the slaughter of the Admirall and his adherentes was done by the Kings commaundement for so was his maiesties expresse pleasure bicause they had conspired to kil him and his brethren and the Quéene his mother and the Kyng of Nauarre And farther that the King did forbid that from thenceforthe there should be no moe assemblies holden nor preachings vsed of the Religion After the Kinges oratioÌ„ ended Christopher Thuane PresideÌ„t of that ParliameÌ„t a man very notable for his light brain and his cruell heart did with very large wordes congratulate vnto the King that he had now with guile and subtiltie ouercom these his enimies whome he could neuer vanquishe by armes and battell saying that therein the King had most fully veryfied the olde saying of Lewes the eleuenth his progenitor King of Fraunce which was wont to say that he knew neuer a latine sentence but this one Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare He that can not skil to dissemble can not skil to be a King. But Pibrace the aduocate of the FinaÌ„ces made a short oration the summe whereof was to this effecte that although the King hadde iust and great cause to be displeased yet he thought it more agréeable with his maiesties clemencie and goodnesse to make an ende of the slaughters and common spoyle and not to suffer such outrages to be any longer committed without iudiciall procéeding in the cause and besought his maiestie that from thenceforth it would please him to vse the lawe which is well knowne to be the onely stablishment of kingdomes and Empires and that there had bene already giuen to the commonaltie too perillous an example to followe An arrest of ParliameÌ„t with the Kings royall assent being made to that effect there were immediately Haroldes and trumpeters sent rouÌ„d about all the towne and an Edict proclaimed in the Kings name that from thenceforth the slaughters and common butcherly murtherings should ceasse and that all persons should abstainc from pillage and robberie This being knowne there were diuers speaches vsed of this matter throughout the town and specially of learned meÌ„ The most part sayd that they had read many histories but in all memorie of all ages they neuer heard of any such thing as this They coÌ„pared 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 coÌ„pared 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 faith and credit Those Kings were bound by no promise but such as was giuen to the strangers themselues this King was with newe made league bound to the kings and Princes his neighbors to kepe the peace that he had sworne Those kings vsed no guilefull meanes vnworthie for the maiestie of a King to deceyue this king for a baite and allurement abused the mariage of his owne sister and in a manner besprinkled hir wedding robe with bloud Which dishonor and 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 fame 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 counsell of Themistocles coÌ„cerning the burning of the Lacedemonians nauie although it must needes haue followed that the power of the Lacedemonians their enimies should therby haue bene vtterly weakened â–ª Fuâ—… Camillus receyued not the children of the chief Lords of the Phalice betrayed to him by their schoolemaister but stripped him naked and deliuered him to be whipped home with rods by the same children Pausanias hath left it reported that the posteritie of Philip of Macedon fell into most great 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 patronus clienti fraudem facit sacer esto If the patrone or soueraigne defraude his client or vassall be he out of protection They disputed also that like faith as the vassal 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 seigniorie Some said 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 accounted a king neither of his owne subiects nor of straungers Kingly vertues in tymes past haue bene reported to be these iustice gentlenesse and clemencie but crueltie and outrage haue euer bene dispraised both in all persons and specially 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 Antoninus the Emperor surnamed Pius the kinde or vertuous did oft repeate It was a most shamefull byworde of yong Tyberius to be called clay tempered with bloud They sayd also that kings haue power of life and death ouer their subiects but not without hearing the cause and iudicial proccding 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 théeues and murderers take away mens liues without order of lawe and hearing their cause Who can doubt said they but that this so great outrage so great sheading of ChristiaÌ„ bloud is the frute of the curssed life of the courtiers For said they now throughout al Fraunce whoredom loose leudnesse of life are so frée vsual the now the most part of the women of Fraunce séeme to be in manner common and â–ª the wicked blasphemies and continuall execrations and dishonorings of Gods most holye name and maiestie are suche as God can not longer beare And true it is though incredible among forein Nations that the Catholikes of France haue prescribed themselues this for a special mark to be 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 himselfe is so muche delighted in this custome of swearing and blaspheming and this as it were a pestilent infection is spred abroade and common among the very plowmeÌ„ and peysants so as none
through all Cities and places of the sayde gouernements and as he arriueth in euery place he shall deuise tho best wayes that he can to make peace 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 shal 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 too them otherwise than it was in deede And shall tell them that vnder the colour of the L. Admirals hurte wherfore his Maiestie would haue caused iustice to be done according to the good order that he had appointed the sayd Admirall and Gentlemen of his Religion which were in the Citie with him without looking for the executiō of the sayd Iustice had made a mischeuous vnhappie and detestable conspiracie against the Kings Maiesties person the Queene his mother the Lordes his brethren the King of Nauarre and other Princes and Lords with them and against the whole estate euen as certaine of the chiefe and adherents of the sayd conspiracie acknowledging their fault haue confessed VVherfore his Maiestie was constrayned to his greate griefe to resiste and preuent so mischieuous pernicious and abhominable a purpose And that which he suffered to bee 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 al libertie and safetie with their wiues children and families in their houses as he hath and will mainteyne 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 safegarde in good and authentyke forme which shall bee of as good force and vertue as if they should come or be taken from his owne Maiestie and by the authoritie of them they shall bee preserued from all wrongs violences and oppressions enioyning and forbidding most expressely all his catholike subiects whatsoeuer 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 too violate the safegard promysed his Maiestie willeth that readie and rigorous punishment bee done too the intent that their example may serue too holde in others not too doe the like which is the true and onely meanes of assurance that his Maiestie can giue to them of the Religion with his worde and promise which he giueth them too bee 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 doing or enterprising any thing against his will and seruice And bycause his Maiestie hath often knowne that the enterprises and consultations taken in hand by them of the Religion against his seruice haue bene concluded amongs them at assemblies at sermons which Gentlemen had libertie to cause to bee made in their houses and Lordships therfore my L. of Charnye shall particularly giue too vnderstand to Gentlemen which were wont too haue such sermons that his Maiestie in consideration that nothing hath more moued and set on the Catholikes against those of the Religion than such preachings and assemblies and if they continue it is certaine that it wil bee a cause too encrease and mainteine the said commotions desireth that they should cause them to cease off vntil 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 obliuiō And bycause this may seme hard at the beginning my L ▪ of Charnye shal cause it to bee faire and gently spoken to them least they enter intoo some straunge coniecture or suspition For so his sayd Maiestie would proceede in all true sinceritie towardes them which conforme themselues 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 doing to be surely maintayned and preserued as his other subiects the Catholikes as his Maiestie would that he should do And too the intent his sayd subiects the Catholikes should knowe howe to vse and behaue them selues herein my L. of Charnie shall tel thē that his maiesties pleasure neither is nor hath bene that any wrong or oppression should be done to them of the saide religion which like good and loyall subiects will gently kepe themselues vnder his obedience Declaring vnto the sayd Catholikes that if they forget themselues and burt those of the religion which in such sort behaue themselues toward his maiestie and those also which for that end haue receiued of his maiestie or of my L. of Charnie 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 remission VVhich the said L. of Charnie shal expresse and declare vnto thē with as plaine words as is possible cause it also to be as streightly 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 and searched the direction to assure a tranquillitie betwixt the subiectes and to set some assuraunce betwixt the one and the other such as shall conforme themselues herein to his sayde maiesties will he will comfort and make them the beste and most gentle intertainement 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 run vpon thē and hew thē in pieces before they haue power to fortifie thē selues and ioyne together And therfore he shal 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 themselues strong in Cities about of his gouernement so that the victorie and authoritie may remayne in his maiestie At Paris the. xxx of August 1572. Signed Charles and vnderneath Brulard THE KINGS LETTERS TO THE LORDE of Gwich wherby it may plainely be perceyued how they would search out all them of
Admiralles friendes woulde proceede to the reuenge of his hurt and bycause they were suspected to be the authours thereof were so stirred vp this laste nyght that a great and lamentable sedition arose thereof in so muche that the Guarde by mee appoynted for his defence about his house was sette vpon and hee himselfe wyth certaine of his Gentlemen slayne and hauock of other made in diuers places of the Citie whiche was handled wyth suche a rage that I coulde not vse the remedie that I woulde but hadde muche a doe to employ my Guardes and other defence for the safetie of my selfe and my brethren within the Castle of Louure to giue order hereafter for the appeasing of this sedition whiche is at this houre well 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 coulde possibly to appease it as all men knowe And yet hereby the Edicte of Pacification is not broken whiche I will to bee kepte as straightly as euer it was as I haue giuen to vnderstande in all places throughout my Realme And bycause it is greatly to be feared that suche an execution might stirre vp my subiectes one against an other and cause greate murthers through the Cities of my Realme whereby I shoulde bee greatly grieued I praye you cause to be published and vnderstoode in all places of your gouernement that euery person abyde and continue in the safegard of his owne house and to take no weapons in bande nor one to hurt an other vpon payne of death commaunding them to kepe and diligently to obserue our Edict of Pacification And to make the offenders and resisters and such as would disobey and breake our will to be punished you shall assemble out of hande as great force as you can as well of your friendes as of them that bee appoynted by me and others aduertising the Captains of Castles and Cities in your gouernement to take heede to the safegarde and preseruation of the sayde places so that no faulte ensue on their behalfe aduertising me also so soone as you can what order you haue giuen herein and how all things haue passed within the circuite of your gouernement Herevpon I pray God to keepe you Cousin in his holy safegard At Paris the. xxiiij of August Signed Charles and vnderneath Brulard 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 vnderstoode 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 cause so great 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 towne 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 hurte for that they had them in suspicion to be the cause and occasion therof haue made such a stirre this night passed that among them on both partes hath bene raised a greate and lamentable tumulte the Garde that was set about the Lorde Admirals house was distressed himselfe slayne in his house with diuers other Gentlemen as also great slaughter hath bene 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 keepe 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 be to God is well quenched for that the same happened by the particular quarrell that hath of long tyme bene betwene those twoo houses whereof alwayes hauing some doubt that some vnhappie effecte woulde ensue I haue as is well knowne to all men before this tyme done all that I coulde for to appease it nothing in this last fact tending too the breache of my Edict of Pacification which contrarywise I will in all things to bee mainteyned as at any time heretofore as I do giue it to vnderstand thorowout my Realme And forasmuch as it is greatly to be seared that this may stirre vp and cause my subiectes to rise one against another and to commit greate slaughters in the townes of my Realme whereof I would bee maruelously sorie I pray you that immediatly vpon the receyte hereof ye cause to be published and done to vnderstande in all places of your charge that euery man as well in towne as in countrey remaine in reste and suretie in his house and do not take armes one against another on payn of death And that more diligently than at any time hertofore ye cause the last Edict of Pacificatiō to be kepte and carefully mainteyned and obserued To the intent abouesayd and to punish such as shal do to the cōtrary to distresse all such as shal rise dysobey our pleasure ye shal immediatly assemble al 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 good heed to the suretie and safe keeping of their peeces in such sort as there ensue no default informing me with speede of suche order as you shal take therin and how all things shall proceede within the compasse of your authoritie I haue here with me my brother the King of Nauarre and my cousin the Prince of Conde to take suche hap as my self I pray the creator Monsieur de Prie 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 Monsieur de Prye the Lieutenant of Touraine THE KINGS LETTERS TO THE OFFI cers of Burges vpon the same matter that the former were OVr louing and faithfull wee doubt not but by this tyme you knowe of the sedition which to our greate griefe happened in Paris afewe dayes sithens wherin my cousin the Admirall and certaine others of his side were slaine and a greate murder committed vpon diuerse in many places of this Citie And least the newes thereof should change the quiet estate wherin Burges hath hitherto bene maintained since the Edict of Pacification if remedie were not foreseene it is the cause that wee writ this letter presently vntoo you wherby wee commaund and expressely ordeyne that euerie one of you according to his
vs to God and that their Reliques ◅re to be worshipped That the commaundemēts and traditions of the Catholike Apostolike and Romishe Churche as well they which pertaine to the forme and ceremonies of diuine ◅ruice and to assist the same which I thinke bee too drawe Christian people to pi◅ie 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 holye Fathers continued since the primitiue Church till this time and afterwards brought into the Church by the ordinances of councels receyued in the same of long and auncient time or of late be good and holy to the whiche I wil and ought too obey as prescribed and appointed by the holye ghost the author and directer 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 too haue and kepe the images of Iesus Christ of his holye mother and all other saincts and do honor and reuerēce vnto thē I confesse the power of indulgence and pardōs to be left in the church by Iesus Christ the vse of thē to be very heathful as also I cōfesse the church of Rome to be the mother and chief of al churches and cōducted by the holy Ghost and that other pretended particular inspirations against the same come of the suggestion of the Deuill the Prince of di◅ention which woulde separate the vnion of the mysticall body of the sauiour of the worlde Finally I promise straightly too kepe all that was ordained at the last general councel of Trēt 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 appointed against them which fall backe intoo Apostasie The which Abiuration and Confession I haue subscribed THE KINGS LETTERS TO M. DE GVISE 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 Romish Religion should take place in his Realme THe King knowing that the declaration which he made vpon the occasions which lately cha◅ced in the Citie of Paris the remembrances and instructions of his will which he sent rou◅d 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 cā not hitherto 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 sayd Gouernours into euery of their charges and gouernements assoring 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 shall be deliuered them Besides the contentes wherof M. de Guise the gouernour and Lieutenāt generall for his Maiestie in Champaigne and Brye shall call before him the gentlemen of the newe Religion abyding within his gouernement and shal tell them that the Kings will and intent is to preserue them their wyues children and families and to maintaine 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 doing the King also will defende them that they shall not be molested or troubled by way of Iustice or otherwise in their persons and goods by reason of things done during the troubles before the Edict of Pacificatiō of August 1570. And afterwardes he shal louingly admonish thē to cōtinue no longer in the errour of the new opinions and to returne to the Catholike Religion reconciling themselues to the Catholike Romish Church vnder the doctrine and obedience wherof Kings his predecessors and their subiects haue alwayes holily lyued and this Realme hath bene carefully conducted and mainteyned Shewing too them the mischiefes and calamities which haue happened in this Realme since th◅se newe opinions haue entred intoo 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 themselues f◅om the churche then from their nex◅e of kinred and also to be estranged from the seruice of their king as a man may see since his raigne And although the authors and heades of that side would haue couered their doings vnder the title of Religion and cōscience yet their deedes and workes haue shewen wel inough that the name of religion was but a visarde to couer their driftes and disobedience and vnder that pretence too assemble and subborne people and too 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 whiche 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 too set vpon Cities to burne churches too sacke and pill to trouble the Realme and fill it with bloud and fire they which went so astray to followe them forget all trust and duetie of good subiects to execute and obey their commaundements VVhich things if the gentlemen wil wel consider they shall easely iudge how vnhappie and miserable their condition shall bee if they continue longer therein For they may well thinke of them selues that the King being taught by experience of so greate a daunger from the which it hath pleased God too preserue him and his estate and hauing proued the mischiefes and calamities which this Realme hath suffered by the enterprises of the heads of this cause their adherentes and complices that he wil neuer willingly bee serued with any gentlemen of his subiects that be of any other religion than the Catholike in the which also the King following his predecessors wil liue and die He willeth also to take away al mistrust amōgst 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 gentlemē which desire to be accōpted his good and lawfull subiects and would obtaine his fauour and be employed in charges of his seruice according to their degrees and qualities to make profession hereafter too liue in the same Religion that he doth hauing tryed that discords and ciuil warres will not cease in a state where there be many Religions and that it is not possible for
what she would whom she perswaded in her letters to take the mateer into his owne hand and to defend the same and declared also at that time by her letters that she did vtterly dislike and abhor the Guises Certaine of the which letters according to the very tenor of them which remay ned in the Prince of Conde his handes I thought good here to bring in The coppie wherof is this I Haue receiued welbeloued Cosen the letters which you sent vnto me by the Lord Guardius and I signifie vnto you good Cosen that I am as fully perswaded of those thinges contayned in your letters as I may bee of any thing and am no lesse assured of them than I am of my selfe neither wiil I bee vnmindfull at any time of those things which you do for the King my sonnes sake And because the same messenger retourneth back again for those causes which he shall declare vnto you I will wright no more at this time Onely â—…his I will request at your hands that you beleue me in those things which he shall speake vnto you in my name who wisheth so well vnto you as if she were your owne mother namely your deare Cosen CATHARINE The Coppie of another of her Letters I Haue talked with M. de Iuoy euen as if you your selfe were present of whose fidelitie and trustines I doubt not And whatsoeuer I send backagain I assure my selfe that he will disclose to none sauing to you and that you in like maner for my sake will keepe all secret Only be mindfull to preserue and defend the Children the Mother and the kyngdome as he to whom this thing doth specially appertaine and he namely the kyng will neuer I warrant you be vnmindfull of so great a benefite Burne this letter when you haue red it Your deare and louing Cosen KATHARINE These things I say at that time were wrytten by the Queene In the meane time the King of Nauar folowing the willes of the Guises and his adherents both thought and spake very muche euell of hys brother the Prince of Conde All things daily on both partes waxed worse and worse Newes was brought to Orlians concerninge the slaughter of the men of Sens which greatly inflamed the mindes of men Sens is a noble Citie bordering vpon Burgondy In the which the faithful according to the Edicte of Ianuarye congregated them selues together to hear the word of god And although there were new rumors daily concerning the perturbations and troubles at hand yet notwithstaÌ„ding they continued in their godly exercises Therefore diuers Bands of soldiers well appoynted at the commaundement of the Cardinall of Guise who was Bishop of the same Towne sodenly and vnloked for sette vpon the Congregation and flew many of them and at the last such was their rage that they killed both old and yong yea wythout all pitye or mercy man woman childe The which slaughter coÌ„tinued the space of thrée dayes and had continued longer if so be any store of the professors of the Gospell had ben left aliue to kill Yea and it was reported that diuers women great wyth childe were put to the swerd and the children most horriblely torne out of their wombes Suche was the spoyling of the houses of the faithfull and the shedding of bloude in this Citie that the horrible murther committed by the Guises at Vassi was counted nothing in respecte of thys When newes héereof was brought to the Court it made all that heard the same abashed Yea they them selues that had commauÌ„ded this to be done when they heard of the euent were also abashed Notwythstanding after these presumptuous enterprises and beginnings after the slaughter of Vassi all men were fully bent to Ciuill warre The Prince of Conde complained of this thing to the Quéene by his letters which he wrote the ninth of Aprill to this effect First he sayth that he thought that the fault and blame of the wickednesses afore time com mitted would haue stayed their boldnesse which enuied the peace and tranquilitye of the common wealth and haue taught them at the length to embrace folowe and obey the Kings Edicts But sayth he so hath their malice increased that they can no more restraine and bridle their wickednesse but do violate and breake al law which may moue vs to loke for nothing but the seuerity of Gods iudgement to fall vpon vs. Of thys brutishe boldnesse sayeth he after so many olde examples there is now a newe come in place to be séene in the pitifull slaughter at Sens vppon those that professed the liberty of the Gospell by the benefit of the Kings Edict the description of the which Tragedy he sayeth he sendeth vnto her Not doubting but that shée according to her natural and great goodnesse wil tremble at the hearing of so horrible a butcherly murther wherby shée hath to consider what is to be looked for at their handes which blinde and beguile men with theyr faire and flattering woordes He cannot he sayeth but he must néedes complaine vnto her of so great wickednesses committed and is constrained also to hys great gréefe to say That if these presumptuous and horrible murthers escape vnpunished the crye of the innocent bloud that is shed will so pearce the heauens and enter into the eares of the highest that the ruine and vtter subuersion of this whole realme by the iust iudgement of God is to be feared Therfore he sayth he beséecheth her setting before her eyes the examples of so greate and horrible wickednesses and considering also his patience in forbearing so long time euen vntill that present day for the King and her Maiesties sake that shée would diligently vse her authority to repel and reform them and not to suffer suche manifest contempt of the Kings maiesty to escape vnpunished least violence and rebellion were planted in steade of equitie and iustice In so doing shée should preserue the Kings maiesty and the tranquillity of the Realme Otherwise lamentablâ—… afflictions were like to ensue NotwithstaÌ„ding thys reasonable and godly request of the Prince both the people of Parris at the hearing of the Rumors waxed more outragious daily and also the Guises wyth their Adherentes wholely bent them selues to warre We haue spoken before concerning the league betwéene the Prince of Conde and hys Adherents All things therefore daily growing from ill to worse nothing now was looked for but warre But before the warres began the Prince of Conde and they of hys part set forth another Proclamation in the which they shewe the causes and reasons of their purpose and why they were constrained to lift vp the swearde And after certaine letters sente to the King and Quéene and to the king of Nauar they sent vnto them that Proclamation also which was to this effect folowing Althoughe they whych of their owne authority doe first of all put them selues in Armoure oughte to geue account and reason of their so doing yet notwithstanding the Prince of
the Edicts which haue ben made in these our kings dayes pertaine to no other end than to kéepe the kings subiectes in their obedience and to auoyde seditions vntill such time as the kyng were come to his full age for all those Edictes are temporall and serue but for a tyme to the intent they may be chaunged â–ª if so be necessitie and experience of things shall so declare it to be best The Edict of Iuly was not so soone made as abrogated at the making wherof you your selfe were present and yet notwithstanding the same ought not therfore to be defended by violence â–ª After this there was made another Edict in the moneth of Ianuary And least it should rather bring trouble than tranquillitie at the first we doubted to confirme the same but when we had good hope of peace and tranquillitie we confirmed the same otherwise we would not haue doon it And vppon the same hope of peace thrée dayes agoe we confirmed and published another Edict like to the Edict of Ianuary in euery poynt sauing that Paris the Metropolitane Citie is excepted The which exception was not made without great cause For when the sedition which was there of late dayes wared more gréeuous than in other places it could not be otherwise appeased The end of those Edicts was not to bring in news Religions but as it is sayd already to kéepe the people in peace and tranquillitie If the offence be as great in the first as in the second the Kyng hath power of himself to continew or to alter lawes and not the subiects by priuate aucthoritie by force of Armes The whiib thinge truly wee cannot couller or hide séeing wée read in your declaration how that you say that you and fiftie thousaÌ„d more which are of the same mind wil speÌ„d your liues in this cause We wish that you may receiue this our admonition to your profite to consider that it is a great deale more méet for you being the kings néer kinsman to defend his dignitie than to ioyne your selfe to others which are not in the same conditioÌ„ If by your following of other counselles the dignity of the king be deminished the greater blame reproch shal be youres You know that we haue maintained your InnoceÌ„cie and do perswade wyth you to vse wholesom Counsell least you hurt your selfe We cannot offer vnto you a better testimonye of our good wil ready to serue you which we wil constantly retaine so long as you shew all due obedience to the King and Quéene Concerning other matters which are written in the same your declaration because they doe not appertaine vnto vs you shall vnderstande the Kings will to whome they do appertaine This one thing we adde That the examination of the slaughter committed at Uassi is appoynted to vs to be examined the which shall be handeled of our parte according to oure office and manner wyth iustice and equitie WE haue spoken before concernyng the letters which the Quéene sent to the Prince of Conde In the which shée perswaded him to come vnto the King vnweapened and wythout Armor that the matter might be ended quietly among them and that he might by his presence put away those slanders which were reported of him For there went diuers euell reportes abrode of hym and the more by reason of the Declaration which he caused to be published the Kings Letters being set forth against the same insomuch that the causes of all the troubles were openly layd vpon him Wherevpon the Prince of Conde published another wryting the. ix of May in the which he declared that the Guises whych were called the Triumuiri and not he were the causes of al the troubles declaring reasons by which it might appeare that he had soughte peace did and would still séeke the same And although sayth he I haue alwayes hitherto declared by vndoubted Arguments not only a singuler loue and an obedient mind towards the King and Quéene but also a notable desire and care for the profite and concorde of the Realme the which also of late I declared when as I deferred the putting my self in Armor euen vntil the very pinche and extréeme necessitye at what time I was constrained to doe it that I might resist their violence which threatned to kill and slay and made great bragges and which of late when they had gotten an Army of men contrary to the King and Quéenes commaundement armed them selues entred into Paris where I was at that time being not ignorant what they ment to do yet notwithstanding I made no sturre or do least I should put the City in pearill Yea I hauing no consideration of my estate and condition although I was not the first that put my self in Armor yet notwithstanding at the first commaundement of the Quéene least I might séeme to omit any thing lawful that might bring peace I with mine weÌ„t from Paris minding to get me home to my own house and to dismisse al my train thinking that my aduersaries would haue done the same who notwithstanding coÌ„trarywise kéeping Paris still and doing many things there against their office and also hauing vsurped the Kings authoritye kept the King and Quéene captiues not only in body but also in minde I on the contrarye part ceassed not from that time forward to propounde al reasonable conditions that might be to the end all things might be ended peaceably as testify my wrytings and those men them selues whome I vsed as meanes to bring matters to quiet ende although I say all these things were done thus by me that it might plainly appeare that I desired nothing more than the Kings dignity and the peace and tranquilâ—…ity of the Realme yet notwithstanding fearing least my answers to the Rescripts from the Quéene after I had offered the conditions of peace be not so truely and wholely brought to her handes as they passed from me I thoughte good to haue the whole matter put in wryting both to the ende they may be considered of the King and Quéene and also that they being published throughout all Christian Realmes may be known to all Princes to our Frends in Fraunce and specially to all Courts and ParliameÌ„ts of this Realme of the which but specially of the Court of Paris to the which before this time I haue sent my Declaration I require and craue that these explications of my reasons may be put in the publique Regester to the ende I may geue accounte of all my actions to my Prince and soueraigne Lord the King at what time be shal come to that age that he may Iudge of the merites of his subiects and of their euell desertes also which haue don any thing during the time of the kings Minoritie First of all this I thinke for a suertie that it neyther can nor ought to be sayd that I haue ben the cause either of stirring vp or of maintaining these commotions and troubles when as my ennemies them selues wil
haue sought to the vtmost of our power the aduauncement of your dignities for the mayntenance whereof next to the glory of God we will spend our liues and all that we haue we pray and most humbly beséech you that ye will vnderstand our very purpose and meaninges which we wholely and truely declare vnto you in this Supplication to the end also we might declare the causes why we came vnto you and why also we are with you as yet and why we do thinke in our conscience that we ought not in coÌ„sideration of the offices coÌ„mitted vnto vs to depart from you except we woulde incurre the daunger of perpetuall oprobry and shame both to vs and our posteritie as carelesse and vntrustie seruants to you and as despisers of the glory of God the safetie of the Kyng and of the common peace and tranquillitie of the countrey the which wée sée in most gréeuous perill at this time of ineuitable destruction vnlesse it be holpen in time by the only remedies of these Edictes which we hope you will preferre and which ought to be confirmed by all Parliaments but specially by the Parliament or Court of Paris The which remedies we propound here before your Maiestie with all obedience and reuerence in manner and fourme following First we thinke it necessary not only for our conscience sake but specially for the conseruation of the Kynges dignitie and for the defence of that othe which the Kyng tooke at the time of his coronation by which he bound him selfe to mayntaine the peace tranquillitie and safetie of the whole Realme least the Lawe both of GOD and also of man should be confounded whereby the perturbation and vtter destruction of all Realmes Kingdomes and Monarchies must néedes follow For these causes it is necessary that the Kyng declare by and euerlasting Edict that hee will not suffer hereafter diuersitie of Religion and of Churches diuers doctrines and sundry fashions of administrations of Sacraments and of Ecclesiasticall rites nor the Ministers of such in his Realme But that he would will and commaund one Catholike Apostolique and Romish church which he and the Kyngs his Auncetors before him had receyued to be retayned kept throughout his whole Realme forbidding all other assemblies or congregations to set forth and teach any thing to the contrary That all such as beare any office in this Ralme as Iustices Treasurers or any other such like officer vnder the King be coÌ„maunded to imbrace and follow this only Religion and openly to professe the same and such as should denie or refuse so to do by any maner of waye to be depriued of their offices Prouided notwith standing that for the same thei be indammaged neither in body nor in goods so that they be found not to be the auâ—…thors of troubles of Seditions and of forbidden assemblies That all Prelates of what state or condition soeuer they be of make the same confession of faith of Religion and such as shall disobey this to lose their spiritual promotions and the profites therof to go to the kings treasury or els to place fit men ordinarily called in their roomes That all temples and churches throughout the Realme which were violated spoyled broken downe and defaced to the dishonour of God the contempt of the church and of the king and the manifest breaking of the wholsome lawes made both of late and also aforetime should be reedefied repayred restored to the former comlines deceÌ„t beauty that it euer at any time had that the breakers of the Kings Edicts shuld be punished according to the prescript of the kings Edicts That all maner of men what state or condition so euer they were of throughout the Realme or what couler or pretence soeuer they had should put of their armoure except they had put on the same by the expres coÌ„maundement of the king of Nauar the kinges visegerente of the whole Realme and if any refuse so to do that then they bee proclaymed and accompted of all men for Traitours Rebels enemies to the king the whole Realme That it may be lawfull for the king of Nauar the kinges deputy or for whom soeuer he shall appoint to haue bandes of armed Soldiers for the orderinge of these things and such other like which shal séeme mete for the conseruation of the king and quéene That those Armies which were gathered togither at the Kinges coÌ„maundement for the causes afore sayd may be maintayned for certain monethes in the which space there is great hope that there wil spring some frute of these remedies and that we shal sée publique peace Other matters and necessary Cautions for the workinge of thys peace shal be supplied and put in by the counsell iudge ment of the highe courte of parliment in Paris These things without the which we must néedes looke for the destruction of the Realme being thus ordered and appointed we are euery one of vs ready not only to go home to our houses if it so séeme good vnto you but also to be banished for euer into the vttermost parte of the world wée being fully perswaded that wée haue gyuen vnto God to the king to our countrey and to our selues that honour obedience loue natural affection which wee owe vnto them in so great perill and daunger as is now to auoyd the which wée are ready to spende our lyues and whatsoeuer els wée haue in this world The which we signifie to you and to the king of Nauar both to the end ye may be Iudges witnesses to vs of these thinges and also that ye may apply these conuenient re medies to those inconueniences And wée testifie protest before God and you that we only séeke the safetye peace of your dignities and of the whole Realme And we trust that all they which séeke the same will gladly yéeld vnto the things contayned in this Supplication which we wishe to take effect for the duties sake which wée owe vnto God and you This was the summe of their Supplication To which the King and Quéene made answer that it was not their willes that they should departe thence to any other place Therefore the same day they offered another supplication to the Quéene to this effect Beside those things which wée haue already offered to your Maiesties in writing that ye might plainly vnderstand that wée will submit our willes and opinions to your Iudgements after we hearde that it was your pleasures that we should not depart to any other place wée thoght good to make this offer namely That if they which were at Orleans laying asyde their armour and yéelding vp to the King the Cities and Townes which they had taken would be sworne to shewe all obedience toward the King as to their soueraigne Lorde would also obey the Kings Edictes which were al ready made and shal be made hereafter by our coÌ„sent and confirmed by the Senat of Paris we would depart of our
good lucke at the first finally through the daunger of the pestilence a greate nomber of his Soldiers went a side and many quight forsooke him Then were fastinges and prayers solemnly proclaimed to be in the Church to the which the Prince of Conde came oftentimes in his owne person He exhorted also his soldiers to be of good courage and was very carefull for the preseruation of Orleans and he sent Monsuer de Subize a noble and wise man to Lyons to be Lifetenant of the same because Monsuer de Adretze séemed to be to rash hardy and aduenterouse in his doingâ—…s And he sent letters oftentimes willinge that there should be diligent héede and care had of Lyons Dolpheny and Languedoc Also because the enemies power dayly increased by the meanes of forreine aids and because they were the more stout and bould vpon hope of newe aide the Prince of Conde sent Monsuer de Stuard a Scot with letters to the Quéene of England requiringe at her handes ayde in his owne name and in the name of his fellowes And he wrote also diuers letters to the princes of Germainy that were protestants in the which he craued help at their hands the Andelot himselfe be ing sent for the same purpose the more spedily to bring the matter to passe The helpers in this matter were said to be the Lantgraue Hessus the County Pallatine and the Duke of Bipont About this time the Prince of Conde published a writinge by which he ment to put awaye those rumores which were spred abrode of him and of his frendes by the Guises as though they had bin the authors and defenders of new and monsterouse opinions The libell published was to this effecte following Because saieth he we heare daily that our aduersaries accordinge to their accostomed maner oh lying and maliciouse dealinge against vs do in euery place slaunder and speake euill of al our doinges one while laying to our charge that we are Atheistes and Anabaptistes that by this meanes they might withdraw from vs their good willes care which séeke with vs to defend and mainetaine the true and pure worshippe of God by the doctrine of the prophetes and Apostles we thought good ouer aboue the former declarations of our cause to propounde a briefe summe of our faith By which faith we woorshippe and cal vpon the liuing God in the name of his only Sonne our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ abiding in his feare seruice by the ministering of his woord and holy Sacraments that is to say by the institucion of Baptisme and of his holy supper To be short we condescend to al the articles of the primitiue Church as to the only rules of our saluation being grounded vpon the bookes of the Prophets Apostles as it is set forth more at large in the confession of our faith confirmed with the whole consent of al the reformed churches within this realme the copie whereof we send out into al forrain Nations to take away those detestable and wicked sclaunders and lyes by which the enemies both of God and of thys our realm being voyd of al shame haue sought in their libelles sealed letters to sclaunder backbyte and defame vs Wherefore we humbly pray and beséeche all those that loue the pure and sincere doctrine of the Gospell and which are the faithfull seruaunts of God yea we require them in the name of the liuing God that they first of all set before their eyes the flowing streames of innocent bloud that hath bene shed throughout this realme crying both from heauen and from earth for vengeance And we require all such that they helpe and ayde vs and that they ioyne with vs in this cause which is not our cause alone but also the cause of all the faithfull to represse and asswage their cruell tyrannie which goe about to take from vs the perfect and frée libertie of our consciences the benefit wherof was grauÌ„ted vnto vs by our soueraign and leige Lord the Kings Maiestie and by the consent of all the states of the realm we being perswaded that we linked togyther in one religion and in one mind the most mighty and eternal God will stretch forth his gloriouse hande to saue hys Church and will also blesse our labour and indeuour to the glory of his and to the inlarging of the kingdom of his sonne Iesus Christ to whom with the father and the holy Ghost be all honor and glory world without end The Prince of Conde also made answer to the Ordinance and decrée of the Senat of Paris by the which his Adherentes were condemned of treason First of al refusing all those of the College as the Iudges and Senatours to be men vnméete for this cause and writing the causes of their appeale he sent the same vnto them Their answer was in manner and forme following Although I and my friends and fellowes haue sufficiently declared the equitie of our cause which hath constrayned vs to put our selues in armour namely the libertie and authoritie of the King and the obseruation of the Kings Edictes for the maintenance of the libertie of our consciences the peace of the reformed churches Yet notwithstanding séeing the open and sworne enemies of the glory of God and of the common wealth doo dayly publish and send abroad new sclaunders and infamies to the obscuring of my innocency and the innoceÌ„cy also of my fellowes we thinke it moste necessary and méet that if wicked and vngodly men will not cease too withstand the trueth and all equitie no more should we be weary to defende and maintayne the same trueth For so much as therefore the XXUI day of Iuly there was an ordinance and decrée of Condemnation established in the Senat of Paris by which they make those to be gilty of RebellioÌ„ which haue borne armour to maintayne the authoritie of the King and his estates and against the tyrannie of the Guises and his adherents wée thinke it necessary that the Iustice of the sayde decrée should be declared and set forth not onely to the inhabitants of this Realme but also to other forreyne Nations and for an euerlasting remembrance to be coÌ„mitted to all posterities For it wil be an example worthy to be remembred in the which men may behold and sée into what Laberinthes of blind peruerse iudgements the enemies of God and his Church do fall and are so mad and blind that for truth they mayntaine falsehode iudging them to be sedicious who to the vttermoste of their power séeke the peace and tranquillity of the common wealth and pronouncing them to be Rebels who laying aside all care and consideration of them selues do both hazarde their goods and their liues to mayntaine the obedience belonging to the Kyng and the due and lawfull authoritie of the kynges Edictes And to the end the same proclamation of RebellioÌ„ may euidently appeare to be vnlawfull and vniâ—…st and râ—…ther a sclaunder of the enemie than
and his fellowes are rebelles seditiouse and gilty both of Diuine and humane treason Contrarywyse it is euident that they are the true and faithfull subiectes of the King which stoutely withstand their rebellions seditions and wicked practises to ouerthrow the Kings authoritie and the state of the Realme Of the which matter beside the Arguments which I haue alleadged this also may be a testimony That they haue ouerthrowne the Law and Gouernement of this Realme and that in the Senate of Paris whose helpe thei haue abused in this false and perniciouse sentence of Rebellion And truely they could not haue found more wicked and corrupt meÌ„ and more seruiseable to their mindes who either had their offices by fauor of the Guises or else hoped to come to some preferment by them and many of the chiefe of them haue conspired with the Guises the lamentable successe wherof wée féele at this day And truly we must néedes confesse that among all the calamities with the which God hath afflicted this realme this one is the greatest that this Senat which ought to be the place of Iustice the refuge and Sanctuary of the oppressed and the brydel punishment of vice is so declined from his right natu rall vse that it looseth the raynes and openeth the gate to all Iniustice violence and to all vnbrideled wickednesse And for probation hereof I do not only bring in the manifold iniuries which they haue done to diuers the complaintes the cryes and the bloud of so many oppres sed condemned and slayne innocents by them but specially I bring forth this false and peruerse iudgement which thei haue denounced against vs which is an iniury done to a great number of men whose lyfe actions haue alwaye testified the reuerent obedience which we wishe might be giuen to the king But to the end those vniust Iudges might leaue nothing vndone they pronounced this sentence the cause not heard no matters discussed and the reasons of iustification not vnderstood also they being refused and the causes of the refusall or appeale being declared yet neuerthelesse they persisted in their purpose that all men might knowe how that in the Senat of Paris there ar no other Iudges but preposterouse opinions corruptions and hatreds that there are no other lawes than the contempt open violating of the Kings Lawes Edictes and of his approued customes And here I appeale vnto you which beare the name of Iudges What is it to deale vniustly corruptly if this be not so to deale â–ª For where is there any forme of Iustice obserued where are the reasons with the which they that are gilty are conuinced where is y auncient approued custome that one Iudge in one the selfesame cause ought not to be Iudge also plaintiue Wherfore haue you made your selues Iudges of those men which haue refused you to be their Iudges hauing so many reasons mouing theÌ„ therunto as there ar argumeÌ„ts of iniustice in you And to speak truly are ye not iustly and vpon good and sufficient cause refused which haue thrust out of your society all those which yée thought would not condescend agrée to your conspiracies that is to say yée which by that your Edict put the sword into the hande of the furiouse and mad people against the law of God the law of man your own lawes and against the whole peace tranquillitie of the realm Who haue proclaymed the Ministers of the reformed Churches to be open enemies and traytors to the King whom notwithstanding the King had receyued into his fauour and which also vpon this condicion were sworn to the King. You truly which are growne to such boldnesse that by your Deputies Monsieur de Fay and Monsieur Chambo that ye durst say vnto the king that these words concerning the enterance into peace concord séemed won derfull vnto you and perniciouse and that ye would neuer allow these reasons coÌ„cerning the making of peace betwéene mée my aduersaries to take away all doubt that ye were to me and to my fellowes mortall sworn enemies But what néedeth many wordes Let men coÌ„sider the Metropolitane Citie of the kingdome in the which ye dwell let men consider the horrible cruelties which the people dayly commit before your eyes with your consent will and prouocation Let men consider the greatest part of you of the which many to the ende ye may the better shew your selues to haue cast awaye Iustice and rather to vse violence and force than the law are become of Iudges and Councellers or Senators soldiers and haue chaunged your pennes into swordes and your scarlet gownes into armour ye shewe your selues to be warlike Captaines and are openly séene in armour setting forward this kinde of wickednesse very far vnméete for your calling Let all these things be considered But and if rebells cannot iudge of rebellion and open enemies of peace tranquillitie of sedition also if the breakers of the kings lawes cannot iudge of traytours if I say they which are condemned themselues ought not to condemne others ye cannot deny but that those whom ye haue condemned haue iust and vndoubted reasons not onely to refuse you but also to haue you punished accordinge to your wickednesses committed Therfore al these things being iustly wayed in equall ballance shall euidently appeare to all those which shall bring to the discerning of this cause an vpright iudgement without preiudice although nothing be brought to defend my innoceÌ„cy the innoceÌ„cy of my fellowes against this vniust iudgmeÌ„t yet notwithstanding the matter is so apparant plain that it speaketh for it selfe and plainlye conuinceth the false and impudent sclaunders of the Iudges our aduer saries And this thing I leaue to all men to consider of what iust cause I haue to be gréeued séeing that I haue alwayes faythefully obeyed the commaundements of the King and Quéene for their defence and haue done so much as a man of my estate degrée and calling might doo for the peace and profite of the whole Realme and now to be recompenced with these rewardes as to haue my seruise done to y king called in question my obedience couÌ„ted Sedition This thing is not only greuouse vnto me but altogither intollerable And although they cannot touch me with that note of infamy which they lay vnto my charge yet notwithstandinge I professe and acknowledge that I haue a great desier to defend my estimation and credit and the estimation of my fellowes and will séeke by all meanes possible that our innocencie may appeare not only to our contrey men but also to people of forreine nations and that it may be remembred among all pâ—…sterities And because I perceaue that by so vniust a sentence pronounced against me and my fellowes and by the breaking of the lawes and auncient customes of Fraunce the way to attaine iustice is stopt against me that I can haue no hope to looke for the obseruation of the
declared by the Kings decrée free and cleare from that accusation and that he ought not in any poynt to bee charged therewith and commaundement was giuen that the matter should on both sides be buried in the darke graue of euerlasting forgetfulnesse and obliâ—…i on and be troden vnder foote as though it had neuer bene done The Guises also they of Chastillon were charged to lay aside all hatred and grudge and to be reconciled and euerafter become friendes and louers This commaundement was obeyed and receyued of both sides whereby the wound was stopped couered for a while but not thorowly healed Notwithstanding the Cardinal of Lorayne was here by sinely beguiled and defeated of his purpose thinking by this to haue had iust occasion as the Spanish Kinge br agged in his letters both to haue displaced the Admirall and also vnder a faire shew of this cause to haue violated and broken the peace The Prince of Conde the Admirall the Andelot and other of the chief Nobles that were professors of the reformed Religion went not with the King on this iourney The Cardinall also of Lorrayne taryed behinde in Fraunce as we shall hereafter declare After this the King came to Lions with a very great trayne and was Royally and sumptuously receyued of the Townesmen of both Religions Here they had determined to frame and put in practise many conceyptes and deuises for that if they could ouerthrow and suppresse the congregatign that was here being of all other the chief and most famouse they shold the easier deface and destroy others that were lesse For the state of that most florishing populous church did gréeue the Archepapistes at the very hartes Wherefore they thought it behouable and very expedient by all wayes possible to oppresse and disquiet it Yet contrary to their purpose and meaning they taryed but a small tyme there by reason the plage raged so cruelly that through the stubborne wilfulnes of the Quéene that meant to haue stayed the Court longer there the plague came euen into hir owne chamber and dispatched one of the Noble women of her own trayne out of the way Wherefore thorough feare of the pestilence the Courte remoued from Lions to Rossilon a territorie belonging to the howse of Tarnon their howses being very stately garnished be fore with the Kings owne prouision and furniture and yet the papistes were not idell at Lions although their aboade there was both short and daungerous For the chief men of the reformed Religion were charged to abstayne and not to resort any more to Sermons or other assemblies And that this might the better bee done in all places where the Court should passe there came out a commaundement from the King forbidding That the reformed religioÌ„ should bee exercised in any place where the king should passe or in any place where he lay as loÌ„g as he made his aboade there and that it should not be pra ctised at any tyme hereafter in any of the kinges howses and pallaces the cause also was added least the Catholiques being greeued and offended with it new troubles should arise There was also a pÌ„face adioined That the same was omitted in the Edict wherunto the king would all men should vnderstand he ment not by this interpretation to adde any thing So thus they vsed the name of the Edict where in déed they endeuored to ouerthrowe and abolishe it A fortresse also by the Kings commaundement was begonne to be built at Lions to kéepe in subiection and ouerlooke the Townesmen vpon the hill of S. Sebastian in the highest part of the Citie the garrison augmented with a new supplie of fresh souldiers whereby the protestantes were manifestly marked with the note of rebellion Wée declared before how the Citie of Lions in the be ginning of the former warre was kept and fortified with a garrison of the protestantes and how Monsieur Saltan a noble man had as then the gouernment rule ouer the Citie who being very earnestly requested of the faythfull that he would in the Kings name goe forward in the administration of their common wealth notwithstanding refused to do it and leauing Lions got him quietly home to his owne howse By his defaulte and negligence the Duke of Guise when he liued would say that Lions was taken of the protestants and many complaintes and accusations as touching that matter were put vp against him by the chiefe of the popish Nobilitie and certayn Italians were suborned to accuse him before the King for betraying Lions into the protestaÌ„ts handes To these complaintes Monsieur Saltan maketh aunswere and albeit he had sufficiently proued them to be but méere surmises and false sclaunders and was also quited and discharged by the Kings own Iudgement of that accusation yet notwithstanding no punishment although he complayned diuers tymes to the Kinge therof was executed vpon these wrongful sclauÌ„derers Moreouer intreatie was made with him by Interpreters in the Kinges name that he would gyue ouer his Presidentship wherefore beeing nothing desirous of glorie and authoritie willingly gaue place and resigned his office in whose roome was placed Monsieur Lossay a man of very craftie and deceiptful disposition and excéeding hautie and proud For it is almost impossible to be told with what intollerable pompe and excessiue pride he vaunted and boasted himselfe and how great impunitie and carelesnesse in offending against the protestaÌ„ts was graunted to the papists by him The particular discourse whereof as I haue often sayde before doth not appertayn vnto our purpose for so should we take vpon vs an other mannes charge and our Commentaries which we purposed to make but short and briefe would growe vnto a great and large volume About the fourth day of August a new interpretation of the Edict was enacted and called the declaration of Religion wherein firste was placed a preface at the first vew very goodly That it was the Kinges will and pleasure that his Edict of and for religion should be straightly kept and obserued euery where that they that should be guilty of the contrary should be punished that law and iustice should bee ministred vnto all men indifferentlye and without partialitie and that his maiestie did suruey and visit his Realme and Prouinces to th entent he might meet with and prouide for al such confusions and disorders as were in the common wealth But whereas he is giuen to vnder stand that the libertie that hee had graunted out for the vse of religion did dayly minister occasions of strife and contentioÌ„ he was ready to prouide remedy for that mischiefe And to the entent that here after no doubtfull or double vnderstanding of the Edict which was made and set forth by his authoritie be left stil vncertaine and for that the declaration of his owne and very true meaning doth onely appertaine vnto him selfe for these causes he hath thought good to set it forth in open writing And whereas saith hee we do
one day haue mercie vppon his poore afflicted people and heare the gronings sighes and lamentable cryes of his that do flye to him only for succour and refuge and can obtayne redresse no where else all right and Iustice being taken away from them by such as haue most barba rously contrary to their Kings commaundement spoiled and wasted all things with vnknowen and almoste incredible rage and crueltie vpon whose accurfed and detestable factes haue followed to the number of 140. lameÌ„table murthers since the publication of the Edict and yet not two of them eyther punished or like to bee punished And now I trust your maiestie doth perceiue that these be some causes why both I and other of the reformed religion do say that the Edict is violated and wée our selâ—…es euill handled besides many things that are done against vs by the greatest part of your graces presidentes and all because we are of a contrary religion to them and infinite other deuises which they dayly as it is manifest do practise against vs all which I leaue vnto your maiestie to consider how disagréeing hurteful they be to publique peace and tranquility And these things I haue thought good to signifie to your highnesse least I should séeme to haue omitted any one iot of that Loiall obedience I owe to the same â–ª most huÌ„bly beséeching your maiestie to take in good parte and patiently to ponder and consider of these things which I do with al dutifull modestie and humble reuerence declare vnto your grace O noble King and say that it is vnpossible that true and stedfast peace be kept in this Realme tho rough the often declaration of your highnesse pleasure therin vnlesse the Edict be truly and incorruptly obserued and executed in all pointes and all interpretations therto adioyned quight disanulled and taken away yea and all disorders seditions and slaughters committed by either part after the publishinge of the Edict sharply and equally punnished lastly that the loose sufferance and corrupt collusion of Magistrates and Iustices bee ouerlooked and corrected And vnlesse this be don I can not sée how an vniuersal and firme during peace can be maintained in your maiesties Realmes But contrary wyse I perceiue and foresée that they who haue suffered so great iniuries with out all remedie are so wearied and as it were tyred with long sufferance being now in desperation past hope of redresse wil indeuour to defend themselues from wrong iniury by force which must néedes be occasion of great troubles When these letters of the Princes were brought to the King and the indignation that hée and other professoures of the reformed religion had conceyued was knowen the very necessity of the tyme enforced them to make some showe of redresse and correction of these misorders For the king being now far in his progresse from Paris the chiefe Metropolitane City the Quéene greatly feared least the Prince of Conde should attempt some new troubles Wherefore the Kinge writeth to the Prince very louingly declaringe that de doeth lyke and allow of his care for the obseruation of peace and saieth that he wisheth nothing more hartely then that law and Iustice should be equall without partiality ministred to all his subiectes and that this was his chiefe and only desire And whereas he had set foorth diuers interpretations of the Edicte hée saieth hée was forced therto by dyuers and sundry vrgent and most waighty causes and that they do greatly make for the vse publique profit and comoditie of his subiects â–ª and yet he beléeueth so well of the Prince that hée iudgeth hée neuer once so much as meant or thought to gouerne and rule him and his doinges at his owne pleasure and if so bée any of his Iustices officers had offended in any thing he would so punnish them that all men should knowe that it was hys will and pleasure that the Edicte should be executed iustly and sincerely in all places and that all his subiectes should haue Iustice equitie shew ed them without respect of religion Also he trusted that he who ought to haue speciall regard for the good and safe estate of the Kingdome would so trauaile and labour that no new broiles should bee raised by theÌ„ of the reformed religion that complained of their wrongs seing it is fit that they should not reuenge themselues of such iniuries as they say are doue vnto them but rather commit the charge and orderinge of those matters to him being chief Lord and gouernour ouer both them and their causes and that vnlesse they did so they should purchase vnto themselues most greuous and seuere pu nishment only hee willed him to take héede that none were falsly accused and that that which they obiected a gainst others might not rightly and worthely be layde to their own charge Lastely he let him to vnderstand that it was his only chiefe most desired with to haue peace kept and maintayned accordinge to the order taken in the Edict which as he had oftentymes declared in woorde so like wise he would fulfil and expresse it in déedes About this time there came out newe Proclamations from the King wherin all men were very straictly charged to obserue and kepe all orders prescribed in the Edict and greuous and great punishment appoynted both for suche as did violate and neglecte the same and also for all such Magistrates as did winke at them that shoulde offende therein He declareth also that it is his will and pleasure that all his subiectes should lyue quietly together and therefore dothe appoint the Edict and the declarations that he had made thereof to be a rule and square to order their doynges by whiche he straitly charged and commaunded all men to doe least they shoulde to late repent them for so abusing his clemencie and at length proue his force and power to their owne destruction Shortlye after this the Mashall of Vielleville was sent to Tours to sée execution done vpon those seditious persons that had committed that slaughter lately done there but the matter was so handled that all was in vain for wheÌ„ the Marshal saying he wold do according to his commission had begonne to rippe vp the matter Monsieur Chauigny a wicked and desperate man was suborned who by open force resisting the Marshals doinge did so worke that nothing could be done faringe as thoughe if the matter shoulde haue bene stirred any more it woulde haue bred a further and greater trouble sâ—…ing the greatest and best part of the Townsmen was thereby so hainously moued and enflamed Wherfore the Mashall returned to the Court leauyng the matter as he founde it and when he had giuen accompt of all his procéedings there Chauigny was very liberally rewarded of the Quéene as one that had done a thing both fit and profitable for that presente tyme yea greaâ—…e offices were bestowed vppon him as to be Embassador to foraine Princes and kingdomes The
Spanishe King their neighbour if so be that the reformed religion dyd take place there Wherefore the Quéene burst not openly disalowe those executions done vpon the Papistes but woulde rather when the Protestantes came to complaine to hir praise them and make as thoughe she liked very well of them and all to shewe what desire she had that lawe and Iustice shoulde be administred to euery man equally without partialitie At the earnest importunate sute of the Protestantes one place was chosen oute of all that Prouince for the assemblyes to haue the vse and administration of the reformed Religion â–ª but it was inconuenient by reason of the vneuenesse and crookednesse of the way to Merindoll Notwithstanding by the great prouidence of God it came to passe that the same place which a little before had receyued the trueth of the Gospell in the darke and dusky dayes of papistrye and had suffered much calamity for that cause should by the Kings Edict be made a receptacle and mansion place for the Gospell and the faythfull and thereby made very famouse and noble Therefore the faythfull came out of all places of Prouance to Merin dol hauing frée libertie to heare the word of God. After this the King came to Aâ—…inion that frâ—…m thence he might goe into Languedock And as he traueiled he was very princely receyued of euery Citye wherethorough he passed and had very large and stately gyftes gyuen vnto him of the which to make relation pertayneth not to our purpose When the King was come to Nemaux there came thyther a great multitude of protestants making great mone and lamentation in so much that the crying and pitiefull voyce of the people came to the house wher the King lodged who might heare them crying and calling for Iustice of their soueraigne Lorde and requiring of the Christian King the libertie of the reformed Religion This noyse of wéeping and crying was so great and so shrill in the Kings eares that the mynd of the yonge King at the hearing of the same was somwhat abashed and straightway demaunded what the matter was the standers by dissembled and excused the matter but hée with angry moode aunswered and sayde I sée that my people are euill entreated and turning to the Quéâ—…ne sayd How chaunce this people are not satisfied I will Lady sayeth he that this my people haue Iustice Notwithstandinge they by and by put in his head that they were seditiouse people which were wont after that fashion to do all things with tumult And then this multitude being dryuen away with violence by the Kinges Garde the Elders gouernours of their Church were called for and being come they were sharply reproued that thei had suffered the vnruly multitude to come thither in such tumultuouse order and were commaunded to deliuer their grief in wryting to the Maister of Requestes and to come to Montpellier to receyue an answere according to the same The like complayntes also were made by the men of Montpellier when the king came thyther but they with the men of Nismes were sent to Blitters and after this the churches of Blitters those thereaboutes making the lyke complayntes destring reformation had the lyke successe they being puâ—… of from day to day and from one place to another The Constable being sore offended that so many coÌ„plaintes should be made against his sonne d' Anuile And beside the infinite verations of d' Anuille which he brought vpon them the Senat of Tholoze left nothing vndone to make the cause of the reformed churches odiouse before the Kinge These were the mendes made for so great iniuries and this was the profit that ensued the Kings iourney THE new yeare brought with it a certeine rumour of the Kings progresse into Baione which was kept secret vntill this present tyme Therefore consultation being had of the matter with the chiefest of the Senate of Tholoze the king passing through Guian comming to euery citie came at the last to Baione in the moneth of Iuly Thither to her brother the king came Elizabeth wife to King Phillip of Spayne and was very pompously receyued of the whole Courte But the cause why Phillip her husband came not thyther with her notwithstanding that the same place bordered vpon his kingdome was as it is reported that the league concerning the destroying of the reformed religion might the more secretly be confirmed Others attribute the cause of his absence to ambition â–ª for that he would not séeme in any thing to séeke to the King of Fraunce Notwithstanding by the comming of Elizabeth that holy league as they termed it was ratifâ—…ed and established by which was ment as is aforesaide to banish and abandon the reformed religion And to the ende the Realme of Fraunce might be an vtter enemy to the professours of that religion the king of Spayn promised vnto the king of FraÌ„ce so great power and ayde as he could the lyke promyse also made the king of France to the king of Spayne both of theÌ„ promisinge one to the other to embrace obserue the doctrine of Rome with the rites cerimonies therof and to do all that they could to remoue take away all lettes and impediments to the same and so to take the next occasions offered to bring this matter to passe After the confirmation of this league to the ruin of the Church there followed lamentable effectes But notwithstanding the secret conclusion of this matter the prince of Conde and all the Noble men of the reformeâ—… Religion vnderstoode the same whose deathes hereby were sought Thus when the king had viewed all the Region of Guian he returned back agayne into that part of FraÌ„ce called by the Frenchmen Francâ—…ys towarde the latâ—…er ende of this yeare IN this yeare and in the next following there was truce taken betwene the Churches and the faithfull had some reste and breathing tyme notwithstandinge not without sustayning diuers iniuries Yea there wer snaring baytes layed and priuy platformes practised agaynst the Admirall and the Andelot which were espied manifestly reuealed and brought before the king but in vayne The kings longe looked for occasions to put their league in execution It shall not be from our purpose if we note certayne thinges concerning the affaires of the lowe Countrey called Belgio â–ª aboute this time for matters concerning religion both for that the cause is all one and also bycause the same Countrey bordereth vpon Fraunce notwithstanding obseruing the order of time we will inserte those thinges whiche specially appertaine to oure history Therefore ye shall vnderstande that this noble and plentifnll countrey was exercised and muche troubled aboute this time with diuers and sondrye contentious conflictes for religions sake Wherby we haue diuers examples set forth vnto vs of the wonderfull prouidâ—…ce of God in ordering and framing of his Churche quite contrary to humaine reason that is to say whereby we may plainly perceiue that the Church is not the
writing it shall not be amisse to set downe the same accordinge to the very tenour thereof that all men may sée howe the aduersaries of the trueth go about to abuse the name of God to bring their owne willes to passe Ye may reade of the like in the African History in Hunrich Wandallet tyme practised by him agaynst the Christians The protestantes sayde that because in the forme of that othe exhibited vnto them the Catholiques so called were not comprehended they playnly perecyued that their fidelitie and obedience past and to come was now called in questioÌ„ and that the security of the kings protection was to them vncertayne Also they sayd séeing they were fully perswaded that the Kings Maiesty had spoken nothing vnto them hytherto but the whiche was true and vnfayned without all dissimulation they could not nor would thinke that the same forme of the othe offered vnto them was knowne to the Kinge but rather deuised by some notable enemy both to him and also to the publique peace of all meÌ„ But neuerthelesse because we desire this one thing say they aboue all the reste namely to shewe our true and sincere obedience which we owe to our King and naturall Prince Charles the ninth we modestly humbly desire to make our aunswere to that othe praying beséeching the Kings Maiestie that before he procéede any further in establishing the forme of the same othe it maye please him to consider these our petitions whiche with all reuerence and submission of mynde wée propose in manner and forme following The Forme of the Oathe VVe proteste before God and sweare by his name That wee acknowledge King Charles the nynth too be our soueraigne Lord and naturall King. The Answere We will neuer doubt or stay to sweare in so good and iust a cause but we most humbly beséech our king so to iudge of vs as he hath himselfe spoken of vs in his Edict For our conscience beareth vs witnesse that we neuer had any thing in our mindes contrary to the form and meaning of this Oathe Oathe And are ready to giue vnto him all honor obedience and Submission Answer â–ª To this we wil most gladly and willingly sweare séeing that this exception can not be denyed vs That according to the tenor of hys Edictes we haue graunted to vs the libertie of our consciences the vse of the reformed religion Oathe And that we will neuer beare armour but at his expresse commaundementes as shall appeare vnto vs by his owne letters And that we will neither consent vnto them nor helpe them with Counsaile with Money with vittailes or with any other necessary thing which may arme them against vs. Answer To this also we willingly swere for seing we haue two Edictes of pacification for certaine and plaine demonstrations vnto vs of his wil and meaning we wil account all other commaundements contrary to those two Edictes for false and counterfaite And we will neuer bear armor neither haue we so don at any time vnlesse we haue bene plainely constrained to defende our selues from the iniuries and oppression of those meÌ„ whiche breaking the commaundementes of his maiesties Edictes haue gone about to oppresse vs contrary to his will. Oathe Neither will we make anye collections of Money vnder the collour of anye occasion withoute his expresse commaundement Answere We trust that in this braunche the Money whiche necessarily we gather for the releuing of our Ministers the poore and for the repairing of oure Churches and for other necessarye vses is not comprehended The which being gathered we sweare beyng ordinarilye called that we will not vse them deceytâ—…ully to anye other ende Oathe VVe will not haue any secrete Counsailes nor priuie leagues neither wil we consent vnto them but contrariwise we promise and sweare that we will certifie hym or his officers faithfully of all those things which shall be practised against his Maiestie against the tranquilitie of the Realme or against anye that are neere vnto hys Maiestie Answer By the order of this Article whosoeuer was the author of the same we séeme to be accused as though we had hytherto behaued oure selues otherwise than wée ought to haue done the which certainly we wil neuer confesse For the Kinges Edictes of pacification will not suffer vs so to do séeing it hath pleased his Maiesty by them to acknowledge vs for suche manner of men as in déede we are namely for his lawfull and faithfull Subiectes This being added we will sweare that we will with the helpe of God constantly retain vnto the death this Article of the Oathe Oathe VVe pray and besech with all reuerence and submission of mind his Maiestie that it may please him to extende towardes vs his accustomed clemencie and goodnesse â–ª and to accounte vs for his faithfull and obedient seruaunts and to kepe vs vnder his protection to whom next vnder God we flee vnto Answerâ—… â–ª As we neuer doubted of the clemencie and goodnes of oure King whom we haue acknowledged and do acknowledge for our naturall Prince and supreme Lord next vnto God so are we ready most humbly to praye and beséeche him â–ª to coâ—…tinue the same his good wil vnto vs â–ª his most obedient and faithfull subiectes Notwithstanding if it may be spoken with his highnes fauour and leaue we haue no néede to craâ—…e his fauour and pardon for the time paste seyng by the goodnesse of God our consciences doe beare vs witnesse that we haue neither done nor thought any thing against hys Maiestie and therefore we trustâ—…â—…hat this is not so ment or spoken Oathe To whom we will pray vncessantly for the conseruation of his life and dignitie and for the happy estate of the Queene his mother and of his brethren Answer We haue and alwayes will God willing make our prayers from the bottome of our hart vnto the Lorde And we gyue thankes vnto the Kyng that it pleaseth him to think better of vs than our aduersaries do who both by their wordes writings report vs to be wicked and call our prayers blasphemies Oathe And we do submit our selues willingly to all rygor of paynes and punishments if there shal happen any troubles or tumultes through our default in this Citie Expessing the name of the Citie for the defence whereof vnder the Kinges authoritie and at the commaundement of his Ministers we will willingly spende and bestow our liues and goods Answâ—â— To this Article we answere with all reuerence This being so generally put downe experience hathe taught vs that it will be a ready way and fitte occasion for them of whose mindes we haue had of late to large testimonies to kill vs at their pleasure either by preteÌ„ding iudgement or else by some seditious tumult of which things they are skilfull workemen Therefore as euery one of vs would willingly sweare vnto these things so we most hartely pray and beséech the Kings Maiestie to sée diligently that we maye haue Iustice more truely
suche wise that all the men of our Religion and they which by any manner of meanes ayde and assist vs shoulde bee counted as Rebelles And to make the matter more plaine by reasons Is there any City which enioyed the reformed Religion after the proclamation of the Edicte Naye is there any City in the which there were any nomber of the faithfull that hathe not had the streates thereof defiled with theire bloud Haue they not in the chiefe cities as at Paris Lions soulde the goods of the faithfull by porte sale Was not Lomen one of your priuy counsaile much abused first his house spoiled then hee himselfe greately oppressed with diuers iniuries and afterwardes caste into prison notwithstanding that he earnestly intreated you to haue some consideration of him Is ther any place founde with in your whole Realme in the which the faithfull at any time till this daie might dwell or slepe in safety And if any by some miracle escaped the cruel and bloudy handes of our Aduersaries the former troubles yet they were caste into prisone where many starued for lacke of foode many as yet remayne in prisone and are cruelly intreated as at Lions at Pny at Tholez and in diuers other places And since the tyme of the Edicte haue there not some bene cast into prison at Cannat Altisiodore or Auxer at Tholoz and at Belu And when your letters are delyuered vnto them the Iudges make answer that they haue commaundement to deliuer none out of prisone that are in for Religion What City is it since the peace cōcluded that hathe geuen leaue to the faythefull peace ably to enioy theire houses therein and in the which they haue not bene abused spoiled and in diuers places slaine Moreouer is there any one of the reformed Re ligion which hathe not bene in the stelde with me that is restoared againe to his office from the which before he was depriued And yet notwithstandinge it was contained in the Edicte proclaymed in your name that so many of the reformed Religion as had ben depriued from theire offices shoulde bée restoared to thē againe Are not all they banished from your Courte which are suspected for Religion And to come from the lowest to the highest What authority haue I in my Lefetenātship what authority hath the Admiral in the admiralty what authority hath the Andelot in his general captainshippe of the foolmen Why was Bochauē put by his Lieftenantship But if the Cardinal go about to make a distinction or differēce betwene those which hare Armore with me in the feelde and those which aboade still at home why was Mornilliere and Senarpont who as all men knowe taried still at home and came not in the fielde banished and depriued of theire Lefetenant ships Can there be any thinge more contrary to your Edicte thā these thinges We are sory for these things not because of Ambition but because we are counted disobedient and breakers of your Edictes and also because we are out of hope to be accounted and handeled as your faithfull seruants as we deserue forsomuch as the law is in theire handes whom we know to be earnest stekers of troubles And because in the sayde principall pointe it is sayde It cannot be founde in any place of the Realme yf any thinge haue bene done contrary to the Edicte but that the same hathe bene by and by prouided for and remedied I cannot choose but marueile with that face the Cardinall his fellowes can defend this thing Can it be denied but that after the proclamatiō of the Edicte of peace there were an infinite sorte of iniuries and murthers committed of which so many complaints haue bene made to your maiesty Can it be truly sayde that there hath bene any remedy had and muche lesse that there hath bene any punishmēt for these thinges And to proue this thinge leste I shoulde be tediouse to your Maiesty in expressinge all thinges I will repeate amonge so many the cheefest which are not tollerable amonge the heathen and barbarians And amoungest all other the cruell murther of Amboyse in the which there were a hundered and sortye slayne of all ages estates and sorts of men and women If you be remembred when you could beare with so cruell a fact you sent thither Marshall Cosse who whē he had found out the authors of so great murthers and had apprehended them sent worde thereof vnto you Then the Cardinall of Loraine like a patrone of theues and murtherers maintained their cause and sayde to al your Counsaile that there ought to be a consideration had of those men which were moued of a zeale to do as they had done that is to say with such a zeale as his brother Frances Duke of Guise had declared aforetyme in the horrible slaughter at Vasse And in deede the matter was so handled by the labour and trauaile of the said Cardinall that the prison doores were set open those abhominable murderers deliuered And to the ende it might appéere what small dislyke they had of that deed they brought to passe that whatsoeuer the men of Amboys required was graunted But specially they obtained That no manner of vse of the reformed Religion shoulde be had at Amboys nor within thrée leagues of the same The like happened at Auxer where after the peace made were slaine a hundred and fiftie where also an infinite sort of mischeues mo were committed as the taking away of the money which we had prouided to pay the Germans their wages and the imprisoning and killing of many of those which were put in trust to carry the same Thyther Monpenser and diuers others were sent to examin the matter but what was done to reforme this great disorder Was not the cruell murther of Cipierre with six and thirtie men mo shewed vnto you Baron Arci also named to be the author of the murther and what other reformation followed them that whiche was wont to be And yet notwithstanding the Cardinall saith that all things haue bene prouided for But we affirme which also is moste true that there is no reformation prouided any where for any disordered wickednesse wicked disorder But if there hath bene any reformation at all among so manye cruelties Murders Robberies forcings of women Rauishings of virgins and among so many wickednesses of all sortes commited at Troy at Orleans Lions Valence Amiens Theloz and in Maine we must then néedes confesse that we haue cōplayned without cause But if it be true shall the Cardinall of Loraine constraine vs to confesse that Iustice is there where iniustice and impunitie doth beare the sway Shall he make vs beléeue that the Sunne shyneth at midnight and the Moone at noontyde It maye therfore be said O King that your Cities are places of refuge for theues murderers despoyled of their true and natiue Citizens full of errors and disolute persons voyde of all order and depriued of Iustice and all shew of equitie To the nynth point where
to chalenge and claymâ—… them for the Spanish king Wherein hée hath both done great iniurie to your maiestie and the wole kingdome and also sought thereby to bring your Grace in feare and to stand in awe of him by reason he is in such fauor and estimation with the king of Spayne to whom he coÌ„municateth all the affaires of this realme There was neuer any deuise inuented or practised neither in the first or second warres whereof Kinge Phillip hath not ben both an authour and fautour whose chief desire is to sée the greatest part of your Nobilitie destroyed that he might the easier conquer your kingdome For surely there is no more effectuall meanes to bring that his purpose to passe then to set vs togither by the eares by sowing of strife and dissention And to what other endâ—…â—…an those Confraternities and brother hoodes as they call them of the Holy Goste bee referred then to this For some of the Noble men which are admitted into that fellowship are so wedded vnto it that they vtterly forget their dutie and doo conspire with them the death of such noble men as professe the reformed religioÌ„ whose desire is to liue quietly with them in the bande of brotherly loue as becometh good subiects vnder one prince and friends alied togither either in kinred or affinitie And who I beséeche your maiestie hath ben the author of these holy brotherhoods but the Cardinall who hath promised to procure your warrant for them notwithstanding your highnesse hath declared them to be hurtefull and preiudiciall to your honour and therefore to be disallowed And what shall we thinke of his sendinge abroad through all the whole kingdome wherin he willed that no maÌ„ should either giue credit to or obey your Maiesties commaundements vnlesse the letters which were sent were signed with speciall signet and surely through this his dooing no commission that euer came out from your grace for the obseruation of the Edicte was in any poinct obeyed and executed so that we may both iustly and truly say that he none but he hath ben auctour of these broyles and tumultes Furthermore who did hinder the publishing of the Edict and who doth stâ—…y the execution of it who emboldened the Parliament of Tolouze to rage so tyrannically as they dyd And who but he and his confederates hath driuen your Maiestie into such streight distresse that you are compelled to violate your publique promise made and solemlie confirmed by othe and thereby to haue your credit and honor crackt amongst all forreyne nations yea we are able to proue how he himselfe wrote letters to your Maiesties mother and had the Aâ—…males hand subscribed vnto them letting hiâ—… to vnderstaÌ„d that he could not staye the conclusion of the peace whereto necessitie drane them notwithstaÌ„ding he would so work that it should neuer be kept By whose meanes is iustice equitie banished out of this realme and most fiâ—…thy and dissolute libertie of factions and seditions brought in with all kinde of trayterous murthering of those that will not yéeld to their tyrannie Who is it that sendeth ruffians and desperat persons euery day yea eueÌ„ home to my owne house to murther both me and the Admirall and this haue two whom I haue taken confessed Who entised certaine Knights of S. Michaels order other Captaines to murther the Admirall who God be thanked had warninge geuen by them that should haue done the deed Who procured Monsieur Sipierre to â—…e slaine and to the number of fiue and thirtie Noble men with him but he For his Brother the Duke of Guise would commonly boaste of it a moneth and more before it was done and being done he himselfe had the first tydings of it Yea who but he or his men flue Monsieur Amanze sitting at his owne doore with his younge daughter in his armes who had offended neyther part but liued quietly with all men of both Religions Neuerthelesse when his Nephew the Duke of Lorayn had aduertised him that it were expedient for him that hée absented himselfe from your Grace because many dyd beare him deadly hatred because he ruling al things at his owne pleasure should be charged as authour and causer of al the troubles and miseries that had or shold endammage the common weale of the kingdome Hée made him aunswere That he ruled not at all and that he made not his aboad with your Maiestie but because he did not knowe any other place wherein hee could bée more safe and frâ—…e from daunger Whereby it is euidâ—…nt that for his â—…uegard onely your highnesse Armie is maintaynâ—… tâ—… your excéeding great charges whiche must néedes bring with it a very daungerous and mischéeuous end For if so be the sauetie and strength of a king doth consist vppon the good will and loue of his â—…ub â—…ectes what cause can be inuented whereby hée shoulde enforce your Maiestie to take armour against those whose onely desire is to shewe the liege and loyall obedience they owe to your maiestie But he thinkes the pretence and shew of your name and aucthoritie sufficient to hide and cloake his mischeuous doinges in so much he spared not of late to saye that your highnesse gaue him this answere That shortly men would haue gathered in their hay and corne and haue made an end of their vinetage that the Riuers would be so highe with showers of raine that men could not passe ouer the sayd Riuers that your treasurie should shortly bee enriched with tributes and that then warre should bée proclaymed against those of the reformed religion but in the meane tyme the chief maintainers thereof were to be dispatcht out of the way Yea such is the impudeÌ„cie of the man that he is not ashamed to bragge that the Quéene hath complayning wise found faulte with him That their purpose of our destructioÌ„ was not brought to effect notwithstaÌ„ding the feast of San Ian was past in which tyme he had promised to rid the greatest parte of vs out of the way And as yet none were dispatched but onely Monsieur Sipierre whereunto hée made answere That he had done the best he could to kéepe promise but all would not serue because the Noble men were alwayes spéedely enformed of al his deuises notwithstanding he was in good hope to compasse the matter and in the meane season it was expedient that your maiestie O Christian king should féed vs with vayne hope and gentle letters till they might spye out fit occasion and oportunitie to accomplishe their desires And what other can your grace conceiue of that suÌ„me of money whiche they procured Ian Baptist to sende to you was not the vsurie beyond all reason to giue a hundreth for an hundreth do they not by this their money shewe what good will and loue they beare your highnesse wherefore can any man say that we of the reformed Religion do without vrgent and great cause assaulte the Cardinall of Loraine howe long shall he with subtill trecheries abuse your
Maiestie and make you beléeue that we séeke not him but you seyng we protest before God that we desire to haue no man but him onely and his confederates and why we â—…o so we haue declared both iust necessarie causes How long shall credit be giuen to his olde Iuglings and lyes I most hartily beseche the Quéenes Maiestie to remember his former talke at Chantelliere where she tolde the Constable and the Admirall that the Cardinall was borne to sowe strife discention wheresoeuer he was and that he was the chiefe and onelye cause of all the broyles and factions that were fostred through out all the Realme Let hir cal to hir minde the purpose of that wise and prudent king Henrie who perceiuing the ambitions and wicked dispositions of the Cardinall and al his brethren was fully bente a little before he dyed to haue banished them all from his Court to Loraine But here note the iudgement that the Emperour Maximilianus that nowe is gaue of him when he wrote to your Maiestie That all the warres and dissentions that trouble the state of Christians were both begon and maintained by a couple of Cardinals the Cardinal GranuellaÌ„ and him of Loraine notwithstanding al this he abideth with your Maiestie a great armie is maintained to gard and defende him that subtill Serpente at your charges is maintained to sucke your owne bloud who tarieth for nothing but onely to spie out fit occasion and oportunitie to spit out his venemous poysoÌ„ against your grace What blyndnesse hath bewitched vs that straungers and forreyners can sée the destruction that hangs ouer our heades and yet we cannot perceiue it hauing it amongst vs as it were in our lappes Is there any man so ignoraunt that doth not sée him practise his olde and Iâ—…neterate treacheries to the entent he mighte thrust out and depose the lawful true hieâ—…e froÌ„ the crowne and then giue it to a straunger what doth he make of Religion but a cloke and a veyle to couer his villanie Can any man thinke that he setteth by or beareth any zeale to that Religion which he willingly of his owne accord would haue forsaken and in stead of it haue embraced the confession of Ausburge onely vpon this condition that Francis the Duke of Guise might be chosen one of the Princes electors of the Empire If any man say vnto him that it is very perilous likely that the Spanishe King triumphing at our destruction will to our greaâ—… griefe set vppon and inuade the Kingdome such is his shamlesse impudencie that he will not stick to say openly that the Quéene doth not muche care for that bycause she loueth her daughters as well as her sonnes And although God would graunt your Maiestie both might and power to pacifie all controuersies amongest vs for Religion yet surely there is no hope euer to extinguishe the engraffed grudges and hatred that the Cardinall and his companions do dayly sowe amongst your subiectes For what salue what remedie can be deuised for that wouÌ„d which through murthers and spoyles is made euerie daye more and more incurable Is there any hope to reconcile your subiecâ—…s and set them at one againe whose stâ—…macke are with these furious and bloudy cruelties set on fire with inquenâ—…h able flame of hatred Nay sure it is past all doubt that these olde displeasures and hatefull harthurnings will last from one generatioÌ„ to another and passe from one to another euâ—… by succession and heritage as lands and â—…ubstance doe yea it is to be feared that the same miserie and destruction will ouer whelmâ—… vs that hathe fallen vpon the Quéene of Scots throughe the wicked and diuelishe counsell of the Cardinall If we sée the CoÌ„mons to riâ—…e vp and â—…ebell for custome and tributâ—… of salte and for vnreasonable taxes that there Princes lay vpon them which causes be vnlawfull and feditious what then shall they doe that haue iust and necessarie causes to alledge forthemselues who are not only spoyled and bereâ—…ed of there goods but also of there consciences dignitie honor and life that by this meane he might more easle compasse his long desired wishe to depose your Maiestie and hathe for this purpose full craftely raised ciuill broyles as more fitte for his purpose then foreme warres Is there anye iniurie that can driue a man sooner into desperation then when he séeth his conscience his honor honestie and life affaulted wherfore if I whom it hath pleased God to place in néere degrée of blâ—…d to your Grace am besides that natural coniunction bound by other great occasions to be carefull for the preseruation of your honor and dignitie together with the Admirall one of your chiefe and mostâ—… noâ—…le officers and many other Noble men who are your highnesâ—… naturall liege and loyall subiectes doe sée the enemie euen before your gates shall not we hazarde and spende both life and goods to chase him away shall we be such traitors both to our selues and our Couâ—…ey that when we sée the â—…atter maniâ—… we shall hold our tounges and suffer our enemyes furiouâ—…y withoute râ—…sistance to iâ—…ade vâ—… shall we your Princes and subiectes so behaue our selues that it may worthily and iustly another day be cast in oure téeth and sayd That we without regarde of our allegiance which by 〈◊〉 he wâ—… 〈◊〉 promised to your Grace â—…ue suffâ—…ed our lawfuâ—…l Prince and appoynâ—…ed by God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of his throne shall we suffer our selues to bâ—… 〈◊〉 noted with such repâ—…oche of periurie and trecherie as to haue séene the scepter and Crowne of â—…ur countrey rent from the right and true heire and giuen to an vsurping straunger but admitte the Cardinals doings tende not to the vtter destruction of your Maiestie yet no man can denie but that councell which he giueth vn to your grace is not only disordered and vniust but also very pernicious and intollerable There is nothing more acceptable before God or that draweth néerer too his diuine puritie then for a Kyng to gouerne his subiects and people with Iustice and equitie againe there is nothing more beseeming the office and dutie of a King then to loue promote and further peace and tranquillitie and to defend his subiects committed to his charge from all calamities and anoy What hath bene the cause that so many common welthes haue ben preserued in florishing estate so loÌ„g but only the peaceable and quiet gouernment of the commons without any violence or iniuries But amongst all those counselles which that wicked Cardinall hath and doth giue to your Maiestie can one word bee found that did or doth tend too the maintenance of peace and quietnes Nay rather at your graces great cost and charge he maintaineth an armie that there by he may engender and norish suspicions in your Maiesties brest against those who couet nothing so much as to shew the dutifull obedience they owe to your high nes Is it not thorough him that you suffer
campe Secondlye he was instantly persuaded and pursued as well by one Laurence de Ruze Secretary to the Duke d'Aniow as by the sayde la Riuiere to kill by poyson or other wayes the sayd Lord Admirall whiche he might be bolde to do say they without feare of the Admirals children who also shoulde be rooted vp to the vttermost of their race neither néede he stande vpon any dreadfull respect of any his friendes or kinsmen séeyng they assured him that no one of them shoulde euer be well receiued or welcomed to the court as first the Marshall Montmorancy his Cosine shoulde be committed to prison where he should neuer come out with honor and that of the rest of the sayde Mashals brethren there shoulde not remaine one Finally the rather to allure him to such an horrible acte they sealed their last offer with a dampnable promise of xxx thousand crownes in recompence and. xxx thousand Frankes of perpetuitie oute of the towne of Paris besides the fauourable good will all dayes of hys life as well of the Quéene mother Duke d'Aniow as Cardinall of Loraine and the whole court Dalbe yéelded so farre to their murderous enticementes as he gaue his word and promise to kill the Admirall Wherevpon was deliuered him by the sayde la Riuiere certayne white pouder whiche was knowen afterwardes to be eyther Reagar or Arsenicke with a large pasporte from the sayde Kinges Brother wherewith he departed and came to the Lord Admsrall his maister at the siege of Poyctiers his long aboade in the Catholikes campe together with other suspicious circumstaunces appearing at his arriuall persuaded a ielous iudgement of his dealing and therevpon was committed to prison his processe pursued and ended sentence lastly pronounced in these termes Iudgement pronounced the. xx of September 1569. in the councel established by the Prince of Nauarre and Conde present and assisted with the Printe of Orange the Countie Wolrard de Mansfelde Lieuetenant generall of the Almaignes vnder the sayd Princes the Counties Lodouike and Henry de Nassau brethren Menard de Chomber Marshall of the Almaignes camp Hans Boucq Renard Gracco Henry Destam Hans de There 's Colonels of the Reistres Guieryn Gangolf Baron of Grelesee Colonell of a regiment of Launceknightes Theodore Wegger professor of the law and Embassadour frō the Duke de Deux ponts with many other lords knightes Colonels and Keistremaisters of Almaigne the Lord of Corras Councellour to the King in the Parliamente of Tholouse and Chaunceller to the Quéene of Nauarre and the armye the Lorde of Francourt Bricquemau de Mouy de la Noue de Renty de Soubize de Mirambeau de la Caze de Puch-perdillan de Biron de Lestrange with manye other Lordes Gentlemen and Captaynes of Fraunce Séeing the processe made by the commissaries deputed by the said Princes of Nauarre and Conde againste Dominique Dalbe groome of the chamber to the L. Gaspard Counte de Coligny lord of Chastillon and Admirall of France the iii. examinations of the sayd Dalbe afore the Prouost general of the campe and two other afore the Commissioners assigned for that purpose lassly the confessions of the said Dalbe relterated viii ▪ seueral times wherein he acknowledgeth to haue hen instantly sollicited vrged and pressed by la Riuiere Captayne of the garde and one Laurence de Ruze Secretary to the Kings brother to practise and procure the death of the sayd L. Admirall eyther by sword or poyson which hée promised to the sayd la Riuiere to effect with poyson only receyuing to that end of the said la Riuiere certayne money and poison in forme of white powder which he hath shewed since to the said Prouost and Commissioners séeing also the verification and proofe of the sayde poyson tryed by Phisicions and Apotecaries assembled at la Haye in Touraine the xiii of this moneth togyther with a very large pasport graunted to the saide Dalbe the 30. of the last moneth by the Kings brother lying thē at Plessis les Tours and nowe for due punishment and reuenge to such a traiterous and detestable attempt so often acknowledged as well in his priuate confessions as publike assembly the said councell hath and doth con dempne the said Dalbe to be deliuered into the hands of the executioner of high Iustice who tying him vppon a hurdell with a halter about his necke shall drawe hym thorow the stréetes corners accustomed of this towne de Fay la Vineuse with this inscription in parchement about his body This is Dominike Dalbe traytour to the cause of God his Countrey and Maister trayling him first to the lodging gate of the sayd Lord Admiral and there with no other garments than his shirte the halter remayning still about his necke holding in his hande a torche of burning waxe shall demaund pardon of God the King the law and the Lorde Admirall confessinge there that wickedly disloyally and trayterously he had professed promised and practised to kill by poyson the said L. Admirall his maister and at the same instant in his presence the said poyson which he confessed to bée giuen vnto him by the said la Riuiere to be cast into the fire and burned All which being done he shall be ledde keeping still the inscription about his body to the place of publike execution and ther to be hanged and strangled on a gallowes set vp for that purpose And that also humble sute be made to the King to do iustice vpon the sayd la Riuiere and Laurence with their complices and withall if his maiestie be of mind to verifie more ample their said conspiracie with the said Dalbe the same notwithstanding resembling a sufficient trueth against them by his voluntary confession to procéede agaynst them with punishment due to so horrible a fact and the same both to terrifie hereafter others of like villanious humour and also to remaine to all nations as a President of the noble nature and disposition of Fraunce in abhorring such traytrous attemptes declaring the said la Riuiere and Laurence with all other sectes and sortes of traytours kéeping schole and open shoppe to poyson persons of name and vertue to be traytours villayns and men vnworthy of honour either in them selues or their posteritie to the 4. generatiō Lastly it is iudged that afore the execution of iudgement the sayde Dalbe shal be put on the racke to the ende to confesse further practises with his said confederates with other things contayned in interrogatories gyuen to the Prouost This sentence thus pronounced the morrow after being the xxi of September the rack was vsed accordingly where he confirmed his former confession and so the same day the sentence was put in execution Whilest the Kings brother kepte at Chynon in the Countrey of Touraine whether he was retired as is sayd great numbers of men of warre flocked to hym from many partes of the Realme togyther with the horsemen to whom he gaue libertie for recreation and the xx enseignes of footemen Parisiens wherof
all Seigniours Gentlemen and other his subiects vnderstand the cause of the murder of the Admirall and his adherentes and complices which lately happened in this Citie of Paris the xxiiij day of this present moneth of August least the sayd deede shuld be otherwise disguised and reported than it was in deede his Maiestie therfore declareth that which was done was by his expresse commaundement and for no cause of Religion nor breaking his edictes of pacification which he alwayes intended and stil mindeth and intendeth to obserue and keepe yea it was rather done too withstand and preuent a most detestable and curssed conspiracie begon by the sayd Admirall the chiefe captaine thereof 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 VVhereof his Maiestie by this declaration and ordinaunce giueth to vnderstand to all Gentlemen and others of the Religion which they pretend reformed that he mindeth 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 and other Iustices and Officers to whom it appertaineth do not attempt nor suffer too bee attempted any thing in what sort so euer 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 too withstande the troubles slaunders suspicions and desiances 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 pr◅uince and the Lieutenante generall of the name and qualitie of euerie such prisoner whome his Maiestie hath appoynted shall bee released and set at libertie except they bee of the chiefe of the late conspiracie or such as haue made some practise or deuise for them or had intelligence thereof and they shall aduertise his Maiestie of such to knowe his further pleasure It is also ordayned that from hencefo◅th none shall take or arrest any p◅isoner 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 Catell Beefes Kine or other beastes goods fruites graine nor any thing else nor too hurt the labourers by word or deede but too 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 wee 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 should be in our Realme the doyng of the sayd murder being counterfeited and giuen out otherwise than it was VVe haue therefore made a declaration and ordinance which we send 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 end that euery one might knowe it And although we haue alwayes bene diligent obseruers of our Edicts of Pacification yet seing 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 ordeyne 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 bee conceyued agaynst them And likewise that you aduertise such as dwell in the Cities of your Iurisdiction what you iudge meet to be done too the intent they myght in this poynt follow our mind and kepe them quiet in their houses as they may doo by the benefite of our Edict of Pacification and there they shall bee 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 and their Archers as others which you can-gather toogether by Bell ringing or otherwise so that you hewe them all too pe◅ces as enimies ◅o our Crowne Besides what commaundements so euer wee haue sent by worde of mouth eyther to you or others in our Realme whē 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 INSTRVCTIONS 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 wherin the L. Admirall Chastilion with other Gentlemen of his side were slaine bicause they had mischeuously conspired to set vpon the Kings maiesties 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 shuld arise and put them selues in armes as they haue done in the troubles that be passed and deuise new practises fetches against the weale of his Maiestie and tranquillitie of his Realme if he should not cause the truth of the matter to bee knowne to all Gentlemen and others his subiects of the same 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 about their gouernementes for this occasion he willeth that the Counte of Charnie greate Esquire of Fraunce and his Maiesties Lieutenant generall for the gouernement of Burgundie shall go diligently
cousin that the beste newes that I shall receyue from you shal be to heare say that you chastise those well of whome I am disobeyed And thus cousin I praye God too kepe you in his holy tuition VVritten from Paris the. xxviij of September 1572. Signed Charles and vnderneath Brulard REMEMBRANCES SENT BY THE KING too all gouernours and Lieutenantes of his Prouinces too put out and remoue all those of the Religion from their estates and charges although they would abiure the same sauing su◅h as haue but small estates and offices to whom his Maiestie permitteth continuāce on condition that they abiure the said 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 hated and put his catholike subiects in greate mistrust if they should presently exe◅cise their offices after these freshe commotions for cause that the sayde offices be in their handes that now kepe them therfore least the people should therby be brought to a newe occasiō of stirre and they of the new religiō be in daunger or hazard of their own persons although they woulde abiure their sayd new religiō professe the holye faith and catholike Religiō of Rome his maiestie desiring to auoyde the new mischiefes troubles which may come hath aduised to discharge the said officers frō the exercise of the said offices vntill he shall otherwise appoint And yet neuerthelesse in the meane while if the sayd officers bee obediente vnto his will and liue quietly in their houses without attempting practising or ◅aking any thing in hande against his seruice they shall receyue th◅ir wages and they that will resigne their sayde offices too Catholike persons and come too his maiestie shall bee verie honorably prouided for And as touching other small offices without wages which can not bee troublesome as Notaries sergeants and suche where the officers haue none authoritie which cannot bee so odious nor mistrustfull to the people as the other his Maiestie is aduised that such small officers which will abiure the sayd newe Religion and professe the fayth 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 shal depart from their offices vntill his Maiestie hath otherwise prouided And this is for the greate mischiefe and inconuenience that may betyde them if they shoulde exercise their sayd estates bycause of the greate mistrust and suspition which the Catholikes haue conceyued of them of the newe Religion Neuerthelesse his Maiestie well considering that the moste part of the sayde officers haue none other way too liue but the exercise of their sayd offices willeth that they shall bee in choyse too resigne to Catholike and capable persons and then too come too 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 wel by gouernours and Lieutenants general of his Prouinces as by thē of his Courtes of Parliamēt of the chamber of his accomptes of the Court of his aydes them of his great Counsel of the Treasorie of Fraunce the Generals of his Fynes his Baylifes Seneshals Pro◅osts Iudges or their Lieutenants and ◅uery one of them as shall ▪ appertaine And to this intēt his maiestie willeth and intendeth that euery one of thē in their calling shal send particularly ◅part for euery of the sayd officers of the new Religiō which be of their incorporatiō charge and lurisdictiō shal admonish thē in this behalf to conforme them selues to his maiesties mind and if any of thē in authoritie bicause of their sayd estates wil returne to the bosome of the Catholike Romish church it shall be sayd to thē that his maiestie liketh verie well of it and that hee taketh a greate 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 them from his seruice hereafter but will prouide for them as their behauiour shall deserue And notwithstanding for the reasons abouesayd he willeth that they shal cease from the exercise of their estates and offices vntil he otherwise appointeth And bycause that in many places of the Realme they haue proceded by waye of seasing the goods of them of the newe Religion which bee deade or absente and hide themselues and sometimes of those which be in their owne houses although hi◅ Maiestie gaue to vnderstande by his declaration of the xxviij of August last that he would and intēded 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 i◅tendeth 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 shall be restored to their houses and put in possession of all and singular their goodes moueable or vnmoue◅ble And that the wydowes and heyres of them that bee dead may and shall succede them and apprehend all and singular their goodes and that they shall bee maynteyned in them and kepte vnder the protection and safegard of his Maiestie so that no hurte shall bee done or sayd vnto them in any maner of wyse or sort VVilling for this purpose that all necessarie suretie shall be giuen them and that all officers Magistrates Maiors and others which haue publike charge shall mayntayne them in al safetie forbidding al persons of what estate qualitie or condition so euer they be not to hurt them in person or goodes vpon payne of death And neuerthelesse his Maiestie willeth that they of the newe opinion shall submit themselues and promise vpon paine to be declared rebelles and traitours too his Maiestie that they shall hereafter liue vnder his obedience without attempting any thing too the contrarie or taking their parts that do attempt against his Maiestie and estate or things against his ordinances and too acknowledge none but his Maiestie or such as he shall appoint vnder him to haue authoritie to commaund them And if they kno◅◅ any that shal enterprise against his Maiestie seruice to reueale thē 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 bycause that in the declaration of the. xxiiij of the last moneth these wordes are contained Except they bee those of the chiefe which had
the same in declaring that he commaunded those murders too bee committed hauing also made protestation before that it is too his greate griefe and done by the outrage and violence of those of Guise against whome he was not able to make speedie resistance in tyme as his Maiestie desired And in this quarell wee the Gentlemen Capitaines and other that make you this answere are readie to trie it by combat man to man or otherwise to maintaine the honour of our King against all those that so p◅ophane holye things and as much as in them lyeth doe by such wordes and titles vilainously defile the excellence of his Maiestie and of the noble Princes of his bloude VVhich wee maye right well coniecture and estimate by the slaughters that are yet in doing as well in the towne of Paris as else where vpon so manye noblemen gentlemen and other men women and children and vpon a greate number of yong scholars 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 think therfore and iudge that herein treason is enterprised against the person of his Mai◅stie and of my Lords his brethren and that the Guisians meane to inuade the Crowne of the Realme as they haue of long tyme 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 greate truth and of as good likelyhoode as their maner of proceeding in Iustice hath bene orderly beginning at execution before examination of the fact But it is now no neede to tarrie for tyme too discouer it for the matter is plain to bee 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 holde downe their heads for shame cursing both with hart and mouth the cruel 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 bee accordingly obserued whereof this Realme began to feele the good taste to the greate contentement of all persons except the enimies of peace and of this Realme namely the Guisians Finally when his Maiestie being out of their handes and power shall declare what is his pleasure wee 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 wee will rather forsake the earth than heauen and our frayle and transitorie houses rather than the heauenly mansions 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 receyued the same bloudy commission from the Guisians vnder the pretended name of the King to vse vs in the same manner as they haue wickedly tr◅itorously 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 strangers haue stained with the true French bloud without that his Maiestie hath bene able to remedie it nor too staye their cursed at◅emptes 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 defence and for the safegarde of our liues and of the priuileges which he hath giuen vs vntil such tyme as he shall be able by himself to defend vs against his enimies and ours FINIS Iohn Sleidan Iacobs slaughter at Paris Newe deuises to abolishe the Gospell The tumult of Ambaxian The king◅ Edict of pardō Sodeine alteration by the death of king Fraunces The Kings Edict cōmonly called the Edict of Ianuarye The name of Lutheranes Geneua a sanctuarie for the godly Great persecution in the Church of Paris Anno domini ▪ 1557. Wicked slaunders deuised against the faithfull Duke Arscotus a Brabantine An apologie for the faithful captiues The arrogant threatnings of the Constable Anno domini 1558. Certayne examples of Gods vengeance shewed vppon diuers persecutors of the Church Persecution stayed for a time Examples of iniuries done to the faithful 16. leafe The fruites of the sermons of the Papistes The parliament at Paris Foixius The first synode of the Churches of Fraunce The summe of the letters of the Princes of Germanie sent to the King. Annas Burgaeus examined condemned and iudged to dye The death of king Henrie The summe of the confession of Burgens A comparison betvvene the doctrine of the Gospell and the Romishe doctrine 2. Thes. 2. 3. The sentēce of death against Burgaus By the tyrant Phalaris he meaneth the Cardinall of Loraine Great afflictiō of the Church after the death of king Hērie An example of two false brethren Grieuous affliction Margaret Riche The descriptiō of the tumult of Ambaxia Villemongius he Kings ◅rs of par◅n Spirituall ◅ guenotes a Temporall Huguenote The names of Princes did not appertaine to the Guises in the kingdome of Frāce Afflictions after a sort cease A description of the Scotres warre for Religion Calabria a countrie ioyning to Naples The Scripture The worde The three Credes The Trinitie Man. Originall sin ▪ Election Christ. God and man. Two natures in Christ. The death of Christ. The Sacrifice of Christ. Remission of Sinnes Faith. The grace of the holy gost Newnesse of lyfe Good works The figures of the law The doctrine of the law One onely aduocate Intercession of saintes Purgatory Ecclesiasticall discipline The vnitie of the Church What the Church is The Papacy Discipline of the Church The lawful election of mi nisters Excommunication Sacraments Baptisme The Lords Supper Magistrates The supplications of the faithfull deliuered by the Admiral to the King. The sentence of the Bishop of Valentia Bishops of Rome Lawyers Bishop◅ Curates He speaketh to Queenes namely to the Kings mother and the Kings wife The singing of Psalmes The seconde remedie to appease troubles The example of the kings Carolus Magnus and Lodowicke The Gospell of diuers men diuersly receyued With what weapons in time past the Bishops resisted heretikes The oration of the Bishop of Vienna Two pillers of the kingdome The office of a King A Tyrant Religion Why a generall Councell is not to be looked for A Parliament The controuersie betwene Charles the v. and Pope Clement Forewarnings of delolation to come Couetousnes the Babilonicall beast Math.
of coÌ„meÌ„taries The conditions offered by the Prince of Conde at the first par ley The reasoÌ„s that staied the Prince of Con de from going into exile The forme of the gouernement of the Realme in Kinges minoritie The Prince of Conde remoued from Paris to Ioyne to him the EnglishmeÌ„ The Duke of Guise se keth to stay the Prince of Conde froÌ„ ioyninge himselfe with the EnglishmeÌ„ Anno 1572 Decem. 19. If that geâ—… tle Reader thou loke in the printed battailes and descriptions of the skirmishes of the Ciuill warres of Fraunce this shal be much more plaine vnto thee for in them thou shalt haue a liuely vew The first battaile in the which the Consta ble was taken and the Swisers dispersed and slaine The second battaile The third battaile The Prince of Conde taken prisoner The fourth battaile The Kings Edict Nemours winneth Vienna Soubize LiefetenaÌ„t of Lions Nemours deceiued of his purpose The winning of Sanstephen and Nonays Nonay cruelly spoiled The Admi rall goeth into Normandy The siege of Orlean â–ª The Kings letters to win from the Prince the Germanes Pultrotseâ—…t from Lions to the Admirall Pultrot killeth the Guise Pultrot taken Peace takeÌ„ Cane in Normandi wonne The state of the com moÌ„ wealth of the church after peace was taken â–ª The state of the chur ch at Orlcaunce Odet Cardi nall of Cha stillon the state of the church at Lions Petrus Vire â—…us the state of the church in Dolpheny the state of the church in Burgun dy and Pro uance the gouern ment of M. Anuil ouer the Churches in Lan guedoc Albanoys The order of calling vppon god his name in Nemaux The Edict violently corrected by the Anuille Monsieur Anuille coÌ„ maundeth Moton to be hanged the state of the church of Venais The state of the chur ches of Orange The state of the churches of Paris The state of the chur ches of Picardie The churches of Brit tanny and Normandy The Churches of Gas coigne and of al Guian The Churches in the dominion of Bearne The Churches in the Cuntrey of Metz. The Churches of Pie mont The Papists brag of abolishing the Edict an D. 1563. The fetches of the Guises to disturbe the peace The craftie wiâ—… of the Quene the Kings mother The Cardinals sharp accusation against the Admirall The Admirall publisheth a wri ting wher in hee cleareth himselfe The words of Merae Monsieur Granmonâ—… Scoutes Monsieur Tranuie The Marshal Hesse The trauell of the CouÌ„ cell of Trent to hinder and stop religioÌ„ in Fraunce The King being of the age of 14. yeares iâ—… declared to be of ful lawfull agâ—… The suâ—…til and craftie deuises of the aduersariâ—…s against Religion violent and false interpÌ„tations of the Edict set â—…orth by the Kings commaundement New sleights put in practise to entice the Prince of Conde froÌ„ the reformed Religion The spoyle wasting of the congregation at Paniez by d'Anuille The Kings progresse causes therof MontaubaÌ„ MontaubaÌ„ agrements made betwene the King his brother the Duke of Orleans The Prince of Conde eseapeth the papists snares and baytes The death of the prin ces wife The slaugh ters of the faithfull Brother hodes of the papiste Monsieur Cure that famous valeant cap taine is slaine And yet scaped vnpunished Moâ—… interpretations of the Edict The Kings progresse The suÌ„me of all that was don in the time of the Kinges Progresse The Admirall adiudged free of the Dukes murther by the kings own iudgement The Guises and the Chastillon are charged to be reconciled The Kings comminge to Lions and what he did there An enterdiction for Sermones A fortresse built at Lyons Monfieur Saltane remoued froÌ„ the gouern ment of Ly ons mon suer Lossay succeded him The sundry troubles of the church at Lions The declaclaration of Rossillon a great ouerthrow to the Edict Restraine of Sinodes ProtestaÌ„ts coÌ„manded to returne to Monachisme The great slaughter of the faith full at Tours The Prince of Conde complaineth of these iniuries The greâ—…ous iniâ—…ries coÌ„mitted against the Protestantes The Kings letters to the Prince of Conde New proclamatioÌ„s for the obserua tion of the Edict The punnishment appointed for the mur ther done at Tours made frustrate The fond and foolish iorneâ—…s of the Cardynall the bloudy suruay that the Marshial of Burdillo made thorough out all Guian Merindol a place appointed for the reformed religion The kinge commeth to Langue doâ—… an do 1566 〈◊〉 do 1566 The affairs of the low Countrey â–ª The beginning enâ—… of the church of Flaunders King Philip certified of the increase of the protestantes in the lowe countrey aâ—… do 156â—… The supplication of the nobles of the confederacy The Duches of Par me causeth â–ª an assembly of States 〈◊〉 Serâ—…ones Images in Flaunders went to wracke The conference betweene the nobles the Duches of Parme. The Prince of Orange commeth to Antwerpe Valleucia besieged Valence surrendred an do 1567 The last coÌ„ spiracy of the Catholiqnes concerning the ruine of the Church of Fraunce The comming of the spanish army with the Duke of Alba. The King Quene remoue to Paris Letters of the Prince to the king The last pe tition of the Prince of Conde The state of the faith full in the beginning of this second war. The Cities townes that tooke part with the protestantes the slaugh rer of the Parisians at Sandioâ—…yse The CoÌ„sta ble wounded to the death The state of the chur ches of the low countrey after the comming of Duke de Alba. The Prince of Conde marcheth to Lorain The Duke of Aniou marcheth towarde Loraine The Kings Edict against the faithfull A battayle in Auuergne the pro testants ha uing the victory an do 1568 Chartres besieged Peace concluded and the summe of the kings Edict The deceit of the Catholiks by this Edict Greate iniures done to the Protestants VVatch ward at hauens bridges Violation â–ª of the Edict Violations of the Edict Troubles â—…t Lions Troubles at Paris 〈◊〉 Sermones Practise of the Cardinal to take the principall profes sors of the Religion Horrible murthers Cipiere cruelly slaine Ten thousand protestantes slain with in the com passe of three Monethes The prince of Conde remoueth to Noyers The Card â–ª of Lorrain practiseth to take the Prince of Conde The Spye taken 90000. Frankes is in our coin foure score and eightteen thousand and nyne hundred and seuen and thirtye poundes ten shillings Victor Vticensis lib. 3 pers Afric the answer of the faith full The coulered deceit in this oth Rochel coÌ„ maunded to be besie ged Musters of Souldiers Letters of the Catholikes souÌ„d out Amanzi a noble man slaine The Prince of Conde in greate perill Letters of the Prince of Conde sent to the Kyng The Prince of Conde goeth to Noyers The Cardi nall ChastilloÌ„ fleeeth into England The death of Charles sonne to King Philip Anno Domini 1568. in the moneth of Au gust The state and condition of both parts The Kings â–ª Decree The messeÌ„â—…er sent froÌ„ the Prince of Conde 〈◊〉 â–ª Discipline appointed by the Prince of Conde A descripâ—… on of tâ—…e disciplin of warre A practisâ—… to draw away the Prince of Nauar froÌ„ the Prince of Conde Letters of the Quene of Nauar to the Kinge Letters of the Quene of Nauar to the Quene Mother Cities yeelded to the Prince of Conde The Ande lot coÌ„meth to the Prince of Conde with a great Army Boysuerd slayne The Andelot passeth ouer the forde of Loyre The Andelot ioyneth with the Admirall An Edict prohibiting the vse of the reformed religion â–ª The Kinge was xii yeâ—… old when his brothâ—… Frances dyed Letters patâ—…es from the Pope Mouents and his souldiers slaine Lettees of the Quene oâ—… Nauar to the Quene of England England a succour to Fraunce The Prince of Conde seeketh to encounter with Monpensier The Duke of Angâ—…we put to the worse The Duke of Aniou by Pollicy delayeth to loyne battaile Duâ—…e Dau maâ—… in Loraine Prince of Orange in the lowe countrey Prince of Orenge seketh to ioyn with the Prince of Conde Tiranny of the Duke of Alba. The Germaneâ—… take both parts Duke of Deuxpous promiseth to helpe the Prince of Cond Mon sieur Cochao taken many of his men slaine Noyers wonne an D. 1569. the Abbay of Saintflo rent won spoyled Sancer besieged The batail in which the Prince of Conde Was slaine The oathe of the Prince of Nauar. l'Endureau reuoltes Brissac slaine Conte Pâ—… padon slaine The Lord Boccarde dead Charite besieged and taken The Duke de Deux Pons dead Description of the Dukes Campe. description of the princes army Snccours from the Pope â–ª the Quene mother en courageth the Souldiours The Lorde Strossi takeÌ„ Strossies men flame â–ª The death of â—…e lord of Moruill The siege of Niort The Lord pluneau succours it The protes tants request to the king for peace To whom the troubles ought to be imputed Luzig rendered Lordes Captains within poâ—… tyers Poictiâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…esieged Battry against Poytâ—…ers Battery against Poie Three assaults giueÌ„ to the suburbes of Roell Assault of Italians The Edict of peace Concord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Noble men that are 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Noble men of 〈◊〉 calling The Queene of 〈◊〉 All 〈◊〉 Places 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Kinges Courâ—… â–ª Paris 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â–ª Hospitals and Colleges The good will of the king toward â—…he prince of Conde and the rest The Duke of Sweburge other Princes The Queene of 〈◊〉 Priuiledges of Cities Offices Payments to be indifferent Deliuery of prisoners Raunsomes All vnder the Kings protecon Mouables restored Reuenewes Of houses castles cities Princes of Nassau Writings of Landes Iudgementes Abrogation of Sentences â–ª Obseruaaion of dollitique Lawes Instice equal ly ministred Appeales froÌ„ Parliaments â–ª Refusall of Iudges Foure Citties graunted for Securities sake Concerning this Edict Trafike Punishments for breaking this Edict Disanulling of all former Edictes The othe of Magistrates Solem proclamation of this Edict