but that they ought not to pretend nor expect the execution of it without due precautions for the security of the State aggravating withall that all the suppositions brought in against the Cardinal were seditious lies and calumnies But the Regents exaggeration availed nothing for the delivery of the Princes and the removal of the Cardinal were decreed anew by the Parliament All the three Factions were at this time united against that of Mazarine who was upheld by the sole Authority of the King and Queen and Forces of the Kingdom and being in this streight his only Meditation was how to put in practice the laudable Maxime of temporizing The Court by reason of the general uniting of so many Seditious was necessitated to give way to so many contrivings in which the Dutchess of Chevreuse acted her part to the life stimulated by interest and by the ambition of the aforesaid Marriage for setting that aside she was the Cardinals intimate friend And feigning her self still so told him confidently that if he did withdraw himself for some short time he should by that means appease these first passions of the Duke of Orleans who returning to the Council the Queen would soon win him to her party and in few days he would be recalled again knowing the nature of the French that having obtained their desire they presently grow weary and change their minds The Cardinal suffering himself to be lulled asleep by the harmony of this Syren and not to put to hazard the publick Tranquillity resolved his Departure and went to impart it to the Queen advising her to stand firm in her resolution of keeping the Princes fast while he securing his own person should take away all pretext from the Male-contents to proceed further and leaving her many good Memorials for the service of the King and the State with a Letter from the Regent to the Sieur de Bar who had the custody of the Princes containing a precise Order to obey the Cardinal in every particular he went in all diligence towards Havre de Grace with design that if he could not handsomly secure the detaining of the Princes to cause them at least to acknowledge him the Author of their liberty and by this act to oblige them to a gratitude making the Count de Servient and Monsieur le Tillier partakers and actors in this and other secrets The evening before the 6th of February 1651 he got on Horseback with onely three persons and passed out by the gate of Richlieu without which he found divers Gentlemen to the number of 400 Horse that expected him and with these he went to St. Germaines whence he dispatched a Courrier to the Marquess de Lionne at Havre de Grace to understand the issue of his Negotiations and to Monsieur le Tillier putting him in mind to give way to the Princes delivery till he had adjusted what they had agreed upon amongst themselves which being come to the knowledge of the Marquess de Chasteauneuf he making use of it for his own benefit hoped by rendering himself the principal Author of the Princes liberty to delude the designs of the Cardinal who being advised of the streights to which the Queen was more and more reduced resolved no longer to defer the Princes releasment The 12th of February he hasted away to Havre de Grace where he was received with all demonstration of Honour and entering where the Princes were with much frankness uttered these words Jo porto per ordine della Regina la liberta a V. V. A. A. senza alcuna conditione I bring by the Queens Order your Highnesses liberty without any reserve yet adding S.M. vi prega però d'amar lo Statto il Re la di lei persona Her Majestie prays ye to love the State the King and her Person delivering all this in a posture of Respect and Reverence yet not unbeseeming his Quality and sweet manner of speech The Prince answered in name of them all with a chearful but grave countenance Noi si chiamamo obligati a S. M. della giustitia che ci rende serviremo sempre il Re la Regina We hold our selves obliged to her Majestie for the justice which she renders us we shall always serve the King the Queen and embracing the Cardinal ancora voi Signore and also you Sir The Prince of Conde resolved to dine before he went out wherefore the Princes the Cardinal Gramont Palleau Lionne and Goulas sate down to dinner entertaining one another with mutual familiarity in which was verified the saying of Caesar speaking of the French Humour After dinner the Cardinal had private Conference with the Prince and immediately going out of the Fort they entred into Mareschal de Gramonts Coach the Prince of Conde going in last placed himself in the Boot and hearing the Cardinal to with him a good Voiage did not answer him with the least shew of courtesie making the Coach drive on without saying any thing giving the Cardinal quickly to understand the requital he was to expect for the kind embracements with which he received him on the day of his imprisonment with Protestations of a sincere friendship when at the same instant he made the Marquess of Lionne write the order for his Arrest Upon the News that the Cardinal was gone from Paris the people were presently up in arms running tumultuously to the Palace Royal and suspecting that the King and Queen were also upon departure they placed 2000 men in Guard and the diffidence and impudence of the Frondeurs went so far that they placed Guards even at the Kings bed-fide who ever and anon opening the Curtains observed if he slept and if he were there The Cardinal being departed the Queen sent to invite the Duke of Orleans to the Council who under several pretences refused to come for fear lest the Queen should gain him and send for the Cardinal back who caused his Nieces also to be conducted out of Paris Mazarine's Enemies greatly fearing his return insisted that Orleans should receive a promise from the Queen that he should return no more about which the Parlement framed a most rigorous Decree by which they enjoyned him to depart the Kingdom within 15 days as likewise his Kindred and familiar Friends under a great Mulct to any that should receive them procuring this Order to be confirmed by all the Parlements of France The Cardinal lingered some time at Havre de Grace consulting with his friends to what part he should retire upon which occasion they that coveted his Charge reported that he staid there to make himself Master of that place Wherefore to take away all pretexts of their Exclamations and being daily more convinced of the ill will of the Prince of Condé who spake injuriously of his Person he resolved to depart with many Gentlemen his Friends who together with several Souldiers made up the number of near 100 Horse and travelling with great hardship and incommodity by reason of the sharp season
hands of the Secretary of the Parlement the Circumstances of his Espousals with the Avouchment of them to be communicated to his Father the Duke of Vendosme that all the Decrees against the Cardinal his Domesticks and Kindred should be renewed and particularly against Madamoiselle Mancini who especially was prohibited to return into France and if she were there to depart within 8 days The Declaration that the King was to set forth against the Cardinal was likewise read and the Duke of Orleans made them adde The damage which ensued upon his hindering the General Peace as also for undertaking the War against Bourdeaux without his consent The Prince of Conde obtained to be added That his imprisonment was for no other cause but that he would not consent to the Marriage of the Cardinals two Nieces with the Dukes of Mercoeur and Candale Upon the retirement of Servient Tillier and Lionne the Regent saw it necessary to elect a new Council to which the Duke of Orleans assenting counselled thereunto by the Dutchess of Chevreuse and the Coadjutor who had pressed him a great while before they could prevail it was resolved on to call the Marquess de Chasteauneuf to exercise the charge of Chief Minister the Marquess of Vieville to be Superintendent of the Finances and to confirm the Chief President Keeper of the Seal and the Coadjutor was nominated to be Cardinal Chasteauneuf taking upon him the Management of Affairs began immediately to think upon those means that might hinder the Cardinals return which were to make the King to go into Berry and from thence towards Poictu for the further off he was the more difficult and impracticable it would be for the Cardinal to return as well for the Animosities of the Parlement as for the ill season of the year being to pass 14 Rivers and by keeping the King absent he should put the Duke of Orleans into the Government of Affairs which was his principal end These designs of Chasteauneuf being suspected by the Cardinals Confidents who discovering that there were but few in the Council which delivered their mind cordially the rest onely in appearance and to gratifie the Queen professed themselves good friends concluded that there was no better Expedient for their Majesties and for the Cardinal himself then to make use of their power and to get that by force which they could not obtain by reason and fair means To this intent the Abbot Ondedei by the Kings Order who with reiterated Letters had recall'd the Cardinal to Court hasted to Brules to let Mazarine understand the necessity of taking this course and to inform him really of what past assuring him of their Majesties good intentions for whose service it was absolutely necessary he should return to his Charge it being manifest that there was no person served them with more readiness and cordiality The Cardinal hearkened to what the Abbot delivered for having found him in all occasions of an ingenious free and sincere nature he much confided in him but he rested somwhat doubtful in his resolution for fear of making a greater alteration in Affairs and of giving new matter to the Male-contents and to his Enemies to raise pretexts for Seditions and Tumults to quiet which he thought it best to remain in exile with the loss of all he had gained hitherto But in the end the reasons alledged by the Abbot prevailing who with an equal zele to his hearty affection laboured to make him comprehend the necessity of his return he determined with his own mony to make without delay a Levy of four or five thousand Souldiers giving the command of them to the Mareschals at la Ferté Seneterre and d'Hoquincourt the Counts de Novailles and Broglio his intimate friends and persons of great integrity who took upon them the command and with all diligence applied themselves to serve him desiring earnestly to see him readmitted to his former State to his Enemies shame and reproach This being resolved on the Cardinal desired a Pass-port of the Spaniards to return to Bovillon which was by them delay'd foreseeing perhaps of what prejudice his return to Court might prove Wherefore departing suddenly from Brules instead of going to Juliers without drawing bit he rode to Duren a City belonging to the Duke of Newbourg from thence to Aix la Chapelle and so to Liege to Huy and lastly to Dinan whither the Counts of Novailles and Iroglio came to him to agree on the Levies for which he there disbursed the Moneys and in 40 days time that he staid there they raised their whole number of Souldiers Upon this news the Parlement renewed the Decree against the Cardinal laying to his charge that he had infringed their Order by levying of Souldiers to enter again into France and did what they could to hinder his return but he continuing at Dinan hastened with all diligence the new Levies that he might accompany them to reinforce the King and the time of his motion drawing nigh he renewed his request to the Spaniards for a Passport but it not appearing one night unexpectedly in 18 hours riding without drawing bit he came to Bovillon not without danger of being snapt by the Prince of Conde's Troops who watched diligently to intercept him skirting ever and anon the adjacent Campagne From hence he sent word to advertise the Spanish Commanders that he was gone and since they had not favoured him to with the desired Pass for himself desired that they would at least vouchsafe one for his Nieces which was immediately granted and with much Honour they were served and convey'd to Bovillon by Don Antonio Primentelli and from hence arose the good correspondence betwixt him and the Cardinal which afterward so much conduc'd to the Peace of the two Crowns to which the Elector of Colen contributed much by encouraging Mazarine to so pious and holy a work He went on to Sedan and determined as soon as might be to advance with his levied Souldiers and with those the Mareschal d' Hoquincourt had gathered who had Order from the King to joyn with him and with one Body to enter into France This novelty made a great noise in Paris but alarm'd most the Frondeurs the Parlement and the Dukes of Orleans and Beaufort who being surprised when they least imagined with clamorous complaints gave out that it was a thing not to be endured that the Court should so notoriously infringe their Promise and Word so often given and that the contempt was too remarkable to see themselves so palpably deluded The Parlement therefore decreed that in prosecution of the Judgment concluded four days before against the Cardinal to depute some with a Message to their Majesties to complain of what was acting on the Frontiers against their service by levying of Souldiers distributing of Mony and bruit of Mazarine's return all contrary to the Kings Declaration and his Royal Word for the maintaining of which they should beseech him with all earnestness that the
for the future in the maintenance and support of the Condean Party But the Count d' Ognon's Accommodation with the King of France did not a little startle Don Lewis de Haro and the rest of the Grandees of the Council the foundation they had laid upon the fidelity of this Cavalier who had franckly undertaken the defence of Guienne being taken away and no grounds left for any future resolution by reason of the inconstancy of the French who would promise the highest fidelity one day and the next day leave them in the lurch So that the Kings party increasing hourly in those parts and the Princes growing every day weaker their apprehensions could not but be very great nevertheless in this very Exigence the Court of Spain fail'd not to send their Orders to suggest their Counsels to transmit Men and Money as far as the utmost of their power and ability would extend Not long after the Baron Batteville represented to the Court the difficulty of getting in to the Garonne unless he were reinforc'd with a much stronger Squadron of Ships Twenty thousand Crowns were immediatly dispatch'd to him with new Orders to ship himself upon the aforesaid six Men of war and to put 500 Irish into Bordeaux But affairs changing daily their face it was necessary to change Counsels as often and Batteuille being unable to execute them without further supplies their Commands were received oftner then put in execution After this the Marquess of Lusignan was dispatch'd in great haste from Bordeaux to Madrid where he Arrived in May. The pretence of this Embassy was to complement his Catholick Majestie upon the recovery of the Queen who had had the small Pox with great danger of her life besides the King himself had been ill five or six days of a Feaver But the intrinsick reason was the soliciting for fresh forces in respect the French had made themselves Masters of the Garonne and fortified it so that it would be no easy matter to remove them and by consequence the Kings Army increasing without interruption as it did it must needs follow that Bourdeaux must be lost Lusignan had many fair Promises 200000 Crowns were deliver'd to him and the Dispatches for the Ships from Port de Passage consigned to him Not long after that design being look'd upon as impossible Battiville had new Instructions if it were possible to get into Bourdeaux by the Lake of Arcazon with all imaginable diligence to keep that people in their fidelity and support as much as in him lay the drooping spirits of the Prince of Conty and the rest of the Officers in his Party He had Orders moreover to propose three things to them viz. Whether they would have the Spanish Fleet force its way up the River Garonne and fight them Whether they would have them clap before the Mouth of the River and lie there Or whether they thought it not more convenient for them to cruse along the Coasts of Britain and Normandy and by alarming them in those parts give them a diversion in Guienne Nine hundred more Irish were dispatch'd into Guienne and Letters sent Post to the Arch-Duke and the Ministers in Flanders that they should take the Field with all Expedition that they should supply the Prince of Condy with 200000 Crowns mere for the reinforcement of his Troops to put him into a Condition to march immediatly for France The Spaniard considering that Mazarine being in all likelihood thereby constrained to draw down what force he could make against that Invasion would not be able to pursue his Enterprizes against Guienne but by consequence give them opportunity to make Provisions for the defence of that Province But neither in this could the Spaniard compass his design for the Ship which carried the 300000 Crowns into Flanders to hasten that Affair falling unluckily into the hands of the English they made no scruple to to seize upon it though the King of Spain was at that time in Amity with that Nation and to stop the Ship likewise for some time it being a Dutch bottom Nor was this Miscarriage to be imputed to the negligence of the Ministers but to the uncertainty of humane accidents which many times run counter though managed and contrived by the best Counsels in the World Besides these sums 30000 Pistols more were sent to the Fleet with express Orders to Batteville to try all ways of introducing himself into the Garonne and open a Passage into the Town to which end and no other that sum was intended At the same time the Count de Fiesco and several other persons went also into Spain to represent the necessities of those parts and to sollicit for relief But some are of opinion the chief end of these journeys was to receive Presents and Gratuities which the King of Spain distributed very liberally to all French-men that came to his Court so that many pretended to joyn with him more to be nibling at his money then out of any true service they intended him and it is believ'd that if the money he in this manner distributed among the French-men were fairly computed it would appear sufficient to have conquered a whole Kingdom and yet either by their treachery or inexperience all these vast sums were utterly lost and these great preparations become entirely ineffectual In the mean time the Duke of Vandosme was employ'd in hastening the building of Caesars Fort upon the Garonne as likewise another in the Countrey betwixt the two Seas beginning above Vallier before the house of Alinet who considering of what importance it would be to interrupt the Communication betwixt the several Posts belonging to the Prince and the Town of Bordeaux if he could possess himself of Lermont which was situate exactly upon the mouth of the River and Garrison'd by 500 Irish under the Command of Colonel Dillon On the 26. of May he caused the Tertia's of Moasieur Milleray and Normandy to be drawn out and ship'd in such Galleys and Brigantines as he had ready under the Command of the Chevalier d' Albret his Camp-Master who with others being embark'd they sally'd forth by the favour of the Tyde against the Galliots which lay under that place Being arriv'd there disbarqu't the Count of Comminges the Lieutenant General the two Brothers the Count and Baron of Montesson the Baron of Croix Camp-Master and Sir George Carteret who as they say perswaded the Governour of the place to take up Arms with his whole Party for the King of France They agreed upon the paiment of 7500 Franks to deliver up the Town and it was done accordingly for the Irish Soldiers being much discontented and looking upon themselves as sold to the Spaniards like so many slaves did not hold themselvs oblig'd to them by any faith or duty in the world The rest indeed had followed their Example out of a temple they had taken up that they could not in conscience serve the Spaniard because of the League and Amity at that
with great civility and declaring himself a friend to the Prince of Conty he express'd all the demonstrations of esteem that could be expected from an entire Correspondence it being necessary for the better carrying on of the Treaty first to make a Truce which Viralda earnestly press'd the Duke reply'd he would conclude nothing of himself till he had advised with the Duke of Vendosm with whom he went hand in hand in carrying on the Kings Interest yet they proceeded so far that the Duke prohibited his souldiers under severe penalty to go out of their Quarters or to commit any Acts of Hostility either against the Goods or Lives of the Bourdelots The Duke in the mean time sent the Chevalier de Muns Captain of his Guards to complement the Prince and to assure the inhabitants of his good affection and sincere mediation to his Majesty in their behalf from thence the said Captain repair'd to the Duke of Vendosme to give him an Account of what had passed Bacalan made the same submissions to the Duke of Vendosm who receiv'd him with extraordinary Courtesie answerable to the sweetness and affability of his humour That very same day Gourville arrived from the Court at the Duke of Vendosmes quarters and desiring to pass likewise into the Duke of Candales the next way being thorow the Town he sent thither for a Passport which every one being curious to understand how Affairs went since their separation from the Prince of Condy they presently granted He arrived late in Town and Lenets house being near the Post-house where he alighted he made his first Visit to him and stayed with him all night which gave some jealousie to the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville who imagin'd that coming from the Court he had had private Instructions to treat with Marsin and Lenet who were then in no good correspondence with the Prince and the Dutchess The next day he went to pay his Visits to them who were very importunate with him to know what Orders he had brought along with him from the Court and because he assured them that he would not meddle with any thing without communicating with them and desired them that they would look upon him as a Person wholly devoted to the service of the King they look'd upon him with more suspicion then before The Curiosity of the Princes entertain'd him in long Discourse of several things so that the same effect his Conference with Lenet had wrought in the Prince the same did his discourse with the Prince produce in Marsin and Lenet and the rather because not having negotiated any thing with them they concluded his Orders were to treat only with the Prince so that they were all of them equally in the dark Gourville pursued his Voiage in the Company of Baz who was sent by Marsin to the Camp at Begle to have an eye upon Virlade's Proceedings and coming to the Duke of Candale who received him with great kindness he communicated to the Duke all that was to be done for his Majesties service in Bourdeaux according to the Instructions he had received from Cardinal Mazarine Joyning with Viralde they together obtain'd a suspension of Arms for three days in which time the Duke of Candale promised to speak with the Duke of Vendosme to adjust the Articles of the Truce not only for the City but for the whole Province of Guienne In the mean time the Prince of Conty went to the Exchange and put on a white Scarf to the great joy of the people But the inconveniences which might arise from the frequent resort of the Kings Officers and Souldiers to the town being represented to him he prohibited the admitting any of them for the future without a Passport Whilst things were thus in Agitation Virlada return'd to Bourdeaux and inform'd both the Prince and the Citizens of his Negotiations with the Duke of Candale Marsin being enrag'd to see the Conclusion of the Treaty so near which he sought with all Art and Industry to protract and interrupt he would not consent that any Answer should be return'd from the Arch-bishops Palace Whereupon Viralda to animate the people the more and to excite them to Peace produced another Letter from the Duke of Candale by which he permitted the Citizens to go to their Countrey-houses if they pleas'd to get in their Harvest and distributed Passport to those that desired them who came in great throngs The Duke of Vandosm likewise sent Butin his Secretary into Bourdeaux to assure the Citizens of his inclinations to favour them but that he would not admit of any Treaty without the consent and participation of the Duke of Candale and that the Propositions might be the better discuss'd and examin'd they would meet together and not separate till the Treaty was concluded or broke off Butin was receiv'd with extraordinary Acclamation but the Chevalier Todias represented that it was contrary to the Rules of War and against their proper interest to shew such partiality The Secretary was sent back and Vandosmes Letter delivered to the Prince of Conty Marsin came into the Council assembled in the Arch-bishops Palace and sharply reproved Virlade for that in his Presence he had suffered Feran a Huguenot Minister to inveigh against the Princes party before the Duke of Candale adding that this was a clear demonstration that the Huguenots hated the Spaniards which was repugnant to the common interest by reason they could hope for relief from no other Countrey but Spain and that he and Feran both would have but little thanks from the Citizens Marsin hearing the relation of these transactions was not a little disturbed who foreseeing that all would be lost the greatest part of the inhabitants being disposed to return to the obedience of their King A Passport was here demanded for the Duke of Vandosm's Galleys to go and receive the Duke of Candale at Begle Marsin oppos'd it saying it might be a Treachery and proposed that the Duke might be conveyed in the Vessels belonging to the Town whereupon a Contest arose betwixt him and others who maintained that it was not decent for the Kings General to appear in any Ships but what belong'd to His Majesty Marsin insisted that the Deputies might be changed but these being in good esteem with the people that were well-affected they were confirm'd and the Articles of the Truce enlarged The Contents of them were that all Hostilities should cease till the Consummation or Rupture of the Treaty That there should be no communication betwixt the souldiers and inhabitants without passports from the Kings Generals That when the Kings Troops should be removed further off quarters should be granted to the Princes Forces four leagues from Bourdeaux That during the Treaty there should be free entrance for all kind of Provisions into the Town That Passes should be given to certain persons to be sent into Flanders to give advice of what pass'd to the Prince of Condy and into Spain to his
establish his security in that place without making any new Propositions since the first were interrupted On the other side the Kings Counsel did not much press him for several Reasons The first was because they hoped when once they began to want money the Garrison would revolt for want of their pay The second because they would not engage in a Treaty with him till they were sure he was Master of the Town for Charleroy being also there his Presence was sufficient to create a doubt That the Count's Authority was not absolute The third was that he being a great friend to his own reputation would never be drawn into an Action that might eclipse the glory of his name wherefore they thought it not Prudence to enter into a Treaty with him lest they should be forced to another afterwards with Charleroy So that when Harcourt began to treat with the Court by the mediation of the Baron de Milet and the Abbot of Charente who imparted all to the Duke d' Elbeuf and the rest of his relations and friends the Cardinal did what he could to protract the Affair Monsieur de Besimaux Captain of Mazarins Guards went to Brisac under pretext of finishing the Treaty but in stead of concluding it as he made shew he intended he privately corrupted the Officers of the Garrison of Philipsbourg and prevail'd with them to receive in the Kings Troops publishing a Declaration too injurious to the loyalty of Harcourt as if he had treated to sell that place to the Duke of Lorrain Whereupon Command was given to the Officers of the Kings Stables to receive no future Orders from him as Grand Escuyer of France and Directions dispatch'd to the Mareschal de la Fertè Seneterre to advance with his Troops into Alsatia and make War upon such Towns as held for him that he might be compell'd to accept of such terms as his Majesty should please to grant The Mareschal besieg'd and in a few dayes took the Castle of Betford valiantly defended by the Count della Sufa and sent to Harcourt to deliver up Brisac without further Expostulation and to retire to his Government of Alsatia or to Philipshourg which should be restor'd him The Count shew'd himself very ready to comply with his Majesties Commands entred into a Treaty with the Mareschal and accepted the Articles which both subscribed to by which it was agreed That 40000 Pistols should be deliverâ—d him to pay Charleroy and the Garrison of Brisac and 10000 for himself towards what he had disburs'd in maintaining the Garrisons of Brisac and Philipsbourg The Mareschal dispatch'd away the Sieur de Brinone his Nephew with the Articles to have them ratified at Court But the Cardinal being assur'd that Harcourt could not treat with the Spaniards as not having the Town absolutely at his command much less with the Emperor who would not hearken to any such Proposition as well for the 3 millions which the French were to pay to the Arch-Duke Charles Ferdinand of Inspurg according to the treaty of Munster as also not to give the French occasion to cause the Swedes to return into Germany The Mareschals Agreement was disapprov'd and the Sieurs de Brinon and D' Hautichamp who was sent also to the Court by the Count for the said Ratification were sent back with Orders to revoke what had past wherupon the Sieur de Seneterre writ by Brinon to his son that he should not be disgusted because the Articles were not approv'd but to obey without further dispute The Mareschal observ'd the Orders punctually and sent Brinon to the Count with his Letters of excuse telling him that the King had not approved of his Treaty and that therefore there remained nothing for him to do but to restore all things into their pristine condition putting Brisac immediately into his hands and that he was marching forthwith into Alsatia with his Army to reduce such places as should refuse to submit Harcourt was much troubled at this unexpected News complaining he was deluded and urged that the Mareschal was obliged to make good his Parole for which reason he kept Brinon Prisoner but to no purpose for the Mareschal caused Monsieur D'Hautichamp to be secured and sent away the Sieur de Castelnau Lieutenant-General to reduce Tannes D' Hautichamp perceiving all his instances for his liberty ineffectual he desired the Mareschal to consider him as a Prisoner of War and permit him to go out upon his Parole which being granted he proceeded in his journey towards Brisac and arriving at Tannes at the very instant that Castelnau was about storming the suburbs which were entrench'd he writ suddenly to the Mareschal intreating him to cause them to forbear the assault and assuring him the Count de Harcourt should command the Sieur de Grum Covernour of that place to open the Gates But the Mareschal looking upon this as a delay only to gain time would not condescend to any Protraction Whereupon the suburbs being taken and a Cessation granted by Castelnau till D' Hautichamp returned he departed with all speed and visiting the Mareschal by the way who gave him hopes that the Truce should be continued till the 9th of March in the morning that he might have time to return with an Answer from Brisac but notwithstanding the Truce the Town was sharply assaulted upon intelligence of which Count Harcourt dispatched Orders with all speed to Monsieur Grum to receive the Kings Troops into the Town without further Contest D' Hautichamp sent away the Orders over night by a Souldier of the Kings Guards and was there himself in the Morning early But the Mareschal not willing to receive from Harcourt the thing he knew he could compass himself would not be spoke with and in the mean-while the Town was stormed where Castelnau receiv'd a hurt with a Musquet-shot several other Officers on both sides were wounded The Governour in confidence of the Treaty with the Mareschal coming out of the Town to discourse the business with him was taken Prisoner the Kings forces entred the Town plundred the Governours house and he himself was condemn'd to pay 3000 Pistols to his great regret complaining he had been betray'd under the Publick faith At length Hautichamp obtained liberty to speak with the Mareschal who because the Regiment of Lorrain had been introduced into Tannes whereas at first he demanded only the Town and had promis'd as Count Harcourt affirmed not to meddle with the Castle insisted to have that likewise surrendred allowing the Governour only four days time to expect Orders from the Count. Harcourt again by this last Action resolved to take away all Objections that could be made against his sincerity and at the same time he releas'd Brinon and sent back D'Hautichamp to the Mareschal and thence to the Court to assure his Majesty of his submission without further reserve and that he would retire forthwith to Philipsbourg and there attend his Royall pleasure In this manner this Prince left Brisac at
they should make in France also with the assistance of his forces He complain'd of these things very earnestly urging that Condy might be obliged at least to deliver him one of the Towns in his Possession belonging to Lorrain or otherwise that he might equally participate of the Conquests that should be made with the help of his Army Declaring openly that if they would not consent to one of these Proposition neither would he assist them with his Troops in any Enterprize to be undertaken for the sole profit of the Prince of Condy. Upon these suspicions and jealousies the Spaniard began to think of a remedy for so manifest a danger both present and to come that which imported most was to oppose the French and to pacifie the Elector of Colen with whom it was not convenient at that time to have any dispute Hereupon it was propos'd to the Duke That with his own Troops the Prince of Condy's and some of the Spanish he should make head against the French and the Electors forces the Prince of Condy being unable for that expedition as being sick at that time at Rocroy but the Duke refus'd it nor would so much as stir out of Brussels he was desir'd at least to consign them his Troops but he denied that also which increased their jealousie more and more and gave them greater cause to suspect him It was already three years that the Count of Fuensaldagne had received private Orders from the Court of Spain to secure the Person of Duke when he should see a fit time to effect it but as the success of an Affair which drew so many consequences after it was uncertain and the Count not being able to promise himself whether this Act would be approved or disapproved by the Counsel of Spain when it was done though the King of Spain had every day new Reasons to confirm his resolution without seeking further pretences He address'd himself to the prime Minister to be excus'd from that Commission but could not be dispensed withal On the contrary his Orders were renewed to take the time he should judge most convenient without participating with the Arch-Duke giving him withal the Letter that his Majesty had writ him concerning that Affair and perswaded him to give order about it The Election of the time gave no small trouble to the Count in respect the Dukes comportment rendred the execution of his Orders every day more necessary To secure his Person and not lose his Troops was very difficult For the better execution of his design the Count with great dexterity had gain'd certain of the Dukes chief Officers but without the least discovery of his Plot he made sure of several who promised to stand by him in whatever he attempted The late occasion the Duke gave was of very great importance for the furtherance of this Affair for hereby they should not only pacifie the Elector but satisfie the Emperour who was already informed of all the Dukes Negotiations and had need of the Electors of Colen and Bavaria inseparable in respect of their Parentage and common interest On the one side the securing of the Dukes Person seemed to Fuensaldagne not very difficult he being in Brussels and at a distance from his Army but on the other he saw infinite discouragements for the French Army being within three leagues of Brussels and the Dukes troops united with the Prince of Condy's he knew not though the said Princes had been perpetual enemies how Condy might resent this resolution apprehending perhaps the same fortune himself The Dukes Troops were so near the French they might joyne with them in very few houres the Spanish Army were dispers'd in their Winter-quarters The Count consider'd likewise that the Duke was in good correspondence with the inhabitants of Brussels and that there were many Lorrainers in the town that the Arch-Duke perhaps would not have him taken in the manner as was to be wished for though he had but little friendship for the Duke and was entirely for the interest of the House of Austria yet he was a Prince of so tender a Conscience that he imparted every thing that gave him the least trouble to the Jesuits who being always intent upon the greatness and conservation of their Society would not concern themselves in any thing that might prove a stop or impediment to their common advantage All these Reasons both on the one side and the other kept the Count for three days together in great perplexity of thoughts thinking within himself without daring to communicate it with any one whether he had best conceal his Orders from the Arch-Duke or discover them to him but seeing that danger does always increase with delay he resolv'd to draw the Spanish Army together under pretence of opposing the Enemy and to secure anew the Dukes Troops by Regalio's and Presents of which the said Count was always very liberal He determin'd afterward to impart all to the Arch-Duke to shew him his Orders he had from the King and to present him his Majesties Letter His Imperial Highness concurr'd immediately and the execution of it was disposed in the ensuing manner First they drew 300 Horse about Brussels under another pretence and it was resolved that the Count de Garcies Camp-Master General should go with some particular persons to find out the Duke and conduct him to the Arch-Duke under colour that he must speak with him immediately about urgent Affairs Garcies went and found the Duke with a Father Confessor of the converted Courtizans in their little Church and acquainted him that the Arch-Duke desir'd to speak with him presently about some matters of great consequence that concern'd the interest of the Crown and that he stay'd for him at the Palace The Duke answered Parmi esser l' hora un poco tarda domuttina saro à servirlo I suppose it is too late now I shall wait on him in the morning The Count replied Tengo ordine de condur V.A. alla Corte prima che si faccia notte My Orders are to attend your Highness to the Court before it be night To which the Duke answer'd V. S. vada che la Seguiro If you please to go Sir I shall follow you Being arrived at the broad place before the Palace where the Courtiers use to walk the Count said to him V. A. prenda il cammino verso quell ' altro appartamento tenendo io ordine dal Re mio fignore d' arrestarla Your Highness please to walk towards that other Appartment for I have Orders from the King my Master to Arrest you The Duke stopt immediately and desired to be conducted to the Arch-Duke but was denied leading him hastily to the quarters prepared for him where he was honourably served and guarded by the principal Officers of the Army Assoon as he was entred the Palace the Count de Fuensaldagne sent word to the Burgo-Master to put the inhabitants in Armes and place Guards in all the streets that lead
every one shall be preserv'd and maintain'd in the same quality and condition as before That Justice shall be administred by the Colonel of every Regiment in the same manner as heretofore That his Majesty will assign them Winter-quarters so soon as the Campagne shall be ended and that they shall be treated in all places and upon all occasions as other forreign Troops in his Majesties service promising in the faith and word of a King to maintain and cause to be punctually observed what he has declared and promised At the first News of the Dukes Imprisonment his most Christian Majesty had dispatch'd Monsieur de la Borez to the Count de Ligneville with instructions to let him know the obligation that lay upon him to endeavor the enlargement of his Master by force of Armes if amicable ways would not prevail But all the Arguments used to the said Count and to Duke Francis who not many days before arrived in Flanders from Germany proved ineffectual the Management of the Spanish Ministers having had better success then the sollicitations of Cardinal Mazarine Ligneville excusing himself that he had express Orders from Duke Charles to obey his brother Duke Francis and this Prince relying upon the Promises made him of being put into the same command as his Brother did hope to be able to obtain more favour by his own merit then by force The Cardinal continued in the mean time with prudent Councils to manage other designs the principal was to carry on the Wars in the Enemies countrey thereby to force the Spaniard to a Peace which he said they pretended very much to wish for but in such manner and with such advantages to themselves that not being fit to be granted they accus'd him of being an enemy to all accommodation He reassumed the Negotiation of a League with the Protect or Cromwell at London to secure the French from the jealousies they had reason to conceive of that Nation at that time in Armes and free from any diversion elsewhere And to observe the motions of the Spaniards in Biscay that they might not introduce any new confusions in those parts he caus'd the Mareschal de Gramont in whose valour and fidelity he rely'd very much to repair to his Government of Bayon and Bearn there to have an eye to any attempt that might be made against those Provinces for the better security of which he concluded a Truce or Treaty of Neutrality and Commerce during the War betwixt Bayon and the Basques subjects of France and the Biscailins subjects of Spain He sent out new Orders for recruiting the old Troops and for levying of new to the end that in the Spring they might be able to take the field in Flanders Catalonia and Piemont He commanded the fitting up of the Fleet in Provence and all necessary Provisions to be got ready to put to sea when occasion should require either towards Catalonia or the Kingdom of Naples from whence the Duke of Guise reiterated his instances for their sudden resolution upon the Account of the good intelligence he held with the malcontents in that City by whom he was sollicited over and over and many Messengers sent to invite him thither And as he was seriously intent upon his martial Affairs so was he not unmindful for the establishment of quiet at home prevailing with His Majesty to extend his clemency even towards those as were still contumacious and to receive every body into favour putting an end to all domestick jealousies that it might appear to all men that there was nothing he desired more then to render his Ministry equally profitable and grateful to all the French Nation towards which notwithstanding the ill Treatment he had receiv'd in stead of seeking revenge forgetting all provocations his aim was by his goodness and meekness to work them gently to a repentance for their past faults rather then by punishing them precipitate them into new more desperate offences FINIS THE TABLE MOnsieur de St. Agolin sollicits the Court of Spain in behalf of the Prince of Condy page 35 Another Amnesty sent to the Bourdelots 246 Encamping of both Armies 84 A notable Artifice 118 The Kings Army advances towards Bourdeaux 137 The Assembly of the Olmiera is prohibited 155 Additions to the Capitulations at Bourdeaux 172 The Armies on the Frontiers of France 188 Several Persons of both Armies meet and discourse 200 The Arch-Duke comes to the Camp before Rocroy 220 The Order of the French Army 249 A General Amnesty granted to the Bourdelots 256 The Armies in Catalogne 303 B. The People in Bourdeaux sollicit for help from Spain 35 The Baron de Batteville raises difficulties in the Spanish Court 38 Orders given to Batteville from the Court 40 Propositions made by the Spaniards to the Bourdelots 41 Bellegarde taken 66 The Count Broglia surprizes the Irish 68 Bourg taken 96 Divers disturbances in Bourdeaux 110 Brisac returns to the Kings obedience 298 C Cardinal Mazarine returns to Paris with universal Applause 1 Applies himself to the War 2 By the Cardinals means the Count d' Ognon makes his Peace at Court 16 The Cardinal beloved by the Souldiers 18 His remarkable Policy ib. Count Marsin endeavors to take Granade 31 The communalty of Paris invites the Cardinal to a Dinner at the Town-Hall 59 concourse of the People to see the Cardinal at the Town-Hall 60 The Speech of a Plebeian to the Cardinal 61 The Count de Coligni taken Prisoner 62 The Prince Condy's of intelligence in Arras vanishes 73 Designes of the Cardinal concerning the Warr 73 Councell of war held by the Spanish Commanders 77 Condy's opinion prevailes 85 The Prince of Condy deceaved by his friends 85 The Conspiracy at Bourdeaux discovered 88 The Duke of Candale endeavors to enter Bourdeaux 92 Cromwell refuses to assist Bourdeaux 104 The Cardinal endeavours to win Bourdeaux rather by fair meanes then force 106 The Prince of Conty's answer to the Citizens of Bourdeaux 112 the Count de Fiesco returns from Spain to Bourdeaux 114 the Prince of Conty's answer to those that persuade him to peace 117 The Prince of Conty and Dutchess of Longueville disgusted with Marsin 121 The Prince of Condy shewes great esteem for Marsin 122 The Prince of Conty resolves to consent to the peace 140 the Duke of Candale treates with the Prince of Conty 141 The Contents of the Articles of peace at Bourdeaux 166 The Court of Rome has thoughts of defending the Cardinal de Retz 233 He is conveyed to Nants 235 A conspiracy to Kill Cardinal Mazarine 238 Great Clemency of the King 238. Expedient of the Cardinal to allay the disturbances at Bourdeaux 259 decree of the Councell against the Parliment of Bourdeaux 260 Courage of the French Nobility 276 The Prince Condy being sick orders his Commanders to succour S. Menehaud 278 The Cardinals diligence to hinder the succour 279 The Court returns to Paris 288 The Count de Harcourt's Negotiations with the Court 289 He
with the assistance of the Spaniards and Imperialists to oppose the designes of the French Mazarine had his eye continually on the Liberty of Italy and on the Conservation of Mantua at that time besieged which was one of his principal Instructions and seeing the maintaining Duke Charles of Nevers in the possession of his Hereditary Countreys in Italy depended on the Protection of the French he advertised the Ministers of the most Christian King of the powerful Forces of the Confederate enemies that Cardinal Richlieu might opportunely provide against them and shun the approaching danger To this and to the easier Acquist of Pignerol Spinola's clashing with the Duke of Savoy and refusing to assist him in such manner as he desired did not a little conduce and was cause that he died afterward with discontent and that the Imperialists missed of obtaining their designes The Duke sent the Abbot Scaglia into Spain to represent to the Catholick King that Spinola giving ear to the Propositions of the Cardinal Legate for an Accommodation occasion'd all the ill success and that the French through his fault were got on this side the Mountains for which the King being full of indignation against Spinola in opposition to whom there wanted not the Suggestions and Arts of those that envied his Employment resolved to take from him all Authority and Command of the Army which through so great experience of his worth he had conferr'd upon him Mazarine continuing a Mediator between each party demean'd himself with such exquisite Sagacity and with so sweet a manner Negotiating sometimes with one sometimes with another that he rendred himself equally beloved and confided in by all and continuing by Play and Familiarity to acquire every ones Friendship he came at length to penetrate into the most hidden Caballs and to discover the most secret Designs He by this means seasonably advised the Duke of Mantua's General of the Surprisal the Imperiallists were plotting against that City on the side of the Mincio not over carefully guarded by the Besieged Spinola in the mean while had laid siege to Casal with a most flourishing Army and had begun very much to streighten it Mazarine brought on new Treaties and persuaded Spinola to condescend to some honourable and honest Accommodation He formed a Writing to the satisfaction of the Duke of Savoy of Spinola and of Colalto and immediately went to find the King of France at St. John di Moriana who staid there expecting the yielding up of Montmelian attaqu'd by his Forces and brought back from the King what he desired He returned into Piemont but in those few days of his absence the face of Affairs being changed by the surprize of Mantua as also by the death of the Duke of Savoy and that Spinola was far advanc'd in the siege of Casal his first Projects were confounded and he was forced to mould new ones with which he went back to the most Christian King at Paris by order of his Patron Cardinal Antonio He was received there with great Honour and demonstrations of high Esteem for his Person and obtained His Majesty's assent to the Agreement with which he hastened to find Vittorio Amadeo the new Duke of Savoy and Collalto He demonstrated to them the good inclination of the King to the accord and left them satisfied and inclined to the Peace But because Spinola longing to take Casal seemed likely to withdraw himself from the Treaty Mazarine went again to find him at the Camp and with convincing Reasons disposed him to the Agreement He requested that for the Honour of the King and himself the City and Castle of Casal might be deposited in his hands the French retaining still the Cittadel promising to resign up the said City and Castle within the term of 15 days and that Mantua should likewise be delivered up to that Duke for the performance of which he offered in Hostage his own Son The King of France condescended to the Proposals of Spinola and gave order to his Lieutenants Generals to conclude the Treaty but in the very point of effecting it the King of Spain sent an Express depriving Spinola of all Authority At which he was so much cast down and struck with grief that when Mazarine returned to give him an account of his Negotiation and how he had accomplished what Spinola had desired and proposed he could get no other Answer from him then these two words V. S. es hombre da bien pero jo tambien Your Lordship is an honest man and I am so too And thus walking to and fro and stamping he shewed himself to be agitated by a most fierce and secret grief Wherefore temporizing with artificial Excuses he gave no other Answer then the former words often reiterated Finally Cardinal Antonio resolving to see the end of it with the approbation of the Duke of Savoy and Collalto sent back Mazarine to Spinola who was sick in bed and prevailed so much that Spinola in the end not being able to resist the force of the Reasons produced by Mazarine broke out into a grievous lamentation in defence of his Honour saying M' hanno levato l' honore They have taken away my Honour Then calling one of his Servants he ordered the King of Spains Letter to be brought by which all his Power was taken from him and shewed it to Mazarine that he might know the true cause of his Irresolution and said again M' hanno levato l' honore They have taken away my Honour Afterwards turning himself to the other side of the bed with the Letter in his hand he aggravated his Misfortune and the injury done to his Reputation and the Merit of so many Services performed by him to the Crown of Spain for 40 years together The business being in this posture Mazarine by order of Cardinal Antonio entered upon new Negotiations and proposed a Suspension of Arms but Spinola being dead and the Marquess di Sante Croce entering upon his Command who found all things in disorder by the death of the General underwrit the Truce which was already subscribed to by the Duke of Savoy and Collalto In the mean while the French Army descended into Piemont to relieve Casal and each Party hoping to win by their Arms the business was in a ready way to be decided by them To that purpose the French Army advance within sight of the place The Legat made use of Mazarine also in this occasion who flying like Lightening now to one side now to the other behaved himself with such dexterity that in the very instant that both Armies were ranged in Battalia ready to engage he concluded the Peace to the general satisfaction of all and with so great applause for himself that by this action the way was open'd to those Grandeurs which afterwards he arrived at becoming in a manner absolute Moderator of the greatest Affairs of the World Upon putting the Peace in execution the Spaniards by their slow departure out of the Territories of
with Restriction of the Council to the plurality of Voices he was confirmed in this determination by the Prince of Conde who by the Authority he had above the other Counsellors imagined to turn and wind all at his pleasure wherefore the Councel of Mazarine for the uncontrolled Authority of the Queen conformable to the examples of former Regencies remained fruitless That which only remained to settle the Kings minde was to have an assurance that the Cardinal would not return into Italy after his death wherefore having earnestly besought him never to abandon his sons importun'd him to a direct promise as likewise the Queen not to permit him upon any pretext whatsoever to quit the Affairs and to engage him the more he was pleased that he should answer for the Dauphine at the Holy Font in Quality of Godfather together with the Princess of Conde confessing that he did it more straitly to oblige him to his sons service His Majestie well knowing the need he should have of him in his unripe years The King dead it seemed not convenient to the Queen to suffer that Authority to be retrenched in such manner which other Queens had enjoyed freely wherefore she permitted her self to be perswaded against the sense and counsel of the Cardinal to make the Parliament annul the Will of her late husband which Mazarine foreseeing would prove a mortal blow to the State and highly prejudicial to the Regent her self did not only forbear to appear in Parliament but likewise prepared himself to retire which was by no means assented to by the Queen who having the Authority of the Regency confirmed to her not only assured him of an entire confidence but engaged him also to remain minding him of his promise made to the King never to depart from his children and notwithstanding the great oppositions made against Mazarine by the enemies of Richlieu and by the disaffected he carried himself so well that in a short time he engrossed all Affairs The Bishop of Beauvais whom the Queen had added to the Councel where in those few days of his direction all things were fallen into disorder being excluded On the contrary Mazarine entred upon the business of the Kingdom with very lucky beginnings when many important considerations would have been enough to have discomposed the stoutest mind in so dangerous a condition of so Infantine a Minority The unquiet nature of the French desirous of Novelties easie to be drawn into sedition the Court full of turbulent spirits many prisoners set free many returned from their exile others who before for their rebellious attempts durst not so much as shew their heads now so arrogant as to pretend a share in the Government The Parliament depressed and discontented desirous to recover their lustre and dilate their power The Provinces oppressed by the grievances of a long War more inclined to disloyalty then obedience the Princes disposed to the most desperate attempts to make their advantage of these Conjunctures the people animated to shake off so weighty a yoke The apprehension not ill grounded that the Confederates of France fearing the unstable Resolution in a womans Regency and for their own proper Interests were ready to relinquish their former Union And lastly all the Concerns of the Crown threatning on all hands fear and terror Yet nothing could dismay the courage of the Cardinal resolved to despise all danger for the Royal service He applied himself suddenly to strengthen and conserve the external and internal vigour of the Kingdom And procured in the first place to confirm the Confederates in their Adherence to the Crown writing to all with such assuredness of the stability of the Regency in the established mutual Union and with such motives of honour and profit to themselves that he easily confirmed them in their Confederations thus in that beginning was established to the Crown the Amity of the Swedes of the Duke of Savoy of the Langrave of Hesse of the States of Holland of the Catalonians and of the Portugals a League which rendred the Power of France so much the stronger and feared and which at last did so much cooperate to the Conclusion of the Peace And secondly considering that intestine evils are most dangerous and aptest to destroy the Individual and foreseeing how much Civil discords do indamage a State he placed all his care to preserve the Peace of the Kingdom by uniting the Royal Family which was easily brought to pass for some years To handsel the Regency with some egregious deed he propounded and against the opinion of every one undertook the Siege of Teonville a place of great importance which happily succeeding he gained great commendation Frieburg afterward being attacqued by the Army of the Elector of Baviere with manifest danger to be lost he opportunely provided to relieve it causing the Queen to command the Duke of Anguien to joyn speedily his Troops to those of Mareschal Turenne and to bring timely succours which succeeded prosperously by which means not only the possession of that City was kept which had already capitulated but also other considerable Conquests were acquired The French Armies passing beyond the Rhine the Danube and the Lech and the Duke d' Anguien having gained a singular victory they over-ran Spire Ghermensain Landau Bindemo Cronach and Magonza By like advantages in those parts the Confederates were got in a condition to lend their helping hand at any time of need who by making themselves Master of a great part of Franconia and Suevia they became much stronger then their enemies but chiefly by the taking of Hoilbrun yet an Imperial City of very grear importance confirmed to them by the Treaty of the Truce concluded at Ulme with the Elector of Bavaria He cooperated afterward to the Peace of Munster and quickly saw it concluded with notable advantages to the Crown of France to which he establish'd the possession of both the Alsatia's and the two very strong places of Brijac and Phillipsburg near the Rhine opening a Pass into Germany at their pleasure By this Peace there did accrew to France the three Bishopricks of Metz Tul and Verdun and by the creating Metz a Parliament heretofore found a matter of much difficulty firmly established the controverted Jurisdiction of them with an absolute and perpetual possession ratified by the Emperor and the several Orders of the Empire The cares of the Cardinal were not restrained to these Expeditions only but at the same time he was likewise intent upon the Caballs of the Cabinet finding himself compelled by the Court-Intrigues to apply himself to extinguish in the beginning every spark of Civil trouble and oft-times to ward his own life from the treacheries of his enemies By this his care he saved himself from the Conspiracy contrived against him by the Duke of Beaufort who thinking the Cardinal an obstacle against his high designes by the occasion of a certain Collation which the Count of Chavigny had prepared for the Queen at the Castle of
were generally dis-satisfied The Warre being kindled the Fire seemed unextinguishable not only because it chiefly arose as the common report went from private passion and particular envy and the flames daily encreasing from those puffs of anger the discontents grew still higher which according to the Contingencies of Warre administred new matter of rancour But also on the Popes Account that he being the Common Father should with a constant resentment pretend a just title to disturb the quiet of Italy by armes when all Christendom groaning so long time under the weight of innumerable miseries thought they might expect from his Piety a paternal and serious application to compose the inveterate motions of War and not to excite new ones On the other side the interessed Confederates longing to abate the temporal power of the Ecclesiastical Princedom and to give a wholesom Admonishment to those that being destin'd by God to enjoy it for a season are oftentimes unmindful of returning again to their private condition were resolved to maintain with all perseverance the reputation of their Armes For this cause the mediation or the Spaniards and the Emperor for a pacification proved a long time ineffectual the King of France not omitting to interpose his his Authority for the service of her to whose Assistance his Ancestors had so often passed the Mountains dispatched by the Counsel and dictates of Mazarine the Marquess of Lionne to the Confederate Princes to whom he delivered his Message with such vigour and reputation that by his prudent Negotiations he ripened that fruit which Cardinal Bichi who was ordered by the King to manage the Treaty afterward had the good fortune to gather by the Conclusion of the Peace as acceptable and advantageous to the Barberines as afterward the memory of that War proved prejudicial to them The Cardinal likewise got no small reputation by composing the differences between the Kings of Swedeland and Denmark who were entring into a most cruel War He shewed himself also very constant in overcoming all the difficulties which hapned upon the Marriage of the Princess Maria Gonzago with Uladislao King of Poland brought to an end by his great Prudence While the Affairs of France went thus prosperously on and that all Europe had their eyes fixed on the greatness and power of that Crown admiring the Ascendant Fortune of the most Christian King with the same Reflexions wherewith heretofore were admired that of the most victorious Emperour Charles the Fifth on a sudden she saw her self overwhelmed by those Civil broils which have always been the most powerful mischiefs to depress her The first ground from whence these turbulent Revolutions arose was from the Treasurer Emery who was the Person that disposed the minds of the Parlementarians of Paris to Commotions by troubling them in their places hereby to raise money not without the opinion of many that he did this with an intent to overthrow the Cardinal who vigorously opposed such his dangerous Undertakings knowing the nature of the French to be most extremely violent for their particular benefit For this cause therefore the Parlement of Paris having declared against the Kings Government the Queen thought to destroy this growing Hydra by punishing three of her Heads giving order for the Imprisonment of the Counsellour Brussel and the Presidents Blamenil and Charton though Mazarine did greatly impugn it well perceiving that it was not yet time to stir the Humours when there was no likelihood to dissipate them and it succeeded just so as he foresaw for the People having taken Arms and chained the streets compell'd the Court to set free the prisoners and to turn out Emery to the great prejudice of the Royal Authority and to the emboldening of the Seditious to undertake new Villanies The Cardinal on this occasion maintained but it did not help him that by the rule of good Government they ought constantly to adhere to their resolutions once taken although they were not assumed with their due precautions it being always hurtful to Princes to recede from that which they have once pretended to be observed by their Subjects From the like beginnings the Alterations plotted by the restless minds of those who hoped to advance their private Fortunes greatly increased These disorders were fomented by the Coadjutor of Paris allured by the hopes of Mazarines ruine to enter into his place of Chief Minister being a person of an high spirit and very intelligent in the Affairs and by the Count de Chavigny likewise exasperated seeing himself by the Queens aversion to him not in that full Credit and Authority which he had in the Consultations in the time of Richlieu's Government So that all things being in a confusion and impossible to provide against the disorders without That flourishing and potent Kingdom at the height of its greatest glory became a Scene of most lamentable miseries losing in one Campania the fruits of many others purchased with so much sweat with so much bloud and with so great expence of money The Cardinal sought nevertheless to hinder what he could the growth of these disorders and knowing how dangerous it would be to France if England should declare for Spain as it was by all Arts endeavoured by the Spanish Agents he knew so wisely to manage the business that he frustrated the Enemy's design and preserved the friendship of the English though ever emulous and no well-willers to the French The Events that after these commotions rent in pieces the Regency and all France were infinite and deplorable for although Mazarine with all sweetness and gentleness did endeavour to smooth their minds by temporizing till the Kings Majority but the more he endeavoured by these means to appease the Animosities of the Seditious the more they were hardened in their insolence and by open violence opposed the Orders of the Regent whereupon by his advice the Queen resolved to remove from Paris with the King which she did on Twelveth-night 1649. For this cause the City was in a great commotion and the Court in a state to recover its due regard but hereupon their Animosities against the Cardinal grew higher suspecting him to be as indeed he was the Author of this Retreat whence the fury of the People and Parlement breaking out against him he was by the later order'd to depart within eight days The Court stoutly supporting the Cardinal resolved to block up Paris with the Army as it was forthwith done by the Prince of Conde who though he had his Brother his Sister and his Brother in Law on the Parlements side yet held himself always united with the Regent and Mazarine who failed not in the mean while accurately to watch how to compose the differences In this occasion Cardinal Mazarine made manifest the height of his Intellectuals the excellency of his Skill his Wit and his Craft joyning himself now with the one now with the other Party and finally crushing them both remained Conquerour in the field and obtained the
commotions likely suddenly to arise to the destruction of the Peace and the publick good might be avoided and the Duke of Orleans was intreated to joyn some of his with the said Deputies mutually to importune that the Cardinal might be kept at distance By a publick command they did prohibit all Cities Towns and all those who were in Authority on the Frontiers not to receive him nor give him any assistance upon pain of High Treason Though they reaped small benefit from these deliberations because every one laugh'd at it reputing it mere madness and folly to pretend to controle with scribling and papers where the Kings lawful power was predominant back'd with the strength of Arms nevertheless they were so intoxicated with a most sottish pretension of Authority and so instigated by their Passion that they persuaded themselves that an Order of Parlement was sufficient to bring the whole Kingdom under obedience and so passing from one absurdity to anothet to end this year 1651 the 29th of December in virtue of the aforesaid Declarations of the 7th and 9th of February the 11th of March the 2d and 8th of August last past and of those and some other Parlements against the Cardinal he was by the Parlement of Paris declared guilty of High Treason for returning to Sedan contrary to the Prohibition and for putting himself in a posture to return into France ordering moreover to finish the selling his Library and all the Furniture of his House with the Confiscation of all his Ecclesiastical Emoluments depositing 50000 Crowns to be given to him that should kill him or deliver him alive to Justice petitioning His Majesty in such case to give his Grace to the Assassine who if by his misfortune in giving the blow should not escape but be kill'd himself that his Heirs should be capable of the reward making their account that so great a recompence would invite some desperate Villain to take away his Life a thing never heard of and unworthy to be decreed nay not to be propos'd in a Catholick Parlement the bounds of whose Authority extended no further then to judge of Civil and Criminal causes and not in the least to interest themselves in the Affairs of State It was therefore looked upon with detestation that they should proceed to the condemnation of so conspicuous a Statesman so dear to the King and by His Majesty's Council known to be so advantageous to the good of France and adorned with the Dignity of Cardinal All Europe abhorr'd this Action and every good Catholick was scandaliz'd that the Life of a Prince of Holy Church should be expos'd to sale so acceptable to the King by whose express Order onely he acted And many foresaw that the Authors of these execrable doings though Humane Revenge should fail would find in their season no less then those English who condemn'd their King to death the chastisements of Heaven for the little respect that they bore not only to the Cardinal but also to the King and the Holy Church This Decree as far as could be guess'd pass'd not without the secret intelligence of the Count de Chavigny who believed by such means to hinder the Cardinals return supposing that if the Order had but issued out a little before he would not have enter'd again into the Kingdom The Count was the first that tasted Gods judgment dying a while after in despair conscious of betraying the Court and the Prince of Conde his greatest Confident in one and the same time All this was represented to the Court of Rome supposing that the Sacred College would not allow that such an Example should remain in the memory of the present Age much less be transferred to posterity without those remedies and punishments which belong to the Popes Authority But the Romanists considering that if the success should not answer the attempt the reputation and dignity of the Apostolical See would be too far engaged wherefore they passed it over palliating it with dissimulation for Mazarine had his back-friends in Rome as well as in France and the Pope himself was his Enemy These news coming to the Court they rejoyced at the seditious Parisiens and valued little their words and inconsiderable strength and had frequent Consultations about this business and although few pressed the return of Mazarine yet finding the King was resolved to have him near about him according to the Court custom where they flatter more the Fortune then the Person they began with an affected ostentation to shew that they desired as much some of them persuading the Queen to hasten his return constraining their own inclination that they might appear to be his most cordial friends But Prince Thomas being a little before come out of Piemont into France the Mareschal de Plessis Pralin the Sieurs de la Ferté and Seneterre the Count de Servient the Sieur de Lionne and other Noblemen of a clear Fidelity ingenuous Disposition and true Friends deliver'd their minds with affection and sincerity as also the Princess Palatine the Secretary Tillier recalled to Court by the means of the Marquess de Chasteauneuf and of the Mareschal de Villeroy which vexed those at heart who persuaded themselves that they might be useful in that charge and beheld with an evil eye that Mazarine's Affairs proceeded so smoothly on to his re-establishment They that chiefly opposed his return in the Council were the Marquess de Chasteauneuf who exercised the charge of first Minister of State and deliciously relished the Applauses and the Honours which to it paid Tribute as Rivers to the Sea but he vailed his thoughts with the pretext that yet the conjuncture of Affairs was not ripe for his return because the unseasonableness of it would colour the pretences of the Prince of Conde and of the other Male-contents with the face of Justice and would ferment new grievances and revolutions not only in Paris but in other parts of the Kingdom and said it would be better counsel to seek first to remove out of the way the Prince and his Party that he might return with more security The Proposition truly in it self look'd well and if at that time nothing had been innovated about Mazarine's coming back the Prince had been totally ruined the whole Kingdom standing firm for the King but when it was considered that if while the Cardinals return was delay'd the business of the Kingdom and the present state of Affairs should be mitigated and the Prince destroyed the reasons for his return as a necessary Minister would not have so much vigour as when it might be averred that the King had no person about him sufficient to undergo so weighty a Charge For this reason Chasteauneuf's Opinion did not take place and their counsel was imbraced who supported the Cardinals Interest alledging that his presence was of great importance for the better carrying on the Affairs besides the recruit of a Body of old Souldiers levied by him to hasten the depression
could make them comprehend he thought it not difficult to disjoyn them from the rest for when the support of Paris should be taken from them all their fabrick would moulder away and be ruined Upon these considerations the Court departed from Melun towards the end of May and came to S. Denis a League or two distant from Paris to countenance the Managements undertaken by the Kings Party in that City towards which place by the Cardinals counsel His Majesty us'd as great clemency as if it had been Loyal that they might see it was far from the Kings mind to block them up as the Princes divulg'd abroad He caused moreover the commerce to be kept free and order'd so much as the Bread to be convoy'd by his own Guards which in great abundance is brought thither twice a week The Kings Army led by Turenne follow'd the Court and being reinforc'd with 3000 men of the Mareschal de la Ferté Seneterre who together with Turenne was left to command the Army they incamped near S. Denis on the left hand upon the River towards Paris which was in this manner every where beyond the Sene on the West side inviron'd by the Kings Forces who at their pleasure could shut up the Passes on the River and reduce the City to greater straits for provisions then it was though they paid at that time an excessive price for bread and every thing else not only in Paris but in S. Denis and the Camp it self This Expedient was thought by Mazarine to be the best foreseeing that the people not being able to endure the scantness of Victuals nor the Citizens to see their Trade interrupted by which they have their subsistence and lastly wearied out by the desolations which they daily felt in their Territories round about equally ill-treated by Friends and Foes they would resolve to deliver themselves from such tedious mischiefs but notwithstanding they suffered so many miseries and incommodities yet the obstinacy of the people was such by reason of the credit of the Princes and the Frondeurs that feeding themselves with hopes to hear suddenly of the ruine of all the Mazarines for so they call'd those of the Kings Party they did not mind their own destruction and this served to render their grievous sufferings tollerable which they experimented very considerably as well for the continual dammages to which they were daily expos'd as for the interruption of their rest being obliged to keep in that vast City 10000 upon the Guards day and night the Kings Party then not being able to reduce into a streight path that people back'd by the Army and encouraged with hopes given them by the Princes They endeavour'd to destroy as soon as might be their Troops the attempt not seeming difficult their Camp being neither fortified nor advantaged by the Situation and inferiour by more then the half to that of the Kings The Cardinal provided what was necessary for the execution of this Enterprise before the Spaniards should appear with their promis'd Supplies and which were continually sollicited for by the Princes The 29th of June then the Mareschal de Turenne drew near to the River to make a Bridge of Boats beneath Espinay and there passing the Sene to assault the Camp at S. Cloud which having allarm'd the Army of the Princes the Count of Tavannes sent 150 Foot and as many Horse and he with the rest of the Troops followed thither In the same time advertizing the Prince of Conde at Paris who suddenly issuing forth put himself at the head of them and hindered the Royallists from framing the Bridge as likewise their Passage down lower at Poissy but suspecting that Turenne should pass at Espinay and come upon their backs he resolved to raise the Camp from St. Cloud and pass over to Charenton as a more safe Post having the Marne on their backs and flank'd by the Sene. In pursuance of this rising from S. Cloud the first of July two hours before Sun-set he pass'd the Sene over the Stone-bridge and another of Boats and march'd thorough the Wood of Bologne and Chaliot directly to Paris But finding that Order had been given to the Captains that were in Guard with their City-companies at the Gate of the Conference and all the other Gates to permit no Souldiers to pass whatsoever he caused his Army to advance along the Town-ditch towards the Gate of Richlieu continuing his March towards Charenton About an hour after Mid-night Cardinal Mazarine had advice of it by one of his Confidents hid in Paris who made his Servant pass over the Wall to give notice to Turenne who without losing time mounted his Cavalry with such diligence that at 5 a clock the morning following he encounter'd the Rere of the Prince at the entrance of the Suburbs of St. Denis street The Count de Novailles charg'd them so briskly that the Regiment of Conty was greatly endamag'd and another Squadron which was drawn up in Battalia with him near the Gate of the Temple was no less ill-handled The Prince entering into Paris went to confer with the Duke of Orleans and issued out afresh at S. Martins Gate flying like Lightening from the Van to the Rere of his Army which was marching to the designed Post All the Royal Camp and Court was got on Horse-back being confident that day to conquer and put an end to the War not only for the superiority in Number but also for the length of the Way which the Prince was forc'd to take in regard of the Baggage The Cardinal upon this confidence leaving fit Orders with Turenne conducted the King to the hill of Saronne that he might be Spectator of so famous an action in which they discoursed to have the Prince dead or a prisoner his Army destroyed and the War ended Mazarine sent to his party in Paris to be of good courage and to use all their industry to hinder that the Gates might not be opened to the Enemies Troops nor to the succour that might be sent them from the City The Kings Army being arrived at Villette half a League from Paris and having notice that the Forces of the Princes were already past those places in which if they could have set upon them they would without doubt have been defeated Turenne taking to the left hand passed the hills of Saronne and came into the Plain between the Suburbs of S. Anthony and Charenton putting his men in order while the other part of the Army remained on the right hand with the Mareschal de la Penté Seneterre and although the Prince being in the Suburbs and under the Walls of Paris had the advantage of the Post nevertheless the Kings Generals knowing that they could not in the end be able to defend themselves against their Attaque and being assured by the Court that they would not be received into Paris having been denied the Evening before they resolved to advance boldly and fall upon some Squadrons that were entered into
there issued out about 300 Inhabitants who were placed by the Prince to guard certain Posts One part of the Baggage enter'd by the Gate of the Temple and the other by that of S. Anthony The Prince gave the Orders for the favouring and securing their retreat and sent to Monsieur de Louviere Commander at that time of the Bastile in lieu of his father the Counsellour Brussel to cause the great Guns to be discharged upon the Kings Troops which being delay'd as a thing unbeseeming a Subject Madamoiselle came into the Bastile and mounting briskly upon the Wall with an Amazonian courage as if she her self had participated of the glory and danger commanded that in her presence the Artillery should be discharged against the Kings Army which was done accordingly Thereupon Order being given for the Retreat the Horse Foot and Canon march'd forthwith It was thought at the first discharge of the Bastile that it was against the Princes Troops the Parisiens having assured the Kings Ministers that they would not receive the Princes People but afterward perceiving that they shot against the Royallists and that the Inhabitants failing of their promise the Baggage was already safe and the Troops began to enter into the City those of the Kings Party were greatly astonished for the lost hopes of their assured Victory The Kings Generals were no less troubled as well for some reproofs of their slowness and negligence as to see themselves at the very point of their Victory defrauded of their Expectations so that they retreated again to S. Denis The Cardinal being very sad for the ill success of the Enterprise and for the mortal Wound his Nephew Mancini receiv'd of which he died in few days in which time the King with a demonstration of singular affection visited him often as also the afflicted Lady of S. Magrin The Forces of the Princes encamp'd themselves in the Fields of Yvry without the Suburbs of St. Marceau and in two days time sackt all the Villages and Houses for three Leagues about Madamoiselle in this occasion did another mad prank which was seconded by all Paris She stuck a handful of straw upon her head and passing thorow the streets cried that was the sign which they that were not Mazarines ought to wear In a moment not only all the Inhabitants but the strangers of every Nation and of all sorts even to the Religious Men and Ministers of forreign Princes were seen to follow this fashion to secure themselves from the violence and insolence the people used towards those that had not this distinction about them But this was a fore-running Presage of unhappy events to follow for straw-fire being the weakest and the easiest to be extinguisht portended that that Party should suddenly be dissolved like straw-fire into smoke In this manner ended the memorable Fight in the Suburbs of St. Anthony the second of July 1652 in which the quality of the slain and wounded was more considerable then the number The Prince of Conde not at all valuing his own life running now to one place now to another where the fight was most bloody and his men in greatest danger he perform'd the Office not only of a General but of a Common Souldier and oftentimes was at the Graves Mouth His Horse was slain under him he received several shot on his Armour his Cloaths pierc'd through in many places his Feather and Hair burnt and yet to the admiration of all he remain'd unhurt The Mareschal de Turenne behaved himself with no less valour who pressing on with great celerity on every side gave worthy proofs of his experience and skill and he was heard to say that he had received order to go and fight the Prince of Conde But wheresoever he charg'd the Enemy he always found the Prince at the Head of them All the other Generals and Captains behaved themselves bravely And for their extraordinary boldness and famous and courageous deeds of both Parties this was accounted amongst the noblest and worthiest Exploits that ever happened in any Age. The Prince of Conde being grown more confident upon the increased reputation of his Arms he tried to make them declare openly in favour of his Party seeing he wanted money and other necessary assistance to maintain the War But because till that time his pressing instances made to the Citizens had taken little effect who by Mazarines means were daily more and more gain'd to the Kings party he thought as it was famed abroad and the Parisiens themselves fear'd to constrain them by force to do what he desired A General Assembly of the Citizens being to be held in the Town-House at the Greve the 4th of July in the same year 1652 It was resolved by the Princes to make the common people fall upon that Assembly and by putting them in fear bring them to their will All the Officers of the Communalty being come together which might be about 400 of the chief of the City the Duke of Orleans sent the Mareschal of Estampes to the Mareschal de l' Hospital who presided in the Assembly as Governour of Paris to assure him that that morning there should happen no disorder and that he desired that laying aside publick affairs they would consult how to put the Parlement in safety and give time to their Deputies which were gone to Court promising to be himself within two houres at the Assemblie The Mareschal answer'd that it was fit that his Royal Highness should have all satisfaction The Assembly met the Duke came thither at half an houre past four in the afternoon at which time the Greve was full of armed seditious people with straw upon their heads an evident token of some extravagant disorder and a Prelude to the funest Tragedy that followed The Duke being entred into the Hall the Mareschal resigned his Chair to him placing himself upon the Prevost of the Merchands Bench. It is not amiss to observe that the Mareschal having received the Duke at the foot of the stairs seeing him adorned with his bunch of straw told him boldly What your Royal Highness then enters with the mark of sedition into the Kings House The Duke replied he had indeed received that straw but did not approve of it they went up the stairs and Orleans taking his place thank'd the City for granting a passage to his Troops asking them if in a like occurrence they would do it again The Prince appear'd there also and spake to the same purpose The Mareschals Answer was that they should always have the same inclination to their service and when they pleas'd to withdraw they would take it into their consideration in which Speech the Prevost of Merchands concurr'd In the mean time a Trumpet arrived with a Letter with a Seal in which the King ordered that the Assembly should be put off till the 8th of the same moneth The Mareschal caused it to be read and then asked the Princes and the rest of the Assembly if they were
in the mind to obey the Kings Orders The Princes without answering any thing retired judging their Party not strong enough to make them determine on the Union which they desired and coming out of the Parquet so is the Tribunal or place rail'd in where the Lords sit called to accompany the Duke and the Prince the Mareschal was presented by an impertinent fellow with a posie of straw with which sawciness being much incens'd turning himself briskly told him that if it were not for the respect he bore to his Royal Highness he would cause him presently to be thrown out at the window and hang'd upon a Gibbet The Princes going out said that place was full of Mazarines who had a mind to prolong and gain time which occasion'd so great a commotion that the Souldiers of the Princes and the seditious people fell to discharge against the windows and doors Some Officers of the Princes to give countenance to this business had appointed several Musquettiers with their Leaders who having attempted in vain to raise a tumult in some other parts of the City came at last to this place mingling themselves with the people One of the people that stood upon the steps of the Cross in the midst of the place happened in this time to be kill'd by a shot whether by chance or on purpose which much more increas'd their rage and fury every one beginning to cry the Mazarines had made that shot and therefore they ought to kill them all menacing those that were within the Town-house and in this hurly-burly many were heard to cry Union Union and away with the Mazarines and all running with the straw in their Hats like so many possess'd with Furies they began to commit the accustomed insolencies that the indiscretion and bestiality of the rabble are wont to inspire The City-Companies that guarded the Town-house fled presently away which emboldning the seditious more and more they ran to fetch wood from the next boats and set fire to the great Gate endeavouring to get in to commit all the insolencies that blind passion could prompt them to In this danger the Mareschal and divers others undauntedly resolved rather to perish gloriously then to submit and save their lives weakly and dishonorably wherefore they prepared for a generous defence The Mareschal ordered them to make a Barricade of great Pieces of Timber above stairs at the entrance of the great Hall that looks into the Court which was defendde and maintain'd bravely by the Mareschals Guards He gave order likewise to spare their powder till night and in the mean time they should defend themselves with the stones of the pavement but at the same instant the great Gate being burnt and fallen down the seditious assaulted the Barricade where Blancart Commissary of the Princes Army received a mortal wound of which he died a little after with him some other Souldiers of the Princes were also slain While this pass'd the Prince of Conde was at the Palace of Orleans where having notice that the business went contrary to his intention which was to put them in fear but not to carry it on to extremity he intended to transport himself presently upon the place and making them by his Presence to cease the assault oblige those within to acknowledge their lives and safety from him But the Duke to whom it seemed not perhaps convenient that the Prince should hazard his person amongst that mad rabble or whether he thought it not expedient he should gain the good-will of the Citizens by that generous action and himself to bear all the hatred detain'd him by force and in no wise would not permit him to go out of his house so that to his great discontent he was constrain'd to remain quiet Many in this while seeing the imminent danger and excited by fear desiring to get out of the Palace attempted to make their way thorow the thickest of the people several of them were kill'd but some had the good fortune to save themselves without hurt The Duke of Beaufort and the Marquess de la Bollay who were in a house near by issuing out call'd aloud to some of the Assembly by their names saying he came to bring Peace and free them from the danger they were in The Mareschal believing this to be only a trick to get out those of the Princes Party and leave the rest to the discretion of the peoples fury sent to ask him if there was safety and with a constant and stout mind declar'd that they would all have their lives or all perish together The Assault lasted from five a Clock in the Evening till ten at night at which time the Mareschal going to the Barricade found it abandon'd and his Guards retired upon the false report spread that he had made his escape The people thereupon entred sack'd every thing and stript all they met who were glad to part with their cloaths to save their lives The Mareschal not knowing how to get out without being discover'd took the opportunity to put himself among the people and so passed into the next Chamber He had given the Order of the Holy Ghost to one of his Pages to keep and chang'd Hats with him and having on a Coat of a dark colour stood in the midst of them that blaspheming and raging with madness sought him every where and by the Address of a friend of his that call'd him by another name he got safe out At last Madamoiselle being moved to pity for so great a Massacre with her wonted generosity though it was three houres within night went to the Town-house and took along with her the Duke of Beaufort where she quieted the tumult and caused those of the Assembly to pass out safe and unhurt to her great commendation The Confusions and Cruelties committed in this Action served only to put the Prince of Conde in the ill opinion of the Parisiens whence as the second of July was the day of Triumph and height of his glory in that City so the fourth following was the impulsive cause of his fall being the Parisiens could never be got to contribute any money nor to come to an open rupture with the Court complaining generally of the Princes who to abate the ill esteem and to disguise as much as they could the part they had which was very considerable in this deliberation they imprisoned two Complices of the sedition who were also executed The 6th of the same month the Assembly was called again to the Town-house but few went and for all the entreaties the Duke of Orleans made sending thither even his own Swisse Guards none appeared but some few dependents of the Princes The Prevost of Merchands sent to declare that he should come no more to the Councils nor publick Assemblies till the Kings Authority was re-established wherefore Orleans substituted the Counsellor Brussel in that Charge making him take his Oath in forme and the Mareschal de l' Hospital being no more to exercise
Kingdom according to the Kings Declaration they asked no more nor would they fail to render immediately all duty and obedience to his Majesty That to send Deputies in their names was superfluous since those of the Parlement being there in whom they reposed all confidence they did not intend to do any thing without the privity of the Parlement to which effect they should at all times write their mind to President Nesmond After which it was concluded to return thanks to his Majestie for his favourable Answer for sending away the Cardinal and to supplicate him anew that it might be done speedily That the Princes would be pleased to write to Nesmond or to some other of the Deputies to second this their Declaration that whensoever the Cardinal should be out of the Kingdom they should perform what they had promised and order the said Deputy to receive what Commands the King should deem necessary In this Assembly the Prince was observed to discourse with some sternness as if he were angry Monsieur de Bust proposed to choose new Deputies that might find out the most convenient means to send the Troops farther off and to do their utmost endeavour to procure the Peace and although all things should happen to be agreed on yet nothing to be done till the Cardinal was first departed Upon this the Parlement thought it expedient to order their Deputies at Court to give the King thanks for his Promise of giving Mazarine licence to depart and to sollicit the performance of it and to desire the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde to write to the President Nesmond with assurance as they had declared in the Assembly to lay down their Arms and yield entire obedience to his Majestie so soon as Mazarine should be gone Orleans therefore writ that by the desire of the Court that he and the Prince should send Deputies to the King they could imagine no other thing considering with what delays the Audience of the Deputies was retarded but that it was a device of the Cardinal to elude his Majesties resolution in banishing him the Kingdom and making Peace with his subjects that although the solemn Declarations made and reiterated before the Parlement might suffice yet to make it more clearly appear how sincerely and candidly he had behaved himself in all those Transactions he was resolved to let him know by that Letter that he might assure and faithfully promise to the King that he should punctually make good his said Declaration so soon as ever the Cardinal should withdraw in good earnest and without any other shadow of suspition and should send to render him his humble thanks receive his Orders and Commands having no other Agreements or Conditions to make with his Majestie but only to obey him as he was always ready to do with all respect and submission according to the obligation of his birth The Prince writ also to Nesmond in the same form and charged him to give all assurance of the reality of their intentions Hereupon Nesmond being admitted to the Kings Presence spake in this manner Sir The Assurance that it hath pleased your Majestie to give us for the retirement of Cardinal Mazarine hath fill'd the hearts of your Vassals with hope upon the confidence they have that the words of Kings as the Word of God bring their full effect and can never be but profitable Your Parlement hath given us in charge to testifie to your Majestie with all humbleness and respect their desire and to request the effecting it conformable to their Declaration and to the Decrees that have seconded it supplicating your Majestie to consider that the miseries of France augmenting daily and suffering no delay it will be an effect of your bounty Not to defer the remedy so desired a benefit any longer the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde have given us in charge to confirm to your Majestie their first Declarations and represent on their behalf that they have nothing to propound by employing Deputies submitting themselves to obey your Orders with all obedience so soon as the Cardinal shall have fulfill'd your Majesties Declaration It depends now Sir on your Authority to shorten all these ills yielding to this departure at our supplication We have no more words to express our grief the force of which does stop our utterance The publick disorders the ruine of the State the Power of the Enemies the Misery of the People are sensibly obvious to your Majesties sight and will yet more touch your Majesties heart to whom we protest that we shall always have an eternal obligation for the end of so many mischiefs and for the Peace the Kingdom The King reply'd that he would participate all this to his Council and they should receive his Answer which was delivered them the day following in writing and read by the Count de Brienne in these words That the King had granted the request made him to send away the Cardinal though he clearly saw it was only a pretext to disturb the State if the Princes had accepted the Articles that were to be performed on their part sincerely there would have remained no other stop to the establishment of the quiet of the Realm That if his Majestie had believed that his Answer to the Deputies touching that Affair should have served as an occasion for a new Decree of Parlement he would not have given it in any wise knowng that in the condition the Parlement was then in as well for the absence of a great number of the principal Counsellours as for the violent Authority usurp'd by the Heads of the Rebellion they were deprived of their freedom and reduced to obey other mens wills since by the Decree of the first of July it was resolved not to treat nor determine any thing concerning the publick Affairs till the Courts of Justice and the City were restored to their freedom but instead of providing for their safety when the Assembly was convened in the Town-house to that effect the burnings violences and slaughters had reduced the Tribunals and the City to the extreamest oppression so that his Majestie could no longer regard the determinations made in a Company where the Liberty of Voices was not free The Kings intention in his Answer to the Deputies was to give them opportunity that the Princes might send persons of their own with Authority to receive Orders for putting the Articles by them accepted in execution and to agree upon the time the manner and the security for the performance so that not without Reason His Majesty was surprized to see Subjects pretend to obtain things of their Soveraign that were never practised even among Princes that were equal It was not fit that he should be the first to fulfil on his part what hath been agreed on till the Conditions which comprehend the true cause of these distractions be solemnly promised and cleared as they ought to be It being evident that the principal occasion
of the Disturbances of the Kingdom hath been the taking up of Arms the Union of the Princes with the Spaniards the introducing them into His Majesties Fortresses and the ruines and desolations caused by the Souldiers of the Princes and by consequence the peace can never be re-established till the Hostilities be forborn their Arms laid down the Spaniards driven out of the Kingdom and the Leagues made with them intirely broken It is therefore necessary for all these reasons that the Princes do agree upon the time the manner and the security for performance of the Conditions that they seem to have accepted And although His Majesty may in reason insist as well for the conservation of his Dignity as for Interest of State to have all the said Conditions performed by the Princes before he advance a step further on his part yet nevertheless the King persisting in his Declaration gives his Word again upon their continued instances to permit the Cardinal to retire so soon as the Duke of Orleans and the Prince shall agree not in general and obscure Declarations but clearly and in good form as is wont to be practised in occurrences of that importance and in the manner as above-mentioned for putting in execution the Articles included in His Majesties Answer of the 16th of June last past there being no likelihood that onely general Declarations inserted in a Register are of sufficient force to annul the Princes Treaty concluded and ratified with Spain for the performance of which he seemed very much concern'd and from which there is no probability he will depart if the Spaniards continue to make good their promise in sending Souldiers and Money and when he really should have a mind to break off the said Treaty he must necessarily give notice of it to the Spaniards to the end that they forbear to execute their Promise That which the King desires therefore of the Prince is that he agree of the time and manner how to declare to the Ministers of Spain that he intends to be no longer engaged with them And this His Majesty finds himself obliged the more earnestly to insist on knowing by divers Letters intercepted which were shewn and verified to the Deputies that the said Prince after the Declaration made in Parlement hath sollicited the Spanish Generals as he still continues to do that they will enter into France with all their Forces and it is very hard to believe that his intention is to establish Peace in the Kingdom which he gives out to depend on the Cardinals removal making use of the Spanish Forces for the obtaining thereof That nothing can be more for the interest and designes of the Ministers of Spain then to continue the divisions wherefore his Majesties pleasure is that the said Deputies do give notice of all this to the Duke of Orleans and the Prince to the end that they may know the Reasons for which they are obliged to send some one to Court in their name sufficiently impowered to declare more particularly their will for the real effecting every thing contain'd in the Articles and that in the mean time they remain at Court to expect the Answer and to be eye-Witnesses of His Majesties sincerity in condescending to whatever may conduce to settle the Kingdom in quiet the retarding of which can be imputed to none but the Princes if they refuse to agree to what hath been delivered with His Majesties accustomed Clemency which shines forth the more brightly and ought to be the more valu'd considering that he hath the absolute power to give Law to whom he please without condition The Court not well satisfied with the Pricâ—s for sending their â—â—pâ—ties to receive orders and adjust businesses which they had declar'd were agreed upon they used all art and diligence to inform the people that not the Cardinal but the pretension of the Princes was the sole obstacle of the Peace and the principal cause of all the miseries of the poor subjects not omitting by the help of their party and those servants who had stuck to them to keep Intelligence and put in practice all fit means for the establishment of the Royal Authority and for the ruine of the lawless and inconsistent party seeing moreover the little effect the Kings near approach to Paris had produced in all this time the great scarcity of Provisions which more and more incommoded them the Infection in the Royal Camp which destroyed many and the fear lest that the Spanish Army keeping along the Oyse should advance towards Pontoise a very important place at that time By the Council of the Cardinal His Majestie resolved the 16. of July to dislodge from St. Denis and go to Pontoise fix leagues distant the Cardianal continuing still in his Ministry by His Majesties express Command though he continually press'd for leave to depart All the Affairs therefore being regulated as he saw fit they were so well ordered that those good effects ensued which were seen afterwards but the Princes and their Favourers continually quarrelling at the doings of the Court taxing them that they studied only tricks to delude the people and had very little inclination for the Peace which depended on the sending away of the Cardinal they redoubled their detractions with so much heat malice that it is not to be imagined the conceits spread in publick and in private against the Cardinal and other Officers of Court continually slandered with opprobrious language The Court removing from St. Denis left there the Deputies with orders to expect what Answer his Majestie should think fit to return them since they had refused to follow him upon pretence that they had not their Equipage and that it was necessary they should return to Paris to exercise their charge The King lay at Pontoise and the Army in the adjacent places upon the River to watch the motion of the Spaniards who made excursions into those Territories to the great damage of the Inhabitants The News of the Kings and Armies departure from St. Denis being spread abroad it was divulged in Paris according to the nature of same which always makes things appear more then they are that the Deputies were detained prisoners wherefore the Prince of Conde with 400 Horse posted thither to inform himself of the business found there the Deputies at liberty and offered eo conduct them to Paris They excused themselves that they had engaged their word to Monsieur de Saintot to stay at St. Denys till further Order from the King but the Parlement meeting the day following and determining to call them back Oleans Conde and Beaufort went out again with above 2000 persons and bringing them to Paris conducted them to the Parlement with such universal applause as if they had return'd from some glorious conquest albeit the King by express Order had call'd them to Pontoise for Affairs of great concern that hapned unexpectedly after his departure from St. Denis Yet the Male-contents divulged that this was an
artificial reach of the Court to weary them out by delays in stead of giving consolation in good earnest and to protract time by which Mazarine hoped to be able at last to gain the Parisiens by force of sufferings accustomed to enjoy peaceably their rich Traffick and to make extraordinarily advantage of those commodities that they send to all the parts of the world To take order for all these things the King with advice of his Council the 18th of July after a long rehearsal of all things past and of the principal causes of those ill events decreed that Information should be taken of the horrible and scandalous attempt upon the Town-house the 14th of the present moneth seeking and finding out the circumstances and dependencies also by way of Monitory and to proceed against the Authors and Complices of the Massacres and Violences committed according to the Statutes and rigour of the Laws and in the mean time annull'd and revoked the pretended Election of the Counsellour Brussel into the place of Provost of Merchands whom His Majesty expresly prohibited to act in that Function upon pain of Death and he and all his posterity to be accountable for the disorders happened or that should happen since his pretended administration He declared moreover all the Resolves made from the first of July as well in the Parlement as in the Town-house touching the publick affairs null and invalid till the Governour and the Provost of Merchands and the other Magistrates that were constrained to absent themselves were restored and that sufficient Provision were made for securing of the due Administration of Justice and safety of the City according to the tenure of that Decree The King expresly prohibited all the other Cities of the Kingdom and all his Subjects and Servants not to take any cognizance of any Orders or Decrees from Paris so long as it remain'd under the Tyrannical power of Rebels And to the end that the Money destin'd for the publick Uses of the City should not remain at the Enemies disposal to make use of it for the Warre and to pay the Spanish troops that they had call'd in His Majestie ordered it to be brought to the place where he should establish his abode to be put into Hands of the Pay-Masters of the publick Rents who were commanded to repair to Court with all the other Consuls and Sheriffs of the Cities within the term of three days after the publication of the Decree in the usual manner The Princes the Parlement and the Frondeurs were greatly disturb'd at this departure believing that the Court did but mock at their licentious and extravagant Pretences The Count de Servient had signified to the Deputies in His Majesties Name that if the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde not willing to nominate Commissioners of their own should rather desire to make use of the Parlements Deputies that the King was content and would adjust the Propositions with them contain'd in the foresaid Answer promising to send away the Cardinal and that before the Articles should be performed on their part provided they could come to an Agreement with their Deputies or with those of the Parlement when they should be impowered but the Princes in stead of accepting this offer and staying the Deputies at St. Denis to expect there the Kings Answer or to go and find him at Pontoise as he had ordered they were conducted as hath been said to Paris where continuing their Complaints of their being slighted by the Court they stood firm to have the Cardinal expell'd before any thing else was done flattering themselves in their own opinions and esteeming every thing easie arising from an overweening sufficiency The Parlement ambitious to usurp a greater Authority then what became them fell at last upon the resolution to chuse the Duke of Orleans Lieutenant General of the Crown and the Prince of Conde General of the Army under Orleans and supplicated His Royal Highness to take upon him this Quality under pretence of freeing the King from the hands of the Cardinal who had snatcht him from his people and kept him in constraint But this determination profitted them little as well because it was not imbraced by the other Parlements of the Kingdom but rather refused and reprehended as also because Orleans being of a disposition absolutely contrary to violent courses would not imbroil himself in that attempt but especially because he and the Cardinal de Retz the Contriver of all the Plots promised to themselves that without their ruining the Court Mazarine would be gone of himself The Cardinal de Retz put this into the Dukes head for fear that the Court being too much depressed the Prince of Conde his irreconcilable Enemy should rise too high Retz thus endeavouring to arrive at the Ministry first with the expulsion of Mazarine and afterward with the ruine of the Prince through the re-uniting the Queen with the Duke of Orleans was supposed the onely and true cause of the total downfall of that Party and afterward of his own imprisonment The Parlement moreover decreed that should go in the sale of the Moveables and other things belonging to the Cardinal The fond was likewise laid for the 50000 crowns the price of the Cardinals Head upon a years tax on Cattel But whether it was lukewarmness or the policy of those who endeavoured with like arts to bring to an advantageous conclusion the secret Treaties still managed in the Princes name by Monsieur de Goucourt with the assistance of the Duke of Bovillon who insisted earnestly for bringing the Prince of Conde and the Cardinal to an Agreement excluding Orleans or for what other secret respects the money was never deposited and many other things were passed by by reason of the concerns of the parties that interven'd The day following Orleans went to the Parlement and after many Complements declared that he would accept the charge of Lieutenant-General of the Crown so long as the King should be retained by the Cardinal but desired to have a Council about him establish'd by the Parlement The Chambers return'd Answer that they referr'd themselves to what his Royal Highness should determine He went in the same manner to the Chamber of Accounts where he declared the same thing and made the same request to have some of their Members in his Council and here again he had the like Answer that all was left to his own choice in pursuance whereof he took into his new Council of State the major part of the Male-contents and the first Consultation that was held was the third of August But these Proceedings so prejudicial to the Crown were carried on with as much coldness as they were embraced with eagerness And although in appearance these Decrees of the Parlement and Actions of the Princes looked like some great matter of importance in reality they were only shadows which in a short time vanished of themselves for by the cunning contrivances of Mazarine by little
chief Minister of State with the Kings good liking Prince Thomas of Savoy as one who besides being his great Confident was of an incomparable Integrity in whom the King might wholly confide without any suspicion he left also the Count de Servient a Person no less Politick then versed in all the Affairs of the Kingdom Tillier the Secretary of State a man of great wit and understanding ready to execute the Court-orders with faithfulness and zeal and these three for the Negotiations of the State and the War he left besides with the Queen for the directions of the most important and most secret Affairs the Abbot Ondedei who was afterwards Bishop of Fregius Counsellor of State to Her Majestie of whose known and experienc'd fidelity and practice in managements he had full assurance This being done he took leave of their Majesties with that tenderness which his ardent affection urged him to and the 19. of August 1652. departed from Pontoise for Sedan passing first to the Mareschal de Turenne's Camp to view the Army which from Lagny was already advancing into Brie to oppose the March that the Duke of Lorain was taking after the Prince of Wirtemberg had sent back the Count of Fuensaldagna's Spaniards into Flanders and proceeding in his journey with a good Convoy he came to Sedan and from thence went to Bouillon where he staid expecting from time the fruits of his truth and innocency The Prince of Conde understanding that the Cardinal was going and by consequence the Pretext of the War ceasing He sent the Marquess de Jersé to the Army of Lorain to which were joyn'd the Troops that Wirtemberg conducted to the Princes with direction to take his time and set upon the Cardinal in his journey and take him prisoner But the Spaniards upon this becoming diffident he was by their means advertized and shunn'd the danger seeing the Ministry of Spain knew that it was for their interest that the Cardinal should subsist for under this colour the civil dissentions in France were kept afoot from which they drew much profit The same day the King the Queen and all the Court went to Compeigne and the better to dispose the minds of the Parisiens to joyn themselves to their party the King so soon as he was arrived at Compeigne put forth a General Act of Oblivion the Contents whereof imported after a summary Rehearsal of all things past from the year 1648. till that time a General Pardon and abollition of all that had been done against his Royal Service making void and of no effect all the Informations Decrees Sequestrations and other Proceedings following thereupon by occasion of the disorders from the first of February 1651. till this time as also His Majesties Declarations of the month of September and the 8. of October in the same year upon this Condition that the Duke of Orleans the Princes of Conde and Conty and all others of their party should lay down their Arms within three days after the Publication of this Act. To this end the Duke of Orleans should send to His Majestie within the term of three days an Act subscribed with his own Hand by which he renounced all Treaties Leagues and Confederations made with what Prince soever without his Majesties Approbation the like was enjoyn'd the Prince of Conde and Conty who were also at the same time to put into the Kings Hands necessary Orders as well to send the Spanish Souldiers out of Stenay and Burg in Guienne and other places wheresoever as also to cause the Enemies Ships to draw off from the Coasts of France That the said Duke of Orleans and Prince of Conde should cause the foreign Troops that were about Paris to march directly to the Frontiers of Flanders and unite their Souldiery to the Army of Turenne and la Ferté Seneterre and all those who were further off within the space of fifteen days declaring that those who should fail to perform in the space of three days the Contents of this Amnesty should reap no benefit by it from which his Majestie only excepted the Crimes committed betwixt particular persons which were to remain as before without other alteration This Amnesty with such an Exception at the end of it was esteemed only as an Artifice by those that did not desire it though for that time it took no effect for it was publish'd abroad that not including those that had fought in duel and assaulted the Town-house the 4. of July it rested in the Will of the King to chastise whom he pleased under colour of this Delinquency yet it ceased not to leave an impression in many who understanding the cavil introduc'd by the Princes and the Frondeurs were much offended having always believed that when the Cardinal should be gone the Princes and the Parlement would have cast themselves at the Kings feet But although those with the Frondeurs had no thought to receive the said Amnesty though it should be made in the forme they desired nevertheless they feined themselves zealous for the publick good shewing themselves very well pleased at the Cardinals departure The Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde went afterward to the Parlement where it was concluded to present the King their thanks for sending away the Cardinal and the Sovereign Courts and the body of the City send Deputies to the King to the same effect and to compleat all that was necessary for the welfare and repose of the State A little after the Parlement resolved to desire the King again to return to Paris and the Princes declared that they were ready to lay down their Armes so an Amnesty were granted them in good forme making the same Protests in the Chamber of Accounts and Court of Aids The Duke of Orleans dispatch'd a Courier to the Duke d' Anville his Friend and a Minister of State very dear to the King and most faithful to the Queen to obtain of his Majestie Passports for the Deputies that were appointed to negotiate the final Peace But d' Anville having kept the Courier a while sent him back empty because it did not seem decent for the King to enter into other Treaties since by the Amnesty he had perfected every thing and expected that the Princes should suddenly lay down their Armes as they had formerly declared to do so soon as the Cardinal was gone from Court D' Anville writ withal another Letter to the Duke of Orleans importing that he believed the Passports would be granted if they renewed their requests directly to the King himself which being done a Passport was granted to the Mareschal d' Estampes to come to Court not as a Deputy but as a meer Courtier and at the same time some secret Negotiations were renewed betwixt the Secretary Goulas the Marquess de Chasteauneuf and the Dutchess of Aiguillon the drift of which was to take off the Duke of Orleans from the Union with Conde they clearly perceiving that the Declarations that he made
Ammunition to the Troops that served under the Princes against His Majesty This Decree was read and published throughout Paris the 27. of September there was also fixed to all the corners of the principal streets a Manifesto of the Assembly made at the Palace-Royal the Contents of which were that His Majesties good Servants and Subjects there met together had no other design then to re-establish Peace in the City which could not otherwise be effected then by the Presence of its lawful Prince and by driving out the Strangers and Disturbers of the publick quiet To this Manifesto was annexed an Edict of the Kings made at Compeigne the seventeenth of the same moneth to this effect that His Majesty being informed of the Perseverance of the inhabitants of his good City of Paris in their right intentions for his service and for the publick good and of their readiness to employ all their power to reduce things to their former estate and to deliver themselves from the oppression they then suffered under by recovering their liberties under his obedience he granted leave to all the forementioned inhabitants and to every one of them in particular and ordered them in case of necessity to take armes to joyne themselves together to seize upon those places which they judged most fit to fall upon those who should oppose their design to imprison the seditious and in general to do whatsoever they should judge necessary and convenient to the re-establishing quietness and perfect obedience towards the King and to reduce the City to its Government according to ancient custome by lawful Magistrates under the Authority of His Majestie who granted them all ample and full power to this purpose In pursuance of these good intentions of the Citizens it was concluded at the Meeting of the six Companies of the Merchants to choose ten persons out of every one of these six Companies and to send them to Court to attest not only their services and fidelity to the King but also to supplicate His Majesty to return to Paris it being so universally desired by all his faithful Subjects The Assembly met again the 28. at the Palace-Royal where the aforesaid Resolution of the six Companies of Merchants being proposed they treated immediately of providing a Guard for the City that forein Forces might not be received in and other Troops that continually passed to and fro and to hinder the sending out of Victuals and Ammunition to the Camp of the Confederates and that they should send to the Colonels to put this order punctually in execution Their meeting at the Palace-Royal was put off till the return of the Deputies of the six Companies of Merchants from Court at which time they hoped to obtain the so much desired and longed for Peace He that was sent to Court before being returned brought with him a new peculiar Act of Oblivion granted by the King to the Inhabitants of Paris excluding the Parliament and the Princes as those who by perverse Interpretations had abused the former He brought also the Kings Letters to the Colonels containing after a fair Preamble express Order to keep strict Guard at the Gates not to let any of the Spanish Lorrain nor Princes Forces to enter nor suffer the carrying out of any sort of Provision for the Enemies Army to search through all quarters and houses where any Souldiers of the adverse party might be lodged and drive them presently out of the City so that by this means every one returning to his due obedience there might not remain any obstacle to his Majesties return assuring them that he would take particular notice of whatsoever they should perform in this juncture of Affairs The Princes and Parliament being advertised of the Assembly of the Message from the six Companies of the Merchants to the Court and of the Kings Letter to the Colonels the same day that they met upon the Duke of Beauforts Affairs concerning the duell with the Duke of Nemeurs they were all of them troubled and so much the more by reason that they had not received any Answer of the Letter written by the Duke of Orleans to the Queen although that the Duke d' Anville had given them notice it was well received and that they should have suddenly a favourable Answer They debated on the prejudice which might happen to their party if the publick and private Meetings and Assemblies of the Citizens tending to open sedition continued as they began and consulted how to remedy them but finding so many difficulties not to be surmounted they resolved to send le Sieur le Talon Advocate-General to the Court to renew the Treaty and decreed to prohibit the Assemblies the wearing of paper or straw in their Hats and they nominated le Sieur Meusnier and Lesné Commissaries to take information concerning those who had been the first Authors of the Meetings at the Palace-Royal and some were of opinion that they should send for le Sieur Prevost to the grand Chamber to give an account to the Parliament of his assisting at that Assembly but this advice was not followed most being of opinion that this business was too nice to be handled without serious consideration In the mean time the Sieur le Vieux and Pierre met the King at Mantes where he was then arrived from Compeigne by reason of the inconveniences which the Court began to suffer in that City and to be nearer Paris that by his Presence he might give more life to the Negotiations They produced their Commissions with all respectful and affectionate supplications testifying to his Majesty the good-will of the people towards his service and to the re-establishment of his Authority They were received graciously and returned to Paris the 28. of September with this following Answer That his Majestie was very well pleased that it was the resolution of the Communalty to establish the ancient Orders and to put every one in their due obedience and commended the decree made by them in conformity to his Commands not to suffer any sort of Provision Armes or Ammunition to be sent out to the Enemies Camp or to permit any Troops of the contrary party to come into the City That he was also well satisfied that Brussel had voluntarily laid down the Office of Provost of the Merchants which he had taken upon him contrary to the Laws and in prejudice of the lawful Possessor and as for the pretended Sheriffs who thought they might lawfully exercise their charge under pretence of leaving it so soon as they should know his Majesties pleasure they could not be ignorant that their Election was very much displeasing to him seeing that he had made it null and void by an Order of Parliament passed in his own Presence of which they had been sufficiently informed and therefore he had reason to take it ill that these pretended Sheriffs after such Advertisement given them of their errour should still continue audaciously to exercise those Offices and did therefore again
he ended this Answer with a demand which he made them to try their good intentions and as a business most necessary which was That the Inhabitants would re-establish in their Offices the Governour the Prevost of the Merchants and the Sheriffs who had been turned out Which being done his Majestie would presently send Orders to be observed in the Town-house assuring the six Companies of Merchants of his entire satisfaction good-will and Protection The Princes the Parliament and the whole Faction were very much disturbed at this Message and as they clearly saw that those of Paris had changed their minds and most earnestly sought for Peace which was not a little destructive to their designs they applied themselves with all industry to finde out means to overcome the Kings Army by force of Arms and make themselves Masters of the Field esteeming this the only way to maintain themselves in Paris while it remain'd deprived of that support which on all occasions it might deceive from the Kings troops But to return to Mazarine who arriving at Sedan and from thence Bovillon out of the Kingdom there wanted not persons who interposed for the adjusting at least of the Duke of Orleans with the Court. The Cardinal de Retz and the Marquess of Chasteauneuf promising to themselves that if once his Royal Highness should return to Court he might by degrees regain His Majesties favour and taking his place again in the Council they should not be left behind To this end with the consent of the Duke of Lorrain the Marquess of Saint Lambert was dispatch'd to the Court to begin the Negotiation But the Queen and the Kings Officers who were attent upon the return of Mazarine and their own security could in no wise consent that the Duke of Orleans a Confident of the Prince of Conde's and a Confederate of the Spaniards should meddle in the Government considering that if the Duke of Orleans with his followers and Adherents should insinuate themselves into the Affairs of the Kingdom there would be more danger then ever of diminishing the Kings Authority for the secure support whereof it is requisite that no Officer of State should depend upon any other then the King himself for these by diminishing the credit of others would endeavour to dispose of all things after their own fancies threatning whomsoever should oppose them to turn all things upside down again The Prince of Conde who was engaged with the Duke of Orleans by the Promise of Marriage between his Royal Highness his Daughter and the Duke of Anguien and thought he went hand in hand with him although he was left out of the Treaty might in time also have made his Peace with those advantages himself desired and the Duke of Orleans had promised Mazarine therefore making prudent reflexions upon considerations so nice who though far from the Court yet directed all things was very sensible how inconsiderate advice this must be that exposed the Government to the will and discretion of others which under an absolute Monarch will admit of no Companion These Affairs being thus on foot the Princes and the Parliament stood much upon the Point that the Act of Oblivion granted by the King did not contain a full abolition and pardon of what had been done in the last five years past nor was expressed in those termes which were desired viz. in general and without conditions but served only for the inhabitants of Paris with design that if they were once satisfied not to matter much the Princes and Parliament They urged therefore that the King ought to give full and irrevocable Authority to the Duke of Orleans to forme another without any exceptions to be ratified in the Parliament of Paris where the Counsellors gone to Pontoise ought to appear and this to be done in the Presence of the King himself for this cause the Parliament met often some Letters were writ by the Duke of Orleans the Duke d' Anville and the Marquess of St. Lambert negotiated with the Kings Council and many things were done the particular relation of which would be too tedeous But Cardinal Mazarine knowing how prejudicial this would be to the Kings Authority by his Advice the granting of Pass-ports was absolutely denied to those deputed by the Parliament already declared invalid holding firm to their first resolutions so that Affairs remained in the same posture as at first each party endeavouring to uphold their own opinions The third of October the Parliament in Paris being assembled to hear what News the Marquess of St. Lambert brought from the Court two Watermen were laid hold of who cried aloud God bless the King and Cardinal Mazarine and were seconded by many others they were led to the prison of Conciergery and Order given to draw up their Indictment as also against divers others who cried the same in several streets of Paris giving out that such kind of Fellows were set on by some that gave them money on purpose to move the people to sedition This News being brought to Court and besides that the Parliament continued to proceed against some of those who met at the Assembly in the Palace-Royal the King with the Advice of His Council passed a Decree upon the fifth of October by which he cancell'd and annull'd all the aforesaid pretended proceedings informations and orders published or to be published imposing severe penalties upon the Commissioners or Judges that should proceed any further commanding all the Inhabitants of Paris to execute His Majesties Orders and Commands In the mean time the Kings Army was at Villeneufue St. George much streightned and pressed hard upon by the Troops of the Princes and their Confederates who were superior in number and in danger either to be forced as they lay or set upon in their retreat seeing that for want of provisions and forage many both men and horses died This troubled the Court very much and above all Mazarine who was the cause that the Army put themselves in that place and doubted some sinister event the winning of the day consisting in keeping the Kings Army near Paris by which means those Practices were fomented which were managed by the Cardinals directions in that City in favour of the King The Princes who understood the importance of this business and that if the Kings Army should preserve themselves all their designs were ruined omitted nothing either to overcome them or reduce them by famine and sufferings to the utmost despair but the nearness and delights of Paris together with the sickness which hapned to the Prince of Conde Wirtemberg and many other of the Principal Commanders which may be truly attributed to an effect of the Divine Providence was the break-neck of their party but besides the sickness of these Princes the Dukes of Lorrain and Beaufort and most of the other Chief Officers with a considerable number of the best Souldiers were also in the City as well for the suspicion they had that the Citizens might rise
as to see what was most expedient to be done in this wavering condition of the inconstant people and tired out by the long continuance of these disturbances Mareschal Turenne a no less prudent then valiant Captain stood always vigilant to observe those moments which opportunely taken bring great advantage to those who know how to make use of them in Warre and being advertised of all that past after a short Conference with his Colleague the Mareshal de la Ferte Seneterre he resolved to get out of these streights and bring his Army into a securer place and more proper for their subsistence Having caused therefore the Baggage and Artillery to pass over the Sene October 4. in the night upon the Bridges of Boats which he had there at break of day he discamped with such order and silence that the Army was got over before they were discovered by the Enemies Sentinels There was no other General-Commander left in the other Camp but the Count de Tavannes who perceiving though late the March of Turenne caused presently to sound to Horse and put his Army in order to follow him and fight him But the Mareschal continuing his march under covert of the River quickly arrived at Corbeil a place held by the King where passing the Sene over the Stone-bridge very happily and to his great reputation he withdrew himself from all danger and encamped upon the River Marne between Meaux and Lagny getting provisions for his Army from all the neighbouring Country and observing the motion of the Enemy with so much advantage to His Majesties Interest that this action becoming a great and experienced Commander was acknowledged to be the saving of the Kings Party and one of the most celebrated acts of this Prince and true Master of the art of War This blow brought extraordinary confusion and astonishment to the Princes particularly to the Prince of Condé who shewed himself very much grieved at the negligence of his Officers reproching Tavannes as if he had lost his sense of Hearing saying If he had been well so favourable an occasion should never have escaped his hands but there being no help for things past and Fortune changing being weary of staying in the midst of Confusion and so many different Humours upon the 7th following the whole Army of the Princes drew up at the end of the Suburbs of S. Anthony and encamped near to the Castle of Vincennes to keep Paris in awe The King and Court were already come to Mantes to pass the Sene the Bridges of Poissy and Meulan being broken down and so to go forwards to S. Germain with intent to enter into Paris when Affairs should be brought to that pass to which they seemed to tend every day more and more The Parisiens were resolved to free themselves of these miseries before they were irrecoverable Wherefore following one anothers example and concurring in the same mind as Fortune abandon'd the Princes so they inclin'd more and more to the Kings side The Prince of Conde therefore perceiving that the tempest which threatned him was near at hand and began to provide for his own safety his Armies by withdrawing with all speed from Paris And because by his departure and the Kings return they foresaw the quiet of Paris and the recalling of Mazarine many strove to second the rising fortune of that Minister of State and even among the Princes own friends upon this turn of Fortune some changed their inclinations and in particular the Count de Chavigny Ever since the Cardinals return into France he had thoughts of closing with him considering that if his Enemies were not able to ruine him at a distance they would be less able to do it when he should appear at Court and be Master of all affairs Besides at this time the Coadjutor was made Cardinal his capital Enemy who might he feared be made chief Minister if Mazarine was kept out He resolved therefore to come to an agreement with Mazarine so as to oblige him and that his Authority might be limited He entered therefore upon a secret Treaty for adjusting the Prince with the Cardinal and replacing of Conde there seeming an apparent necessity of making use of him and that he might live quietly at Court they would find means that he should not only preserve his Fortune but increase it But as it is not always easie to walk streight between two Praecipices so in the end he found himself deceived in his Maxims on the one side while he thought himself secure on the other for whether it was that he was resolved to forsake the Prince as he was accused that he was not Loyal to his Interests or whether he would have necessitated him to make peace by persuading him that the Duke of Orleans would otherwise conclude it without him or whether indeed he preferred his own and the Courts Interest before the Princes he made the Abbot Fouquet believe to whom the Cardinal committed the management of this affair that if the Prince did not conclude the peace upon those terms which he thought reasonable he would so order it that the Duke of Orleans should quit his Party The Letter which Fouquet wrote to the Secretary Tillier to inform him of this was taken by one of the Prince's party and presently delivered into his hands who perceiving that his confidence was misplaced in Chavigny complain'd of it to persons who were not much Chavigny's Friends and that in terms injurious to his Reputation yet would not openly fall out with him The noise of this being divulged about Paris and increased by the malice of those who were engaged in the same disorders obliged Chavigny to justifie himself to the Prince at a Conference held between them from whence he came out so mortified and concerned for having dealt with a Prince after this manner from whom he had received such high Honours that returning to his house he threw himself in despair upon his bed and after a Feaver of six days encreased by the passions of his mind he died the 19th of October This was the end of Lion de Bouttilier Count de Chavigny in the 44th year of his age a person who for being related to the deceased Cardinal Richlieu was admitted into His Majesty's Council at 19 years old at 24 he was made Secretary of State and at 34 Minister of State had the care of the most important affairs of the Crown and after the death of Lewis XIII he was nominated Plenipotentiary for the Treaty of Munster a person of a quick Wit a haughty Spirit of a ready Judgment and covetous of Glory and Greatness to procure which he spared no Industry In the mean time the Parlement and the Assemblies at the Town-house met often upon the occurrent emergencies where all the well-wishers to the publick thought themselves obliged to deliver the poor Country people from the insolencies of the Souldiery and especially of the Lorrainers who destroyed and wasted every thing Upon
the Counsel that the Duke should withdraw from Court where if he had appeared he would have been received by their Majesties with extraordinary testimonies of their cordial affections But because it was not thought good that so great a Prince should be left under the notion of the Kings enemy the Wednesday following the Duke d' Anville was sent to Limours to treat with him where the King desiring that Cardinal Mazarine might be comprehended they could not agree the Duke continuing firm in his resolution never to be friends with him more nor to come to Court so long as he should have the management of Affairs but in every thing else he should be ready to give His Majestie all manner of satisfaction The Secretary Tellier and others of the Kings Ministers went some days after to try to gain him but the Duke that he might not seem mistaken in his deliberations would not yield to their reasons and having at length given notice of this to the Prince of Conde by the Sieur de Godovin Field-Mareschal whom he sent expressly to him and receiving Answer that the Prince was of the same opinion with the Duke of it was concluded in this manner that he was contented to live quietly at Blois that he would call back his Forces from the Prince of Conde's Army and unite them to the Kings upon condition that they might not be employed immediatly against the said Prince to whom by reason of the entire friendship that he professed to him he could not be wanting in what unfortunate estate soever he might be cast The Affairs of the Duke of Orleans being concluded in this manner he executed punctually all that was agreed upon and withdrew himself from the care of all worldly affairs applying himself to live quietly and free from all disturbance The Duke of Beaufort went to live at Vendosme and the rest of those who were exiled leaving Paris retired to their Countrey-houses very much grieved but especially when they saw Mazarine triumphant in their misfortunes The President Maison and Counsellour Vedeau proposed to assemble the Chambers of Inquest to treat vpon means how they might protect their Companions fallen into disgrace and gave out that they would rather renounce their places then support a grievance so prejudicial to the publick dignity But the greater part being of another opinion the Chambers met not and Maison being sent for to the Louvre received a sharp reprehension with some threathings which were afterward put in execution for he and Vedeau were also banishâ—d some of these were backward to quit Paris but it helped nothing being constrained to do it for fear of greater violence Only Brussel being old poor and without any Countrey-house did not stir from his in Paris where he remain'd privately saying boldly That he feared nothing because he was guilty of nothing that if the Court desired his life they might take it for he was now old enough and for a year or two more or less he cared very little seeing that the praises of good men have their birth from the bosom of death These expressions made deep impression in the hearts of many of the people whose spirits were not yet quieted and who had not forgot the good-will they had had for him nor their Prejudices against the Court. The Court took no notice of this and made as if they believed he were out of the Town being out of Commerce and sight of the people Brussel therefore remained private and retired in the City although he was banished by name Afterwards there was very good order taken for the Government of the City the security of Paris consisting in winning the affection of the people which succeeded happily by the help of him who governed in a time when by the weakness of the Court they might have expected great misfortunes it was no small marvel not to say a miracle to see in so short a time the fury and indignation of a multitude appeased of its own accord which boasted of nothing more then their firm and immutable resolutions of maintaining their own phrenzies to see the Meeting of the Fronda broken and dispersed the Parliament curbed the most audacious brought low and lastly the King triumphing more by the Power of Justice of his Innocence and Mildness then by the force of his Strength and Authority Whilst things pass in this manner at Paris many new disturbances broke out at Bourdeaux Those of the Faction called de l' Olmiere dismantled the Palace du Ha and committed many insolencies upon those of the Parlement so that there was great disorder amongst them The Parlement sought by all means to keep this Faction under but in vain seeing it was backed by the greater part of the common people Mazarine fail'd not also to use all industry to appease these disorders endeavouring to sow discord amongst them and to render them diffident of one another and in the end obtained his intent as shall be related The Spaniards in the mean-while engaged in the siege of Barcellona failed not to do their utmost for the gaining of that most important place The Cardinal though absent took care that the King gave necessary Orders for the relief of it and the Marquess de St. Andre Monbrun was commanded to march from Piemont into Catalonia with a good number of Horse and Foot which he did with all speed there ensued divers exploits The besieged making a Sally by night out of the gate of Trussana upon the 16. of July 1652. with design to drive the enemy further off assaulted and took the Fort upon the Mountain of Mongirick but not having furnished it with Provision and Ammunition it was attacqued again and retaken by the Spaniards giving good quarter St. Andrew Montbrun had relieved the Town if he had had money enough for Provisions to have put into it and for the maintaining his Army for having happily attaqued the line He entred in but was afterwards forced to retire for want of Provisions and the Horse mutinying by reason of the great hardships they endured the Spaniards took all the places which are beyond upon the Sea-Coast from Palamos to Barcelona and so deprived the besieged of that little which used to be brought in to them by night in small barks so that being reduced to the greatest extremities upon the eleventh of October the Mareschal de la Motte capitulated with Don John of Austria for the surrender and so that City returned again under the obedience of His Catholick Majesty Upon the 21 of October the same year neither the French nor the Savoyards being able to relieve Casal in Italy the Governour thereof Monsieur de St. Angel was constreined to surrender it upon Articles and to put the Citadel into the hands of the Duke of Mantua's Captains who put in a Garrison of his own souldiers laughing at them who imagined and even after the taking of it were so confident to maintain that the Spaniards should have
fail to act vigorously in Champagne to ease the Countrey of the enemies Troops where they lay quartered He went to the Army which was reinforced with divers troops took Barleduc and having passed the River of Aisne attached Chasteau-Porcien where the Sieur de Brisson commanded with a strong Garrison of old souldiers which rendred the place very considerable especially it being then the midst of Winter a season improper far Armies to lie in the field This difficulty was surmounted by the affectionate and accurat assistance of the Cardinal so that all labour and hardship seemed light to the souldiery who endured it with as great resolution as they served and followed him with affection In seven dayes he took Chasteau-Porcien had also taken Rhetel and Saint Menhaut if the season had been less sharp and if the Prince of Conde had not opportunely reinforced them with a great number of Souldiers wherfore the Cardinal gave over the thought of them and having put the army into winter quarters made towards Paris being often importuned by their Majesties He was met by the King himself and the Duke of Anjou two leagues out of the City His Majesty received him with extraordinary tenderness and affection took him into his own Coach and coming in at St. Denis Gate conducted him through a great throng of people to the Louvre The Cardinal took up his Lodgings there to be nearer as first Minister of State to His Majesty he was presently visited by the Body of the Town-house and by all the other Orders and Magistrates who declared their acknowledgment for many singular advantages received through his care and that all France was obliged to the conduct of so great a Minister expressing their joy for his happy return Though many thought that how much the more kind they were in outward appearance so much the more corrupted they were in reality there being no greater malice then that which is hid under the mask of dissimulation Yet I who have procured with much accurateness and long experience to instruct my self in the knowledge of â—he nature of those persons of whom I write can say to the glory of France not to have found any Nation less addicted to dissimulation then this which being free and frank of speech thinks little of what is to come and nothing of what is past Whosoever shall consider the contempts and abuses done in Paris to the name of the Cardinal in the month of September 1652. and shall compare them with the honours and welcome he received in the moneth of February 1653. will perceive that the Fine of fifty thousand Crowns which was set upon his head with all the reproches ignominies with which his reputation was wounded were nothing else but the effect of passion which being prudently dissembled by Mazarine served him afterwards to fortifie his right and good intentions and rendred him triumphant over his persecutions making his Ministry still more glorious The same Evening the King caused him to sup with him in the Apartment of the Mareschal de Villeroy and that night was signalized with a great number of Bonefires in the City the next morning as he came from Mass he cast a quantity of money amongst the people as he had done the day before in those places where he passed and after he had received the Visits of the chief of the Court and of other persons of all sorts and conditions he applied himself to the most important Affairs of the Crown On the 3. of February being the same day which he entred Paris he brought with him his three Nieces which were met out of the gate of St. Honoré by the Pincesse of Carignan Louise her daughter by the Mareschall de Guebrian's Lady by the Marchionesse of Ampous and many other ladies of quality These Ladies were lodged also in the Louvre in an apartment by themselves over the Queens Lodgings The King had not conferred any Office or Charge either Ecclesiastical or Secular since his Return although there were many vacant and a great number of Pretenders willing to stay for the Cardinal and give him the honour of confering them He was exactly informed of the deservings of each particular person so that keeping every one in hopes to receive rewards proportionably to their worth he rendred them more ready and zealous to the Kings service The King had passed the Edicts of the new Impositions and dispatched all other things which might sound less grateful in the ears of the people lest that doing them after the Cardinals return they should seem to be suggested by the Minister of State against whom they might renew the pretences of those fault which formerly though wrongfully they had laid to his change so that the Cardinal by His Majesties special favour having the disposal of the Benefices of the Church and divers other offices of the Court and Kingdom he began presently to distribute them to those he judged most deserving and most fit to be employed in His Majesties service detaining a considerable part vacant to keep those that remained at that time excluded in hopes and obedience knowing by experience that the French are as ready to serve when they hope to be recompensed as negligent to performe when they have obtained their desires He conferred the office of Superintendant of the Finances vacant by the death of the Marquis of Vieville upon the a count de Servient Minister of State who had deserved well of the Crown being very cordiall in the Kings service and grown aged in the course of many useful negotiations to whom he joined the Sieur de Fouquet Procurator General who was also made Minister of state a person of great worth for his constant fidelity towards the King whom in all things but particularly in the removall of the Parliament to Pontoise he had served with great zeale so that at this time there was two Super-intendants of the Finances in France as also a Chancellour and a Keeper of the Seal which though it seemed strange yet had been practised at other times and namely under the ministery of Cardinal Richelieu To these Superintendants were joyned four Intendants of the same Finances who were the Sieurs de Paget de Boisleve de Hausset and de Brisaciers besides this he gave good orders for the payment of the Kings revenues to the relief and satisfaction of the Farmers and Cardinal Antonio Barberin coming to Paris at this time the dignity of great Almoner of France was conferred upon him Vacant by the death of Cardinal Richilieu Archbishop of Lions This was done by Mazarin to make his gratitude the more conspicuous and to oblige him he conferred it on more streightly to the Crown esteeming his assistance in Rome necessary for the Interest of France since that Cardinal Francesco his brother had given som jealousie of his intentions having lately done some ill offices in his tart Letters to His Majestie touching the direction of the Government It was discours'd
from the walls so that in spight of all the impediment they gave them l' Estrades men made this Progress without any assistance from their Battery which by the negligence of the Cannoneers and quality of the Guns they were shot off but twice The besieged was so amazed at this so extraordinary boldness of the French and so dazled with the lustre of their Armes and the Gallantry of their clothes which were most gloriously trimm'd according to the new Mode at that time that they could not but admire and pay a respect to the very splendour of their Apparel Whereupon Don Joseph Osorio without further Consultation then for his own security capitulated on the third of June and on the 5th march'd out with 800 men with bag and baggage and two Pieces of Cannon but with the imputation of a base fellow and a Coward for by express Order of the King of Spain he was clap'd up afterward at Saint Sebastian though he insisted very much upon his want of Victuals and Ammunition This important Town being in five days time lost in this manner for the keeping of which the Spaniard had parted with great sums of money and fortifi'd and wall'd it about very strongly the Spanish Generals and Commanders were not only dismayed at this misfortune but the whole Princes party were sorely afflicted as knowing the loss of that Town was as it were the Prologue to their future ruine On the other side the Kings Army encouraged by their fortune and success were excited to greater attempts and resolv'd without any delay to fall upon Libourn so that while the Duke of Vendosm continued at Bourg to give out Orders there and dispatch the Artillery and such provisions as were necessary for so considerable an Enterprise Monsieur d' Estrades after two days repose advanc'd that way with 2200 Foot and four hundred Horse by the way he took the Castles of Chavignac and Laubardemont and on the 9th of July passed the River Liste his Foot at Guistres in Boats and his Horse a League higher fording the River at Goustres a Village belonging to the Princess of Conde The next day he took a view of Libourne and having setled his Quarters On the 11th at night the Duke of Vendosm arrived with the Cannon and Ammunition having got happily up the River Dordogne and pass'd all the Enemies fire which was not above Pistol-shot from them by the assistance of the Guns from the Galleys which Convoy'd them under the Command of the Sieur de la Monnery Commissary-General at Sea upon Arrival of the Cannon the Trenches were opened near the said River where the Duke took up his quarters The care of that Post was committed to the Count of Montesson Mareschal de Camp with the Regiment of Britain and a Battery of two Pieces of Cannon d' Estrades commanded the Approaches on the other side of the River Liste by the assistance of the Sieur de Saint Romein with the Regiment of Douglas and another Battery The besieged made a stout Sally on this side but being repuls'd as couragiously they thought it not convenient to sally any more The two Approaches were so vigorously carried on that on the second day the French possest themselves of two Half-Moons in one of which they took 17 prisoners not long after a breach being open'd on the Dukes side and the Mines ready to spring on Monsieur d' Estrades the 17. of July in the Morning the Town beat a Parly and desir'd the same Conditions had been given to Bourg but the French not thinking fit that Libourne should be equall'd with Bourg refus'd their Proposals at length it was concluded the French and Irish Souldiers should be Prisoners of War the Officers should have liberty to return to their own Houses and that twelve of them only should be allow'd to march away with their Baggage The Town being surrendred the Soldiers both Horse and Foot to the number of about 800 took up Arms voluntarily and listed themselves in the Kings service The Justice of the Kings Cause was most remarkably visible in the facility wherewith these two strong places were reduc'd by his Majesties forces Where the diligence and Conduct of his Officers were no less conspicuous especially in the taking of Libourne which though there were 800 select men in the Town was attaqu'd and taken by 2200 Foot and four hundred Horse The rest of the Troops being imploy'd part about the Posts of Castillon and Montreal and part in Parties sent out by the Generals Order upon advice received in a Letter of Marsins intercepted and disciphered importing that supplies were sending from Perigort and Quercy under the Command of his Lieutenants for that Place which being of great importance for the supporting of Bourdeaux was fortify'd and provided with all things necessary for a long Siege This second loss succeeding as it were upon the Neck of the former put the inhabitants of Bourdeaux into great apprehensions The Princes party began to lose much of their former reputation the people perceiving that instead of the promis'd releif they were to expect nothing now but misery and destruction The Townsmen had several Assemblies and having examin'd Affairs they found clearly that without present supplies there would be no possibility of holding out long and forasmuch as these supplies could not be expected any way but from Spain or England they dispatch'd their solicitations to the Court of Spain for their promis'd and seasonable relief nor did they forget their Addresses to Cromwell to implore his assistance to open a Passage into the River and preserve that City which might recompence his Compassion with so many advantages to the English Nation But the Spaniards who were willing enough to have gratify'd their desires wanted forces to give them any vigorous assistance in so many several places The English who were better able were not so well inclin'd for Cromwell being to establish the Authority he had usurped thought it not suitable to his interest to engage in any quarrel against France and besides the Cardinal ceas'd not in the mean time to puff him up with other thoughts of more advantage to his Person The Cardinal well-knowing that Expedition is the Mother of success and foreseeing that in time either the Spaniard might be strong enough or the English willing enough to attempt its relief sent Directions to the Generals to apply themselves with all imaginable industry to the reducing of Bourdeaux and therefore having taken Libourne the Royallists took up their Quarters as near the Town as they could to cut off all Communication with the Countrey The Duke of Vendosme kept the Castle of Lermont commanded all the Countrey betwixt the two Seas and with the Fleet block'd up the River The Duke of Candale with his Troops dispos'd into the principal Passes was Master of all the Avenues back'd by Caesars Fort the Town of Blanqufort and a strong quarter at Begle by which means he cut off all supplies on that
side from whence they had been formerly reliev'd The Count Marin was sent to possess himself of the Forts of Testa and Certes But though the Cardinal was not insensible that force was the most secure way of reducing that Town to obedience yet considering very prudently it was like to be the longest he began to think of some other way to bring them to a voluntary submission to which end he sent particular instructions The House of Espernon by a long residence in those parts having made many creatures and gain'd much upon the affections of the people contributed exceedingly to the Duke of Candale renewing his Practices with the well-affected Citizens in the Town By the help therefore of their Friends and Confidents there being several others dispos'd also to peace they esteem'd it convenient to take such measures as were most likely to succeed The throng of Countrey-people which were retir'd into the Town increas'd their scarcities very much the corn was conceal'd very dexterously in particular houses the building or repairing of their Mills neglected and the other Machines laid as on purpose out of the way so that their meal failing and the Bakers unable to furnish Bread for such a number of people that coming in great multitudes to receive their distributions began to believe that their necessities would be great and that it was therefore time to think rather of the publick safety then of their private interest Besides this the care and Government of the Hospitals was utterly left off and the poor people sent to their doors who were suppos'd to be the most concern'd in the Continuation of the War and this was done that by their miserable clamours and importunitys they might be brought to consider that not being longer able to contend with those calamities their best way would be to moderate the Obstinacy which caused them The sight of these Troops of poor creatures sighing and begging at their gates who where esteem'd the authors of the War had a wonderfull influence to dispose them to peace whilest they began to feare least those very poor people of whom they had made use for raising those desturbances should fall uppon them and pillage their houses It was also proposed to the Religious orders to expose the Holy Sacrament in all the Churches of the Towne veiled with black to signify that God Almighty was displeas'd with and detested that Rebellion But the Counsellors of Parliament and the Princes suffer'd it to be expos'd in the great Church only to imply that they desired of God a General peace which was the pretence they made vse of to foole and delude the poor people In this kind of destraction they continued till Wednesday the 9th of July 1653. Upon which day after divers private conferences several Marchants mett publickly upon the Exchange and declared it was high time for them to shutt up their Shops seeing they were not like to have any more Trading during the Wars The Prince of Conty having private intelligence of these Murmurs made a publick Cavalcade thorow the City but went no further The next day a certain person call'd de Bas being by his Order apprehended for crying out Peace Peace before the Palace of Judicature all the Neighbouring quarter took up armes and demanded to have him released This de Bas had private Consultations with a conventual Minim call'd Friar Romein who holding correspondence with the Count d' Autenil shew'd a certain writing to several Citizens which he said was from the Prince of Conty wherin he gave them liberty to meet to give him advice of what passed relating to his party but this Affair had another intent for the Friers design was to discover by this means which were the Kings good and bad subjects and the good Citizens perceiving it they proceeded reservedly in communicating things of importance to the Friar The reputation therefore this de Bas had in the common opinion was the cause the Citizens were so obstreporous for his enlargement as to threaten a Commotion without immediate satisfaction The Prince of Conty and Marsin with the greatest part of the Nobility and Officers in the Town got on Horseback forthwith the City-Companies whose Captains for the most part were of the Faction of the Olmiere were commanded to their Arms but the Butchers led up by one Gilbert and Master Isaac arm'd with Musquetoons and other weapons cried out for Peace and that if any one had any particular disgust he should revenge himself with his own hands as he could and not endanger the Lives of the whole City A Hollander that had House and Family in the City told Marsin to his face that they knew how to die but not unreveng'd and that their deaths would not trouble them so they died free-men At this being all amazed it was concluded that all the Olmeisti should meet in the Town-house after dinner where several things were propos'd and the plurality of Voices concurr'd in this to assault the Citizens inhabiting the Quarter towards Rochel and the New-street and to bring down the great Guns against them The Prince of Conty was of a contrary opinion and thought it better to expect the judges and Consuls of the City who were coming to beg of him with great submission that he would not suffer the good Citizens of the Town to be abus'd and ruin'd in compliance with the Olmieri who were about him and had threatned to plunder their houses The Merchants appeared before him and intreated for Peace as the only probable way to prevent greater disorders The Prince reply'd That he would not subject any body by compulsion though it was easie for him to do it but if they would remain constant to the service of his Brother the Prince of Condy and himself he would protect them and their interest and by their unanimity all the difficulties would easily be overcome which their dissentions increased and rendred past Remedy and that he would advise with his Counsel what was best to be done in this Affair During these tumults at Bourdeaux the Count de Fiesco had his Dispatch at the Court of Spain and imbarking in a Frigat at St. Sebastian he arrived at the Port Testa di Bus where at his landing he found all the Citizens in Arms for the Kings and had much ado to escape but his Ship remain'd at the discretion of those Bores who took it and all that was in it making use of their Artillery against the Forts of la Teste de Bus and Sertes which were Garrison'd by the Princes Souldiers to keep open the passage for those that went and came from Spain To these Countrey-men the Count Marin joyn'd with 600 Foot with which recruit in five or six days both those Posts were taken The Count de Fiesco arriving at Bordeaux the twelfth of July went immediatly to the Town-house with the Prince of Conty where with great Rhetorick he magnify'd the power and greatness of the King of Spain and
Ministers of the Prince of Condy the Assemblies of the Merchants were upon the Exchange as a place most commodious more frequent then formerly in respect the Town-house was taken up by the Counsel of the Olmiera and the Palace where they keep the Court of Justice by the Frondeurs Lenet went twice to speak with them to sowe division amongst them insinuating that he himself approv'd of what they did so it were without the intervention of the Advocates and other persons of the Courts of Justice who being always for their own interest would ascribe all the honour to themselvs and leave only the trouble for them To others he inculcated their own interest the strength of the Prince of Condy and his affection to the City so that partly by terror partly by diffidence and partly with hopes he endeavor'd to gain them all But all this artifice could not prevent the meeting and concourse of the honest party in this Assembly by which he perceiving all things to run counter to his intention and that the hearts of the Cititizens were set immoveably upon peace instead of confiding in the Prince of Conty who continued still constant to his Brother and his family he suggested certain jealousies of him to the Princess his Sister and with the most pernicous counsel which could be given at that time to make him universally odious he exhibited several charges and accusations against the said Prince to weaken the only support he had left sowing discord in his family and among those of his party and endeavouring with crafty plots to delude them Fiesco took his Lodgings in the New-street among the Merchants to be more ready at hand to perswade them that to establish a secure peace their best way would be to follow the Counsel of Marsin a person of long experience and not be led by the Nose by Conty an unexperienc'd Youth They contrived likewise that certain of the Frondeurs in whom they had greatest confidence should be present at these Assemblies at the Burse among which there were also the Counsellers of the Parliament which remained in Bourdeaux and these to raise differences and distractions amongst them to gain time in which they placed all their hopes They contriv'd moreover that one Ramont standing Sentinel at that time in the Town-house should deny Admission to one Orial though of the Olmira because he did not second their designes as was expected which was resented by their Companions and the whole Olmiera Who commanded him to depart the City Having after this discover'd that Marsin gain'd upon the people every day by common consent they call'd a General Assembly on the 19th of July 1653. on the Exchange in which Assembly there met the Deputies from all the Companies in the City Whilst they were sitting here together the Chevalier Todias a Jurate appear'd unexpectedly amongst them whereupon laying hold on the occasion That the Presence of a Magistrate of the City rendred the Assembly lawful they constrain'd him to accept the deputation they made to the Prince of Conty to signifie to him the resolutions of the good Citizens of the Town and to intreat him to approve of the design they were upon to make an Overture of peace and to consent That the Faction of the Olmiera which was the only obstacle might be abolish'd That the Captains and Officers of the City might be cashier'd it being not reasonable that so many Persons of good quality and birth as went personally to the Guard for the safety of the Publick should be commanded by the seditious and Plebeians and that therefore they might be chang'd and other sober and deserving persons of condition and worth employ'd in their dead It was concluded in like manner that such as were present should be deputed as from the several Fraternities and meete daily as the principal Counsel of the City These to the number of about thirty with several Heads of the Artizans went together towards the house of the Dutchess of Longueville where the Prince then was part of their number remaining behind on the Exchange some thought it necessary to do somthing extraordinary so that whilst their Deputies were attending the Prince they caused all they met in the streets to cry Viva il Re e la Pace Long live the King and the Peace distributing a white Favor to every one of them Upon this noise the Deputies took heart and the Sieur Todias encourag'd by them represented with great franckness to the Prince of Conty the miseries occasioned both by the Kings forces and the Princes which were quartered under the Walls but especially by the tumultuous and insolent Olmeisti who in one year had occasion'd more mischief then many ages would be able to repair That the good Citizens could no longer endure the licentiousness of the Souldiers Wherefore in the Name of the whole Corporation he most humbly besought him to take some speedy course for the Consolation of all parties assuring him of the affection and constancy of the Citizens towards his Highness the Prince of Condy the Duke d' Anguien his Nephew and his Sister the Dutchess of Longueville the Prince told them that they should meet him the next day at the Arch-bishops Palace to agree about the means of procuring a durable Peace The Deputies coming out of the Dutchess of Longueville's house and meeting the people that were crying Peace they took each of them a white Signal and joyning with them in a moment the Cry went thorow the whole Town Viva il Re e la pace e muoia l' Olmiera Long live the King and the Peace and let the Olmiera perish The women the children every body put on white colours and they which had no other made use of their Handkerchiefs or white paper On the other side the Olmeisti and others of the Princes party distinguish'd themselves by Isabella and blew The next Lords day by order of the Prince of Conty there were present at the Council the Counts of Marsin de Mora Fiesco de Mata de Antel the Marquess of Lusignan Coll. Baltasser the Counsellors Ramont Du Duc and Spagnet who had been at the Exchange to desire Peace the President Fresne was also call'd to the Council who had conceal'd himself for two years together under pretence of a fit of sickness real or feigned They argued and discuss'd this Affair with variety of opinions some of the Frondeurs to hinder them from coming to a Conclusion endeavor'd to divert the Resolutions of the Assembly and delay time But this being discover'd by some who were well enough acquainted with the intention of the Frondeurs and understood how much it imported them not to lose time they remained behind in the Exchange with some other of their friends and besides those they had with them the day before getting some other active Persons they heartened their Deputies who at that instant were at the Arch-bishops Palace and startled Marsin their number being encreased to
Dance and not only disposed the mindes of the Inhabitants but observing what pass'd gave intelligence to Father Bertaut who follow'd the business whilst Ythier was sick Besides this another private Treaty was set on Foot with the Irish of that Garrison But the Governour not fully confiding in that Nation disgusted with those that had ordered them thither and not satisfied with those that had receiv'd them kept so vigilant an eye over them that having a suspition of some design he caus'd their Officers to be secur'd and disperst the Soldiers amongst his own companies he most trusted The Duke of Candale who was too Generous to approve of a victory obtain'd by Circumvention or treachery could not endure any such dishonorable ways but resolv'd to besiedge that City and reduce it with his Sword in his hand according to the more Glorious methods of War He had already caus'd the Artillery to be embarqu'd and dispatch'd the Marquess de Sovebeuf with part of his Troops commanded by the Marquess de Cavillac and the Count de St. Germain to invest it But the Citizens knowing how prejudicial it would be to expect a formal Siedge resolv'd after the example of the Bourdelots to betake themselves to their Arms and force the Guard of the Gates out of the hands of the Garrison The Governour having notice of their design and being at that time in Treaty about leaving the Countrey upon condition he might be permitted to march with his Troops to the Prince of Condy his Master he drew up all his men immediatly in the great Market-place and his head being a little hot with wine having been at a Wedding-dinner he went haftily accompanied only with his Page and one of the Consuls of the City to the house of Budan the Kings Attourney to demand the reason how they curst hold such private Assemblies without his cognizance and permission when he came there they repuls'd him very rudely and told him there was no such Assembly but he pressing on to enter by force some of the Attourneys friends discharg'd their Firelocks upon him so that he fell down dead in the place upon which the Inhabitants taking heart they issued into the streets arm'd crying out Viva il Ré e la Pace Long live the King and the Peace and dragging his body about in a most barbarous manner The Soldiers were in no small confusion upon this accident the Officers could not keep them together nor oppose them against the fury of the people they running from their colours some one way some another insomuch that the City remain'd entirely in the Citizens hands without further obstacle who immediately dispatch'd a Messenger to the Marquess de la Douze to desire a Passport for their Deputies to wait upon the Duke of Candale from whom they desired the benefit of the Amnesty and to return to their obedience to his Majesty as they accordingly did one of the most seditious amongst them being hang'd up several others banish'd and the Officers and Captains of the Quarters chang'd Villeneuf d' Agenois proud that they had resisted the Count de Harcourt and defeated his attempts emulating the fury of the Olmiera of Bourdeaux and in imitation of those inhabitants they listed several Companies boasting to defend their liberty To suppress their insolence the Kings forces under the Command of the Marquess d' Aubeterre approach'd the Town at the time when their grain being ripe with which that place does exceedingly abound the Inhabitants were preparing for Harvest so that the Citizens foreseeing the loss of their Revenues and that they could not live happily being deprived of their estates they preferr'd the fear of misery before the ambition of liberty and sent Deputies to the Prince of Conty supplicating him to send them succour or make their Peace But Bourdeaux having already capitulated and the Prince of Conty laid down his Arms and retir'd to Cadillac they began to treat with the Conte de Vaillac and afterwards with the Duke of Candale who sent thither la Ribere a Counsellour of State and Commissary of his Army with whom their Amnesty was concluded upon condition that their walls should be pull'd down their fortifications demolished and the Citizens who had bin too busie and pragmatical to pay 4000 Pistols besides to deliver 20 persons prisoners to be dispos'd of as the Duke pleas'd two of which were hang'd presently Dureteste also arrested by Order from the Count d' Estrade was executed at the same time Whilst the Duke of Vandosme and Candale were proceeding with great sweetness and Moderation towards the settlement of Affairs in Bourdeaux they omitted not to watch over the Actions of some perfidious persons who became more savage and brutal by how much the Generals repleat with all vertue used them with more then ordinary kindness and courtesie Sir George Cartret an English-man had intelligence that one Edwards sent by the Parliament of England lay privately in a certain place in the Town blowing up the coals of Rebellion which were not quite extinct but lay still glowing in the hearts of some seditious people About the same time a small Felucca was taken casually with Letters from Lenet to the said Edwards inviting him to a Counsel which was to be held aboard the Spanish Admiral Two Citizens of Bourdeaux were apprehended likewise with Letters from the said Lenet to several persons in the Town and particularly to certain Ladies By all these Discoveries it being sufficiently clear their design was to reunite with the Spaniards and to revive the hopes of the Frondeurs which were not yet quite extinguish'd the Dukes were more vigilant then before and applied themselves with all imagineable diligence to find out fit remedies for these wounds which were not yet well closed After the Procession of the 15. of August Espagnet was imprisoned and sent with a good Guard to the Castle of Angoulesme Passports were given to several persons suspected to contrive new troubles to remove elsewhere among which were the Counsellors du Duke de Manvesin and la Chese Some Troops were commanded towards Merau to be imbark'd if need were in the Kings Ships in order to the ingaging of the Spanish Fleet which was then at Anchor within sight of Royan a small Town but of great strength and importance having Xaintonge on its right hand and the Country of Medoc on its left Other Souldiers were sent into Xaintonge where the whole Countrey was in Armes apprehending the landing of the Spaniards in those parts And all Inconveniences were with such diligence prevented by the order of Mazarine that the Rebellion could by no wayes take Footing again nor disturb the peace and tranquillity of the Bourdelots Who being grown wise at their owne cost had found that the worth and excellency of good Orders is not to be discern'd without a sence and experience of disorders The HISTORY of the Managements of CARDINAL MAZARINE Part II. Lib. II. AFfairs going on in this manner in Guienne
he would not engage himself far in France with so many strong Towns at his back and an Army in his flanck in stead of following him as seemed requisite by the Rules of War On the 9. of August he marched to Magny where they made Bonefires and rejoycings in the Camp for the happy news of the reduction of Bourdeaux which much encouraged the Army so that speedily passing the River he dispatch'd the Comte de Schomberg with 400 Horse and 200 Foot to reinforce the Garrison of Corbie and prevent the Princes design At the same time the whole French Army march'd towards Ham pass'd the River in the night and lodg'd on the other side where Turenne having intelligence that the Count de Maille with a large Convoy of Ammunition and 4000 Pioneers was departed from Cambray to reinforce the Spanish Army in case they should invest any place Incontinently with the greatest part of his Horse and a commanded party of Foot the the next morning at break of day he clap'd himself in the way that the Convoy was to pass with resolution to set upon them But the Prince having smelt his design as being no less acquainted with the Practices of Turenne and the greatest part of his Commanders most of them having serv'd under him and that there was nothing to be done at that time turning head with his light Horse and marching with all diligence towards the Somme sent advice by Polenet Groom of his Chamber to the Count de Maille to return again with his Convoy to Cambray Polinet returning back the same day was taken Prisoner by a Party of the Royallists who understanding by him and afterwards by the Scouts which had been at the very Gates of Cambray that Maille was retreated and that the Prince having cast two Bridges of Boats over the Somme had pass'd it and lodg'd himself upon the banck of it betwixt Corbie and Bre Turenne return'd with great dexterity towards his Camp which was already advancing towards him and having joyn'd with the Mareschal la Ferte they secured their Baggage under the walls of Peronne and encamp'd at a Village not far from that Town and at no great distance from the Spanish Army taking possession of a convenient place to sustain a battel if occasion offered it The Prince in the mean time believ'd he should catch Turenne unprovided and constrain him to fight and in this confidence he march'd all night long and with so much expedition that the next morning in sight of Peronne he found the enemies baggage with its Guards who having no Alarm thought his coming impossible But his men being very weary with the tediousness of their March he forbore falling upon them Turenne in the mean time having drawn his Army to Mont St. Quintin which is an Abby upon a Hill The Prince found him in so good Order he had no minde to provoke him at such a disadvantage However Condy made as if he was come on purpose to attaque him thereby to hold him in suspence till he could receive the Convoy from Cambray without which there was no probability of being able to lay Siedge to any place But in the mean-time while he endeavored by small skirmishes to amuse them with the expectation of a Battel he caus'd his Vauntguard to march directly towards Saint Quintin leaving the Kings Camp on the right hand and a great Wood betwixt both Armies Turenne having his eyes open upon all occasions and not willing the enemie should march directly before him as the Prince of Condy did design he advanc'd with equal diligence and prevented him at a Post which the Prince thought to have possest Condy was hereupon obliged to make a halt by which means the Armies were once again brought to face one another there being nothing betwixt them but a little valley and that very easie and accessible above which the French placed a strong Guard over against a Wood which ran up almost to the Enemies Camp not above a Musquet-shot distant Here both Armies stood their ground facing one another three or four days with great wariness the Prince and the Spanish Generals being unwilling to come to an Engagement in a place the Mareschals had chosen so much to their advantage On the 14. of August there happen'd a smart skirmish in which the two Counts brothers of Russy ingaged themselves too far and Turenne's Lieutenant-Collonel was slain The same day the Prince of Taranto the Marquess de Bouteville and the Count de Duraz being upon the Prince of Condy's out-Guards and curious of seeing and saluting the Mareschal Turenne who at the same time was by accedent at his they sent a Trumpet to desire they might have the honour to kiss his hands which being granted they were received by Turenne with his usual kindness and affability and discours'd together with reciprocal Complements Some Gentlemen also ftom the Kings Camp went to pay their respects to the Prince of Condy who drew near within 200 Paces of Turenne and possibly with a desire to speak with him but Turenne being aware of it pretending some business he departed from that place without staying for the Invitation which as was supposed the Prince was about to send him by one of his Gentlemen Two houres before day upon the 25. of August the Prince raised his Camp and march'd towards St. Quintin of which Turenne having advertisement and suspecting the attaque of some of those places he caused the Count de Beaujen to repass the Somme with 1200 Horse and 600 Foot with Orders to keep nigh Ham and Saint Quintin to be ready to succour which of those places he should fall upon The French Generals repass'd the River at Peronne marching all Night and the next day directing their way towards Ham. Beaujeu being arriv'd at Saint Quintin he had news that the Count de Duraz was with 2000. Horse commanded out of the Enemies Army and advanc'd to invest Guise whereupon with all diligence crossing the Fere he put a good supply of men very seasonably into that place of which the Prince of Condy having notice he commanded the said Count back to the Army after he had fac'd the Town 12 houres together The Prince perceiving his designes hitherto ineffectual and much troubled to find so much Conduct and Courage in the Kings Captains he resolv'd to try another way advancing his Army within a League of Ham distending it along a little River which there dischargeth it self into the Somme with a resolution to attaque that place or if the Kings Army appear'd to relieve it to fall desperately upon them and with his sword in his hand in that field to determine all differences and emulations He was no sooner arrived at his appointed Post but he saw the French Army on the other side ready to flanck him and at his back the Count de Beaujeu who having repass'd the Oyse had placed himself at Fargny to take such resolutions as the accidents of Affairs should direct
disturb them in their Siege or put relief into the Town they march'd without delay to la Fere pass'd the River and by the way of Heppe Auchenne and Pollieux they came to Armilly from whence they dispatch'd away a strong party to joyn with the Count de Grand Pre who was already advanc'd from la Fere to invest Mouson The Prince of Condy foresaw that Turenne to recompence the loss of Rocroy would endeavor to get Mouson and there fore had very opportunely commanded the Count de Briole to convey himself to Stenay with 400 Horse and 1200 Foot to joyn with the Marquess of Persan's Troops who upon the surrender of Rhetel were retir'd into that Town and with them to have a special eye upon the conservation of the adjacent places which were under his command accordingly the Count de Briole understanding the motion of the French Army march'd immediately to Beaumont a Village within a league of Mouson from whence he put into the town some Companies of Foot returning with the rest to Stenay to be ready upon occasion to succour the Garrisons of Clermont and St. Menhaud if the French finding the Garrison of Mouson too strong should turnback upon som of these places But notwithstanding these supplies the French late down before Mouson dividing their Army into four quarters one at Ablemont where Turenne lay the second at Vaux where la Ferte lodg'd the third by the River commanded by the Marquess de Uxelles Lieutenant-General and the fourth in the Suburbs on the other side the Mose where the Count de Plessis son of the Mareschal of that name entred with his Regiment of Foot and some Dragoons And because it was necessary to secure their quarters in the said Fauxbourg from any prejudice they might receive from the besieged by reason of a Fort or Tenaglia they had at the very point of the Bridg Turenne past the River himself and caus'd it to be assaulted in his Presence which was perform'd with so much courage and good Order that they presently presently made themselves Master of it the Defenders retreating into the Town The taking of this Fort rendred the Bridge unserviceable to the enemy and secur'd their quarters in the suburbs The Count de Beaujeu who lay with a Body of Horse at Lobe 4. Leagues from Rocroy to observe the motion of the Spaniards came likewise to Mouson and quartred with his Horse in the Fauxbourg Mouson lies upon the river Mose one branch of which runs thorow the Town the other washes it on the right side it hath a fair Bridge and at the end of it was the said Fort or Tenaglia which commanded the suburbs which lie at a little distance The Town is encompass'd with a strong wall and Towers of an ancient Fabrick fill'd in many places with earth and flancked with half-Moons and Ravelins On one side the ditches are watered with the River which runs very pleasantly thorow them besides which it has very strong out-works which encompass it from one side of the River to the other with Bulwarks and Half-Moons There were in the Town about 1500 Foot and 200 Horse under the Command of Collonel Wolf a German with sufficient provision of all sorts and 18 Pieces of Cannon The Tenaglia at the Foot of the bridge being taken and the Fauxbourg secured the French opened their Trenches and in 4 or 5 days possest themselves of the out-works lodging themselves upon the brow of the Ditch in two places where they planted three batteries The Marquess de Castelneau Lieutenant-General lodg'd himself upon the bank on that side next the River and possessing himself of a half-Moon which the besieged had deserted and attempted to place himself at the Foot of the wall to spring a Mine but he was beaten off by the Defendants with Granadoes and other Fire-works upon which the besiegers were obliged to break the Counterscarp which was lined with stone and throw themselves into the Ditch to advance under Covert with their Galleries even to their very Pallisadoes and in this attempt the Vidame of Laon son to the Count de Boussy Nephew of the Mareschal Turenne a brave youth of 18 years of age was slain The French made their approaches over against a great Tower and passing the Ditch without the help of a Gallery they began their Mines at the Foot of it and springing one of them which taking effect they lodg'd themselves in the said Tower continuing their work in the Mine that they might utterly demolish it as they did on the other side which more then ordinary diligence pressing hard upon the Town to take it before the Spaniards should make themselves Masters of Rocroy so that their Mines being ready to spring the besieged fearing they should not be able to resist an assault resolv'd to capitulate which they did upon the 26. of September 18 days after they were attaqued the Governor marching out with 1400 choice men While the French were intent upon the taking of this Town the Spaniard was no less busie about the reduction of Rocroy hoping to compel that Garrison to surrender before they lost Mouson and so come in time enough to its relief which if it succeeded they should easily obtain their intent having finished their trenches their approaches and their batteries in five of which they had dispos'd 23 whole Cannons two upon the brow of the Ditch and 3 in the field The 16. of September the Prince of Condy caus'd 400 of his men to attaque their covert way and Lodge themselves upon the Counterscarp falling furiously upon the Half-moon betwixt the two Bulwarks which was with great courage defended by the besieged The Governour wanting neither experience nor valour by frequent and well-managed Sallies rendred the Enterprize much more difficult then was imagin'd and because the Count de Fuensaldagne had always oppos'd this Siege from whence nothing could be expected but the consuming of their souldiers the loss of one of the Kings Towns and a Conquest without profit it falling to the Prince of Condy's share upon which score some sharp expressions falling out betwixt him and the said Prince the Arch-Duke thought fit to come himself to the Camp to compose by his prudence and dexterity all differences betwixt them But if his coming did one way appease the mind of the Prince another way it discontented him as much he being very sensible that the Arch-Dukes presence would diminish the Glory which in the taking of that Town he conceiv'd did belong solely to himself of this disgust he gave a cleer proof refusing to receive the word from the Arch-Duke which he highly resenting Commanded the Prince of wirtenbourg who was lodg'd in the same quarter with the Prince of Condy not to obey his orders any more But this Affair likewise was accomodated by the Duke of Lorrain who arrived at that time at the Spanish Camp the Medium he found out was this That the word should be given neither by the Arch-Duke
nor by the Prince but by a third person Chosen to that purpose by them both The Duke of Lorrain pretending that by the ill Air of that place his Troops were grown sickly and died daily on a sudden without the least intimation to the Arch-Duke he March'd off with his Forces to the great wonder and astonishment of the other Generals for without his forces which made up the third part of the Army if the French should attempt the relief of the Town they might easily effect it and force them to raise the Siege not without great danger of a further disaster wherefore the Count de Fuensaldagne followed the said Duke who was already some leagues off and overtaking him at Mariambourg with much ado perswaded him back to the Leagure The first Salley the besieged made was upon those that were lodged on the Countrescarp towards the point of the Half-Moon by 60 choice men arm'd all of them with a kind of Syths upon strong staves with which having entred the work they cut all in pieces that were advanc'd the most forward after this Salley another Captain issued out with 45 men and two Granadeers and entring into another work advanc'd by the enemy against the Bulwark of Chene under the Pallisadoe to facilitate their passage into the ditch they put all they found within it to the sword Yet notwithstanding such brave opposition the Besiegers ceas'd not to double their strength advancing to the Wall of the Bulwarks to open a breach with their Mines come to an assault In the mean time the besieged made another Sally upon the Spanish quarter doing them great mischief and taking Prisoners a Lieutenant Colonel with a Spanish Captain The besiegers some few days after opening a way into the Foss they pass'd it by the help of two Bridges of Bavins and gave fire to their Mines under the aforesaid Bulwarks one of which prov'd ineffectual by the diligence of those that were within the other took effect at the Bulwark of Chene where the Governour received a wound in the Head by a Musquet-shot who notwithstanding caus'd himself to be carried up and down in a Chair where his Presence was most requisite Two breaches in the mean time were made in the front of these bulwarks and furiously assaulted by the Spaniards and as stoutly defended by the Garrison The same night the besiegers were repuls'd in another assault upon the half-Moon yet not so but that they lodg'd themselves at the point of it carried it afterward for they within not being able to defend it any longer thought best to abandon it especially there being no Port of Communication which made them doubt that if it hapned to be forc'd all those men would be lost of which they stood in need The Governor having taken a review of the remainder of his men fit for service and finding they amounted not to 300 and seeing the breaches open in the bulwarks and another Battery began upon the Courtin which had no defence without nor water in the Ditch That same night the enemy was ready for the assault he resolv'd to capitulate which was concluded on the 30th of September and on the first of October he march'd out with 220 Souldiers with honourable conditions and was convoy'd to Charleville This Town was deliver'd into the hands of the Prince of Condy garrison'd by his souldiers and the Government of it given to the Duke d' Anguien his son which gave some resentment to such as were truly for the interest of his Majesty of Spain who discoursing politickly among themselves said that they had lost Mouson and not gain'd Rocroy for it remaining in the Princes hands would serve rather to foment his pretensions and facilitate his reconcilement with the Court of France then to augment his affection to the service of Spain Rocroy being taken the Spanish Army remain'd there for some days to demolish their lines of Circumvallation and make up the breaches and finding themselves much weakned and harrass'd with that siege they retired into the countrey about Avennes to refresh themselves the Prince remaining at Rocroy being fallen ill of a quartane Ague The Mareschal de Turenne having taken Mouson as hath been related left in it a Garrison of 600 Foot with the Regiment of the Count de Grand Pre giving him the Command of it and passing the Mose march'd directly towards Meziers and whilst he lay there he had News of the Surrender of Rocroy At the same time the Count de Novalles advanc'd to Vervins with 1500 men and having taken it Mareschal Turenne March't to Aubigny to observe more narrowly the motion of the Enemy and obstruct their attempting of any other place and here he rested for some days Whilst he was at Meziers he sent the Marquess d' Uxelles with 1200 men towards the Castle of Bousancy which not being capable of relief from the Garrisons of Stenay and the adjacent Towns by reason they were watch'd with a Party of Horse under the Count de St. Maur it surrendred before the Cannon came up The King was come from Paris the first day of September and after a short stay at Amiens removed to Soissons the 30. of the said month and thence to Laon in order to the relieving of Rocroy which he had a design to have attempted and to that purpose the Duke of Elbeuf was call'd out of Picardy who with 3000 men lay quartered in those parts to which the King joyn'd the greatest part of his Guards but the Surrender hapning before all the Preparations were ready those thoughts were laid aside and chang'd into another resolution taken up by the Cardinal with great undauntedness and courage He judged it very convenient for the King to go to Amiens whilst Affairs were in that posture to cajole the Duke of Chaunes out of that City and Cittadel who had insinuated himself into the possession of that place after the death of his Brother and as was doubted would keep it contrary to the desire of the Kings Counsel and thought the said Duke having a considerable estate in France and his mind well compos'd to the service of the King was suppos'd to have no other intent but to create a jealousie in the Court thereby to addvance his fortune which Arts are no where practised so much as in France nevertheless it was judg'd no ill piece of policy to secure themselves against the least suspicion of a person who by the Variation of his mind might contribute so largely to the prejudice of his Soveraign And though the said Duke had sent to the Court the Letters which were writ him by the Prince of Condy full of invitations and promises if he would engage on his side yet the Cardinal look'd upon it as a Seasonable piece of service to make sure of that important place considering how unstable the minds of men are and particularly of that Nation in whose brains there always boyls a certain vivacity more turbulent
in so enormous a case it could have bin done without violence to justice which in such accidents ought not to be overpowered by pity and compassion There follow'd several other Executions in Paris upon persons imprison'd for hainous Offences but without doubt the King's Clemency was greater then his Justice they that received grace and pardon being superiour in Number to those that were punish'd We cannot omit in this place the action of a dilinquent who being to loose his Head declar'd his ambition should triumph over his fate and therefore before he was to appear upon the Scaffold as he had been to go to a Feast he put himself in a gay dresse caus'd his face to be Shaved his haire curld and powdered and his Mustaccio's turn'd up boasting with an undaunted boldness That Persons of Honour even in the most ignominious death ought to die like themselves And though clemency and too much indulgence gives but fresh boldness and encouragement to fall into the same crimes again and is therefore look'd upon in many peoples opinions as a very ill Maxime yet that was no impediment to the present Councils for to all generous minds the opportunity of meriting the benedictions of such as received grace being much rather to be chosen then the imprecations of those which were punish'd the Kings Ministers took this course whereby their Charity working upon Heaven has since produc'd those Miracles that have rendred his Government the happiest who bearing the hereditary Title of most Christian has to his everlasting honour added to it the Epithite of most merciful And certainly they may justly be called Miracles which were seen in France in this Year 1653. for whilst it was expected and too probably that that Kingdome could not avoid destruction by so many storms and tempests both at home and from abroad The Heavens cleered up on a sudden and that Clime became quiet sedate which was before so dismally dreadful for by the reduction of Guienne and Bourdeaux being rid of that fastidious diversion they were able to use those Armes in other places which have since secured the Frontiers from daily Alarms and penetrating into Catalonia and Lombardy interrupted those designes which by the favour of their antecedent Victories would have brought extraordinary advantage to thinterest of Spain Whilst the military Affairs in Catalonia Guienne and Champagne were managed in this manner in Piemont also they began to have a better face and those doubts to clear up which by reason of their want of assistance the people of that Province might have reasonably pretended if to evade the calamities of a War they had come to an Agreement with the Spaniards For the Count de Quincè having past into Piemont and by order from Mazarine being enforc'd with fresh Troops from France he advanc'd with 5 or 6000 men into the Enemies Countrey and encamping at Annone upon the Banks of the Tanaro in a months time that he was there he infested the Countrey about Alexandria with continual incursions after which he return'd into the Territory of Montferrat and passing the Po at Verrica he went to encamp above Crescentino to observe the motion of the Marquess of Caracene who having taken the field with 8000 men was come to Foâ—tane and Palazzuolo three miles distant Here the Armies remain'd several days observing one anothers motion in which time the French made several excursions and one in particular with 1500 men as far as Vercelli afterwards before they drew off Quince drew out his Horse into the Fields of Bertola within Cannon-shot of the enemies Camp and challenged the Spaniards to a battel but they holding it as a Maxime to tire out the French fury with the Spanish Phlegme laugh'd at his defiance This Gallantry of the French vanishing in this manner without effect Quincè repass'd the Po in the Month of July and entred a fresh into Montferrat passing the Tanaro upon a Bridge of Boats near Asti and from thence having stay'd two days at Rochetta he encamped at Monbersel At the News of this March the Marquess of Caracene cross'd the Po likewise with his Troops near Pontestura and traversing Montferrat came to Felezzano to pass the Tanaro at Rochetta but discovering the enemy ready to oppose him he went to pass it lower towards Alexandria advancing as far as Nizza de la Paglia Quince stayed observing his motion about 15 days at Castel nuovo Bruzato where hapned daily skirmishes betwixt their Horse But Caracene resolving finally to fall into Piemont and by this diversion oblige the French to quit Monferrat he pass'd the Po at Pontestura and began to scour the Countrey round about which yet was not sufficient to make Quince remove who judging it a thing very prejudicial to transfer the War into the Countrey of his Friends and Allies he took another resolution He sent his baggage to Asti and forded the Tanaro at Rochetta and so passing to Bormida by the way of Novi he came to Serravalla a great Village above Alexandria upon the Confines of the Territories of Genoa betwixt the Rivers Scrivia and Orba and having sack'd it he March'd towards Tortona and Castel nuovo di Scrivia making great Booties in those places where he was not expected Upon this Caracene was constrained to change his designes upon Piedmont and pass with all diligence to Alexandria draining his Garrisons and drawing all the forces together he was able to cut off the retreat of the French to Nizza But Quince having notice both of his motion and design he march'd by Cassino di Stradda by Aicqui and by the vale of Bistagno and Nizza where the Spanish Army was arrived before him The same Night the French retreated to Santo Stephano and hasted away to gain the Pass of la Madonna de Tennello preventing the enemie who arriv'd there at the very instant that the French had made themselves Masters of it with their Vauntguard Here they fell a skirmishing but with reservation on the Spanish side who would not engage themselves in a Battel with the French who though they were inferiour in number yet were too strong for them in respect of the goodness of their Horse Quince past directly towards Alba without any stop and from thence to Govenne betwixt Alba and Asti extending his Troops along the Banks of the River Tanaro where the French made a stay till the Arrival of the Mareschal de Grancè who having pass'd the Mountains with a Recruit of 1200 men on the 18. of September arrived at the Camp where informing himself of the state of the Spanish Army which was likewise encamp'd upon the same Confines endeavouring to penetrate further into Piedmont he had News that Caracene was removed from Montenego and march'd with all diligence to gain the Pass of the Tanaro at a place called Rochetta with design to go to Felezzano Hereupon they held a short Council of War and it was resolv'd not only to hinder his Advance but engage him
to a battel on which depended their hopes Grancè sent out the Marquess of Monpesat his Lieutenant General who had the Command of the Rear to possess himself of the most advantageous ground and having drawn up the rest of his Army himself in a large field reaching to the Neighbouring Hills He advanc'd with 4 Squadrons to descry the enemy and having discover'd that Caracene began to pass his men over upon a Bridge of Boats followed by the Infantry under the Conduct of Don Vincenzo Monsuri and that the Horse foorded the River a little beneath led by the Duke de Sesto General of the Gens d' Arms and Count Geleazzo Trotti General of the Neapolitan Cavalry He thought it best not to give the Spaniards time to finish their Passage but by possessing himself first of the Field to necessitate them either to retire or to engage upon disadvantageous termes he caused therefore his main body to advance with all possible speed Caracene not being able to prevent the French by reason of the slowness of his men in passing the River and the loss of two houres time in staying for the Bridge resolv'd to expect them under the Advantage of the Posts where he was and because he had not time to draw into the Plain and the ground being somewhat strait on that side the Tanaro accommodating himself as well as he could both as to his time and his ground he drew his Horse into Squadrons behind his Infantry Thence he possess'd himself immediately of two Cottages placing there the Tertia's of Don Luigi Benaudes and Don Inigo de Velandia and in the space betwixt the two Houses the Regiments of Don Giuseppe Velasco Don Diego d' Arragon and of Beltin with design to have united them by a branch of a Trench which for want of time could not be perfected The Mareschal observing the posture of the enemy and perceiving that by the advancing of his Van he might put the Spanish Camp into some disorder by the advantage of the hill though without Musquet-shot and provided only with two little Field-Pieces he drew his Army into two lines with all possible expedition The Marquess of Monpesat had the Command of the right Wing consisting of the Regiments of Navarre Perault Aiguebonne the Kings Swiss-Guards the Squadron of the Mareschals Guards the Regiments of Orleans Feron of Prince Maurice of Savoy Marcoussè Ferues and Epinchat The left Wing was commanded by the Marquess de Vardes with the Regiment of Foot of Orleans Lionnois and Quincè and of Horse there were the Regiments of St. Andrè Brigy and Villefranche on the left hand of which stood all the Companies of Voluntiers the Cavalry of Savoy under the Command of their General the Marquess de Monte of Verona to whom were joyned the Infantry of the Regiment of Monpesat and Villa Lieutenant-General of the Savoy Horse In the second line stood the Regiment of Saux as a Reserve to the Regiment of Navarr with the Regiment of Carignan de Sault and on the left the Regiment of Grancè sustein'd the Regiments of Orleans and Lyennois having with them in the same line the Guards of Savoy the French Gens d' Armes with the Regiments of Ris Deoncly and Saint Agnan In this Order the French advanc'd and with great fury charg'd three Companies of light Horse and some parties of Foot which appearing upon the top of the Hills were repulsed as far as the Battalions of Benavides Velandia and Beltin by whom the French were received so couragiously both with Pike and Musquet which flanked them thorow several holes of the Cottages that Monpesat finding it impossible to advance further made a stand The French resolv'd to possess themselves of a little Church or Chappel towards the River about some 20 paces distant from the little Houses where Caracene had placed two Files of Spanish and Italian Musquetiers with Orders if they were attaqu'd to retire to a body of his drawn up hard by compos'd of the Tertia's of Don Carlo d' Este Don Giusippe Brancaccio Danel Assy Count di Santi lana and some foreign souldiers of the State of Milan Grancè caus'd the said Chappel to be Assaulted by 200 Foot seconded by some Horse which was immediately taken the Musquetiers retiring according to their Orders to their main Body which stood firm in their Post He sent out after them his Company of Gens d' Armes who advanc'd within 30 Paces of the Trenches on the Spanish left wing and as the same time he made a brisk charge with his Foot hoping that if he could disorder the Enemies Battalion the French Horse might fall in and put them to an absolute rout but meeting with a certain torrent of Waters which in that place falls into the Tanaro the Horse were forc'd to stop their carreer In the mean time the Troops of Savoy made their charge betwixt the River and the right Wing of the Spaniards which was the most open place where at the first volley of the Enemies Masketiers the Marquess Monte a person of great Conduct and experience and of great same for several valiant Exploits was shot in the Head and died immediatly The Marquess Villa had a slight wound in the Arme and was afterwards made General in the place of the said Monte the Count de Medavid son of the Mareschal and the Sieur de Boussy Mareschal di Battaglia and several other Officers were hurt Whereupon Grancè observing the resoluteness of the Spaniards animated by the presence of their General Caracene who according to the example of an excellent Captain kept still in the front among his first Files thrusting himself forward where the danger was greatest commanded up his second line with two small peices one of which was disabled at the first shot by the breaking of the Carriage the French continued shooting with the other but to so little purpose That being repuls'd in all places at length about Sun-set their fury beginning to abate for want of Artillery and Amunition it being observ'd that the Swissers for want of leaden Bullets had shot away most of their Pewter-buttons off their doublets they retreated to the Hill where and the next Morning took their March towards Montemagno and Granai There were slain of the French in this Engagement besides the Marquess de Monte 4 Captains and several other Officers with a considerable number of common souldiers which was not precisely known and above 100 wounded amongst which several Officers The Spaniards lost but few Souldiers and few or no Officers but several were wounded and among the rest the Marquess de Caracene was slightly hurt with a Musket-shot After this Fight the French Army remained 17 days at Mountemagno and neither the one nor the other being in a condition to undertake any considerable Enterprize all the rest of that Campagne was spent in Marches and Counter-Marches from one place to another The French to keep themselves in the Territories of Milan and to subsist
d' Estrades Ingaged to muster up all the Seamen that were able to bear Arms and put them on the Ships But as they were Executing the Duke of Vandosm's Orders to conduct them on on a sudden the Spanish Fleet was discover'd under Sail standing towards Blay and advanc'd as far as Paulliac not as formerly five or six in Company to fetch fresh water but the whole Body of their Navy in appearance to fall upon the French at a time when the Duke of Vandosme had withdrawn his Troops into Xaintoigne to ease the Countrey about Bourdeaux But being called back again in great haste and advancing some Regiments to put aboard the Ships the Spaniard retired to the Foss of Verdun The Duke of Vandosme had taken a view of the Spanish Fleet the 26. of September and sent Sir George Carteret to inform himself more particularly of their condition who found they were 28 vast and stout Galeons but by some which had been taken prisoners in the Island of Patiras he understood they were much infested with the Scurvey which is a disease that eats up the Gumms Nevertheless they landed some men at St. Surin de Cadurna in Medoc and burnt some few houses before the Kings troops were in a condition to repulse them or accost them with their Cannon As Vandosme was preparing to engage them and had sent several Galeots to Saint Surin de Mortagne and to Mortagne it self to take in some corn the Count Marsin arriving at the Spanish Fleet had a design on that place and accordingly landed about 3000 men surprized the ten Galeots sent thither to furnish themselves with corn for the necessities of the Army and Fleet forc'd the Castle and pillag'd some houses but apprehending lest the Marquess of Breval Mareschal de Camp should fall upon him with the Regiment of Normandy which was quartered hard by he aabandon'd the Post he had taken and if Breval had had but the least number of Horse to have cut off the passage from the Spaniards who had no Horse at all and were laden with booty he had undoubtedly defeated them Marsin made some barricadoes in a Meadow which extends it self to the River having on one side the Canale de Mortagne to shelter that flanck and on the other his own men which he drew into Battalia He sustein'd the skirmish vigorously embark't all the plunder of that miserable Country losing nevertheless some few men in his retreat which the Regiment of Normandy fell upon as they found their Number lessen upon the Shoar In the mean time the Count de Estrades had got together about Rochel and Browages and other places belonging to his Government some 1200. Mariners which he put aboard French vessels and sent them away without delay to joyn with the Duke of Vandosme The Duke being gone on board the Admiral and all his men embarkt the set Sail resolving to give them Battel but the Spaniards surprized with this unexpected resolution set fire on certain small Vessels and with the favour of the wind retired The Duke followed them out of the mouth of the River where he saw them divide their Fleet into two Squadrons one of them making towards Biscay and the other towards Dunkirk The Duke went on shore at Royan and whilst he stayed there to receive more certain news of the enemies Fleet the San-Salvatore Vice-Admiral of Spain which came from Saint Sebastian together with another small Ship both of them laden with Victuals and other Provisions for the Fleet entred into the River not knowing they was departed and were so far engaged amongst the French Ships before they were aware that after some small opposition against the Ship called the Berger they were forc'd to strike Sail and surrender In the Vice-Admiral there were 40 Peeces of Cannon in the other Vessel 700 Marriners and a Months Provision for the whole Armada After this Prize the French Navy retired into the River Sudra and the Duke of Vandosme went away to Court The Count d' Estrades for his great merits was declar'd Major of Bourdeaux an Office of great honour and importance and the Principal in all that Town signifying as much as the Head or chief Governour of the City which Office is so considerable that it was formerly enjoy'd by the Sieurs de Mattignon d' Ornano and de Roquelaure Mareschals of France In this manner the disturbances at Bourdeaux were composed But whilst these inhabitants were enjoying the fruits of the peace which had bin granted them by his Majesties clemency the Plague breaking out in that City interrupted their liberty and their Trade the Countrey round about was so sorely visited that it remain'd almost depopulate The Deputies of Bourdeaux being arrived at Court which was at that time it Chalons in Champagne were received by their Majesties with such demonstrations of clemency and affection that the guilt of their past errors was quite forgot and gave them confidence to expect even the favour of the Kings bounty The Parliament of Guienne who had removed themselves to Reole receiving the Provisions of the Government of Limousin granted by his Majesty to the Mareschal Turenne who with his Valour and Counsels maintain'd the Frontiers against the strongest efforts of the enemie encamping always so as to be ready upon the least motion of the Prince of Condy who though he was retired to give his Army refreshment yet not without thoughts of returning into the Field again and take up at least his Winter-quarters in France The Cardinal finding by the reduction of Guienne the Kings Army 's free from a most powerful diversion in those parts and being able thereby to apply himself with the whole Army to check the bold designes of the Prince of Condy and ruine his reputation in France He call'd the Generals of the Armies together in his Abbey at Laon to a Councel of War and propos'd to them that before they went to their Winter-Quarters to attempt some new Enterprize and if possible to take from the Prince of Condy the Town of Saint Menehaud which having a strong Garrison in it infested all the Neighbouring Country and forc'd not only the Villages and open places but the walled and strong Townes to pay them very large contribution The Judgment of the Major part of the Officers was not to ingage in any new Enterprize that year for that the Spaniards though much weakned by the siege of Rocroy might recruit themselves and returning with considerable forces either raise their siege to the great diâ—reputation of the French Arms or by some other diversion recompence the loss they should sustein and perhaps to double the value The Cardinal oppos'd this opinion and made it appear that with the Army of the two Mareschals Turenne and la Fertè Seneterre they might oppose the Spaniards and the Prince of Conde and in the mean time with the Kings Guards and some other few Troops block up St. Menehaud till the forces from Guienne and certain
the same time Charleroy having received his Arrears the Garrison was changed and Monsieur de Besemaux Captain of the Cardinals Guards was made Governour with whom were left several other Officers entirely depending on the King This Affair having succeeded as the Cardinal contrary to the opinion of many of the Council had presaged contributed much to his reputation and rendred his merits more considerable to the Crown The Cardinal after all this assured the Duke d' Elbeuf that being thorowly informed of the sincerity of Count Harcourt he had the same kindness for him as formerly that seeing he had submitted himself so ingenuously he would take an opportunity that he should have absolute satisfaction The Court remain'd very well pleas'd with the Respect and Generosity of the Count in that Action but those who were emulous of his glory and with several suggestions had wounded his reputation were much astonish'd and confus'd The Duke d' Anville who not many dayes before had been banish'd the Court was recall'd and receiv'd into favour again both by the King and the Cardinal The displeasure was grounded upon this that having promised to resign his Government of Limousin which was design'd for the Mareschal de Turenne in recompence of his services perform'd for the Crown by the instigation of the Arch-bishop of Burges d' Anville seemed unwilling to give his Consent whereupon to Court having engaged their word to Turenne thought themselves obliged to make it good as well to satisfie him who otherwise might have thought himself eluded as to signifie his Majesties resentment to the Duke but he acknowledging his fault and having perform'd what he promis'd was restor'd again to Court Whilst the Mareschal de Hoquincourt was preparing for his journey into Catalonia the States of Languedoc that Winter were held at Pezenas a Town and Castle seated upon the Confluence of the two Rivers the Peyne and the Eraut the Marquess de Plessis Belliere residing there and finding the humour of those people by the infelicity of the times more dispos'd to Factions and Cabals then to pay their Contributions to the King he used all possible means to reduce them to their obedience and at last perceiving the said States resolved to contribute nothing unless the Troops were drawn out of that Province and knowing that the Provisions of Oats for the Horse and other Necessaries for the Camp were to be made out of the Benevolences of that Country which would amount to a very little if nothing was given by the States and by consequence the Army would be uncapable of doing any thing considerable He offered to take the Field if any reasonable Contribution would be made towards the subsistence of the Army to which the States were well enough inclined He considered moreover that the time of the year was far spent That supplies of men were coming to the Spaniards out of Italy That the Enemy were drawing together and made Provision of Cannon Powder Ladders and other Necessaries of Warre at Castillon in order to the besieging of Roses wherefore concluding it would be too late to relieve it if their Line of Circumvallation should be finished before his Arrival it was necessary to provide against it in time He departed from Pezenas the 25. of May and advanc'd to Rigean and Rivesalta where he made some stay to get his Troops together and to see what the final resolution of the States would be Above all he consider'd the importance of conserving Rossilion about which the Cardinal had writ to him and recommended that Province particularly to his care He rendezvouz'd his Army at Baulori from whence he marched the 16. of July to pass the Mountain of Pertus his whole Number consisted of 2500 Horse and 4000 Foot all expert and veterane souldiers The Spaniards Army was a Regiment of Foot more in number then the French and was commanded by the Baron Saback the Constable of Castile and the Marquess Serra so that it was probably judged they would have opposed the French at that Pass but they only put a Guard into the Tower of Longuiera purposing that whilst these had stopp'd them to come in opportunely and defend the entrance but contrary to all expectation the Tower yielded at the sight of two small field-peeces which the French had brought with them from Rossillion here they stay'd a day attending the coming up of their Baggage and Rear-Guard thence they advanc'd into the Plain beyond Oustelnau Plessis Belliere divided his Army into two Battalia's upon intelligence that the enemy would expect him about Castillon who the more to engage their men to keep the Field had set fire on their Forts before Roses and drawn out the Garrison from Teguiers The French March'd in good Order directly towards the Spaniards leaving Teguiers on their right hand Their Vanguard discover'd the Spaniards drawn up in Battalia behind Castillon under the shelter of the Town a great Moor and several Canals and Ditches but as soon as they saw Night approaching and that the French Rearguard was at hand Their Horse which had faced the enemy till their Foot and baggage March'd off began to face about and retire under the benefit of the Night leaving only 1200 Men in Castillon to hinder the advance of the French The Marquess de Plessis Belliere call'd a Council of War to consider whether they should follow the Enemy or not and iâ— was concluded in the Negative because in a Country full of difficult and strait passes as that was it was impossible to force the Enemy to fight unless he had a mind to it himself Besides their provision of Victuals was not yet come up to the Army and they should be necessitated in a short time to return for want of it to the great prejudice of their reputation amongst those people accustomed to judg of things according to their outward appearance and it concern'd the French to preserve their friendship It was resolv'd on therefore to take Castillon before they procdeded any further and to advance fair and softly and not engage in long Marches that they should not afterwards be able to prosecute To this purpose two Pieces of Cannon were sent for from Roses and having taken a view of the Town they began presently to open the Trenches which were in a short time advanc'd to the very brim of the Ditch notwithstanding the perpetual firing from the walls Castillion has a Rampart about it lin'd with stone made curtain-wise with a small dry ditch the Garrison were Irish and Neapolitans commanded by Colonel Milon who being made Head of the people of Naples to their late Revolutions deserted their Party and entred himself into the Spanish service in which he behav'd himself with much reputation The Besieged made no Salleys as having no works to shelter them without but they threw such quantities of stones that the Assailants were obliged to raise a Gallery in the Ditch to get to the wall with more security which being
and only the two Vallavoirs brothers taken Prisoners by engaging too far into a Squadron of Spanish Officers who were retreating very bravely toward Girona After this defeat the French Troops lodged themselves without any disturbance in the same quarters that had been taken up for the Spaniards though more enlarged that they might subsist the longer in those parts and with more convenience till the Arrival of Monsieur Picoy who was expected from Court with the Kings Orders for their Winter-quarters in France And in this posture the French Army continued about two months in Lampurdam the Spaniards not daring to approach them in the least The 20. of December Picoy arrived from Court with Orders from the King for their Winter quarters upon which a Counsel of Officers being called it was concluded how the Troops were to be dispos'd In the mean time they supply'd Roses with all manner of Provisions and transported thither whatever they could finde in Lamprudam On the 27. of Decemb 1653. the French Army repass'd the Mountains and as soon as they were entred into Rossillon the Mareschal gave Orders to Belliere for the quartering of his Troops who having distributed and dispatch'd them to their several places he took his farewel of the Mareschal and repair'd to the Court according to the leave granted him by the King Hoquincourt stay'd with the Army distributing the rest of them into their Winter-quarters and making such Provisions for them as were convenient Whilst the Cardinal was busied in the functions of the Field and intent upon the taking of St. Menehaud the Countess of Mancini and Martinozzi his Sisters with one of their daughters who after the Parentage betwixt the Pope's Family and the House of Barbarini were departed from Rome arrived in Provence receiving great honours in all places where they pass'd and particularly in Genoua where they were receiv'd with the greatest splendour that could be expected from the Generosity of that State and befitting the merits of their Brother and the dignity of those Ladies who among their other vertues where adorn'd with admirable Modesty and a noble behaviour They stay'd in Provence some days The Court being return'd to Paris these Ladies repaired thither also and were receiv'd with extraordinary affection and civility not only by the Grandees of the Court but by their Majesties them selves The Prince of Conty arriving at Cadillac found Langlade the Cardinals Secretary there lying sick In the Discourse they had together the Prince intimated to him his design of reconciling himself to the Court and to fulfil the last Precepts he receiv'd from his dying Father which were to keep himself firm to the interests of the King and never to deviate from his obedience he reflected upon the example of his brother the Prince of Condy who whilst he continued in his Allegiance enjoyed the fruits of a fortunate glory He considered that the treachery of those about him deluded by the private interest of their friends had constrain'd him to separate from his Brother so that he was reduced at present to a necessity of remaining in an ill condition where ever he was if he did not find out some expedient to return with glory and advantage to his former obedience and preserve his family in the same state and condition in which his father left it He foresaw that to retire into Spain would not only be against his own genius but also expose him to his Brothers revenge who being prepossess'd by the sinister Informations of Marsin and Lenet would certainly despise him He considered to retire into Italy or to any of his houses in France he could not avoid the suspicions of the Court so that either the one way or the other his life in the very flower of his Age would become unhappy idle and unworthy the vivacity of his spirit Hereupon considering with himself what was most essential to his own interest and having prudently weighed what he was to do he found the only way to conserve himself in the quality he was born was to introduce himself by some strict Alliance into an entire friendship with the prime Minister and by consequence into the Kings favour Of these thoughts he gave some little hint to the aforesaid Langlade but did not declare himself too far A while after he discover'd his mind more freely to the Duke of Candale whom he look'd upon as his particular friend and he was not at all deceived for the Duke concurring in his opinion approved his judgment as very prudent and well-grounded and with a generous frankness encourag'd him to proceed though he himself at the same time was in treaty of Marriage with the same Lady and did most ardently desire the accomplishment of it It did no seem convenient to the Prince to discover his inclinations so suddenly to the Court he only sent Menil the Captain of his Guards to pass some few Compliments without any Letters of Credence or others instructions whatever Menil was received with great Civility and having discover'd the sentiments not onely of their Majesties but also of the Cardinal and the other Ministers of the Court he assured the Prince at his return that he had found such a propension in the Cardinal towards him that he could assure him of an eternal Oblivion of what was past and a sincere renovation of his affection for the time to come Upon this information he concluded to send Saracin his Steward to Court as a person in whom he much confided to Negotiate this Affaire with more liberty and freedom which had bin only darkly hinted to Langlade at Cadillac Saracin soon discoverd the Cardinals good disposition and after some journeys and meetings betwixt him and Langlade the Treaty of Marriage betwixt the Prince of Conty and the Countess of Martinozza the Cardinal's Niece was so far advanc't that no doubt was made of it Such as envyed the glory and repose of the Prince and the Cardinal hearing the News endeavourd to sow Tares and create jealousies and suspicions amongst them Some represented to the Abby Ondedei that all this was but an invention and artifice And that Conty held private intelligence with the Prince his Brother and his Sister the Duchess of Longueville and that the effect would not answer the outward appearance Others out of their pretended zeale to the Cardinal Suggested to him That to joyn himself in parentage with the greatest Princes in France he being a stranger was not the way to secure himself from envy and establish more solid foundations for the Authority which he at that time possest seeing the ambition of mankind is such that every one flattering himself with his own proper esteem oftimes growes weary of valuing another persons though his principal friend That the favours of Princes the higher they rise the nearer they are to the disgraces of fortune That there are but few Masters who will make their Servants their Companions and for the most part the Patient being cured the Physician
to the Palace He clap'd double Guards at the Gates and in the Piazza's and the same night dispatch'd the Count de Bruny to the Count de Ligneville who commanded the Dukes Troops to give him an Account of what had hapned and to let him know that the next day he would come and discourse the business with the Officers and bring money along with him to satisfie the souldiers he sent him word likewise that the Count de Sant Amour was gone Post that night to acquaint the Emperour and to invite Duke Francis to come and take upon him the Command of the Army and to take care of his Brothers Concerns The next day the Duke was sent to the Castle of Antwerp accompanied with 300 Horse and the aforesaid Camp-Master General with several other Cavaliers and committed to the custody of Colonel Barnaby de Vergas This being dispatch'd Fuensaldagne went to the quarters of the Lorrainers though many disswaded him in respect of the great danger to which he expos'd himself among those people extreamly affected to their Prince he discours'd with the Officers and carried himself so dexterously that he perswaded them partly by fair words and partly by ready money to continue in his Majesties service without any more stir assuring them Duke Francis would be with them in a short time After this they consulted to oppose the French and drive them from their Neighbouring quarters and it was concluded that the whole Army should march against them They endeavor'd likewise to establish a good correspondence with the Elector of Colen which was easily effected by the means of a Conference held in Tirlemont by the Prince de Ligni and the Seecretary Navarro whereupon the French retired the Elector having signified to them that he had no more need of them much less of the Spanish troops by which means the Country of Liege remained free in this manner this great difficulty was overcome which might have produc'd great inconvenience in that countrey the souldiers were sent again into their quarters intending to fill up their Companies and recruit them Fuensaldagne issued out Orders for the good Government and setled all Affairs sparing for no money which upon such occasions ought to be liberally dispensed Many are of opinion the Duke did absolutely believ he should have his life taken away by some lingering death But the Count de Garcies told him very discreetly that he could not but wonder his Highness had such apprehensions That the King his Master desired only to secure him for some time upon some occasion that concerned the Crown A Manifesto was afterward publish'd by the Arch-Duke declaring that when the Duke retired first into the Spanish dominions to secure himself against the violences the French began to exercise both upon his person and Estate He was receiv'd by his most Catholick Majesty and his Lieutenant Generals with cordial friendship and assurance of protection and with so much sincerity to his interests that they included him in all Negotiations and Treaties for a General Peace giving hereby sufficient proof of their candid faith and honourable esteem of his person admitting him moreover into all Councils and Resolutions concerning the War which was carried on by his Majesties Ministers That not withstanding so many and so great obligations contrary to his duty and all terms of thankfulness and gratitude he had swerv'd from these streight ties of Obligation to the great prejudice of the interest and welfare of the Crown for besides the tears sighs and general Lamentations of the people which had rendred the inhumanities rapines and sacriledge of his souldiers sufficiently notorious committed even upon his own subjects whose insolencies were connived at by the Duke himself His secret Intelligences and private designes tending to the prejudice of the publick benefit and service to which he was bound to give a most sincere assistance with all his forces were amply discover'd every one might discern his inconstancy and dissimulated variableness Besides in the resolutions of war and the delays he affected in the execution of the most important expeditions form whence there hapned by his only fault so many funest and unhappy results in several considerable Enterprises which according to all humane Providence would have proved fortunate and successful That all these things were so manifest not only to the Lieutenant-Generals the Collonells and all the Officers of the Army but to the very Souldiers themselves and the common People who were eye-witnesses thereof every one exclaiming and wondering that such abuses should be suffer'd to run on and no remedy apply'd True it was his most Catholick Majesty out of his extraordinary kindness and affection for the house of Lorrain had bin indulgent to the last extremity being very much troubled to have recourse to such expedients hoping still that the remorse of his own conscience would some time or other awaken the Duke and putting him in mind of his ingratitude towards so favourable and incomparable a King dispose him to return to his duty But growing worse every day then other and the irregularities of his actions beyond all tolleration so that all his Majesties subjects all the Princes and Neighbouring States had him in such detestation that the effect of their vengeance was like to fall heavy upon Flanders That His Catholick Majesty not to provoke any longer the displeasure of Heaven the indignation of the people and the Princes that were abused in their own Dominions could not any longer defer the necessary precautions for the stopping of these disorders and therefore had caus'd his person to be secured in which he had neither transgrest the Law of Nature nor Nations which allow all Sovereign Princes liberty to remove without respect of persons the oppressions and violences against their States or their subjects and to do justice to themselves their People and their neighbouring Potentates friends after the trial of all ways of sweetness and perswasion proves ineffectual That what was acted was not done upon any aversion to the House of Lorrain protesting on the contrary always to protect it and its interests in testimony whereof he had proposed Duke Francis his Brother to the Command of the Dukes Troops and accordingly did declare and require all persons to receive and observe the Orders of the Count de Ligneville Lieutenant-General of the said Troops till the Dukes Arrival assuring moreover all the Officers and Souldiers of a General Pardon of all their Disorders committed till that time under the command of the said Duke Charles This Manifesto was made the same day the Duke was Arrested which was the 25. of Feb 1654. It was afterwards insinuated to the Souldiers that the Duke should not be sent into Spain at all but that when some certain points were adjusted and he had given security for his future fidelity he should be set at liberty by which suggestions they appeased the minds of the Officers and Souldiers who being wel-affected to the