his sayde Countrie of Bearne whom all men knowe to be a Catholique with expresse commission there to set up agayne the Catholique Romishe religion Yet notwithstanding the great dispayre that then was of the affayres of religioÌ„ in Fraunce notwithstanding the contrary profession of him selfe which might serue for an example to his subiectes and notwithstanding the aucthoritie of a gouernour by him expressly sent they did all resolue to perseuer in their religion and maintaine the forme of their estate without receiuing the said alteration in religion Wherefore the sayde King of Nauarre thought and let al men indge whether without good reason or not that it was a firme and well grounded resolution of his estats forasmuch as necessity yea that such necessitie as giueth law to al laws was not in any wise able to remoue them from it Also it is most true that in the assemblies of the estaes which are from yéere too yéere holden in his said countrie of Bearne there neuer appeared any man that required this change of religion though as it is well knowen there is suche libertie vsed in those assemblies that the least griefe pretended to haue béen rereiued from the Prince may be propounded with request of reformation and recompence whereby it appeareth to be afore any practise of the enufers of the tranquilitie of his subiectes and not an in warde desire of them And yet for all that the sayde Lord the king of Nauarre hath not ceased to make continual payment of the pentions of the Prelats and other Ecclesiastical persons of his said countrie for proofe wherof he will bring foorth no other witnesses but them selues and that most often with his owne proper money as the bishops of Acques and Oleron and others well knowe And that more is of his owne mâ—ere motion for the contentation of suchâ— of his subiectes as might continue in the Catholique Romishe religion he moderated touching the cause of Religion the ordenaunces of the Quéene his mother â—â—ceased which were but very small amercenâ—entes in monie So far of was it euer in those parties from such procéeding against the Catholiques by banishment corporall â—â—nishment death burnings torments searching sifting as they that in these bayes call themselues the protectors of the Catholique Romish religion haue counsailed practised and brought in against the professors of the contrary religion And héereof the Catholiques of Bearne are witnesses who there liue in all peace and tranquillity Of whome many doo exercise notable offices either in the same Countrey or néere about the person of the sayd King of Nauarre and and hath the chéefest charge in his gards and bee Captaynes of his best houses which it is not likely that he wold euer allow or consent vnto if he had vsed any euill dealing toward them or if he kept any grudge in his heart to bee executed against them héereafter By the premisses it is sufficiently answered to theyr affirmation whereby they pretende him to be the sworne enemie of the Catholiques Yet neuertheles the sayde Lorde the King of Nauarre desirous to open his hart to al the world wil not sticke to lay open vnto them his affections and actions Wherefore the sayde King of Nauarre declareth that heâ— acknowledgeth and beléeueth and hath alwayes beléeued and acknowleged that in case the foundation of a good conscience be layde thereon the diuersity of religion is no empechement to a good Prince to drawe very good seruice indifferently from his subiects nor any hinderaunce to the subiects to yéelde theyr allegeance and bounden duties in all maner of respects as well to theyr superiours as to their Princes forasmuch as it is euident that both the religions equally according to the word of God doo recommend the duetie of the subiecte towarde his Prince and of the inferiour toward his superior And therefore the sayd Lord the King of Nauarre hath alwayes noted thys that he hath béene as faithfully serued by the one as the other As for example in the destribution of the offices of his house all men knowe well enough he hath indifferently furnished them with both sortes of men Also the sayd Lord the King of Nauarre knoweth himselfe to be well beloued and faithfully serued by Catholique Gentlemen and other persons of all degrees wheme hée hath accepted into his seruice as on their behalfes they wil all volutarily acknowledge themselues to bee loued by him without acception of religion and that according to the proportion of his ability he hath bestowed goods and honours vppon them as largely and more abundantly yea in the very tyme of warres then he did to the professors of his owne religion And further it is not vnknown to the Lords Gentlemen and all other Catholiques that during the time of the troubles he spared them as much as hee coulde in theyr goods and houses neuer suffering anie rigour of warre to be vsed to them no not so much as against hys owne Vassalles that rose in Armes against hym and were present at the destroying of his proper houses who notwithstanding after the warres were ended making their repayre vnto hym were all welcome to his presence and neuer receyued for theyr disloyall doings so much as an euill word or angry countenaunce at his handes So farre of hath he béene from practising against theÌ„ directly or indirectly according to the sundry meanes which the Lord hath ouer his Vassall any kinde of stomacke or reuengement Thus much also dare the King of Nauarre promise of his actions that so many of the Catholiques as vouchsafed to approche to him departed againe with good contentation without obseruing any thing in him whereby they coulde presnnre other wise then that hee bare a naturall affection to embrace all the Kings subiects and seruants of what soeuer religion they bee promising in like sort on theyr behalfe the like good wyll that they haue alwayes shewed towardes his The sayve King of Nauarre thinketh that the effects aboue specified which he hath hyther to continued are of sufficient weight to confute the allegations proclaimed against him by his enemies Yet neuertheles haue they affirmed that the sayd Lord the King of Nauarre hath sent into Englande and Germany to conclude a league to the destruction and confusion of the Catholiques for that as they allevge he foresawe the Kinges death and meant whensoeuer the same should happen to be in a readinesse to chaunge religion c. to inuade the possessions of the Clergie and confiscate them of the Novititie which woulde not ioyne themselues as adherents to his inâ—ention Vppon the which matter they haue dispersed in all places yea and caused to bee read in Sermons in the open Pulpitte a certaine concorde or agréement of the yeere a thousand syue hundred and eighty foure pretending the same to beare date the fourteenth of December as resulting of an assembly holden as they alledge at the instance of the said king of Nauarre at Magdebourgh that like wise
actions before all the abouesayde Princes and Nations to whose testimonie and iudgement hee willingly yeldeth himselfe that he hopeth not for any saluation otherwise then in the Christian faith and ReligioÌ„ which hee embraceth with all hartie affection and for an infallible rule thereof hee receaueth the word coÌ„tained in the olde and new Testament which it hath pleased GOD to preserue in this darknes for the light direction of his Church that hee beleeueth one Catholike and Apostelike Church for the preferuation continuall endewing wherof with all manner of graces bee daily prayeth vnto to God and would thinke himselfe most happie to shedde his blood in the defence thereof against the Infidelles That he beleeueth the Creedes or abridgements of the Christian faith which haue bene set downe by the same Catholike and Apostlike Church to serue as markes or cognisances whereby the Christians and Rightbeleeuers may be discerned froÌ„ such as thinke amisse of the faith and from heretikes And also bee embraceth the most auncient famous and lawfull Counsels that haue bene holden against them He reiecteth and detesteth with all his hart all doctrines by them condemned and for the reuerence he beareth to the Church yea wil be alwayes ready to yeld to her iudgement and stand to her decrée when shee shal be orderly assembled in a lawfull and holy counsell As touching the matter in controuersie whereof in these dayes there is question in the church The said Lord the King of Nauarre desireth that consideration may bee had that hee is not the onely man nor the first that hath complained of the abuses brought into the church and desired reformation of the same And therfore it should bee too harde that this most true Christian desire to see the Church reformed should be imputed vnto him as heresie or enimitie against the same In that for the space of fiue hundred yeares and aboue it hath bene a common complaint of all Princes of all learned men and of all holy personnages that the Churche through all this long tract of tyme hath lost much of her first puritie and sinceritie for shee being thus compounded of men who without doubt euer with theÌ„selues added brought some what of their owne inuentions vnto her So that it hath bene the voyce of all Councelles without exception of any which haue béene holden within the compasse of the time aforesaid that the Church had great néede of reformation which in euery age hath béene long desired yea and vehemently sighed for by all the best sort of men out of whose mouthes this sentence would neuer else haue procéeded to witte that whosoeuer should affirme the Church to haue néede of purging ought to be taken for an heretike and enimie of the same That the most Christian Kings well perceauing the same haue often for the like effect thought it to appertaine to their office and toward the discharge of their consciences to exhort the Pope and Christian Princes to a generall Councell which in the Popes default and in case hee winked at the matter they could very well take vppon them to call together by their owne authoritie froÌ„ whence haue proceeded vnder their owne names most laudable ordynaunces for the reformation of the french Church So that in the ende after long complaint of many ages wheÌ„ they to whome the matter seemed to appertaine would not take in hande but rather as all men know imployed themselues in the affaires of the worlde it came to passe that many Princes Peoples and estates with great care weying and coÌ„sidering the reasons alledged vnto them and seeing the defence and maintenaunce of the same by the great constancie of infinite Parsons of all degrées in most gréeuous torments euen vnto th'extremitie of death did remit the said reformation to a lawful Councell and vpon refusall of the same did protest against the abuses which they pretented to be in the Churche and thereunto did laye their owne helping hande to redresse the same from whence sprang the Schisme which the saide Lord the King of Nauarre doth nowe bewaile to see in the Christian Church and against the which it was not vnpossible in so long tyme to find remedie if the honour of God and the saluation of men had touched vs as neere as our owne glorie or particular profit The sayd King of Nauarre in regard of him selfe saith that he was not only borne during this vnhappy Schisme that thus hath happened in the Christian Churche the coÌ„tinuance whereof he iudgeth ought to be imputed to such as sought not means to revnite the Churche as they ought to haue done but also that hee was brought vp in Fraunce while th'exercise of both the Religions was permitted by the King in the generall estates of his Realme and after confirmed by many of his Maiesties Edictes besides he was nourished and instructed in his tender years in this beliefe that there were great abuses in the doctrine of the Romishe Church which 〈◊〉 great neede of reformation And after that hee was confirmed in the same all â—ell by the conference of many lenthed me as all so by reading the holy Scriptures So that he beléeueth in his hartâ—â—â—éely cofâ—â—eth with his mouth that he is verily perâ—â—aded that the trueth is on his side Which hath beene an occasion of his falling into very many dangers and losses rather then to 〈◊〉 the same By which occasion also to his great griefe he neuer hande the meane to do such seruices neither to bee partalier of the good grace fauour of his soueraigne Lord and Prince as otherwise without doubt he might haue done if hee could with a safe conscience haue framed himselfe so that profession which his Maâ—essle followeth Yet notwithstanding to giue knowledge to all men that whatsoeuer hee hath done in that respect was not of obstinacie but of constancie neither by ambition but for the onely desire of his saluation hee most humbly besâ—cheth his Maiestie to cause a free and lawfull councell to be helden according to the promises alwayes made by his edicts The said King of Nauarre being alwayes ready to receiue instruction from the same and to rule his beliefe according to that whiche there shal be discided concerning the controuersies in religion As for the counsel of Trent it is not to be obeyed For although the continuance thereof was prosecuted by the late king Charles and in the ende obteyned at the handes of Pope Paulus the thirde and after the proclayming thereof Ambassadores were sent from his maiestie to the same counsell with Christian and Catholike instructions agréeable to the holy decres of the romish church and approued by the Colledg of Sorbonne and the Doctors of the same sent to the said counsell with the sayd Ambassadors Yet not withstanding all their diligence vsed toward the Cardinales Legates and presidentes in the saide Counsell by the space of eightéene Monethes and aboue it was not possible to obteyne any thing conformable to
people so much as the space of one onely day Yet it is well knowen that if he had been so minded it lay in his handes at that time to haue serued his owne turne with the armie of the Rutters who euery houre were readie for default of their pay at the Kinges handes according to the articles of the peace to enter into a mutinie and turne their heads towardes Paris Contrariwise then was the time wherein the heades and maisters of this league abusing his clemencie and goodnes deuised this pretended holy league agaynst the kinges edict then newly proclaymed whereby in expresse woordes they swoore the vtter destruction of them of the religion without any exception or acception of persons and without respect or regard of alliance affinitie consanguinitie kinred or brotherhood Such as entred thereinto without looking into the depth of the matter drewe themselues out as soone as they knewe it And a◠concerning the saide King of Nauarre then wore the instructions discouered which as this day are put in execution concluding his death also the death of my Lord the prince his Cozin and all their blood Note of Dauid the aduocate for the preparing of a more easie waye to the aduersaries as is expressely set downe to the inuasion of this kingdome Heere let all men indge who at that time was the agent or pacient the persecuter or the persecuted Thence issued the ciuill wars of the yéere one M. flue hundred seauēty seanen whē they had induced the assēblie of Bloys to the execution of their deuise it had béene altogether against nature if the sayde King of Nauarre or they that are of his profession had not made resistaunce against the same For thereby a snare was layde for his person and life his conscience and honor were layd for by the same and the kingdome or royall estate as nowe manifestlie appeareth was in daunger The great inconuenience and perrill which the king perceiued not did then but begin to bud foorth insomuch that his maiestie could not imagine anie such thing toward them who helde all their prosperity of him But the King of Nauarre wel foresawe it yea contrariwise the defaulte of resisting the same woulde haue béene the betraying of himselfe the destruction of this estate and the submission of himselfe to their desires in stéede of setting himselfe against the same In the meane space though the cruell clauses of the conspiracie were very suffcient immediatly to turne his patience into fury and the naturall mildnes and mercy of them that issue of his house into reuenge although also he saw the professors of his religion to runne to him from all partes béeing rigorously persecuted or put to theyr choyse to depart the Realme or recant theyr religion Yet neuerthelesse the sayde Lord the King of Nauarre in the Townes vnder his power would not vse the like maner of dealing toward the Catholiques nor against the Monkes and Clergiemen which indéede might be suspected and disfauoure the execution of his affayres On the contrary side they of Agen well know which example he alleageth for that there was the place of his resident hauing a byshopricke in it and being a towne of some fame that the Catholikes there suffered no hard dealing in theyr persons or goodes nor discontinuaunce in the matter of their religion That the Clergie applyed their accustomed seruices That the Monkes preached freely in the greatest heate of the sayd troubles That be was content the professors of his religion should make theyr sermons in priuate and borrowed houses to the ende the professors of the Romish religion shoulds not in any wise be troubled That for the furnishing of necessaries for his defence he tooke not aboue the tenthes which the King was wont to leuie vpon the clergie At what time all his patrimony was seasd and taken out of his handes in all places whereof my Lorde the Duke of Montpencido may be witnes a prince most affectioned to the Romish religion as all men very well knowe And also Mounsier the Marshall of Biron my L. the Archbishop of Vienna Mounsir de Villeroy secretary of estate to his Maiestie and many others that were beholders of it vpon the places can giue testimony of the same As soone as liberty of conscience was granted albeit with very great restraint in comparison of the former edict he vnarmde him selfe without delay though as hys Maiestie best of all others knoweth hee coulde haue continued the warres with greater power and meanes by reason of the notable ayde which hee had procured from the Princes of hys religion béeing so farre forwarde that a strong Armye of straungers was at the poynt of entring into this kingdome thinking himselfe happy to haue dispatched the same away in sort that the poore people by occasion thereof might suffer no farther inconuenience choosing rather by succouring them to impayre his owne condition then to better it with theyr hinderaunce Wherefore the sayd Lorde the King of Nauarre prayeth all men freely to speake theyr mindes whether hee hath in any respect by his demencures descrued the name of a persecutor which his enimies attribute vnto him that would not take this resolution to suffer them goe forwarde with the execution of theyr barbarous persecutions and bloudie deuises against him at the first shewe but consequently against the Kinges Maiesty and his royall estate In those Countries where the saide King of Nauarre by the grace of God hath soucraigne power and authority he thinketh also to haue as little deserued this blame in the iudgement of them that haue well knowne the nature of matters and the order of his procéedinges And in all that remaineth to him of the kingdome of Nauarre where at his comming to hys dignity he founde the exercise of the Catholique Romish religion it is most certeyne that he hath neither altered nor innouated any thing therein in so much that the seruice of the same is there stil vsed at this day without any exercise of the reformed religion sauing in two places onely And as touching his countrie of Bearne which is no great land the Quéene his mother in a generall assemblie of the estates did there establish the said religion whereof her selfe made profession and no complaynt of the chaung of religion followed thereuppon to the said estates in the space of many yéeres after it had continued in the same estate as he hath alredie fréely declared hauing alwaies been of this opiniō that a discréet and well counseiled Prince without great necessitie or euident profit ought not to bring any chaunge into his estate And though commoditie or necessitie shoulde require the same yet it were expedient that it shoulde be accomplished by the like waye whereby the constitution was before made Nowe he had well pérceiued that after Bartholmew day when him selfe by force and violence had yéelded in the cause of religion and sent Monsir de Mieussent for gouernour and Liuetenant generall into
at an assemblie holden at Montanban hee had promised sworne whensoeuer the kings death shold chance to abolish the Catholique Romish religion stripping her of all her goods 〈◊〉 possessions and to depriue the professors thereof from all estates and dignities Here shall euidently appeare how easilie euery slaunder naturally shall open and confute her selfe First therefore the said king of Nauarre protesteth in his conscience before God that with all his hart he desireth and wisheth prosperous and long life to the King his soueraigne Lord and neuer entred into any conceipt or opinion to builde any deuise or purpose either vpon his death or after Whiche be thinketh were not onely offences of hygh treason that could not otherwise proceede then from a disâ—oyall and miserable desâ—re of the death of his Prince which would be pursued with all spéedie effect if power serued thereto But also an offence in all respectes against nature and common sence for as much as his maiestie thankes be to God is in the chiefe streÌ„gth and time of his age and ful of health and further so smal difference betwéene both their ages that it were a ridiculous matter in respect of the difference of twoo yéeres or there aboutes to take suche aduantage one ouer the other So farre hath the saide king of Nauarre alwaies been from conceyuing any imagination as the heads of the league haue done to condemne the king as readie to die by foreseeing the consequentes of his death or forty yéeres as the sayde king of Nauarre hopeth before any neede require and that vnder coulour of prouiding for the affayres of the Realme although in the meane space they cast the same into most lamentable confusion So farre also hath he euer béene from making open declarations touching the pronouncing and foreiudging of the 〈◊〉 and Quéene his wife to be barraine in the flower and best strength of their age as the said confederates haue done beinge a thing neuer practised before in the estates of christiendome and a thing also which the estates of England would not require of the Quéene of Englands yet vmnaryed reposing them selues vppon her wisedome that she hauing gouerned them in peace during her life wil leaue the same for an inheritance to their posteritie To be breef the said kyng of Nauarre neuer did se much as once require his soue raigne Lord and King to declare him to be that which naturally and lawfully he is or to giue any signe or token thereof eyther by preferring and aduancing him or otherwise although the confederates of the saide pretended holy league haue enterprised the like who haue armed agaynst him my Lorde the Cardmall of Bourbon a Prince of the age of thréescooe and sire yéeres who is also a Prince without all hope both of maringe and posterity to be his heire as though the Kinges Ma. their soueraigne Lord had not aboue a yéere or 2. to lyue to haue children and as though we shold rather expect issue from an olde man hauing alwaies liued in single life then froÌ„ the kings maiesties florishing marriage in the most chiefe and principall age of himselfe and his Quéene and wife And as though for all that the said Lorde the King of Nauarre coulde not perceiue the subtil deuises which the same persons haue a long time been in deuising against him and also the practises which they made a gainst him in the townes together with the conspiracies that craftily they entred into Italy and Spayne to barre him when the K. death should happen from the right of succession to this kingdom for the which his hope is that God wil grant him such grace giuing long life to the Kinges Maiestie as that hee shall not haue any matter of controuersre assuring himselfe that whatsoeuer it bee that Lâ—â—â— or nature will giue vnto him his onimies shall neuer with all their leagues practises be able to empeach and hinder him from the obteyning of the same The saide Lord the king of Nauarre frankely confesseth that by a long space he hath perceined the indirect deuises of these confederates agaynst the Kyng and his royall estate And maketh most humble petition to his maiestie to call to remembrance the aduertismenter that the saide him of Nauarre gaue vnto his royall maiestie in that behalfe in the yéere of our Lorde M. v.c.lx and 〈◊〉 At what time he purposely seÌ„t to his grace a gentelman with certen remembrances concorning the very same matters from poynt to poynt that this day are taken in hande to be executed When also these confederates beganne to lay their foundation under colour of the name of bretherhood and holy league That soone aster thepease concluded in the yéere M. v. c.lx and xvii he perceiued the frame and building there of exected by the sturâ—â—â— then madoamong the estates stirâ—od vp by theÌ„ diuers prouinces agaynst the seruice of his Maiestie so farre that they would haue enticed the very professors of the reformed religion to the same had entred into treaty with the most noble Prince Cazimire Countie Palatine of Rhyne Who as he will alwaies confesse seeing into the depth of their deuises pretended against the estate for the honour amitie which his auncesters had alwaies borne to the house of Fraunce would not harken any further to that matter That afterward as the affayres of the enemies proceeded from steppe to steppe the king of Nauarre also made discouery of their treaties in Italy Spain of the money that was receiued of the matters by them propounded in those partes and what answeres they receyned touching the same Whereunto the King his maiesty who in his mind could not conceiue so great ingratitud to lurke in their hartes towarde him made it a hard matter to be beleued neuerthelesse the said King of Nauarre vid expect some suddayne clappe of this mischiefe from day to day as a ruine throughly perceiued by him before That he remeâ—red the taking and execution of Salcedo who had confessed a great part of those things which are well perceyued at this daye which then were endeuoured to be obscured by craft and cunning sleightes But yet the certenty thereof stayed in the hartes of the kings true subiectes That Mounsire who is deceased hadde not without good ground giuen aduertismeÌ„t thereof to the King that vnlesse Salcedo had been gyltie of more then ordinarie crymes the King would neuer haue taken so much paines as to send two of the chiefest of his counsell of estate into the lowe countries to fetche him to his presence Neyther would haue been present at hys examinations and repetition of hys depositions c. Whereupon it followed that by the diffâ—itiue sentence of the Courte of Parliament at Paris hee was pulled in peeces with foure horses as a high traytor to the king and all the estate of Fraunce That by theyr memorialls proceedinges and theyr assotiations newely made in the most part of the good townes of this Realme there was
sufficient euidence giuen that theyr colour and pretence was to roote out that religion which the King of Nauarre professeth and most specially so bestroy him if it lay in their power in sort that the first stroke of their thunderbolt 〈◊〉 haue lighted first vpon his heade If his maiestie in the meanespaâ—e sawe not into the ende of their practises By occasion whereof the saide king of Nauarre perceiuing the king his Soueraigne Lord had giuen no order therein and foreséeing their pretence tended to destroy the protestantes was iustly moued to haue regard to his affayres And therefore about the yeâ—re M. v.r.lxxx and thrée he dispatched Mounsir de Segur Pardillian superintendent of his house to the Quéene of Englande the King of Denmarke the princes â—lectors of Almanie the Lantgraue of Hesse and other Princes and estates First to exhort them to séeke meanes to agrée the â—outrouersies in religioÌ„ which remayned 〈◊〉 the reformed churches and were abused to their common destruction Secondly to renewe and assure a perfect amisâ—â—e with them without desiring or employing them any farther Thirdlye to furnishe in Almanye a good some of money therewith to prouâ—d wheÌ„ néede should require a conueniâ—t succor against his mortal enimies At the which Kings Princes and estates are straighly allied to the Crowne of Fraunce with whom the King his Soueraigne Lorde hath Ambassadores with which Ambassadores the saide Mounsier de Segur had expresse charge to conferre and so did at certaine times whom he tooke for witnesses of his sayinges doinges of his propositions negotiations conclusions And after his returne the saide King of Nauarre most humbly besought his maâ—estie to giue commaundement that with aâ— diligence information might be taken brought to his Maiestie of aâ— his legatioÌ„ being fully assured that therin they may most playnely beholde his french hart sincere affection true loyaltie towarde his maiesties person and Royall estate Wherefore the said King of Nauarre requireth al the aforesaid most noble kings princes to giue testimonye to the King vnder their owne signetts to his kingdome and al christendome whether at any tyme there haue been on his behalfe any letters or instructions deliuered 〈◊〉 communication had either againste the Kinges dignitye or against the wealth and felicity of hys estate or in any respect coÌ„trary to the duety 〈◊〉 a most humble and most deuoute seruant subiecte whether euer hee mooued them to make warre vpon the King to renue the troubles or destroy the Catholiques whether euer any ouerture hath béene directly or indirectly made vnto them touching the Kings death or any matter to followe vpon the same Also the sayde Lord the King of Nauarre most humbly beséechâ—th hys Maiestie that he may be tollerated to sende thys hys declaration to the sayde Princes against the aforementioned flaunders and to cause the same to bee presented by his Maiesties owne Ambassadors to wytte by euery of them in the place wher he is resident to all Christian Princes fréendes and confederates of this kingdome To thys ende that if he haue treated of any lyke matter then they nowe seeing him protest the contrary may estéeme him for a counterfeyte Prince of small fayth and troth and in all respectes vnwoorthye of theyr amity and fréendshyppe which hys abouesayd enemies goe about to make suspected And which for hys owne parts he franklie declareth that his desyre is with all carefulnes to entertayne as hee thinketh he hath most reasonably sought the same As touching the concord or agréement the aduersaryes allege it to beare date the fourtéenth day of December in the yéere 1580. and there make the sayds Mounsier de Segur present as Ambassadour from the King of Nauarre who had departed out of Almany repassed into the Lowe Countries and from thence into Englande where he soiourned two monethes and aboue and yet notwithstanding the employment of all that tyme was embarqued to returne into Fraunce before the fourtéenth day of December In which concorde they bring in the Ambassadours of the Elector Palatine and of the Prince of Orange the one dead aboue a yéere before leauing hys heyre vnder yéeres during whose mynority Duke Cazimir gouerneth the electorship the other murbered foure monetheâ— before by a Jeâ—uite suborneâ— by such as are like to the confederates of this pretended holy league And yet nenerthelesse both the saide prâ—â—es as the aduersaries alledge are bound to be present this moneth of May in the towne of Basill concerning the concluding of some agréement in the controuâ—rsies of religion The aduersaries adde with all that the King of Nauarre on the xviii day of Aprill then next promised to enter into armes at which time forsooth they them selues were resolued to enter into them and now goe about to deriue the hatred thereof vppon this Prince who being on euery side compassed about with their conspiracies yet sturreth not at al. They date the said contract at Maidenbourgh a towne apperteyning to the sonne of my Lord the elector of Brandenbourgh and yet in the concord they remember neyther father nor the sonne And in truth it is no other but an imagniary assemblie For neither in that place nor any other canne there anye assemblie be founde to haue béen holden Further the tytles 〈◊〉 so many other 〈…〉 to much 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 with so 〈…〉 â—ncte to 〈…〉 〈…〉 for a 〈◊〉 pedlers 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Presthers 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 people insteâ—ius 〈◊〉 they◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with bery 〈…〉 〈◊〉 for what can they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 warâ—e 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 of Monâ—anban reser 〈◊〉 more blâ—â—e for any thing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereof nor more 〈…〉 any thing published by theÌ„ of 〈…〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 The true 〈…〉 wheir the king hâ—â—de concludâ—d prace in the yeare 〈…〉 fiue 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 seaueâ— withful inteâ—tion 〈…〉 〈…〉 should 〈…〉 〈◊〉 his Muiesty lest in the 〈…〉 of the King of Nauâ—râ—â— and the 〈◊〉 〈…〉 for the 〈◊〉 of this god 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 very many deâ—â—â—ous of nothing more then to â—â—nus the troubles who after fette themselues in Arâ—â—â— with the Authors of thys league by all meanes possible crossed the execution of the sayde evict of peace and at all houres by sundry newe enterprises gaus occasion of distrust in sorte that the wounds which they ought to haue cured wered forer and the edict of peace which in tyme past was to take effects flydde backwards â—â—â—ppe by steppe and was cleane cut away from the Protestants poynt after poynt By the continuaunce of which practises it come to passe that during the 〈◊〉 yéeres the peace was diuersly interrupted by surprysings and attempts yea and by open war that continued the space of a whole yéere 〈◊〉 whence issued the conferences of Nâ— rac Flex so that the 〈◊〉 yeres which were preâ—â—â—ed for the rendring vp of the places â—â—â—â—ised not to work the effect wherunto they were limitted and that by reason of the impedimeÌ„t which came by means of these interruptions of
the execution of the edict of the paciâ—â—ing of old grudges which were promised to be broughte to passe within the tyms In the meane whyle the 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 persons 〈…〉 to be yéelded vp for that the 〈…〉 on the 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 of the refoâ—…ed 〈…〉 the causes still to continue to wit the â—…ons of â—…strust and old 〈◊〉 reâ—…ued by the troubles made some 〈◊〉 therat most humbly 〈◊〉 his Mâ—… not so much to regarde the time perâ—…ed as the harme and inconuenience happened in the meane space and rather to haue consideration of the effect that was promised during the fire yéeres and at the expâ—…tion of the same to witte during thâ—… yéeres the execution and continuaunce of peace and withal the burying of distruste grudges consequentlye at the endâ— of the sixe yéeres the yéelding up of the places which for the matter stoode then in such harde case as is afore specified was not agréeable to that grace and equity of his Maiesty from whence the graunt of the places first procéeded forasmuch as the condition by him expected take no such effect as within that time 〈◊〉 hoped for His Maiestie therfore not so much 〈◊〉 of the observation of the 〈◊〉 as to heale the fore and reunite 〈…〉 thought it expedient not 〈…〉 them of the religion with 〈…〉 the king of Nauarre had 〈◊〉 vnto his Maiestie that his sayd subiects of the religion had great 〈◊〉 to be exhibited to hys grace concerning the execution of the edictes which if they were hearde and satissyed then 〈◊〉 the yéelding vppe of the sayd 〈…〉 the more easily attained vnto The sayde Lorde the King by the mouth of Mounsit de Belieure one of the chéefest of hys counsayle of estate at the request of the sayd Lorde the king of Nauarre consented vnto the assembly of Montanban consisting of the Princes Lordes Gentlement and men of good calling of the sayde religion And during all the tyme of the continuaunce of that assembly the sayde Mounsir de Belioure was present in the Kinges name in the â—â—wne of Montanban whom the said Lord the King of Nauarre requireth to â—eare witnes of his actions and desireth to be heards and â—ited in all that be knoweth concerning the says assembly So then this assembly of Montanban was not like vnto theyrâ— of the league 〈…〉 without the knowledge and 〈…〉 of the King but by the consent and 〈◊〉 â—â—ment of hys Maiestie which assembly of 〈…〉 after ryper deliveratiâ—â—â— had vpon the same he 〈◊〉 to bee pro 〈…〉 for the 〈◊〉 and tranquillity of hys estate In this assembly there was made a 〈…〉 of all the breaches and executions of the 〈◊〉 of pears which was presented to the King at S. Germaine in Lay by Mounfie the Countie of Laual and other Mepâ—ties with 〈◊〉 humble requestes for remedy of the 〈◊〉 of his sayd 〈◊〉 of the religion Therin also allâ—eâ—â— promised for any particular attempt 〈◊〉 against th◠〈◊〉 to séeke their reâ—urpence by like iniurious attempts least the temerity of some particular persons might cast thys â—ealme in to trouble as sometime before was supposed to 〈◊〉 béene 〈◊〉 but to make theyr 〈◊〉 to the King of Nauarre who would cause 〈…〉 to beâ— gyuâ—n therof to the Kyng who according to hys â—ation suffyciently perceyâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the tranquillity of hys subjects knewe best howe to apply conuenient remidyes to the 〈◊〉 And lykewyse the Kying of Nauarre promised to embrace theyr cause towarde hys Maiestys and carefullye to present the same vnto hym when néede should requyre as hée hadde alwayes doone in tymes paste to the 〈◊〉 that they 〈◊〉 hym take they re cause in 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 myght the better bee retayned within the 〈◊〉 of reason 〈…〉 imagyning any suche extraordynarye meaâ—…s as they hadâ—… attempted in former tyme for lacke of recourse 〈◊〉 supporte els where Héere is all that 〈◊〉 bee founde to haue 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 assembly of Montanban and no mods then thys The fyâ—… purpose 〈…〉 is moste euident to bee for the staying of pryuate attemptes from râ—… to a publique mischéefe and hurts that might trouble the péere of thys Realme lyke to the conference of Nerac â—…lden wyth the Quéene Mother of the King where there was an expresse Article in that behalfe And whatsoeuer the â—…ies disperse more then is héere expressed is no truer then theyr allegatioÌ„s touching the pretended concorde of Magden bourgh where the Jesuits had forgot 〈◊〉 that they had caused I 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 monethes 〈◊〉 〈…〉 they cause to 〈◊〉 forth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the King who 〈…〉 〈◊〉 of all that 〈…〉 〈…〉 fourth shair 〈◊〉 〈…〉 that of his 〈…〉 〈…〉 them 〈…〉 〈…〉 his 〈◊〉 was not so well 〈◊〉 〈…〉 thought 〈…〉 〈…〉 of the 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 of the 〈…〉 〈…〉 the King 〈…〉 〈…〉 the Kings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the King of Nauarre 〈◊〉 eth that 〈…〉 will call to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what hath 〈◊〉 within 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 withâ— the 〈…〉 〈…〉 wil 〈◊〉 thinke 〈◊〉 that 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 〈…〉 that request 〈…〉 〈…〉 when the 〈◊〉 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 then 〈…〉 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 not 〈◊〉 that these securities might haue further continuance for a certayne time 〈◊〉 because 〈◊〉 danger was 〈◊〉 taken from 〈◊〉 Protestants and for that the edâ—â—t of peace wheron their life and tranquillity peâ—◠〈◊〉 was not thâ—â— sâ—â—ne to be in 〈…〉 estate Neuerthelesse the 〈…〉 of Nauarre 〈◊〉 most fréely confesse thâ—â— the principal 〈◊〉 wherefore 〈…〉 〈◊〉 necessity of the professors of the refâ—rmed religâ—on he had a perticular desire to make 〈…〉 petition to his 〈◊〉 to leaue the said to 〈◊〉 stil for 〈…〉 the consâ—â—â—â—â—te of these confederates the effect whereof 〈◊〉 â—tinually 〈…〉 the which the 〈…〉 resounded religion whose deathes were coÌ„spired by the said confederates had great 〈◊〉 of places of refuge till God should graunt them such â—â—â—e as that the King might haue perfect intelligence of their intentions and verily the granteâ—◠〈◊〉 of them whiche during the peace attempted vpon the said townes of sureties whom the King alwaies dissauowed 〈◊〉 at this pay sufficieÌ„tly open vnto 〈◊〉 by whose 〈◊〉 and allowance then durst 〈…〉 to trouble the peace and enterprise vppâ—n the sâ—â—â—s places and others of the religion For 〈◊〉 they had taken armes in the seruice of the 〈◊〉 Nowe the said King of Nauarre most humbly beséecheth the King to call to his remembrance the aduerti◠〈◊〉 which he gaue to his Mâ—â—estie by the 〈◊〉 of a moneth before the sayâ—◠〈◊〉 of Montanban which were veâ—y sufficient 〈◊〉 cause his Maiestie at that 〈◊〉 to haue regard to hys affayres and in default thereof earnestly to admonish him to sâ—â—ke or retayne out some place of surety for hys person against whome they manifestly pretended some mischiefs If the enemies shall now alledge that they haue taken Armes and seased hys Maiestiâ—â— Townes to the intent to haue townes 〈◊〉 security also according to the example of them of the Contrary relâ— on as some of them
Heire apparent This certainly is the poynt that most of all others sticketh in theyr harts wherevpon the sayd King of Nauarre hath hetherto thought least and nowe last of all it is presented to him Touching this point the said Lord the King of Nauarre contenteth himselfe in hope that God will long preserue life to the Kings Maiestie for the benefit and common wealth of thys Realme and graunt him issue in due time to the great gréefe of all his enemies Hys confidence also is that hee hath to doo with Frenchmen notwythstanding al the care and dilligence that hath béene vsed to corrupt them who know the rights are not ignoraunt of the discentos and will maintaine him in the place and degrée which he ought to hold He comforteth himselfe in God the defender of all right the reuenger of all violence who â—eth both parties whose most righteous iudgment is not like to to corporal mens whose most diffinitiue sentence is certaine and the execution therof inuariable in sort that nothing is of power to resist the same For conclusion and as concerning religion the said Lord the King of Nauarre declareth to the King hys soueraigne Lorde to all orders and estates of thys Realme and to all Princes and estates of thys Realme and to all Princes and estates of Christendome as well temporall as ecclesiasticall that he is and euer wyll be most ready to submit hymselfe to the determination of a lawful Generall or naturall counsell as is expressed in hys Maiesties edict of pacification And as concerning this estate the administration of the same that he most wyllingly dooth and wyll embrace and repose hymself vpon whatsoeuer in that behalfe shal be ordayned in a lawfull assembly of the estates of thys Realme when it shall please hys Maiestye to call the same together In the meane space the onely request and petition of the said King of Nauarre is nothing els but that be may liue quietly vnder the benefite of the edicts Béeing ready to employ hys lyfe his meanes lands and goods and all hys fréends for the defence of the King of hys Maiesties estate and all the good subiects of thys Realme And forasmuch as they of the said league haue taken the said King of Nauarre for the matter pretence of theyr rysing in Armes I would haue all men think that their quarrell is onely against him no man els sowing diuers slaunders abroad against him in their saide protestations wherin by expresse name they publishe him to he desirous of the kings death a disturber of the estate sworn enemy of the Catholiques c. Duer and aboue all the premisses which he thinketh sufficieÌ„t to satisfy euery man the K. of Nauarre with al reuerence most humbly beséecheth the K. his soueraigne L. to whose eares he doubteth not but these slaÌ„ders are come not to take in euil part sauing alwaies the honor respect due to his M. that he affyrme and pronounce in this place in that maner and sorte which presently he he doth to wit that all they which haue sowen abroade and published the saide flaunders contained in the said protestations against him haue falsly and slanderously lyed excepting the saide Lorde Cardinall his Vncle. And further to giue their slaunders the lye by his acttons the said Lord the R. of Nauarre most humbly beséecheth the King his soueraigne L. to vouchsafe the good liking of his most huÌ„ble fidelitie and deuotion in this offer which hee hath thought good here to make to his Maicstie to witte that for the quietnes and ease of his Maiestye and people it would please him wyth good liking to decyde thys quarrell betwéene them of the sayd league and hym the sayde King of Nauarre wythout hazarding his Maiesties life therein which would be too greate a losse in thys kingdome and without any further paynes to be taken by his M. about the same Hoping that God wyll gyue him grace to find sufficient fréends and allyes of hys crowne to bring them to reason to driue theÌ„ to acknowledge theyr most bounden duetye which they owe to the saide Lord the king hys soueraigne and the respect and honour that vnder hys M. ought to appertaine to the sayd king of Nauarre But specially for that he can not without sighing and shedding of teares think vppon the great spoyling of the Nobileties blood which may procéede of thys warre nor vpon the extreame pouertye and desolation which the poore people of thys Realme shall bee driuen to suffer neyther vpon the disorder and confusion which thereby will bee brought into all estates in stéede of the great piety mereye and wysedome of hys Maiestie in preparing if this commotion hadde not happened as all men knowe to establish thys estate agayne in her former beautye prosperity dignity and integrity in all resperts and aboue all the rest hee can not without sighing and great anguish of mynde thinke on the execrable blasphemies which war bringeth foorth against God and the ouerflowing of vices which growe through the licence and liberty of the Armies To shorten these mi series which the sayd L. the King of Nauarre would willingly redéeme with hys proper bloode he most humbly and with all duetifull affection beséecheth hys Maiesty not to thinke straunge of the offer which presently hee maketh to Mounsir de Guyse séeing the aduersaryes haue taken him the sayd king of Nauarre for party in theyr pretence and the sayde Lorde of Guyse commaundeth in theyr Armies to wyt that thys quarrell as well wythout puttyng all the orders and estates of thys kyngdome to any further dammage molestation or trouble as also wythout leuying or bringing in any domesticall or forrayne Army touching the same which coulde not choose but be the destruction of all poore people may be decyded and determined betwéene the sayd king of Nauarre and the sayd Monsir de Guyse by way of Combat in their owne proper persons either one against one two against two ten to ten or twenty to twenty more or lesse in such number as the saide L. of Guyse will appoint with such kind of Armour weapons as are accustomed to bee vsed amongst Knights of honor And coÌ„cerning the place if be desire it within this kingdome the said K. of Nauarre most humbly beâ—cheth his M. to vouchsafe him the honor to naminate the same Or in case Mounsier de Guyse shall suspect this Realme then the King of Nauarre offereth him to bee readye in such other place out of this Realme as he the said L. of Guyse shall choose so it be a place of sure accesse suspected to neither party An honor certainely considering the difference and in equality of their persons and degrées being such as all men know that the sayde L. of Guyse ought by all meanes to embrace and purchase a felicity also which the said Lord the King of Nauarre and my Lorde the Prince hys Cozin wyll most wyllingly buy with they re owne bloods to redaeme the King theyr soueraigne Lord from the vocation 〈◊〉 which the aduersaryes moste distoyally put hym to hys estate from trouble and confusion his Nobility from destruction and all his people from extreame misery and calamity The sayde Lord the King of Nauarre protesting before God and in hys conscience that he is not mooued to choose thys way through any ambition raigning in hym nor by any hatred that he beareth to hys enimies nor for any reuenge that he wysheth toward them nor yet in regarde of that spightfull and malicious spoile and destruction which they would tryumphe and reioyce to see executed vppon hym But contrariwyse hys resolution to take the fortune of the Combat procéedeth as well from the great zeale ferueÌ„t desire which hée hath to sée God true ly serued and honoured hys Kyng frée from vexation and trouble hys estate in peace and the people at reste and quietnesse as also from the great displeasure annoyaunce and woe whych euery moment he setteth before his mynde not onelie to see God blasphemed againe in thys estate béeing in the waues and perills of shypwracke but also to see thys poore people caste againe into the extreamytye and myseryes paste whereinto yf they fall once agayne skant can any man reléeue and delyuer them from the same Fynally the sayde Lorde the Kyng of Nauarre is most certainly perswaded and reposeth all hys trust and confidence in the almighty who séeth the secretes of all harts and is chéefe president and bea reth the whole sway in all exploytes and déedes of Armes that he of his infinite mercy and goodnes by the euent and successe wyll manifestly declare and shews to all the whole world not onely the sincerety but also the righteousnes of the cause to the intent it may serue for an example to all posterityes and ages whose wrath vengeance and curse he wysheth to fall vpon him yf he protest falsly or euer imagined barme eyther toward the kynges person or against hys estate or subiects of what calling degrée or religion soeuer they be If euer he contriued any deuyse or plotte to take effect vppon the kinges Tombe or death Or euer compassed or cast in hys mynde any violence against either the Romish religion or the Catholiques reposing his whole and onely hope in God to receiue from hys eternall Maiesty hys mercifull blessing gracious goodwyll and louing fauour against all them that wythout occasion séeke hys destruction and vnder shaddowe of hys name molest the kingdome ouerthrowe all good order destroy the people and meane to stryp the kyng out of his royall estate and diguity Gyuen at Bergerac the tenth day of Iune in the yéere of our Lorde a thousand fiue hundred fourescore and fyue Signed Henry Lallier