whereof the Count Pont Courlay was Generall there was a short fight twixt them and the Spanish Fleet neer the foresaid Islands but no great hurt done nor any thing perform'd to any purpose During these traverses at Sea there was notable doings by Land for Piccolomini and Iohn de Wert enter'd and overwhelm'd Picardy like two impetuous torrents and carried all before them they ravag'd and plundred most lamentably the poore Pesans and Villages all along they took la Capelle nor could the strength the Count of Soissons had in that Province withstand them the Prince of Condé was then beating the walls of Dole but having long layn before the Town and having spent much powder and a considerable number of men before her he was forc'd to raise the siege to make head against those fearfull incursions the Imperialists made up and down Picardy their Army consisted of divers squadrons of Germans Polanders and Crabats Soissons met with the Pole and caus'd him to retire to Luxemburg where he took breath and afterwards came on more furiously then before he took Moniauban and three places more which he fir'd and carried away men women and children Prince Tomaso was chief of these flying Armies which in all consisted of above 15000. horse and so many foot They took afterwards Catelet and push'd on their march as far as the River of Somme where they seiz'd on Bray and cross'd the River took Royé with divers other places being thus got into the very bowels of Picardy the Crabats had a brave time of it who subsist chiefly by pillage they rob Churches cloisters Convents Monasteries and the Altars themselfs nor can the opinion of holines exempt any thing from rapine a little after Corby rendred her self and then a generall summons was publish'd in the King of Spaines name for all the Townes of Picardy to render themselfs and they should have good quarter This sudden inundation of so many forren people and such monstrous incursions struck an earthquake into the hearts of all men and Paris her self trembled more then any place many thousands of people had fled thither from Champany Brie Picardy high Normandy as also from the Isle of France it self for refuge Nunns Friers and Priests left their Monasteries Cels and Cloisters panting with apprehensions of fears and imminent dangers Nay the Parisians themselfs thinking their Town not secure enough fled away in multitudes towards the Loire This gave a generall alarm to the whole Kingdom and Paris quak'd more then any place in so much that she began to fortifie apace the Burgesses by the Provosts command and the Schollers by the Rectors put themselfs in armes there were extraordinary contributions made and 15000. men suddenly rais'd to go towards Picardy Monsieur was appointed Generall who in his march encreas'd daily more and more in great numbers to make head against this formidable Invasion or rather Irruption The common people being thus startled and scared one might hear up and down both in Town and Countrey whole volleys of curses discharg'd upon Richelieu who was cryed up to be the source of all these evils because they conceiv'd 't was by his counsell the King had denounc'd open war against the Spaniard the yeer before but the strong reflex of Royall favor and the former good successes he had took away much of the gaul against him The Royall Army under Monsieur who was accompagnied with the flower of all the Nobility of France and was now neer upon forty thousand Combatants being advanc'd far into Picardy the first exploit he perform'd was the reprisall of Royé by siege then he took Bretevil but a little before Iohn de Wert had given a smart blow to the Count of Esfeld who had a Brigade of Germans a good number of French horse commanded by Gassion for the Kings service The Royall Army came before Corbie at last where a Leager was planted seven Leagues compasse and the Town held them good play for divers moneths whence the Spaniards made sundry notable sallies The Imperiall Army under Galas was now got into Burgundy where he took Mirebeau and sundry other places which he pillag'd and burnt in the interim the Duke of Lorain who commanded one of the flying Armies had lai'd siege before Saint Iohn de Lone and Galas recruted him with men and ammunition but the place being relieved and it being now neere the dead of Winter Galas gave out he had order to return to Germany which he did and so the Duke of Lorain rays'd his siege and sent divers complaints to the Emperor against Galas his Generall but they came to nothing Thus that huge deluge ceas'd in France which did such a world of mischief that the Goths Vandalls or Saracens never did the like for the time nor was this the sole disaster that befell France this yeer for the Viceroy of Pampelona took Saint Iohn de Luz tother side the Kingdom besides Mentz Coblens and Hanaw were rendred to the Imperialists in all which much of the Garrisons were French I will conclude this yeer with the public baptisme of Madamoiselle Monsieurs daughter being nine yeers and three moneths old which ceremony was solemniz'd in the Louure the Queen of France and her Cardinal were her godmother and godfather and she was named Anne Marie This yeer a more propitious Planet cast an influence upon France then fell upon her in the former as will appear by the succes of things We will begin with the reprisall of the Isles of Lerins call'd Saint Margaret and Saint Honorat some of the Provensall Gentlemen shew'd much Passion for the honor of their Countrey to which those Islands belong'd by divers proofs of valeur and their names were enroul'd in a public instrument which stands upon record to posterity in the Court of Parlement there were mighty preparatives made for the said Expedition and sundry persons of quality parted with their bloud and some with their life 's in the quarrell but whether the benefit did countervail the vast charge of recovering two or three small rocks it was much question'd yet the work was done and it left behind it an astonishment of the navall power of France The King had three Land Armies this Spring towards the Frontiers of the Netherlands the first towards Cambray commanded by the Duke de la Valette the second towards Artois whereof Milleray was chief the third under Chastillon upon the Frontiers of Champany and Luxemburg The first took two or three Castles by surprize and then sate before Landrecy which after a stubborn siege was yeelded at last to De la Valette the exploit was reputed the greater because in times pass'd Charles the Emperour had lain before Landrecy with thirty thousand foot and fifteen thousand horse six moneths together and then was forc'd to steale away in the night from before the place After this the Duke of Candale took Beaumont la Capelle was also rendred after the brunt of a short
of Austria they thought it high time to look about them so there came Commissioners extraordinary from Holland to Paris and a Ligue defensive and offensive was struck between them to make a social conjunctive war in the Netherlands against the King of Spain the most materiall Articles of which Ligue for we are loth to stuff this History with formalities were these 1. The King of France shall have an Army of 25000 foot and 5000. horse upon the frontiers of France towards the Netherlands in the convenientest place And the States of the united Provinces shall have 20000. foot and 8000. horse 2. Of these two Armies one shall send the other 10000. foot and 2000. horse as Auxiliaries in case the enemy shall succour any place which either of them shall besiege and if occasion require both Armies shall joyn in one body 3. It is accorded that a Declaration be sent to all the Towns under the King of Spain in the Netherlands to assure them that there shall be no Innovation introducd which may prejudice their priviledges and that the exercise of Religion be left free 4. That all other Princes and States who shall desire the protection of France and the united Provinces may enter into this Ligue provided they take up armes against the Spaniard 5. That if any Towns yeeld themselfs of their own accord it shall be lawfull for them to mould themselfs into the body of a particular State 6. That there may be no difference in parting what shall be taken it is agreed that France shall have all Flanders from the frontiers of France as far as Blanquemberg neer the Sluce And the States shall have all the Maritim places beyond toward France as far as the River of Swyn That Artois and Henault as far as Navar inclusively shall be the Kings of France And the States shall have Hulst Malines and Brabant as far as Brussells 7. That no places which shall be taken be troubled for matter of Religion but that it be continued in the same state 't is found 8. That no Treaty for Truce or Peace be set a foot with the Spaniard without the reciprocall consent of both parties 9. That for a more regular way in proceeding this Order shall be followed to attempt first two places allotted for the share of France and then two of the shares of the States which order shall be successively observed 10. That if the King invade Flanders the States with a diverting Army shall enter Brabant and if the States are engag'd in Brabant the King shall have a diverting Army in Artois or Hanault 11. That the King of Great Britain may enter into this Confederacy to which effect there shall be Ambassadors employed unto him from both parties to know of him whether he will continue upon termes of Neutrality 12. It is accorded further that both parties shall have fifteen men of War at Sea a peece of so many Tonns and if any English ships desire to joyne with the said Fleet they shall have the precedence of them of the States 13. If any Treaty be agreed unto for Peace or Treaty it shall be kept in the Hague and no where els 14. In regard of this Treaty the obligation shall cease to furnish the States yeerly with two millions of Franks which was us'd to be sent them from France c. These Articles being interchangeably sign'd and ratified in Paris there issued a large public Declaration from the King to denounce war with Spain to this effect Lewis by the grace of God King of France and Navar to all who shall see these present Letters health The great and sensible offences this Monarchy hath receiv'd divers times from that of Spain are so well known to all the world that it is needles to renue their memory We have a long time dissembled the hatred and naturall jealousie the Spaniards have against France whereby they have alwayes stopp'd the course of Our prosperity by secret practises oppressed the Princes allied to this Crown and sought to dismember the Kingdome Therefore with those forces which God hath given Us We have resolv'd to prevent their further desseins upon Us and rather to carry Our Armes within their Countrey then expect theirs in Ours c. Then He goes on to enumerat the obligations that Spain had to France for making the last truce with the Hollander which Spain had so much need of at that time the good Offices he had done the Emperour upon the beginning of the troubles in Germany so he taxes him that the first recompence which France receiv'd was the occupation of the Valtolin from the Grisons the ancient Allies of France he complains further that the Treaty at Mouson was not executed as it was intended He speaks of sundry enterprises upon the Duke of Savoy while he was Confederat of France of the violent oppression which the Duke of Mantova suffer'd How the Duke of Lorain arm'd five times against France by the suscitation of the King of Spain How the said King Treated with the chief of them of the Religion to form a perpetuall body of Rebellion in the bowels of France at that time when he promis'd assistance against them How his Ambassadors continually practised to sow division between them of the Royall Family How he assisted with men and money those that made rents and factions in France How to bring about his far fetch'd designes for the Westerne Monarchy he made Flanders his Arcenal for Arms not only to subdue them whom he had acknowledg'd free and soverain but to keep France in perpetuall jealousie of surprisals by a veteran Army therefore he thought it more honorable to attain unto a sound secure Peace by the generous strength of an open war then let his subjects drop away by small numbers and languish under a doubtfull and incertain Peace which must be conserv'd with 150000. men Then he comes to speak of the outrage that was done to the Archbishop of Triers and the jeering illusory answer which was return'd about his liberty Then he speaks of his most deer great friends Allies and Confederats the States of the united Provinces with whom he had made a Ligue defensive and offensive but with this Proviso that what Towns or places whatsoever were taken the Catholique Religion should not be damnified but conserv'd still in the same condition Then he makes his addresse to the Flemins that if within two moneths they cause the Spaniards to retire from their Towns and Provinces they shall be joyn'd and united into a body of one free and independent State with all rights of soveraignty So he concluds with an Injunction to all his subjects to make war by sea and land night and day against the King of Spain a declar'd Enemy to his Person and state protesting before God and men that as he was reduc'd to the utmost extremity to take up arms for his own defence and for his Allies and friends so his main end
acces that notwithstanding he seems to cast the fault upon certain Counsellors yet all bounds upon her by reflection she declares that long before the reception of his Letter she had resolv'd and to that end there were public dispatches abroad to summon the Convocation of the States Generall she takes exception that he should call them Estats seurs libres States sure and free which made her conceive a violent jealousie of some artifice on his side to sow seeds of difficulties in the said great Assembly she alledgeth that from the beginning she imparted both to him and the Co of Soissons the mariage with Spain that they approved of them and subscribed the Articles That the late King declared his inclination unto it when Don Pedro de Toledo pass'd through France And so she concluds with exhortation that he wold appear in the Assembly of the three Estates and bring with him all his Confederats to contribut the great zeal they professe to the common good of the Kingdom The Queens Letter was large and in it there was a curious mixture of meekness and Majestie The Duke of Vendosme sent her also two Letters but he could get no answer to either Thus a fearfull black clowd hung over poor France which the Queen Mother essayed by all means possible to dissipat before it shold break out into a tempest of intestine War therefore the King and she descended to send again the Duc of Vantadour accompanied with the Presidents of Thou and Ieanin with others to draw Conde to a treaty of accord which at last was agreed upon and the prime Capitulations were these 1. That the States Generall shold assemble in the Town of Sens within such a time wherin the Deputies of the three Orders may safely and freely make such Remonstrances and Propositions that they shall hold in their consciences to be profitable for the common good for the redresse of disorders and conservation of public tranquillity 2. His Majesty being willing to gratify the Prince of Conde hath upon his prayer and instance and upon assurance of his future affection and fidelity accorded to put into his hands the Castle of Amboise as a gage till the States Generall dissolve and 100. men for garrison in the said Castle 3. That 100. men shall be entertain'd in Mezieres 200. in Soissons whereof the Duc of Main is Governor till the States Generall have risen 4. That Letters shall be sent from his Majesty verified by the Court of Parliament wherin his Majesty shall declare unto the world that there was no ill intention against his service by the said Prince and his Associats therfore that they shold be never prejudic'd for the future in their estates or persons 5. That in consideration of the expences the said Prince might be at in this business his Majesty accords to give him 450000. Franks to dispose of as he shall think fit 6. That the eldest sonne of the Duke of Nevers shall succeed his father in the Government of Champany These with divers other Articles of this kind the King was induc'd I will not say inforc'd to condescend unto for preventing of greater evils and it was call'd the Treaty of Saint-Menehou And one would have thought that a gentle calme should have follow'd and that the meeting of the States General would have perpetuated it But behold two ill-favor'd accidents like two impetuous puffs put things again in disorder The one was that the Duke of Vendosin would not put Blavet into the hands of the Marquis of Caeuures according to the Kings command but stood still upon his gard in Britany The second was an affront which Conde alledg'd to have receiv'd from the Bishop of Poitiers who would not suffer him to enter the Town as he pass'd to his government of Dauphine and secur'd the Castle of Amboise being sought unto by the Governor the Duc of Roanez to establish his authoritie there The Bishop arm'd first and the town after his example Conde writes a Letter to the Queen Regent which did not please her well for he subscribes himself only her thrice-humble servant and neveu whereas he was us'd to write your thrice humble and thrice obedient servant and subject The Marquis of Bonnivet a creature of Condes had not yet dismissd all his troupes therefore under his authoritie he harasseth and plunders all the Countrey about Poitiers sacks the Bishops House and commits many sacrilegious and execrable outrages The young King hearing this gets presently a Horsback and sends the Duke of Main before to stop the ravages of Bonnivet so he followeth after and passing by Orleans Blois Tours and Chastel le heraud a cautionary town of them of the Religion who notwithstanding presented the Keys to his Majesty as he pass'd he came to Poitiers where he reconcil'd the Prince of Conde and the Bishop caus'd Bonnivet to disband his forces compos'd of Picaroons and vagabonds Thence he went to Nants where also he rang'd the Duke of Vandosme to obedience dismantled the Fort at Blavet and so having in a short compasse of time compos'd and quash'd all things he returns triumphantly to Paris where an Ambassadour was attending him from Zuric who desir'd to enter into an alliance with him as the rest of the Cantons had This was the first exploit that Lewis the thirteenth did in his own person which like the rising Sun dispell'd those frog vapors that hover'd in Poictou and Britany and it was held a good augury for the future The presence of a King is oft-times very advantageous for Rebellion durst never stare long in the face of Majesty which useth to lance out such penetrating refulgent rayes that dazzle the eyes of Traytors and put them at last quite out of countenance With this achievment we will conclude his Minority and his Mothers Regency And as this first expedition of his prov'd lucky so was his whole life attended with a series of good successes as if Fortune her self had rid with him all the while upon the same horse And now must we put a period to the first lustre of Lewis the thirteenths raign and with it to his minoritie or bassage We proceed to his second lustre wherewith his majoritie begins being arriv'd to the yeer fourteen The second Lustre of the Life of Lewis the 13th raigne and of his Majoritie ANd now our Story must mount up to his Majority and follow him to his full age wherein he entred at fourteen yeers and the broken number of the Lords yeer was coincident being sixteen hundred and fourteen But I have read an old Author who writes that without any consideration had of yeers the French Kings arrive to maturitie and are capable to sway the Scepter when they come to be as high as a sword let their age be what it will In the former Chapter we told you that by vertue of the Treatie of St. Menehou the Queen Regent had promis'd and was oblig'd to the Princes by
mediat a Peace for them of the Religion and in case of refusall to use certain menaces hereupon he coming to the Army and finding the approches to the said Town were almost finish'd he hastned his addresses to the King for an audience The King referring him to Luynes and desiring that what he had to say might be first imparted unto him he went accordingly to Luynes lodgings and deliver'd his Message so that he reserv'd still the latter part which was menace untill he heard how the busines was relish'd Luynes had hid behind the hangings a Gentleman of the Religion who was upon point of turning Roman that being an earwitnes of what had pass'd between the English Ambassador and Luynes he might relate unto them of the Religion what little hopes they were to expect from the intercession of the King of England The Ambassador and Luynes having mingled some Speeches the language of Luynes was very haughty saying What hath your Master to do with our Actions Why doth he meddle with our affairs Sir Edward Herbert replied It is not to you to whom the King my Master owes an account of his Actions and for Me it is enough to obey Him In the mean time I must maintain that the King my Master hath more reason to do what he pleaseth to do then you have to ask why he doth it Nevertheles if you desire me in a gentle fashion I shall acquaint you further Whereupon Luynes bowing a little said very well The Ambassador answer'd That it was not on this occasion only that the King of Great Britain had desir'd the Peace and prosperity of France but upon all other occasions whensoever any troubles were rais'd in that Countrey And this he said was his first Reason The second was That when a Peace was settled there His Majesty of France might be better dispos'd to assist the Palatin in the affairs of Germany Luynes said We will none of your advices The Ambassador replied That he took that for an Answer and was sorry only that the affection and good will of the King his Master was not sufficiently understood and that since 't was rejected in that maner he could do no lesse then say that the King his Master knew well enough what he had to do Luynes said We are not afraid of you The Ambassador smiling a little replied If you had said you had not lov'd Us I should have beleev'd you and made you another Answer In the mean while all I will tell you more is That We know very well what we have to do Luynes hereupon rising a little from his chaire with a fashion and a countenance much discompos'd said By God if you were not Monsieur l' Ambassadeur I know very well how I would use you The Ambassador herewithall rising also from his chaire said That as he was his Majesties of Great Britains Ambassador so he was also a Gentleman and that his sword whereon he laid his hand should do him reason if he took any offence After which Luynes replying nothing the Ambassador went on his way towards the doore to which when Luynes seem'd to accompagny him the Ambassador told him that after such language there was no occasion to use ceremony and so departed expecting to hear further from him But no message being brought him from Luynes he did in poursuance of his instructions demand audience of the King at Cognac St. Iean d' Angely being now rendred who granting it where he did in the same termes and upon the same motives Mediat a Peace for them of the Religion and receiv'd a far more gentle Answer from the King The Marshall de Saint Geran coming to Sir Edward Herbert told him in a friendly maner you have offended the Constable and you are not in a place of surety here whereunto he answer'd That he held himself to be in a place of surety wheresoever he had his sword by him Luynes little resenting the affront he receiv'd from Sir Ed. Herbert got Cadenet his brother Duke of Chaune with a ruffling train of Cavaliers neer upon a hundred whereof there was not one as Cadenet told King Iames but had kild his man in duel Ambassadour extraordinary to England a little after who misreporting the clash 'twixt Sir Ed. Herbert and Luynes prevaild so far that Sir Ed. Herbert was presently revok'd to answer the charge that should be laid against him In the mean time the Earl of Carlile that dexterous Courtier was employ'd extraordinary Ambassador to France for accommodating le mal entendu which might arise 'twixt the two Crowns Carlile was commanded to inform himself of the truth of the businesse afore mention'd and he could meet with no relation but what Luynes had made himself wherein more affronting and haughty expressions were laid to Sir Ed. Herberts charge then had truly pass'd for though the first provocation came from Luynes yet the Ambassadour kept himself within the bounds both of his instructions and honor but as my Lord of Carlile was ready to send this mis-information to England the Gentleman formerly spoken of who stood behind the hangings came to the Earl of Carlile and said that he ow'd so much unto truth and honor that he could doe no lesse then vindicat Cavalier Herbert from all indiscretion and unworthines and thereupon related the true circumstances of the businesse The Earl of Carlile being thus rectified in the knowledge of the truth gave account to King Iames accordingly who cleer'd Sir Ed. Herbert and resolv'd to renvoy him Ambassador to France whereof he having notice kneel'd to the King before the Duke of Buckingham and humbly desired that since the busines was public in both Kingdoms he might in a public way demand reparation of M. Luynes for which purpose he beseech'd his Majesty that a Trumpeter if not a Herald might be sent on his part to M. de Luynes to tell him That he had made a false relation of the passages before mentioned and that Sir Ed. Herbert would demand reasons of him with sword in hand on that point the King answering that he would take it into consideration Luynes a little after died and Sir Edward was again sent Ambassador to France But to return to our former road besides those places formerly mentioned the Towns Suilly Merac and Caumont were also taken for the King but the latter two by the Duke of Mayn Governor of Guyen All Poitou being reduc'd to Royall obedience and setled the King resolv'd to go for Guyen to suppresse the Duke of Rohan and la Force who were in arms and had a considerable Army He left behind the Duke of Espernon with 4000. foot and 600. horse to beleager Rochell and stop the advenues in the interim So he advances to Guyen and divers places in the way open'd their gates unto him till he came to Clairac where he found a tough resistance He lost before the Town the great Lord of Thermes and sundry persons of quality besides
should be a generall peace now 'twixt the French people because of the businesse of the Valtolin where the Spaniard had a purpose to block out France in all places towards Italy which was very necessary to be prevented so that it was not fit to enfeeble France at this time by attempting to extinguish them of the Religion and to plunge the whole Countrey in an intestine war for it was as if one would cut off his left hand with the right This last counsell took more with the King and so he left no way unessayed to reunite all his subjects Hereupon to content the Reformists he caus'd their Temples to be reedified he appointed 60000. Franks for the payment of their Ministers and permitted them to call a Synod at Charenton with divers other acts of compliance provided that on their part they should entertain no strangers for preachers nor admit Ministers into politic Assemblies In these difficulties and anxious traverses of things the King made the Cardinal of Richelieu his principall Minister of State chiefe of his Counsell and Director generall under his authority in the government of the State He made this election by the advice of the Queen Mother principally nor was it an improper choice for the party had a concurrence of high abilities in him answerable to that transcendent trust and he prov'd as will appear by the sequele of things a succesfull Instrument though many doubt whether his Counsel was as succesfull to France as it was fatall to the rest of Christendom which he hath plung'd in an eternall war touching this we leave the Ingenious Reader a freedom of censure according as his judgement shall be guided by an unpartiall and unbiass'd relation of matters as they ly connected in the ensuing part of this story Thus our third Lustre concludes with the commencement of Richelieus greatnes The fourth Lustre of the Life of Lewis the thirteenth VVE began the last lustre with the espousals of the Lady Christina second daughter of France with the Prince of Piemont this begins with the mariage of the Lady Henriette Marie de Bourbon the yongest Royall branch of Henry the Great and this was the first great act that the Cardinal of Richelieu performed after he was come to the superintendency of affairs of State France had two causes of perpetuall apprehensions of fear one external th' other internal The still growing greatnesse of Spain without and They of the Religion within doors which were made frequent use of by any discontented Princes upon all occasions and were cryed up by the Jesuits to be as Matches to set France on fire at any time Therefore the first gran dessein that he projected with himself was to clip their wings and diminish their strength by dismantling their Cautionary Towns and making them dismisse their Garrisons The Cardinal knew the King his Master did not affect them since the Treaty at Lodun wherein they forc'd him to put another interpretation upon his Coronation Oth then his conscience did dictat unto him or the Prelat who administred it unto him meant which appear'd in a churlish answer that he gave them not long after when he was solicited to prolong the terme of holding their Cautionary Towns as Henry the Third and Henry the Great his father had done Which answer was That what grace the first did shew you was out of fear what my father did was out of love but I would have you know that I neither fear you nor love you To compasse that great work of taking from them their Garrison Towns it was thought very expedient to secure forren Princes from assisting them specially England and the united Provinces Touching the latter they were charm'd with money for in a fresh Treaty the King accorded them a million of Franks and six hundred thousand Franks every one of the two yeers next ensuing which they were to re-inburse the next two yeers that they should conclude a peace or truce with Spain The Holland-Ambassadors who were employed in this Treatie did promise the King that there should be libertie of conscience given the Catholiks at his Majesties request That the States should associat the French with them in the commerce of the Indies give them some choice ports for traffic and repaire some depraedations they had made by sea but the money being once got there was little care taken to perform these promises which were no more then parol engagements or rather complements whereupon an Ambassador was expressely sent to complain hereof but he effected little To secure England from succouring Them of the Religion the first overture that the Erl of Holland made for an alliance was yeelded unto to whom the Erl of Carlile was sent in joynt commission to conclude it The King told them that he took it for an honour that they sought his sister for the sole sonne of so illustrious a King his neighbour and Allie onely he desir'd that he might send to Rome to have the Popes consent for better satisfaction of his conscience and in the mean time the English Ambassadors might send for a more plenary power to England so in lesse then the revolution of nine moons this great businesse was propos'd poursued and perfected whereas the Sun ran his carreer through the Zodiac ten times before that Spain could come to any point of perfection This may serve to shew the difference twixt the two Nations the leaden heel'd pace of the one and the quicksilver'd motions of the other it shewes also how the French is more round and frank in his proceedings not so full of scruples reservations and jealousies as the Spaniard And one reason that the Statists of the time alledg'd why Spain amus'd the English and protracted the Treaty of the Match so long was that all the daughters of France might be first married to prevent an alliance 'twixt England and her There was a concurrence of many things that favor'd the effecting and expediting of this alliance some previous Offices and Letters of invitation from France wherein there were strains of extraordinary endearments wherewith the King of Great Britain corresponded also in an unusuall stile as appears by this Letter following Most high most excellent and most puissant Prince Our most deer and most beloved good Brother Cousen and ancient Ally Although the deceased King of happy memory was justly call'd Henry the Great for having re-conquer'd by arms his Kingdom of France though it appertain'd unto him as his proper inheritance Yet you have made now a greater conquest for the Kingdom of France though it was regain'd by the victorious arms of your dead father it was his de jure and so he got but his own But you have lately carried away a greater victory having by your two last Letters so full of cordiall courtesies overcome your good Brother and ancient Ally and all the Kingdoms appertaining unto him for We acknowledge Our self so conquer'd by your more then
brotherly affection that We cannot return you the like onely we can promise and assure you upon the faith of an honest man that you shall have alwayes power not onely to dispose of Our forces and kingdoms but of Our heart and person and also of the person of Our son if you have need which God prevent praying you to rest assured that We shall not onely be far from cherishing or giving the least countenance to any of your subjects of what profession soever of Religion who shall forget their naturall allegiance unto you but if We have the least inkling thereof We shall send you very faithfull advertisement And you may promise your self that upon such occasion or upon any other which may tend to the honor of your Crown you shall alwayes have power to dispose freely of Our assistance as if the cause were Our own so upon assurance that Our interests shall be alwayes common We pray God most high most excellent and most puissant Prince Our most deer and most beloved Brother Cousen and Ally to have you alwayes in his most holy protection Newmarket 9. of February 1624. Your most affectionat Brother Cousen and ancient Ally Iames K. The Critiques of the time did much censure this Letter in regard King Iames seems to dis-invest himself utterly of all Title to France thereby because he confesseth Henry the Fourth to have not onely reconquer'd it but to have a naturall right unto it in the said Letter The former Treaty for the Infanta of Spaine did facilitat also the hastning of this businesse and made it lesse knotty in regard that the matrimonial capitulations which in effect were the very same with those of the Infanta's had bin beaten and moulded a long time before upon the Spanish Anvill and so made smooth and passable They were in substance these that follow 1. That the French King should make it his busines to procure a dispensation from Rome within three moneths 2. That for the celebration of the act of affiancing the King of Great Britain should depute whom he pleas'd and that it be done according to the Roman rites 3. That the mariage be solemniz'd in the same forme as that of Queen Margaret and the Duchesse of Bar was 4. That she be attended to the Sea side upon the charge of France 5. That the contract of mariage be publiquely ratified in England without intervention of any Ecclesiastic ceremony 6. That free exercise of Religion be granted unto Madam her self and all her train and to the children that her servants shall have And to that end they shall have a Chappel in every one of the Kings Royall Houses or any where els where she shall keep her Court 7. That preaching and the administration of the Sacraments of the Masse with all other Divine Offices be permitted Her as also the gaining of all Indulgences and Jubils from Rome and that a Church-yard be appointed wall'd about to bury Catholiks according to the Rites of the Roman Church all which shall be done modestly 8. That she shall have a Bishop for her Almoner who may have power to proceed against any Ecclesiastic under his charge according to the Canonicall constitutions And in case the Secular Court shall seize upon any Churchmen under his jurisdiction for any crime which concern'd not the State he shall be sent back to the said Bishop who taking cognisance of the delict shall degrade him and so return him to the Secular power and other faults all Church-men under him shall be sent to him to be proceeded against accordingly or in his absence to his Vicar generall 9. She shall have 28. Priests of her House and if any be a Regular he shall be allow'd to weare his habit 10 The King of Great Britain and his son shall oblige themselfs by Oath not to attempt any thing upon the conscience of Madam to induce her to renounce her Religion 11. All her domestiques shall be Catholiques and French which she shall bring with her and in their roomes when they die she shal be allow'd to choose other French Catholiques but with the consent of the King of Great Britain 12. Her dowry shall be eight hundred thousand crowns whereof the one moity shall be pai'd the yeeve after Contract the other a yeer after and in case she survive her Husband the said dowry shall be entirely return'd her whether she desire to live in England or France 13. But if there remain any children of this mariage then she is to have back but two thirds of the said dowry 14. And in case Madam die before the Prince without children the moity of the said dowry shall be only return'd and in case she leave children all shall go amongst them 15. Madam shall be endow'd with a joynture of eighteen thousand pound sterling per an which comes to sixty thousand crowns and his Majestie of Great Britain shall give her besides the value of fifty thousand crowns in Jewels whereof she shall have the property as of those she hath already and of what shall be given her hereafter He shall be also oblig'd to maintain her and her House and in case she come to be a widow she shall enioy her dower and jointure which shall be assignd her in Lands Castles and Houses whereof one shall be furnish'd and fit for habitation and that the said joynture be pay'd her wheresoever she shall desire to reside she shall have also the free disposing of the Benefices and Offices belonging to the said Lands whereof one shall have the title of Duchy or County 16. That she shall be permitted whether she have children or not to return to France and bring with her her movables rings and jewels as also her dowry and the King shall be bound to have her conducted to Calice upon his charge 17. The contract of the mariage shall be registred in the Court of Parliament of Paris and ratified in that of England 18. All her servants shall take this following Oath I sweare and promise fidelitie to the most gracious King of Great Britain to the most gracious Prince Charles and to Madame Henriette Marie daughter of France which I shall most faithfully and inviolably keep And if I know of any attempt against the said King Prince and Lady or their estates or against the public good of the Kingdoms of the said King I shall forthwith denounce the same to the said King Prince and Lady or others who shall have it in charge This was the substance of all the Matrimoniall capitulations which were digested to 28. Articles with a penalty of four hundred thousand crowns upon either of the two Kings which should infringe any of them Besides these there were some privat Articles accorded in favour of the Roman Catholiks in England and Ireland but far from the latitude of a public Toleration Upon the ending of this great Treaty with France Iames the First of England and Sixth of Scotland ended his life
Truncheon of Marshall was sent him The Pope interpos'd also in this busines and had Forces there and there were sundry skirmishes fought The Spaniard told the Pope lowdly That he came thither to conquer Heretiques and the places which he had taken from them were by consequence justly acquir'd and so might be justly kept howsoever it was reason he should hold them untill his charges were reimbours'd Hereupon Cardinal Barberin was sent to France to accommode things but little could be done for that time This War of the Valtolins begot another twixt the Duke of Savoy and Genoa the principall motive whereof was to divert the Spaniard from the Conquest of the Valtoline Yet the Savoyard alledg'd that the Genois usurped divers places from him that they had offer'd him some indignities in defacing and vilifying his picture whereby they imitated the Leopard who by the naturall hatred he beares to man useth to teare his image with his ongles and teeth when he cannot exercise his fury upon his body The old Constable Lesdiguieres notwithstanding that he had one foot in the grave yet it seems he had an ambition to die in the field therefore he made earnest instances to the King that he would be pleas'd to employ him against the Genois Hereupon he clammer'd over the Alpes to Piemont where he with the Duke of Savoy made an Army of twentie five thousand foot and four thousand horse which they powr'd into the territories of Genoa The Constable with Crequy his son in law had the Vantgard The Duke with the Prince of Piemont seconded and they march'd severall roads The French took Capriata which was taken by Storm and all were put to the sword and plunder the inhumanitie whcih the Souldiers exercis'd upon the women and maides rais'd an ill odor of the French in Italy He took divers other places And the Duke of Savoy on the other side rendred himself Master of sundry strong holds In the interim there were three Spanish vessels which sayling from Barcelona to Genoa were by distresse of weather forc'd upon the Coasts of Marseilles and being out of any Port of commerce they were seiz'd upon by the Duke of Guyse hereupon the Genois made a loud complaint in Madrid and the King of Spain resented it so much that a Proclamation issued out to Arrest all French vessels that were in any haven of Spain and also to seize upon all the Marchants goods and it was thought there were neer upon two hundred thousand French then dwelling or trading in Spain and eighteen thousand in Madrid it self of all sorts of Marchants and Pedlers In correspondence to this The French King publish'd a Declaration wherein he interdicted all commerce to Spain The violent progresse of the French and Savoy Army against Genoa awaked all the Princes of Italy thereupon the King of Spain armes mainly in Milan and Naples The Emperour also sent a considerable number of horse and foot and all conjoyn'd under the Duke of Feria who was made Generall by Land and the Marquis of Santacruz came with twentie two gallies and five galeons by Sea with four thousand combatants from Sicilie to secure the sea of Genoa who had eighteen gallies besides in cours and ten thousand men by Land upon the appearance of this great Army most of those places which had rendred themselfs to France and Savoy open'd their gates to the Spanish army at first approach They ravag'd the countrey of Monferrat up and down and came thence before Ast a considerable frontire town of Piemont Yet though there were five or six armies in motion that Sommer in Italy there was no battail fought but only sieges and leagers sallies and skirmishes The approach of Winter brought a suspension of armes afterwards a Treaty was appointed at Monson and twentie Articles interchangeably accorded unto so the War ended and a Peace was renew'd twixt all Parties The Duke of Savoy was neither himself nor by his Ambassador or Deputy present at this Treaty which made him complain highly of the King of France taxing him with infraction of Faith and of the late Confederation between them thereupon the King sent Monsieur Bullion to him in qualitie of Ambassador to make an Apologie that his Highnes should not impute this to ill faith or any disrespect of him or to any particular advantage his Majesty hop'd to receive thereby for himself therefore his Highnes should not except at the light omission of complements which had more of exterior apparance then sincerity Bullion having notice that the Duke would give him a solemn open audience in the presence of most of his Lords and Counsell prepared himself accordingly and being come into the roome the little Duke began to speak very high language thereupon Bullion told him in his eare That he perceav'd his Highnes to be mov'd therefore he pray'd him not as an Ambassador but as a privat man and his servant to speak of so puissant and illustrious a Monark with that moderation respect and reservednes that his Majesty might not be offended and if his Highnes thought to satisfie himself by words of advantage nothing would remain unto him but repentance so to suffer himself to be transported by a disordred passion For the main businesse the King having obtain'd by the Treaty at Monson all that he and his Allies could hope for if they had gain'd a battaile as also the liberty of the Grisons and the Valtolines his Confederates ought not to take offence if he as the Eldest had treated himself alone for his Cadets a title which they had reason to esteeme for honorable Yet if notwithstanding these considerations his Highnes desir'd to have satisfaction in a stricter way he would undertake his Majesty should make him amends In the interim he wish'd his Highnes to think upon any thing wherein his most Christian Majesty might be advantageous unto him The Duke being calm'd by these words answer'd that he thought upon Royalty and if his Majesty would approve of his design being already well assured of the Popes good will he car'd not much for other Potentats and he would be contented to be treated by the King in the same manner as the Kings of France were us'd to treat the Kings of Scotland and Navarr By Royalty he meant the Kingdome of Cypres which title the Ambassador told him could not be had without distasting the Republique of Venice whose adoptif son he was and whereas he pretended some places in Toscany that could not be done without displeasing the Queen Mother The King having dispos'd already of his 3. Sisters began to think on a Match for Monsieur his Brother now it is the style of France to call the Kings sole Brother Monsieur without any further addition to distinguish him from others Marie of Bourbon daughter to the Duke of Monpensier was thought to be a fit wife for him hereupon the King mov'd it unto him but he desir'd time to consider of it because it
and to continue a war in France There were divers other Propositions tending to the kind usage of the Catholiques and withall a request That the Dukes pension from fourteen thousand crowns might be augmented to eighteen thousand and that his Catholic Majesty would please to add to his brother Soubize's pension of eight thousand crowns a yeer two thousand more For performance of these propositions the said Clausel could give no other caution but the word of an Honorable and most Religious Prince meaning the Duke These offers were accepted by the Spaniard but the sum was reduc'd to three hundred thousand crowns payable in two payments every yeer The Articles being sent by Clausel to France by a Zeland Gentleman he was suspected and taken in a Pond up to the neck so he was hang'd at Tholouse The King at his return to Provence took Privas from them of the Religion after many bloudy sallies and assaults on both sides a place of mighty consequence In the Campe before Privas the Peace was proclaym'd 'twixt France and England to dishearten them in the Town the more for they thought that the King of Great Britain was still involv'd in their Cause This Peace was negotiated by Georgi and Contarini Ambassadors to the Mayden Republic who yet may be call'd the Mother of Policy and able to read Lectures on that Thesis to the rest of Europe nor did there small glory redound to her by her succesfull intervention herein and by making her Saint Mark Mediator 'twixt two such mighty Monarks The words of the Proclamation before Privas pronounc'd alowd by a king of Arms were these Let the world know there is peace amity and good intelligence between his Majesty and his good Brother and Brother in law the King of Great Britain acessation of all acts of hostility betwixt them and their subjects with an entire confirmation of the ancient Alliances and of the Articles and Contract of Mariage with the Queen of Great Britain and an overture of a free and safe commerce between the subjects of the two Crowns Therefore all persons are prohibited to attempt any think in prejudice of the said Peace under pain of being punish'd as Disturbers of the public repose c. The generall Articles also were signed there interchangeably in the ordinary forme where of there were some extraordinary as that In regard it would be difficult to make restitution on either side of divers prises which have been taken in this war the two Crowns are accorded that there shall be no reprisall made by sea or in any other maner for that which is pass'd 'twixt the two Kings and their subjects during the said war And because there are divers vessels at Sea with Letters of Mart which give Commission to combat the enemies which cannot presently have notice of this Peace or receive Order to abstain from acts of hostility It is accorded that whatsoever shall passe the space of the two next moneths after this accord shall not derogate from or empeach this Peace or the good will of the two Crowns The King having dismantled Privas and secur'd other petty places he march'd to Alets a very considerable Garrison Town of them of the Religion which being also surrendred he march'd to Languedoc took Castres and Nismes once the darling of Rome when she had her Legions in those parts though now no Town throughout France be a greater enemy unto her These monstrous successes of the Kings made the Duke of Rohan hearken unto a Treaty therefore being at Anduza he convokes a kind of Assembly of the chiefest of them of the Religion to whom he made this notable speech Sirs You know well enough that the King doing me the honor as to acknowledge me his kinsman hath had particular consideration of me in all generall Treaties made with your party and that he hath made me to be perpetually sollicited to separat my self from you with assurances that he would raise my condition to such a point that might draw upon it the envy of the Princes and the greatest of his Kingdom Neither are you ignorant that the generall interests of the party being deerer unto me then mine own I have bin so far from lending an ear unto those charming propositions that to the contrary I have broak with his Majesty whensoever he hath refus'd or delay'd the execution of the Edicts pass'd in favor of us and exposing my self to his indignation I have run the hazard of my fortun my honor and life Gentlemen I pray do not think that since our Cause is conjoyn'd with that of God but that I continu as strong a zeal and inclination as ever towards it But in regard our affaires are in another condition perchance then you do imagin I have call'd you hither to instruct you and then to take such order that your wisdoms shall afford me to put in punctuall execution with as much fidelity as courage You must then consider that any time these eight yeers that the King hath warr'd with us heaven hath bin so favorable unto him that it seems he rather went to the routing of our troupes then to combat and by assaulting our strongest Towns he prepar'd rather for triumphant entries then sieges so that now the number of our combatants and the strength of our strongest places doth not serve as much to maintain our party as to augment his glory so many Towns in Poitou Saintonge Guyen and Languedoc which have not bin able toresist him as many dayes as we count moneths are most sensible proofs hereof Rochell alas with that he fetcht a profound sigh accompagnied with tears Rochell which we thought inexpugnable that prowd Town one of the miracles of Europe being now reduc'd to an open village on all sides doth carry and shall eternally beare the marks of the valour and good fortune of this glorious Monark Having demolish'd this strong rampart of the Gospel by which the whole party subsisted he hath penetrated the Kingdom from one Diameter to the other and travers'd in five or six dayes the Alps in the most rigorous season of the yeer which Julius Caesar accounted amongst his heroiquest actions and Hannibal could not do it in fifteen dayes without inestimable losse He hath forc'd the passe of Susa marching ore the belly of an Army entrench'd and fortified in a straight He hath deliver'd the Duke of Mantova from the oppression of the King of Spain and the Savoyard and oblig'd the latter who was Author of the War to receive such conditions of peace that he pleas'd to prescribe him Repassing the Alps with like celeritie he hath depriv'd us of Privas and taken multitudes of places more by the terror only of his victorious Arms. He is continually assisted by the Cardinal of Richelieu who for the fertility of his Invention for the solidity of his Counsels for the secrecy of his desseins for his hardines in execution and for his addresse in all affairs of consequence I
of being question'd and so clap'd in the Bastile For the second there was alwayes ill bloud 'twixt him and the Duke of Espernon A Gentleman related unto me one facetious passage that happen'd 'twixt them The Archbishop was to go upon an Expedition to Sea and the Duke giving him a visit at Bourdeaux the Archbishop sent two Gentlemen to attend him and to desire him to entertain himself a little for he was dispatching some Commanders and Officers that were to go instantly to Sea The Duke for a little pot is soon heated took this in disdain as he had reason being Governour in chief of the Countrey and went suddenly away to his House Cadillac five leagues above Bourdeaux The next morning the Archbishop went to pay him his visit and the Duke being told he was there he sent two of his Gentlemen to desire his Reverence to have patience a while in regard he was newly entred into a Chapter of Saint Augustines De Civitate Dei and he would waite upon him as soon as he had done The King besides this under Condé had divers other Armies abroad about this time One in Picardy under Chastillon who pass'd the Some and entring Arthois took all the Advenues towards Saint Omer old Hesdin having bin pillag'd and burnt before and at last sate before the place two thousand soldiers and nine hundred peasans were perpetually at work for a circumvallation Marshall de la Force came with a considerable Army to joyn with Chastillon but a little before Prince Tomaso had defeated two French Regiments and Piccolomini came afterwards to second him so there were very hot services perform'd on both sides at last the Spaniards having reliev'd the Town by taking the Fort of Bac by which advantage they might cast in what strength they would the French forsook their works and so rais'd a costly siege and march'd towards Renti which they took not without sweat and bloud and after that Carelet the one was quite demolish'd the other better fortified The Duke of Longueville was now for the King in the Franche Conté where there happen'd divers encounters 'twixt the Duke of Lorain and him and many places taken and succour'd by both parties To these land Exploits we will add a sea combat which was fought before Gattary this yeer 'twixt the Spanish Galeons and the French Fleet commanded by the Archbishop of Bourdeaux where divers of the Spanish Galeons were taken as also another fight 'twixt the Gallies of Marseilles and those of Spain neer Genoa in both which Neptun threw his trident in favour of France Prince Casimir the King of Polands brother passing to Spain to be Viceroy of Portugall was stop'd about Marseilles and made prisoner because he went disguis'd as also because he had rais'd troupes of Crabats for the service of the king of Spain There came also to Paris Zaga Christos the youngest son of Iacob Emperour of Aethiopia or the Hahissins whose hard fate after a long civill War was to be kill'd in the Plaines of Guera by one Susneos a Rebell who rendred himself afterwards Emperour Iacobs three sons were forc'd to fly and this being the youngest after many hazardous wandrings and accidents arriv'd at last in Italy and thence he came to Paris where he was entertain'd in the quality of a Prince France was at a high cumble of felicity at this time and to augment it the more the Queen was brought to bed of a Prince who made the seventeenth Dauphin of France since the first she had a speedy delivery at Saint Germain de lay the fifth of September the same moneth his father was born whither divers reliques had been brought her amongst others our Ladies girdle of Puy which she wore during her throngs The King was at dinner when newes was brought him and so he went suddenly to the Queens chamber where amongst the Ladies he found Monsieur his brother and he had good reason to be there to see what was brought into the world This was one of the rarest passages of this kind that ever happen'd in France or any other part of the world it being little lesse then a miracle that a young King and Queen should bed so long together and not have any issue till the twenty third yeer of their cohabitation and concumbence for so long was this Dauphin a getting One may easily imagine what triumphings and publique acclamations of joy were up and down France for this so long expected Royal Off-spring nor was this gladnes bounded there but it dispers'd it self up and down all places of Christendom that were friends to France and struck a kind of wonderment into the world In Rome there were divers inventions and curiosities found out to expresse a congratulation Before the French Ambassadors Palace who was then the Marshall De Estrée there was a triumphant Obelisck with the armes of France and this ostentous Inscription underneath Ludovici XIII Christianissimi Galliarum et Navarrae Regi Qui Pullulantem per avita regna Haereticam Hydram Petulantem in Orbe Christiano novum Geryonem Herculea Clava compressit Aras per impietatem eversas Principes per tyrannidem oppressos Armata pietate restituit Aequissimi Herois Justitiae debito Delphino Inter aurea Lilia nascenti Inter paternos lauros vagienti Futuro futurorum monstrorum Alcidi In afflictorum subsidium In Tyrannorum excidium In Liliorum aeternum germen In Ecclesiae invictum columen Ecaelo in terris stupenda ratione demisso Plausus Acclamationes Trophaea Futurae Gloriae argumenta praesentis laetitiae Monumenta Attollit adjungit erigit Franciscus Hannibal Estraeus c. For publique arguments of joy Prisoners and Gallislaves were releas'd two were ennobled in every Generalty throughout the Kingdom besides foure Masters were created in every Trade throughout France with divers other priviledges afforded them of Paris This yeer 1638. was fruitfull for Royall Princess els-where for besides the French Dauphin the King of Spain had a daughter and the Emperour had a son borne within the compas of it The siege before Brisac whereof we spake before grew more and more stubburn in so much that the Town began now to think of making her last Will and Testament and so bequeath'd her self into the hands of Bernard Weymar who besides Dutch English Sweds and Scotch had an Army of 10000. French under his command The said Weymar pretended a propriety to the place otherwise after so obstinat an opposition and slaughter of his men he had given no quarter There were 135. Peeces taken in the Town and Castle with very much Treasure After she was taken there happend an ilfavor'd travers twixt the Duke and the King who would have put a French Governour into the Town it went so far that the French Army made towards the Duke and his Germans with others who discharg'd upon them and divers were kill'd on both sides but the French fury was appeas'd and matters were suddenly aton'd so a mix'd
staple of Sugars she urg'd also enhancement of toll new exactions and other pressures lastly she complain'd of strangers to be her Viceroys as Casimir the King of Polands brother was intended for her had he not bin intercepted in France In so much that it was easie for Spain to have bin a Prophetesse of this defection therefore her wonted policy and foresight was much questioned that she did not put out of the way and engage in some forren employment the Duke of Bragansa who was us'd to be perpetually almost at Madrid When the King of Spain told Olivares of this revolt and that there was a new King proclaim'd the Favorit slighted it saying Es Rey de havas Sir he is but a bean or twelfnight King but we find now he was far out of his account Never was there a generall Revolt perfected in so short a compasse of time for within lesse then a moneth Don Iohn of Bragansa was so settled in the Kingdomes of Portugall and the Algarves without any opposition at all or marke of strangenes as if he had bin King thereof twenty yeers together before The King of Spain writ a Letter to Bragansa now King to this effect Duke my Cosen some odd newes are brought me which I esteem folly considering the proof I have had of the fidelitie of your House Give me advertisement accordingly because I ought to expect it from you Do not draw a trouble upon your self and hazard not the esteem I make of your life to the fury of a mutinous rabble but let your wisdom comport you so that your person may escape the danger My counsell will advise you further So God keep you Your Cosen and King To which Letter this answer was return'd My Cosen my Kingdom desiring its naturall King and my subjects being oppressed with gabells and new impositions have executed without contradiction that which they had oft times attempted by giving me the possession of a Kingdom which appertains unto me Wherefore if any will go about to take it from me I will seek justice in my armes defence being permitted God preserve your Majesty Don Iohn the Fourth King of Portugall This put the King of Spain at such a stand having on both sides of him two sorts of subjects not onely risen up but quite cut off from him that as the Proverb runs in that Countrey he could not tell what wood to make his shafts of nor could Olivares which was held such a Santon know what Bead to pray upon or what Saint to addresse himself unto And certainly these were two mighty shocks to the Spanish Monarchy nor could they happen in a time more disadvantagious she having so many engagements abroad and having met with such ilfavor'd rancounters by Land and Sea of late yeers It is also considerable that this check at home befell her after well-neer an Age of a profound unshaken peace and desuetude of armes in Spain her self where civil war hath bin so great a stranger notwithstanding that she still bred soldiers abroad and found means to embroyle the world alwayes in some place or other Which makes some interpret this intestine war to be a visible iudgement fallen upon her from heaven for disturbing the peace of her neighbours But I have observ'd it to be the genius of a true Spaniard and I honour him for it not to bow and hang down his head like a bulrush at every puff of adverse Fortune nor to yeeld to the fury of the tempest but to rouse up his spirits more stiffly to resist Et contra audentior ire In this double trance the King was advis'd to apply his strength first to suppresse the Catalan the sturdy Montaneer and till that work were finish'd to stand onely upon the defensive part against Portugall who is not esteem'd so much a man Besides these disasters that befel the K. of Spain thus at his own doors he had another happen'd unto him in the Netherlands for his Brother Don Fernando the Cardinal Infante died in the beginning of his manhood at Brussells being of about the same age as his second Brother Don Carlos was of about 30. who died some yeers before the world did take occasion to wonder that these two Princes in the flower and prime vigour of their age should thus fall Don Carlos the yeer before he died desir'd of his brother to be Viceroy of Portugall which was denied him Moreover it was observ'd he drew more affection from the Spaniards in generall by the colour of his complection because he was black for one shall hear the people of Castillia sigh up and down and pray that God would please to send them a King once again of their own colour Moreover besides this popular affection he was extremely well beloved of the soldiers for whom he was alwayes ready to do good offices and they address'd themselves more to him then to any These circumstances made odd impressions in the minds of many which gave occasion of censuring and scattering of libells up and down touching his death whereof I thought it not impertinent to insert one here but not to impose a beleef upon the Reader thereby It was drop'd down in the Court at Brussels Fernando Carlos murió Y dizen fue su Homicida Quien a vos os desterró Lo que os aconsejo yo Es que a Bethlem no bolvais Hasta que muera Herodes Que la muerte os espera En la sombra que pisais Thus unspanioliz'd and rendred into English Charles died Fernando and they say He who Thee banish'd did him slay If to my Counsell thou give eare Again to Bethlem go not neare Till Herod's gone for death doth watch In thine own shadow Thee to catch This Revolt of Portugall was no great news to the French Cardinal who had his spirits walking there as well as in Barcelona and every where els He had this Spring wrought the Duke of Lorain to come to Paris where he arriv'd in indifferent good equippage considering how many bitter showers had fallen and weatherbeaten him before for he had arm'd five times upon severall desseins and Fortune alwayes frown'd upon him Which some hold to be a visible judgement fallen upon him as also that he is a kind of exile from his own ancient Princely inheritance for abandoning his first wife by whose right he came to the full and unquestionable possession of Lorain and cohabiting with another The King entertaines him with a magnificence sutable to his quality and the Cardinall is as busie as a Bee to give him all outward content The one sends him fifty thousand Pistols the other twenty thousand in a great bason When he came before the King he complemented for matters pass'd and kneeling twise the King takes him up telling him That he had forgotten all matters pass'd and for the future he would espouse his quarrells and interests and make them his own And so it seems he hath done for he hath so
to his youngest brother Armand whose life we write But afterwards by his meanes the Carthusian Fryer was brought to accept of the Archbishoprick of Aix in Provence then of Lions and so ascended to be Cardinal He had also two sisters Frances maried to the Baron of Pont de Curlay who had of her the Duchesse of Esguillon And Nicola his second sister was maried to the Marquis of Brezé Marshall of France and first French-Viceroy of Catalonia in Spain upon the late revolt who hath a son and a daughter by her Iohn Armand the son was Generall of the French Army in the West and employ'd Ambassador extraordinary to congratulat the new King of Portugall Clara Clemente the daughter was maried lately to the Duke of Anguiern eldest son to the Prince of Condé When his brother Alphonso had transmitted unto him the Bishoprick of Lusson he went to Rome for a Consecration and Paul the Fifth dispenc'd w th his incapacity of age for he was but 21 yeers old Some report that the Pope observing the height and activity of his spirit was overheard to say That that young Prelat would overturn the world being return'd to France from Rome and brought to kisse Henry the Fourths hands he was somewhat taken with him telling him that he was come from that place whence one day should descend upon him the greatest honor that Rome could affoord a Frenchman and afterwards he was us'd to call him his Bishop For divers yeers he applied himself altogether to the function of his Ministery and us'd to preach often in the Kings Chappell In the Assembly of the three States he was chosen Orator for the Ecclesiastiques where his pregnancy of wit first appeer'd publicly in matters of State Where upon he got footing afterward at Court and was made great Almoner Then his abilities discovering themselfs more and more he was nominated Ambassador extraordinary for Spain to accommode the differences then a foot 'twixt the Dukes of Savoy and Mantova when the Princes started out in discontent and put themselfs in armes to demolish the Marshall of Ancre some Privy Counsellors were outed of their Offices at Court amongst others Monsieur Villeray had his Writ of ease for being any more Secretary of State and the Bishop of Lusson was thought the fittest man to succeed him and to receive the Seales which he did and this diverted him from his forren employment to Spain When the Marquis of Ancre was Pistol'd and his wife beheaded there was a new face of things at Court another generation of Officers grew out of the corruption of the old among others Villeroy steps in to be Secretary of State again in the room of the Bishop of Lusson yet was the King willing he should sit still at the Counsell Table and Monsieur de Vignobles brought him an intimation of the Kings pleasure to that purpose But the Queen Mother retyring from Paris to Blois he chose rather to go with his old Mistresse then stay with a young Master as the pulse of the Court did beat then By some ill offices that were done 'twixt the King and his Mother by factious spirits many jealousies were dayly fomented between them Hereupon the Bishop of Lusson had order to withdraw himself from her Court so he retir'd to his Priory of Caussay but that distance being thought not sufficient he betook himself to his Bishoprick at Lusson and that place also being suspected to be too neer he was sent to Avignon the Popes Town which might be call'd a banishment for it was out of the Dominion of France Discontents growing higher twixt the King and his Mother till at last they broak out into a War and there being Armies on both sides in motion Luynes writ a Letter to the Bishop to repaire to Angoulesme to which Letter there was a Postscript annex'd all of the Kings own hand to the same effect The Queen Mother was fled thither from the Castle of Blois and by means of the Duke of Espernon with others had considerable forces a foot Here was a brave opportunity offer'd for the Bishop to shew his head-peece in atoning matters 'twixt the Mother and the Son for which end he was inordred to repaire thither He negotiated the busines so succesfully by his dextrous addresses and flexaminous strains of eloquence that he took away the inflamation of the wound and so made it easily curable A Treaty was agreed upon and the Capitulations being drawn he brought them to the King who receiv'd him with much shew of grace and so all matters were accommoded But this accommodation did not heale quite and consolidat the wound for it had not search'd it to the bottome therefore it began to fester and more putrified matter broak out of it then formerly The Mother and the Son take up armes again and the Bishop of Lusson was one of the prime Instruments to re-compose the busines which was done at last very effectually The merit of these high services got him a Red Hat and the dignity of Cardinal though some difficulties and many delayes interven'd before the finall dispatch came from Rome Then was he chosen Provisor of the ancient Colledge of Sorbon where he procur'd of the King that a new Chair of Controversie should be erected He also repair'd and much beautified that Colledge Then upon the instance and by the advice of the Queen Mother he was elected Prime Minister of State and Director in chief under the King of all matters concerning the public Government of the Kingdome so he came to be call'd the Argos of France The first great action that was performed by his guidance when he was clim'd to this Plenipotentiary power was the Mariage with England the Marquis of Vieu ville had been employ'd in this great busines but the Cardinal got some of the Capitulations better'd and more to the advantage of France alledging that it was not fit his Master being the Eldest Son of the Church should have conditions inferiour to those of Spain With this Match with England there was an alliance also made about the same time with Holland for a summe of Money These were the two first Coups d' estat stroaks of State that he made and it was done with this forecast that France might be the better enabled to suppres them of the Religion which the Cardinal found to be the greatest weaknes of that Kingdom Some of them being Pensioners to other Princes to embroyle France upon all occasions He found then that the House of Austria had got some advantage and encrease of power by certain holds it had seiz'd upon in the Valtolin He adviseth his King to ligue with the Venetian and the Savoyard which he did and so spoil'd the design of the Spaniard that way The King being told that upon the beheading of the Count of Chalais and the imprisonment of the Marquis of Ornano about Monsieurs Mariage his Cardinal had thereby got divers enemies he appointed him a band