himself in ringing of Church-Bells Boris Frederovits a Muscovite Lord who had married his Sister govern'd the State This wicked Ambitious Man caus'd young Demetrius to be slain who dwelt with his Mother in a Castle remote from Mosco And the better to conceal his Crime he procured him to be assassinated whom he made use of to commit this Villany The Czar Theodore died in a little time after 'T was though Boris had poyson'd him The Masculine Line of the ancient Czars being thus at an end it was not hard for Boris Brother-in-Law to this last Prince to mount up into the Throne Being as crafty as he was cruel he had taken care to gain the Love of the People and to remove far from him under specious Pretences the Lords who were in capacity to oppose his Ambition He was crown'd at Mosco in all Forms and Ceremonies His bloody and suspicious Nature render'd him quickly odious to the Muscovites A Nation accustomed to Slavery doth not so patiently suffer the Tyranny of a Prince newly rais'd up to the Throne as that which is establisht in a long Succession of one and the same Family A Counterfeit Demetrius in Poland About the year 1604. Boris receiv'd News from Poland which put him to strange Difficulties A Russian Monk had carried thither a young Man who much resembled in Stature and Countenance the Prince Demetrius whom Boris had caus'd to be put to Death The Monk first puts this youth into the Service of Vietsnovisky a Polish Lord who had Marryed the Palatin's Daughter of Sendomir from whence he got into the Palatines Wine-House When the Monk thought he had prepared Men well enough he told the Palatine as a Secret that this young Man was Demetrius lawful Heir of the Empire of Russia who had been privately and happily convey'd away from the Cruelty of Boris by putting another Child in the Prince's room whom the Tyrant intended to cause to be slain This adventure was related with such probable Circumstances as the Palatine believ'd all that was told him He presently discover'd the Secret to Sigismond King of Poland who was willing to be fully acquainted with the pretended Demetrius The Youth who neither wanted Wiâ—â— or Education Rehearseth the Misfortunes of his Life in the presence of the King with much Craftiness and a good Grace he shew'd certain natural Marks on his Face and upon one of his Hands which he pretended to be undeniable Proofs of the truth of his Birth and then addressing himself to Sigismond he thus proceeded I am Sir very happy to have fallen into the hands of a King who having been himself unfortunate and persecuted during his Infancy by his Vncle must have the greater Compassion for my hard Fortune You was born in the Prison where the Cruel Erric had put your Majesties Father and Mother The Polanders have made choice of you before all the Princes in Europe This distinction Sir ought to render you the more respected by the Swedes your Natural Subjects Another Ambitious Vncle raiseth 'em against you he endeavours to snatch forcibly away your Patrimony Thanks be to God your Majesty is still powerful enough to help me to be Restor'd to mine As soon as you shall put me into a condition to be thankful for so great a Favour the Polanders and Muscovites united together shall quickly reduce the Swedish Rebel May Heaven grant that after this Happy Expedition we may joyntly set upon the common Enemy of the Christians If King Sigismond did not believe what was told him he hop'd however that the Story whether true or false might stand him in some stead against the Muscovites T' was resolv'd upon to Assist the pretended Demetrius and to send him first into Lithu mia that from thence to write to the Pope he might be nearer Muscovy He askt of him to do him all the good turns he cou'd in Poland The Court of Rome always attentive to what is capable of extending her usurpt Domination willingly gave an ear to the Person who made her hope to Reduce the Russians to the Obedience of the Holy Chair Demetrius enters into Muscovy and there Crown'd A private Rumor presently run aboroad at Mosco that the Prince Demetrius having scap'd the fury of the Tyrant Boris shew'd himself near to the Frontiers The Malecontents and they who lov'd Novelty confirm'd for truth what others had said The People easily drawn to believe extraordinary Contingencies and who flatter themselves with finding a milder and more supportable Government seem'd to wait with impatience Demetrius's coming Boris inform'd of what had pass't at Poland and of the practices begun at Mosco did not know which side to take whether he should despise this Story as if it was but a ridiculous Story the noise of which in a little time vanisheth or if he should downright prepare himself to press and quell a Party which seem'd to fortifie it self ev'ry day both at home and abroad Persuaded at last that nothing was to be neglected he caus'd it to be spread abroad on his side that the pretended Demetrius was a known Mag cian and after Orders for the safety of the Frontiers he sent Ambassadors to the Diet at Warsaw They were to complain to the King and Republick of Poland for that they had Transgress'd the Conditions of Peace made betwixt the two States by shewing their willingness to uphold the Impostures of the miserable Son of a Priest and to demand the delivery of him up to 'em alive or dead In case the Ambassador cou'd not obtain of 'em a favourable Answer Boris had order'd 'em to Negotiate with some Popish Lords for to engage them to oppose a design which the King might have against him Sigismond answer'd the Muscovites in general Terms and in the mean time prepared himself underhand to assist him who averr'd himself to be the rightful Heir of the ancient Czars Demetrius enter'd into Moscovy at the Head of an Army consisting of Ten thousand Poles and Cossacks which the Palatine of Sendomir commanded under him Demetrius and he not having known the advantage they had of so good an occasion to rout the Muscovite Army were themselves defeated in the beginning of the year 1605. Demetrius too weak to keep the Field any longer shut himself up in a Town which he had before taken he hop'd to receive new Succors from Poland before the Enemy could retake the places which had been taken from
having delayed too long was seized at the Louvre and kept close Prisoner in a Chamber by the Regent's Order Mercurâ—… Francois 1613. Memoires du duc de Rohan The Mareschal de Bovillon was one of the last to leave the Place To render himself less suspected he got himself Commissioned to Visit the Ministers first and to declare to them the Intentions of the Prince and the Rest The Mareschal was always Master of the Affair and could manage Conde as 〈◊〉 pleased he made no offer to stir from Court till he had first promised the Queen to bring back Conde and all the Lords of his Party Artifices of the Duke of Savoy to raise a Civil War in France 'T was so much for the Duke of Savoy's Interest to find business for Mary de Medicis in France that he must by all means Correspond with the Prince de Conde Besides that a Civil War would incapacitate the Regent to succour the House of Mantua Charles Emanuel had yet further hopes that the Prince and Lords combined with him breaking the double Marriage which was concluded with Spain as they pretended to him he would revenge himself on the Regent in forcing her to give her Eldest Daughter to the P. of Piedmont and perform the Promise which the late K. had made him The D. of Savoy at the same time that he held a private Correspondence with tha Party endeavoured to amuse the Regent he exhorted her vigorously to exert her Authority against all that should oppose it The Agents of Charles Emanuel had Orders to Protest to her Majesty that he did readily forget all the occasions of Complaint and the Affront she had given him in the Sight of all Europe by the Treaty of the double Marriage with Spain that he was extremely concern'd to see the new Troubles which Men of a Factious and unquiet Disposition gave her and that he never haâ—â— a Thought as some Persons would accuse him to support the Party of the Prince of Conde and to give him any Assistance Although his Highness said the Agents of Savoy to the Regent Doubts not but your Majesty's Prudence will soon dissipate this new Faction as you have the former the sincere Respect which the Duke our Master has for the Crown of France makes him take the Liberty to offer his Mediation to your Majesty If you believe 't will be of any Service to you He would likewise offer his own Person and his Troops if he was not persuaded that your Majesty has no need of such weak Assistance and if he was not under a necessity of putting strong Garrisons into his own Towns till the Difference between him and the House of Mantua should be adjusted The Regent had need of more sincere and honest People than the Duke of Savoy The King of Spain and the Duke of Lorrain offered her their Assistance as well as Charles Emanuel Different advice in the Council of France how to dissipate the Party of the Prince of Conde Memoires de la Regence de Mary de Medicis But her Majesty had no Inclination to bring Foreign Troops into her Country That might have been the way 〈◊〉 have made more Rise than did The Duke d'Epernon was immediately called back whom the Queen had again disobliged since her last Reconciliation with him There was more of Ostentation than Reality in the generous and disinterested Temper which this Noble-Man affected when he was recall'd Epernon had a little before solicited the Queen to receive the Office of first Gentleman of the Chamber Vie du Due d'Epernon Liv. VI. which he had enjoy'd under Henry IV. and to bestow it on Candale his Eldest Son Being disoblig'd that he could not obtain a thing which he thought due to his Services he desired leave to go to Mets of which Place he was Governor But when she began to hear the threatning Storm to Roar she pacifi'd the Duke d'Epernon by granting what she had before refused The Duke de Guise received also new marks of distinguishing Favour He pleased himself with the hopes of being General of the King's Forces in case they should March against the Prince of Conde 'T was the Advice of the Cardinal de Joieuse of the Duke d'Epernon and de Villeroi They said that the Malecontents not having Troops nor Money nor any Place of Retreat that therefore they should pursue them out of hand with the Troops of his Majesty's Houshold and that if his Majesty should advance as far as Rheims with that little Body of Men the Prince and the Lords of his Party being surprized unawares would be necessitated humbly to implore the King's Mercy or to flee out of the Kingdom in Disorder and Confusion The New Mareschal d'Ancre and Chancellor de Sillery were of another Opinion they said it were better first to Treat with them He could not endure that the Duke de Guise whom he both hated and feared should have the Command of the Army The other being fallen out more than ever with Villeroi was blindly led by Conchini Ever since the death of Madam de Puisieux the Chancellor's Eldest Son's Wife and Grandaughter of Villeroy these two could never agree Dole a Creature of the Mareschal d'Ancre was disgusted upon the Conclusion of the Marriage of the Marquiss de Villeroy Grandson of the Secretary of State because they had not given Dole the Office of Controller of the Finances which the Marquiss d'Alincourt Son of Villeroy had given him hopes of in case the Marquiss de Villeroy should Marry the Daughter of Conchini The Chancellor de Sillery took the advantage of this Discontent of Dole to gain the Favour of the Mareschal d'Ancre and to Ruin his Rival with whom Conchini had fallen out This Second Expedient pleased the Regent best who relied upon the assurances that the Mareschal de Bovillon had given her Mercure Francois 1613. She sent the Duke de Ventadour and Boissise Counsellor of State to Invite the Prince of Conde who was thought to be at Chateauroux to Return to his Post at Court Villeroy could not forbear saying that she exposed her self to the same Inconvenience which befel Henry III. when the League first took Arms against him The Duke d'Epernon had advised him to March immediately against the Duke de Guise who could not then make any Resistance But Henry not listening to such wholesome Advice rashly threw himself into those Misfortunes which cost him his Life God grant said Villeroy that the same thing doth not befall us since we neglect to crush this Conspiracy in its Birth which is likely to produce great Revolutions in the State They thought that this Old Statesman spoke thus only to get the Command of the Army for the Duke of Guise and that he would not be sorry to see a Civil War which might in the Issue prove fatal to the Mareschal d'Ancre and the Chancellor de Sillery The Prince de Conde and the Duke de Guise hated them
both Conde would have had them removed from Court if he could have had any advantage against them and the Duke de Guise would have done his endeavour to have remov'd them as soon as he should have been at the head of the King's Army The Duke d'Epernon angry that his advice to oppose the Malecontents with an open force was not followed resolved not to assist at any Treaties which they should afterwards hold with the Prince and the united Lords where the King was to buy of his Subjects a short liv'd Peace at a shameful Rate The Circular Letter of the Regent upon Retreat of the Prince de Conde and the Lords of his Party When the Duke de Vantadour and Boissise were gone to the Prince de Conde in Berri the Regent wrote a Circular Letters dated the 13th February to all the Parlements of the Kingdom to the Governors of Provinces and other Places to the Provost of the Merchants to the Mayors and Sheriffs of the Cities to exhort them to remain faithful to the King and not suffer themselves to be surpriz'd by the Prince de Conde and his Party If you will believe Mary de Medicis Mercure Francoise 1614. These Gentlemen had no just ground of Complaint neither with relation to their own private Interest nor to the Administration of the publick Affairs Her Majesty had Treated this Prince and those Lords with all the Respect imaginable she had heap'd as many Favours on them as they could reasonably desire and had taken no Step of any consequence without their Advice The Kingdom was in as flourishing and quiet a Condition the Dignity of the Crown of France as well Supported the People as easie and happy as ever To write the History of a Reign from Manifesto's from prefaces of Edicts and Declarations from Letters and other Papers published under the King's Name is to have but very bad Authority for what one writes In the mean time to amuse the People with the hopes of a better Government the Regent declared in a Letter that her Majesty resolv'd to call as they speak in France an Assembly des Notables of all Orders in the Kingdom in which they should consult together for the publick Welfare The Duke de Nevers seizes on the Cittadel de Mezieres in Champagne Ventadour and Boissise had Intelligence upon the Road that the Prince de Conde was gone from Chateauroux and designed â—…o pass the Loir accompanied by 30 or â—…o Horse They sent one of their Comâ—…any to inform him of their Commissiâ—â— and to know where they might meet â—â—m Mercure Francoise 1614. Conde refused to receive the King's â—…eputies and went immediately into â—…hampagne where the Duke de Nevers â—â—ceived him The Prince was immediâ—…ely Conducted to Chalons from thence â—â—vers and he went to Mezieres Descuâ—…es Commanded there in the absence of â—â—e Marquiss de la Vieuville There â—â—ing a good understanding between him and the Duke de Nevers Descuroles made as if he would shut the Gates of the Cittadel and defend it according to the Order which he had received from Vieuville But the Prince and the Duke de Nevers threatning to attack it if he did not shew express Orders from her Majesty to Resist them Descuroles received the Prince and Duke into the Place Nevers wrote afterwards to the Queen to complain of the Marquiss of Vieuville to desire that Justice might be done him for the resistance that had been made him who was the Governor of the Province Was not this to Affront the Queen under pretence of paying I know not what respect to the Majesty of a Sovereign The Prince de Conde wrote to the Regent a Letter in Form of a Mà nifesto Mercure Francois 1614. The Prince de Conde the Dukes de Nevers de Maìenne de Longueville and some others of the chief of the Party being met at Mezieres Conde wrote a long Letter to the Queen in form of a Manifesto He expresseth there an extraordinary Zeal for the publick Good and offers to Restore the Pensions and Gratifications which he had Received from the King to her Majesty's hand when all the States shall be assembled and Act with entire Liberty In a Word he speaks much like the Ancient Greeks and Romans of whose Impartial Justice we read of in History If he had a mind to impose upon the World he should have taken care that his Actions did not contradict his Words In truth the Complaints which the Prince de Conde and those of his Party made concerning the wasting of the Treasury the giving the highest Employments to People unworthy of them the too great Authority of the Ministers the little Respect that was paid to the Princes and Peers of the Realm the Officers of the Crown the Obstacles which the Parlement found in exercising of their Power the Ruine of the Nobles the excessive Price of the Places of Judicature the Oppression of the People neglecting to Assemble the States of the Kingdom the Haste with which they had concluded the Marriage of the King before his Majority all these Complaints I say were well founded In the mean time what ever Protestations the Prince of Conde made that he had no other design but to procure an effectual Remedy for these heavy Grievances yet the World could never firmly believe the integrity of his Intentions nor the sincerity of his Words He added to these Three or Four Demands which were not less Reasonable the Assembling of the States of the Kingdom within Three months at farthest the Suspending the Marriage of the King and his Sister till after the sitting of the States and the placing near her Majesty Persons of known Honesty and Integrity Conde at the same time wrote to the Prince of Conti his Uncle to the Dukes Peers and Officers of the Crown to the Parlements to Cardinals and he sent them a Copy of the Letter he had sent to the Queen In that to the Parlement of Paris he Stiled them the Chief Guardian of the Kingdom He was willing to give them an account of his Actions he desired their Advice and Concurrence in this Laudable undertaking of his to Reform the Government Thus it is that Kings and Princes and great Lords have used to play with a Senate The weakness of the Parlement of Paris on this occasion the Chief Members whereof being Ambitious and Slaves to the Court take no care to maintain its Reputation and Authority When there are hopes that the Parlement of Paris will be of any use to impose upon the People they bestow upon it magnificent Titles and Treat it with the greatest Honour and Respect imaginable but when these Considerations cease they despise and ridicule it The Parlement upon this occasion gave a Proof of its Weakness They would not open the Letter which the Prince de Conde sent them Two of their Members were deputed to carry it to the Queen who sent them to the Chancellor
they were sure of a speedy Convention of the States The well-meaning Men would have endeavoured at a Reformation of the Government if they had been better Seconded and the Prince of Conde had had more Wisdom and Sincerity A Treaty concluded at St. Menehoud between the Regent and the Prince of Conde He concluded at last his Treaty with the Regent at St. Menehoud in Champagne the 15th of May. The Duke de Ventadour and his Colleagues were there I will not recite all the Articles The Castle of Amboise was to be put into the Prince's hands until the meeting of the States The Duke de Nevers had St. Menehoud Mercure Francoise 1614. Memoires de Duc de Rohan de la Regence de Marie de Medicis say some Authors thô it is not mentioned in the Treaty These gave him besides a Sum of Money to satisfie him for pulling down his House to make way for the Fortifications of Mezieres which were part of them to be demolished Blavet and the other Places that were Fortified a little before in Bretagne by the Duke de Vendome being Dismantled He was restored to his Government and all his Places This was all that was agreed upon for Vendom He highly complained that the Prince oâ—… Conde had abandoned him in this Negociation As for the Mareschal de Bovillon it was easie to satisfie him The Money which the Regent Ordered to be paid him was thought by him a sufficient Recompence See said the Duke of Rohan who had more Integrity in him than all the rest that made such a noise see saith he how Mens private Interest make them forget the publick welfare of the Kingdom The Prince de Conde the Dukes de Nevers de Longueville de Maienne and the Mareschal de Bovillon who signed the Treaty very readily performed their Conditions Mary de Medicis was not less punctual of her Side The Dukes de Longueville and de Maienne were the first that return'd to Court Conde retired to his House of Vallery where Descures Governor of Amboise went to resign that Place into his hands His Highness came sometime after to pay his Devoirs to their Majesties That Restless Temper that was Natural to him would not suffer him to stay long at Court. Being vext that his late Design had lessened the Respect due to his high Quality instead of increasing it as he had flattered himself it would This Prince was again tempted to raise new Troubles before the meeting of the States But having taken no better Measures than he did before he was forced to let the Regent alone who was endeavouring to reduce the Duke de Vendom who refused to agree to the Treaty of St. Menehoud The Decree of the Parlement of Paris against a Book of Suarez the Jesuit Mercure Francoise 1614. It is a great while since we have had occasion to speak of the Jesuits But we shall now see them appear again upon the Stage upon the account of a Book published by Suarez a famous Divine of that Society in Spain The Book is Intituled The Defence of the Catholick and Apostolick Faith against the Errors of the English Hereticks There are always a certain sort of Men at Paris who narrowly observe all the Actions of these Good Fathers and will not forgive-them if they do amiss This new Book of Suarez being come to France Abstracts of it were presently made and brought to the King's Officers in the Parliament of Paris The Sollicitor General look'd upon it as a Book so dangerous that he thought it his Duty to desire the Condemnation of it The Parliament met upon the 26th of June and Condemn'd the Book to be burnt by the Hands of the Common Hangman as containing Seditious Principles tending to the Subversion of Kingdoms and to perswade the Subjects of Kings and Princes to attempt their Sacred Persons They ordered besides That certain former Decrees of the Faculty of Paris which condemn'd the Doctrine of Suarez should be Read every year on the 4th day of June not only in thâ—… Schools of Sorbonne but also in those in the Colledge of Clermont and of the Mendicant Friers The greatest mortification to the Society was this that the Parlement Decreed that the Fathers Armand the Rector of the Society Cotton the late King's Confessor Fronton le Duc and Sirmond two Persons very famous for their Learning should appear the next day before the Parlement When they came thither the first President told them in the Name of the Court that the Book of Suarez their Brother Jesuit was contrary to a Declaration they had made and to a Decree of their General in the Year 1610. They commanded them afterward to write to Rome for a Revival and Publication of that Decree and to get from thence an Order in Six Months to prevent the Members of that Society from writing any more in their Books such damnable and pernicious Doctrine and to Command them to Preach to the People Doctrines contrary to those of Suarez or else the Parlement would proceed against such Offenders as Guilty of High Treason and disturbers of the publick Peace Paul V. complains of the proceedings of the parlement against Suarez his Book The Court of France foresaw very well that the Proceedings of the Parlement of Paris against the Book of Suarez would make a great noise at Rome for indeed the Book was writ by Order of the Pope But the Regent to whom the Parlement had been very Serviceable in the Affair of the Prince of Conde would not oppose their Zeal which they expressed against these pernicious Opinions Siri Memo. recondite Tom. III. p. 256 257. 270. Her Majesty had more need than ever to keep fair with the Parlement by reason of the approaching Assembly of the States As soon as Paul V. had notice of the Decree of the Parlement against Suarez his Book he sent the Bishop of Foligni to the Marquiss of Trenel who succeeded Breves in his Embassy at Rome This Prelate had Orders to complain in the Name of the Pope of the proceedings of the Magistrates of Paris by which they Encroached on the Rights of the Holy See His Holiness said he to the Ambassadour is the more surpriz'd because he expected nothing less than a grateful acknowledgement of his kindness to the Queen of France Her Majesty cannot be Ignorant of that Affection that he has always shewed to her and the King her Son All the World is witness of that Zeal which his Holiness has discovered for the prosperity of France T is not long since he offered his good Offices to the Queen to appease the Troubles of the Kingdom And they are no sooner ended but the Parlement of Paris makes a Decree injurious to the Holy See If Suarezs Book contains any Positions contrary to the Sovereignty of the most Christian King her Majesty might have complained to the Pope He would have censur'd the Doctrine of the Author and
HISTORY OF LEWIS XIII THE HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF LEWIS XIII King of France and Navarre CONTAINING The most Remarkable Occurrences in FRANCE and EUROPE during the Minority of that Prince By Mr. MICHEL Le ASSOR LONDON Printed for Thomas Cockerill at the Three Legs and Bible against Grocers-Hall in the Poultrey 1700. Advertisement THE Remaining Parts of this History will be Printed in the same Size with this Volume TO MY Lord Viscount WOODSTOCK My LORD AS soon as I began to write the Book I now present you with My Lord the Earl of Portland your Illustrious Father did me the Honour to employ me in your Service to read History to you I was surprized with Pleasure to observe that the Providence of God having designed me for this Employment had turned my thoughts upon a Subject the knowledge of which is so absolutely necessary for you that so you may reap the full advantage of those wise Instructions which your Father who loves you tenderly will one day give you concerning those extraordinary Revolutions which Europe has with Amazement beheld for thirty years together He knows the secret Motives and hidden Springs which produced them all and he has always been the Depositary of the Secrets of that Great Prince who had the greatest hand in them he has served him in his brave and hazardous Enterprizes with equal Zeal and Courage 'T is from a Father so exquisitely skill'd in all the Arts of Politicks and War that you will learn my Lord the Intrigues of all the Negotiations which have been transacted in his time the present Interests of Princes the Account of Battels Sieges Marches of Armies in which he has always held a considerable Post In giving you the Narrative of his own Actions he will instruct you how a Person of your Rank and Quality may equally love your Country and a Prince who do's you the Honour to trust you with his Secrets what Rules you are to observe that so you may do good service for the one without intrenching upon that inviolable fidelity which you owe to the other In short he will teach you what a Peer of England is obliged to do that he may be serviceable to the King in Parliament and at the same time deserve the Esteem and Approbation of a People extremely jealous of its Rights and Priviledges Others besides my Lord the Earl of Portland may possibly be able to give you good Counsel in these Affairs But there is one thing yet behind which your incomparable Father alone can teach you And that is My Lord Moderation in an elevated Fortune He has himself lately given you a rare example of it The Greatness of his Soul in this respect is a thing so extraordinary that you will scarcely find an equal Instance in all those Ancient and Modern Histories which you design to read Keep your Eyes always fixt on this Domestick Example It can't but powerfully impress this weighty Maxim in your mind That to set bounds to your Ambition though just and reasonable is truer and more substantial Glory than 't is to rise to the highest Dignities I have told you my Lord that the History of the Reign of Lewis the XIII will be of great use to you to let you into the understanding of those Revolutions which have happened for some time past in Europe You will there see how the Affairs of the Empire put on a new face after the Peace of Munster And there find the causes and first beginnings of the Decay of the Spanish Monarchy which before that time was dreadful to its Neighbours You will there read the first steps of France to that height which it arrived at under the Conduct of the violent and refined Politicks of a Cardinal who renders his Master powerful at home by humbling the Princes and great Men there and formidable abroad by entring him into a seasonable League with the Crown of Swedeland and the United Provinces The good Correspondence which the great Frederick Henry Prince of Orange and this able Minister held together did not a little assist the Cardinal in compassing his vast Designs The Swedes were hitherto hardly known but for their Wars against Denmark Poland Muscovy and some extraordinary Revolutions which Religion or the differing interests of King and Subjects had produced in Swedeland We shall see in the course of this History a new Warrier arising out of the North with a small number of Troops for the Rescue of Germany almost entirely enslav'd by the Ambition and Arms of Ferdinand the Second Gustavus Adolphus King of Swedeland makes the Emperor Tremble for fear of losing his Hereditary Countries The Rapid course of his Victorius Arms carryed to the Rhine makes jealous even those Princes which call'd him to their Assistance and those Sovereigns which had desired his Alliance That which you ought particularly to be affected with My Lord is the reading of the resolute Efforts of your Dear and Illustrious Country to defend it's Liberty after the twelve years Truce was expir'd The Spaniard's pleas'd themselves with the hopes of making great Advantages of the Divisions which arose in Holland and some other Provinces after the Conclusion of that Truce But the Valour and Wise Conduct of Maurice and Frederick Henry Princes of Orange defeated those hopes which seem'd to be but too well grounded You will be very much pleased to find here Sieges Form'd by those Two Great Masters in the Art of Taking Towns and Victories Won by those Two Famous Generals to whom they came from all Parts of the World to learn the Art of War and in short That Courage not Inferiour to that of the Ancient Romans with which the United Provinces did weary out the King of Spain until he renounc'd all his Pretensions to 'em and was forc'd to acknowledge them in a Solemn Treaty for a Free Republick I believe you have not forgot that which my Lord your Father told you in one of his Pleasant and Profitable Discourses which he had with you the last Summer in the Walks of his beloved Solitude near the Hague He recited to you one Day the Prediction of Prince Frederick Henry a little before his Death That his Posterity would be under a Necessity one Day to declare against France as he had been to oppose the Ambitious Designs of the House of Austria It has fell out as this Judicious and Knowing Politician had foretold The House of Orange hath had the Honour to have given the first Blow which shook the Power of Spain and by a surprizing Turn of Affairs the only Remaining Branch of that Noble Stock which hath been so fruitful in Heroes can glory this Day that by his Prudence and Valour he hath defended that same Monarchy threatned with approaching Ruin Could that fierce and bloody Philip II. have ever thought that the Posterity of that Man whom he had basely murder'd after an unworthy and ridiculous Proscription should be one Day the best Support of
and Predestination in the Vnited Provinces A new Contest in Holland about the manner of chusing Pastors The Differences in the Vnited Provinces encrease A Conference at Delft between the Remonstrants and Contra-remonstrants The Prejudice of James King of England against the Arminians is abated Sibrund a Frieseland Minister publishes a Libel on the States of Holland Grotius is ordered to reply An Edict of the States of Holland to compose the Differences about the Questions of Predestination and Grace BOOK V. A New Party form'd at Court by the Marechal of Bouillon Artifices of the Duke of Savoy to raise a Civil War in France Different Measures propos'd to the Council of Franco for dispersing the Prince of Conde's Faction The Regent's Circular Letter upon the Retreat of the Prince of Conde and some Lords of his Faction The Duke of Nevers seizes the Citadel of Mezieres in Champagne The Prince of Conde writes a Letter to the Regent in form of a Manifesto The Weakness of the Parlement of Paris on this Occasion Reflections on the Answer the Cardinal of Perron made the Prince of Conde The Reply of Mary de Medicis to the Prince of Conde Mary de Medicis raises Six Thousand Swisses Bassompierre is made Colonel General of the Swisses in the Duke of Rohan's Place The Conduct of the Reformed in France in the Prince of Conde's Business The Wisdom of Du Plessis The Prince of Conde solicits the Reformed The wise Reply of du Plessis Mornay to the Regent and the Prince of Conde The Duke of Rohan seems to hear the Prince of Conde's Propositions The Duke of Vendome's Evasion He writes into Britany The Death of the Constable of Montmorency The Duke of Savoy shuns meeting the Marquess de Coeuvres Ambassador from France into Italy The Jealousie of the Princes and States of Italy occasioned by the Correspondence of the Two Crowns about the Affairs of that Country The Spaniards secretly traverse the Treaty carried on by the Marquess de Coeuvres The Cardinal-Duke of Mantua accepts the Conditions proposed by the Marquiss de Coeuvres The Duke of Savoy seems likewise to accept them Troops are raised at Turin The Treaty of the Duke of Ventadour and the other Commissioners of the King with the Prince of Conde and those of his Party The Prince retires to Soissons and goes into Champagne A Division in the Regent's Council on the Demands which the Prince of Conde and the Malecontents make with respect to their private Interests Intrigues of the Marshal of Ancre to divert the Regent from making War on the Prince of Conde The Pope's Nuncio's reasoning on the Resolution taken to make Peace with the Prince of Conde An Examen of the Political Reflexion of a Venetian Author of the Treaty made with the Prince of Conde A Treaty concluded at St. Menehoud between the Regent and the Prince of Conde The Sentiments of the Parlement of Paris against a Book of Suarez the Jesuit Paul V. complains of the Proceedings of Parlement against Suarez's Book A Discourse of the Pope to the French Ambassador upon the Parlements Sentence The Conduct of the Court of France to satisfie the Pope The Jesuits stir to have the Parlement's Sentence burnt The King's Declaration in his Council concerning the Parlement's Sentence The Pope will not be satisfied with the King's Declaration The King at last is obliged to suspend the Execution of the Parlements Sentence Differences in the Court of France The Duke of Vendome refuses to accept the Treaty of Menehoud The Ability and Prudence of du Plessis Mornay Mary de Medicis sends the Marquiss de Coeuvres to the Duke of Vendome to dispose him to an Accommodation A new Disturbance of the Prince of Conde An Interview of the Prince of Conde and the Duke of Rohan The Prince of Conde thinks to make himself Master of Poitiers A great Tumult at Poitiers The Gates of the City are shut against the Prince He retreats to Chateouroux in Berry A Remonstrance of du Plessis Mornay to the Regent The King and Queen Mother go to Poitiers The Queen goes to Nants in Brettany to hold a Meeting of the States The Prince of Conti's Death New Differences between the Princes of Brandenburgh and Newburgh about the Administration of the Countries of Cleves and Juliers The Town of Aix la Chapelle is put under the Ban of the Empire The Marquess of Spinola reduces the Town of Aix la Chapelle and seizes divers Places in the Countries of Cleves and Juliers Maurice Prince of Orange takes divers Places in the same Country A Conference at Santheim about the Succession of Cleves and Juliers The Duke of Savoy is more embroyl'd with Spain than ever He seeks to gain the Venetians into his Interests The Marquiss of Rambouillet is sent Ambassador Extraordinary into Italy An open War between Spain and Savoy Several Things writ on both sides The Pope's Nuncio and French Ambassador labour for an Accommodation between them The Duke of Savoy accepts the Conditions proposed and Spain refuses them The King of Spain is not satisfied with the Governour of Milan's Conduct The Majority of Lewis XIII His first Act. Sits in his Seat of Justice Education of Lewis XIII THE HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF LEWIS XIII King of France and Navarre BOOK I. THE Reign whose History I am about to write The Plan of the Work abounds in Great Events Here is a Scene of Civil and Foreign Wars Bloody Battles Towns attack'd and defended with great Conduct and Courage The Protestants oppress'd in France and supported in Hungary Germany and the Vnited Provinces The Nobility Clergy Parlements and People reduced to Slavery A King unable to extricate himself from those Difficulties in which some were still busie to involve him leaves the Care of Affairs to his Favourites and Ministers Alike averse to his Mother his Wife his Brother he treats the one ill and obliges the rest to form Leagues at Home and Abroad and at last to throw themselves into the Hands of the ancient Enemies of France The Princes of the Blood and the Great Lords disgusted sometimes at the ill Administration of a Regent at other times with the excessive Power of a Favourite or Minister rise under the specious Pretence of a Concern for the Publick Good The Protestants driven to Extremity by the frequent Infractions of the most inviolable Edict that ever was at last take Arms to defend the Liberty of their Consciences and preserve those Securities which had been so justly granted them in the preceding Reign The Enterprizes of the House of Austria on the Princes of Italy force them to have recourse to the Protection of France and make an Alliance with her These Sovereigns jealous of their Repose and Liberty see without concern the Duke of Savoy give up to the King of France a Place which opens a way into Italy whenever he shall think fit to send any Aid thither A great Conqueror coming from the
to the Prince answer'd still to all the Instances and Menaces made them That they would not restore the Princess without the Consent of her Husband who had entrusted her with them A very generous Resolution indeed But is there not ground to think their secret Desire to excite some Commotions in France to traverse the vast Projects of Henry inspired them at least as much as their love to Equity and Justice Henry IV. prepares to march at the Head of his Army The great Preparations in France and other places kept the World in suspense None doubted the King had some greater Design than to drive Archduke Leopold out of the Countries of Cleves and Juliers In the mean time the House of Austria appeared Serene It could not be observed that she made any Provisions against this approaching War which openly threatned her either because she expected that Stroke which soon changed the State of Affairs or that the King of Spain a stupid and unactive Prince suffer'd himself to be perswaded by a weak Minister that the Ardour of Henry would cool when the French had spent their first Fire on the Countries of Cleves and Juliers and some other places of Italy The King had Thirty Thousand Foot and Six Thousand Horse in Champagne Sixty Pieces of Artillery and abundance of Money and Provisions Twelve Thousand Foot and Two Thousand Horse waited in Dauphine the Orders of Lesdiguieres to go and join the Duke of Savoy's Army The Venetians promised to declare themselves on condition they might have that part of the Milanese which lay most conveniently for them Henry burned with Impatience to march at the Head of so fair an Army Sometimes he would try the Arms he design'd to bear in the Day of Battel at other times he took pleasure to see the brave Prince Maurice of Orange bring him the best Troops of the Vnited Provinces Vex'd at the Advantages which Alexander Duke of Parma had gain'd over him in the Sieges of Paris and Roan he hoped to take his Revenge against the Marquiss of Spinola whose Reputation began to equal that of the other He was the only General now which the House of Austria had to oppose to the King Measures were taken for the Administration of Government in his Absence The Queen was to be Regent and the Duke of Epernon President of her Council It is amazing that Henry would trust his Wife and Children in the Hands of a Lord whom he never loved and whose Fidelity was ever suspected by him But after all he could never have made a better Choice Of the Three Princes of the Blood the first was in the Enemies Hands Conti passed for a weak Man and the Count of Soissons was disgusted 1610. Their ancient Enmity and the strict Tie the Guises had to the Spaniard made it unsafe for him to trust any of that House Epernon had Wit Courage Honour and was not without some Vanity So great a Mark of Respect engaged him to exert himself to answer the good Opinion the King had shewn of his Prudence and Fidelity Henry had yielded to the Importunities of the Queen Henry is Assassinated the 14th of May 1610. who ardently desired to be Crowned in all the Forms He imagined this Complaisance would make that jealous Princess forget the ill Humour the Kings Mistresses and above all the Marquise de Vernueil had so oft put her in The Ceremony of Consecration was perform'd at St. Denys with great Magnificence All things were disposed for the solemn Entry of the Queen into the Capital of the Kingdom When on the Eve of the Day design'd for that Pageantry Henry going in his Coach to the Arsenal to confer with the Duke of Sully Superintendant of the Finances and great Master of the Artillery received two or three stabs with a Knife one of which cut through the Artery of the Lungs He fell down dead on the Duke of Epernon who was on one side of him and to whom he was whispering in the Ear when he received the first blow Francis Ravillac a Native of Angoulême committed this execrable Parricide the 14th day of May 1610. In the Hurry and Confusion which attend Accidents of this kind he might have saved himself by hiding his Knife But perswaded this was an Action worthy of Reward he kept it in his hand till he was seized One of the Kings Gentlemen in ordinary and some Footmen would have given him a thousand stabs upon the spot but the Duke of Epernon remembring the fault committed in killing in this manner the Monk who murthered Henry the III forbid any on pain of Death to touch him So he was secured and carried to the Hôtel of Retz By a Negligence which appear'd suspicious and affected instead of throwing this Wretch into a Dungeon every one had the liberty to speak to him during the two days he remained there If the first Persons of the Kingdom thought they had more pressing Affairs than to revenge the Death of the King what hindred the inferiour Magistrates from doing their Duty in discovering the Authours of so black an Attempt The Queen labours to procure her self to be declared Regenâ—… during the Minority of Lewis XIII her Son The Queen wiped off her Tears as soon as the Chancellour and Villeroy had made her sensible every Moment was precious and she must labour incessantly to make her Advantage of the absence of two oâ—… the Princes of the Blood and the weakness of the other to procure her self to bâ—… declared Regent during the Minority oâ—… her Son The new King Lewis XIII was about to begin the tenth year of his Age being born the 27th of September 1601. The Dukes of Guise and Epernon seemed the most proper Persons to execute the Project The unbounded Ambition of both these Men made them equally believe by doing this service to a Foreign Princess unskilled in the Arts of Ruling a Nation they should make themselves Masters of the Government Behold then both of them marching through Paris at the Head of divers Armed Men to suppress any Tumult might be caused by the unexpected Death of the King Guise goes directly to the Town-House Epernon arrives a little after and both exhort Lejay Provost of the Merchants the Echevins and the Citizens met there to continue faithful to the Son of him whose Loss they Regretted and to take all necessary care to prevent Disorder and Confusion The Duke of Sully came from the Arsenal as soon as he heard of the Death of his good Master He went to the Louvre as other Persons of Quality did who all ran to offer their Services and swear Fidelity to the New King and the Queen his Mother Memoires de Bassompierre Surpriz'd to find Bassompierre at the head of a great number of Horse he thought fit to exhort him to take an Oath of Fidelity to Lewis Well Sir replyed Bassompierre in a haughty disdainful Tone We come here to require that
left but for Charles Emanuel to assure the Spanish Embassador at Turin that he was disposed to make his Brother-in-Law Satisfaction He only demanded to have a Suspension of Arms agreed on and to have Assurance given him that the Governor of Milan would not make any Attempt on Piemont till the King of Spain should be satisfied In stead of hearing the Dukes Propositions they quarrelled with him demanded he should Renounce all his Treaties with France not excepting that of his Sons Marriage and Lastly Philip's Officers at Milan answered they had no Orders to grant a Suspension of Arms or that Security which the Duke of Savoy proposed France lays down her Arms in Dauphine and is jealous of the Spaniards who continue in Arms in Italy At the Solicitation of the Pope Mary de Medicis had broke the Army of the Mareschal Lesdiguieres in Dauphine The Regents Council had consented to this more willingly because they were perswaded the King of Spain would not dare to begin a War in Italy Was it probable he could be in a condition to support one there who had not the boldness to oppose the taking of Juliers by the Confederate Princes Philip had assured the Pope his Design was only to mortifie the Duke of Savoy to give him a Check and Constrain him to make him Satisfaction The rest of the Princes were not displeased to see the Pride of Charles Emanuel humbled All this while he wasted insensibly because he would stand on his Guard and keep up his Troops till the King of Spain Disbanded his Who could yet be sure that Philip would not at last invade Piemont after he had fatigued the Duke of Savoy and craftily engaged the Regent to Disarm on the side of the Alpes The Council of France was of Opinion the Queen should make some Advances and declare positively she would not abandon the Duke of Savoy That the Disbanded Troops might soon be brought together and she would send a powerful Aid into Piemont if Spain should undertake to attack that Country Charles Emanuel was very glad to understand the Regent had Writ to the Pope to complain that the King of Spain continued in Arms though France had broke her Army in Dauphine and to assure his Holiness of the Resolution taken in Council to preserve the Country of Savoy But the Duke of Feria Ambassador Extraordinary of Philip in France had setled so strict a Correspondence between his Master and Mary de Medicis that the Pope could without much Difficulty dispel the Umbrage which the Regent had taken and perswaded her to wait quietly the Success of the Journey which Prince Philibert was about to make into Spain Philibert Prince of Savoy goes into Spain The Prince went through Lyons and Bourdeaux attended by the Count of Verüe and the Bishop of St. John de Maurienne These were to be his Directors in so nice a Matter The Prince Arrives on Post-Horses at Madrid without having received the least Civility or Mark of Respect from the King his Uncle in any of the Spanish Towns he past through Siri Memorie recondite Tom. II. p. 416 417 This was to prepare him to appear as a Suppliant to make Satisfaction to a Great King justly incensed against a petty Prince And now he was to endure all the strain of Spanish Pride At the first Interview Philip gave his Nephew an obliging Reception enough Not one Word was said of the Duke of Savoy no News of him was asked the Court affected to enquire of the Welfare of the Princes and Princesses of Savoy without making any mention of their Father The Second Audience was more Slippery and Difficult Here was a Submission to be made to satisfie the Spanish Humour which might not be too mean and low for the Duke of Savoy Charles Emanuel stood very much on an Extream Nicety in point of Honour His Son framed an Harangue according to the Instructions he brought with him The Count of Verüe and the Bishop assisted the young Prince in the drawing it He learnt it by Heart and spoke it with a good Grace It was accompanied with all the Demonstrations of Respect and Submission which the Dignity of a Prince could allow of The King was not Displeased with it but the Duke of Lerma and the Grandees of Spain thought very heinously of it because he had not thrown himself on his Knees before the King and begged Pardon for the Duke of Savoy Lerma made great Complaints and required that the Prince should make Satisfaction by Writing The Spaniards drew up the Form and required Philibert to Rehearse it in the Kings Presence The Savoyards did all they could to spare their Prince so shameful a step The Form of the Satisfaction which the Prince of Savoy made for his Father to the King of Spain But the Spaniards continued inflexible Philibert was treated very roughly till he consented to what was required of him It was in vain the Count of Verüe represented the Prince had exactly followed the Instruction his Father had given him and that he had not Orders to make any such Submissions The Spaniards were pleased to suppose the Prince had a second Instruction in case their King was not satisfied with what was prescribed in the first However this be said they farther the Duke of Savoy will ever be in a condition to disavow his Sons Action After much canvassing the Matter no other Remedy could be found but Philibert and his Council must agree to the following Form The Spaniards drew it almost all up Great Sir said the Prince of Savoy the Duke my Lord and Father sends me hither to throw my self at your Majesties Feet His Age and Business not giving him leave to come in Person to intreat your Majesty on my Knees to be content with that Satisfaction I make you I have not Words lively enough to express the extream Grief the loss of your Majesties Favour has given the Duke my Father I throw my self once again at your Feet and resolve never more to rise but die here unless your Majesty shall grant me the Favour I sue for That is to Receive the Duke my Father and all our House into your Royal Protection In this Great Sir you will give us a Mark of your Clemency in pardoning the greatest Faults and of the goodness you have always shewn to our House which is perfectly devoted to you and Honours you as its Lord and Father A Prince of your Blood protests this now at your Majesty's Feet and I will Sign it with mine if it shall be necessary The Duke my Father relies wholly on your Majesty's good Will and we put our selves all into your Hands If your Majesty shall receive us into your Favour this will be a new Obligation and indissolubly ties us to become your Majesties Servants The Accommodation of the Duke of Savoy with Spain The Bishop of St. John de Maurienne gave the Duke of Savoy an Account of
Words certainly deserve to be committed to Memory and if there was not more of Vanity perhaps than of Reality in the Duke of Epernon's Sentiments it must be confess'd to his Glory that he had a more Noble Heart than any Prince or Grandee of the Court of France The Regent reconciled with the Dukes of Guise and Epernon In the mean time Bassompierre went to wait again on the Queen after she had dined as her Majesty had order'd him I am so sick at Stomach said Mary de Medicis when she was alone with him as all that I have eaten seems to be Poyson If I am not suddenly rid of this Trouble I fear that I shall be out of my Wits She spoke probably more Truth than she thought for They who best understoood this Business testified this of her that she had a great Spirit but not the large Capacity nor the Constancy and Experience which another Queen of the same House shew'd in some Precedent Reigns and those excellent Qualities were needful to Mary de Medicis for to govern a State full of Factions Bassompiere continued she you must bring me back the Duke of Guise whatever it costs Offer him a Hundred Thousand Crowns which I 'll pay him in ready Money with the Lieutenancy-General of Provence for the Chevalier his Brother and the Reversion of the Abbey of St. Germain for the Princess his Sister In a Word I give you full Power to offer what you please provided you make him quit this Cabal and I can be ascertain'd of his good Intentions ' Madam answer'd Bassompierre smiling you have put such a Stock into my Hands as 't will be very hard if I do not make a good Bargain Now see here what the Reversion is of the Abbey of St. Germain de Prez at Paâ—…is The Prince of Conti enjoy'd this rich Benefice though he was married The same was promis'd to the Princess his Wife in case he died before her Strange Abuse of Ecclesiastical Revenues But a Dispensation from the Pope solves all Let it not be said that these Disorders are now reform'd Have we not seen a younger Brother of the House of Lorrain in France The Count of Marsan confirm'd by a solemn Edict in the Enjoyment of a considerable Pension from a Bishoprick because the Pope had granted him a Dispensation to keep it notwithstanding his Marriage And certainly every thing fully consider'd if the Revenues of the Church been't employ'd for the Relief of the Poor or any other good Work they are as well in the Hands of a Prince or Princess as in any idle Monk's hands Cardinal's or Abbot's of Quality who spend them in rich Equipage great Feasts keeping of Horses and Dogs and maintaining Misses But I return to Bassompierre's Negotiation Before he had taken leave of Mary de Medicis for to go and execute his Orders he spoke to the Queen to call back to Court the Duke of Epernon I would withal my Heart she reply'd but he is a Man whom I have offended and he never pardons ' Yes his Enemies answer'd Bassompierre smiling but not his Masters The good Princess did not well know the Duke's Temper He was not so good a Christian as to pardon his Enemies yet he was too ambitious not to pardon the Regent provided she would set him up higher in Authority and Reputation Tell the Queen answer'd he to Bassompierre that I only supplicate to her to be somewhat more constant for the future to distinguish better and continue her good Servant At length Bassompierre propos'd to the Regent she would be pleas'd to give leave that her Ministers of State might come back to Court again He offered to speak for Villeroy and Jeannin but as for what concern'd the Chancellor the Regent was to declare her self to the Chevalier Sileri Brother to this Magistrate It 's needless to relate all the Particulars of Bassompierre's Negotiation He had so good Markets to make as there was not much trouble to bring 'em to an end The Duke of Guise said Bassompierre at first ranted according to his Custom but afterwards he consented to all His Lady Dutchess who was made use of in this Affair did not make many Words to make him accept of a good Sum of Money The Duke of Epernon ask'd nothing better than to have a Share in the Government This haughty ambitious Man saw with Pleasure that they thought him the most proper Person to break up a puissant Faction contriv'd by the first Prince of the Blood and Grandees of the Realm The Two Dukes saw the Queen the next Morning in private to both of their Satisfactions The old Ministers of State recall'd As for these Ministers of State they were not less tractable These Gentlemen were too much discontented to lose their Credit The Chancellor and Villeroy were at odds but quickly reconcil'd Jeannin had a Commission to give the Queen a Visit in the Name of these Three in Luxembourgh House whither she repair'd every Day to see the fine Palace she had begun to build and the pleasant Gardens she was planting The secret Discourse which the Queen had with the President Jeannin caus'd many Thoughts in the Marechal de Ancre who was come to Luxemburgh House His Surprisal was yet greater when the Officer of the Queen's Guards would not let him come near to her because she had given express Order to hinder whomsoever he was that came from interrupting her whilst she was talking to the President Jeannin Conchini from that time began to fear some new Revolution at Court he did not doubt of it farther when he saw the next Evening the Queen give the Duke of Epernon a Thousand Marks of distinction She caus'd a Chair to be brought for him and plac'd next to her under pretence that he was newly recover'd from a great Sickness They discours'd a long time together She invited him to see a Play and order'd a Chair to be brought for him and Zamet the Duke 's great Friend who bore him Company without giving the least Attention to the Duke of Mayenne who was there present Conchini swore bloodily and considering how the Scene was alter'd said I laugh at the Affairs of this World The Queen takes care of a Seat for Zamer and never takes notice of the Duke de Mayenne After such a Stir as this depend if ye will upon the Friendship of Princes Mary of Medicis was then the most satisfied Princess in the World The very Day that she was reconcil'd to the Duke of Guise and Epernon was in her Opinion the most difficult and weightiest Day of her Life This is a Play said she with a many Intrigues in it at the end we have nothing but Peace and Rejoycing Whilst she was in so good a Humour she plentifully bestow'd her Liberalities The Duke of Guise was secured of an Hundred thousand Crowns and that the Count of Rochefoucault should be call'd back to Court The Chevalier de Guise got the
assistance to stop the progress of the Arms of the Duke of Savoy Nevers went away presently with some Soldiers which he got together and with the assistance of a good Guide he luckily entred Casal which the Cardinal Duke had made as strong as he could Vincent de Gonzague the Cardinal's Brother hasted towards that place at the same time and in his Passage thrô Milan he endeavoured to convince Inojosa of the secret designs of the Enemy of their Family who flattered himself that the Conquest of Monferrat would facilitate that of Milan one day which was a thing he had long ago contrived This Enterprize occasions great commotions in Italy All Italy was allarmed at the report of the March of Charles Emanuel 'T was not doubted but Inojosa was privy to his Designs tho' he took particular care openly to condemn the Dukes Enterprize And tho' the Governor inveighed against him sent Circular Letters to the Princes of Italy and writ to France declaring that the King his Master disapproved the Action of the Savoyard and that his Catholick Majesty would vigorously oppose all those that troubled the Repose of Italy All the World believed that Charles Emanuel and he understood one another and that he had received considerable Presents from him And 't is a question whether the Marquiss of Bedmar Ambassador of Spain at Venice was more sincere in the Protestations which he made to the Seigniory implying that Philip would willingly concur with them in securing the quiet of Italy that the Cardinal Duke should be re-established in his Possession of Monferrat and that Charles Emanuel should be punisht for his Temerity When the Duke of Savoy's designs were publickly known the Republick of Venice represented to him that they were surprized to see him begin a War which in all probability would draw Foreign Forces into Italy which must first pass through his Territories These prudent Senators said to him There are some Conquests which don 't deserve to be bought with the loss of that Quiet and Tranquility which a Prince enjoys Have a regard to your Glory and to your Interest You thus hazard the loss of the one and expose your Country to be the Theatre of a War the End of which perhaps you may not live to see France and Spain will Interest themselves at least they will make themselves Arbiters in the Case and you must submit to their Decision Instead of listening to these wise Admonitions Charles Emanuel ordered the Ambassador of the Republick to leave him but t was not long before the Ambitious Duke perceived he was engaged in an Enterprize which was not like to prove Honourable to him in the Issue The Venetians sent Three thousand Men for the preservation of Casal The great Duke of Tuscany promised Two thousand Foot and Two hundred Horse to the Cardinal Duke The House of Mantua levied Three thousand Switzers so that they hoped in a short time to be in a Condition to meet the Duke of Savoy with Sixteen or Seventeen thousand Men but things did not perfectly succeed according to his Expectation As for the Pope he only promised his good Offices in order to a Peace The Quality of Universal Father is of mighty use when he thinks fit rather to Enrich his Family than to Succour an injured Prince The Manifesto's of the D. of Savoy and the Cardinal D. of Mantua In the mean time they publisht Manifestoe's on both Sides The Duke of Savoy asserted that the Guardianship of the Princess Mary belonged to the Dutchess her Mother he insisted mightily on the Cardinal Dukes refusing to keep his word Mercure Francoise 1613 and the excuse that that Prince could not part with a Pupil which the Emperor had committed to his Tutelage was pretty well refuted as indeed it was not a very good one The Emperors Interposition in that affair was desired by him that so he might make use of it afterwards as there should be occasion And he had sufficiently explained himself as to that Point when he promised to deliver back his Niece into the hands of the Duke of Modena Charles Emanuel laid forth his Pretensions to Monferrat with as much boldness as if they had been the clearest and justest in the World This is the way of Ambitious Princes They imagine that the World is easily imposed on and that Men will believe them upon their Word As for the Cardinal Duke he replied in his Manifesto that the Dutchess his Sister-in-Law not being of Age the Law did not allow her to be Guardianess of her Daughter and that Mothers forfeit the Guardianship of their Children when they voluntarily withdraw from the Family and Dominions of their Husbands From whence he concluded that Margarita having earnestly desired to go to Turin had thereby renounced her Guardianship of the Princess of Mantua He endeavoured to make good the Emperor's committing her to his Care But the Promise which he made and broke afterwards was such a Slurr upon him that he could not possibly give it a good Colour His best way had been ingeniously to have confest his Imprudence such a false step costs a Prince Dear The superannuated and extravagant Pretensions to Monferrat are very well refuted He did not fail to put the Duke of Savoy in mind of the Grant which he had made upon the Marriage of his Daughter with the late Duke Francis of Mantua In which Point he had been guilty of a far more considerable Breach of his Word than that was which Charles Emanuel made such a noise about How could he have the Face to insist so much upon the retractation of a surprized Man who himself was the most Perfidious and falsest Prince of his time At this time he Acted a Thousand parts to justifie his Conduct to the World or at least to gain time in managing the two Crowns Artifices and bravado's of D. of Savoy Sometimes he proposed to set the Arms of the King of Spain over the Gates of all the Towns which he had taken in Monferrat and to put them into the hands of his Majesty on Condition there should be a Garrison of Savoyards Sometimes he offered to let Philip III. have Casal on Condition that the House of Savoy should remain in Possession of all the rest of Monferrat When he writ to the Queen Regent of France he did it in the most submissive manner imaginable he was ready to deliver up to her Majesty all that he had taken from the House of Mantua And when Charles Emanuel perceived that his pretended Submissions did him no kindness he put on another Shape he Hectored and Threatned all the World Just as if all Europe had been at his Disposal If the Spaniards required him to desist from his Enterprize he answered them haughtily that he would side with France If the Pope urged him to make Peace he talkt of calling to his assistance an Army of Protestants into Italy And if the Republick of Venice pretended
the Kingdom without hope of Foreign Succour were not furnished with any necessaries to maintain a War The Intrigue of the Marschal de Ancre to dissuade the Regent from going to War with the P. de Conde Mary de Medicis would have followed this Advice the most advantageous to her Reputation and her Authority if the Mareschal d' Ancre and the Chancellor de Silleri had not dissuaded her Not content to alledge their Reasons in the Council that it was the best way to grant the Prince of Conde and those of his Party Siri Memo. recondite Tom. III. p. 241. almost all their Pretensions they Intrigued in the Parlement they excited the People of Paris earnestly to demand the conclusion of the Peace They engage likewise the Deputies General of the reformed Churches to say That if the Regent gave the Command of the Army to the avowed Enemies of their Religion they should think they had very good reason to take care of their own preservation by uniting with the Prince of Conde The Mareschal de Lesdiguieres represented that the War would be lookt upon as a revival of the Ancient Quarrels between the Guises and the Bourbons In this diversity of Opinions the Queen thought that to save her self from the Reproaches which might be hereafter thrown upon her 't was necessary to assemble an extraordinary Council and to Summon thither the Presidents of the Parliament and the chief Magistrates of Paris All these Gentlemen of the Robe being prepossess'd by the Chancellor favoured a Peace The Cardinal de Joieuse seeing that their Advice would not carry it went out of the Assembly Guise Epernon Villeroy and some others who had spoke for the War were afraid to oppose the Torrent therefore they approv'd the continuation of the Treaty begun at Soissons Viguier was dispatch'd by the Regent to the Prince of Conde who was retired to St. Menehoud This new Agent had Orders to persuade his Highness to agree that the Duke de Maienne and the Mareschal de Bovillon should conclude the Treaty with the King's Commissioners who remained at Soissons notwithstanding the Retreat of the Prince with some other Lords Conde having answerd by Viguier that things would sooner come to an Issue if the Duke de Ventadour and his Collegues would advance as far as Rhetel to Treat with himself her Majesty sent an express Commission to her Deputies to make an end of the Negociation The Regent sent likewise a particular Letter to the Prince She there promis'd a Suspension of the double Marriage till the Majority of the King her Son The reasons of the Pope's Nuncio about the resolution taken to make a Peace with the P. of Conde The Pope's Nuncio was troubled at the Resolutions which Mary de Medicis had taken to come to an agreement with the Prince of Conde upon Terms so disadvantageous to her Royal Authority he was afraid that this Treaty would make the First Prince of the Blood too powerful and put him into a capacity of pushing his attempts much farther Conde said this Minister of the Pope hath a design to break the double Marriage How must he Effect it 'T is necessary then that he Support the Hugonot Party that he favour the continual Vsurpations of the Parliaments upon the Jurisdiction of the Church that he make Creatures in the Sorbonne by fomenting the Richeriste Party who endeavour to Ruine the Authority of the Holy See in France and if the Pope hath not Power to dispense with Canons as he thinks fit how can the Divorce of the late King from Marguerite his first Wise stand good This Prince of Conde hath but one Step more to make to Ascend the Throne The Italian Politicians Siri Memo. recondite Tom. III. p. 241. oftentimes carry their Reasonings beyond all Bounds The Author which relates these Speculations of the Nuncio adds that the fear of this Minister would have been very well grounded in any other Country besides France The Genius of the Nation is so changeable they take different measures every day The examination of a politick reflection of a Venetian Author concerning the Treaty with the Prince of Conde so contrary one to the other that one can moke no certain Conjectures about the several Commotions there The Reflection is not amiss and indeed we must agree with him But this Author should have added that Conde was a Man of so faint a Temper so little capable of any Resolution that he would never have done the Regent much mischief thô she had granted him Conditions yet more advantageous A Noble Venetian speaking of the same Affair in the History of his own Republick says that France did Recompense those Actions Nani Historia Veneta Lib. I. 1614. which elsewhere they Punish by the hands of the Hangman I approve no more than he that which hath often happenned in France in these Leagues which the Princes and great Lords have often made under the Honourable pretence of the publick good they more design'd their own Interest than those of the People But why does this Senator affirm so boldly that the Prince of Conde and the Lords of his Party ought to have their heads cut off for this Enterprize This is done in other Places I grant it in those Countrys where the Government is Tyrannical One would be surprized to hear a Republican speak at this rate if we did not know that the Government of Venice is rather an absolute Domination of a small number of Noblemen than a free Administration of publick Affairs by a well-compos'd Senate This Decemvirate which is always standing is as good an Invention to maintain Tyranny as ever was It keeps both the People and Nobility equally in awe They study and pursue the Maxims of Matchiavel in Venice as much as in any part of Italy The undertaking of the Prince of Conde was neither Honest nor Prudent enough But in what was it so Criminal This Man must be well seasoned in the Tyrannical principles of his Matchiavel to maintain that a first Prince of the Blood and the Lords of the first Rank in a Kingdom who Demand the Re-establishment of good Laws the general Assembly of the States of the Kingdom the Suspension of a marriage concluded during the Minority of the King against the true Interest of his Crown to maintain I say that these who only make use of that Priviledge which their Birth and Dignity gives them and which desire some Security for their Persons against a Regent and suspected Ministers deserve to die upon a Scaffold The Prince of Conde is not to be blamed for Combining with some other Lords to Demand those things of which he speaks in his Manifesto But he did not take the Right way to do any good His Designs did not appear Sincere nor Disinterested The Parlement and the Magistrates of Paris were very Wise in advising a Peace A Civil War might have been fatal to France and in making a Peace