conspired to kill him and his brethren and the Queene his mother and the King of Nauarre And farther that the King did forbid that from thenceforth there should be no moe assemblies holden nor preachings vsed of the Religion After the kings oration ended Christopher Thuane President of that Parliament a man verie notable for his lighte brayne and his cruell heart did with very large words congratulate vnto the king that he had nowe with guile and subtiltie ouercome these his enimies whom he could neuer vanquishe by armes and battell saying that therein the King had most fully verified the olde saying of Lewes the eleuenth his progenitor King of France which was wont to say that he knew neuer a Latine sentence but this one Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare He that can not skill to dissemble can not skill to be a king But Pibrace the aduocate of the Finances made a short oration the summe wherof was to this effect that although the king had iust and great cause to be displeased yet he thoughte it more agreable with his maiesties clemencie and goodnesse to make an ende of the slaughters and common spoyle and not to suffer suche outrages to be any longer committed without iudiciall proceding in the cause and besoughte his maiestie that from thenceforth it woulde please him to vse the lawe which is well knowne to be the onely stablishment of kingdomes and empires and that there had bene alreadie giuen to the commonaltie too perilous an example to followe An arrest of Parliament with the Kings royall assent being made to that effecte there were immediately Haroldes and trumpeterâ— sent round about all the towne and an Edict proclaimed in the kings name that froÌ„ thenceforth the slaughters coÌ„mon butcherly murtherings shuld ceasse and that all persons shuld abstaine from pillage and robberie This being knowne there were diuers speeches vsed of this matter throughout the town and specially of learned men The most parte sayd that they had read many histories but in all memorie of all ages they neuer heard of any suche thing as this They compared this case with the horrible doings of king Mithridates which with one messenger and with the aduertisement of one letter caused a hundreth and fiftie thousand Romaines to be slaine Some compared it with the doing of Peter of Arragone which slewe eight thousand Frenchmen in Sicile which Isle they had surprised in his absence But yet this difference appeared betwene those cases and this that those Kings had exercised their crueltie vpon foreins and strangers but this king had done his outrage vpon his owne subiectes being yelded not so much to his power as to his fayth and credit Those kings were bounde by no promise but such as was giuen to the strangers themselues this king was with newe made league bounde to the Kings and Princes his neighbours to kepe the peace that he had sworn Those kings vsed no guilefull meanes vnworthie for the maiestie of a king to deceiue this king for a baite and allurement abused the mariage of his owne sister and in a manner besprinkled hir wedding robe with blood VVhich dishonor indignitie no posteritie of all ages can forget Some againe discoursed that though this cruell aduise semed to many Courtiers to haue bene profitable yet not onely the honor of a King but also the estimation and good same of the whole nation was against that shewe of profit They alleaged how Aristides did openly in the audience of all the people reiect the couÌ„sell of Themistocles coÌ„cerning the burning of the LacedemoniaÌ„s nauie although it must nedes haue followed that the power of the Lacedemonians their enimies should therby haue bene vtterly weakened Furius Camillus receiued not the childreÌ„ of the chiefe Lords of the Phalisce betrayed to him by their schoolemaster but stripped him naked and deliuered him to be whipped home with rods by the same childreÌ„ Pausanias hath lefte it reported that the posteritie of Philip of Macedon fell into moste greate calamities for this cause that he was wont to set light by the reuerend conscience of an oth and his faith giuen in leagues Some cited the lawe of the twelue tables Si patronuâ— clienti fraudem facit facer estâ— If the patrone or soueraigne defraude his client or vassal be he out of protectioÌ„ They disputed also that like faith as the vassall oweth to his Lord the Lord oweth also to his vassall and for what causes and for what fellonies the vassal loseth his tenancie for the same causes and fellonies the Lord loseth his segniorie Some saide that the right hand in auncient time was called the pledge of the faith of a king and that this if a king shall despise there is no communion of right with him and he is no more to be accouÌ„ted a king neither of his owne subiects nor of straungers Kingly vertues in times past haue bene reported to be these iustice gentlenesse and clemencie but crueltie and outrage haue euer bene dispraised both in all persons and specâ—ally in princes Scipio hath in all ages bene praysed who was wont to say that he had rather saue one citizen than kill a thousand enimies whiche sentence â–ª Antoninus the Emperour surnamed Pius the kind or vertuous did ofte repete It was a most shamefull by worde of yong Tiberius to be called Clay tempered with bloud They said also that kings haue power of life and death ouer their subiects but not without hering the cause and iudicial proceding that there cannot be alleaged a greater authoritie than the dictators had at Rome in whome was the soueraigne power of peace and warre of life and death and without appeale yet was it not lawfull for them to execute a citizen his cause vnheard Only theeues and murderers take away mens liues withoute order of lawe and hearing their cause VVho can doubt said they but that this so great outraâ—e so great sheading of Christian bloud is the frute of the curssed life of the courtiers For saide they nowe throughout all Fraunce whoredome and loose leudnesse of life are so free and vsuall that nowe the most part of the women of Fraunce seeme to be in manner common and the wicked blasphemies and continuall execrations and dishonorings of Gods most holy name and maiestie are suche as God cannot longer beare and true it is though incredible among foreine Nations that the catholikes of Fraunce haue prescribed them selues this for a speciall marke to bee knowne from other men that at euery thirde word they blasphemously sweare by the head death bloud and bellie of God and wonderfull it is that the King him selfe is so much delighted in this custome of swearing and blaspheming and this as it were a pestilente infection is spred abrode and common among the very plowmen and paysants so as none among them now speaketh three words without most filthy blaspheming and horrible execration of god VVho can longer beare the vile vnchastities the bawdes and
vnion and quietnesse amongst the Kings subiectes as well of the one Religion as of the other And to bring it the better about he shall gently call before him in open or priuate place as he shall see best cause for his Maiesties seruice herein the Gentlemen of the places and the Burgeses of the Cities of his gouernement that be of the Religion and shal declare vnto them cause them to vnderstand the truth of the sayd commotion least any haue misreported it to them otherwise than it was in deede And shall tell them that vnder the colour of the L. Admirals hurte wherefore his Maiestie would haue caused iusticâ— to be done according to the good order that he had appointed the sayde Admirall and Gentlemen of his Religion which were in the Citie with him without looking for the execution of the sayde Iustice had made a mischeuous vnhappie and detestable conspiracie against the Kings Maiesties person the Queene his mother the Lordes his brethreÌ„ the King of Nauarre and other Princes Lords with them and against the whole estate euen as certaine of the chiefe and adherents of the sayd cospiracie acknowledging their faulâ— haue confessed VVherfore his Maiestie was constrayned to his great griefe to resiste and preuent so mischieuous pernicious and abhominable a purpose And that which he suffered to be done on Sunday the .xxiiij of August vpon the Admiral and his complices was not for any Religion nor to goe against the Edict of Pacification he entending neuerthelesse that they of the Religion should still liue and abyde in all libertie and safetie with their wiues childreÌ„ and families in their houses as be hath and will maintaine them if they be content to liue quietly vnder his obedience as he desireth For the which cause he willeth that the Counte Charnye shall offer and giue to them his letters of safe garde in good and authensâ—yke fourme which shal be of as good force and vertue as if they shoulde come or be taken from his owne Maiestie and by the authoritie of them they shall be preserued from all wrongs violences and oppressions enjoyning and forbidding most expressely all his catholike subiects whatso euer they are to attempt nothing vpon the persons goods or families of anye of the Religion which kepe themselues quietly in their houses on paine of death And if any be so rashe or euil aduised to do against this Iniunction or to violate the safegard promysed his Maiestie willeth that readie and rigorous punishment be donâ— to the intent that their example may serue to holde in others not to doe the like which is the true and onely meanes of assurance that his Maiestie can giue to them of the Religion with his word and promise which he giueth them to be their good and benigne Prince protector and preseruer of them and of all that toucheth them so long as they liue and continue vnder his obedience without doyng or enterprising any thing against his will and seruice And bicause his Maiestie hath ofteÌ„ knoweÌ„ that the enterprises and coÌ„sultations taken in hand by them of the Religion against his seruice haue bene concluded amongs them as assemblies at seâ—mons which Gentlemen had libertie to cause to be made in their houses and Lordships therfore my L of Charnye shal particularly giue to vnderstand to Gentlemen which were wont to haue such sermons that his Maiestie in consideration that nothing hath more moued and set on the Catholikes against those of the Religion thaÌ„ such preachings and assemblies and if they continue it is certaine that it wil be a cause to encrease and maintaine the sayd commotions desireth that they should cause them to cease off vntill he hath otherwise prouided and appointed and that they applie themselues herevnto as a thing greatly seruing the effect of his intention which is gently to bring his sayd subiects to a true and perfect amitie vnion and concord one with another committing all diuisions and partialities to obliuion And bicause this may seme â—ard at the begiÌ„ning my L. of Charnye shall cause it to be faire and gently spoken to them least they enter into some straunge coniecture or suspition For so his saide Maiestie would proceede in all true sinceritie towardes them which conforme them selues to his will and obedience wherin he exhorteth them to liue with all the best perswasions that he can and shall assure them in so doyng to be surely maintained and preseued as his other subiects the Catholikes as his Maiestie would that he shoulde doe And to the intent his sayd subiects the Catholikes should knowe howe to vse and behaue them selues herein my L. of Charnye shall tell theÌ„ that his Maiesties pleasure neither is nor hath bene that any wrong or oppression should be done to them of the sayde Religion which like good and loyall subiects will gently kepe themselues vnder â—is obedience Declaring vnto the sayd Catholikes that if they forget themselues and hurt those of the Religion which in such sort behaue themselues toward his Maiestie and those also which for that ende haue receiued of his Maiestie or of my L. of Charnye letters of safeconduite he will cause them to be punished and chastised in the fielde as trangressours of his commaundementes without any hope of grace pardon or remision VVhich the sayd L. of Charnye shall expresse and declare vnto them with as plaine words as is possible and cause it also to be as straightly executed And after that following his Maiesties intent he hath pacified them by this meanes which is the waye that his Maiestie best liketh of searched the di ectioÌ„ to assure a traÌ„quillitie betwixt the subiâ—ctes and to set some assuraunce betwixt the one and the other such as shall conforme themselues herein to his sayd Maiesties will he will comfort and make them the beste and most gentle entertainement that he possibly can But if any of the Religion become selfe willed and stubborne to his Maiestie without hauing regarde to his sayde warnings and shall assemble in armes together making practises and deuises against the weale of his seruice then the L. of Charnye shall runne vpon them and hewe them in pieces before they haue power to fortifie them selues and ioyne together And therfore he shall assemble as muche force as he can as well of the ordinarie as of other men of warre Souldiers Footemen of the garrisons and inhabitants of the Catholikes within the Cities of his gouernement and shall besiege them which holde and make them selues strong in Cities about of his gouernement so that the victorie and authoritie may remaine in his Maiestie At Paris the .xxx. of August 1572. Signed CHARLES and vnderneath BRVLARD THE KINGS LETTERS TO the L. of Gwich wherby it may plainely be perceiued how they would search out all them of the Religion which had anye charge in hand during the troubles MY L of Gwiche I vnderstand that the iij. brethren Daggonels and one Porâ—â—er the host at the
a great and lamentable sedition arose therof insomuch that the Garde by me appointed for his defence about his house was set vpon and he himselfe with certaine of his Gentlemen slaine and hauock of other made in diuers places of the Citie which was handled with such a rage that I coulde not vse the remedie that I woulde but had much ado to employ my Gardes and other defence for the safetie of my self and my brethren within the castle of Louure to give order hereafter for the appeasing of this seditioÌ„ which is at this houre wel appeased thankes be to God and came to passe by a particular and priuate quarell of long time fostered betwixte those two houses VVhereof when I foresawe that there woulde succeede some mischieuous purpose I did what I could possibly to appease it as all men knowe And yet hereby the Edicte of Pacification is not broken which I will to bee kepte as straightly as euer it was as I haue giuen to vnderstand in al places throughout my Realme And bicause it is greatly to be feared that such an execution might stirre vp my subiectes one against another and cause great murders through the cities of my Realme whereby I should be greatly grieued I pray you cause to bee published and vnderstoode in all places of your gouernement that euery person abide and continue in the safegarde of his own house and to take no weapons in hande nor one to hurt another vpon paine of death commaunding them to kepe diligently to obserue our Edicte of Pacification And to make the offenders and resisters and such as would disobey and breake our will to be punished you shal assemble out of hand as great force â—s you can as well of your friendes as of theÌ„ that be appointed by me and of others aduertising the captaines of Castles and Cities in your gouernement to take heede to the safegarde and preseruation of the sayde places so that no fault ensue on their behalfe aduertising me also so soone as you can what order you haue giuen herein and how al things haue passed within the circuite of your gouernement Herevpon I pray God to keepe you Cousin in his holie safegarde At Paris the .xxiiij of August Signed CHARLES and vnderneath BRVLARD ANOTHER LETTER FROM the King to the Lorde of Prye his Lieutenant generall in Touraine vpon the same matter that the former letter was MOnsieur de Prie you haue vnde â–ª stoode howe my cousin the Admirall was hurt the last day and in what readinesse I was to do as much as in me lay for the tryall of the fact and to Wuse so gret and spedie iustice to be done as should be an example throughout all my Realme wherin nothing was omitted Since it is so happened that my cousins of the house of Guise and other Lords and Gentlemen their adherents which are no smal partie in this to wne as all men know hauing gotten certaine intelligence that the friendes of my sayd cousin the Admirall intended to pursue and execute vpon them the reuenge of this burte for that they had them in suspicioÌ„ to be the cause and occasion therof have made such a stirre this night passed that among them on both partes hath beâ—e raised a great and lamentable tumulte the Garde that was set about the Lorde Admirals house was distressed himself slayne in his house with diuers other Gentlemen as also great slaughter hath ben made of other in sundrie places and quarters of this towne which hath bene done with such furie that it was impossible for me to giue such remedie as was to be wished I hauing enough to do to employe my Garde and other forces to kepe my selfe in safetie in the Castle of Louure to the end to giue order for the appeasing of the whole vproare which at this houre thankes bee to God is well quenched for that the same happened by the particular quarell that hath of long time bene betwene those two houses where of alwayes hauing some doubt that some vnhappie effecte woulde eâ—sue I haue as is well knowne to all men before this time done all that I coulde for to appease it nothing in this last fact tending to the breache of my Edicte of pacification which contrary wise I will in all things to be mainteined as at any time heretofore as I do giue it to vnderstand thorowout my Realme And forasmuche as it is greatly to be feared that this may stirre vp and cause my subiectes to rise one against another and to commit great slaughters in the to wnes of my Realme whereof I would be maruellously sorie I pray you that immediatly vpon the receyte hereof ye cause to be published and done to vnderstande in al places of your charge that euery man as wel in towne as in countrey remaine in reste and suretie in his house and do not take armes one against another on payne of death And that more diligently than at any time heretofore yee cause the last Edict of Pacification to be kepte and carefully mainteyned and obserued To the intente aboue sayde and to punish such as shall do to the contrary and to distresse all suche as shall rise and dysobey our pleasure ye shal immediately assemble all the strength that ye are able as well of your friends being of our allowance as others aduertising the gouernors and captaines of townes and Castels within your charge that they take goodheede to the suretie and safe keeping of their peeces in such sort as there ensue no default informing me with speede of such order as you shall take therin and how all things shall proceede within the compasse of your authoritie I haue here with me my brother the King of Nauarie and my Cousin the Prince of Conde to take suche hap as my selfe I pray the creator Monsier de Prye to holde you in his holy safegarde From Paris this .xxiiij. of August Thus signed CHARLES and vnderneth PINART These letters are all of one argument as the former be and written all in one forme and al one day to Monsier de Prye the Lieutenant of Touraine THE KINGS LETTERS TO the officers of Burges vpon the same matter that the former were Ovr louing and faithfull we doubt not but by this time you knowe of the sedition which to our great griefe happened in Paris a fewe dayes â–ª sithens wherin my Cousin the Admiâ—all and certaine others of his side were siâ—iâ—e and a great murder committed vpon diuerse in many places of this Citie And least the newes thereof should change the quiet estate wherein Burges hath hitherto ben maintained since the Edict of Pacification if remedie were not foreseene it is the cause that we writ this letter presently vnto you wherby we commaund and expressely ordeine that euerie one of you according to his charge do see that no commotion or insurrection be against the inhabitants of the sayde Citie nor that no murder be committed as it is to be
of diuine seruice and to assist the same which I thinke be to drawe Christian people to pitie and turning to their God as fasting absteyning from meates obseruation of holy dayes and ecclesiasticall pollicie according to the tradition of the Apostles and holy Fathers continued since the primitiue Church till this time and afterwards brought into the Church by the ordinances of Counsels receiued in the same of long and auncient time or of late be good and holy to the whiche I will and ought to obey as prescribed appointed by the holy ghost the author and director of that which serueth for the keping of Christian Religion and of the Catholike Apostolike and Romaine Church I beleeue also and accepte all the articles of originall sinne and of Iustification I affirme assuredly that we ought to haue and kepe the Images of Iesus Christ of his holy mother and all other saincts and doe honor and reuerence vnto them I confesse the power of indulgence and pardons to be left in the Church by Iesus Christ and the vse of thē to be verie healthfull as also I acknowledge and confesse the Church of Rome to be the mother and chief of all Churches and conducted by the holy ghost and that other pretended particular inspirations against the same come of the suggestion of the Deuill the Prince of dissention which woulde separate the vnion of the mysticall body of the sauiour of the worlde Finally I promise straightly to keepe all that was ordayned at the last generall councell of Trent and promise to God and you neuer more to depart from the Catholike Apostolike and Romaine Church and if I do which God forbid I submit my selfe to the penalties of the canons of the sayd Church made ordeyned and appointed against them which fall backe into Apostasie The which Abiuration and Confession I haue subscribed THE KINGES LETTER TO M. de Guyse and other Lieutenantes and Gouernors of his Prouinces by the which he wholly abolisheth and subuerteth al the Edictes of Pacification and willeth that onely the Romishe Religion shoulde take place in his Realme THe King knowing that the declaration which he made vpon the occasions which lately chaūced in the Citie of Paris the remebrances and instructiōs of his will which be sent round about to all Gouernours of his Prouinces and Lieutenants generall therin and particular letters to the Seneshals and his Courts of Parliament and other officers and Ministers of Iustice can not his therto staye the course of murders and robberies done in the most part of the cities of this Realme to his Maiesties great displeasure hath aduised for a more singular remedie to send all the sayde Gouernours into euery of their charges and gouernements assuring him selfe that according to the qualitie and power which they haue of his Maiestie they can well followe and obserue his intent the which more fully to declare his Maiestie hath caused his letters patentes to be dispatched which shal be deliuered them Besides the contentes wherof M. de Guise the gouernour Lieutenant generall for his Maiestie in Champaigne and Brye shall call before him the gentles men of the newe Religion abyding within his gouernement and shall tell them that the Kings wil and intent is to preserue them their wyues children and families and to mayntaine them in possession of their goods so that on their parte they liue quietly and render to his Maiestie obedience and fidelitie as they ought in which doyng the King also will defende them that they shall not be molested or troubled by waye of Iustice or otherwise in their persons and goods by reason of things done during the troubles and before the Edict of Pacification of August ▪ 1570. And afterwardes be shall louingly admonishe them to continue no longer in the Error of the newe opinions and to returne to the Catholike Religion reconciling themselues to the Catholike Romishe Church vnder the doctrine and obedience wherof Kings his predecessors and their subiects have alwayes holily lyued and this Realme hath ben cares fully conducted and maintained Shewing to thē the mischiefes and calamities which haue happened in this Realme since these newe opinions haue entred into mens spirites Howe manye murders haue bene caused by such which haue fallen from the right waye holden by their Auncestors First they made them separate them selues from the Churche then from their nexte of kinred and also to be estranged from the seruice of their king as a man may see since his raigne And althoughe the authors and heades of that side would haue couered their doyngs vnder the title of Religion and conscience yet their deedes and workes haue shewen well inough that the name of Religion was but a visarde to couer their driftes and disobedience and vnder that pretence to assemble and subborne people and to make and compel them to sweare in the cause vnder the title of disobedience and by suche wayes to turne them from the naturall affection which they owe to the King and consequently from his obedience being notorious that what commaundement so euer the King could make to them of the newe Religion they haue not since his raigne obeyed him otherwise than pleased their heads And contrariwise when their sayd heads commaunded them to arise and take to their weapons to set vpon Cities to burne Churches to sacke and pill to trouble the Realme and fill it with bloud and fire they which went so astray to follow them forgot all trust and duetie of good subiects to execute and obey their commaūdements VVhich things if the gentlemen will well consider they shall easely Iudge how vnhappie and miserable their condition shal be if they continue longer therein For they may well thinke of them selues that the king being taught by experience of so great a daunger from the which it hath pleased God to preserue him and his estate and hauing proued the mischiefes and calamities which this Realme hath suffred by the enterprises of the heads of this cause their adherentes and complices that he will neuer willingly be serued with any gentleman of his subiects that be of any other Religion than the Catholike in the whiche also the king following his predecessors will liue and die He willeth also to take away all mistrust amongst his subiects and to quench the rising of discordes and seditions that all they of whom he is serued in honorable places and specially the gentlemen which desire to be accompted his good and lawfull subiects and would obtaine his fauour and be employed in charges of his seruice according to their degrees and qualities do make profession hereafter to liue in the same Religion that he doth hauing tryed that discords and ciuill warres will not cease in a state where there be many Religions and that it is not possible for a King to maintaine in his Realme diuersities in Religion but that he shall leese the good will and beneuolence of his subiectes yea and they which are of a
of Paris the xxiiij day of this present moneth of August least the said deede should be otherwise disguised and reported than it was in deede his Maiestie therfore declareth that which was done was by his expresse commaundement for no cause of Religion nor breaking his Edictes of Pacification which he alwayes entended and still mindetâ— and entendeth to obserue and keepe yea it was rather done to withstand and preuent a most detestable and curssed conspiracie begon by the sayd Admirall the chiefe captaine therof and his sayd adherents and complices against the kings person his estate the Queene his mother and the Princes his brethren the King of Nauarre and other Lordes about him VVherefore his Maiestie by this declaration and ordinaunce giueth to vnderstand to all Gentlemen and others of the Reliâ—gion which they pretend refourmed that he minâ—deth and purposeth that they shall liue vnder his protection with their wiues and children in their houses in as much safegarde as they did before folowing the benefite of the former Edictes of Pacification most expressely commaunding and ordaining that all Gouernours and Lieutenants generall in euerie of his Countreyes and Prouinces â–ª and other Iustices and Officers to whom it appertaineth do not attempt nor suffer to be attempted and thing in what sort soeuer vpon the persons and goodes of them of the Religion their wiues children and families on paine of death against the faultie and culpable in this behalfe And neuerthelesse to withstande the troubles slaunders suspicions and defiances that may come by sermons and assemblies aswell in the houses of the sayde Gentlemen as in other places as it is suffred by the sayde Edictes of Pacification it is expressely forbidden and inhibited by his Maiestie to all Gentlemen and others of the sayd Religion to haue no assemblies for any cause at all vntill his Maiestie hath prouided and appointed otherwise for the tranquillitie of his Realme vpon paine of disobedience and confiscation of bodie and goods It is also expressely forbidden vnder the paine aforesayd that for the foresayd occasions none shall take or retaine any prisoners or take raunsome of them and that incontinently they certifie the gouernours of euerie prouince and the Lieutenante generall of the name qualitie of euerie such prisoner whome his Maiestie hath appointed shall be released and set at libertie except they be of the chiefe of the late conspiracie or such as haue made some practise or deuise for them or â—ad intelligence thereof and they shall aduertise his Maiestie of such to know his further pleasure It is also ordained that from henceforth none shall take or arrest any prisoner for that cause without his Maiesties commaundement or his Officers nor that none be suffred to roame abroade in the fieldes to take vp dogs Cattell Beefes Kine or other beastes goods fruites graine nor any thing else nor to hurt the labourers by word or deede but to let them alone about their worke and calling in peace and safetie At Paris the .xxviij. of August 1572. Signed CHARLES and vnderneath FIZES THE KINGS LETTERS TO the officers of Burges of the same argument that the former declaration was OVr trustie and welbeloued we considering that vnder the colour of the death of the Admiral and his adherents and complices certaine Gentlemen and others our subiectes professing the Religion called Refourmed might rise and assemble together to the preiudice and hinderance of the tranquillitie which we haue alwayes desired shuld be in our Realme the doyng of the said murder being counterfeited and giuen out otherwise than it was VVe haue therefore made a declaration ordinance which we sâ—nd you willing you to publishe the same incontinently by sounde of Trumpet and setting the same vp in such places of your Iurisdiction where cryes and Proclamations are vsually made to the ende that euery one mighte knowe it And although we haue alwayes bene diligent obseruers of our Edicts of Pacification yet seyng the troubles and seditions which might arise amongst our subiects by the occasion of the sayd murder as well of the Admirall as of his companions we commaunde you and ordeine that you particularly forbid the principals of the Religion pretended refourmed within your Iurisdiction that they haue no sermons nor assemblies either in their houses or in any other places to take away all doubt and suspition which might be conceyued against them And likewise that you aduertise such as dwell in the Cities of your Iurisdiction what you iudge meete to be done to the intent they might in this poynt follow our mind and kepe them quiet in their houses as they may do by the benefite of our Edict of Pacification there they shall be vnder our protection and safegarde but if they will not so retyre themselues after you haue giuen them warning then shall you set on them with all strength and force aswell by the prouostes of the Marishals their Archers as others which you can gather together by Bell ringing or otherwise so that you bewe them all to peeces as enimyes to our Crowne Besides what commaundements so euer we haue sent by worde of mouth eyther to you or others in our Realme when we were in feare vpon iuste occasion knowing the conspiracie that the Admirall had begon of some mischaunce that might fall vnto vs we haue and do reuoke willing you and others that no such thing be executed for such is our pleasure Giuen at Paris the .xxx. of August 1572. Thus signed CHARLES and vnderneath De Neuf-ville Published in iudgement REMEMBRAVNCES AND INstructions sent by the King to the Counte of Charny his general Lieutenant in Burgundie of the same argument THe King considering the commotion lately happened in Paris wherein the L. Admirall Chastilion with other Gentlemen of his side were slaine bicause they had mischeuously conspired to set vpon the Kings Maiestie person the Queene his mother the Princes his brethren the King of Nauarre and other Princes and Lordes neare about them and vpon his estate and least they of the Religion called refourmed not knowing the true causes of the sayde rebellion should arise and put them selues in armes as they haue done in the troubles that he passed and deuise newe practises and fetches against the weale of his Maiestie and tranquillitie of his Realme if he should not cause the truth of the matter to be knowne to all Gentlemen and others his subiects of the saâ—e religion how it passed and what his pleasure and mind is in their behalfes And thinking that for remedie hereof it is verie needefull for the Gouernours of the Prouinces in his Realme to go rounde aboute their gouernementes for this occasion he willâ—â—h that the Counte of Charnye greaâ—e Eâ—qâ—ire of Fraunce and his Maiesties Lieutenant generall for the gouernement of Burgundie shall go diligently through all Cities and places of the sayde gouernement and as he arriueth in euery plâ—ce he shall deuise the best wayes that he can to make peace
kepe you in his holie tuition VVritten from Paris the .xxviij. of September 1572. Signed CHARLES And vnderneath BRVLART REMEMBRANCES SENT BY the King to all gouernours and Lieutenantes of his Prouinces to put out and remoue all those of the Religion from their estates and charges although they would abiure the same sauing such as haue but small estates and offices to whom his Maiestie permitteth continuance on conditioÌ„ that they abiure the sayd Religion according to the forme of Abiuration sent for that purpose THe King considering how much his officers and Magistrates of Iustice and such as haue the administration and dealing of his Fynes and payments which be of the newe Religion are suspect and hated and put his Catholike subiects in great mistrust if they should presently exercise their offices after these freshe commotions for cause that the sayd offices be in their handes that nowe kepe them therfore least the people shoulde therby be brought to a newe occasion of stirre they of the new Religion be in dauÌ„ger or bazard of their owne persons although they woulde abiure their sayde newe Religion and professe the holy faith and Catholike Religion of Rome his Maiestie desiring to auoyde the new mischiefes and troubles which maye come hath aduised to discharge the sayd officers from the exercise of the sayde offices vntill he shall otherwise appoint And yet neuerthelesse in the meane while if the sayde officers be obediente vnto his will and liue quietly in their houses withoute attempting practising or taking any thing in hande against his seruice they shall receiue their wages and they that will resigne their sayd offices to Catholike persons and come to his Maiestie shal be verie honorably prouided for And as touching other small offices without wages which cannot be troublesome as Notaries Sergeants and such where the officers haue none authoritie which caÌ„not be so odious nor mistrustfull to the people as the other his Maiestie is aduised that such smal officers which will abiure the sayd newe Religion and professe the faith Catholike Apostolike and Romishe and therin liue continually hereafter shall continue in the exercise and enioying of their estates but they that will continue in their newe opinion shall depart from their offices vntill his Maiestie hath otherwise prouided And this is for the great mischiefe and inconuenience that maye betyde them if they shoulde exercise their sayd estates bicause of the great mistrust and suspition which the Catholikes haue conceiued of them of the newe Religion Neuerthelesse his Maiestie well considering that the moste part of the sayd officers haue none other way to liue but the exercise of their said offices willeth that they shall be in thoyse to resigne to Catholike and capable persons and then to come to him for that effect and he will graunt them the greatest fauour and moderation of his treasorie that is possible The which resolution and pleasure of his Maiestie he willeth to be declared to the sayd officers of the new pretended opinion as well by gouernours and Lieutenants generall of his Prouinces as by them of his Courtes of Parliament of the Chamber of his accomptes of the Court of his aydes them of his great Counsell of the Treasorie of Fraunce the Generals of his Fynes his Baylifes Seneshals Prouosts Iudges or their Lieutenants and euery one of them as shall appertaine And to this intent his Maiestie willeth and intendeth that euery one of them in their calling shall send particularly and apart for euery of the sayd officers of the newe Religion which be of their incorporation charge and Jurisdiction and shall admonish then in this behalfe to conforme them selues to his Maiesties minde and if any of them in authoritie bicause of their said estates wil returne to the bosome of the Catholike and Romish Church it shall be sayd to them that his Maiestie liketh verie well of it and that he taketh a great and singular affection therein and that it shall giue him the greater assurance and credit of their good will and that his Maiestie will not bar theÌ„ from his seruice hereafter but will prouide for them as their behauiour shall deserue And notwithstanding for the reasons abouesayd he willeth that they shall cease from the exercise of their estates and offices vntil he otherwise appointeth And bicause that in many places of the Realme they haue proceeded by way of seasing the goods of them of the newe Religion which be deade or absente and hide themselues and sometymes of those which be in their owne houses although his Maiestie gaue to vnderstande by his declarration of the .xxviij. of August last that be would and intended that they of the new Religion should enioy their goods neuerthelesse to the intent there should be no doubt of his purpose and that no mistrust might arise thervpon he declareth willeth and intendeth againe that according to his declaration of the .xxviij. of August they of the newe Religion which be lyuing whether they be present or absent and be not culpable or charged with the last conspiration or to haue attempted against his Maiestie or his estate since his Edict of Pacification shal be restored to their houses and put in possession of all singular their goode moueable or vnmoueable And that the wydowes and heyres of them that be deade may and shall succede them and appres bend all and singular their goodes and that they shal be mainteined in them and kepte vnder the protection and safegard of his Maiestie so that no hurte shal be done or sayd vnto them in any maner of wyse or sort VVilling for this purpose that all necessarie suretie shal be giuen them and that all officers Magistrates Mayors and others which haue publike charge shall maintaine them in al safetie forbidding al persons of what estate qualitie or condition so euer they be not to hurt them in person or goodâ—s vppon paine of deatâ— And neuerthelesse his Maiestie willeth that they of the newe opinion shall submit themselues and promise vpon paine to be declared rebells and traiâ— tours to his Maiestie that they shall hereafter liue vnder his obedience without attempting any thing to the contrarie or taking their parts that do attempt against his Maiestie and estate or things against his ordinances and to acknowledge none but his Maiestie or such as he shall appoint vnder him to haue authoritie to commaund them And if they knowe any that shall enterprise against his Maiestie and service to reueale them incontinent to him and his officers as good and faithfull subiects And to take away all doubte and suspicion as wel from the nobilitie as others bicause that in the declaration of the â–ª xxiiij of the last moneth these wordes are contained Except they be those of the chiefe which had commaundement for those of the newe opinion or those which made practises and deuises for them or those which might haue had intelligence of the sayd conspiracie His Maiestie declareth that he
those of Guise against whom he was not able to make speedie resistance in time as his Maiestie desired And in this quarell we the Gentlemen Capitaines and other that make you this answere are readie to trie it by combat man to man or otherwyse to maintaine the honour of our King against all those that so prophane holy things and as much as in them lyeth do by such wordes and titles vilainously defile the excellence of his Maiestie and of the noble Princes of his bloude VVhich wee maye righte well coniecture and estimate by the slaughters that are yet in doing as well in the towne of Paris as else where vpon so many noblemen gentlemen and other men women and children and vpon a great number of yong schollars the maintenance vnder God of Realmes and common weales in time to come and by many other barbarous vnnaturall and vnmanly actes generally committed VVe thinke therfore iudge that herein treason is enterprised against the person of his Maiestie and of my lords his brethren that the Guisians meane to inuade the Crowne of the Realme as they haue of long time practised and how so euer it be we say that his Maiestie is forced by the power that they haue taken vpon them and vsurped by meane of the rebellious stirre of the commons of Paris As for that which they saye that the Admirall and those of the Religion had conspired against the Kings Maiestie and his brethren these be allegations of as great truth and of as good likehoode as their maner of proceeding in iustice hath hene orderly beginning at executiō before examination of the fact But it is now no neede to tarrie for time to discouer it for the matter is plain to be seen with eye and groped with hand and all those of the Romishe Religion that haue remaining any droppe of nature of man doe confesse it and hold downe their heads for shame cursing both with hart mouth the cruell executers of this abhominable enterprise and the wicked disturbers of common quiet which can yet no more suffer than they hetherto haue done that this poore Realme shoulde long enioye the benefite of that peace which the King alone next vnder God had wisely caused to be made and to be accordingly obserued whereof this Realme began to feele the good taste to the great contentment of all persons except the enimies of peace and of this Realme namely the Guisians Finally when his Maiestie being oute of their handes and power shall declare what is his pleasure we will endeuour vs to obey him in all things wherin our consciences which are dedicate to God alone shall not be wounded in which case we will rather forsake the earth than heauen and our fraile and transitorie houses rather than the heauenly mansons But hetherto the lawe of nature and the duetie that we owe to our naturall Prince to the preseruation of his Crowne and to the safetie of our lyues oure wiues and children doth commaund vs to stand vpon our garde and not to put vs in the mercie of those that haue receiued the same bloody commission from the Guisians vnder the pretended name of the King to vse vs in the same manner as they haue wickedly traitorously and vnnaturally done to those about his Maiestie and as it were vnder his wings and vnder the skirtes of his robe which the traitors strāgers haue stained with the true French blood without that his Maiestie hath bene able to remedie it nor to staye their cursed attemptes so much lesse is he able now so farre off to defend vs as he would which his Maiesties good wil being knowne vnto vs doth arme vs for our defenc◠and for the safegarde of our liues and of the priuileges which he hath giuen vs vntill such time as he shal be able by himself to defende vs against his enimies and ours